Abstract: In a vacuum printer for the graphic arts having a bed, a blanket frame upon the bed including a flexible impervious blanket having a peripheral sealing bead, a glass frame including a glass, with the glass in snug flexing and sealing registry with the blanket bead defining a contact printing chamber, the glass frame being movably mounted for opening and closing movements relative to the blanket frame, and a vacuum source having a first vacuum conduit communicating with the printing chamber for evacuating it; the improvement which comprises a non-metallic base plate positioned within and yieldable mounted upon the blanket frame supportably underlying the blanket. A flexible apertured skirt at its outer and inner periphery is sealed respectively upon the blanket frame and the base plate, defining with the blanket a vacuum chamber connected by a second conduit to the first conduit.

Abstract: In a vacuum printer for the graphic arts having a bed, a blanket frame upon the bed including a flexible impervious blanket having a peripheral sealing bead, a glass frame juxtaposed over the blanket frame in snug registry with the blanket bead defining a contact printing chamber, the glass frame being movably mounted for opening and closing movements relative to the blanket frame, a vacuum source having a first vacuum conduit extending into communication with the printing chamber for evacuating it; the improvement which comprises a perforated blanket support plate within the blanket frame underlying the blanket and defining within the blanket frame a blanket chamber. A second vacuum conduit interconnects the vacuum source and the blanket chamber. An electronic control is connected to the conduits for evacuating the blanket chamber, and after a pre-set period evacuating the printing chamber.

Abstract: In a vacuum printer for the graphic arts having a housing, blanket and glass frames upon the housing adapted to receive a negative and a light sensitive sheet, and an upright mounted upon and projecting above the housing, an overhead multiple lamp mount console is adjustably spaced from the glass frame and comprises an upright carriage guidably mounted upon the upright. A top frame overlies the glass frame and is secured to the carriage assembly. First and second lamp assemblies of different wattages span and are movably mounted upon a pair of tracks on the top frame adjacent their respective ends. The lamp assemblies are adapted for alternate movements upon the tracks so as to centrally overlie the glass frame, adapted for selective light exposure of the sensitized sheet. A third lamp assembly of a different wattage spans and is movably mounted upon additional tracks underlying and secured to a second lamp assembly adapted for movement thereon to centrally overlie the glass frame.