Method and apparatus for screen printing contiguous designs on elongated strips of material

Claim 1

A method of screen printing sequential complementary designs on a continuous strip of material comprising the steps of disposing a dryer in adjacent tandem relationship to a printing screen having a design portion disposed between opposed well portions with an associated sqeegee, positioning the screen into printing position on the material to be printed, effecting the printing of said design on the material by relative movement of the squeegee over the design portion of the screen, raising the screen and associated squeegee off the material subsquent to the printing thereof to a non-printing position, indexing said printed portion of said material in the direction of index a distance equal to the size of the printed portion and retracting said screen and associated squeegee in the nonprinting position and the dryer in a direction opposite to the indexing of said printed portion to dispose the dryer over a trailing portion of said printed portion when the screen is in the retracted non-printing position, returning said screen and associated squeegee together with the dryer to printing position for effecting the printing of the next adjacent design, thereby positioning said dryer in drying relationship to another portion of said first printed portion to effect the drying thereof as the next succeeding design is being printed.

Claim 2

A method of screen printing sequential complementary designs on a continuous strip of material comprising the steps of disposing a dryer in adjacent tandem relationship to a printing screen having a design portion disposed between opposed well portions with an associated sqeegee, positioning the screen into printing position on the material to be printed, effecting the printing of said design on the material by relative movement of the squeegee over the design portion of the screen, raising the screen and associated squeegee off the material subsquent to the printing thereof to a non-printing position, indexing said printed portion of said material in the direction of index a distance equal to the size of the printed portion and retracting said screen and associated squeegee in the nonprinting position and the dryer in a direction opposite to the indexing of said printed portion to dispose the dryer over a trailing portion of said printed portion when the screen is in the retracted non-printing position, returning said screen and associated squeegee together with the dryer to printing position for effecting the printing of the next adjacent design, thereby positioning said dryer in drying relationship to another portion of said first printed portion to effect the drying thereof as the next succeeding design is being printed.

Claim 4

A method of screen printing sequential complementary designs on a continuous strip of material comprising the steps of: coupling a dryer in tandem to a printing screen having a printed portion and opposed well portions with an associated squeegee, positioning the screen onto the material to be printed whereby the squeegee is initially disposed in one of the well portions, effecting the printing of said material by transversing said squeegee over the printed portion of said screen, raising the scrEen and associated squeegee off the material subsequent to the printing thereof to a non-printing position, indexing said printed material a predetermined distance, moving said screen and associated dryer in a direction opposite to the indexing direction of said printed portion to position the dryer over the trailing edge portion of said preceding print whereby said dryer effects the drying of said trailing edge portion, returning said screen and associated dryer to its initial position, lowering said screen into printing position for effecting the printing of the next adjacent design whereby said associated dryer is in position for effecting the drying of the leading edge portion of said preceding printed portion, and effecting the printing of the next adjacent repeat as said leading portion of the preceding print is being dried.

Claim 5

A method of screen printing sequential complementary designs on a continuous strip of material comprising the steps of: coupling a dryer in tandem to a printing screen having a printed portion and opposed well portions with an associated squeegee, positioning the screen onto the material to be printed whereby the squeegee is initially disposed in one of the well portions, effecting the printing of said material by transversing said squeegee over the printed portion of said screen, raising the scrEen and associated squeegee off the material subsequent to the printing thereof to a non-printing position, indexing said printed material a predetermined distance, moving said screen and associated dryer in a direction opposite to the indexing direction of said printed portion to position the dryer over the trailing edge portion of said preceding print whereby said dryer effects the drying of said trailing edge portion, returning said screen and associated dryer to its initial position, lowering said screen into printing position for effecting the printing of the next adjacent design whereby said associated dryer is in position for effecting the drying of the leading edge portion of said preceding printed portion, and effecting the printing of the next adjacent repeat as said leading portion of the preceding print is being dried.

Claim 8

An apparatus for screen printing continuous sequential designs on an elongated strip of material comprising: a frame means, support means on said frame means for supporting thereon the material to be printed, a printing head means movably mounted on said frame means, a printing screen having opposed well portions and an associated squeegee mounted on said printing head means for movement between an operative printing position wherein said screen is placed onto said material, and an inoperative non-printing position wherein said screen is raised off the material, elevating means for effecting the raising and lowering of said printing head and associated screen between printing and non-printing positions, a dryer means connected in tandem to said screen, operating means for effecting relative movement between said squeegee and associated screen to effect the printing stroke in the printing position of said printing head, indexing means for indexing said material subsequent to the printing stroke, and drive means for effecting the drive of said printing head and associated screen and connected dryer means in a direction opposite to the direction of said index to position said dryer means in drying relationship to the trailing portion of the indexed printed portion to effect a positive drying of said trailing portion prior to effecting the next succeeding print.

Claim 9

An apparatus for screen printing continuous sequential designs on an elongated strip of material comprising: a frame means, support means on said frame means for supporting thereon the material to be printed, a printing head means movably mounted on said frame means, a printing screen having opposed well portions and an associated squeegee mounted on said printing head means for movement between an operative printing position wherein said screen is placed onto said material, and an inoperative non-printing position wherein said screen is raised off the material, elevating means for effecting the raising and lowering of said printing head and associated screen between printing and non-printing positions, a dryer means connected in tandem to said screen, operating means for effecting relative movement between said squeegee and associated screen to effect the printing stroke in the printing position of said printing head, indexing means for indexing said material subsequent to the printing stroke, and drive means for effecting the drive of said printing head and associated screen and connected dryer means in a direction opposite to the direction of said index to position said dryer means in drying relationship to the trailing portion of the indexed printed portion to effect a positive drying of said trailing portion prior to effecting the next succeeding print.

Claim 17

An apparatus for screen printing sequential designs on a continuous strip of material comprising: a frame means, a blanket movably mounted on said frame, said blanket defining a support for the material to be printed, a printing head mounted on said frame for relative movement with respect thereto, said printing head including a screen and an associated squeegee mounted for movement thereon between a raised non-printing position and a lowered printing position, and means for effecting relative movement of said screen and associated squeegee for effecting a printing of the material when said screen is disposed in the printing position onto said material, a drying means connected to said screen for movement therewith, means for indexing said blanket and material supported thereon a predetermined distance after a printing operation, and means for effecting a reciprocating drive of said printing head to retract said printing head in a direction opposite to the indexing of said blanket and material when the screen is disposed in a non-printing position to position the connected drying means in drying relationship to the trailing marginal portion only of the indexed printed portion of the material and to return said printing head to printing position to position the connected dryer means in drying relationship with another portion of said index printed portion when the screen and associated squeegee is effecting the next succeeding print.

Claim 18

An apparatus for screen printing sequential designs on a continuous strip of material comprising: a frame means, a blanket movably mounted on said frame, said blanket defining a support for the material to be printed, a printing head mounted on said frame for relative movement with respect thereto, said printing head including a screen and an associated squeegee mounted for movement thereon between a raised non-printing position and a lowered printing position, and means for effecting relative movement of said screen and associated squeegee for effecting a printing of the material when said screen is disposed in the printing position onto said material, a drying means connected to said screen for movement therewith, means for indexing said blanket and material supported thereon a predetermined distance after a printing operation, and means for effecting a reciprocating drive of said printing head to retract said printing head in a direction opposite to the indexing of said blanket and material when the screen is disposed in a non-printing position to position the connected drying means in drying relationship to the trailing marginal portion only of the indexed printed portion of the material and to return said printing head to printing position to position the connected dryer means in drying relationship with another portion of said index printed portion when the screen and associated squeegee is effecting the next succeeding print.

Claim 20

An apparatus for screen printing continuous sequential designs on elongated strips of material comprising: a frame, a table means mounted on said frame, said table means including a first portion fixed to said frame, and a second portion operatively connected to said frame for reciprocal movement relative to said first fixed portion, each of said table portions including adjacent co-planar perforated table tops having a vacuum chamber operatively connected to each of said tops, means for drawing a negative pressure on each of said chambers, a table drive means connected to said second table portion for effecting the movement thereof relative to said first portion for effecting indexing of the printed material, end rollers mounted on said frame at opposite ends of said table means, an endless printing blanket threaded over said end rollers, said blanket having its upper flight supported on said table tops, said blanket having a series of Perforations formed thereon, a printing head, said printing head including a an upper head assembly and a lower head assembly, means for slidably supporting said upper head assembly on said lower head assembly for permitting relative reciprocal movement therebetween, means operatively connected to said lower head assembly for effecting the raising and lowering of said printing head relative to said blanket between a printing and non-printing position, at least one printing screen mounted on said upper head assembly for movement between printing and non-printing position therewith, a sqeegee means operatively associated with said printing screen, squeegee drive means for effecting relative movement between said squeegee and said screen to effect a printing stroke, a dryer means operatively connected to said screen, a printing head drive means operatively connected to said printing head for effecting the movement of said printing head, associated screen and connected dryer in a direction opposite to the direction of index, said printing head drive means including a printing head carriage reciprocally mounted on said frame, means operatively connected said printing head to said carriage means, and a power means connected to said printing head carriage to effect the reciprocal movement thereof, said squeegee drive means including a piston and cylinder assembly carried on said printing head carriage.

Claim 21

An apparatus for screen printing continuous sequential designs on elongated strips of material comprising: a frame, a table means mounted on said frame, said table means including a first portion fixed to said frame, and a second portion operatively connected to said frame for reciprocal movement relative to said first fixed portion, each of said table portions including adjacent co-planar perforated table tops having a vacuum chamber operatively connected to each of said tops, means for drawing a negative pressure on each of said chambers, a table drive means connected to said second table portion for effecting the movement thereof relative to said first portion for effecting indexing of the printed material, end rollers mounted on said frame at opposite ends of said table means, an endless printing blanket threaded over said end rollers, said blanket having its upper flight supported on said table tops, said blanket having a series of Perforations formed thereon, a printing head, said printing head including a an upper head assembly and a lower head assembly, means for slidably supporting said upper head assembly on said lower head assembly for permitting relative reciprocal movement therebetween, means operatively connected to said lower head assembly for effecting the raising and lowering of said printing head relative to said blanket between a printing and non-printing position, at least one printing screen mounted on said upper head assembly for movement between printing and non-printing position therewith, a sqeegee means operatively associated with said printing screen, squeegee drive means for effecting relative movement between said squeegee and said screen to effect a printing stroke, a dryer means operatively connected to said screen, a printing head drive means operatively connected to said printing head for effecting the movement of said printing head, associated screen and connected dryer in a direction opposite to the direction of index, said printing head drive means including a printing head carriage reciprocally mounted on said frame, means operatively connected said printing head to said carriage means, and a power means connected to said printing head carriage to effect the reciprocal movement thereof, said squeegee drive means including a piston and cylinder assembly carried on said printing head carriage.

Claim 22

A method of screen printing successive abutting designs on a continuous strip of sheet material comprising the steps of positioning a printing screen having an associated squeegee and dryer into a printing position onto the material to be printed, effecting the printing of said material by relative movement between the squeegee and the associated screen, raising the screen and associated squeegee from the material subsequent to the printing thereof to a non-printing position, shifting the screen and associated dryer in an opposite direction relative to the printed portion of the material as the latter is indexed to position the dryer in heat transfer relationship to a trailing portion of said printed material between successive printing operations, and repositioning said screen and associated squeegee and dryer in printing position upon the indexed material to effect the next adjacent print and thereby positioning said dryer in heat transfer relationship to the remaining portion of the preceding print to complete the drying of said preceding print.

Claim 23

A method of screen printing successive abutting designs on a continuous strip of sheet material comprising the steps of positioning a printing screen having an associated squeegee and dryer into a printing position onto the material to be printed, effecting the printing of said material by relative movement between the squeegee and the associated screen, raising the screen and associated squeegee from the material subsequent to the printing thereof to a non-printing position, shifting the screen and associated dryer in an opposite direction relative to the printed portion of the material as the latter is indexed to position the dryer in heat transfer relationship to a trailing portion of said printed material between successive printing operations, and repositioning said screen and associated squeegee and dryer in printing position upon the indexed material to effect the next adjacent print and thereby positioning said dryer in heat transfer relationship to the remaining portion of the preceding print to complete the drying of said preceding print.

Claim 24

An apparatus for screen printing comprising: a frame means, a support means on said frame means for supporting thereon the material to be printed, said support means including means for securing the material to be printed thereto, a printing head means movably mounted on said frame, a stencilled screen and an associated squeegee carried on said printing head, elevating means operatively connected to said printing head for effecting the raising and lowering of said printing head means and associated screen and squeegee carried thereon between printing and non-printing position, a dryer means connected to said screen to move therewith, operating means for effecting relative movement between said squeegee and associated screen to effect a printing stroke in the printing position of said screen, indexing means for indexing said support means and material there-on a distance equal to the length of the printed design, and said support means comprising: an endless printing blanket, and said indexing means comprises: an end roller over which said blanket is threaded, and a unidirectional drive means connected in driving relationship with said end roller for effecting the indexing of said blanket, wherein said unidirectional drive means includes: a driving disk connected in driving relationship with said end roller, a driving gear rotatably journalled for relative rotation wIth respect to said driving gear, means for releasably coupling said driving gear into driving relationship with said driving disk, and drive means operatively connected to said driving gear to effect the drive thereof when coupled to said driving disk.

Claim 25

An apparatus for screen printing comprising: a frame means, a support means on said frame means for supporting thereon the material to be printed, said support means including means for securing the material to be printed thereto, a printing head means movably mounted on said frame, a stencilled screen and an associated squeegee carried on said printing head, elevating means operatively connected to said printing head for effecting the raising and lowering of said printing head means and associated screen and squeegee carried thereon between printing and non-printing position, a dryer means connected to said screen to move therewith, operating means for effecting relative movement between said squeegee and associated screen to effect a printing stroke in the printing position of said screen, indexing means for indexing said support means and material there-on a distance equal to the length of the printed design, and said support means comprising: an endless printing blanket, and said indexing means comprises: an end roller over which said blanket is threaded, and a unidirectional drive means connected in driving relationship with said end roller for effecting the indexing of said blanket, wherein said unidirectional drive means includes: a driving disk connected in driving relationship with said end roller, a driving gear rotatably journalled for relative rotation wIth respect to said driving gear, means for releasably coupling said driving gear into driving relationship with said driving disk, and drive means operatively connected to said driving gear to effect the drive thereof when coupled to said driving disk.