US3740140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact printing on a moving layer of light-sensitive material
Assignee: Extek Inc
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Filing: 1969-08-18
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1989-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for continuous contact printing from a moving master strip onto a moving duplicate strip of lightsensitive material. A vacuum is applied to the inner or facing surfaces of the master and duplicate strips to keep them in register with each other by withdrawing air from the space between them. Air is so withdrawn either in an entrance region before the longitudinally moving strips come into close proximity with each other, or in an exit region beyond which the moving strips begin to diverge from each other. At least some of the air that is withdrawn from the space between the strips is caused to leave that space along a path generally parallel to the direction of strip movement. The vacuum may be applied through a perforated wedge which guides the strips into close proximity with each other.
Inventors
- 👤 M Wolf
- 👤 R Beispel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/02; G03B27/14; G03B27/18; G03B27/20; G03B27/30; G03B27/303
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving continuous web of light-sensitive material from a given continuous negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises: (a) wedge means for guiding said continuous negative film into close proximity with said continuous web of light-sensitive material as said film and web move from the thick to the thin end of said wedge means; (b) means for applying a first vacuum to hold said film and web against the converging outer surfaces of said wedge; (c) means for applying a second vacuum to said film and web to keep them pressed together and in register with each other after they have converged at the thin end of said wedge means; (d) a light source in an exposure zone; (e) means for continuously pulling said negative film and web of light-sensitive material thus assembled through said exposure zone, with said light source positioned to direct light upon the exposed surface of said film while application of said vacuum is continued; and (f) means for guiding said negative film and said web of light-sensitive material away from each other after they have left said exposure zone and are no longer subjected to said vacuum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving continuous web of light-sensitive material from a given continuous negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises: (a) wedge means for guiding said continuous negative film into close proximity with said continuous web of light-sensitive material as said film and web move from the thick to the thin end of said wedge means; (b) means for applying a first vacuum to hold said film and web against the converging outer surfaces of said wedge; (c) means for applying a second vacuum to said film and web to keep them pressed together and in register with each other after they have converged at the thin end of said wedge means; (d) a light source in an exposure zone; (e) means for continuously pulling said negative film and web of light-sensitive material thus assembled through said exposure zone, with said light source positioned to direct light upon the exposed surface of said film while application of said vacuum is continued; and (f) means for guiding said negative film and said web of light-sensitive material away from each other after they have left said exposure zone and are no longer subjected to said vacuum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a system for contact printing of a desired image upon a moving continuous web of light-sensitive material from a given continuous master film corresponding to said desired image, apparatus for positioning said continuous film with respect to said continuous web of light-sensitive material, which comprises: means for bringing said continuous film into close proximity with said continuous web; means for applying a vacuum to said film and web to keep them pressed together and in register with each other, said vacuum applying means comprising a wedge-shaped device having a small end tapering outwardly to form a first surface for guiding said web of light-sensitive material and a second surface for guiding said film, and having at least one perforation therethrough; and means communicating with said perforation for providing a vacuum therein; means for moving said film and web of light-sensitive material through an exposure zone; and means for guiding said film and said web of light-sensitive material away from each other after they have left said exposure zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a system for contact printing of a desired image upon a moving continuous web of light-sensitive material from a given continuous master film corresponding to said desired image, apparatus for positioning said continuous film with respect to said continuous web of light-sensitive material, which comprises: means for bringing said continuous film into close proximity with said continuous web; means for applying a vacuum to said film and web to keep them pressed together and in register with each other, said vacuum applying means comprising a wedge-shaped device having a small end tapering outwardly to form a first surface for guiding said web of light-sensitive material and a second surface for guiding said film, and having at least one perforation therethrough; and means communicating with said perforation for providing a vacuum therein; means for moving said film and web of light-sensitive material through an exposure zone; and means for guiding said film and said web of light-sensitive material away from each other after they have left said exposure zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for use in a system for contact printing as described in claim 2 in which said wedge-shaped device is perforated in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said film and web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for use in a system for contact printing as described in claim 2 in which said perforation comprises a channel extending to the outside of said wedge-shaped device at the small end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
188 words
Apparatus for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving continuous web of light-sensitive material from a given continuous negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises (a) a sleeve forming a helical path for enclosing said web and film and for bringing said continuous negative film into close proximity with said continuous web of light-sensitive material; (b) means for applying a vacuum to said film and web while they are enclosed in said sleeve, to keep said film and web pressed together and in register with each other; (c) a linear light source in an exposure zone; (d) means for continuously moving said negative film and web of light-sensitive material thus assembled through said exposure zone in said helical path around said linear light source as the center of said path, so as to direct light upon the exposed surface of said film while application of said vacuum is continued; and (e) means for guiding said negative film and said web of light-sensitive materiAl away from each other after they have left said exposure zone and are no longer subjected to said vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
188 words
Apparatus for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving continuous web of light-sensitive material from a given continuous negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises (a) a sleeve forming a helical path for enclosing said web and film and for bringing said continuous negative film into close proximity with said continuous web of light-sensitive material; (b) means for applying a vacuum to said film and web while they are enclosed in said sleeve, to keep said film and web pressed together and in register with each other; (c) a linear light source in an exposure zone; (d) means for continuously moving said negative film and web of light-sensitive material thus assembled through said exposure zone in said helical path around said linear light source as the center of said path, so as to direct light upon the exposed surface of said film while application of said vacuum is continued; and (e) means for guiding said negative film and said web of light-sensitive materiAl away from each other after they have left said exposure zone and are no longer subjected to said vacuum.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for contact printing of a desired image upon a moving layer of light-sensitive material from a given master film corresponding to said desired image, which comprises: moving said film on a guide device which lies between said film and layer to bring said film into close proximity with said layer of light-sensitive material; applying a vacuum through said guide device to the inner surfaces of said film and layer; moving said film and layer of light-sensitive material thus assembled through an exposure zone; directing light upon the exposed surface of said film while it is passing through said zone; and thereafter separating said film from said layer of light-sensitive material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for contact printing of a desired image upon a moving layer of light-sensitive material from a given master film corresponding to said desired image, which comprises: moving said film on a guide device which lies between said film and layer to bring said film into close proximity with said layer of light-sensitive material; applying a vacuum through said guide device to the inner surfaces of said film and layer; moving said film and layer of light-sensitive material thus assembled through an exposure zone; directing light upon the exposed surface of said film while it is passing through said zone; and thereafter separating said film from said layer of light-sensitive material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving layer of light-sensitive material from a given negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises: (a) bringing said negative film into close proximity with said layer of light-sensitive material; (b) applying a first vacuum to said film and layer to keep them pressed together and in register with each other; (c) continuously pulling said negative film and layer of light-sensitive material thus assembled through an exposure zone; (d) directing light upon the exposed surface of said negative film while it is passing through said zone; (e) splitting said moving film and layer apart at a position located beyond said exposure zone and directing the separated film and layer outwardly from each other; and (f) at said splitting position, applying a second vacuum to the respective surfaces of said film and layer that were initially pressed together, so as to keep the separated film and layer from diverging too sharply as they move beyond said splitting position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving layer of light-sensitive material from a given negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises: (a) bringing said negative film into close proximity with said layer of light-sensitive material; (b) applying a first vacuum to said film and layer to keep them pressed together and in register with each other; (c) continuously pulling said negative film and layer of light-sensitive material thus assembled through an exposure zone; (d) directing light upon the exposed surface of said negative film while it is passing through said zone; (e) splitting said moving film and layer apart at a position located beyond said exposure zone and directing the separated film and layer outwardly from each other; and (f) at said splitting position, applying a second vacuum to the respective surfaces of said film and layer that were initially pressed together, so as to keep the separated film and layer from diverging too sharply as they move beyond said splitting position.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving layer of light-sensitive material from a given negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises: (a) bringing said negative film into close proximity with said layer of light-sensitive material; (b) applying a vacuum to said film and layer to keep them pressed together and in register with each other; (c) continuously moving said negative film and layer of light-sensitive material thus assembled in a helical path through an exposure zone, with the negative film facing inward; (d) directing light from a centrally located linear source of light outwardly upon the exposed surface of said negative film while it is passing through said exposure zone; and (e) releasing said vacuum and separating said negative film and said layer of light-sensitive material after they have left said exposure zone.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for contact printing of a desired positive image upon a moving layer of light-sensitive material from a given negative film corresponding to said desired positive image which comprises: (a) bringing said negative film into close proximity with said layer of light-sensitive material; (b) applying a vacuum to said film and layer to keep them pressed together and in register with each other; (c) continuously moving said negative film and layer of light-sensitive material thus assembled in a helical path through an exposure zone, with the negative film facing inward; (d) directing light from a centrally located linear source of light outwardly upon the exposed surface of said negative film while it is passing through said exposure zone; and (e) releasing said vacuum and separating said negative film and said layer of light-sensitive material after they have left said exposure zone.
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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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |