Replaceable sleeve

Abstract

A replaceable sleeve having a working surface is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a carrier. The sleeve includes an inner polymeric layer, a reinforcing layer overlying the inner layer, an intermediate polymeric layer overlying the reinforcing layer, and an outer polymeric layer. The sleeve may include a cushion layer between the intermediate layer and the outer layer. The layers comprising the sleeve are formed around a support and then cured simultaneously in a single step. The resulting sleeve may be used in printing operations or in other applications such as coating, embossing, laminating, calendering and the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a replaceable sleeve which may be readily mounted onto a cylindrical carrier, and more particularly, to a replaceable sleeve comprising a multilayer reinforced composite which may be cured in a single vulcanizing step.Rubber-covered cylindrical rollers are widely used in industry for a number of applications, particularly for web or sheet handling and processing applications such as the embossing, calendering, laminating, printing and coating of paper, film, foil, and other materials. In addition to their use in web processing equipment, such rubber-covered rollers are often employed in conveyors and various office machines. Such rollers are typically comprised of a cylindrical (metal) core or other support with an outer covering of rubber, elastomer, or polymer material. However, after extended use, the covering on the rollers wears down and must be resurfaced or replaced. This typically requires that the rollers be sent t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention meets that need by providing a replaceable sleeve adapted to be mounted on a cylindrical carrier which is comprised of a multilayer composite and which may be used in a number of applications which typically utilize polymer covered rolls including but not limited to web or sheet handling operations and flexographic printing operations. The sleeve is efficiently produced as the layers comprising the sleeve may be cured simultaneously. The sleeve is essentially seamless, chemically resistant, and may be easily mounted on a variety of carriers. When used in printing operations, the sleeve provides high print quality and performs within the tolerance levels required by the printing industry.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer has a Shore A hardness of at least about 70, and comprises, for example, a carboxylated nitrile-butadiene copolymer. The inner layer enhances the durability of the sleeve for repeated usage.

Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a replaceable sleeve having a working surface which may be readily mounted on a carrier, which is easily fabricated, and which may be used in a variety of applications. This, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Problems solved by technology

However, after extended use, the covering on the rollers wears down and must be resurfaced or replaced.

This is inconvenient and expensive as it requires that the processing equipment be shut down while the roller is being resurfaced or that the end user stock additional replacement rollers.

However, such sleeves are typically expensive and slow to fabricate as each component must be formed and cured separately and then assembled or formed into a composite.

Further, many polymeric printing sleeves in use require specific polymers and / or cure temperatures, which restricts the choice of materials or properties of the finished sleeve surface which may be desired for different printing applications.

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