Means for mounting and biasing a squeegee

Claim 1

In a screen printing machine, a combination comprising an elongated liquid-permeable stencil having endless internal and external surfaces; means for moving said stencil so as to engage successive increments of a web of material to be treated along a region of contact which extends lengthwise of said stencil; a movable holder having one side facing towards said region of contact and another side which faces away from said region of contact and is provided with a bar-shaped extension extending lengthwise of said stencil, stationary support means for supporting said holder and having a portion located in the interior of said stencil; a squeegee mounted on said holder at said one side thereof, said holder comprising a first portion which is pivoted to said support means; a second portion which supports said squeegee, and fastener means separably securing said second portion to said first portion, and said holder being movable by pivoting about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of said stencil and is located ahead of said squeegee, as considered in the direction of movement of said stencil; and biasing means interposed between said support means and said holder to urge said squeegee against said internal surface, including an elongated tubular gas-filled cushion which straddles said bar-shaped extension and is inwardly deformed by the same so that variations in the depths of the deformation of said cushion result in corresponding variations in the biasing action.