US3857635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and apparatus for exposing photosensitive engraving plates
Assignee: EW Scripps Co
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Filing: 1973-11-27
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for exposing a photosensitive engraving plate of the type used in newspaper printing to produce an image on the plate corresponding to an image on an image surface and preparatory to etching the plate. The system comprises the steps of providing a generally flat transparent screen formed from a transparent layer of material capable of forming an image therein when concurrently exposed to an electromagnetic field and a light image. This screen includes means for selectively creating the electromagnetic field. A generally uniform light source is directed onto the flat transparent screen while the electro-magnetic field is created in the screen whereby the layer is cleared of any image therein. Thereafter, the system includes the steps of focusing the image of the image surface onto the cleared flat transparent screen, while the screen is subjected to the electro-magnetic field until the transparent layer duplicates a transparent negative form of the image on the image surface. The transparent screen, having the negative form of the image therein, is then positioned adjacent a generally flat photosensitive engraving plate and a light is directed through the flat transparent screen onto the engraving plate whereby the plate is exposed with the negative form of the image on the image surface. This exposes the standard engraving plate to the image on the image surface for subsequent etching of the plate for use in a printing process.
Inventors
- 👤 W Niehaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:47
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41B; B41B13/00; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/2002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A process for exposing a photosensitive engraving plate used in printing to an image on an image surface preparatory to etching said plate, said system comprising the steps of: a. providing a generally flat transparent screen formed from a transparent layer of material capable of forming an image therein when concurrently exposed to an electro-magnetic field and a light image, said screen including means for selectively creating said electro-magnetic field; b. directing a generally uniform light source onto said flat screen; c. creating said electro-magnetic field in said screen while said generally uniform light is being so directed whereby said layer is cleared of any image therein; d. focusing said image on said image surface onto said cleared flat screen while said screen is subjected to an eletro-magnetic field and continuing said focusing step and said electro-magnetic field until said screen duplicates in said layer a transparent negative form of said image; e. positioning a generally flat photosensitive engraving plate adjacent to said flat screen; f. directing light through said flat transparent screen onto said engraving plate whereby said plate is exposed to said negative form of said image on said image surface; and, g. then removing light from said flat screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A process for exposing a photosensitive engraving plate used in printing to an image on an image surface preparatory to etching said plate, said system comprising the steps of: a. providing a generally flat transparent screen formed from a transparent layer of material capable of forming an image therein when concurrently exposed to an electro-magnetic field and a light image, said screen including means for selectively creating said electro-magnetic field; b. directing a generally uniform light source onto said flat screen; c. creating said electro-magnetic field in said screen while said generally uniform light is being so directed whereby said layer is cleared of any image therein; d. focusing said image on said image surface onto said cleared flat screen while said screen is subjected to an eletro-magnetic field and continuing said focusing step and said electro-magnetic field until said screen duplicates in said layer a transparent negative form of said image; e. positioning a generally flat photosensitive engraving plate adjacent to said flat screen; f. directing light through said flat transparent screen onto said engraving plate whereby said plate is exposed to said negative form of said image on said image surface; and, g. then removing light from said flat screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
202 words
A process for exposing a photosensitive engraving plate used in printing to an image on an image surface preparatory to etching said plate, said system comprising the steps of: a. providing a generally flat transparent screen formed from a transparent layer of material capable of forming an image therein when concurrently exposed to an electro-magnetic field and a light image, said screen including means for selectively creating said electro-magnetic field; b. directing a generally uniform light source onto said flat screen; c. creating said electro-magnetic field in said screen while said generally uniform light is being so directed whereby said layer is cleared of any image therein; d. focusing said image on said image surface onto said cleared flat screen while said screen is subjected to an eletromagnetic field and continuing said focusing step and said electro-magnetic field until said screen duplicates in said layer a transparent negative form of said image; e. positioning a generally flat photosensitive engraving plate adjacent to said flat screen; f. directing light through said flat transparent screen onto said engraving plate whereby said plate is exposed to said negative form of said image on said image surface; and, g. then removing light from said flat screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
202 words
A process for exposing a photosensitive engraving plate used in printing to an image on an image surface preparatory to etching said plate, said system comprising the steps of: a. providing a generally flat transparent screen formed from a transparent layer of material capable of forming an image therein when concurrently exposed to an electro-magnetic field and a light image, said screen including means for selectively creating said electro-magnetic field; b. directing a generally uniform light source onto said flat screen; c. creating said electro-magnetic field in said screen while said generally uniform light is being so directed whereby said layer is cleared of any image therein; d. focusing said image on said image surface onto said cleared flat screen while said screen is subjected to an eletromagnetic field and continuing said focusing step and said electro-magnetic field until said screen duplicates in said layer a transparent negative form of said image; e. positioning a generally flat photosensitive engraving plate adjacent to said flat screen; f. directing light through said flat transparent screen onto said engraving plate whereby said plate is exposed to said negative form of said image on said image surface; and, g. then removing light from said flat screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as defined in claim 1 including the additional step of: h. removing said plate from said flat screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said image surface is an image transparency and said focusing step includes transmitting light through said image transparency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said image surface is an opaque surface and said focusing step includes directing a light toward said opaque surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said transparent layer is formed from a ceramic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process defined in claim 5 wherein said ceramic material is lead lanthanum zirconate titanate material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for exposing a photosensitive engraving plate used in printing to an image on an image surface preparatory to etching said plate, said apparatus comprising: a generally flat transparent screen formed from a transparent layer of material capable of forming an image when concurrently exposed to an electro-magnetic field and a light image, said screen including means for selectively creating said electro-magnetic field; light means for illuminating said image; a lens system for focusing said illuminated image onto said flat screen; means for activating said field creating means while said image is focused upon said screen whereby said image is produced in negative form in said layer; means for positioning said screen over a photosensitive engraving plate; and means for passing a light through said screen onto said plate whereby said image in said layer is transferred onto said engraving plate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for exposing a photosensitive engraving plate used in printing to an image on an image surface preparatory to etching said plate, said apparatus comprising: a generally flat transparent screen formed from a transparent layer of material capable of forming an image when concurrently exposed to an electro-magnetic field and a light image, said screen including means for selectively creating said electro-magnetic field; light means for illuminating said image; a lens system for focusing said illuminated image onto said flat screen; means for activating said field creating means while said image is focused upon said screen whereby said image is produced in negative form in said layer; means for positioning said screen over a photosensitive engraving plate; and means for passing a light through said screen onto said plate whereby said image in said layer is transferred onto said engraving plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 including a first light source for illuminating said image and a second light source for passing a light through said screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a movable reflector having a first position directing said second light source onto said screen and a second position allowing said first light source to reach said screen and means for selectively shifting said reflector between said first and second positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 including a light impervious shield and means for selectively moving said shield between a first position between said screen and said plate and a second position remote to said screen and plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said image surface is a transparency and said illuminating means includes means for passing a light through said transparency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 including a half tone screen and means for selectively moving said half tone screen between a first position between said flat screen and said plate and a second position remote to said flat screen and plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 including means for selectively feeding a plate into a position aligned with said screen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 including a light impervious shield means for selectively moving said shield between a first position between said screen and said plate and a second position remote to said screen and plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system defined in claim 7 wherein said transparent layer is formed from a ceramic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined in claim 15 wherein said ceramic material is a lead lanthanum zirconate titanate material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as defined in claim 17 including the additional step of: k. removing said plate from said flat screen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as defined in claim 17 wherein said image surface is an image transparency and said focusing step includes transmitting light through said image transparency.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as defined in claim 17 wherein said image surface is an opaque surface and said focusing step includes directing a light toward said opaque surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as defined in claim 17 wherein said transparent layer is formed from a ceramic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as defined in claim 21 wherein said ceramic material is a lead lanthanum zirconate titanate material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3600172A
Cited
US3655286A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |