US3589261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic developing apparatus
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1968-01-16
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1988-01-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the continuous processing of an exposed photopolymer litho plate by the successive operations of developing and rinsing through soaking pools and sprays, drying and post exposing to harden the image for use, rehumidifying, and coating the image surface with gum arabic to preserve the plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Costas Stylianos Krikelis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/26; G03F7/30; G03F7/3042; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/13; G03D3/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for preparing a printing plate from an exposed photopolymerizable element which comprises a. a developer bath unit located to receive said element; b. means for spraying developer solution upon said element before it enters developer bath in said unit; c. a water bath unit for rinsing said element after development; d. means for spraying water on said element as said element leaves the water bath; e. means for passing said element through said baths and past said sprays, comprising a pair of opposed coacting drive rolls adapted to positively force said element through the developer bath and another pair of opposed coacting drive rolls adapted to receive said element from said developer bath and to positively force said element through said water bath, the distance between the pairs of drive rolls being less than the length of the element; f. each bath unit having a concave bottom guide plate as the sole guiding means in the bath in the unit for guiding the element in a path in the bath; and g. means associated with the water bath unit for forcing the element into a different direction as the element leaves that unit; there being a sensing means and a reciprocating roll means located after each pair of drive rolls to detect the passage of said element and to initiate movement of said reciprocating roll to direct said element to said guide means in each bath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for preparing a printing plate from an exposed photopolymerizable element which comprises a. a developer bath unit located to receive said element; b. means for spraying developer solution upon said element before it enters developer bath in said unit; c. a water bath unit for rinsing said element after development; d. means for spraying water on said element as said element leaves the water bath; e. means for passing said element through said baths and past said sprays, comprising a pair of opposed coacting drive rolls adapted to positively force said element through the developer bath and another pair of opposed coacting drive rolls adapted to receive said element from said developer bath and to positively force said element through said water bath, the distance between the pairs of drive rolls being less than the length of the element; f. each bath unit having a concave bottom guide plate as the sole guiding means in the bath in the unit for guiding the element in a path in the bath; and g. means associated with the water bath unit for forcing the element into a different direction as the element leaves that unit; there being a sensing means and a reciprocating roll means located after each pair of drive rolls to detect the passage of said element and to initiate movement of said reciprocating roll to direct said element to said guide means in each bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 where a conveyor means is located after said water bath to receive said element and a lighting means positioned is above said conveyor means to postexpose said element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 where a self-cleaning conveyor means is located after said water bath to receive said element and an applicator means to positioned above said conveyor to coat said element with a preservative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 where a lighting means is positioned above said conveyor to postexpose said element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |