End seal

The seal design with an elongated base body and wear protection element addresses manufacturing complexities and cost issues of existing end seals, ensuring reliable and consistent ink transfer in printing units by using flexible materials and simple assembly.

WO2025149311A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-07-17DAETWYLER SWISSTEC
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2024/086590
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-01-12
Filing Date
2024-12-16
Publication Date
2025-07-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing end seals for fluid-storing chambers in printing units, such as doctor blade chambers, are complex and costly to manufacture, and their attachment methods are prone to errors, leading to inconsistent ink transfer during the printing process.

Method used

A seal design comprising an elongated base body with a wear protection element, featuring a rectangular surface and profile legs that fit into slots on the base body, allowing easy assembly and replacement, and made from flexible materials like polymers and elastomers, ensuring reliable sealing.

Benefits of technology

The design facilitates easy manufacturing, cost-effective production, and reliable sealing with minimal wear, enhancing the consistency of ink transfer in printing processes.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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    Figure EP2024086590_17072025_PF_FP_ABST
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Abstract

The present application relates to a seal for sealing off the end of a liquid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber, with respect to a roll, in particular a engraved roll, rotating in the chamber, comprising an elongate main body (10) having a top side (12) which during use faces the rotating roll, a bottom side (11) opposite the top side (12), two mutually opposite side faces (13, 14) which during use are perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotating roll, and two mutually opposite end faces (15, 16) which during use are parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating roll. The top side (12) of the main body (10) has a contact region (12b) for placing the seal onto the rotating roll. On the top side (12) of the elongate main body (10), an anti-wear element (30) is attached which extends at least partially over the contact region (12b) such that the contact region (12b) is protected against wear caused by the rotating roll. The anti-wear element (30) has a rectangular surface which is delimited by four side edges and which rests on the top side (12) of the elongate main body (10). The anti-wear element furthermore comprises two profiled limbs which extend along two mutually opposite side edges of the rectangular surface over the entire length of same and protrude from the rectangular surface in one direction. The elongate main body (10) has two elongate slots which extend in the longitudinal direction within the main body (10) from the top side (12) towards the bottom side (11) and are parallel to one another. The profiled limbs of the anti-wear element are received in these elongate slots. The present application also relates to a corresponding anti-wear element, a chamber doctor blade system having such a seal and a method for producing such a seal.
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Description

[0001] Final sealing

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a seal comprising a base body and a wear protection element for sealing the end face of a fluid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber, with respect to a roller rotating in the chamber, in particular an anilox roller. Furthermore, the invention relates to a chamber doctor blade system comprising a fluid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber, on which a rotatable roller, in particular an anilox roller, is arranged, and wherein the fluid-storing chamber is sealed with a seal at least in the region of a first end face of the roller. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a seal with a wear protection element.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Printing units for letterpress printing typically include an anilox roller, which inks a printing form mounted on a printing form cylinder. The substrate to be printed, such as paper or fabric, is guided by a counter-pressure cylinder and pressed against the printing form cylinder, where the ink is transferred from the printing form to the substrate.

[0006] The inking of the anilox roller is now usually done using a chambered doctor blade system. The chambered doctor blade system has a chamber filled with printing ink, open on one side, which is pressed against the anilox roller with the open side, so that the ink is transferred to the rotating anilox roller. Excess printing ink is wiped off the anilox roller surface with a so-called working doctor blade. Along the longitudinal axis of the doctor blade chamber and the anilox roller, the doctor blade chamber is sealed on one side by the working doctor blade and on the other side by an additional closing doctor blade. At the end face, i.e. in the area of ​​the free ends of the anilox roller, the chamber is sealed with so-called chambered doctor blade seals (also known as end seals). In a chambered doctor blade system, the end seals and the doctor blades act as wearing parts.The interaction of these two components is crucial for consistent and clean ink transfer throughout the entire printing process.

[0007] In this context, US Pat. No. 9,085,131 B1 (Valley Holdings, LLC), for example, describes an end seal for an ink chamber of a printing press, e.g., a flexographic printing press. The seal has a compressible base body with an upper side comprising a central area for contact with the printing cylinder and two adjoining areas inclined towards one another for the application of doctor blades. The base body can be made of, for example, foam, rubber, plastic, or a composite material. A flat wear protection pad made of felt, polyethylene, or polyester can be attached to the upper side. How the wear protection pads are attached is not explained. It is likely that they are glued on, which is complex and prone to errors.

[0008] EP 3 539 776 A1 (wiguTec Gummitechnologie GmbH & Co. KG) describes a sealing element for the end-face sealing of a doctor blade chamber against a rotating roller. The sealing body has a base body and a molded part, wherein the base body consists, for example, of an elastic, in particular foamed material and is firmly bonded to the molded part. The molded part consists, in particular, of a material with less elasticity than the base body, e.g. a solid, rubber-like or caoutchouc material. In addition, the base body and the molded part are positively connected to one another on the upper side via projections on the molded part and corresponding recesses in the upper side. In the area of ​​the sealing surface, the sealing body consists of a vulcanizable material into which a sliding material (e.g. PTFE) is vulcanized. The sealing surface consists of two spaced-apart partial surfaces with a channel-shaped recess in between.However, the production of such complex end terminations is complex and expensive.

[0009] There is therefore still a need for improved solutions that do not have the aforementioned disadvantages or that have them to a lesser extent. Description of the invention

[0010] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved end seal for sealing the end face of a fluid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber, against a roller, in particular an anilox roller, that is adjacent to the chamber and rotates. In particular, the end seal should be as simple and flexible to manufacture as possible and enable reliable sealing.

[0011] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of independent claim 1. According to the invention, a seal for the end-face sealing of a liquid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber, with respect to a roller rotating in the chamber, in particular an anilox roller, comprises an elongated base body with an upper side which, during use, faces the rotating roller, a lower side opposite the upper side, two opposing side surfaces which, during use, are perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotating roller, and two opposing end faces which, during use, are parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating roller. The upper side of the base body has a contact area for applying the seal to the rotating roller.A wear protection element is attached to the upper side of the elongated base body, extending at least partially over the contact area so that the contact area is protected from wear caused by the rotating cylinder. The wear protection element has a rectangular surface defined by four side edges and resting on the upper side of the elongated base body. Furthermore, the wear protection element comprises two profile legs that extend along two opposite side edges of the four side edges of the rectangular surface over their entire length and protrude from the rectangular surface in one direction. The elongated base body has two elongated slots that extend longitudinally within the base body from the upper side toward the lower side and are parallel to each other.The profile legs of the wear protection element are accommodated in these elongated slots.

[0012] This design allows the seal to be easily manufactured from two individual parts. After the individual parts have been manufactured, the wear protection element can be simply attached to the base body via the two profile legs. This connection between the base body and the wear protection element allows the latter to be easily replaced, for example, if a damaged or worn wear protection element needs to be replaced with a new one. Furthermore, the wear protection element has a simple design, allowing it to be easily manufactured using an extrusion process. Because the base body has two slots, it is more flexible, which can improve the sealing effect between the seal and a roller running on it.Furthermore, the wear element can be used with base bodies of different dimensions without the need for complex adjustments.

[0013] The elongated base body preferably has a cuboid shape, thus having a total of six side surfaces, namely the top and bottom surfaces, two side surfaces, and two end surfaces. The top surface is preferably flat, but can also have a curvature, in particular a concave curvature, which in particular has a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of a lateral surface of the roller to be used with the seal.

[0014] The side surfaces connect the top side to the bottom side and are in particular perpendicular to the end faces and / or perpendicular to the bottom side of the base body. Preferably, the wear protection element covers the top side in the contact area across the entire width from one side surface to the other and / or, in the contact area, the wear protection element and the base body are essentially the same width at the top side. Thus, where the wear protection element is present, the contact area is completely protected across the entire width. According to a preferred embodiment, the wear protection element covers the top side in the contact area across the entire width of the contact area in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the base body and / or in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the roller.

[0015] The elongated base body is preferably made of felt, a polymer material, a composite material (e.g., felt and rubber), rubber, sponge rubber, natural rubber, cellular rubber, cellular vulcanized rubber, foam, polyurethane foam, and / or neoprene. Preferably, however, the elongated base body is made of a polymer material, in particular an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer. Alternatively, however, the elongated base body can also be made of a thermoplastic or a thermoset. The polymer material is in particular a homopolymer or a copolymer. The base body is preferably made of a foamed polymer material, e.g., a foamed polyethylene.

[0016] In the present application, the contact area is understood to be the area which, when used as intended, is in contact with the rotating roller.

[0017] Preferably, the entire contact area is covered with the wear protection element. This provides complete protection. However, this is not absolutely necessary. In a particular embodiment, the wear protection element extends only partially over the contact area, while the remaining sections of the contact area are preferably formed by the upper side of the base body.

[0018] In particular, the wear protection element only partially covers the contact area in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the base body and / or in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the roller, wherein preferably the remaining sections of the contact area are formed by the upper side of the base body and / or the wear protection element only partially covers the contact area across the width of the contact area, wherein preferably the remaining sections of the contact area are formed by the upper side of the base body.

[0019] A rectangular area is defined as a quadrilateral area whose interior angles are all right angles. This means that each side edge of the rectangular area is at an angle of 90° relative to two other sides of the rectangular area. Opposite sides of the rectangular area are each of the same length.

[0020] Preferably, the rectangular surface has two opposite side edges that are longer than the other two side edges. In this case, the profile legs preferably extend along the two longer side edges. Alternatively, the profile legs can also extend along the two shorter side edges of the rectangular surface. In a particular embodiment, the rectangular surface is square, meaning that all four side edges are of equal length.

[0021] Due to the design of the wear protection element with a rectangular surface and two profile legs extending along two opposite side edges, the wear protection element essentially has a U-shaped cross-section. Accordingly, the wear protection element is essentially in the shape of a U-profile. The two profile legs extend from the side of the rectangular surface that rests on the contact area during the seal's intended use.

[0022] Such profiles can be produced relatively easily and inexpensively, for example, by extrusion, particularly by a strand extrusion process, where they can then be cut to the required length. Alternatively, such profiles can also be manufactured by injection molding.

[0023] The wear protection element is preferably made of a polymer material, in particular a polymer material with high abrasion resistance. The wear protection element is particularly preferably made of a thermoplastic or thermoset. Alternatively, however, the wear protection element can also be made of an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer. The wear protection element can be made, for example, of polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, silicone, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, polyetheretherketone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride, and / or polyamide.

[0024] The wear protection element is preferably made of a non-foamed material.

[0025] The rectangular surface preferably has a thickness, i.e., when the seal is used as intended, an extension in the vertical direction directed away from the top side of the elongated base body of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, in particular of 1 mm to 5 mm. The rectangular surface preferably has a width, i.e., an extension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated base body of 5 mm to 50 mm, in particular of 8 mm to 15 mm.

[0026] The two profile legs preferably have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, particularly preferably 0.7 mm to 2 mm. The extension of the two profile legs from the rectangular surface is preferably 2 mm to 20 mm, particularly preferably 4 mm to 10 mm. In particular, the extension of the profile legs from the rectangular surface is selected such that it is smaller than the extension of the two elongated slots from the top side of the base body, with which the wear element together forms the seal according to the invention. Preferably, the extension of the profile legs is selected such that it corresponds to a maximum of 75%, particularly preferably a maximum of 50%, of the extension of the two elongated slots from the top side of the elongated base body.

[0027] The two elongated slots of the elongated base body extend from the top side toward the bottom side, i.e., the two elongated slots extend at least partially from the top side through the elongated base body. Preferably, the two elongated slots extend over at least 50% of the distance between the top side and the bottom side. In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the two elongated slots extend from the top side to the bottom side.

[0028] The two elongated slots do not extend in the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the elongated base body, but only over part of this length. Preferably, the two elongated slots extend over at most 90%, more preferably over at most 80%, especially preferably over at most 70% of the length of the elongated base body. The two elongated slots are each spaced from the end faces of the base body, so that between the end faces and the two elongated slots there is in each case an end region which has no slots. The two elongated slots are preferably arranged in the elongated base body in such a way that the two end regions have the same dimensions, i.e. that the ends of the two elongated slots are each at the same distance from the end faces of the elongated base body.

[0029] The two elongated slots divide the base body transversely into two lateral webs and a central web.

[0030] Preferably, the two elongated slots are arranged in the contact area of ​​the upper side of the elongated base body. Particularly preferably, the two elongated slots extend over the entire length of the contact area in the longitudinal direction of the elongated base body. Alternatively, however, the two elongated slots can also extend only over a portion of the length of the contact area. By accommodating the profile legs of the wear protection element in the two elongated slots, the wear protection element is releasably attached to the elongated base body.

[0031] Preferably, the wear protection element is attached to the base body without additional fastening means, in particular without screws, pins, holes, and / or adhesives. Therefore, there is no mechanical or material connection between the wear protection element and the upper side of the base body that could prevent removal of the wear protection element in a direction perpendicular to the upper side. Thus, although the wear protection element can rest on the upper side of the base body, it is not permanently attached to it.

[0032] Preferably, the seal according to the invention consists exclusively of the base body and the wear element. This greatly simplifies the manufacture of the seal, since only two parts need to be joined together.

[0033] Preferably, the base body and / or the wear element, particularly preferably both, are each manufactured in one piece.

[0034] Specifically, the base body and / or the wear element are solid bodies with no cavities. This further simplifies manufacturing.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, it is also possible to provide holes and / or recesses in the base body, for example in order to attach the seal to a liquid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber.

[0036] Preferably, the two profile legs each have at least one projection on an edge opposite the respective side edge of the rectangular surface, which projection protrudes in particular at right angles from the respective profile leg.

[0037] By means of these projections, the profile legs can be releasably anchored within the two elongated slots in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. The projections are in particular in the shape of a hook. Alternatively, however, the projections can also have a different shape, in particular in the form of a thickened portion or similar. The at least one projection preferably extends over the entire length of the respective edge of the corresponding profile leg. Preferably, the two profile legs have an angle of 1° to 30°, preferably 5° to 20°, relative to a normal of the rectangular surface, so that the edges of the profile legs that are opposite the respective side edges of the rectangular surface are at a smaller distance from each other than the distance between the two side edges along which the profile legs extend.

[0038] This angled arrangement of the two profile legs allows the wear element to be clamped to the central web of the elongated base body, which allows the wear protection element to be releasably attached particularly well to the top of the elongated base body.

[0039] Preferably, the side edges of the rectangular surface along which the profile legs extend are rounded, in particular having a rounding with a constant radius.

[0040] The curve is preferably convex. By rounding the side edges, forces that occur at the transition between the profile leg and the rectangular surface can be effectively dissipated. Furthermore, it prevents the occurrence of force peaks in this area.

[0041] The outer radius of the rounding, i.e., the radius of the rounding from one side of the rectangular surface, which faces the roller during intended use of the seal, to the profile leg, is preferably from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular from 1 mm to 2 mm. Preferably, the wear protection element also has a rounding in the region of the transition between one side of the rectangular surface, which rests on the elongated base body during intended use of the seal, and the respective profile leg. This rounding is preferably concave and preferably has a radius of 0.1 mm to 3 mm, particularly preferably from 0.2 mm to 1 mm.

[0042] Preferably, the two elongated slots of the base body each have a width that is smaller than the thickness of the profile legs. The width of the two elongated slots lies in the transverse direction of the elongated base body. The thickness of the two elongated slots is preferably 0.05 mm to 2 mm each, in particular 0.1 mm.

[0043] The wear protection element is preferably made of a material that is harder than the material of the base body.

[0044] Preferably, on the upper side of the base body there is a first support area for a working doctor blade and a second support area for a closing doctor blade, wherein the two support areas are at an angle to each other.

[0045] The first support area for a working squeegee and the second support area for a closing squeegee are preferably each designed as a flat surface. This allows the typically flat squeegees to be optimally supported across the entire surface of the respective support area.

[0046] The two support areas are preferably designed such that the contact area for applying the seal to the rotating roller is located between the two support areas of the doctor blade.

[0047] For example, the first support area for a working doctor blade and the second support area for a closing doctor blade are positioned at an angle of 90° - 180° relative to each other. This is a particularly suitable configuration for a chamber doctor blade system. However, other angles can also be provided for special applications.

[0048] The present application further relates to a wear protection element for a seal according to the above description. The wear protection element has a rectangular surface defined by four side edges. Furthermore, the wear protection element has two profile legs that extend along two opposite side edges of the four side edges of the rectangular surface over the entire length of the rectangular surface and protrude from the rectangular surface in one direction.

[0049] The wear protection element can have one or more of the features described in the above description. The present application also relates to a chambered doctor blade system with a fluid-storing chamber, in particular to a doctor blade chamber on which a rotatable roller, in particular an anilox roller, is arranged. The chambered doctor blade system comprises a working doctor blade resting on the roller parallel to a longitudinal axis of the roller, and a closing doctor blade resting on the roller. The fluid-storing chamber is sealed at least in the region of a first front end of the roller with a seal according to the above description, wherein the seal rests against the rotatable roller with its wear protection element.

[0050] The contact area for applying the seal to the rotating roller, as well as the wear protection element located thereon, are particularly concavely curved, and the curvature of the contact area and the wear protection element are designed to complement the curvature of the rotating roller. The curvature of the contact area and the wear protection element can arise from the support of the roller. Alternatively, however, the contact area can already have a corresponding curvature, whereby the wear protection element is curved accordingly when placed on the contact area or upon contact with the roller.

[0051] This enables a particularly reliable and cost-effective sealing of the doctor blade chamber against the rotating roller.

[0052] Preferably, a second front end of the roller is sealed with a further seal as described above.

[0053] The present application further relates to a method for producing a seal according to the above description. In a first step, the elongated base body is produced. Subsequently, the two parallel, elongated slots are cut into the base body, in particular by means of a waterjet cutting process. In a next step, the wear protection element is produced by an extrusion process. Finally, the wear protection element is placed onto the upper side of the base body, with the profile legs being inserted into the two parallel, elongated slots in the base body. The elongated base body can be produced by a suitable process, such as injection molding. Alternatively, the base body can also be punched or cut from a plate of a suitable material, e.g. by means of a waterjet cutting process.

[0054] Alternatively, a process other than waterjet cutting can be used to cut the two parallel slots, for example a laser cutting process or a punching process.

[0055] Because the wear protection element is manufactured using an extrusion process, it can be produced easily and cost-effectively.

[0056] The wear protection element can be cut manually using a cutter or similar tool, or alternatively using a cutting machine.

[0057] Preferably, the wear protection element is manufactured as a strand, with a wear protection element subsequently being cut from the strand. This offers the advantage that a wear protection element can be cut to a length that matches the elongated base body with which the wear protection element is to be inserted.

[0058] Preferably, the strand is wound into a roll before cutting, allowing the wear protection element to be cut at a later time. This simplifies handling and storage of the wear protection element, as the roll is easy to store and a new wear protection element can be cut to the appropriate length whenever it is needed.

[0059] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims.

[0060] Short description of the drawings

[0061] The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

[0062] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an elongated base body intended to form a seal according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a seal according to the invention with the elongated base body according to Fig. 1;

[0063] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a

[0064] Wear protection element for a seal according to the invention;

[0065] Fig. 4 shows a cross section through the wear protection element from Fig. 3 along the

[0066] Line B - B;

[0067] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation in cross section of a wear protection element attached to an embodiment of an elongated base body;

[0068] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wear protection element mounted on a further embodiment of an elongated base body;

[0069] Fig. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of an inventive

[0070] chamber doctor blade system;

[0071] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment of the chamber doctor blade system of Fig. 6.

[0072] In principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with identical reference symbols.

[0073] Ways to implement the invention

[0074] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an elongated base body 10 with a longitudinal axis L, which is intended to form a seal 40 according to the invention (see Fig. 2).

[0075] The elongated base body 10 has a top side 12, which faces the rotating roller during use of the seal 10, a bottom side 11 opposite the top side 12, two opposing side surfaces 13, 14, which are perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotating roller during use, and two opposing end faces 15, 16, which are parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating roller during use. The end faces 15, 16 are perpendicular to the side surfaces 13, 14 and perpendicular to the bottom side 11.

[0076] Furthermore, the upper side 12 includes a first support area 12a for a working doctor blade, a contact area 12b for applying the seal to the rotating roller, and a second support area 12c for a closing doctor blade. The two support areas 12a, 12c are flat and are arranged at an angle of, for example, 120° to each other. The contact area 12b located between them is recessed relative to the support areas 12a, 12c across the entire width of the base body 10, so that the support area 12b is in the form of a concavely curved recess on the upper side 12.

[0077] On the top side 12 of the elongated base body 10, two parallel, elongated slots 13a, 13b are arranged in the contact area 12b. The elongated slots 13a, 13b extend from the top side 12 toward the bottom side 11 of the elongated base body 10. The two elongated slots 13a, 13b divide the elongated base body 10 in the area of ​​the contact surface 12b into two lateral webs 14a, 14b and a central web 15.

[0078] Fig. 2 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a seal 1 according to the invention with an elongated base body 10 according to Fig. 1 with a mounted wear protection element 30. The wear protection element 30 partially covers the contact area 12b. The wear protection element 30 is attached to the elongated base body 10 by inserting the profile legs (see Figures 3 to 6) of the wear protection element into the two parallel, elongated slots 13a, 13b.

[0079] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a wear protection element 30 for a seal 1 according to the invention. The wear protection element 30 is essentially in the shape of a U. The wear protection element 30 comprises a rectangular surface 31, which has four side edges 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b that delimit the rectangular surface 31. On two opposite side edges 34a, 34b of the wear protection element 30, the rectangular surface 31 has profile legs 32a, 32b, which protrude from the rectangular surface 31 and extend along one of the respective side edges 34a, 34b. The wear protection element 30 is dimensioned such that the two profile legs are arranged at a first distance 31.1 from one another, wherein the first distance 31.1 corresponds to the distance between the two elongated slots 13a, 13b of an elongated base body 10 on which the wear protection element 30 is to be inserted. In the illustrated embodiment of the wear protection element 30, the two side edges 34a, 34b, along which the profile legs 32a, 32b extend, are longer than the two other side edges 35a, 35b. Alternatively, however, all four side edges 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b can also be of the same length, or the two profile legs 32a, 32b can extend along the two shorter side edges 35a, 35b.

[0080] Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through the wear protection element 30 from Fig. 3 along the line B-B. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the two profile legs 32a, 32b have an angle a of 1° to 30° relative to a normal N of the rectangular surface 31. In Fig. 4, the angle is only shown in relation to one profile leg 32a, but the second profile leg 32b assumes the same angle relative to the normal N. Due to this configuration of the profile legs 32a, 32b, their edges, which are opposite the respective side edges 34a, 34b of the rectangular surface 31, are at a second distance 31.2 relative to one another, which is smaller than the first distance 31.1. At these edges, the two profile legs 32a, 32b each have a projection 33a, 33b. In the embodiment shown, the projections 33a, 33b are designed in the form of hooks.

[0081] In the transition area between a first side 38a of the rectangular surface 31, which rests against the roller during intended use of the seal 1, and the profile legs 32a, 32b in the area of ​​the side edges 34a, 34b, the wear protection element 30 has a convex curve 36a, 36b with a constant outer radius. In the transition area between a second side 38b of the rectangular surface 31, which lies opposite the first side 38a and rests on the upper side 12 of the elongated base body 10 during intended use of the seal 1, and the profile legs 32a, 32b, the wear protection element 30 has a further, concave curve with a constant inner radius.

[0082] As Fig. 5 schematically shows in a cross-sectional view, the wear protection element 30 is placed onto the base body 10 in a direction perpendicular to the top side 12 of the base body 10, with the profile legs 32a, 32b being inserted into the two parallel, elongated slots 13a, 13b until the second side 38b of the rectangular surface 31 rests on the top side 12 of the elongated base body 10. The two projections 33a, 33b have a greater thickness than the rest of the profile legs 32a, 32b. Due to the increased thickness of the projections 33a, 33b and the angled design of the profile legs 32a, 32b relative to a normal of the rectangular surface 31, the wear protection element 30 is brought into a press fit with the elongated base body 10 and thus releasably clamped thereto.The embodiment of the elongated base body 10 shown in this figure has elongated slots 13a, 13b which extend from the top side 12 to the bottom side 11, ie extend over the entire distance between the top side 12 and the bottom side 13.

[0083] Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a wear protection element 30 fitted onto another embodiment of the elongated base body 10. In this embodiment of the base body 10, the two elongated slots 13a, 13b extend from the top side 12 toward the bottom side 11, but do not reach there. This means that the two elongated slots 13a, 13b extend only over part of the distance between the top side 12 and the bottom side 11. The wear protection element 30 is attached to the elongated base body 10 in the same way as shown in Fig. 5.

[0084] Figures 7 and 8 schematically show an embodiment of a chambered doctor blade system 80 according to the invention, with a liquid-storing doctor blade chamber 60, which is arranged on an anilox roller 70 rotatable about a longitudinal axis 71. Figure 7 is a side view of the chambered doctor blade system 80, and Figure 8 shows a top view of the chambered doctor blade system 80.

[0085] Parallel to the longitudinal axis 71 of the roller 70, a working doctor blade 61 rests with its free end against the roller 70 in the upper region of the doctor blade chamber 60 for wiping off excess ink. In the lower region, a closing doctor blade 62 rests against the roller 70 in the same way. The doctor blade chamber 60 is closed off at the first end 70a of the roller 70 with a seal 1. The wear protection element 30 present on the base body 20 is pressed against the outer surface of the roller 70 and the two doctor blades 61, 62 rest on the support areas 12a, 12c. The doctor blade chamber 60 is thus completely sealed with the seal 1 in the region of the first end 70a of the roller 70.

[0086] At the opposite second free end of the roller 70, the doctor chamber 60 is sealed in the same way with a second seal 1', wherein the second seal 1' is identical in construction to the first seal 1. This is shown in Fig. 8.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A seal for the end-face sealing of a fluid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber, with respect to a roller rotating in the chamber, in particular an anilox roller, comprising: a) an elongated base body with an upper side which, during use, faces the rotating roller, a lower side opposite the upper side, two opposing side surfaces which, during use, are perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotating roller, and two opposing end faces which, during use, are parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating roller; b) wherein the upper side has a contact area for applying the seal to the rotating roller; c) a wear protection element which is mounted on the upper side of the elongated base body and extends at least partially over the contact area, so that the contact area is protected from wear by the rotating cylinder,characterized in that d) the wear protection element has a rectangular surface which is bounded by four side edges and which rests on the upper side of the elongated base body, as well as two profile legs which extend along two opposite side edges of the four side edges of the rectangular surface over its entire length and protrude from the rectangular surface in one direction, e) and that the base body has two elongated slots which extend longitudinally within the base body from the upper side towards the lower side and which are parallel to one another, the profile legs of the wear protection element being received in these elongated slots.

2. Seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the two profile legs are each connected at an edge opposite the respective side edge of the rectangular surface by have at least one projection which protrudes in particular at right angles from the respective profile leg.

3. Seal according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the two profile legs are at an angle of 1° to 30°, preferably 5° to 20°, relative to a normal of the rectangular surface, so that the edges of the profile legs which are opposite the respective side edge of the rectangular surface are at a smaller distance from one another than the distance between the two side edges along which the profile legs extend.

4. Seal according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side edges of the rectangular surface along which the profile legs extend are rounded, in particular having a rounding with a constant radius.

5. Seal according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the slots of the base body have a width which is smaller than the thickness of the profile legs.

6. Seal according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wear protection element consists of a material which is harder than the material of the base body.

7. Seal according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the upper side of the base body there is a first support area for a working doctor blade and a second support area for a closing doctor blade, the two support areas being at an angle to one another.

8. Wear protection element for a seal according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a rectangular surface which is delimited by four side edges and two profile legs which extend along two opposite side edges of the four side edges of the rectangular surface over its entire length and protrude from the rectangular surface in one direction.

9. Chamber doctor blade system, comprising a liquid-storing chamber, in particular a doctor blade chamber, on which a rotatable roller, in particular an anilox roller, is arranged, and a parallel to a longitudinal axis of the roller, a Working doctor blade and a closing doctor blade lying on the roller, wherein the liquid-storing chamber is sealed at least in the region of a first front end of the roller with a seal according to one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the seal rests with its wear element on the rotatable roller.

10. Chambered doctor blade system according to claim 9, wherein a second front end of the roller is sealed with a further seal according to one of claims 1-7.

11. A method for producing a seal according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the steps: a) producing the base body; b) cutting the two parallel slots in the base body, in particular by means of a water jet cutting process; c) producing the wear protection element by an extrusion process; d) attaching the wear protection element to the upper side of the base body, wherein the profile legs are inserted into the two parallel slots of the base body.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that in step c) a strand is produced, wherein at least one wear protection element is subsequently cut from the strand.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the strand is wound into a roll before cutting and is then cut at a later time to form at least one wear protection element.

Citation Information

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