DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

AN AUTOMATIC INK TROLLEY QUICK CHANGE OVER SYSTEM FOR ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING MACHINE STATION

UFLEX LIMITED,
AN INDIAN INCORPORATED COMPANY, OF 305, III FLOOR, BHANOT CORNER, PAMPOSH ENCLAVE, GK-1, NEW DELHI-110048 (INDIA);

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED:

AN AUTOMATIC INK TROLLEY QUICK CHANGE OVER SYSTEM FOR ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING MACHINE STATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to rotogravure printing machine. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for an automatic ink trolley quick change over system for a rotogravure printing machine station. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and a method with which it is possible to automatically move in and out the ink trolley on the rotogravure printing machine station.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Known rotogravure printing presses generally include a feeding station with a web unwinding element and a web feeding rollers followed by several printing stations, each of which can print a different color according to the job to be printed, for example a print requiring white color in the first station, blue in the second one, yellow in the third one, red in the fourth and black in the fifth station and so on. These printing presses can execute various kinds of printings and, when one print is stopped, to start another one, the order of the colors or the color itself in the printing stations may change completely. If the different colors are to be used, the ink trays and other elements need to be cleaned and provided with a new color ink. The machine has to be stopped during cleaning process for ink change.
[003] More often a new job involves a different printing cylinder, and if one wishes to introduce a different set of printing cylinders, other than already installed cylinder into the machine, the previous printing cylinders are to be replaced.
[004] The machine described hereinbefore requires the removal and replacement of the printing cylinder, doctor blade assembly and its inking device and pressure sleeve rollers. These operations are time consuming and require shutdown of the machine. Further, while carrying the ink in the containers or in the trolleys, which are operated manually. Conventional method takes up to 50 to about 90 minutes to perform this task manually.
[005] In the present scenario, to handle multiple short jobs of about 300 kg. each, the process results in more down time of the machine and thus loss of production. This down time makes the short jobs very costly. Accordingly, there is also a need to have a spare ink trolley assembly which has in-mounted doctor blade, capable of carrying printing cylinder safely and ready for quick change for a job or ink change to minimize the machine downtime.
[006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a user with a system and a method, which eliminates this inconvenience and appreciably reduces the standstill of the rotogravure printing machine. The degree of handling of various elements of the rotogravure printing stations is also notably reduced. To overcome these problems, there is a need to have a system which can reduce the machine down time, increase productivity, while ensuring the safety of the workers.
[007] The present invention provides an automatic ink trolley quick changeover system for a rotogravure printing machine having printing station(s) with customized frames, a long travel conveyor system, a cross-trolley puller assembly, and at least a pair of ink trolleys. The low tow long travel conveyor system and the cross trolley puller assembly are provided for the ink trolley auto loading and unloading, for rotogravure printing machine stations which avoids spillage of ink during the automatic ink trolley quick changeover operation, this saves time and facilitates the automatic operation of unlocking, unloading, loading and locking of the ink trolley in position on rotogravure printing machine stations.
[008] The present invention provides an automatic ink trolley quick changeover system for rotogravure printing machine stations which can reduce down time and increase the productivity. In the present invention automatic changeover will approximately takes about 22 minutes for one change over. This saves the time while time saving mechanism results in higher productivity while providing the ease of the changeover mechanism. If printing is done @ approx. 300 meters / min. then by the present invention if we save approx. 28 min. then we effectively print 8,400 m more on the machine per changeover.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[009] The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic ink trolley quick change over system and method for rotogravure printing machine stations, to perform the ink trolley change over process of either one or more printing stations, using single or plurality of the present system for each station, reducing the downtime of the said machine.
[010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method which can significantly reduce down time of the machine and increase production.
[011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method which ensures the safety of the manpower.
[012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for ink trolley changeover for shafted or shaft less rotogravure printing machine.
[013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a pair of machine frames to enable the automatic unlocking, unloading, loading and locking of the ink trolleys to the printing stations.
[014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a long travel conveyor system for the movement of the ink trolleys for the quick changeover for the printing station of the rotogravure printing machine.
[015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a cross trolley assembly for integration with a printing station in a cross direction between a pair of frames of the printing station.
[016] A further object of the present invention is to provide an ink trolley which can engage with the carriages for the quick changeover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[017] The present invention relates to a system and a method for automatic ink trolley quick change over system for a rotogravure printing machine. The present invention relates to a system and a method with which it is possible to automatically move the ink trolleys into the rotogravure printing machine stations. According to the present invention there is provided a method for automatically changing either individually or simultaneously all ink trolleys by using plurality of such systems, in any combination of the ink trolleys of printing stations as per requirement.
[018] The present invention provides an automatic ink trolley quick changeover system for a rotogravure printing machine, comprising a printing station having a pair of machine frames, a long travel conveyor system for the movement of at least a carriage, a cross-trolley puller assembly, at least a pair of ink trolleys and a control panel to set up and control the various function for the ink trolley changeover at the printing station of the rotogravure printing machine. The automatic ink trolley quick changeover system of the present invention provides the long travel conveyor system for automatic moving of the ink trolleys for changeover, comprising a conveyor chain as a driving means for the movement, a plurality of idler sprockets to support and guide the conveyor chain, a plurality of chain tensioning screws to adjust the desired tension in the chain, at least a carriage A, at least a pair of linear guide rails to guide the carriage A, a plurality of limit switches to sense the location of the carriage, a plurality of proximity sensors to send signal to the drive for speed manipulation, at least two pair of locking pins to lock the ink trolley in a home position and in a waiting area position, a gear box to achieve required torque and power to the long travel conveyor system, a servomotor to drive the gear box and for the precise stop and start of the carriages, and a plurality of pneumatic cylinders to actuate the pair of the locking pins, is provided to move the ink trolleys in a designated location (X, Y, Z) for the printing machine. The carriage A is equipped with plurality of pneumatic cylinders and preferably driven by a chain mechanism along with the linear guide rail is provided. The long travel conveyor drive system according to the present invention is equipped with servo motors, Limit switches, and proximity sensors for precise stop and start location of the carriage in every cycle. Further, as mentioned above, the long travel conveyor system comprises the gear box to achieve the required torque and to provide a low jerk mechanism. The automatic ink trolley changeover system comprises the cross-trolley puller assembly for integration with the printing station of the rotogravure printing machine. Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of carriages may be configured on the long travel conveyor system equipped with a plurality of the pneumatic cylinders for trolley engaging and towing. The cross-trolley puller assembly comprises a carriage B to receive, mount and move the ink trolleys, at least a pair of linear guide system to support and balance the ink trolleys on the carriage B, and a rod less pneumatic actuator to move the carriage B, is provided for the cross-direction movement up to the printing station to load and unload the ink trolleys. The rod less pneumatic actuator is provided for ink trolley pushing and pulling which is engaged and mounted on the carriage B. The carriage B comprises of a plurality of pneumatic cylinders to actuate a plurality of puller pins for engaging and disengaging the ink trolleys with the carriage B, and a plurality of puller pins which are mounted on the said pneumatic cylinders to move up and down for engaging and disengaging with the pulling brackets of the ink trolley with the carriage B. The rod less pneumatic actuators can also be motorized actuators, provided to pull and push the ink trolley, inside the frames. The frames of the printing station are designed in such a way that each frame comprising a lifting CAM along with a pneumatic cylinder for the ink trolley lifting / raising and lowering and a pneumatic cylinder along with a locking lever for the ink trolley locking and unlocking, with the printing station. Operation of lifting and lowering of the ink trolley is performed by the pneumatic CAM mechanism.
[019] The ink trolley of the present invention comprises an ink trolley base, an ink tray, an ink tank with pump, a gear box for height adjustment, a hand wheel for height adjustment, a plurality of support bearings at the sides, a plurality of pulling bracket, a plurality of locators for the carriage A at the bottom, a pair of locking pin at sides to lock the trolley with machine frames, a plurality of locking bushes to lock the trolley on the long travel conveyor, and a doctor blade assembly in-mounted on the ink trolley. Further, the ink trolley can also carry the printing cylinders along with the ink and doctor blade. Further, a Teflon strip or rod or block is used on the ink trolley to prevent damage to the printing cylinder or printing cylinders, if carried together.
[020] The present invention has been designed to eliminate the need of manual lifting of the ink trolley in rotogravure printing system. It is of particular interest for rotogravure print stations because, besides picking the ink trolley system up from and placing the ink trolley in the designated location in between the pair of frames of the rotogravure print stations, it can also be used for precise positioning of the ink trolley on the linear guide rail, driven by chain mechanism of the long travel conveyor system of the ink trolley quick changeover system (10).
[021] The present invention also provides a method for automatically changing either individually or simultaneously all ink trolleys by using plurality of ink trolley quick change over systems, in any combination of the ink trolleys of printing stations as per requirement. According to the method of the present invention, while printing job is in progress, the operator will ensure that next job trolleys will be placed at their respective home position (X), duly filled with ink and a printing cylinder positioned at ink trolley tray. After completion of running the printing job, the operator will decide to select desired printing station for automatic changeover of the ink trolley. Dismounting of the printing cylinders, electrical connection of the ink pump, pneumatic disengagement of the doctor blade is done manually of all selected stations. The method is explained in detail, later in the description. The method of present invention begins as follows:
[022] A spare ink Trolley (T2) is ready in lock condition at home Position (X) and a current ink Trolley (T1) is in use at printing station at Position (O), a carriage A is at Position (X) on a long travel conveyor system and a carriage B is at position (O) on a cross trolley puller assembly, when the current job is completed, the carriage A moves on the long travel conveyor system from position (X) to position (Y) and wait to receive the ink trolley (T1), the printing ink trolley (T1) at printing position (O) unlocks from the printing station with the help of a pair of pneumatic cylinder and a locking lever and lowers with the help of pneumatic CAM mechanism and now the trolley (T1) engages with the carriage B by locking the ink trolley pulling brackets to a plurality of puller pins which are mounted on the plurality of pneumatic cylinders of the carriage B, the rod less actuator at cross puller assembly moves the carriage B along with ink trolley (T1) to position (Y), after this the puller pins mounted on the pneumatic cylinders of the carriage B disengages and a plurality of puller pins mounted on the pneumatic cylinders of the carriage A engages with a plurality of locators of the ink Trolley (T1), and the carriage A moves to leave the ink trolley (T1) at position (Z) and the carriage A comes back to the home position (X). (Trolley Movement Sequence O-Y-Z). Now the carriage (A) locks with spare ink Trolley (T2) with the help of the plurality of puller pins which are mounted on the plurality of pneumatic cylinders engages with the locators of the spare ink trolley and starts to move and stops at the cross position (Y), the puller pins mounted on the pneumatic cylinders of the carriage A, disengages from the locators of the ink trolley (T2) and the puller pins mounted on pneumatic cylinders of the carriage B, engages with the trolley pulling brackets of the ink Trolley (T2), then the rod less pneumatic actuator pulls the carriage B along with the ink Trolley (T2), in a linear path from the cross Position (Y) to the printing Position (O), then the ink trolley (T2) is raises with pneumatic CAM mechanism and locks with printing station with the help of the pair of pneumatic cylinder and a locking lever provided at the frames (Trolley Movement Sequence X-Y-O). Now the carriage A goes to the Position (Z), the ink trolley (T1) unlocks when pair of locking pins mounted on the pair of pneumatic cylinders of the conveyor system pulls down out of pair of locking bushes and the carriage A now engage and locks with the locators of the ink trolley (T1) with its puller pins mounted on pneumatic cylinders and comes back to the home position (X) (Movement Z-X). After the current job is done and before running the next job, disengagement of the printing cylinder and impression sleeve changeovers, electrical connection of the ink pump, pneumatic disengagement of the doctor blade is done manually. Now the printing machine is again ready to run the job by the method of the present invention.
[023] Further, it is to be understood that various alternatives are possible for the trolley movement as per job requirement. All ways of movement and track designs are not explained here, however these come under the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[024] In the drawings:
[025] FIG. 1 shows the structural representation and movement of a pair of ink trolleys of an automatic ink trolley quick change over system for a rotogravure printing machine station;
[026] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a long travel trolley conveyor system of the present invention;
[027] FIG. 3A-3C show the working of the automatic ink trolley quick change over system for the rotogravure printing machine station;
[028] FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a cross trolley puller assembly of the present invention;
[029] FIG. 5 shows an assembled view of a front and bottom view of an ink trolley of the present invention;
[030] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of the automatic ink trolley quick changeover system of the present invention at home Position (X);
[031] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the ink trolley in locked position at Position (X) or (Z) of the present invention;
[032] FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of the ink trolley at cross position (Y) and movement from Position (Y) to position (O) of the present invention;
[033] FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the ink trolley disengaging at position (X) and (Y) of the present invention;
[034] FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the ink trolley in engaged and locked condition of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[035] The technical solutions in the present invention will be described clearly and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference numerals, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the appearances of such phrase at various places herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. The terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[036] Further, the terms “engage”, “disengage”, “lock”, “unlock” are used to make understand the concept of the present invention. These terms are used to express that certain components are configured with each other to lock the assembly in position for the working of the system. Further, the term “plurality” can be more than one, two, three or more.
[037] According to the present invention, there is provided a system and a method for automatically changing either individually or simultaneously all ink trolleys by using plurality of such systems (10), in any combination of ink trolleys (T1, T2) of printing stations (100A) as per requirement. FIG. 1, shows the structural representation and movement of a pair of ink trolleys of an automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10) for rotogravure printing machine stations (100A). The present invention provides an automatic ink trolley quick changeover system (10) for a rotogravure printing machine (100) comprising a long travel conveyor system (200); a cross-trolley puller assembly (236); at least a pair of ink trolley (T1, T2) for the ink trolley quick changeover; a printing station (100A) having a pair of machine frames (110, 112) and a control panel to set up and control the various function for the ink trolley changeover system.
