Patent US4240737A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4240737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Processing of radiation sensitive devices
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert NV
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Filing: 1979-06-04
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1999-06-04
Abstract
Abstract During the processing of an image-wise exposed radiation sensitive device, such as a radiation sensitive plate for lithographic printing plate production, by contacting the device with developer liquid, a temperature sensitive member is immersed in the developer liquid. The member produces an output signal in dependence on the temperature of the developer liquid. This signal is used to control the degree to which the device is processed in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid for example by controlling the residence time of the device in the developer liquid, by controlling the degree to which the developer liquid is agitated in contact with the device, or by controlling the degree to which the device is subjected to an overall exposure to radiation prior to or during contact with the developer liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie E. Lawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/006; G03D13/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which apparatus comprises: (i) a container for developer liquid; (ii) a means for contacting the material with the developer liquid; (iii) a temperature sensitive member for sensing the temperature of the developer liquid and for producing an output signal in dependence on that temperature; and (iv) a source of actinic radiation arranged in or adjacent to the apparatus so that the processing effected by the apparatus includes subjecting the material to an overall exposure prior to or during its contact with the developer liquid, the output signal being arranged to control the extent to which the material is subjected to said overall exposure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which apparatus comprises: (i) a container for developer liquid; (ii) a means for contacting the material with the developer liquid; (iii) a temperature sensitive member for sensing the temperature of the developer liquid and for producing an output signal in dependence on that temperature; and (iv) a source of actinic radiation arranged in or adjacent to the apparatus so that the processing effected by the apparatus includes subjecting the material to an overall exposure prior to or during its contact with the developer liquid, the output signal being arranged to control the extent to which the material is subjected to said overall exposure.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which comprises: contacting the material with a developer liquid so as to process the material; agitating the developer liquid in contact with the material; sensing the temperature of the developer liquid; controlling the contact time of the material and the developer liquid in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid; and controlling the extent to which the developer liquid is agitated in contact with the material in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which comprises: contacting the material with a developer liquid so as to process the material; agitating the developer liquid in contact with the material; sensing the temperature of the developer liquid; controlling the contact time of the material and the developer liquid in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid; and controlling the extent to which the developer liquid is agitated in contact with the material in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which comprises: contacting the material with a developer liquid so as to process the material; subjecting the material to an overall exposure to actinic radiation prior to or during its contact with the developer liquid; sensing the temperature of the developer liquid; and controlling the extent to which the material is subjected to said overall exposure in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which comprises: contacting the material with a developer liquid so as to process the material; subjecting the material to an overall exposure to actinic radiation prior to or during its contact with the developer liquid; sensing the temperature of the developer liquid; and controlling the extent to which the material is subjected to said overall exposure in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which apparatus comprises: (i) a container for developer liquid; (ii) a means for contacting the material with the developer liquid; (iii) a temperature sensitive member for sensing the temperature of the developer liquid and for producing an output signal in dependence on that temperature; (iv) a roller in contact with the material for agitating the developer liquid in contact with the material; and (v) a motor for driving the agitating roller, said temperature sensitive member being operably connected to the motor for driving the agitator roller so that said output signal controls the speed of the motor whereby the extent to which the developer liquid is agitated in contact with the material is dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive material which apparatus comprises: (i) a container for developer liquid; (ii) a means for contacting the material with the developer liquid; (iii) a temperature sensitive member for sensing the temperature of the developer liquid and for producing an output signal in dependence on that temperature; (iv) a roller in contact with the material for agitating the developer liquid in contact with the material; and (v) a motor for driving the agitating roller, said temperature sensitive member being operably connected to the motor for driving the agitator roller so that said output signal controls the speed of the motor whereby the extent to which the developer liquid is agitated in contact with the material is dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means for contacting the material with the developer liquid comprises a means for moving the material along a path through the developer liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 and additionally including a motor for driving the material moving means, said temperature sensitive member being operably connected to said motor for driving the material moving means so that said output signal also controls the speed of said motor for driving the material moving means whereby the residence time of the material in the apparatus is also dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 which additionally comprises a source of actinic radiation arranged in or adjacent to the apparatus so that the processing effected by the apparatus includes subjecting the material to an overall exposure prior to or during its contact with the developer liquid, said temperature sensitive member being operably connected to said source so that the output signal also controls the source whereby the extent to which the material is subjected to said overall exposure is also dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 which additionally includes a variable aperture between the source and the path, and a means of opening and closing the aperture, said temperature sensitive member being operably connected to said means of opening and closing the aperture so that said output signal controls the size of the aperture whereby the extent to which the material is subjected to said overall exposure is dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means for contacting the material with the developer liquid comprises a means of feeding developer liquid to the material and the apparatus additionally includes a means for regulating said feeding means, said temperature sensitive member being operably connected to said means for regulating said feeding means so that said output signal also controls the feeding means whereby the developer liquid is fed to the material for a period of time dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid.
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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) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |