VERBETERDE WERKWIJZE EN INRICHTING VOOR HET DIRECT LADEN VAN HET OPPERVLAK VAN EEN DRUKROL VAN MET EEN ELEKTROSTATISCHE HULP WERKENDE GRAVUREPERS

PCT No. PCT/US83/00164 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 24, 1984 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 24, 1984 PCT Filed Feb. 7, 1983 PCT Pub. No. WO84/03068 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 16, 1984.A method and associated apparatus for applying a charge directly to an impression roll (12) which engages a gravure cylinder (14) of an electrostatic assist gravure press, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of placing a plurality of spaced contacts (26 or 54) capable of applying a charge to the impression roll (12) in direct contact with the surface of the impression roll (12), arranging the spacing between the contacts (26 or 54) and the width thereof so that predetermined groupings of the contacts (26 or 54) correspond to approximately the various web widths to be used with the gravure press, and controlling the charge applied by the contacts (26 or 54) to the surface of the immpression roll (12) to minimize the current leakage between the impression roll (12) and the gravure cylinder (14) in those areas of the impression roll (12) where the impression roll (12) directly engages the gravure cylinder (14) without the interposition of a web (22) therebetween.