US4033695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for copying on printing plates
Assignee: Hoechst AG
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Filing: 1975-05-27
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Granted: 1977-07-05
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Expires: 1995-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for exposing light-sensitive printing plates through an original to be copied, which includes forming a cassette-type, vacuum frame assembly by superimposing the printing plate and the original upon one another and disposing them in a cavity formed between an elastic blanket and a light-permeable plate, and evacuating the assembly, to improve contact between the printing plate and the original, at a position removed from a light means, thereafter temporarily placing the assembly in a position to be exposed to the light means and finally removing the assembly from the exposure position. A vacuum frame assembly is provided having a connect-disconnect means for temporary attachment both to the evacuation means removed from the light source and, if desired, to an evacuation means at the exposure position. Transport systems are also provided, including conveyor belts or transport chains for sequentially transporting a plurality of assemblies to and from the exposure position and from a feed magazine to a discharge magazine via the exposure position.
Inventors
- 👤 George Sader
- 👤 Dieter Osswald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:35
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41B; B41B13/00; G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/02; G03B27/14; G03B27/18; G03B27/20; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/2002; G03F7/2014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A process for exposing a light-sensitive printing plate through an original to be copied, comprising forming a plurality of copying assemblies by bringing, in each assembly, an elastic blanket, said printing plate, said original, and a light-permeable plate into direct contact with one another, in the sequence recited and with the light-sensitive side of said printing plate toward said original, evacuating each assembly to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, sequentially and continuously conveying the evacuated assemblies through a light-flooded location to pass light through said light-permeable plate and said original to expose said printing plate conveying each assembly from said light-flooded location, and removing the exposed printing plate from each assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A process for exposing a light-sensitive printing plate through an original to be copied, comprising forming a plurality of copying assemblies by bringing, in each assembly, an elastic blanket, said printing plate, said original, and a light-permeable plate into direct contact with one another, in the sequence recited and with the light-sensitive side of said printing plate toward said original, evacuating each assembly to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, sequentially and continuously conveying the evacuated assemblies through a light-flooded location to pass light through said light-permeable plate and said original to expose said printing plate conveying each assembly from said light-flooded location, and removing the exposed printing plate from each assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
124 words
A process for exposing a light-sensitive printing plate through an original to be copied, comprising forming in a first location at least one copying assembly by bringing an elastic blanket, said printing plate, said original, and a light-permeable plate into direct contact with one another, in the sequence recited and with the light-sensitive side of said printing plate toward said original, evacuating said assembly to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, again subjecting said assembly to evacuation in a second location, conveying the evacuated assembly into a light-flooded location to pass light through said light-permeable plate and said original to expose said printing plate, conveying said assembly from said light-flooded location, and removing the exposed printing plate from said assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A process for exposing a light-sensitive printing plate through an original to be copied, comprising forming in a first location at least one copying assembly by bringing an elastic blanket, said printing plate, said original, and a light-permeable plate into direct contact with one another, in the sequence recited and with the light-sensitive side of said printing plate toward said original, evacuating said assembly to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, again subjecting said assembly to evacuation in a second location, conveying the evacuated assembly into a light-flooded location to pass light through said light-permeable plate and said original to expose said printing plate, conveying said assembly from said light-flooded location, and removing the exposed printing plate from said assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein the vacuum to which the assembly is subjected the second time is just sufficient to essentially maintain the vacuum created by the first evacuation step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein the assembly is subjected to the vacuum the second time at least during the time said assembly resides in the light-flooded location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein the assembly is subjected to the vacuum the second time for a period just prior to placing said assembly in the light-flooded location and during the time said assembly resides in said light-flooded location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
A process for exposing a light-sensitive printing plate through an original to be copied, comprising forming a plurality of copying assemblies by bringing, in each assembly, an elastic blanket, said printing plate, said original, and a light-permeable plate into direct contact with one another, in the sequence recited and with the light-sensitive side of said printing plate toward said original, evacuating each assembly to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, sequentially and semi-continuously conveying the evacuated assemblies into a light-flooded location to pass light through said light-permeable plate and said original to expose said printing plate, conveying each assembly from said light-flooded location, and removing the exposed printing plate from each assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A process for exposing a light-sensitive printing plate through an original to be copied, comprising forming a plurality of copying assemblies by bringing, in each assembly, an elastic blanket, said printing plate, said original, and a light-permeable plate into direct contact with one another, in the sequence recited and with the light-sensitive side of said printing plate toward said original, evacuating each assembly to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, sequentially and semi-continuously conveying the evacuated assemblies into a light-flooded location to pass light through said light-permeable plate and said original to expose said printing plate, conveying each assembly from said light-flooded location, and removing the exposed printing plate from each assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process in accordance with claim 6 wherein the assemblies are semi-continuously conveyed through the light-flooded location and exposed in accordance with a fixed time cycle, including a predetermined period of exposure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for exposing light-sensitive printing plates through an original to be copied, comprising a light means for exposing said printing plate; vacuum frame means, including an elastic blanket and a light-permeable plate adapted to be engaged with one another about the periphery thereof and form a cavity therebetween adapted to receive said printing plate and said original superimposed upon one another, with said original adjacent said light-permeable plate and light-sensitive side of said printing plate adjacent said original, to form a unitary assembly, of said vacuum frame, said printing plate and said original, separate from said light means, means permitting the formation of a vacuum in said cavity to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, and support means which includes a conveyor for moving said unitary assembly into an operative position relative to said light means to expose said printing plate to light from said light means through said light-permeable plate and said original.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for exposing light-sensitive printing plates through an original to be copied, comprising a light means for exposing said printing plate; vacuum frame means, including an elastic blanket and a light-permeable plate adapted to be engaged with one another about the periphery thereof and form a cavity therebetween adapted to receive said printing plate and said original superimposed upon one another, with said original adjacent said light-permeable plate and light-sensitive side of said printing plate adjacent said original, to form a unitary assembly, of said vacuum frame, said printing plate and said original, separate from said light means, means permitting the formation of a vacuum in said cavity to improve the contact between said printing plate and said original, and support means which includes a conveyor for moving said unitary assembly into an operative position relative to said light means to expose said printing plate to light from said light means through said light-permeable plate and said original.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the unitary assembly comprises two pairs of elastic blankets and light-permeable plates adapted to form two cavities to receive two pairs of printing plates and originals and means permitting the formation of a vacuum in each of said cavities, respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the conveyor means is adapted to be operated on a timed cycle, including a predetermined residence time at the operative position relative to the light means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means permitting formation of a vacuum in the cavity includes a connect-disconnect means for temporary connection to a source of vacuum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 which additionally includes evacuation means operatively associated with a support having a complimentary connect-disconnect means, coupleable with the connect-disconnect means of the means permitting formation of a vacuum in the cavity, for temporarily coupling said evacuation means to said means permitting formation of a vacuum in the cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the evacuation means is associated with the support in a position to be coupled to the means for drawing a vacuum in the cavity during the time the unitary assembly is in an operative position relative to the light means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the support extends beyond the position where the unitary assembly is in operative position relative to the light means and the evacuation means includes means for coupling said evacuation means to the means permitting formation of a vacuum in the cavity, at a point beyond said operative position relative to said light means and said evacuation means is adapted to be moved along said support while coupled to said means permitting formation of a vacuum in said cavity to a point where said unitary assembly is in said operative position relative to said light source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the unitary assembly is a cassette-type assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the support is operatively associated with a feed magazine adapted to receive a plurality of unitary assemblies and a discharge magazine adapted to receive a plurality of unitary assemblies.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein the unitary structures are disposed in a horizontal plane in the feed magazine, are transported in a horizontal plane through the operative position relative to the light means and are disposed in a horizontal plane in the discharge magazine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein the unitary structures are transported upwardly through the feed magazine, thence horizontally through the operative position relative to the light means and downwardly through the discharge magazine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein the unitary structures are transported downwardly through the feed magazine, thence horizontally through the operative position relative to the light means and then upwardly through the discharge magazine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein the light means is mounted at one end of the feed magazine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein the feed magazine and discharge magazine are vertically disposed and the unitary structures are transported vertically through said feed magazine to the operative position relative to the light means, thence horizontally to the discharge magazine and then vertically through said discharge magazine.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein the feed magzine and discharge magazine are horizontally disposed and the unitary structures are transported horizontally through the feed magazine to the operative position relative to the light means, thence vertically to the discharge magazine and then horizontally through said discharge magazine.
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) | 1980-07-04 | 1981-01-03 | 1981-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-04 | 1985-01-03 | 1985-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-04 | 1989-01-03 | 1989-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |