US3717722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for printing continuous runs of material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-27
•
Granted: 1973-02-20
•
Expires: 1991-04-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for printing continuous runs of material comprises rows of nozzles extending across the path of movement of the material. Colored printing fluid is supplied to each row of nozzles, each nozzle being controlled by a valve. A program control unit controls the pressure of fluid supplied to each row of nozzles and operation of the individual valves so as to maintain the quantity of fluid applied per unit area of the material substantially constant, irrespective of the speed of movement of the material.
Inventors
- 👤 J Messner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:05
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06B; D06B23/00; D06B23/24; D06B11/00; D06B11/0056; D06B11/0059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In apparatus for printing a continuous run of material movable along a predetermined path a plurality of rows of nozzles, each row extending transversely of said path, valve means for controlling each nozzle, a plurality of sources of colored printing fluid, means for feeding printing fluid from said sources to said rows of nozzles, regulator means for regulating the pressure of fluid fed to each row of nozzles, means for reciprocating each said row of nozzles along its longitudinal axis and for pivoting each said row about its longitudinal axis, program control means responsive to the speed of movement of the material along said path and controlling said value means and said regulator means to maintain the quantity of printing fluid applied per unit area of the material, substantially constant, said control means also acting to control said reciprocating and pivoting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In apparatus for printing a continuous run of material movable along a predetermined path a plurality of rows of nozzles, each row extending transversely of said path, valve means for controlling each nozzle, a plurality of sources of colored printing fluid, means for feeding printing fluid from said sources to said rows of nozzles, regulator means for regulating the pressure of fluid fed to each row of nozzles, means for reciprocating each said row of nozzles along its longitudinal axis and for pivoting each said row about its longitudinal axis, program control means responsive to the speed of movement of the material along said path and controlling said value means and said regulator means to maintain the quantity of printing fluid applied per unit area of the material, substantially constant, said control means also acting to control said reciprocating and pivoting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
In apparatus for printing a continuous run of material movable along a predetermined path a plurality of rows of nozzles, each row extending transversely of said path, valve means for controlling each nozzle, a plurality of sources of colored printing fluid, means for feeding printing fluid from said sources to said rows of nozzles, regulator means for regulating the pressure of fluid fed to each row of nozzles, means for reciprocating each said row of nozzles along its longitudinal axis and for pivoting each said row about its longitudinal axis, program control means responsive to the speed of movement of the material along said path and controlling said value means and said regulator means to maintain the quantity of printing fluid applied per unit area of the material, substantially constant, said control means also acting to control said reciprocating and pivoting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
In apparatus for printing a continuous run of material movable along a predetermined path a plurality of rows of nozzles, each row extending transversely of said path, valve means for controlling each nozzle, a plurality of sources of colored printing fluid, means for feeding printing fluid from said sources to said rows of nozzles, regulator means for regulating the pressure of fluid fed to each row of nozzles, means for reciprocating each said row of nozzles along its longitudinal axis and for pivoting each said row about its longitudinal axis, program control means responsive to the speed of movement of the material along said path and controlling said value means and said regulator means to maintain the quantity of printing fluid applied per unit area of the material, substantially constant, said control means also acting to control said reciprocating and pivoting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a supplementary row of nozzles interposed between adjacent rows of said plurality of rows of nozzles, the nozzles of said supplementary rows of nozzles being different from the nozzles of said plurality of rows of nozzles and being controlled by said program control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said source of colored printing fluid comprises a container of colored printing fluid and wherein said means for feeding printing fluid comprises pump means for delivering printing fluid from said container to said nozzles, and return pipe means extending from said nozzles to said container so that excess printing fluid is returned from said nozzles to said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzles are multi-jet nozzles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzles are electrostatic spray nozzles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for adjusting the height of each said row of nozzles above said path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus aS claimed in claim 1, wherein said program control means comprises a multi-track program tape, and reading heads, said reading heads being arranged in line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a number of said rows of nozzles are interconnected to define a group of rows, in each said group, the rows extending parallel and the nozzles in one row being staggered relative to the nozzles in an adjacent row.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the distance between the rows of nozzles in each said group corresponds to the pattern repeat length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said program control means comprises a color-sensitive picture-transmission camera, and colored pattern means, said camera scanning said pattern means.
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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) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |