US4033695A — Process and apparatus for copying on printing pla…

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.

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

Process and apparatus for copying on printing plates

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag