US3591285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for photo printing on curved surface article
Assignee: NIHOM KYKUMEN INSATSUKI KK
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Filing: 1968-09-11
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for photo printing on the curved surface of an article, wherein a pliable and transparent negative has a peripheral flange portion supported by a holding member which cooperates with a receiving member supporting the article to be printed, such that the flange portion of the negative is clamped between the holding member and receiving member in airtight relation and an enclosed space is formed between the negative and the curved surface of the article to be printed. Thereafter, the air from the enclosed space is evacuated via a tube supported in the receiving member and in communication with said enclosed space, while atmospheric air is applied to the outer surface of the negative via the holding member. As a consequence, the negative is caused by closely contact the curved surface of the article, afterwhich the holding member is removed and replaced by a light source which exposes the outer surface of the negative to produce photo printing on the curved surface of the article, which is closely contacted by the negative.
Inventors
- 👤 Shige Hakogi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/02; G03B27/14; G03B27/18; G03B27/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for photo printing on the curved surface of an article, said method comprising placing a pliable and transparent negative adjacent the curved surface of an article to be printed, forming a peripheral flange on the negative in a region thereof outside the image on the negative, clamping the flange of the negative in airtight-sealing relation with the article to produce an enclosed space between the article and the negative, evacuating said enclosed space while applying atmospheric pressure to the negative to cause the negative to closely contact the curved surface of the article, exposing the negative, on its outer surface, to produce photo printing on the curved surface of the article which is closely contacted by the negative, and supporting the negative by a holder until said space is evacuated and the negative is brought into close contact with the curved surface of the article, whereafter the holder is removed and a light source is introduced into the space formerly occupied by the holder whereby to expose the negative.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for photo printing on the curved surface of an article, said method comprising placing a pliable and transparent negative adjacent the curved surface of an article to be printed, forming a peripheral flange on the negative in a region thereof outside the image on the negative, clamping the flange of the negative in airtight-sealing relation with the article to produce an enclosed space between the article and the negative, evacuating said enclosed space while applying atmospheric pressure to the negative to cause the negative to closely contact the curved surface of the article, exposing the negative, on its outer surface, to produce photo printing on the curved surface of the article which is closely contacted by the negative, and supporting the negative by a holder until said space is evacuated and the negative is brought into close contact with the curved surface of the article, whereafter the holder is removed and a light source is introduced into the space formerly occupied by the holder whereby to expose the negative.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for photo printing on the curved surface of an article, said method comprising placing a pliable and transparent negative adjacent the curved surface of an article to be printed, forming a peripheral flange on the negative in a region thereof outside the image on the negative, clamping the flange of the negative in airtight-sealing relation with the article to produce an enclosed space between the article and the negative, evacuating said enclosed space while applying atmospheric pressure to the negative to cause the negative to closely contact the curved surface of the article, exposing the negative, on its outer surface, to produce photo printing on the curved surface of the article which is closely contacted by the negative, said curved surface of the article having both convex and concave portions, subjecting the negative to equal suction pressures on opposite sides thereof whereby the negative remains undeflected and in spaced contact with the surface while air is removed from said enclosed space, and applying atmospheric pressure to the outer surface of the negative after the enclosed space has been evacuated while continuing to apply suction pressure to said space whereby the negative now enters into close contact with both the convex and concave portions of the curved surface.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
209 words
A method for photo printing on the curved surface of an article, said method comprising placing a pliable and transparent negative adjacent the curved surface of an article to be printed, forming a peripheral flange on the negative in a region thereof outside the image on the negative, clamping the flange of the negative in airtight-sealing relation with the article to produce an enclosed space between the article and the negative, evacuating said enclosed space while applying atmospheric pressure to the negative to cause the negative to closely contact the curved surface of the article, exposing the negative, on its outer surface, to produce photo printing on the curved surface of the article which is closely contacted by the negative, said curved surface of the article having both convex and concave portions, subjecting the negative to equal suction pressures on opposite sides thereof whereby the negative remains undeflected and in spaced contact with the surface while air is removed from said enclosed space, and applying atmospheric pressure to the outer surface of the negative after the enclosed space has been evacuated while continuing to apply suction pressure to said space whereby the negative now enters into close contact with both the convex and concave portions of the curved surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
235 words
Apparatus for photo printing on the curved surface of an article, said apparatus comprising a pliable and transparent negative having a swollen portion and a peripheral flange portion, a holding member supporting said negative at said flange portion, a receiving member supporting the article to be photo printed and including a peripheral edge portion which cooperates with said holding member to clamp the flange portion of the negative therebetween in airtight relation and form an enclosed space between the swollen portion of the negative and the curved surface of the article to be printed, means for evacuating the air from said enclosed space, means for the application of atmospheric air to the surface of the negative opposite said space whereby when the air is evacuated from said space the swollen portion of the negative is urged into close contact with the curved surface of said article, and means for illuminating the outer surface of the negative with said holding member removed, and while the negative is in close contact with the curved surface of the article, said curved surface of the article including a convex portion and said holding member having a concave surface against which the negative is engaged, said means for the application of atmospheric air to the negative including a duct connected to atmosphere, and supported in said holding member in communication with said surface of the negative opposite said enclosed space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
235 words
Apparatus for photo printing on the curved surface of an article, said apparatus comprising a pliable and transparent negative having a swollen portion and a peripheral flange portion, a holding member supporting said negative at said flange portion, a receiving member supporting the article to be photo printed and including a peripheral edge portion which cooperates with said holding member to clamp the flange portion of the negative therebetween in airtight relation and form an enclosed space between the swollen portion of the negative and the curved surface of the article to be printed, means for evacuating the air from said enclosed space, means for the application of atmospheric air to the surface of the negative opposite said space whereby when the air is evacuated from said space the swollen portion of the negative is urged into close contact with the curved surface of said article, and means for illuminating the outer surface of the negative with said holding member removed, and while the negative is in close contact with the curved surface of the article, said curved surface of the article including a convex portion and said holding member having a concave surface against which the negative is engaged, said means for the application of atmospheric air to the negative including a duct connected to atmosphere, and supported in said holding member in communication with said surface of the negative opposite said enclosed space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said evacuating means comprises a conduit supported by said receiving member and adapted for connection to a suction source, said receiving member including spaced projections against which the article is engaged, the spaces between the projections providing passage for evacuation of air from said space to said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said curved surface of the article includes a concave portion in addition to the convex portion, said duct in the holding member being connectable with the suction source, prior to connection with the atmosphere, and concurrently with the conduit in the receiving member whereby equal suction pressures are applied to opposite sides of the negative while the enclosed space is being evacuated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said negative has a slit and an elastic member covering said slit and coextensive therewith to facilitate deformation of the negative and accommodation with the curved surface of the article.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2437229A
Cited
US3087404A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |