US20090223419A1 - Plate pallet stock detection - Google Patents
Plate pallet stock detection Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090223419A1 US20090223419A1 US12/045,061 US4506108A US2009223419A1 US 20090223419 A1 US20090223419 A1 US 20090223419A1 US 4506108 A US4506108 A US 4506108A US 2009223419 A1 US2009223419 A1 US 2009223419A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plate pallet
- plate
- pallet
- stock
- detectors
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
- B65H1/14—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device comprising positively-acting mechanical devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
- B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
- B65H2301/4225—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles in or on special supports
- B65H2301/42256—Pallets; Skids; Platforms with feet, i.e. handled together with the stack
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
- B65H2511/15—Height, e.g. of stack
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/50—Occurence
- B65H2511/51—Presence
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
- B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
- B65H2553/41—Photoelectric detectors
- B65H2553/412—Photoelectric detectors in barrier arrangements, i.e. emitter facing a receptor element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
- B65H2701/1928—Printing plate
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for detecting the amount of plate stock left in a pallet of printing plates configured to be loaded into a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging device.
- CTP computer-to-plate
- the CTP systems known today provide manual user input into a system controller of information relating to plate amount and plate type, which are loaded into the various plate trays associated with the CTP device. This data is updated further on by the system controller by counting down the number of plates used during the plate imaging process.
- the present invention provides an automatic technique, which does not require manual entry of plate quantitative data.
- the present invention detects plates availability and alerts the user when plate replenishment is required.
- a plate stock detection apparatus detects plates remaining on a plate pallet on an automatic plate pallet loading system which is configured to load plates into an imaging device.
- Plate pallet stock detectors measure stock of plates left in the plate pallet and a plate pallet elevation system elevates the plate pallet in response to feedback from the plate pallet stock detectors.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a light source and detector placed on opposite sides of the pallet;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a light source and detector placed in same side of the pallet and a reflective surface on the opposite side;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a physical detector.
- the present invention describes apparatus and methods for detection of printing plate quantities left in a plate pallet for an automatic pallet loading (APL) device attached to a computer-to-plate (CTP) device.
- APL automatic pallet loading
- CTP computer-to-plate
- plate pallet 13 attached to plate pallet adaptor 11 , is placed on a plate pallet elevation system 12 .
- the plate pallet elevation system 12 is used to elevate the plate pallet 13 , towards a plate loading system 18 .
- Encoder 14 detects the elevation level of the plate pallet elevation system 12 .
- Light source 15 is directed towards light detector 16 via the optical path 17 , in order to detect the existence of a plate ready to be loaded by plate loading system 18 .
- Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 comprises light source 15 and light detector 16 , located on one side of the pallet, with the light reflected back via a reflected optical path 22 from a reflective surface 21 located at the opposite side of the pallet.
- the plate pallet elevation system 12 raises plate pallet 13 . This process is iterative and is performed until the light detector 16 is not able to detect the light generated by light source 15 .
- Light source 15 and light detector 16 might be replaced by a physical detector 31 , shown in FIG. 3 , such as a micro switch, inductive device, or optical device.
- a physical detector 31 shown in FIG. 3 , such as a micro switch, inductive device, or optical device.
- This will indicate that plate pallet 13 is in the right level where the plate loading system 18 can pick a plate from pallet 13 in order to load it into the imaging device.
- This method also enables a processor to calculate the number of blank plates left in pallet 13 for further usage. The calculation will be done by knowing the original amount of plates or pallet height in the plate pallets, the elevated height of the plate pallet elevation system 12 derived from encoder 14 , and the original elevator position. A simple calculation will determine the number of blank plates left, and this information will be alerted to the user to the need for a new pallet.
- the light detector 16 also helps to avoid a hazardous situation aliasing from elevating plate pallet 13 to an uncontrolled height, possibly damaging the APL and CTP devices.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
- Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
- Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
Abstract
A plate stock detection apparatus for detecting plates remaining on a plate pallet (13) on an automatic plate pallet loading system (18) configured to load plates into an imaging device, which includes a plate pallet adaptor (11). The plate pallet is placed on top of the adaptor; and plate pallet stock detectors (15, 16, 21, 31) measure plates left on the plate pallet. A plate pallet elevation system (12) elevates the plate pallet in response to feedback plate pallet stock detectors.
Description
- Reference is made to commonly-assigned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 94853/NAB), filed herewith, entitled PLATE PALLET ALIGNMENT SYSTEM, by Korolik et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
- The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for detecting the amount of plate stock left in a pallet of printing plates configured to be loaded into a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging device.
- The CTP systems known today provide manual user input into a system controller of information relating to plate amount and plate type, which are loaded into the various plate trays associated with the CTP device. This data is updated further on by the system controller by counting down the number of plates used during the plate imaging process.
- The present invention provides an automatic technique, which does not require manual entry of plate quantitative data. The present invention detects plates availability and alerts the user when plate replenishment is required.
- Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention a plate stock detection apparatus detects plates remaining on a plate pallet on an automatic plate pallet loading system which is configured to load plates into an imaging device. Plate pallet stock detectors measure stock of plates left in the plate pallet and a plate pallet elevation system elevates the plate pallet in response to feedback from the plate pallet stock detectors.
- These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a light source and detector placed on opposite sides of the pallet; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a light source and detector placed in same side of the pallet and a reflective surface on the opposite side; and -
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a physical detector. - The present invention describes apparatus and methods for detection of printing plate quantities left in a plate pallet for an automatic pallet loading (APL) device attached to a computer-to-plate (CTP) device.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 ,plate pallet 13, attached toplate pallet adaptor 11, is placed on a platepallet elevation system 12. The platepallet elevation system 12 is used to elevate theplate pallet 13, towards aplate loading system 18.Encoder 14 detects the elevation level of the platepallet elevation system 12. -
Light source 15 is directed towardslight detector 16 via theoptical path 17, in order to detect the existence of a plate ready to be loaded byplate loading system 18. Another embodiment, shown inFIG. 2 , compriseslight source 15 andlight detector 16, located on one side of the pallet, with the light reflected back via a reflectedoptical path 22 from areflective surface 21 located at the opposite side of the pallet. - When light is detected by
light detector 16, the platepallet elevation system 12 raisesplate pallet 13. This process is iterative and is performed until thelight detector 16 is not able to detect the light generated bylight source 15. -
Light source 15 andlight detector 16 might be replaced by aphysical detector 31, shown inFIG. 3 , such as a micro switch, inductive device, or optical device. This will indicate thatplate pallet 13 is in the right level where theplate loading system 18 can pick a plate frompallet 13 in order to load it into the imaging device. This method also enables a processor to calculate the number of blank plates left inpallet 13 for further usage. The calculation will be done by knowing the original amount of plates or pallet height in the plate pallets, the elevated height of the platepallet elevation system 12 derived fromencoder 14, and the original elevator position. A simple calculation will determine the number of blank plates left, and this information will be alerted to the user to the need for a new pallet. - The
light detector 16, also helps to avoid a hazardous situation aliasing from elevatingplate pallet 13 to an uncontrolled height, possibly damaging the APL and CTP devices. - The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention.
-
- 11 plate pallet adaptor
- 12 plate pallet elevation system
- 13 plate pallet
- 14 encoder
- 15 light source
- 16 light detector
- 17 optical path
- 18 plate loading system
- 21 reflective surface
- 22 reflected optical path
- 31 physical detector
Claims (8)
1. A plate stock detection apparatus for detecting plates remaining on a plate pallet on an automatic plate pallet loading system configured to load plates into an imaging device comprising:
a plate pallet adaptor wherein said plate pallet is placed on top of said adaptor;
plate pallet stock detectors configured to measure stock of plates left on said plate pallet; and
a plate pallet elevation system configured to elevate said plate pallet in response to feedback from said plate pallet stock detectors results.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate pallet stock detectors comprising a light source and an optical light detector positioned on two opposite sides of said plate pallet.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate pallet stock detectors comprising a light source and an optical light detector positioned on one side of said pallet and a reflective surface on an opposite side of said plate pallet, for reflecting light back to said light detector.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said reflective surface is a mirror.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate pallet stock detectors comprises a physical detector.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said physical detector is a mechanical or electronic sensor.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate pallet stock detectors are optical detectors.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate pallet stock detectors are inductive detectors.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/045,061 US20090223419A1 (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-03-10 | Plate pallet stock detection |
CN2009801060384A CN101952798A (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2009-02-12 | Plate pallet stock detection |
JP2010550668A JP2011514988A (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2009-02-12 | Plate detection device for supply in plate pallet |
EP09720568A EP2252931A1 (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2009-02-12 | Plate pallet stock detection |
PCT/US2009/000897 WO2009114057A1 (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2009-02-12 | Plate pallet stock detection |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/045,061 US20090223419A1 (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-03-10 | Plate pallet stock detection |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090223419A1 true US20090223419A1 (en) | 2009-09-10 |
Family
ID=41052278
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/045,061 Abandoned US20090223419A1 (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-03-10 | Plate pallet stock detection |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090223419A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2252931A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2011514988A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101952798A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009114057A1 (en) |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5633676A (en) * | 1995-08-22 | 1997-05-27 | E. L. Harley Inc. | Apparatus and method for mounting printing plates and proofing |
US6139254A (en) * | 1998-05-11 | 2000-10-31 | Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc. | Pallet unstacker/stacker |
US6354208B1 (en) * | 2000-05-15 | 2002-03-12 | Agfa Corporation | Plate handling method and apparatus for imaging system |
US20030127004A1 (en) * | 2002-01-07 | 2003-07-10 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of recording image and image recorder |
US20040017992A1 (en) * | 2002-07-26 | 2004-01-29 | Freddie Lin | Fiber optic link platform |
US20040179922A1 (en) * | 1996-07-31 | 2004-09-16 | Agfa Corporation | Apparatus for loading and unloading a supply of plates in an automated plate handler |
US20080136640A1 (en) * | 2006-12-07 | 2008-06-12 | Arnaud Lund | Method and system for controlling distant equipment |
US20080136594A1 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2008-06-12 | Jae-Young Jung | Method and apparatus for stopping power supply in rfid system |
US20090089077A1 (en) * | 2007-09-28 | 2009-04-02 | Fujifilm Corporation | Collection method, collection system, recycling method and collection container for used printing plate |
US7861940B2 (en) * | 2005-02-22 | 2011-01-04 | Eastman Kodak Company | Plate handling system |
-
2008
- 2008-03-10 US US12/045,061 patent/US20090223419A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2009
- 2009-02-12 EP EP09720568A patent/EP2252931A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-02-12 CN CN2009801060384A patent/CN101952798A/en active Pending
- 2009-02-12 WO PCT/US2009/000897 patent/WO2009114057A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-02-12 JP JP2010550668A patent/JP2011514988A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5633676A (en) * | 1995-08-22 | 1997-05-27 | E. L. Harley Inc. | Apparatus and method for mounting printing plates and proofing |
US20040179922A1 (en) * | 1996-07-31 | 2004-09-16 | Agfa Corporation | Apparatus for loading and unloading a supply of plates in an automated plate handler |
US6139254A (en) * | 1998-05-11 | 2000-10-31 | Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc. | Pallet unstacker/stacker |
US6354208B1 (en) * | 2000-05-15 | 2002-03-12 | Agfa Corporation | Plate handling method and apparatus for imaging system |
US20030127004A1 (en) * | 2002-01-07 | 2003-07-10 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Method of recording image and image recorder |
US20040017992A1 (en) * | 2002-07-26 | 2004-01-29 | Freddie Lin | Fiber optic link platform |
US7861940B2 (en) * | 2005-02-22 | 2011-01-04 | Eastman Kodak Company | Plate handling system |
US20080136640A1 (en) * | 2006-12-07 | 2008-06-12 | Arnaud Lund | Method and system for controlling distant equipment |
US20080136594A1 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2008-06-12 | Jae-Young Jung | Method and apparatus for stopping power supply in rfid system |
US20090089077A1 (en) * | 2007-09-28 | 2009-04-02 | Fujifilm Corporation | Collection method, collection system, recycling method and collection container for used printing plate |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2011514988A (en) | 2011-05-12 |
WO2009114057A1 (en) | 2009-09-17 |
CN101952798A (en) | 2011-01-19 |
EP2252931A1 (en) | 2010-11-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KOROLIK, PAVEL;BERES, MOSHE;OLPAK, TAMIR;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:020620/0711 Effective date: 20080309 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |