US3904188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing plate transfer and support apparatus
Assignee: AB Dick Co
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Filing: 1974-03-04
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-03-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for transporting a printing plate to and from an imaging station and for supporting the plate at the imaging station during the exposure thereof. The apparatus includes a perforated belt movable in a forward direction to carry a plate supported thereon into the imaging station and movable in a reverse direction to withdraw the plate from the imaging station following exposure while, at the same time, to substantially self-correct any tracking errors in the belt movement. The plate is held against the belt by suction drawn through the perforations in the belt. More particularly, the belt is provided with both a perforated area and a solid area positioned such that there will not be large numbers of perforations on the belt that are uncovered by the plate through which air may be drawn to reduce the suction acting on the plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry N Fairbanks
- 👤 James T Mccutcheon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6597; B; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/22; B65H5/222; B65H5/224; G03G15/22; G03G15/26; B65H2406/00; B65H2406/30; B65H2406/32; B65H2406/322; B65H2406/3223; B65H2406/323; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00367; G03G2215/00371; G03G2215/00443; G03G2215/00518; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S271/00; Y10S271/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
Platemaking apparatus comprising: a. an imaging station including an optical imaging system having an image plane; and b. means for transferring a printing plate to said imaging station and for supporting it in the image plane of said optical system for exposure thereat, said transferring and supporting means comprising: 1. a belt movable between a first position and a second position, said belt having first and second opposed surfaces and including a perforated area having a plurality of openings extending therethrough from said first surface to said second surface and a substantially solid area, said solid area being located in advance of said perforated area during movement of said belt from said first position to said second position, said perforated area being at least substantially as large as said printing plate; 2. means for positioning said plate adjacent said first surface of said belt; 3. a vacuum source positioned adjacent the second surface of said belt for drawing and holding said plate against said first surface thereof by suction drawn through said openings in said perforated area of said belt; and, 4. drive means for moving said belt between said first and second positions, said drive means including means for moving said belt in a forward direction from said first position to said second position for transferring said plate held thereon to said imaging station to be held in the image plane of said imaging system for exposure, and for moving said belt in a reverse direction from said second position back to said first position for withdrawing said plate held thereon from said imaging station following exposure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
Platemaking apparatus comprising: a. an imaging station including an optical imaging system having an image plane; and b. means for transferring a printing plate to said imaging station and for supporting it in the image plane of said optical system for exposure thereat, said transferring and supporting means comprising: 1. a belt movable between a first position and a second position, said belt having first and second opposed surfaces and including a perforated area having a plurality of openings extending therethrough from said first surface to said second surface and a substantially solid area, said solid area being located in advance of said perforated area during movement of said belt from said first position to said second position, said perforated area being at least substantially as large as said printing plate; 2. means for positioning said plate adjacent said first surface of said belt; 3. a vacuum source positioned adjacent the second surface of said belt for drawing and holding said plate against said first surface thereof by suction drawn through said openings in said perforated area of said belt; and, 4. drive means for moving said belt between said first and second positions, said drive means including means for moving said belt in a forward direction from said first position to said second position for transferring said plate held thereon to said imaging station to be held in the image plane of said imaging system for exposure, and for moving said belt in a reverse direction from said second position back to said first position for withdrawing said plate held thereon from said imaging station following exposure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for positioning said plate adjacent said first surface of said belt;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
means for positioning said plate adjacent said first surface of said belt;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 whereIn said vacuum source comprises a vacuum chamber of reduced pressure extending across said imaging station, said vacuum chamber including a base having a plurality of openings therein, and wherein said apparatus further includes means for supporting said belt for movement adjacent said base, said reduced pressure in said vacuum chamber holding said plate against the first surface of said belt as said drive means moves said belt across said base by suction drawn through the openings in said base and in said belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plate positioning means includes: a. first and second rollers, said belt being supported for movement between said rollers; and b. means for directing said plate between said first and second rollers into contact with said first surface of said belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
a vacuum source positioned adjacent the second surface of said belt for drawing and holding said plate against said first surface thereof by suction drawn through said openings in said perforated area of said belt; and,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
a vacuum source positioned adjacent the second surface of said belt for drawing and holding said plate against said first surface thereof by suction drawn through said openings in said perforated area of said belt; and,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
drive means for moving said belt between said first and second positions, said drive means including means for moving said belt in a forward direction from said first position to said second position for transferring said plate held thereon to said imaging station to be held in the image plane of said imaging system for exposure, and for moving said belt in a reverse direction from said second position back to said first position for withdrawing said plate held thereon from said imaging station following exposure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
drive means for moving said belt between said first and second positions, said drive means including means for moving said belt in a forward direction from said first position to said second position for transferring said plate held thereon to said imaging station to be held in the image plane of said imaging system for exposure, and for moving said belt in a reverse direction from said second position back to said first position for withdrawing said plate held thereon from said imaging station following exposure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said directing means includes means for directing said plate between said first and second rollers at a first inclined angle relative to said belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 and further including means for withdrawing said plate from said belt following exposure, said plate withdrawal means including means for directing said plate away from between said rollers at a second inclined angle relative to the belt different from said first inclined angle.
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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |