Printer Roller Blade Assembly

Abstract

An improved wiper blade assembly for a printer roller is provided. A blade assembly (14) of a roller waste collection system (10) includes a support plate (16) for mounting to a tray (12) of the waste collection system (10) and a blade holder. The blade holder is configured to receive a blade (18) having a longitudinal axis and a free end extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage a roller (20) to be cleaned. The blade holder is configured to receive and hold the blade (18), and the blade (18) is removably attachable to the blade holder. One of the blade holder and the blade (18) includes a channel, and the other of the blade holder and the blade (18) includes a protrusion configured to be seated and held in the channel. There is clearance between the channel and the protrusion. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] BLADE ASSEMBLY FOR REMOVING WASTE FROM ROLLERS FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a blade assembly for removing waste from rollers, particularly printer rollers. [Background technology]

[0002] In the printing industry, waste material is removed from rollers using wiper blades, which contain a tip that engages the rotating roller to scrape any waste material, typically ink, from the roller. Typically, the waste material scraped from the roller is sent to a collection tray.

[0003] The solvents used in printing inks, together with the friction between the roller and the wiper blade, wear the wiper blade, so that the blade must be replaced from time to time. Replacing wiper blades is a time-consuming and cumbersome task, typically involving the removal of numerous bolts, each of which likely needs to be cleaned of ink before removal. The applicant's US Pat. No. 5,399,633 describes a waste collection system in which wiper blades are more easily replaced. The system includes a blade holder configured to securely receive and hold a wiper blade. The blade is removably attachable to the blade holder via a push-fit connection or by sliding one component of the blade into a corresponding channel on the blade holder. However, the solvents used in printing inks, particularly those containing halogenated hydrocarbons, can cause the blade to swell over time, and the applicant has found that swelling of the wiper blade in the blade holder can distort the tip of the wiper blade, reducing the ability of the wiper blade to remove ink from the roller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 046559 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is desirable to provide an improved wiper blade assembly.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a blade assembly for a roller waste collection system is provided, the blade assembly comprising a support plate for mounting to a tray of the waste collection system and a blade holder. The blade holder is configured to receive and hold a blade having a longitudinal axis and a free end extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage a roller to be cleaned, the blade holder being configured to receive and hold the blade, the blade being removably attachable to the blade holder. One of the blade holders and the blade , extending in the longitudinal direction and having a circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction The other of the blade holder and the blade includes a channel. 、 configured to be seated and held within the channel , extending in the longitudinal direction and having a circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Includes protrusions. The cross-sectional circular diameter of the channel is greater than the cross-sectional circular diameter of the protrusion. In use, the material forming the blade swells when exposed to printing ink solvents. 。

[0007] Preferably ,blood The channel diameter is at least 5% larger than the protrusion diameter. stomach In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion has a diameter of 3.0 mm and the channel has a diameter of 3.4 mm.

[0008] Preferably, both the channel and the protrusion have a substantially circular cross-section.

[0009] The blade is removably attached to the blade holder by being insertable into and removable from the channel by sliding the protrusion longitudinally of the blade relative to the channel.

[0010] The blade assembly may further include blade retaining means associated with the blade holder having a first position in which it prevents the blade from sliding relative to the blade holder and a second position in which the blade can slide relative to the blade holder. Preferably, the blade retaining means is biased towards the first position by a spring attached to the support plate.

[0011] The blade holder may include a closed end adapted to limit sliding movement of the blade relative to the blade holder.

[0012] Preferably, the blade further comprises an inclined surface extending from the free end and configured to direct waste removed by the blade from the roller towards the tray. Preferably, the inclined surface terminates in a substantially flexible lip which, in use, presses against a blade holder or a liner disposed in the tray to rotate the blade about its longitudinal axis and press the free end of the blade against the roller.

[0013] The blade assembly may be adapted to be attached to a liner that lines the tray.

[0014] The blade assembly may be attachable to the liner via magnetic means, one of the blade assembly and the liner may be provided with a magnetic element, the other of the blade assembly and the liner may be provided with a ferromagnetic element, or alternatively, the blade assembly and the liner may each be provided with a magnetic element.

[0015] The blade assembly may be attachable to the liner via corresponding male and female elements, which may include channels located on the blade and protrusions located on the liner.

[0016] The present invention provides an improved blade assembly for roller waste collection systems that prevents blade distortion as the blade swells due to solvent absorption and extends the life of a particular blade, thus requiring less frequent replacement.

[0017] The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the wiper blade assembly of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a waste collection system of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a wiper blade assembly of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 is an isometric view of a support plate forming part of the wiper blade assembly of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is an isometric view of a blade forming part of the wiper blade assembly of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8a] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a support plate forming part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the closure member being shown in a closed position; [Figure 8b] FIG. 8b is an isometric view of the support plate of FIG. 8a, with the closure member shown in the open position; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] 1, a waste collection system 10 according to the present invention is shown comprising a cleaning tray 12 and a blade assembly 14. The blade assembly 14 includes a support plate 16 and a blade 18 that scrapes waste from a roller 20 using a free end or tip 18a for engaging the surface of the roller 20.

[0020] Support plate 16 rests on inner wall 12 a of cleaning tray 12 and is attached thereto by brackets 22 .

[0021] 2, 3 and 4, the support plate 16 includes a blade holder 24 configured to receive a portion of the blade 18. The blade holder 24 includes a channel 26 having a substantially circular cross-section. The blade 18 includes a protrusion 28 having a substantially circular cross-section that slides into the channel 26 of the blade holder 24.

[0022] As shown more clearly in Figure 3, channel 26 includes an elongated opening 26a along its upper edge. The width of opening 26a is narrower than the width of channel 26 and narrower than the width of protrusion 28, thereby preventing removal of blade 18 through elongated opening 26a. Protrusion 28 is connected to blade 18 by a connector 30 that extends through opening 26a of channel 26 after protrusion 28 is inserted into channel 26.

[0023] The protrusion 28 does not fit tightly into the channel 26, and there is some play or clearance between the protrusion 28 and the channel 26. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance X between the channel and the protrusion is about 0.19 mm. There is also some play or clearance between the opening 26a of the channel 26 and the connecting portion 30. This play allows the blade 18 to swell (due to exposure to the solvent) and prevents the tip 18a of the blade 18 from distorting or getting stuck in the blade holder. This increases the life of a particular blade 18, and therefore the blade needs to be replaced less frequently.

[0024] The blade 18 is made from an extruded plastic, such as HDPE. The extruded plastic is thickened adjacent the blade tip 18a, which strengthens the blade tip 18a and makes it more durable. The blade 18 also includes a lip 18b that is positioned adjacent to the cleaning tray or cleaning tray liner in use. The blade lip 18b is thinner and more flexible than the blade tip 18a, allowing the cleaning tray liner 12' to be positioned between the lip 18b and the support plate 16, as will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The lip 18b presses against the cleaning tray liner 12', causing the protruding portion 28 of the blade 18 to rotate slightly about the longitudinal axis of the channel 26 and pressing the tip 18a against the surface of the roller 20.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the wiper blade assembly of the present invention. This example is substantially the same design as that shown in FIGS. 1-4, except that the blade assembly is attached to the cleaning tray liner 12' via magnetic means. At least one of the cleaning tray liner 12' and the blade assembly 14 is provided with a magnetic element 28. If only one of the cleaning tray liner 12' and the blade assembly 14 is provided with a magnetic element 28, the other is provided with a ferromagnetic metal element 30 that is subject to magnetic attraction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the ferromagnetic metal element 30 is attached to the outer surface of the cleaning tray liner 12'. In use, the free end of the cleaning tray liner 12' to which the ferromagnetic metal strip 30 is attached is located behind and adjacent the lip 18b. The blade lip 18b is thinner and more flexible than the blade tip 18a. Ink and solvent collected by the blade 18 falls from the lip 18b onto the inner surface of the cleaning tray liner 12' where it is collected. In the embodiment shown, the magnetic element 28 is attached to the blade assembly 14 by an adhesive. The above-described configuration for directing the flow of ink and solvent onto the wash tray liner mitigates the ink and solvent from coming into contact with the adhesive that holds the magnetic element 28 in place. The magnetic element 28 is preferably a strip that corresponds substantially in size to the ferromagnetic metal strip 30. The magnetic element 28 may be provided on the liner, and the ferromagnetic metal element 30 may be provided on or form part of the blade assembly.

[0026] Particularly advantageously, the ferromagnetic metal strip 30 should also be a magnetic element 28a, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, by properly arranging the polarity of the magnetic elements of the cleaning tray liner 12' and the blade assembly 14, the components to be connected to each other can be attached to each other so that they are correctly positioned. The magnetic elements 28 and 28a are provided with alternating polarity and are each configured so that the free end of the cleaning tray liner 12' assumes a desired position adjacent the blade lip 18b. This is advantageous because if the cleaning tray liner is incorrectly positioned, the ink and solvent removed by the blade 18 can migrate onto the metal strip or the magnetic element, which can cause the adhesive attaching the magnetic element and / or the metal strip to the cleaning tray liner or the blade assembly to fail. Although the person attaching the cleaning tray liner 12' to the blade assembly 14 can correctly position the metal strip 30, an arrangement that ensures correct attachment of the cleaning tray liner reduces human error. The magnetic elements 28, 28a are formed of a magnetic tape that can be provided with an adhesive on one side for attachment to a surface. It will also be appreciated that the provision of the magnetic elements 28, 28a not only assists in correct positioning of the free end of the cleaning tray adjacent the blade lip 18b, but also provides a clear indication to the installer of incorrect positioning since the polarity of the magnets will not allow for slight misalignment. The free end of the cleaning tray will either be correctly positioned or significantly misaligned.

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the wiper blade assembly of the present invention. In this example, the blade assembly is of substantially the same design as that shown in FIGS. 1-4, except that the blade lip 18b is replaced with a channel 31. The channel 31 is adapted to receive and retain a bead portion 32 disposed on a cleaning tray liner 12″.

[0028] As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the support plate 16 and the blade holder 24 are preferably provided with an obstruction member 34. In the illustrated example, the obstruction member 34 is a spring-mounted obstruction member. The obstruction member 34 is mounted to cover the opening of the channel 26 on the blade holder 24 in normal operation. When the blade 18 is in position within the channel 26, the obstruction member prevents removal of the blade 18.

[0029] To insert or remove a blade 18 into the blade holder 24, an operator must press down on the occlusion member 34, as shown by the arrow in Figure 8b, to move the occlusion member 34 away from the opening of the channel 26. When the occlusion member 34 is released, it is returned to its original position (as shown in Figure 8a) by the spring attachment.

[0030] The distal end of the blade holder 24 may be closed, for example, by a plug or cap 36, which limits the sliding of the blade 18 into the blade holder 24.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 9, the support plate 16 may include a protruding element 38 having an upwardly sloping surface that helps guide the cleaning tray liner 12 ′ into position under the lip 18 b of the blade 18 .

[0032] 10, the blade lip 18b can engage the cleaning tray liner or magnet 28a at point 18b'. Reducing the surface area of ​​contact between the blade lip 18b and the cleaning tray liner and / or magnet 28a reduces the capillary action of the ink and / or solvent back towards the cleaning tray liner / magnet. Capillary action of the ink and / or solvent back towards the magnet / cleaning tray liner is undesirable and can cause the blade to stick to the cleaning tray liner or magnet 28a that forms part of the cleaning tray liner 12'. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10 Waste Collection System 12 Cleaning tray 12' Wash Tray Liner 12” Washing Tray Liner 12a Inner wall 14 Blade Assembly 16 Support Plate 18 Blades 18a Blade tip 18b Blade Lip 18b' point 20 Roller 22 Bracket 24 Blade holder 26 Channels 26a opening 28 Protrusion 28 Magnetic elements 28a Magnetic elements, magnets 30 Connecting part 30 Ferromagnetic metal elements, metal strips 31 Channels 32 Bead section 34 Closure member 36 Cap 38 Protruding elements

Claims

1. a support plate for mounting to a tray of the waste collection system; A blade holder; 1. A blade assembly for a roller waste collection system comprising: the blade holder is configured to receive a blade having a longitudinal axis and a free end extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis and configured to engage a roller to be cleaned, the blade holder is configured to receive and hold the blade, the blade being removably attachable to the blade holder; One of the blade holder and the blade includes a channel extending in a longitudinal direction and having a circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the other of the blade holder and the blade includes a protrusion extending in a longitudinal direction and having a circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, configured to be seated and held within the channel, the diameter of the circle of the cross section of the channel being greater than the diameter of the circle of the cross section of the protrusion; A blade assembly, characterized in that, in use, the material forming the blade swells when exposed to a printing ink solvent.

2. A blade assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the channel is at least 5% larger than the diameter of the protrusion.

3. The blade assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein both the channel and the protrusion have a circular cross-section.

4. 4. The blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the protrusion slides relative to the channel in the longitudinal direction of the blade, and is insertable into and removable from the channel, thereby removably attaching the blade to the blade holder.

5. 5. A blade assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising blade retaining means associated with the blade holder having a first position which prevents the blade from sliding relative to the blade holder and a second position which allows the blade to slide relative to the blade holder.

6. 6. The blade assembly of claim 5, wherein said blade retaining means is biased toward said first position by a spring attached to said support plate.

7. The blade assembly of claim 4 , wherein the blade holder includes a closed end adapted to limit sliding movement of the blade relative to the blade holder.

8. 8. The blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the blade further comprises an angled surface extending from the free end and configured to direct waste removed by the blade from the roller towards the tray.

9. 9. The blade assembly of claim 8, wherein the inclined surface terminates in a flexible lip which, in use, presses against a liner disposed in the blade holder or tray, causing the blade to rotate about its longitudinal axis and pressing the free end of the blade against the roller.

10. The blade assembly of claim 1 configured for attachment to a liner backing the tray.

11. The blade assembly of claim 10 , wherein the blade assembly is attachable to the liner via magnetic means.

12. The blade assembly of claim 11 , wherein one of the blade assembly and the liner comprises a magnetic element and the other of the blade assembly and the liner comprises a ferromagnetic element.

13. The blade assembly of claim 11 , wherein the blade assembly and the liner each include a magnetic element.

14. The blade assembly of claim 10 , wherein the blade assembly is attachable to the liner via corresponding male and female elements.

15. The blade assembly of claim 14 , wherein the corresponding male and female elements comprise a channel located on the blade and a protrusion located on the liner.

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