Continuous gravure printing machine

(19)

(11)

EP 0 776 764 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	01.04.1998 Bulletin 1998/14

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	04.06.1997 Bulletin 1997/23

(21)	Application number: 96203223.1

(22)	Date of filing: 18.11.1996

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: B41F 9/00, B41F 9/02, B41F 33/08

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB

(30)

Priority:

30.11.1995 US 565497

(71)	Applicant: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
	Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Xydias, Jean, c/o Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US) Wochner, Staniland Fred, c/o Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US) Macaluso, Charles Anthony, c/o Eastman Kodak Co. Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US)

(74)	Representative: Nunney, Ronald Frederick Adolphe et al
	Kodak Limited, Patent Departement (W92)-3A, Headstone Drive Harrow, Middlesex HA1 4TY Harrow, Middlesex HA1 4TY (GB)

(54)	Continuous gravure printing machine

(57) A gravure printing machine has first and second printing means arranged in a frame and capable of continuous printing without having to terminate the operation. A retractable impression roller, when retracted, from either the first or second machine enables a web to follow a travel path between the image transfer nip of one printing machine and the impression roller, the latter serving as an idler roller. A controller means is used to reposition the retracted impression roller into contact and alignment with a print roller, and for sequentially retracting the retractable impression roller from the other printing machine so as to accommodate printing by the other machine.

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