US1736914A - Process of preparing and registering printing sheets or films - Google Patents

Description

NO v. 26, 1929. W. c. HUL-:BNER 1,736,914

PROCESS OF PREPARING AND REGISTERING PRINTING SHEETS OR FILMS Original Filed July 5l. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 26, 1929. w. c. HUEBNER 1,736,914

PROCESS OF PREPARING AND REGISTERING PRINTING SHEETS OR FILMS I Original Filed July 5l, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM C. H-UEBNER, F BUFFALO, NEW YORK PROCESS OF REPARING AND REGISTERING PRINTING SHEETS 0B FILMS w Application ledrJuly 31, 1924, Serial No. 729,277.l Renewed May 5, 1928.

This invention relates to a process whereby image-bearing sheets orfilms for use in multicolor printing and the like, or for 'other purposes, maybe prepared or treated so as to for instance for poster work, the use of glass plates or lithographie stones is very expensive, and further, owing to the large area to be covered, the job must be done in sections, that is, a number of separate plates are used,

each bearing a different'portion of the final picture or image, and these portions must not only register accurately with the original image, or with a layout sheet or the like, but,

the abutting edges of the sections must regisf` ter accurately with each other.

As is well known, there are manydisadvantages in the use of glass for this purpose. The surfaces of the glass plates are somet1mes not flat but wavy, and at other times the opposite faces of the plates are not parallel; again there are variations in thefthickness of a series of glass plates for one color job, or for the diii'erent sections of a large image. These imperfections in the glass add tothe diilculties in registration of the images on the press plates, and also prevent perfect contact between the glass plates and the press plates or print-receiving surfaces. Further, it is difticult to handle large plates of glass in l0 quantity production during thegvarious operations of exposure and development and the other finishing operations; many plates are broken in various Ways, such as by cracking, due to uneven pressure as a result of the uneven'surfaces or varying thickness before mentioned. Finally, the expense attendant upon the use of glass plates 1s very great, as large quantities of glass are accumulated, re-v sulting in a large unproductive investment,

and expense and inconvenience in the storprint-receiving surface can readily be ob tained. Moreover, the relatively uniform ythickness of photographic films, paper, tracing cloth and other materials adapted to bear printing images makes the use of such materials very desirable for multicolor work.

However, the use of such films or sheets for multicolor or other work requiring' a number of images that must all register exA actly as to dimensions and position one with another and with the original or withl a master copy, layout or other registering device or guide, has not heretofore been considered feasible owing to thecharacteristic tendency of the materials of which the films or sheets were made to shrink and expand or otherwise change condition either generally or locally, which would cause misregister of the prints made fromjthe sheets, hence nullifying the otherwise desirable qualities of such films or sheets. The films or sheets not only change form or dimensions, due to their immersion in water and otherliquids and ,their drying during thel development, washing, etc., of the sheet, but theyare affected by subsequent hu-E` A midity andtemperature changes in the atand other printing images may be employed and the advantages thereof realized in the product-ien of printing plates or elements bearings images of a subject or subjects, so that nevertheless all of the images of the subject or subjects may be registered exactly one lof sectional images, each on a separate sheet,

may be produced and be adapted to register or match with the adjacent sections to form a continuous, unbroken whole.

Another object is to prepare the films or sheets after registration, so that they are `adapted for use as printing elements in a photo composing or other photographic printing apparatus for Vmaking metal or other press plates, and so that they will retain their images in registered size and exact predetermined position 'during such use, regardless of ordinary atmospheric changes; also to so .prepare the films or sheets that they will be substantially unaltered by'subsequent atmospheric changes or moisture, and will only need a simple manipulation to register them again with thev original master image, guide v or layout, or with one another, or to bring them to the predetermined size to which they were originally made.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig.v 1 -is a plan view of a fiexible sheet or film arranged on a frame on which it may be treated in accordance with this invention.

Fi s. 2 and 3 are transverse sectional views showing the released and holding positions respectively of one of the gripping devices or clips1for securing the flexible sheet, on the frame shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the frame and sheet arranged in relation to a light opening in a light box or chamber.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the use of an image positioning device or guide for determining the position of an image on the fiexible sheet or film.

In preparing a film or sheet, such as on of a plurality of color negatives .of a subject in accordance with this invention, the sheet on which an image has been made by photographic or other method is mounted on a suitable frame, preferably portableyhaving a light aperture or opening over which the sheet extends andequipped with clips or holdin devices which are suitably formed togrip or old the edges f the sheet, and are adapted to be adjusted relatively to the frame to draw lthe'sheet smooth and'taut thereon, and also to stretch or extend the sheet. The frame preferably includes a bearing ridge or porface of the. sheet and a flat printing'plate or surface which may project beyond one or more edges of the sheet. The sheet is now moistened in any suitable way, or is otherwise suitably treated to render it extensible,

and the clips or holding devices are then manipulated tostretch the sheet either generally or locally, as required, until the image or register marks thereon register approximately with a master image or other registering device or guide in juxtaposition therewith, or until by measurement or other method the image or register is ascertained vto accord in size and position with the required predetermined layout or registering and checking means. In some cases more than one moistening. and stretching operation will be necessary to bring the image or register marks on the sheet approximately to the required positions, in which event the sheet is dried between successive stretching operations.`

After the approximate register has been obtained, by moistening and stretching as stated, the sheet is dried thoroughly while being maintained in the stretched condition,

and is then treated to make it impervious to 4 moisture and prevent variations therein due to atmospheric changes, as( by applying a suitable oil, varnish, or lacquer to the sheet.

When this has been done the sheet is given a final tightening or stretching to bring it to exact register byv either of the above meth- `ods of registration, after which the sheet may beused, still on the frame, in a photographic printing machine or otherwise, to obtain one or more imag or prints therefrom on a print-receiving urface, such as a metal press plate; or a number ofsheets prepared as descrlbed and bearing different color images of a subject may be so used to produce a set of accurately registered color printing plates.

I n `the drawings, Fig. l., a -sheet or film A 1s shown, bearing images 10 and register marks 11, which are to be registered with like images and register marks 10il and 11a respectively, 0n a registering plate B. The

images 10 and register marks 11 are shown as being out of register withthe images 10a and cross marks 11a due to the shrinkingv ef theisheet after the production of thc images thereon. It is, therefore, necessary to treat the sheet as `explained so that it may be lstretched to bring the two sets ot images and register marks into exact register. A

A frame and holding and stretching devices of any Suitable sort may be used for the purpose stated, but preferably a :trame and devices of the construction shown in the drawings are employed. While this construction is specially adapted for use in carrying out the process of the present invention, it is not specifically claimed herein, as the same forms the subject matter of a separate application for Letters Patent, Serial Number 742,919, ledOct. 10, 1924.

Briefly described, the frame, designated C, and the holding devices or `clips D, are constructed and arranged as 'foll0ws:--

The frame C comprises side and end barsthe face of the frame so as to support the,

sheet or film A oi the face of the frame and spanning over the opening 13. A'plurality of the clipsfor film gripping devices D is adjustably positioned on the frame B outside ofthe ridge 14 so that theyma'y be moved'both endwise and\sidewise relatively to the ridgei14. Each of the clips D comprises a pair of gripping members 18, 19v

one of which, 18, is adapted to bear and slide on the frame bars 12. rlhe other member 19 overlies the member 18, one end otI the member 19 having a jaw 20 adapted to be moved to and from a jaw 21 on the member 18 while its other end :fulcrums on,a rib 22 on the member 18, remote from the jaws and 21'. rlhe jaws 2() and 21 are normally held in open, position by suitable means, such as a leaf spring 23 between the clip members yso that the edge of the sheet or film A may be readily inserted in or re moved from the clip.l Each clip `is provided with one or more pivoted eccentrics or cam levers 24, adapted to be swung or depressed to act in opposition-to the springs 23 and force the clip member k19 towards the other member 18, so that the jaws 20, 21 will firmly grip ,the edge of the sheet A.

'lhe clip members 18 are provided with,op'

to tighten yor stretch the sheet as required by suitable straining or clip actuating devices for each clip, such as a screw 27 having `a head 28 engaging the outer face of a fixed flange or rib 29 extending upwardly from 'the frame 'bars 12, parallel to and spaced from the bearing ridge 14, outwardly beyond the clips D. The threaded shank of the screw 27 extendsilosely through an lelongated aperture or slot 30 in the rib 29 arel all located between the plane of the outer face of the ridge 14 and the upper face of the bars 12, with the jaws 2,0, 21 relatively near this plane, so that when the edges of the sheet are secured in the jaws, the sheet may be drawn taut over and down on The registering plate B, bearing the image or register marks with which it is desired to register the image or marks on the sheet, may be secured relatively to the frame C in anysuitable manner, for instance, as shown in the drawings, theplate is removably secured directly in the frame opening by wedges, quoins or the like 33 with its image.

bearing surface close t0 andv preferably in contact with the underside of the sheet A.'

The frame C with thesheet- A and registerin plate B may be conveniently placed relatively to a suitable ysource of light, asoy the sheet A has been secured on the frame C andthe clips D have been adjusted suticiently to draw the sheet taut over the opening 13, the relative positions of the images on the sheet and plate are noted, and if it is found that the sheet is shrunken so that its images 10 or registering marks 11 are out of register with the images 10n or register marks l1a of the plate B, as indicated for instance in. Fig. 1, the sheet is treated in accordance with the process of this invention to render l it extensible either as a Whole or in part only,

andis stretched or manipulated to bring the images l and register marks 1l irst into approximate registration, and then into final accurate registration with the images a and register marks 11a.

The preferred treatment for the sheet is to render it extensible, as by the use of Water,

. applied either as a spray or in the form of steam or vapor, or by direct application of Water with a sponge or the like. `In some cases a solution of Water and other substances may be used, or a greasy solution may be called for, depending on the composition of the sheet or film and the degree of saturation required. j

The application VVof moisture will softenv the sheet somewhat and enable it to be i stretched to a certain extent Without injury,

and While in this condition the screws 28 are manipulated to pull the marginal portions of the sheet over the ridge 14 and thereby stretch the desired portions of the sheet, or thevwhole sheet to shift and draw its images and register marks into register With those on the registering plate B. There is, of course, a limit to Which the 'sheet maybe safely stretched aftervthe soaking or moistening step, and if, after it has been stretched,

in the judgment of the operator, to such ak limit, and the images are not in approximate register, the sheet is dried as by the application qf heat from a suitable heater,or by the use of a fan, or both, While the sheet is under tension, and then the sheet is given a further moistening and stretching, and again dried as before. In this WayL the sheet may be gradually and safely stretched until the required registration is obtained. In some ,cases 1t may only be necessary to moisten and dry the sheet once' to obtain the desired result. In

-either case, after approximate register has been obtained, and the sheet has been thor# stretched slightly, givesthe sheet the necessary transparency required to adapt it for use as a transparent photographic negative 0r printing element. After ,the oil has been applied-to the sheet, the clips are again adjusted and the sheet stretched until its images or register marks are in accurate register with the images or registering parts of the registering plate or device,`

In some cases the flexible Iilm or sheet bears' an image made to a different scale, or is larger or smaller than the original from which it Was taken, but which has been neversions after such treatments, due to atmospheric changes, the image Will not be the exact size it Was made, and its register marks Will not correspond to the predetermined requirements. Obviously, the scale of the image being different from the image on the original plate, stone of other element, the image on the sheet cannot be registered therewith by visual observation, as in the case of the sheet A and plate B.

When, therefore, such an image is to be registered., different registeringmeans are employed'. For instance, after the sheet has been mounted in the frame C with its edges secured in the clips D as before, the frame with the sheet thereon can be placed into operative relation to a source of light as before, and also to a suitableimage registering and checking apparatus, the apparatus shoWnin Fig. 5 being Well adapted for this purpose. This apparatus if provided with graduated scale bars F F disposedat right angles to ea.h other and adapted to be adjusted rela.- tively to each other and to t-he frame C over the face of the sheet, so that, When the sheet is moistened or oiled as before described, the sheet may be st-retched and the register marks lthereon accurately checked-or registered as required With refere ce to the scale bars. The frame C may be onveniently arranged and held in a predetermined, operative position relatively to the registering and checking apparatus, as by means of dowelstor the like 40 on a support G, preferably in the form of a lamp box, said doWels being adapted to enterthe complementary recesses 3G before mentioned in the frameC. The scale bar F spans the frame C and the light opening in `the support G and is adapted to besecured in. one or'anotherfpredetermined fixed position relative to the frame, C, as for instance by dowels or the like 41 at the ends of the bar F, adapted to enter holes 42 in the support G at opposite sides of the frame. The other scale bar F is slidablyfmounted on the first scale bar F so that it is always retained at right. angles thereto but can be adjusted and secured at different points length- Wise of the bar F by a securing device 43 `of any suitable kind. The scale bars can then be placed so that suitable register marks on the sheet can be registered accurately with the edges of the bars and their positions noted by reference to the scales so that the same sheet can be repeatedly placed in the same position,

or diiierent sheets placediin exactly like positions on the frame C. This construction and arrangement is shown as being illustrative of means for registering and checking the images or register marks on the sheet, but any iother suitable apparatus or devices may be employed.

The described process is simple and practical, and one of the great-advantages therethe purpose, and stored Without. regard to the a flexible film or sheet bearin eect of changingatmospheric conditions on the size of the image, as theprocess enables the sheets to be t-reated as described immediately beforethey are required for use, and

after oiling, varnishing or the like, the frame with the sheet in place therein can be placed in a'photographic printing apparatus to produce one or more printing plates therefrom, either by contact or projection methods. After use, the sheet may beE stored-in any suitable Way, and Whenv again required, it ist only necessary toplace it on the frame and adjust it to the initial checking or registering, as after being oiled, the sheet changes Very little, if any, in size..V

While in the foregoing description, the process has been explained in connection with the registration only ot one sheetor iilm, it is intended thatthe invention be understood as beingv particularly applicable to .the registration of a plurality of sheets, such as a set of color images from a single original subject, all of tvhich images must register accurately with each other as Well as with the orial image' or with the predetermined measurements thereoi.` This may be done, either by registering each sheet separately directly with a master image as before described, when thesame size, or by successively registering the sheets by means of any suit-Mp4 able registering and checking device or guide when they are to be made to a di'erent scale than the original.

lln each case, a set of images or the like may all be brought to uniform register one `with another regardless of dierent or varying degrees oi initial misregister ot the images on the sheets.

l claim as my invention: l. The hereindescribed process of treating an image to cause said image to register with a registering guide, which consists in treating said sheet to render it extensible, then stretching said sheet as necessary While in such extensilble condition to cause the image thereon to register as to size-or. position with said registering guide, and then treating said sheet While maintaining it in such stretched condition to cause the image to retain said registered condition.v

k2. The hereindescribed process of preparing flexible printing films or sheets 'to enable prints to be made in required register from an image on'the sheet, which vconsists in holding the sheet so that the tension thereoncan be altered, treating the sheet to r?- der it susceptible to change in size or fo om, regulating the tension on the sheet as necessary" While in such susceptible condition to cause the image thereon to register as to size or position with reference to a registering guide, and then treating said sheet While maintaining it under tension to cause the im- ,x

age to retain said registered condition.

3. The hereindescribed process of preparing flexible printing films or sheets to enable photographic prints to be made in required register fronranimage on the sheet, which consists in holding the sheet so that the tension thereon can be altered, treating the sheet to render it susceptible to change in size or form, regulating the tension on the sheet as necessary while in such susceptible condition to cause the image thereon to register as to size or/position with a registering guide, and then treating said sheet While maintaining it under tension to make the sheet trans arent and cause the image to retain said registered condition. r

