Patents Assigned to Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH
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Publication number: 20200016916Abstract: Systems and processes for making a flexo plate, and plates made thereby. Non-printing indicia defined by areas of presence and absence of polymer in the plate floor created using microdots imaged during a LAMS layer imaging step are readable downstream of the washing or other non-cured-polymer-removal step but not to print in the printing step. The non-printing indicia may define a repeating pattern of alphanumeric characters, non-text graphics, or a combination thereof. A difference in growth of plate structures corresponding to different types of microdots may be used for characterizing processing conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Sievers, Pascal Thomas, Thomas Klein
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Publication number: 20190351688Abstract: Systems and processes for making a flexo plate, and plates made thereby. Non-printing indicia defined by areas of presence and absence of polymer in the plate floor created using microdots imaged during a LAMS layer imaging step are readable downstream of the washing or other non-cured-polymer-removal step but not to print in the printing step. The non-printing indicia may define a repeating pattern of alphanumeric characters, non-text graphics, or a combination thereof. A difference in growth of plate structures corresponding to different types of microdots may be used for characterizing processing conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Sievers, Pascal Thomas, Thomas Klein
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Patent number: 10456861Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method for direct engraving an elastomeric printing plate or sleeve by multiple laser beams simultaneously. In one embodiment, an elastomeric printing plate or sleeve is positioned on an imaging drum for direct engraving. The imaging drum is rotatable around its longitudinal axis. Such rotation defines a circumferential direction, also called the transverse direction. The axis of rotation defines an axial direction, also called the longitudinal direction. The printing plate or sleeve has an body and a surface made of an elastomer (made of polymer or rubber). A drive mechanism provides relative motion between a plurality of laser beams and the plate or sleeve in both the transverse and longitudinal directions.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sievers
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Patent number: 9849663Abstract: An apparatus comprises: (a) a rotatable drum configured to have a UV-curable printing plate with an ablatable layer thereon, placed thereon; (b) at least one laser beam to image the plate on the drum by ablating some of the ablatable layer according to image data to form an imaged plate; (c) an unloading area onto which a plate is movable when unloaded; and (d) a plurality of UV LEDs configured to apply UV radiation to the back of the UV-curable plate or to both the front and back of the UV-curable plate during or after the unloading of the imaged plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sievers
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Patent number: 9744619Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method for direct engraving an elastomeric printing plate by multiple laser beams simultaneously. In one embodiment, an elastomeric printing plate or sleeve is positioned on an imaging drum for direct engraving. The imaging drum is rotatable around its longitudinal axis. Such rotation defines a circumferential direction, also called the transverse direction. The axis of rotation defines an axial direction, also called the longitudinal direction. The printing plate has an body and a surface made of an elastomer (made of polymer or rubber). A drive mechanism provides relative motion between a plurality of laser beams and the plate in both the transverse and longitudinal directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sievers
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Patent number: 9375916Abstract: Creating one or more printing plate segments includes exposing a printing plate segment with imaging data to form an imaged plate segment, and marking the floor of the printing plate segment or the back of the printing plate segment with one or more registration marks according to marking data. The registration marks can be within the design area defined by the imaging data marked such that the registration marks are not visible on a print made from the imaged plate segment. Printing using positioned and mounted so-marked imaged plate segments produces a print without the registration marks visible on the print. Such plate segments can be unmounted and reused with the registration marks intact.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventors: Pascal Thomas, Nils Kay, Joachim Scheele
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Patent number: 9315009Abstract: An apparatus comprises: (a) a rotatable drum configured to have a UV-curable printing plate with an ablatable layer thereon, placed thereon; (b) at least one laser beam to image the plate on the drum by ablating some of the ablatable layer according to image data to form an imaged plate; (c) an unloading area onto which a plate is movable when unloaded; and (d) a plurality of UV LEDs configured to cure UV-curable material on at least an imaged portion of the plate during the imaging process, such that imaging of one part of the plate and curing of an imaged portion of the plate occur simultaneously. In another embodiment, the plurality of LEDs are to apply UV radiation to the back of the UV-curable plate or to both the front and back of the UV-curable plate during or after the unloading of the imaged plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sievers
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Patent number: 9238359Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attaching flexible or magnetic plates onto an imaging cylinder are provided. A drum apparatus of an imaging device includes an imaging cylinder having an outer surface and a magnetic foil attachable to the outer surface of the imaging cylinder. In a configuration with the magnetic foil attached to the outer surface of the imaging cylinder, at least one metal back plate can be attached to the imaging cylinder via magnetic coupling to the magnetic foil. In a configuration without the magnetic foil attached to the outer surface of the imaging cylinder, at least one flexographic plate can be attached to the imaging cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: ESKO-GRAPHICS IMAGING GMBHInventor: Jörg Koberg
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Patent number: 9016200Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning and aligning one or more pre-punched printing plates on a cylinder for imaging a plate in a computer-to-plate drum imaging device. The apparatus includes an imaging cylinder and a registration device connectable to the cylinder. The apparatus includes at least one groove and one pair of register pins, with a first register pin in a fixed position, and a second register pin movable in the groove to a second position, and collinear with the first register pin in the axial direction of the cylinder, arranged such that when connected to the cylinder, the registration device allows a plurality of pre-punched printing plates with variable widths to be positioned and aligned on the cylinder with simplicity.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging, GmbHInventor: Jörg Koberg
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Patent number: 8985016Abstract: A device and method are described for the easy and rapid loading and unloading of flexographic sleeves from flexographic processing machines. The device includes internal chucks that hold on to the end of a sleeve or sleeve adapter. The chucks are rotatably mounted within a flexographic processing machine to permit sleeve processing. In addition, the chucks may move to accommodate a large range of sleeve or adapter diameters and lengths. The method permits the loading and unloading of sleeves with a minimum amount of sleeve handling and without additional end pieces or adapters.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging, GmbHInventor: Torsten E. Schwipps
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Publication number: 20140261035Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attaching flexible or magnetic plates onto an imaging cylinder are provided. A drum apparatus of an imaging device includes an imaging cylinder having an outer surface and a magnetic foil attachable to the outer surface of the imaging cylinder. In a configuration with the magnetic foil attached to the outer surface of the imaging cylinder, at least one metal back plate can be attached to the imaging cylinder via magnetic coupling to the magnetic foil. In a configuration without the magnetic foil attached to the outer surface of the imaging cylinder, at least one flexographic plate can be attached to the imaging cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Jörg Koberg
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Patent number: 8820234Abstract: An apparatus for curing a printing plate made of or having photo-curable material, a method of curing such a printing plate, and a printing plate cured by the method. One embodiment of the method includes curing a printing plate made of or having photo-curable material thereon. The method includes producing light energy on part of the printing plate using a light exposure unit, including relative motion between the light energy and the plate in a transverse direction at a changeable period of repetition, such that curing can produce printing features on the plate that can be switched to have either flat tops or round tops according to the period of repetition.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sievers
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Patent number: 8772740Abstract: A method of imaging a printing plate and curing the printing plate made of or having photo-curable material that includes an ablatable mask. In one embodiment, the method comprises imaging the ablatable mask with a first portion of imaging data to produce a partially imaged uncured plate. Imaging data includes the first portion and a second portion of imaging data. The method includes curing the partially imaged uncured plate using UV with a first set of parameters to produce a partially cured plate with a partially ablated mask thereon, the curing arranged for producing flat tops, imaging the partially ablated mask on the partially cured plate with the second portion of imaging data to produce a totally imaged partially cured plate, and curing the totally imaged partially cured plate with a second set of one or more curing parameters to produce a totally cured plate to produce round tops.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventors: Thomas Klein, Wolfgang Sievers
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Patent number: 8757060Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of loading and unloading of plates to and from an imager. The apparatus includes a loading area holding one single or a plurality of plates and an unloading area holding a single plate, the areas arranged vertically. The plate includes ultraviolet curable material. The apparatus includes a control system configured when in operation to control the automated loading and unloading and the apparatus elements therefor. One fully automatic version includes automatic loading from a stack or set of plate magazines and in the case that the plate includes a protective sheet thereon, includes removing the protective sheet from the plate. Some versions also include one or more ultraviolet sources to irradiate the flexographic plates with ultraviolet radiation during the automated loading and/or unloading. The ultraviolet sources are controlled by the same control system.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventors: Jörg Wolterink, Jörg Koberg
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Publication number: 20130340637Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of loading and unloading of plates to and from an imager. The apparatus includes a loading area holding one single or a plurality of plates and an unloading area holding a single plate, the areas arranged vertically. The plate includes ultraviolet curable material. The apparatus includes a control system configured when in operation to control the automated loading and unloading and the apparatus elements therefor. One fully automatic version includes automatic loading from a stack or set of plate magazines and in the case that the plate includes a protective sheet thereon, includes removing the protective sheet from the plate. Some versions also include one or more ultraviolet sources to irradiate the flexographic plates with ultraviolet radiation during the automated loading and/or unloading. The ultraviolet sources are controlled by the same control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventors: Jörg Wolterink, Jörg Koberg
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Patent number: 8578854Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a plate made by the method, e.g., using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a light tunnel of light reflective walls with polygonal cross-section like a kaleidoscope, and a light source, located at one end to produce light radiation to the inside of the light tunnel towards the other end. Light entering the light tunnel towards an inner reflective surface of a wall is reflected off the inner reflective surface so that it can emerge from the other end to cure a plate having photo-curable material thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sievers
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Publication number: 20130284041Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning and aligning one or more pre-punched printing plates on a cylinder for imaging a plate in a computer-to-plate drum imaging device. The apparatus includes an imaging cylinder and a registration device connectable to the cylinder. The apparatus includes at least one groove and one pair of register pins, with a first register pin in a fixed position, and a second register pin movable in the groove to a second position, and collinear with the first register pin in the axial direction of the cylinder, arranged such that when connected to the cylinder, the registration device allows a plurality of pre-punched printing plates with variable widths to be positioned and aligned on the cylinder with simplicity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Jörg Koberg
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Patent number: 8516961Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of loading and unloading of plates to and from an imager. The apparatus includes a loading area holding one single or a plurality of plates and an unloading area holding a single plate, the areas arranged vertically. The plate includes ultraviolet curable material. The apparatus includes a control system configured when in operation to control the automated loading and unloading and the apparatus elements therefor. One fully automatic version includes automatic loading from a stack or set of plate magazines and in the case that the plate includes a protective sheet thereon, includes removing the protective sheet from the plate. Some versions also include one or more ultraviolet sources to irradiate the flexographic plates with ultraviolet radiation during the automated loading and/or unloading. The ultraviolet sources are controlled by the same control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventors: Jörg Wolterink, Jörg Koberg
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Publication number: 20130162967Abstract: An apparatus comprises: (a) a rotatable drum configured to have a UV-curable printing plate with an ablatable layer thereon, placed thereon; (b) at least one laser beam to image the plate on the drum by ablating some of the ablatable layer according to image data to form an imaged plate; (c) an unloading area onto which a plate is movable when unloaded; and (d) a plurality of UV LEDs configured to cure UV-curable material on at least an imaged portion of the plate during the imaging process, such that imaging of one part of the plate and curing of an imaged portion of the plate occur simultaneously. In another embodiment, the plurality of LEDs are to apply UV radiation to the back of the UV-curable plate or to both the front and back of the UV-curable plate during or after the unloading of the imaged plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: ESKO-GRAPHICS IMAGING GMBHInventor: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH
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Patent number: 8389203Abstract: Particular embodiments include method embodiments and apparatus embodiments. One method embodiment comprises: placing a printing plate on an imaging device; imaging the plate according to imaging data; and applying UV radiation using a plurality of UV emitting LEDs during the process of imaging of the printing plate. In one embodiment, the plate initially has ablatable material, and wherein the imaging includes ablating ablatable material on the plate according to the imaging data to form an ablated plate, and wherein the applying the UV radiation includes exposing the ablated plate to UV radiation to cure the plate. In one embodiment, the imaging device is an external drum imager that includes a drum that rotates during imaging.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sievers