US3742903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for punching and coating printing plates
Assignee: COPLEY PRESS Inc
•
Filing: 1971-06-24
•
Granted: 1973-07-03
•
Expires: 1991-06-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for punching and coating printing plates, such as used in the printing of newspapers and magazines. Unprepared plates are moved individually in steps to a punch position where coded slots or holes are punched at the edges of the plate in precise alignment, after which the plate passes between devices for application of a photo sensitive coating. The punched and coated plates are conveyed between air dryers and deposited in a stack in a receptacle. For simplicity and compactness, the plates are guided in a return path on two levels and a single motor drives all of the plates handling means. The apparatus will handle single or double plates of multiple sizes without the need for adjustment.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wheaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; G03F7/00; G03F7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for punching and coating printing plates, comprising: a frame; a substantially flat bed plate and a coplanar loading table on top of said frame; a first conveyor for moving printing plates successively from said loading table to said bed plate; punch means mounted on said bed plate for punching edges of each printing plate in a predetermined pattern; a coating unit mounted on said frame to receive a printing plate from said conveyor, said coating unit having means for applying an image receiving coating to at least one surface of a printing plate; a second conveyor mounted on said frame; guide means for directing printing plates from said coating unit to said second conveyor; drying means mounted to direct airflow over printing plates carried on said second conveyor, each of said conveyors has a plurality of thin endless belts in spaced parallel relation, the belts of said first conveyor supporting a printing plate above said bed plate, and said bed plate has grooves into which said endless belts can be depressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for punching and coating printing plates, comprising: a frame; a substantially flat bed plate and a coplanar loading table on top of said frame; a first conveyor for moving printing plates successively from said loading table to said bed plate; punch means mounted on said bed plate for punching edges of each printing plate in a predetermined pattern; a coating unit mounted on said frame to receive a printing plate from said conveyor, said coating unit having means for applying an image receiving coating to at least one surface of a printing plate; a second conveyor mounted on said frame; guide means for directing printing plates from said coating unit to said second conveyor; drying means mounted to direct airflow over printing plates carried on said second conveyor, each of said conveyors has a plurality of thin endless belts in spaced parallel relation, the belts of said first conveyor supporting a printing plate above said bed plate, and said bed plate has grooves into which said endless belts can be depressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coating unit has upper and lower rollers positioned to receive printing plates therebetween, and a liquid containing reservoir in which said lower roller is immersed, at least one of said rollers having continuous drive means connected thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first conveyor is continuously driven, said bed plate and said loading table having selectively retractable stop means thereon for holding printing plates momentarily in punching and loading positions, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said drying means includes an air blower mounted above said second conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said drying means further includes an air blower mounted below said second conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second conveyor is continuously driven at a speed slower than that of the first conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for punching and coating printing plates, comprising: a frame; a substantially flat bed plate and a coplanar loading table on top of said frame; a first conveyor for moving printing plates successively from said loading table to said bed plate; punch means mounted on said bed plate for punching edges of each printing plate in a predetermined pattern; a coating unit mounted on said frame to receive a printing plate from said conveyor, said coating unit having means for applying an image receiving coating to at least one surface of a printing plate; a second conveyor mounted on said frame; guide means for directing printing plates from said coating unit to said second conveyor; drying means mounted to direct airflow over printing plates carried on said second conveyor, and guide rails on said bed plate, with channels to receive a printing plate therebetween, said punch means being mounted on said guide rails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for punching and coating printing plates, comprising: a frame; a substantially flat bed plate and a coplanar loading table on top of said frame; a first conveyor for moving printing plates successively from said loading table to said bed plate; punch means mounted on said bed plate for punching edges of each printing plate in a predetermined pattern; a coating unit mounted on said frame to receive a printing plate from said conveyor, said coating unit having means for applying an image receiving coating to at least one surface of a printing plate; a second conveyor mounted on said frame; guide means for directing printing plates from said coating unit to said second conveyor; drying means mounted to direct airflow over printing plates carried on said second conveyor, and guide rails on said bed plate, with channels to receive a printing plate therebetween, said punch means being mounted on said guide rails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, and including stop means on said bed plate for holding a printing plate in aligned punching position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first conveyor is continuously operable, said stop means being selectively retractable to release each printing plate after punching.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, and including further selectively retractable stop means on said loading table adjacent said bed plate, for holding a printing plate in readiness for advancement to the punching position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1469737A
Cited
US1592431A
Cited
GB545119A
Cited
US2253529A
Cited
US2324519A
Cited
US2590339A
Cited
US2695591A
Cited
US3230925A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |