Abstract: A multi-printer system comprising: a plurality of imaging apparatus, each said apparatus comprising at least one liquid-toner reservoir, containing liquid toner; a central source of toner concentrate; a toner concentrate conduit which connects the central source to the individual imaging apparatus; and at least one toner-concentrate pump which pumps the toner concentrate from the central source to the individual imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting master image sheets on supporting platens includes forming vacuum seals between sheets and platens and evacuating air from therebetween to retain the master image sheets against movements on the supporting platens. An image receiving layer such as a photosensitive printed circuit board is disposed between supporting platens that are, then evacuated to retain the opposite surfaces of the layer in contact with the master image sheets for parallax-free photographic exposure to light through the platens, with inherent alignment of images thus formed on the opposite surfaces of the layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for contact printing uses a vacuum contact plate and a screen frame to hold a master film sheet in contact registration with a screen having a region that is substantially porous to the passage of air disposed about a central photosensitive region. The vacuum contact plate receives the screen frame and supports the master film sheet and the screen on an elevated, substantially planar component. Air is evacuated from a hollow cavity within the elevated component to create a pressure differential across the master film sheet to urge the master film sheet in contact with the screen. If the master film sheet is not large enough to cover the entire porous region of the screen, the master film sheet is attached to a carrier sheet of sufficient size. The carrier sheet is then placed on the elevated component to be retained in contact registration with the photosensitive screen.

Abstract: A substrate supporting apparatus designed so that a substrate received and delivered by the apparatus can be positioned easily with improved accuracy. For this positioning, pressurized air is supplied between a float chuck and a base chuck of the substrate supporting apparatus to float the float chuck, and peripheral end surfaces of the float chuck are supported by cylinder pins and fixing pins. In this state, a substrate is received from a transport hand and is attracted to a surface of the float chuck. Thereafter, the cylinder pins are caused to recede, and the float chuck is moved together with the substrate by pressing forces of pressing springs to abut reference pins. As a result, a changeover valve is operated by output signals from photosensors to attract the float chuck to the base chuck.

Abstract: Vacuum frame apparatus is provided for maintaining precise registration between and an image forming sheet to be reproduced and a light sensitive sheet adapted for controlled exposure to light. The apparatus includes a light transmitting glass panel having a planar surface for contact with the image sheet and a vacuum blanket assembly including a blanket of thin, flexible sheet material adapted to contact the light sensitive sheet and bias the sheets toward the planar surface of the glass panel while maintained in precise registration. The vacuum blanket assembly includes a peripheral edge seal around the blanket for sealing engagement with the planar face of the glass panel and means for evacuating the space inside the peripheral edge bead between the planar face of the panel and the blanket of the vacuum blanket.

Abstract: A sheet material holder includes a vacuum platen defining a plurality of arrays of vacuum channels corresponding in number and size to a plurality of sheet material sizes on one surface thereof and including a corresponding plurality of distinct vacuum plenums communicating with the arrays of vacuum channels; a vacuum pump; a corresponding plurality of remotely actuatable valves connected between the vacuum plenums and the vacuum pump; a corresponding plurality of flow sensors for sensing the flow of air between the plenums and the vacuum pump; and logic and control means connected to the flow sensors and the valves for sensing air flow between a plenum and the vacuum pump and actuating the corresponding valve. Sheet size is automatically inferred by the pattern of valves that are actuated.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention uses a register light unit to facilitate manual alignment of master photographic images on a flexible carrier sheet. The carrier sheet and master images are positioned relative to a photosensitive screen using a vacuum contact plate that receives a screen frame in tight registration using a substantially planar surface for supporting the flexible carrier sheet with master images thereon. Vacuum is drawn around the screen to develop a pressure differential across the carrier sheet to urge the master images thereon into surface contact with the photosensitive screen during exposure to a source of illumination. Work stations include storage bins for prepared screens and master films to expedite processing through an exposure unit that includes a vacuum contact plate which is mounted to translate between a load/unload position outside of a housing and an exposure position inside of a housing that shields an operator from radiation from the source of illumination.

Abstract: Automated apparatus and method for exposing lithographic plates to light through films and masks. The method involves placing a plate, film and mask at an exposure station in superposed relation to one another with the film overlying the plate and the mask overlying the film, exposing the plate to light through the mask and film at the exposure station, raising the mask off the film to a raised position, gripping the film and moving it relative to the plate to expose a portion of the plate therebelow, gripping the exposed portion of the plate, gripping the mask in its raised position, moving the film, plate and mask forwardly while so gripped to a discharge station, and releasing the film, plate and mask at the discharge station.

Abstract: A slide track, pin registration system for registering photosensitive media to light exposure equipment. The system includes one or more slide tracks and each of which contain media registration pins. The slide tracks are orthogonally mounted within grooves let into a resilient media support mat. Each pin is restrained in a spring biased retainer which retainer is loosely confined in a support base that slide mounts to the track. The number of pins and profile shapes are variable to match the media and registration requirements. In one vacuum system, the tracks are supported in a multi-chambered, foam backed bladder. In another the tracks are supported on a single chambered bladder. In still another system, the retainer slides within grooves formed in a rigid board.

Abstract: Positional shifting of a photosensitive film due to poor winding-up and -off of an air-tight sheet is prevented without troublesome adjustments, whereby operationability of a contact printer is enhanced and improved. The air-tight sheet winding mechanism includes a connector frame fixed to a pair of carriages movable along each track rail disposed on both sides of a contact printer, and a roller holder for supporting a sheet roller. The connector frame is engaged with the roller holder by inserting micro bearings into oblong apertures. The roller holder and the sheet roller are engaged with the connector frame to slidably move in a direction B and swing about the micro bearing as shown by an arrow C. An air tight sheet is thus precisely and uniformly wound up and off according to its inherent properties including residual stress and residual strain.

Abstract: An exposure unit for exposing photo-stencil materials in which the light box portion of the unit is continuously cooled by the vacuum pump that operates the vacuum frame portion of the unit. The vacuum pump is mounted internally of the light box portion of the unit and is interconnected with the vacuum frame by a direct interconnection so that a vacuum hose is not required. The unit also icludes a base for supporting the light box and vacuum frame which includes a light-tight, ventilated storage area for the storage of light sensitive materials.

Abstract: A new and improved graphic arts device for exposing copy sheets to controlled light from a light source passed through an image sheet includes a light source and a glass frame including a rigid panel of transparent material having a surface against which an image sheet and a copy sheet are pressed during an exposure cycle. A vacuum blanket is provided for biasing the image and copy sheets against the planar surface of the transparent panel. A yoke is provided for supporting the glass frame between the vacuum blanket and the light source at a convenient working level for movement between a horizontal, closed position used during exposure and a second, upwardly sloping open position for permitting removal and placement of the image and copy sheets on the transparent panel. The glass frame is normally locked in position on the yoke but can be unlocked for a full 360.degree. pivotal action about a central axis of the frame extending transversely between opposite legs of the yoke at said points thereon.

Abstract: A graphic arts exposure device includes a cabinet defining a work surface at a convenient working level and having a forward wall facing an operator utilizing the device. A drawer is positioned immediately below the working level movable between an extended position outwardly of the forward wall of the cabinet and a retracted position within the cabinet. A control panel for the exposure device is mounted on the drawer facing upwardly in the same general field of view for the operator as the working surface of the device. The drawer is supported on sloped slides in the cabinet below the work surface for movement between the extended and retracted positions and the slides are sloped downwardly and outwardly to automatically bias the drawer and control panel to the outwardly extended position ready for receiving operator inputs of the necessary control data while at the same time allowing the operator to view the control panel and working surface in the same general field of vision.

Abstract: An improvement in a contact printer which comprises means for supporting a film and an original in superposed relationship on a vacuum table, means for providing a source of light for exposing the film through the original, and means for moving the light over the surface of the superposed film and original. The improvement comprises means carried by the light moving means for covering the superposed film and original with a substantially impervious flexible and transparent cover sheet as the exposing light is scanned across the film and original whereby the vacuum is applied to the film and the original to remove air from therebetween as the film is exposed by the light through the cover sheet and the original.

Abstract: An improvement in a contact printer which comprises means for supporting a film and an original in superposed relationship on a vacuum table, means for providing a source of light for exposing the film through the original, and means for moving the light over the surface of the superposed film and original. A substantially impervious, flexible and transport cover sheet carried by the light moving means is arranged to cover the superposed film and original as the exposing light is scanned across the film and original whereby the vacuum is applied to the film and the original to remove air from therebetween as the film is exposed by the light through the cover sheet and the original. The improvement comprises means for removing and replacing the cover sheet to assure that the optical path for the exposing light remains clear and unobstructed.

Abstract: A graphic arts contact printer which comprises a vacuum table for supporting a photosensitive film and an original, containing an image to be reproduced, in superposed relationship. A light source provides an elongated beam of photoactive light for exposing the film through the original. A light transport is provided for moving the light transversely of the length of the beam over the vacuum table surface over the superposed film and original whereby the superposed film and original are scanned by the light to expose the film through the original. Means is provided which is associated with the light transport for applying a transparent cover sheet over the superposed film and original as the light is moved over the film and original. Further means carried by the light transport is provided for collimating the light, with the collimating means being disposed between the light and the cover sheet.

Abstract: A vacuum blanket for holding a sensitive sheet of material in precise registration with a film master against a rigid transparent plate includes a blanket of thin, flexible material having at least one vacuum port therein and an inside face opposing the rigid plate and adapted for biasing the sensitive sheet and film master toward the rigid plate in precise registration with one another. A flexible perimeter seal is provided around the edges of the blanket for sealing off a vacuum chamber established between the blanket and the plate when air is withdrawn through the vacuum port. A bladder of thin, flexible sheet material is secured to the outer surface of the blanket with a plurality of spaced apart seams forming a plurality of separate, inflatable air chambers on the outside surface of the blanket.

Abstract: An apparatus for making contact prints, the apparatus including a frame having a transparent plate, and a pair of frame carriers for supporting the frame at opposite sides of the printing box such that the frame is placeable over the printing plate in an optically sealed manner, each of the frame carrier including a stop means for anchoring the frame carrier at a predetermined position alongside the printing box.

Abstract: A clamping frame for contact printers of working masks in the semiconductor industry enables the application of packings made of easily obtainable raw materials and limits tangential forces acting on masks of the original and copy. A first packing and a second packing with a supporting frame between both packings is provided. The supporting frame prevents transmission of tangential forces to packings which come in contact with masks of the original and of the copy.

Abstract: A frame for properly aligning to glass masters on opposite sides of a substrate is disclosed. The frame includes: (a) first alignment means comprised of spherical balls projecting from one frame member intended to mate with associated concave ball receiving surfaces associated with the other frame member; and (b) second alignment means comprised of pins capable of being inserted into bores in one frame member and pin seats in the second frame member. The frame also includes a pump and solenoid valve. Depending upon the position of the valve, the pump will either draw air from between the frame members to close the frame or push air between the frame members to open the frame.

Abstract: Improved method and means are disclosed for holding sheets in registration during photographic exposure on a light table. An impervious blanket is rolled out from and into a housing which travels over the sheets positioned on the light surface to be selectively secured and sealed in place for vacuum gripping of sheets between blanket and light table.

Abstract: A vacuum frame includes a base section having a recessed area within which are positioned a plurality of simultaneous instant start lights; a glass frame pivotally connected at the upper end of the base section by hinges so as to be pivotally movable between a closed position and a desired opened position; a blanket frame pivotally connected by hinges to the glass frame so as to be pivotally movable with respect to the base section and the glass frame between a closed position and a desired opened position; first and second piston-cylinder assemblies pivotally connected at opposite sides of the vacuum frame between the blanket frame and the base section for maintaining the blanket frame in a desired opened position; third and fourth piston-cylinder assemblies pivotally connected at opposite sides of the vacuum frame between the glass frame and the base section for maintaining the glass frame in a desired opened position independent of the pivoted position of the blanket frame; a first locking assembly for loc

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: A positioning system for quickly aligning and securing material to be composed for preparation of a plate for offset printing, such apparatus including a light source under a transparent support having alignment means on which background material, a template with nonlinear slots for aligning multilined overlay information, and overlay material for insertion into such nonlinear slots are positioned, all such material being held in place by vacuum.