[038] FIG. 1 also shows an ink trolley (T2) at Home position “X” and another ink trolley (T1) at the printing station (100A) (working) at position “O”. Further to show the ink trolley (T1, T2) movement for the changeover according to the present embodiment, the ink Trolley (T1) and Trolley (T2) along with arrows ( ) are used to show movement of the ink trolleys (T1, T2) and to explain the method of the present invention. The ink trolley (T1, T2) views shown in broken lines are various positions of the ink trolleys (T1, T2) during changeover movements. Further, position “Z” is the waiting area for the ink trolleys, during the changeover process.
[039] FIG. 2 shows a long travel conveyor system (200) of the ink trolley quick changeover system (10), comprises a conveyor chain (202) as a driving means for the movement; a plurality of idler sprockets (208) to guide and support the conveyor chain (202); a plurality of chain tensioning screws (210) to adjust the desired tension in the chain (202) optimally; at least a carriage A (220) to receive, mount and move the ink trolleys on the long travel conveyor (200); at least a pair of linear guide rails (204) to guide the carriage A; a plurality of limit switches (216); a plurality of proximity sensors (218); a gear box (212) to provide required torque and power to the conveyor (200); a servomotor (214) to drive the gearbox and for the precise stop and start of the carriages; at least two pairs of locking pins (219) parallelly configured on the long travel conveyor (200), each pair at two locations to lock the ink trolley (T1, T2) at home position (X) or at waiting area position (Z); and at least two pair of pneumatic cylinders (221), each pair of the pneumatic cylinder (221) to actuate the pair of the locking pins (219) for the ink trolley locking and unlocking on the long travel conveyor (200), is provided to move the ink trolleys (T1, T2) in a desired location (X, Y, Z) for the printing machine (100). The carriage A (220) is provided to receive, mount and move the ink trolleys (T1, T2) on the long travel conveyor system (200). The long travel conveyor system (200) provided with the plurality of idler sprocket (208) to support and guide the conveyor chain (202) and the plurality of chain tensioning screws (210) to maintain the required tension in the conveyor chain (202) optimally.
[040] The carriage A (220) is configured to move on the long travel conveyor system (200), comprises of a plurality of trolley support arms (206) to balance the ink trolley (T1, T2) on the carriage A, a plurality of pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) to actuate a plurality of puller pins (232) for engaging and disengaging the ink trolleys and a plurality of trolley puller pins (232) mounted on the plurality pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) are provided to engage / lock and disengage / unlock the ink trolleys (T1, T2) on the carriage A (220). The pneumatic cylinders are provided for engaging to towing of the ink trolleys (T1, T2) on the long travel conveyor system (200) at a desired designated location. The cross-trolley puller assembly (236) is provided for integration with the printing station (100A) which is explained in the later part of the description.
[041] The plurality of trolley support arms (206) are provided on the carriage A (220) to support and balance the ink trolleys (T1 & T2) while moving on the long travel conveyor system (200). The plurality of trolley puller pins (232) which are mounted on the plurality of pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) are provided on the Carriage A (220) for locking / engaging with a plurality of locators (314) provided at the bottom of ink trolleys (T1, T2). The carriage A (220) is powered by a chain driven mechanism and guided by the linear guide rail (204) mechanism. Further, the long travel conveyor system (200) comprises Limit Switchs (216) and Proximity Sensors (218) to sense the location of the ink trolley (T1, T2) and send the signal to the drive for the speed manipulation and braking of the ink trolley (T1, T2) motion on the long travel conveyor system (200). To maintain the required tension in the conveyor chain (202) a plurality of chain tensioning screws (210) are provided. The drive system for the long travel conveyor (200) is equipped with servo motor (214) for precise stopping location of the carriage A (220) on every cycle. The servo motor (214) transmits torque to stop the ink trolleys (T1, T2) at precise location in every position. Due to the low jerk mechanism, the speed controllability is higher, the chances of ink splashing at high speed are avoided. The gear box is preferably a planetary gear box (212) which is attached to drive to achieve required torque and power to long travel conveyor system (200). The planetary gearbox (212) is a gearbox with the input shaft and the output shaft in one line. The planetary gearbox (212) is used to transfer the largest torque in the most compact form (known as torque density). When planetary gear box (212) is arranged with servo motor (214), high efficiency, compactness with low mass inertia and low backlash are achieved from the combination. The automatic ink trolley change over system (10) further comprises the cross-trolley puller assembly (236) which extends outward from the cross location “O” to “Y” and integrated with the printing station (100A). The cross-trolley pusher or puller assembly (236) includes a carriage B (226) on which plurality of puller or pusher pins (234) mounted on plurality of pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) are provided, which extend upwardly from the carriage (B) to lock / engage with the downward extensions of an ink trolley (T1, T2) pulling brackets (310) on an ink trolley base (308). The cross-trolley puller assembly (236) further comprises a rod less pneumatic actuator (240) for automatically pushing and pulling of carriage B (226) along with the ink trolleys (T1, T2) at the cross location of the printing machine station (100A).
[042] FIGS. 3A-3C show the working of the automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10) for the rotogravure printing machine station (100A). FIG 3A shows the working of moving the ink trolley (T1) on the conveyor (200) from a position (O) to (Y) to Position (Z), considering the ink trolley (T1) is currently working at position (O). It also shows an ink trolley (T2) at home position (X) and the trolley (T1) is at Position (O), currently working. When the printing job is completed at printing location (O), to remove or unload the ink trolley (T1), the cross-trolley puller assembly (236) integrated with printing station (100A) is provided. The carriage A (220) moves to the cross position (Y) and wait to receive the ink Trolley (T1), now the ink Trolley (T1) unlocks with a pair of a pneumatic cylinder (115) and a locking lever (116), and lowers with a pair of a pneumatic cylinder (114) and a lifting CAM (113) and the ink trolley (T1) engages / locks with the help of trolley pulling brackets (310) with plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) provided on the Carriage B (226), now with the action of the rod less pneumatic cylinder (240), the carriage B (226) moves towards the cross position (Y) from the printing position (O). Now the puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) on the carriage B (226) disengage from the trolley pulling brackets (310) and the puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) of the carriage A (220) engage with the plurality of the locators (314) on the ink Trolley (T1), now the ink trolley (T1) is mounted on the carriage A (220) for movement. The Carriage A (220) starts to move towards the waiting position (Z), now the carriage A (220) unlocks the puller pins (232) from the locators (314) and leaves the ink trolley (T1) and returns to home position (X) to bring the ink trolley (T2).
