Abstract: A method of screen printing is provided. The method includes the step of providing a squeegee for interacting with ink and a printing screen. The squeegee has a mounting head having an attachment portion and a blade mounting portion. The blade mounting portion is made of material resistant to change caused by interaction with the ink. A contact blade is detachably received by the blade mounting portion of the mounting head and adapted for interacting with the screen and the ink. The contact blade may be quickly and rapidly replaced, when needed, in order to maintain constant pressure on the ink.

Abstract: A squeegee for interacting with ink and a printing screen. The squeegee has a mounting head. The mounting head has an attachment portion and a blade mounting portion. A contact blade is received by the blade mounting portion of the mounting head and adapted for interacting with the screen and the ink.

Abstract: A retractable registration apparatus is mounted on a screen printing type press for aligning a printing frame with an image platform, such as a vacuum table. The apparatus has a pair of registration pins for coupling with the printing frame and a registration appendage which carries the registration pins. The registration appendage is rotatably mounted to the printing press for rotation from a registration position to a retracted position. A locking mechanism retains the appendage with the registration pins in the exact registration position.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a screen printing frame to a printing machine for screen printing, the apparatus has a retainer for the screen printing frame and a mounting head carried by the printing machine. A plurality of adjustment mechanism are interposed between the mounting head and the retainer for screen printing frame for adjusting the retainer and the screen printing frame relative to the mounting head. At least one of the adjustment mechanisms has a sleeve having a threaded bore carried by either the retainer or the mounting head and a threaded shaft carried by the other. Rotating of the threaded shaft in the threaded bore adjust the position of the screen printing frame relative to the mounting head. The sleeve has a hole extending through the threaded bore and a pin adaptable for insertion in the hole for locating the end of the threaded shaft for use as a stop position for locating a zero position of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus spreads and positions ink into orifices of a screen fabric for printing. The apparatus has a flooding portion having an ink interaction surface spaced and overlying the screen. The ink interaction surface is adapted for interacting with the ink to force the ink into the orifices of the screen fabric. Several of the embodiments of the apparatus have a bottom surface generally parallel to the screen, wherein the bottom surface has sufficient width for forcing the ink into the orifices of the screen fabric. In addition, the ink interaction surface in several of the embodiments has at least one concave curved portion adapted for rotating the ink. In some embodiments, the ink interaction surface has a pair of concave curved portions wherein one of the concave curved portions has a larger radius than the other concave curved portion.

Abstract: A pin registration bar aligning an image film to a screen mesh of a screen printing frame. The pin registration bar has a bar and a plate, The bar has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a pair of side surfaces. The plate has a pair of generally parallel surfaces. A portion of one of the parallel surfaces engages the upper surface of the bar. The plate is mounted to the upper surface of the bar. The plate projects outward over one of the side surfaces. The pin registration bar has a pair of sets of pins. The first set of pins projects upward from the other parallel surface of the plate for aligning with holes in the image film. The second set of pins projects downward from the one of the parallel surfaces of the plate for aligning with openings carried by the screen printing frame.

Abstract: A retractable registration apparatus aligns a printing screen with an image platform. The apparatus has a pair of arms. Each arm extends along a longitudinal axis and has at least two sections with a substantially square cross-section along the longitudinal axis and at least two other sections along the longitudinal axis having a circular cross-section inscribed within the square cross-section. A pair of mounting brackets are associated with each of the arms and each have a substantially square opening extending through the bracket for slideably receiving the substantially square cross-section of the arm. The pair of mounting brackets are mounted to the lower surface of an image platform so that the side walls of each bracket are in the same plane and are parallel to the center line. Each arm has a track formed within the arm, and one of the mounting brackets associated with the arm has a guide pin projecting into the arm for guiding the movement of the arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screen tensioning and printing using a frame including rollers having a screen secured thereto. Each roller is supported at opposite ends for rotation about its longitudinal axis to transversely tension the screen substantially equally along the length of the roller. The printed image being linearly varied by adjusting the relative position of the ends of the roller and thereby adjusting the linear tension of the screen to accommodate for the tolerances created within the screen setup and the printing process.

Abstract: A screen tensioning and printing frame having a plurality of rollers coupled at their ends to corner members. Each roller is also coupled to one edge portion of a screen material. The screen is tensioned by the rotation of the rollers about their longitudinal axis. Each roller includes at least one end plug having a series of engagement surfaces for causing rotation of the roller and a corresponding screen tension. The engagement surface being substantially elongated in the axial direction to increase the strength of the end plug upon rotation thereof by a wrench or the like.

Abstract: A screen tension and printing frame includes sets of parallel rollers coupled at their ends to corner members. Each roller is coupled to one edge portion of a screen. The screen is sealed with a respect to a dam member located inwardly of the rollers. A discrete member is connected to each dam member for preventing the associated roller from bowing inwardly toward its associated dam member, including a limit stop connected to each dam member by at least one web.