Patents by Inventor Forrest A. Wessells

Forrest A. Wessells has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for preparing relief image printing plates
    Patent number: 5147761
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing relief images having improved image fidelity and resolution. The method comprises positioning an image bearing negative transparency closely adjacent and substantially parallel to a layer of a photocurable material; positioning on the other side of the negative from the photocurable material and in substantially parallel relationship thereto at least one louver having a plurality of open cells, each cell extending through the louver along an axis perpendicular to the negative and having reflective side surfaces contoured to reflect and redirect rays of radiant energy incident thereon to a direction more normal to the negative surface; and passing radiant energy which is capable of curing the photocurable material through the louver and the negative and onto and through the photocurable material for a time sufficient to form a latent relief image in the photocurable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Forrest A. Wessells, Edward T. Murphy, Steven A. Tambornini
  • Method of making letterpress printing plates
    Patent number: 4407862
    Abstract: A method of preparing a letterpress printing plate from a liquid photopolymer using an air knife to etch out the unpolymerized liquid to leave the relief image. A new printing plate substrate is used that has a laminae that is paper and a lamina that is a sealing coat on the paper. The paper is a special paper known as tag stock that is 5 to 20 mils thick, has tensile strengths of at least 30 pounds per inch in width in the press direction and at least 20 pounds per inch in width in the cross press direction, and fibers that are independently colored with a dark color having a good light absorption/reflectivity ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Forrest Wessells, Joseph Startari, Michael E. Estes
  • Air etching of polymeric printing plates
    Patent number: 4197126
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for developing printing plates by stripping away uncured material using a carefully controlled gas stream. An optional supplemental blotting system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Forrest A. Wessells, John E. Pickard
  • Air etching of polymeric printing plates
    Patent number: 4145790
    Abstract: Apparatus for developing a relief letterpress plate carrying a liquid polymer, comprising an air knife positioned to move over a stationary platen carrying the plate and blowing the polymer from the plate into a sink. Alternately the air knife is stationary and the platen is positioned to move under it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Forrest A. Wessells, John E. Pickard
  • Air etching of polymeric printing plates
    Patent number: 4042996
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for developing printing plates by stripping away uncured material using a carefully controlled gas stream. An optional supplemental blotting system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Forrest A. Wessells, John E. Pickard