Abstract: A new apparatus and methods for automatically unloading or removing an article from a printing machine, and preferably transferring the same to a suitable drying surface is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes a support frame, an extendable gripping means attached to the support frame for engaging the article, and a conventional controller for controlling operation of the extendable gripping means. Additionally, at least one platen attached to the printing machine in a manner allowing the extendable gripping means to vertically extend from the support frame to an area of the platen(s) is also disclosed. To permit gripping of the articles, the platen are notched at the area corresponding to the extendable gripping means.

Abstract: A new platen for use with a printing machine, and preferably for allowing automatic unloading of a printed article from a support surface of the platen is disclosed. The disclosed platen includes a structure for attachment to the printing machine, a support surface, and a gripping area disposed about the support surface to allow an automatic unloader to grip and remove an article from the support surface. The support surface is preferably rectangular having gripping areas proximate to each corner of the surface. The gripping areas are preferably notches within the support surface itself, but may also be in the form of a ledge with notches disposed along a portion of an edge and attached to the support surface.

Abstract: A contaminant remover for a screen printing operation using a multiple station printing machine having at least a first printing station is disclosed. The contaminant remover has a support arm attached to the first printing station of the printing machine, and a contaminant removal surface attached to the support arm. As a printing surface is automatically brought into printing alignment with the first printing station, the contaminant removal surface engages the printing surface and moves across the printing surface to remove contaminants which may undesirably block portions of the screen. The contaminant removal surface is preferably a plurality of removable roller brushes having an adhesive applied to their respective surfaces.

Abstract: A new ink deflector for a squeegee assembly for use in a printing operation having a screening surface is disclosed. The squeegee has a first and second surface, and a pair of opposite ends, and an attachment for holding the squeegee at a suitable operating angle relative to the screening surface. A pair of ink deflectors are provided which are each detachably positioned at an operating angle relative to the screening surface along an end of the squeegee. The operating angle of each ink deflector in the present invention is independent of the operating angle of the squeegee. Each ink deflector, which has a first surface, is designed to direct ink towards the center of the first squeegee surface. Additionally, the ink deflector has a second surface which directs ink toward the center of the second squeegee surface.

Abstract: A new apparatus and methods for automatically unloading or removing an article from a printing machine, and preferably transferring the same to a suitable drying surface is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes a support frame, an extendable gripping means attached to the support frame for engaging the article, and a conventional controller for controlling operation of the extendable gripping means. Additionally, at least one platen attached to the printing machine in a manner allowing the extendable gripping means to vertically extend from the support frame to an area of the platen(s) is also disclosed. To permit gripping of the articles, the platen are notched at the area corresponding to the extendable gripping means.

Abstract: A turret style printing machine (10) includes a first tier (16) of pallet supporting members (14), a second tier (20) of printing head supporting members (18) and a third tier (24) of printing head supporting members (22). One can thus selectively move either a second tier member (18) or a third tier member (22) into alignment and registration with a first tier member (14). A uniform registration is further provided ensuring the second third tier supporting members consistently align with the first tier supporting members (14). This expansion increasing the number of stations is accomplished without necessarily increasing the required floor space or system diameter.

Abstract: An automatic screen printing press has a platen turntable carrying a plurality of platens which are indexed through a plurality of stations in an endless path of movement past printing heads having a power-driven squeegee carriage thereon. The turntable is driven by a powered carriage having a linear guide that causes the carriage to have a linear reciprocal movement. Each of the printing stations has a roller cam that is selectively engaged by a shifting fork that is mounted for movement with the carriage. The shifting fork is driven in a transverse reciprocal direction to the linear reciprocal movement of the carriage for selective engagement with and disengagement from a roller cam.

