US3608464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for developing lithographic plates
Assignee: Western Litho Plate and Supply Co
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Filing: 1968-05-14
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1988-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for postexposure treatment of lithographic plates having an endless belt on which such a plate is transported successively to, through, and beyond, a development station, a washing station, and a preserving station. The plate is rubbed at some of the treating stations by a rubbing device after having treating liquid deposited thereon. The plate undergoing treatment is held fast on the endless belt by interfacial tension.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Harrell
- 👤 Arthur E Essmueller
- 👤 Roy C Bax
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:28
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/02; G03D3/06; G03F7/26; G03F7/30; G03F7/3085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for developing lithographic plates comprising a moving endless belt having a substantially horizontal upper reach, a lithographic-plate-receiving station adjacent one end of said reach, said upper reach supporting and transporting a received plate to, through and beyond a succession of operating stations located along said reach, said belt having an exterior surface facing upwardly in said upper reach, means for applying liquid to said exterior surface, and means engaging said exterior surface ahead of said plate receiving station for removing substantially all but absorbed and adsorbed liquid from successive increments of said exterior surface, and wherein one of said operating stations has: a. means above said upper reach for measuring charges of developer liquid and dropping them upon a subjacent lithographic plate transported on said upper reach; b. a rubbing head having a resiliently compressible porous rubbing member arranged to engage a lithographic plate moving on said belt beneath said head; and c. means simultaneously compressing said rubbing member and imparting pluridirectional motion thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for developing lithographic plates comprising a moving endless belt having a substantially horizontal upper reach, a lithographic-plate-receiving station adjacent one end of said reach, said upper reach supporting and transporting a received plate to, through and beyond a succession of operating stations located along said reach, said belt having an exterior surface facing upwardly in said upper reach, means for applying liquid to said exterior surface, and means engaging said exterior surface ahead of said plate receiving station for removing substantially all but absorbed and adsorbed liquid from successive increments of said exterior surface, and wherein one of said operating stations has: a. means above said upper reach for measuring charges of developer liquid and dropping them upon a subjacent lithographic plate transported on said upper reach; b. a rubbing head having a resiliently compressible porous rubbing member arranged to engage a lithographic plate moving on said belt beneath said head; and c. means simultaneously compressing said rubbing member and imparting pluridirectional motion thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for developing lithographic plates comprising a moving endless belt having a substantially horizontal upper reach, a lithographic-plate-receiving station adjacent one end of said reach, said upper reach supporting and transporting a received plate to, through and beyond a succession of operating stations located along said reach, said belt having an exterior surface facing upwardly in said upper reach, means for applying liquid to said exterior surface, and means engaging said exterior surface ahead of said plate receiving station for removing substantially all but absorbed and adsorbed liquid from successive increments of said exterior surface, and wherein one of said operating stations has: a. means above said upper reach for measuring charges of developer liquid and dropping them upon a subjacent lithographic plate being transported on said upper reach; b. means for supplying said measuring means with developer liquid; and c. means for maintaining continuous circulation of developer liquid through said means for supplying said measuring means with developer liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for developing lithographic plates comprising a moving endless belt having a substantially horizontal upper reach, a lithographic-plate-receiving station adjacent one end of said reach, said upper reach supporting and transporting a received plate to, through and beyond a succession of operating stations located along said reach, said belt having an exterior surface facing upwardly in said upper reach, means for applying liquid to said exterior surface, and means engaging said exterior surface ahead of said plate receiving station for removing substantially all but absorbed and adsorbed liquid from successive increments of said exterior surface, and wherein one of said operating stations has: a. means above said upper reach for measuring charges of developer liquid and dropping them upon a subjacent lithographic plate being transported on said upper reach; b. means for supplying said measuring means with developer liquid; and c. means for maintaining continuous circulation of developer liquid through said means for supplying said measuring means with developer liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for processing exposed lithographic plates comprising: means for continuously conveying an exposed plate along a predetermined path with the exposed sensitized face of the plate facing up; means at a first location along said path for applying a developer for the plate on to the upper face of the plate, with the developer distributed across the upper face of the plate; means at a second location along said path movable relative to the plate-conveying means for rubbing the developer over the upper face of the plate; means at a third location along said path for spraying water on the upper face of the plate to wash off excess developer therefrom; means at a fourth location along said path for wiping off water from the upper face of the plate; means at a fifth location along said path for applying a preservative to the upper face of the plate, with the preservative distributed across the upper face of the plate; and means at a sixth location along said path for rubbing the preservative over the upper face of the plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for processing exposed lithographic plates comprising: means for continuously conveying an exposed plate along a predetermined path with the exposed sensitized face of the plate facing up; means at a first location along said path for applying a developer for the plate on to the upper face of the plate, with the developer distributed across the upper face of the plate; means at a second location along said path movable relative to the plate-conveying means for rubbing the developer over the upper face of the plate; means at a third location along said path for spraying water on the upper face of the plate to wash off excess developer therefrom; means at a fourth location along said path for wiping off water from the upper face of the plate; means at a fifth location along said path for applying a preservative to the upper face of the plate, with the preservative distributed across the upper face of the plate; and means at a sixth location along said path for rubbing the preservative over the upper face of the plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rubbing means at the said second location is movable to rub in the developer laterally and longitudinally of said path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the rubbing means at the said second location comprises resiliently compressible means engageable with the upper face of a plate, and having means for adjusting the said rubbing means at the said second location up and down relative to the plate-conveying means for varying the pressure of the rubbing means on the plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rubbing means at the second location and the rubbing means at the sixth location are both movable to rub laterally and longitudinally of said path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein each rubbing means comprises resiliently compressible means engageable with the upper face of a plate, and having means for adjusting each rubbing means up and down relative to the plate-conveying means for varying the pressure of the rubbing means on the plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the plate-conveying means comprises an endless belt having an upper reach for conveying a plate along Said path, the plate being applied to the upper reach of the belt adjacent one end thereof constituting its starting end, and having means for wetting the belt ahead of said one end of its upper reach for holding a plate flat on the belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least that portion of the said upper reach of the belt from the third to the fourth location is inclined slightly downward.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the belt has a lower return reach and the belt-wetting means comprises means for spraying water on the bottom surface of the lower reach of the belt, and means for wiping off excess water from the lower reach.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |