There is provided a method of cleaning a print roller and a system for performing the same. The method comprises providing an ultrasonic cleaning bar having at least one ultrasonic energy source. The ultrasonic cleaning bar is engaged with an ink-carrying surface of the print roller, the ultrasonic cleaning bar and the ink-carrying surface defining a trough therebetween for containing a cleaning fluid. A cleaning routine is executed, the cleaning routine comprising: filling the trough with the cleaning fluid so that the cleaning fluid contacts the ink-carrying surface; activating the ultrasonic energy source for a period of time to remove contaminants from the ink-carrying surface of the print roller so that the contaminants become suspended in the cleaning fluid; and draining the suspension of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the trough. The method comprises executing the cleaning routine at least two times in succession before cleaning of the print roller is complete.

In an example, a method includes rotating a print apparatus component to be cleaned about a first rotational axis. A cleaning element having a cleaning surface in contact with the print apparatus component may be driven such that the cleaning surface has a component of motion which is parallel to the first rotational axis in a contact region. A relative velocity of the cleaning element and the print apparatus component may be varied during a cleaning operation.

In an example, a method includes rotating a print apparatus component to be cleaned about a first rotational axis. A cleaning element having a cleaning surface in contact with the print apparatus component may be driven such that the cleaning surface has a component of motion which is parallel to the first rotational axis in a contact region. A relative velocity of the cleaning element and the print apparatus component may be varied during a cleaning operation.

An ink recovery pipe comprises: an inflow port for receiving ink from an ink reservoir, and disposed at a position close to a first machine frame; and an outflow port for discharging ink into an ink container, and disposed at a position close to a second machine frame. A first restriction device is disposed at a position downstream of the inflow por. A first coupling part is configured to couple a high-pressure air generation part with the ink recovery pipe at a position downstream of the first restriction device. A first high-pressure air control device is configured to stop supply of high-pressure air to the ink recovery pipe, while ink is supplied to the ink reservoir, and supply the high-pressure air to the ink recovery pipe, after start of an ink recovery operation of recovering ink from the ink reservoir after completion of supply of ink.

An ink recovery pipe comprises: an inflow port for receiving ink from an ink reservoir, and disposed at a position close to a first machine frame; and an outflow port for discharging ink into an ink container, and disposed at a position close to a second machine frame. A first restriction device is disposed at a position downstream of the inflow por. A first coupling part is configured to couple a high-pressure air generation part with the ink recovery pipe at a position downstream of the first restriction device. A first high-pressure air control device is configured to stop supply of high-pressure air to the ink recovery pipe, while ink is supplied to the ink reservoir, and supply the high-pressure air to the ink recovery pipe, after start of an ink recovery operation of recovering ink from the ink reservoir after completion of supply of ink.

A transport device includes a transport belt having a support surface configured to support a medium, and configured to transport the medium supported by the support surface, a cleaning roller including an absorbent member configured to absorb cleaning liquid, and configured to clean the support surface as the absorbent member comes into contact with the support surface, a supply unit configured to supply the cleaning liquid to the cleaning roller, and a spray unit configured to spray gas to the support surface cleaned by the cleaning roller. The spray unit is configured to spray the gas to the cleaning roller.

A transport device includes a transport belt having a support surface configured to support a medium, and configured to transport the medium supported by the support surface, a cleaning roller including an absorbent member configured to absorb cleaning liquid, and configured to clean the support surface as the absorbent member comes into contact with the support surface, a supply unit configured to supply the cleaning liquid to the cleaning roller, and a spray unit configured to spray gas to the support surface cleaned by the cleaning roller. The spray unit is configured to spray the gas to the cleaning roller.

A ductor roller for printing machines has a shaft provided with an air supply pipe, plural individual ductor rollers, and plural electromagnetic valves, both connected to the shaft. The individual ductor rollers advance pneumatically by the electromagnetic valves. The individual ductor rollers have housings that are associated with the shaft and configured to move forward and backward; roller members configured to contact with the ink fountain roller and an ink distribution roller; and bearings connecting the roller members to the housings. The electromagnetic valves are placed in the housings. Protection members for the electromagnetic valves are oil-resistant, have circularly cylindrical or arc-like covers, and are associated with the shaft. They cover the side ends of the housings and are placed in the clearance between the individual ductor rollers. The protection members do not need an exchange, discharge cleaning liquid for printing machines along troughs and prevent the electromagnetic valves from being contaminated by the cleaning liquid.

An ink fountain of an ink fountain device is provided with a fixed frame; a plate slidable on the upper surface of the plate; and an advancement and retraction mechanism advancing and retracting the plate with respect to the frame. The advancement and retraction mechanism comprises: a motor; a cam fixed to the output shaft of the motor which is integrally rotatable by rotation of the output shaft and has a cam surface shifted from an exact circle; and a rod in contact with the cam surface and advancing and retracting by the cam. The plate advances and retracts with respect to the frame by the advancement and retraction of the rod.

An ink fountain of an ink fountain device is provided with a fixed frame; a plate slidable on the upper surface of the plate; and an advancement and retraction mechanism advancing and retracting the plate with respect to the frame. The advancement and retraction mechanism comprises: a motor; a cam fixed to the output shaft of the motor which is integrally rotatable by rotation of the output shaft and has a cam surface shifted from an exact circle; and a rod in contact with the cam surface and advancing and retracting by the cam. The plate advances and retracts with respect to the frame by the advancement and retraction of the rod.