US4423956A — Vapor deposit contact printing method and apparat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 97 words

Apparatus for photographic contact printing comprising, in combination: means for generating a vapor; means for bringing together at a nip-forming station, and for transporting at substantially the same speed past an exposure position and in intimate overlying relationship, a first, photosensitive web and a second, image-bearing web; means at said exposure position for directing light through said second web to expose said photosensitive web; and means for directing said vapor, at the nip-forming station for providing a thin layer of vapor condensate between said webs to establish evanescent coupling between them as they pass said exposure position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 97 words

Apparatus for photographic contact printing comprising, in combination: means for generating a vapor; means for bringing together at a nip-forming station, and for transporting at substantially the same speed past an exposure position and in intimate overlying relationship, a first, photosensitive web and a second, image-bearing web; means at said exposure position for directing light through said second web to expose said photosensitive web; and means for directing said vapor, at the nip-forming station for providing a thin layer of vapor condensate between said webs to establish evanescent coupling between them as they pass said exposure position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said vapor condensate is water.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein the temperature of the vapor is between 26° C. and 45° C.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said vapor condensate is selected from the group consisting of water, ethyl alcohol, ISOPAR G, and FREON 113.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 138 words

Apparatus for printing photographic images from a first web onto a photosensitive second web, said apparatus comprising: an exposure station, including illuminating means; means for generating a vapor; a rotatable cylinder for supporting said webs and carrying them in close overlying contact and transporting said webs in unison in a path past said exposure station; means for rotating said cylinder; means for guiding said second web onto said rotatable cylinder to meet the surface thereof and for bringing said first web into said overlying relation with said second web on said rotatable cylinder whereby opposed surfaces of said webs form a nip; a nozzle adjacent the nip formed by the two webs for directing said vapor into said nip whereby evanescent coupling is established between the webs at the exposure station by a thin layer of condensed vapor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 138 words

Apparatus for printing photographic images from a first web onto a photosensitive second web, said apparatus comprising: an exposure station, including illuminating means; means for generating a vapor; a rotatable cylinder for supporting said webs and carrying them in close overlying contact and transporting said webs in unison in a path past said exposure station; means for rotating said cylinder; means for guiding said second web onto said rotatable cylinder to meet the surface thereof and for bringing said first web into said overlying relation with said second web on said rotatable cylinder whereby opposed surfaces of said webs form a nip; a nozzle adjacent the nip formed by the two webs for directing said vapor into said nip whereby evanescent coupling is established between the webs at the exposure station by a thin layer of condensed vapor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein the vapor condensate has approximately the same index of refraction as said webs.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said vapor condensate is selected from the group consisting of water, ethyl alcohol, ISOPAR G, and FREON 113.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 75 words

A method of establishing intimate contact between an original web and a duplicating web while moving said webs in unison in a confronting relation past an exposure gate, said method comprising the steps of: forming a nip between the two webs in advance of said gate; and directing into the nip a vapor that condenses on the confronting surfaces of the webs, said vapor condensate having approximately the same index of refraction as said webs.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 75 words

A method of establishing intimate contact between an original web and a duplicating web while moving said webs in unison in a confronting relation past an exposure gate, said method comprising the steps of: forming a nip between the two webs in advance of said gate; and directing into the nip a vapor that condenses on the confronting surfaces of the webs, said vapor condensate having approximately the same index of refraction as said webs.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

In the method set forth in claim 8 wherein said vapor condensate is selected from the group consisting of water, ethyl alcohol, ISOPAR G, and FREON 113.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1987-01-02	1987-07-04	1988-01-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1991-01-02	1991-07-04	1992-01-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1995-01-02	1995-07-04	1996-01-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vapor deposit contact printing method and apparatus

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