Offset printing press with multi-image plate cylinder
An offset printing press includes a plate cylinder having a plate cylinder circumference and a blanket cylinder having a blanket cylinder circumference, the plate cylinder circumference being in a N:1 relationship with the blanket cylinder circumference, N being 2 or greater. The large plate circumference area permits for various components to fit around the plate cylinder, while using small blankets.
1 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . An offset printing press comprising:
a first plate cylinder associated with one single color having a first plate cylinder circumference;
a first blanket cylinder having a first blanket cylinder circumference, the first plate cylinder circumference being in a N:1 relationship with the first blanket cylinder circumference, N being 2 or greater;
a second plate cylinder associated with another single color different from the one single color having a second plate cylinder circumference; and
a second blanket cylinder having a second blanket cylinder circumference, the second plate cylinder circumference being in a N:1 relationship with the second blanket cylinder circumference, N being 2 or greater.
15 . The printing press as recited in claim 14 wherein N is 2.
16 . The printing press as recited in claim 14 wherein the first plate cylinder and the second plate cylinder include a first removable plate and a second removable plate circumferentially-spaced with respect to the first removable plate.
17 . The printing press as recited in claim 16 wherein the first plate cylinder and the second plate cylinder include a register mechanism to adjust a position of the first plate with respect to a position of the second plate.
18 . The printing press as recited in claim 16 wherein the first and second removable plates carry a same image.
19 . The printing press as recited in claim 16 wherein the first and second removable plates carry different images.
20 . The offset printing press as recited in claim 14 further comprising a single inker for inking the printing plate.
21 . The offset printing press as recited in claim 14 wherein the sleeve-shaped blanket is axially removable from the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder.
22 . The offset printing press as recited in claim 14 wherein the one single color is cyan.
23 . The offset printing press as recited in claim 22 wherein the other single color is magenta.
24 . An offset web printing press comprising:
a first plate cylinder associated with one single color having a first plate cylinder circumference;
a first blanket cylinder having a first blanket cylinder circumference, the first plate cylinder circumference being in a N:1 relationship with the first blanket cylinder circumference, N being 2 or greater;
a second plate cylinder associated with another single color different from the one single color having a second plate cylinder circumference;
a second blanket cylinder having a second blanket cylinder circumference, the second plate cylinder circumference being in a N:1 relationship with the second blanket cylinder circumference, N being 2 or greater; and
a continuous web contacting the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder.
25 . The offset web printing press as recited in claim 24 wherein the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder include a sleeve-shaped blanket.
26 . The offset web printing press as recited in claim 24 further comprising a single inker for inking the printing plate.