Abstract: A pallet for supporting shirts for printing over the entire surface of the shirt, particularly including the sleeves. A shirt is telescoped over a thin upper panel whereafter separate sleeve panels mounted to the upper panel are slid outward into the sleeves of the shirt to provide support thereto. With the sleeve panels still maintained outward, the upper panel is then lowered down into abutment with the lower panel to secure the shirt between the upper and lower panels. Lowering of the upper panel with the sleeve panels mounted thereto causes the sleeve panels to be raised so that the pallet forms a generally planar overall surface upon which the shirt is supported and maintained in a stationary position during printing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pallet aligning system which allows a pallet to be mounted to a pallet support arm in a desired orientation and lateral spacing with respect to the support arm and thereafter be removed and remounted to the support arm in the previously defined orientation and lateral spacing, thereby precluding the need to reposition the pallet upon each subsequent reattachment thereof to a pallet support arm. This pallet alignment system is particularly useful when combined with a screen alignment system to re-establish registration of the screens as well as the pallets used therewith. Lateral restraining members are mounted to the underside of the pallet for selective laterally movement. After the pallet has been oriented and positioned as desired, the lateral restraining members are moved into abutment against opposite lateral sides of the pallet support arm and secured in their respective positions thereat to maintain the set orientation and location of the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet for supporting shirts for printing over the entire surface of the shirt, particularly including the sleeves. A shirt is telescoped over a thin upper panel whereafter separate sleeve panels mounted to the upper panel are slid outward into the sleeves of the shirt to provide support thereto. The sleeve panels may be provided with means for moving to their extended position automatically. With the sleeve panels still maintained outward, the upper panel is then lowered down into abutment with the lower panel to secure the shirt between the upper and lower panels. Lowering of the upper panel with the sleeve panels mounted thereto causes the sleeve panels to be raised so that the pallet forms a generally planar overall surface upon which the shirt is supported and maintained in a stationary position during printing.

Abstract: An automatic screen printing press has a frame with a plurality of platens which are movable seriatim through a plurality of stations in an endless path of movement past printing heads having a power-driven squeegee carriage thereon. At least one of the printing heads is mounted for movement and is positioned at a first location adjacent an open printing station at which cooling or drying of the ink is done when printing in a first sequence. When desiring to print in a different or second sequence, the movable printing head is shifted to previously open printing station to print at this latter station during this second sequence thereby leaving its previously-occupied station open for cooling or drying of ink during this second sequence. The movable head allows the user to print a larger number of sequences using fewer printing heads than a user can print using a conventional, automated screen printer which has the same number of printing heads, but all of which heads are fixedly mounted.

Abstract: A manually operated silk screen printing apparatus having a printing bed and a chase overlying the printing bed for removably mounting a screen in alignment with the overlying printing bed. Preferably, a single ball-shaped handle or joystick is mounted on the top of the squeegee carriage for pushing or pulling to slide a squeegee carriage mounted on a lever arm over the center of the screen. The carriage travels on a three-point bearing arrangement with a guide or track surface on the lever arm. Flipping of the handle through an overcenter position reverses the squeegee and the carriage for the respective flood and print strokes. More specifically, the lever arm includes a generally horizontal guide track overlying the chase and extending approximately the length of the screen. The guide track is centered with respect to the chase and guides the carriage.

Abstract: A curing unit includes an arcuate reflector shield open at the lower end with a curing lamp in the shield and a cooling chamber above the shield. Cooling fluid is directed into the chamber toward the outer surface of the shield and some of this cooling fluid is also directed along the inner surface. Light trap are located adjacent the leading and trailing edges of the unit above an article conveyor belt and a vacuum chamber is located below the belt to draw ozone generated by the unit, as well as hold the article on the belt.

Abstract: A cantilevered takeoff apparatus is provided by the present invention which is particularly adapted to automatically remove printed stock from the bed of a screen printing press and transfer the stock to a wicket dryer, having a plurality of rows of wickets movable along the upper and lower surfaces of the dryer frame, where the stock is released face up on a row of wickets for drying. The cantilevered takeoff apparatus herein enables the wicket dryer to be positioned directly beneath the printed work to receive the work as it is transferred thereto, without obstructing the path of the rows of wickets during operation.