[043] FIG. 3B illustrates the working of moving the ink trolley (T2) on the conveyor (200) from the position (X) to (Y) to position (O). It shows an ink trolley (T2) at home position (X) and an ink trolley (T1) is already at waiting position (Z). The ink Trolley (T2) engages with the help of puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) on the Carriage A (220) with the plurality of locators (314) and the carriage A (220) along with the ink trolley (T2) moves to the cross position (Y) from the home position (X) and stops precisely at position (Y). The puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) on the carriage A (220) disengage from the plurality of locators (314) and the puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) on the carriage B (226) engage with the pulling brackets (310) of the ink Trolley (T2) at the cross position (Y), after engaging, the rod less pneumatic actuator (240) pulls the carriage B (226) with the ink trolley (T2) and stops at position (O) to lock and engage with the ink trolley (T2) with the printing station (100A), the ink Trolley (T2) raises with the pair of pneumatic / lifting cam (113) and the pneumatic cylinders (114) and locks with the help of the pair of locking lever (116) and the pneumatic cylinder (115) to the printing position (O) at printing station (100A) to load the ink trolley (T2), as represented in FIG. 3B of the present invention.
[044] FIG. 3C shows the schematic view of moving / bringing back of the ink trolley (T1) from the position (Z) to home position (X) on the long travel conveyor (200). The Carriage A (220) moves to position (Z) either from cross position Y or home position X as required, at the time of operation of the machine to bring back / take the ink Trolley (T1) from position (Z) to home position (X). The puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) on the carriage A (220) engage with the locators (314) provided at the base (308) of the ink trolley (T1) and move, to bring the trolley (T1) from position (Z) to home position (X). The ink trolley (T1) unlocks when the pair of locking pins (219) mounted on pair of pneumatic cylinders (221) from the long travel conveyor system (200) pulls down out of pair of locking bushes (320) at position (Z) for engaging with the carriage A (220).
[045] FIG. 4 shows a cross trolley puller assembly (236) for the automatic ink trolley quick changeover system (10). The cross trolley puller assembly (236) comprises a carriage B (226) to receive and mount the ink trolley (T1, T2); at least a pair of linear guide system (238) to support and balance the ink trolley (T1, T2) on the carriage B (226); and a pneumatic rodless actuator (240) to push and pull carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T1, T2) up to the printing station (100A), is provided for the cross direction movement up to the printing station (100A). The carriage B (226) comprises a plurality of pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) and a plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on the plurality of pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) to engage and disengage with the trolleys (T1, T2). The plurality of puller pins (234) are provided to move up and down in vertical direction for engaging and disengaging the pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolleys (T1, T2) with the puller pins (234) of the carriage (B) (226). The cross-trolley puller assembly (236) is integrated with the printing machine (100) as explained above, and the linear guide system (238) is provided to make the ink trolley (T1, T2) stable during the movement. Further, the pneumatic rod less actuator (240) or motorized actuator is provided for the movement of the carriage B (226) in a linear path using compressed air.
[046] FIG. 5 shows an assembled view of a front and bottom view of an ink tray trolley (T1, T2) of the present invention for rotogravure printing station (100A). Each ink trolley (T1 or T2) comprises of a trolley base (308); an ink tray (304), an ink tank with pump (306), an printing cylinder (300), if pre-installed, a doctor blade assembly (302), a plurality of support bearings (312), a plurality of ink trolley pulling brackets (310) on the trolley base (308) to engage with the puller pins (234) of the carriage B (226), a plurality of locator (314) for engaging the puller pins (232) of the carriages (A) (220), a hand wheel (316) for height adjustment, a gear box (318) for ink tray height adjustment, at least a pair of locking pins (319) to lock and unlock the ink trolleys (T1, T2) with the machine frames (110, 112) and a plurality of locking bushes (320) provided to lock the ink trolley (T1, T2) at a designated position on the long travel conveyor system (200) for example at position X or Z, by fitting it to the plurality of locking pins (219) on the long travel conveyor system (200). The ink trolley comprises at least a pair of locking pins (319) is provided on the sides of the ink trolley (T1, T2) to lock with the machine frame (112, 110) of the printing station (100A). Further, the ink trolley (T1, T2) comprises a plurality of swiveling wheels which are used to move the ink trolley (T1, T2) during the changeover and also for manual movement, if required. These wheels are capable of rotating and moving the trolleys (T1, T2) in perpendicular directions from long travel conveyor (200) to cross direction and vice versa during changeover cycle. The locators (314) are provided at the bottom of the ink trolley (T1, T2) for engaging the puller pins (232) of the carriage A (220). The pulling brackets (310) are provided at the bottom of the ink trolley (T1, T2) to engage with the puller pins (234) on the carriage B (226).
[047] Referring to FIG. 6, it shows an isometric view of the present embodiment. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10) of a rotogravure printing machine (100) comprising the long travel conveyor system (200); the cross-trolley puller assembly (236); having a spare trolley and a currently working ink trolley; the printing station (100A) having the pair of machine frames (110, 112) and a control panel to set up and control the various function for the automatic ink trolley quick changeover system (10). The Spare ink trolley (T2) is in non-working state but in ready condition at home position (X) and another ink trolley (T1) in the printing station (100A), which is currently working at position “O”. The ink Trolley (T1) is integrated with the printing station (100A) by the cross-puller assembly (236) and the linear guide rail system (238). The frames (110, 112) of the printing station (100A) are designed in such a way that each frame (110, 112) configure a pneumatic cylinders (115) with a locking lever (116) for locking and unlocking the ink trolley (T1, T2) and a lifting cam (113) with a pneumatic cylinder (114) for raising and lowering of the ink trolley (T1, T2) at the printing station (100A).
[048] FIGS. 7, 8, 9 & 10 show the ink trolleys (T1, T2) locking at position X and Z, locking, unlocking, lifting / raising, lowering at printing station (100A), engaging / locking, disengaging / unlocking with the carriage B, engaging / locking, disengaging / unlocking on the carriage A and moving mechanism on the long travel conveyor system (200), and at cross trolley puller assembly (236), embodying the present invention.
[049] FIG. 7 shows the ink trolley (T1 or T2) in lock condition, by the plurality of locking bushes (320) provided on the ink trolley (T1, T2) and the pair of locking pins (219) provided on the long travel conveyor system (200), at position (X) or position (Z). The pair of locking pins (219), which are actuated by the pair of pneumatic cylinders (221) and the plurality of locking bushes (320) are provided to avoid the undesired or accidental movement of the ink trolley (T1, T2) at location (X) and (Z) on the conveyor system (200).
[050] FIG. 8 shows the ink trolley (T2, T1) engaging / locking and disengaging / unlocking from the carriage B (226), lifting / raising and locking for loading the ink trolley (T1, T2), unlocking and lowering for unloading the ink trolley (T1, T2), and moving conditions over the cross-puller assembly (236). The puller pins (234) mounted on pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) on the carriage B (226) engages with the trolley pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolley (T2), after engaging, the rod less pneumatic actuator (240) pulls the carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T2) from Position (Y) to Position (O) and stops at printing position (O), here to load the ink trolley (T2) for the printing job, the trolley (T2) is raised / lifted by the pair of a pneumatic cylinder (114) and the lifting CAM (113), and locks by the pair of a pneumatic cylinder (115) and the locking lever (116), provided on each frame (110, 112) at the printing station (100A) at position (O). Further, after printing job is done and to unload the ink trolley (T2), the ink trolley (T2) unlocks with the pair of pneumatic cylinder (115) and the locking lever (116), and lowers with the pair of the pneumatic cylinder (114) and lifting CAM (113) and the ink trolley (T2) engages with the help of pulling brackets (310) to the plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) on the carriage B (226), after this, the carriage B (226) with the action of the rod less pneumatic actuator (240), provided at cross puller assembly (236), moves / pushes toward position (Y) from position (O). The ink trolleys (T1) is locked / raised, unlocked / lowered for the loading and unloading in a similar way at position (O).
[051] FIG. 9 shows the ink trolley (T1, T2) disengagement and unlocking at home position (X) and position (Y). The puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) on the carriages (A) (220) and the puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) on the carriage B (226) are provided to engage / lock and disengage / unlock with the locators (314) and the pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolleys (T1, T2) in longitudinal direction while moving the trolley (T1, T2) in transverse direction on the conveyor system (200) and the cross trolley puller assembly (236) respectively. The ink trolley (T1, T2) unlocks from the puller pins (232), which were guided in the locators (314), during disengaging with the carriage A (220) and the puller pins (234) which were holding the trolley pulling brackets (210) unlocks from the ink trolley pulling brackets (210), during disengaging with carriage B (226).
[052] FIG. 10 shows the ink trolley (T1, T2) in engaged and locked condition at positions (X, Y, Z, O). The puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) of the carriage A (220) engage with the locators (314) of the ink trolley (T1, T2) to lock and mount the ink trolley (T1, T2) on the carriage A (220) for the movement at positions (X , Y and Z). Further, the puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) of the carriage B (226) engages with the trolley pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolley (T1, T2) to lock and mount the ink trolley (T1, T2) on the carriage B (226) for the movement, at position (Y and O). The ink trolleys (T1 or T2) are engaged / locked in a similar way while moving from position (X) to position (Y) and from position (Y) to position (O). Further, the puller pins (232, 234) move up in a similar way from both the carriage A, B (220, 236) however the locking configuration of the puller pins (232, 234) and trolley base (308) are different for the carriage A, B (220, 226). The puller pins (232) locks with the locators (314) in case of engaging with the carriage A (220) and the puller pins (234) locks with the trolley pulling brackets (310) in case of carriage B (226). The pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) on the carriage A (220) and (228, 230) on the carriage B (226), are provided to actuate the puller pins (232, 234) for engaging and disengaging the ink trolley (T1, T2), respectively.
[053] According to the embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1 -10, the present invention provides the automatic ink trolley quick changeover system (10) of the rotogravure printing machine (100). The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10) comprising a long travel conveyor (200), a printing station (100A) having frames (110, 112), at least a pair of ink trolley (T1, T2), the cross trolley puller assembly (236), and a control panel to digitally set up and control the various function for an automatic ink trolleys quick change over for the printing station (100A) of the rotogravure printing machine (100), on which the ink trolley (T1, T2) moves. In an exemplary embodiment, an ink trolley (T1) is currently working at position (O) as shown in FIG. 6, while this trolley (T1) is in working / printing position (O), a spare ink Trolley (T2) is brought and locked by the pair of locking bushes (320) of the ink trolley (T2) and the locking pins (219) of the conveyor (200) at home position (X) on the long travel conveyor (200) as shown in the FIG. 7.
[054] According to the system and method of the present invention for automatically changing the ink trolleys (T1, T2), when the working ink trolley’s (T1) job is completed at position (O), through a command by the control panel (20), the carriage A (220) moves on the long travel conveyor system (200) driven by the servo motor (214), and stops precisely at position (Y) and wait to receive the ink Trolley (T1). Now the ink trolley (T1) unlocks with the pair of pneumatic cylinders (115), locking levers (116), and lowers with the pair of Pneumatic cylinder (114) and lifting CAM (113) at the printing station and engages with the help of plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230), which move up from the carriage B (226) to engage with the pulling bracket (310) of the ink trolley (T1) to lock the trolley on the carriage B (226), after this, the carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T1), with rod less pneumatic actuator (240) provided at cross puller assembly (236), moves toward position (Y) from position (O). The pulling bracket (310) of the ink trolley (T1), disengages from the puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230), moves down from the carriage B (226) to disengage the ink trolley (T1) from the carriage B (226). Now the ink trolley (T1) engages with the help of puller pins (232) mounted on pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) of the carriage A (220) which moves up from the carriage A (220) to engage with the plurality of locators (314) of the trolley (T1) to lock the ink trolley (T1) on the carriage A (220) and the Carriage A (220) starts to move with the ink trolley (T1) toward position (Z) and leaves the trolley (T1) by disengaging itself, at position (Z). The trolley (T1) is in a locking condition with the help of pair of locking pins (219), mounted on the pair of pneumatic cylinders (221) and locking bushes (320) as explained earlier, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 7, which is the waiting area position for the trolleys (T1, T2).
[055] The Carriage A (220) returns to position (X) to bring the spare trolley (T2). Now the Carriage A (220) locks with the ink trolley (T2) with the help of the plurality of puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224), the pins (232) move up from the carriage A (220) to engage with the locators (314) of the ink trolley (T1) as shown in FIG. 10 and starts to move and stops precisely at position (Y). The puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) disengages by moving down, as shown in FIG. 9 and the plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) moves up from the carriage B (226) and engage with the pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolley (T2) at position (Y), after engaging, the rod less pneumatic actuator (240) pulls the carriage B (226) with the ink trolley (T2) and stops at position (O) to lock and engage the ink trolley (T2) for printing position (O), as represented in FIG. 3B of the present invention. The height of the ink trolley (T1, T2) can be adjusted by hand wheel (316) provided on the ink trolley (T1, T2). Then the trolley (T2) is raised by the pair of pneumatic cylinders (114) and lifting CAMs (113), and locks by the pair of pneumatic cylinders (115) and locking levers (116), for loading at the printing station (100A) at position (O), as shown in the FIG. 3B & FIG. 8 of the present invention. Now the conveyor system (200) is free for the movement of other trolley (T1) waiting at position (Z), the Carriage A (220) moves to position (Z) from the position (Y) to take the ink Trolley (T1) from position (Z) to position (X), engaging and locking is performed as explained earlier and as shown in FIG. 3C of the present invention.
[056] According to the present invention there is provided a method for automatically changing either individually or simultaneously all ink trolleys by using plurality of such systems (10), in any combination of ink trolleys of printing stations (100A) as per requirement. According to the present invention, the method comprises below steps which will be performed while printing job by the current ink trolley (T1) is in progress, the operator will ensure that next job trolley (T2) will be placed at their respective home position (X), duly filled with ink and printing cylinder (302) positioned at the trolley tray (304).
[057] After completion of running the printing job, the operator will decide to select desire printing station (100A) for automatic changeover of the ink trolley (T1, T2). Dismounting of the printing cylinders (302), electrical connection of the ink pump (306), pneumatic disengagement of the doctor blade (302) is done manually of all selected printing stations (100A).
[058] To start the process of the present invention, a single “push automatic change over button” is provided, after turning it ON, the entire process of present invention starts to begin as follow:
a. The ink Trolley (T2) is in lock condition at Home Position (X) and the Trolley (T1) is in use at printing station (100A) at Position (O), the carriage (A) (220) is at Home Position (X) and the carriage (B) (226) is at position (O);
b. Firstly, moving a carriage (A) (220) from a home position (X) to a cross position (Y) and wait to receive the ink Trolley (T1);
c. unlocking the ink Trolley (T1) with a pair of pneumatic cylinder (115) and a locking lever (116) from the frames (110, 112) of printing station (100A) at position (O);
d. lowering the ink trolley (T1) by a pair of a pneumatic cylinder (114) and a lifting CAM (113) at position (O);
e. engaging the ink trolley (T1) on the carriage B (226), by locking plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on plurality of pneumatic cylinders 2 (228, 230) on the carriage B (226) with plurality of trolley pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolley (T1) at position (O);
f. moving the carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T1) on the cross-puller assembly (236) from position (O) to the position (Y) by the action of a rod less pneumatic actuator (240), in a linear path;
g. disengaging the ink trolley (T1) by unlocking the plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (2) (228, 230), on the carriage B (226) from the plurality of trolley pulling brackets (310), at position (Y);
h. engaging the ink trolley (T1) on the carriage A (220), by locking a plurality of puller pins (232) mounted on the plurality of pneumatic cylinders (1) (222, 224) on the carriage A (220) to a plurality of locators (314) of the ink trolley (T1), at the position (Y);
i. moving of the carriage A (220) along with ink trolley (T1) from the position (Y) towards a position (Z);
j. disengaging the ink trolley (T1) on the carriage A (220) by unlocking the plurality of puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (1) (222, 224) from the locators (314) and leaving the ink Trolley (T1) in a locked condition with the help of a pair of locking pins (219) from the long travel conveyor system (200) and locking bushes (320), at position (Z);
k. returning the carriage A (220) from the position (Z) to the position (X) to bring a duly prepared spare ink trolley (T2);
l. engaging the ink trolley (T2) on the carriage A (220), by locking the plurality of puller pins (232) mounted on the plurality of pneumatic cylinders (1) (222, 224) on the carriage A (220) to the plurality of locators (314) of the ink trolley (T2), at the home position (X);
m. moving the carriage A (220) along with the ink trolley (T2) from home position (X) towards cross position (Y ) and precisely stopping at the cross position (Y);
n. disengaging the ink trolley (T2) on the carriage A (220) by unlocking the plurality of puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (1) (222, 224) on the carriage A (220) from the locators (314) of the ink trolley (T2), at position (Y);
o. engaging the ink trolley (T2) with the carriage B (226), by locking the plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on the plurality of pneumatic cylinders 2 (228, 230) on the carriage B (226) with the plurality of trolley pulling brackets (310) of ink trolley (T) at position (Y);
p. moving / pulling the carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T2) from the position (Y) and stopping at the position (O) on the cross-trolley puller assembly (236) by the action of the rod less pneumatic actuator (240), in a linear path;
q. raising / lifting of the ink trolley (T2) by the pair of the pneumatic cylinder (114) and lifting CAM (113) in between the machine frames (110, 112) of the printing station (100A) at position (O);
r. locking the ink trolley (T2) with the pair of pneumatic cylinders (115) and the locking levers (116) at printing position (O); and
s. moving the carriage A (220) from position (Y) to the position (Z) to bring back the ink Trolley (T1) from the position (Z) to the home position (X).
[059] After the existing printing job is completed, the operator will decide to select desire printing station (100A) for automatic changeover of ink trolley (T1, T2). After disengagement of the printing cylinder (300), and impression sleeve changeovers are done, electrical connection of the ink pump (306), pneumatic disengagement of the doctor blade (302) is done manually. Now the printing machine (100) is again ready to run the job. Further, for the sake of brevity, we are not explaining the process for all the printing stations (100A), but it is to be understood that the present invention is to perform the ink trolley (T1, T2) change over process of either one or more printing stations (100A), using single (10) or plurality of the present system (10) for each station (100A), reducing the downtime of the said machine (100). Further, after the job completion, before starting the process again for the next job, electrical connection of the ink pump (306), pneumatic disengagement of the doctor blade (302), and disengagement of the printing cylinders (300) has to be done manually. After these operations, the whole process of the present invention can be started by just clicking a single button on the control panel (20).
[060] According to present embodiment, the spare trolley (T2) is fully prepared by installing a printing cylinder (300) and a doctor blade (302) and after positioning at printing station (100A) at position (O), electrical connection of a ink pump (306), and pneumatic engagement of the doctor blade (302) are done manually at all selected stations (100A) of the rotogravure printing machine (100) configured with this mechanism.
[061] According to another embodiment, the spare trolley (T2) is may be prepared without a printing cylinder (300) and a doctor blade (302) and after positioning at printing station (100A) at position (O), mounting of the printing cylinder (300) and doctor blade (302), electrical connection of a ink pump (306), and pneumatic engagement of the doctor blade (302) are done manually at all selected stations (100A) of the rotogravure printing machine (100) configured with this mechanism.
[062] In one of the embodiments, where the frame (110, 112) of the rotogravure printing machine (100) is suitably modified and equipped for using a shaft less printing cylinder, the present invention further aids in the automatic engagement of the printing cylinder (300), thereby decreasing the number of manual steps while loading and unloading. The printing cylinder (300) is manually changed for the shaftless printing station (100A).
[063] In other embodiments, the motorized long travel conveyor system (200) can be of chain driven or screw driven or belt driven types.
[064] According to an embodiment, the linear guide rails (204, 238) can be single sided or double sided.
[065] According to the present invention, the long travel conveyor system (200), comprises carriage A (220) equipped with plurality of pneumatic cylinders (222, 224), to receive and move the ink trolleys (T1, T2), to lock, unlock, engage and disengage the ink trolleys (T1, T2) on the long conveyor system (200), and the cross puller assembly comprises (236) another carriage B (226) equipped with plurality of pneumatic cylinders (228, 230), to receive and move the ink trolleys (T1, T2), to lock, unlock, engage and disengage the ink trolleys (T1, T2) to the printing station (100A). Further, the long travel conveyor (200) can also comprise another carriage A (220) if the track length is preferably more than 10 meters.
[066] According to the present invention the long travel conveyor system (200) of automatic ink trolley quick changeover system (10), is equipped with Limit switches (216) and proximity position sensors (218) for the precise stop and start of the carriages. The Limit switch (216), which is approximately 200 mm away, is provided to adjust the speed of the carriage A (220) based on its current location and the proximity sensors (218) will send the signal to the drive to dampen the speed of the carriage A (220) to avoid over run due to inertia and stop it at the exact desired position in every cycle. Further, this is a preferred way of the arrangement but other variations are also possible based on the length of the long travel conveyor system (200).
[067] According to an embodiment of the present invention the proximity sensors (218) can be replaced with optical sensors or laser sensors or magnetic reed sensor or limit switches.
[068] According to the present invention, the cross-trolley puller assembly linear guide rail system (238) and linear guide rail of the conveyor (204) can be of any cross-section.
[069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, ink trolley (T1, T2) lifting / raising for loading and lowering for unloading is carried out by means of pneumatic CAM mechanism (113, 114). Further, the Pneumatic operation of the cam (113, 114) may be replaced with electromagnetic means or geared motor drive. Further, the ink trolley (T1, T2) locking and unlocking at the printing station (100A) is done by the pair of pneumatic cylinders (115), and locking levers (116), each provided at machine frame (110, 112) of the printing station (100A) of the rotogravure printing machine (100) of the present invention.
[070] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system (10) and the method of the present invention is directed towards both shafted & shaft less rotogravure printing machine (100). The present embodiment can also be utilized in the shaft less rotogravure printing machine. However, a robotic arm optionally be used for sleeve changeover in both shafted & shaft less rotogravure printing machine.
[071] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the trolley (T1, T2) as describes here is not limited but there are several ways of the movement of the ink trolleys (T1, T2) along the positions as desired, which comes under the scope of the present invention. To introduce an ink trolley (T1) firstly at printing station (100A), at position (O), according to the method of the present invention, a first ready ink trolley (T1) engages with the carriage A (220) as explained earlier and moves by the Carriage A (220) from position (X) to Position (Y) and then after disengaging from the carriage A (220), as explained earlier, the ink trolley (T1) engages with the Carriage B (226) at position (Y), and the rod less actuator (240) moves the carriage B (226) with ink trolley (T1) from the position (Y) to the printing location (O). As the ink Trolley (T1) is working at position (O), a spare ink trolley (T2) is dully filled with ink is ready at home Position (X) for the changeover.
[072] Thus, by way of the automatic ink trolley changeover system (10) of the present invention, the automatic loading and unloading of the ink trolley (T1, T2) quick changeover for rotogravure printing station (100A) is achieved. It is to be understood that while certain embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. Further, it is to be understood that various alternatives are possible for the ink trolley (T1, T2) movement as per job requirement. All ways of movement are not explained here, however these comes under the scope of present invention.
[073] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure. Further, the present invention comprises various electronics components but for the sake of brevity, conventional components of the systems and stations may not be described in detail herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or practical applications of the present invention. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

[074] REFERENCE NUMERALS
(100) Printing Machine
(100A) Printing Station
(110, 112) Machine Frames of printing station (100A)
(10) Automatic ink trolley quick changeover system
(20)
(113) Plurality of Lifting CAM
(114, 115) Plurality of Pneumatic Cylinder
(116) Plurality of Locking Levers
(200) Long travel Conveyor System
(202) Conveyor Chain
(204) Linear Guide Rails of the long travel Conveyor
(206) Trolley Support Arms
(208) Idler Sprockets
(210) Chain Tensioning Screws
(212) Gear Box for Servo Motor
(214) Servo Motor
(216) Limit Switches
(218) Proximity Sensors
(219 ) Pairs of locking pins on the long travel conveyor system
(220) Carriage A
(221) Pairs of Pneumatic cylinders of locking pin (219)
(222, 224) Pneumatic Cylinders (1) at Carriage A
(226) Carriage B
(228, 230) Pneumatic Cylinders (2) at Carriage B
(232) Plurality of Trolley Puller Pins on Carriage A
(234) Plurality of Trolley Puller Pins on Carriage B
(236) Cross Trolley Puller Assembly
(238) Linear Guide System of the Cross Trolley Puller Assembly
(240) Pneumatic Rod less Actuator
(T1 & T2) Ink Trolleys
(300) Printing Cylinder
(302) Doctor Blade Assembly
(304) Ink Tray
(306) Ink Tank with Pump
(308) Ink Trolley Base
(310) Ink Trolley Pulling Brackets
(312) Support Bearings
(314) Locators For Carriage A, B
(316) Height Adjustment Hand Wheel
(318) Gear Box for Height Adjustment
(319) Pair of locking pin at side on ink trolley for the frames
(320) Plurality of locking bushes
(X) Home Position
(Y) Cross Position (Trolley Stoppage & Pulling)
(O) Printing Position (For Loading and Unloading of Ink trolley)
(Z) Waiting Position During Change over

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10) of a rotogravure printing machine (100) comprising:
a. a long travel conveyor system (200);
b. a cross-trolley puller assembly (236);
c. at least a pair of ink trolley (T1, T2);
d. a printing station (100A) having a pair of machine frames (110, 112); and
e. a control panel (20).
2. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the long travel conveyor system (200) comprises of:
a. a conveyor chain (202) as a driving means for the movement;
b. a plurality of idler sprockets (208) to support and guide the conveyor chain (202);
c. a plurality of chain tensioning screws (210) to adjust the desired tension in the chain (202);
d. at least a carriage A (220);
e. at least a pair of linear guide rails (204) to guide the carriage A;
f. a plurality of limit switches (216);
g. a plurality of proximity sensors (218);
h. a gear box (212) to provide required torque and power to long travel conveyor (200);
i. a servomotor (214) to drive the gearbox and for the precise stop and start of the carriages;
j. at least two pairs of pneumatic cylinders (221) to actuate the two pair of locking pins (219); and
k. at least two pairs of locking pins (219) to lock the ink trolley (T1, T2) with the long travel conveyor system (200), each pair of locking pin (219) is provided to lock the ink trolleys (T1, T2) in a designated location (X or Z),on the conveyor (200).
3. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage A (220) comprises of:
a. a plurality of trolley support arms (206) to balance the ink trolley (T1, T2) on the carriage A (220);
b. a plurality of pneumatic cylinders (222, 224); and
c. a plurality of trolley puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) to engage / lock and disengage / unlock the ink trolleys (T1, T2) on the carriage A (220), is provided to receive, mount, and move the ink trolley (T1, T2) on the long travel conveyor system (200).
4. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-trolley puller assembly (236) comprises of:
a. a carriage B (226) to receive, mount and move the ink trolley (T1, T2);
b. at least a pair of linear guide system (238) to support and balance the ink trolley (T1, T2) on carriage B (226); and
c. a pneumatic rodless actuator (240) to move the carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T1, T2) up to the printing station (100A), is provided for integration with the printing station (100A) of the machine (100).
5. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage B (226) comprises of:
a. a plurality of pneumatic cylinders (228, 230); and
b. a plurality of puller pins (234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230), is provided to engage and disengage the ink trolleys (T1, T2) on the cross-trolley puller assembly (236).
6. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink trolley (T1, T2) comprises of:
a. a doctor blade assembly (302);
b. an ink tray (304);
c. an ink tank with pump (306);
d. a trolley base (308);
e. a plurality of ink trolley pulling bracket (310);
f. a plurality of locator (314);
g. a plurality of support bearing (312);
h. a hand wheel (316) for height adjustment;
i. a gear box (318) for ink tray height adjustment;
j. at least a pair of locking pin (319) to lock the trolley (T1, T2) with machine frames (110, 112); and
k. a plurality of locking bushes (320) to lock the ink trolley (T1, T2) on the long travel conveyor system (200).
7. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein each frame (110, 112) of the printing station (100A) comprises of:
a. a pneumatic cylinder (114) and a locking lever (115) to lock and unlock the ink trolley (T1, T2) with the printing station (100A); and
b. a lifting CAM (113) and a pneumatic cylinder (114) to raise and lower the ink trolley (T1, T2), provided for automatic loading and unloading of the ink trolley (T1, T2) at the printing station (100A).
8. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod less pneumatic actuator (240) can be a motorized actuator.
9. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of puller pins (232) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224), on the carriage A (220) are provided to move up and down to engage / lock and disengage / unlock with the plurality of locators (314) of the ink trolley (T1, T2) mounted on the carriage A (220).
10. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of puller pins ( 234) mounted on the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230), on the carriage B (226) is provided to move up and down to engage / lock and disengage / unlock with the pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolley (T1, T2), mounted on the carriage B (226).
11. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic cylinders (222, 224) on the carriage A (220) and the pneumatic cylinders (228, 230) on the carriage B (226), are provided to actuate the puller pins (232, 234) for engaging and disengaging the ink trolley (T1, T2), respectively.
12. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim1, wherein the linear guide rails (204) of the long travel conveyor system (200) and the linear guide system (238) of the cross-trolley puller assembly (236) can be single sided or double sided and having any cross section.
13. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motorized long travel conveyor system (200) can be chain driven or screw driven or belt driven type.
14. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limit switches (216), proximity sensors (218) and the servo motor (214) on the long travel conveyor system (200) are provided for the precise stop and start locations of carriage A (220).
15. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximity sensors (218) can be replaced with optical sensors or laser sensors or magnetic reed sensor or limit switches.
16. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic cam (113, 114) can be replaced with electromagnetic means or geared motor drive.
17. The automatic ink trolley quick change over system (10), wherein the system (10) is provided for automatically changing either individually or simultaneously all the ink trolleys (T1, T2) by using a plurality of ink trolley changeover systems (10), in any combination of the ink trolleys (T1, T2) of the printing stations (100A).
18. A method for an auto ink trolley changeover for a printing station (100A) comprising the below steps:
a. an ink Trolley (T2) is in lock condition at a Home Position (X) and the ink trolley (T1) is in use at printing station (100A) at a Position (O), the carriage (A) (220) is at Home Position (X) and the carriage (B) (226) is at the position (O);
b. moving of a carriage (A) (220) from a home position (X) to a cross position (Y);
c. unlocking of the ink Trolley (T1) with a pair locking lever (116) from the frames (110, 112) of printing station (100A) at position (O);
d. lowering the ink trolley (T1) by a pair of lifting CAM (113) at position (O);
e. engaging the ink trolley (T1) on the carriage B (226), by locking plurality of puller pins (234) with plurality of trolley pulling brackets (310) of the ink trolley (T1) at position (O);
f. moving the carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T1) on the cross-puller assembly (236) from position (O) to the position (Y);
g. disengaging the ink trolley (T1) by unlocking the plurality of puller pins (234) on the carriage B (226) from the trolley pulling brackets (310), at position (Y);
h. engaging the ink trolley (T1) on the carriage A (220), by locking plurality of puller pins (232) from the carriage A (220) to a plurality of locators (314), at the position (Y);
i. moving of the carriage A (220) along with ink trolley (T1) from the position (Y) towards a position (Z);
j. disengaging the ink trolley (T1) on the carriage A (220) by unlocking the plurality of puller pins (232) from the locators (314) and leaving the ink Trolley (T1) in a locked condition with the help of a pair of locking pins (219) from the long travel conveyor system (200) and locking bushes (320), at position (Z);
k. returning the carriage A (220) from the position (Z) to the home position (X) to bring a duly prepared spare ink trolley (T2);
l. engaging the ink trolley (T2) on the carriage A (220), by locking the plurality of puller pins (232) on the carriage A (220) with the plurality of locators (314) of the ink trolley (T2), at the home position (X);
m. moving of the carriage A (220) along with the ink trolley (T2) from home position (X) towards cross position (Y ) and precisely stopping at the cross position (Y);
n. disengaging the ink trolley (T2) on the carriage A (220) by unlocking the plurality of puller pins (232) on the carriage A (220) from the locators (314) of the ink trolley (T2), at position (Y);
o. engaging the ink trolley (T2) with the carriage B (226), by locking the plurality of puller pins (234) on the carriage B (226), with the plurality of trolley pulling brackets (310) of ink trolley (T) at position (Y);
p. moving / pulling the carriage B (226) along with the ink trolley (T2) from the position (Y) and stopping at the position (O) on the cross-trolley puller assembly (236) by the action of the rod less pneumatic actuator (240), in a linear path;
q. raising / lifting of the ink trolley (T2) by the pair lifting CAM (113) in between the pair of frames (110, 112) of the printing station (100A) at position (O);
r. locking the ink trolley (T2) with the pair of locking levers (116) at printing position (O); and
s. moving the carriage A (220) from position (Y) to the position (Z) to bring back the ink Trolley (T1) from the position (Z) to the home position (X).
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the spare trolley (T2) is fully prepared by installing a printing cylinder (300) and a doctor blade (302) and after positioning at printing station (100A) at position (O), electrical connection of a ink pump (306), and pneumatic engagement of the doctor blade (302) are done manually at all selected stations (100A) of the rotogravure printing machine (100) configured with this mechanism.
20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the spare trolley (T2) is prepared without a printing cylinder (300) and a doctor blade (302) and after positioning at printing station (100A) at position (O), mounting of the printing cylinder (300) and doctor blade (302), electrical connection of a ink pump (306), and pneumatic engagement of the doctor blade (302) are done manually at all selected stations (100A) of the rotogravure printing machine (100) configured with this mechanism.
Dated this 31st day of January 2023.

For UFLEX LIMITED

-Digitally Signed :: Filed via e-Filing-
Rachana Soni [IN/PA-4162]
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT