Method for washing and rinsing of used lithographic plate members

Claim 1

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member after applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member, scrubbing said surface, rinsing said surface, scrubbing further said surface and removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 2

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member after applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member, scrubbing said surface, rinsing said surface, scrubbing further said surface and removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 21

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; storing said plate member until reuse thereof; supportably transporting said plate member from said feed fixture means to said removal fixture means upon support means, said support means being operably interposed between said drive means to facilitate said longitudinal propelling of said plate member, said support means including substantially flat planar support surfaces operably aligned with said drive means and having planar sliding surfaces thereon, and said support means further including flange accommodation means for preserving and accommodating the shape of said peripheral flanges formed in said plate member.

Claim 22

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; storing said plate member until reuse thereof; supportably transporting said plate member from said feed fixture means to said removal fixture means upon support means, said support means being operably interposed between said drive means to facilitate said longitudinal propelling of said plate member, said support means including substantially flat planar support surfaces operably aligned with said drive means and having planar sliding surfaces thereon, and said support means further including flange accommodation means for preserving and accommodating the shape of said peripheral flanges formed in said plate member.

Claim 23

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means by bringing said plate member to at least one nip region, said nip region being formed by at least two rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation and being operably positioned in substantially proximate relation relative to each other, said at least two rollers including substantially parallel upper and lower rotating rollers, and said upper and lower rotating rollers each having an axis of rotation positioned substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction; said rollers rotating in opposite directions so as to immediately grasp said plate member and propel same in said longitudinal direction, said rollers further including flange accommodation means including interruptions positioned along each of said roller's axis of rotation for accommodating and preserving the shape of said peripheral flanges of said plate member; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 24

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means by bringing said plate member to at least one nip region, said nip region being formed by at least two rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation and being operably positioned in substantially proximate relation relative to each other, said at least two rollers including substantially parallel upper and lower rotating rollers, and said upper and lower rotating rollers each having an axis of rotation positioned substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction; said rollers rotating in opposite directions so as to immediately grasp said plate member and propel same in said longitudinal direction, said rollers further including flange accommodation means including interruptions positioned along each of said roller's axis of rotation for accommodating and preserving the shape of said peripheral flanges of said plate member; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 25

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; spraying at least one cleaning solvent upon said plate member with at least one solvent sprayer member operably positioned to spray said at least one solvent upon said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 26

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; spraying at least one cleaning solvent upon said plate member with at least one solvent sprayer member operably positioned to spray said at least one solvent upon said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 27

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member by propelling said plate member through at least one pair of upper and lower squeegee rollers, said squeegee rollers having axes of rotation positioned substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said squeegee rollers being disposed in juxtaposed rolling contact; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 28

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member by propelling said plate member through at least one pair of upper and lower squeegee rollers, said squeegee rollers having axes of rotation positioned substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said squeegee rollers being disposed in juxtaposed rolling contact; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 29

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; collecting said at least one cleaning solvent, in at least one collection sink operably positioned beneath said propelled plate member, after said solvent is applied to said surface of said plate member; filtering said solvent in at least one tank means to remove impurities and particulate matter therefrom; recirculating said at least one solvent with a recirculating pump, for reapplication of said at least one solvent to the surface of at least one other subsequently propelled plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 30

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; collecting said at least one cleaning solvent, in at least one collection sink operably positioned beneath said propelled plate member, after said solvent is applied to said surface of said plate member; filtering said solvent in at least one tank means to remove impurities and particulate matter therefrom; recirculating said at least one solvent with a recirculating pump, for reapplication of said at least one solvent to the surface of at least one other subsequently propelled plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 31

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; collecting said excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; draining said collected excess rinse liquid removed from said surface of said plate member to a remote location for safe disposal thereafter; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 32

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; longitudinally propelling said plate member by drive means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; collecting said excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; draining said collected excess rinse liquid removed from said surface of said plate member to a remote location for safe disposal thereafter; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 33

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; longitudinally propelled said plate member by drive means including four pairs of drive roller members, a first pair of drive roller members being juxtaposed to said feed fixture means, a second pair of drive roller members being positioned proximate to where said cleaning solvent is applied to said plate member, a third pair of drive roller members being positioned proximate to where said plate member is rinsed, a fourth pair of drive roller members being positioned proximate to said removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.

Claim 34

A method for cleaning, storing and unsealing at least one lithographic plate member having pre-formed peripheral flanges and ink residue and other contaminants on its surface, comprising the steps of: removing at least one plate member from the press plate drum; placing said plate member on feed fixture means; applying at least one cleaning solvent to said surface of said plate member; scrubbing said surface of said plate member; rinsing said surface of said plate member with at least one rinse liquid; scrubbing further said surface of said plate member; removing of excess rinse liquid from said surface of said plate member; sealing said surface of said plate member with a water soluble preserving substance so as to reduce the moisture sensitivity of said plate member, said water soluble substance enabling removal of said substance during a subsequent press run from the press's own water train; receiving said plate member from removal fixture means; longitudinally propelled said plate member by drive means including four pairs of drive roller members, a first pair of drive roller members being juxtaposed to said feed fixture means, a second pair of drive roller members being positioned proximate to where said cleaning solvent is applied to said plate member, a third pair of drive roller members being positioned proximate to where said plate member is rinsed, a fourth pair of drive roller members being positioned proximate to said removal fixture means; and storing said plate member until reuse thereof.