US3655286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for manufacturing rotogravure printing roll
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-12-15
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1989-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating an etched printing pattern upon a copper jacketed rotogravure roll. The roll is coated with a light sensitive acid resist coating and a photographic positive film is draped over the roll. Rotation of the roll is effected during exposure of the roll to light by pulling one end of the tensioned film away from the roll while lifting the other end toward the roll. The tension of the film is adjusted so that the length of the film images exactly corresponds to the circumference of the roll. The apparatus accomplishes this tension adjustment and roll rotation by controlled movement of the film.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold C Thumberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for manufacturing a rotogravure printing roll which comprises means for supporting the roll for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of linearly movable platens located on opposite sides of said axis, each of said platens being movable in a single plane, means for attaching opposite ends of a photographic film to each of said movable platens when the central section of the film between the ends extends over and frictionally contacts the roll, means for adjusting the tension of the film between the platens so as to vary the length of the film, means for directing a light beam onto the roll through the photographic film and drive means for synchronously moving one platen away from the roll and the other platen toward it while maintaining a predetermined tension on the film, said drive means being operative to frictionally drive the roll in rotation as a consequence of frictional contact between the film and the roll at a rate determined by the linear speed of the platens to which the ends of the film are attached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for manufacturing a rotogravure printing roll which comprises means for supporting the roll for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of linearly movable platens located on opposite sides of said axis, each of said platens being movable in a single plane, means for attaching opposite ends of a photographic film to each of said movable platens when the central section of the film between the ends extends over and frictionally contacts the roll, means for adjusting the tension of the film between the platens so as to vary the length of the film, means for directing a light beam onto the roll through the photographic film and drive means for synchronously moving one platen away from the roll and the other platen toward it while maintaining a predetermined tension on the film, said drive means being operative to frictionally drive the roll in rotation as a consequence of frictional contact between the film and the roll at a rate determined by the linear speed of the platens to which the ends of the film are attached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes means for adjusting the distance of at least one platen from the roll after attachment of the ends of the film to the platens so as to vary the tension in the film and cause the image on the film to exactly match the circumference of the roll.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2 which further includes means for adjusting the film attaching means on the platens in a direction parallel to the axis of the roll after attachment of the ends of the film to the platens so as to precisely position the film laterally over the peripheral surface of the roll.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said platen drive means comprises a pair of endless chains, each one of said pair of chains being attached to both of said platens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said chains extends over a pair of sprockets located adjacent said roll rotation axis and a second pair of sprockets located remote from said roll rotation axis, each of said chains further passing around a pair of adjustable sprockets movable together toward and away from said roll.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said adjustable sprockets are adjustably movable toward and away from each other to vary the tension in the chain and thereby eliminate slack from it.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pair of adjustable sprockets of each of said drive means are mechanically interconnected so that they are movable together toward and away from said roll.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mechanical interconnection between said pair of adjustable sprockets comprises means for clamping said adjustable sprockets against movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 8 which further includes a brake operatively connected to one of said sprockets for locking it against rotation during adjusting movement of said adjustable sprockets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 9 which further includes a clutch operatively connected to another of said sprockets and a drive motor for effecting rotation of said other drive sprocket through said clutch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said brake is an electric brake and said clutch is an electric clutch and further including a control panel for selectively effecting engagement of said clutch or said brake or for simultaneously effecting engagement of both said clutch and said brake.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for manufacturing a rotogravure printing roll which comprises a frame including a pair of side plates, bearing means for supporting the roll between said side plates for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of vertically movable platens extending between said side plates, one of said plates being located in front of said axis of rotation and the other plate being located behind said axis of rotation, clamping means for attaching opposite ends of a photographic film to each of said movable platens when the central section of the film between the ends extends over and contacts the roll, means for directing a light beam onto the roll through the photographic film, and, drive means for synchronously moving one platen away from the roll and the other platen toward it while maintaining a predetermined tension on the film so as to frictionally drive the roll in rotation at a rate determined by the linear speed of the platens to which the ends of the film are attached.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for manufacturing a rotogravure printing roll which comprises a frame including a pair of side plates, bearing means for supporting the roll between said side plates for rotation about a horizontal axis, a pair of vertically movable platens extending between said side plates, one of said plates being located in front of said axis of rotation and the other plate being located behind said axis of rotation, clamping means for attaching opposite ends of a photographic film to each of said movable platens when the central section of the film between the ends extends over and contacts the roll, means for directing a light beam onto the roll through the photographic film, and, drive means for synchronously moving one platen away from the roll and the other platen toward it while maintaining a predetermined tension on the film so as to frictionally drive the roll in rotation at a rate determined by the linear speed of the platens to which the ends of the film are attached.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said platen drive means comprises a pair of endless chains, each one of said pair of chains being attached to both of said platens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said chains extends over a pair of sprockets located adjacent said roll rotation axis and a second pair of sprockets located remote from said roll rotation axis, each of said chains further passing around a pair of adjustable sprockets adjustably movable together toward and away from said roll.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each pair of adjustable sprockets is mounted upon a slide block, said slide blocks are mechanically interconnected so that they are movable together toward and away from said roll.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 15 which further comprises means for clamping said slide blocks against movement relative to said frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16 which further includes a brake operatively connected to one of said sprockets for locking it against rotation during adjustment of said slide blocks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 17 which further includes a clutch operatively connected to another of said sprockets and a drive motor for effecting rotation of said other drive sprocket through said clutch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2190948A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |