EP2252931A1 - Plate pallet stock detection - Google Patents

Plate pallet stock detection

Info

Publication number
EP2252931A1
EP2252931A1 EP09720568A EP09720568A EP2252931A1 EP 2252931 A1 EP2252931 A1 EP 2252931A1 EP 09720568 A EP09720568 A EP 09720568A EP 09720568 A EP09720568 A EP 09720568A EP 2252931 A1 EP2252931 A1 EP 2252931A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09720568A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Pavel Korolik
Moshe Beres
Tamir Olpak
Shay Regev
Mark Silverman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Publication of EP2252931A1 publication Critical patent/EP2252931A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a light source and detector placed on opposite sides of the pallet
  • Figure 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
  • Figure 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 Figure 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 Figure 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

PLATE PALLET STOCK DETECTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 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. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
. 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a light source and detector placed on opposite sides of the pallet; Figure 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 Figure 3 is a schematic illustrating a plate pallet stock detection system using a physical detector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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 Figure 1, 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 Figure 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.
When light is detected by light detector 16, 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 Figure 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.
PARTS LIST plate pallet adaptor plate pallet elevation system plate pallet encoder light source light detector optical path plate loading system reflective surface reflected optical path physical detector

Claims

CLAIMS:
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.
EP09720568A 2008-03-10 2009-02-12 Plate pallet stock detection Withdrawn EP2252931A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/045,061 US20090223419A1 (en) 2008-03-10 2008-03-10 Plate pallet stock detection
PCT/US2009/000897 WO2009114057A1 (en) 2008-03-10 2009-02-12 Plate pallet stock detection

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2252931A1 true EP2252931A1 (en) 2010-11-24

Family

ID=41052278

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09720568A Withdrawn EP2252931A1 (en) 2008-03-10 2009-02-12 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)

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
US6113346A (en) * 1996-07-31 2000-09-05 Agfa Corporation Method 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
JP3977643B2 (en) * 2002-01-07 2007-09-19 大日本スクリーン製造株式会社 Image recording device
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
WO2008068078A1 (en) * 2006-12-07 2008-06-12 International Business Machines Corporation Remote controller having an rfid tag
KR100853188B1 (en) * 2006-12-08 2008-08-20 한국전자통신연구원 Apparatus and method of power off in RFID system
EP2042307B1 (en) * 2007-09-28 2010-09-01 FUJIFILM Corporation Collection method, collection system, recycling method and collection container for used printing plate

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2009114057A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2009114057A1 (en) 2009-09-17
US20090223419A1 (en) 2009-09-10
JP2011514988A (en) 2011-05-12
CN101952798A (en) 2011-01-19

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Inventor name: SILVERMAN, MARK

Inventor name: REGEV, SHAY

Inventor name: OLPAK, TAMIR

Inventor name: BERES, MOSHE

Inventor name: KOROLIK, PAVEL

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