4. The hereindescribedprocess of treating a flexible film or sheet bearing cause said image to register With a register- .ing guide, which consists in moistening said sheet to render it extensible, then stretching said sheet as necessary While in such extensible condition to cause the image thereon to register as'to size or position with said registering guide, and then drying said sheet While maintaining it in such stretched condiy tion to cause said ima e to retainsaid registered condition. g i

5. rl"he hereindescribed process of treating a Hexiblelilm or sheet bearin an image to cause said image to register with a registering guide, which consists in moistening said sheet to render it extensible, then stretching said sheet as necessary While in such extensible condition to `cause the image thereon to an image to g register approximately as to sizeor position with said registering guide, drying said sheet Whilemaintainingiit in such stretched condition, treating said dried sheet again to renderit extensible, again stretching it to cause said image to register exactly With said registering guide, and then drying said sheet While maintaining it in said stretched condition to cause said image to retain said registered condition.

6. The hereindescribed process et treating` rac sheet to render it`v extensible, then stretching said sheet .as necessary While in such extensible condition to cause the image thereon to ist register approximately as to size or position with said registering guide, drying said sheet While maintaining itin such stretched condition, then treating said sheet to render it 5 impervious to moisture, then manipulating the sheet to insure exact register of the image with said registering( guide, and Lthen treating the sheet While maintaining it taut to cause the image to retain said registered condition.

7 The hereindescribed process of treating a flexible film or sheet bearing an image to cause said image to register with a registering guide, which comprises holding the sheet so that the tension thereon can be altered, subjecting the sheet to moistening and drying vtreatment and regulating the tension on the sheet as necessary during the/ treatment thereof to cause the image on the sheet to register as to size or position with ,said registering guide, and ltreating the sheet While maintaining it under tension to cause the image to retain said registered condition. i

8. The hereindescribed process of prepar-l ing a flexible ilm or sheet and making prints in required register from an image on the sheet, comprising holding the sheet so that the tension thereon can be altered, treatingv the sheet to render it susceptible to change 1n size-or form, regulating the tensin on the sheet as necessary While in such susceptible condition to cause an image thereon to register as to size or position With reference to a registering guide, treating said sheet While maintaining it under `tension to cause the image to retain said registered condition, and then making prints from said sheet -While it is still maintained under tension in said registered condition.

9. The hereindescribed process of preparing a sheet of iexible material bearing an image thereon from which aprint is to be made, which includes: conditioningl the sheet to render it susceptible to localized changes under variations of tension imposed on the sheet subjecting the sheet, While in such conditioned state, to varied tensions at diiierent portions thereof,I whereby to elect desired changes of the image as to size, position .and/or location for obtaining register; and rendering the sheet impervious to moisture.

10. The hereindescribed process of prepar# ing a sheet'of flexible material bearing an imagle thereon from which a printis to be made, W ich includes: placing the sheet on suitable holding means and attaching thereto around the peri hery of the sheet With the sheet vsubstantial y taut; subjecting desired'portions of the sheet to a treatment of liquid solution characterized by its insolubility in Water, whereby to render such portions extensible without rupture; and thereupon subjecting the fsheet to desired localized variations of tension and thus inducing changes as to size, 'j i posltion and/or location of the image.

11. Thehereindescribed process of effecting register of an image on a sheet of flexible material, from which a print is to be made, which includes the .following steps While the sheet, considered as an entirety, is held in a substantially taut condition: subjecting the sheet to moisture: subjecting the sheet'to varied tensions in different areas thereof; drying the sheet; treating the sheet with a solution insoluble in Water; and subjecting the sheet to varied tensions. Y

12. The hereindescribed process of preparing a sheet of flexible material bearing an im- :ige thereon from Which a print is to be made, which includes: conditioning the sheet to render it'susceptible to chan es at any desired portions Within the area t ereof under variations ofl tension applied substantially in the plane of the sheet; subjecting the sheet While in such conditioned state to varied tensions at localized points and in localized directions to thereby effect a change of the imageas to size, position and/or location relative to 0ther ports 'of the sheet and thus conform said image to a\ desired predetermined register and thereafter treating said sheet t0 maintain said registered disposition of the image.

WILLIAM C. HUEBNER.

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