Importance

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Abstract

A method of recovering ink deposits which remain in the ink drum liner of a substantially empty container which comprises the steps of positioning the mouth end of the drum liner proximate to a roller nip region of wringer assembly structure, inserting the mouth end into the wringer assembly, rotating the wringer assembly so as to draw the liner therethrough while simultaneously urging the ink remaining in the liner towards the closed end as a bulge, pulling the liner through the wringer assembly, opening the closed end of the liner to release the bulge of remaining ink deposits from the closed end of the liner, releasing the accumulated ink deposits from the liner and removing the ink drum liner from said wringer assembly structure. In addition, the method can include: the preliminary operations of stretching, flattening, and folding of the mouth end of the liner; reversing the direction of rotation of the wringer assembly after the release of the remaining ink deposits, and/or scraping off of excess ink residue on the roller members after removal of the liner therefrom. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus for performing the aforementioned method includes hydraulically biased roller members powered by a reversible direction motor. At least one of the roller members is retractable so as to facilitate insertion and release of the drum liner from therebetween.

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First Claim