US3894487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for screen printing fixed and variable indicia
Assignee: Miller Screen and Design Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for printing a design along with selectable indicia such as code and date images upon the surface of a container by a single stencil screen assembly. A frame supports a principal stencil screen delineating the design for printing and a blank area. A relatively small auxiliary stencil screen delineating the indicia encloses the blank area by a sealed contact with the principal stencil screen so that ink or other types of printing media pass through both the blank area and the auxiliary stencil screen. In this manner, a stencil screen assembly can be made up as needed to meet the ever-changing needs to label containers of perishable items and mark the containers with shelf-life codes or dates.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry L Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:01
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M1/00; B41M1/12; B41C; B41C1/00; B41C1/14; B41F; B41F15/00; B41F15/08; B41F15/0881; B41F15/14; B41F15/34; B41F15/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of printing a design along with preselected indicia such as an image corresponding to a code and/or a date upon the surface of an article by a stencil screen, sAid method including the steps of: selecting a stencil screen defining a design and a blank area for the passage of a printing medium from one side of the screen while supported by a frame to the other side of the screen for transfer to said article; selecting an auxiliary stencil screen defining desired indicia for printing upon the surface of said article; enclosing said blank area at one side of said stencil screen by releaseably attaching the selected auxiliary stencil screen thereto whereby, desired indicia on said selected auxiliary stencil screen can be changed without changing said stencil screen; and causing a printing medium to pass through exposed spaces in the stencil screen and through exposed spaces in the auxiliary stencil screen for transfer of the printing medium onto a surface of said article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of printing a design along with preselected indicia such as an image corresponding to a code and/or a date upon the surface of an article by a stencil screen, sAid method including the steps of: selecting a stencil screen defining a design and a blank area for the passage of a printing medium from one side of the screen while supported by a frame to the other side of the screen for transfer to said article; selecting an auxiliary stencil screen defining desired indicia for printing upon the surface of said article; enclosing said blank area at one side of said stencil screen by releaseably attaching the selected auxiliary stencil screen thereto whereby, desired indicia on said selected auxiliary stencil screen can be changed without changing said stencil screen; and causing a printing medium to pass through exposed spaces in the stencil screen and through exposed spaces in the auxiliary stencil screen for transfer of the printing medium onto a surface of said article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the selected auxiliary stencil screen is attached to the selected stencil screen after the latter is supported by said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein a portion of the selected auxiliary stencil screen overlies the edges defining said blank area, said method further including the step of sealing said auxiliary stencil screen to said stencil screen exclusive of said blank area. 4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said printing medium passes first through exposed spaces of said stencil screen and then through exposed spaces of said auxiliary stencil screen for transfer onto a surface of said article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said step of selecting a stencil screen includes selecting an electrically-conductive metal stencil screen, said method including the further step of passing an electric current through the selected metal stencil screen for resistive heating thereof and conductive heating of the auxiliary stencil screen to heat a thermosetting printing medium for said step of causing a printing medium to pass through exposed spaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said step of selecting a stencil screen includes selecting a screen having a mesh size defining flow spaces for said printing medium which spaces are larger than the corresponding flow spaces in the sealed auxiliary stencil screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A stencil screen assembly comprising, in combination: a frame having side walls defining an opening in said frame: a stencil screen extending between the side walls of said frame; means supported by said frame for securing said stencil screen to said side walls in overlying relation with said opening; an auxiliary stencil screen; means for releasably securing said auxiliary stencil screen in a superimposed relation upon said stencil screen at one side thereof, whereby, said auxiliary stencil screen can be changed without changing said stencil screen; means for defining desired stencil patterns in portions of both of said screens overlying said opening; and said means for securing said auxiliary stencil screen forming a seal, impervious to a printing medium, between the edge portions of said auxiliary stencil screen and said means for defining desired stencil patterns in said stencil screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
A stencil screen assembly comprising, in combination: a frame having side walls defining an opening in said frame: a stencil screen extending between the side walls of said frame; means supported by said frame for securing said stencil screen to said side walls in overlying relation with said opening; an auxiliary stencil screen; means for releasably securing said auxiliary stencil screen in a superimposed relation upon said stencil screen at one side thereof, whereby, said auxiliary stencil screen can be changed without changing said stencil screen; means for defining desired stencil patterns in portions of both of said screens overlying said opening; and said means for securing said auxiliary stencil screen forming a seal, impervious to a printing medium, between the edge portions of said auxiliary stencil screen and said means for defining desired stencil patterns in said stencil screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stencil screen assembly according to claim 7 wherein said side walls are pairs of opposed side members defining a rectangularly-shaped opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stencil screen assembly according to claim 7 wherein said auxiliary stencil screen includes end tabs for attachment to said stencil screen at opposed sides of said frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A stencil screen assembly according to claim 8 further comprising means supported by said frame and connected to said stencil screen at opposed side walls of said frame for conducting an electric current through said stencil screen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |