Patent US4001854A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4001854A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plate processing machines
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1975-01-07
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Granted: 1977-01-04
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Expires: 1995-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A machine for processing image-wise exposed light sensitive plates comprises processing rollers for agitating developer liquid in contact with the plate as the plate passes through the machine. The plate is urged into contact with the rollers by a plate member which is preferably adjustable and provided with recesses and preferably the developer applied to the plate is filtered developer and is applied by spraying. After developer has been removed, the plate is urged into contact with a roller, dipped in desensitizing solution, by means of, for example, a preferably adjustable second plate member. The desensitized developed plate is then dried before leaving the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Alec James Formoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/26; G03F7/30; G03F7/3042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
372 words
A machine for processing a lithographic printing plate carrying an image-wise exposed layer of light sensitive material, which machine comprises a support and, mounted on the support, a. means for moving the plate with said layer face downwards along a straight path through the machine, b. a first reservoir mounted beneath the path for containing developer, c. a plurality of rotatably mounted processing rollers extending transversely of the path in brushing relationship with said layer and disposed within said first reservoir, d. means for rotating all of the processing rollers in the same direction as that in which the plate moves and at a speed greater than the speed at which the plate is moved through the apparatus so that all of the processing rollers exert a brushing action on said layer in the same direction as that in which the plate moves along the straight path, e. a flat plate member located above and extending transversely of the path to urge said layer of the plate against the processing rollers so that the processing rollers apply developer from the reservoir to said layer and agitate the developer in contact with said layer to develop the same, means for adjusting said plate member with respect to the support so that the distance between said plate member and the processing rollers may be adjusted to vary the pressure applied by the plate member to the plate as it moves along the path, f. means located adjacent the path for removing developer from said layer, g. a second reservoir for containing a desensitizing solution and mounted beneath the path downstream of the first reservoir, h. a rotatably mounted desensitizing roller extending transversely of the path and disposed within said second reservoir beneath said path in brushing relationship with respect to the developed layer of the plate as the plate moves along the path, i. means for rotating the desensitizing roller, j. means for urging the developed layer of the plate against the desensitizing roller so that the desensitizing roller applies desensitizing solution from the second reservoir to the developed layer, and k. means located adjacent to the path for drying the desensitized developed layer of the plate as the plate moves along the path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
372 words
A machine for processing a lithographic printing plate carrying an image-wise exposed layer of light sensitive material, which machine comprises a support and, mounted on the support, a. means for moving the plate with said layer face downwards along a straight path through the machine, b. a first reservoir mounted beneath the path for containing developer, c. a plurality of rotatably mounted processing rollers extending transversely of the path in brushing relationship with said layer and disposed within said first reservoir, d. means for rotating all of the processing rollers in the same direction as that in which the plate moves and at a speed greater than the speed at which the plate is moved through the apparatus so that all of the processing rollers exert a brushing action on said layer in the same direction as that in which the plate moves along the straight path, e. a flat plate member located above and extending transversely of the path to urge said layer of the plate against the processing rollers so that the processing rollers apply developer from the reservoir to said layer and agitate the developer in contact with said layer to develop the same, means for adjusting said plate member with respect to the support so that the distance between said plate member and the processing rollers may be adjusted to vary the pressure applied by the plate member to the plate as it moves along the path, f. means located adjacent the path for removing developer from said layer, g. a second reservoir for containing a desensitizing solution and mounted beneath the path downstream of the first reservoir, h. a rotatably mounted desensitizing roller extending transversely of the path and disposed within said second reservoir beneath said path in brushing relationship with respect to the developed layer of the plate as the plate moves along the path, i. means for rotating the desensitizing roller, j. means for urging the developed layer of the plate against the desensitizing roller so that the desensitizing roller applies desensitizing solution from the second reservoir to the developed layer, and k. means located adjacent to the path for drying the desensitized developed layer of the plate as the plate moves along the path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for moving the plate along said straight path includes first and second pairs of transport rollers rotatably mounted on the support and extending transversely of the path, the rollers of each pair co-operating together to form a nip through which the path passes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means of removing developer comprises a pair of driven intermediate rubber covered rollers rotatably mounted on the support and extending transversely of the path, which intermediate rollers co-operate together to form a nip through which the straight path passes and are located between the desensitising roller and the processing roller adjacent thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first pair of transport rollers and the pair of intermediate rollers are located in the first reservoir, the machine further including a means downstream of said first pair to spray developer towards the nip defined by said first pair and a means upstream of said pair of intermediate rollers to spray developer towards the nip defined by said pair of intermediate rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means of spraying developer towards said nips comprise first and second tubes mounted on the support transversely of the path, the first tube being provided with a plurality of outlets directed towards the nip defined by said first pair, the second tube being provided with a plurality of outlets directed towards the nip defined by said pair of intermediate rollers, the machine further including a pump to feed developer from the first reservoir to the tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the machine additionally includes a filter operably connected between the pump and said tubes so that filtered developer is sprayed towards said nips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate member is releasably secured to a member adjustably secured to the support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flat plate member flat face which abuts against the plate as it passes along the straight path to urge said layer against the processing rollers and wherein said face is provided with a plurality of recessed portions which do not contact the plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of urging the developed layer of the plate against the desensitising roller comprises a second plate member mounted above and extending transversely of the path on a member adjustably affixed to the support so that the distance between the second plate member and the desensitising roller may be adjusted to vary the pressure applied to the second plate member to the plate as it moves along the path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the plate along said straight path includes a plurality of first discs mounted on and for rotation with a shaft rotatably mounted on the support transversely of the path and a plurality of second discs each of which is mounted independently of the others and is resiliently urged against one of the first discs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-04 | 1980-07-05 | 1981-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-04 | 1984-07-05 | 1985-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-04 | 1988-07-05 | 1989-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |