WO2012039603A1 - Method and device for removably positioning a printing plate on a carrier - Google Patents

Method and device for removably positioning a printing plate on a carrier Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012039603A1
WO2012039603A1 PCT/NL2011/050594 NL2011050594W WO2012039603A1 WO 2012039603 A1 WO2012039603 A1 WO 2012039603A1 NL 2011050594 W NL2011050594 W NL 2011050594W WO 2012039603 A1 WO2012039603 A1 WO 2012039603A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plate
printing plate
support means
carrier
printing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2011/050594
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Petrus Johannes Marie Otten
Original Assignee
Av Flexologic Bv
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 Av Flexologic Bv filed Critical Av Flexologic Bv
Priority to EP11751676.5A priority Critical patent/EP2619013A1/en
Publication of WO2012039603A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012039603A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
    • B41F27/12—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
    • B41F27/12—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes
    • B41F27/1262—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes without tensioning means
    • B41F27/1275—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes without tensioning means by means of adhesives, staples

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for positioning a printing plate on a carrier, comprising plate support means for supporting the printing plate, carrier support means for
  • This adhesive layer is provided with a cover sheet to prevent unwanted adhesion.
  • a first part of the printing plate is fixed while the cover sheet is removed from a second part and this second part is pressed onto the printing cylinder or the sheet-like carrier, after which the cover sheet is removed from the first part and the first part is finally also pressed down.
  • This requires much manual labour, while these operations have an adverse effect on the accuracy.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide means wherein the above stated drawbacks are obviated.
  • the present invention provides for this purpose a device of the above stated type, wherein the plate support means are adapted to support the printing plate such that an adhesive layer present on the underside of the printing plate does not impede the removal of the printing plate from the plate support means by the gripping member.
  • the present invention also provides a method for positioning a printing plate on a carrier, comprising the steps of placing the printmg plate on plate support means, placing a carrier on carrier support means, gripping means gripping the printing plate placed on the plate support means, separating the printing plate from the plate support means, transporting the printing plate from the plate support means to the carrier present on the carrier support means and placing the printing plate on the carrier, wherein the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by subjecting the printing plate or the plate support means to a bending or by moving the printing plate in the direction of the plane of the plate support means.
  • a specific embodiment provides a device of the above stated type, wherein the gripping member is adapted to grip the printing plate on a single side of the printing plate, the transport means are adapted to move the printing plate upward on the gripped side of the printing plate, and wherein the plate support means are adapted to release the adhesion between the printing plate and the plate support means in stepwise manner.
  • the adhesion between the plate support means and the printing plate is hereby released in stepwise manner so that the force for releasing the adhesion in a single step is always as small as possible.
  • the plate support means are provided with a number of narrow vertical elements extending substantially upward from a base plate. This achieves that the contact surface between the plate support means and the printing plate or the adhesive layer present thereon is small.
  • the adhesive layer must of course be adapted so as not to support too heavily on the vertical elements under the weight of the printing plate so that the least possible adhesive action occurs between the printing plate and the plate support means.
  • the vertical elements are bendable in at least one direction.
  • the elements When the printing plate is moved in the bending direction of the vertical elements, the elements will also bend and the printing plate will as it were be sheared away from the elements so that the adhesive forces of the adhesive layer have less effect.
  • a further embodiment provides the measure that the vertical elements of the plate support means comprise strips extending vertically transversely of the bending direction. This forms a structurally attractive, simple embodiment.
  • Yet another preferred embodiment provides the measure that the vertical elements of the plate support means are rod-like, such as bristles. Because brushes are readily available in many sizes, this is an inexpensive embodiment.
  • another embodiment provides the measure that the upper layer of the plate support means comprises silicone. Silicone is a material which due to its structure does not readily tend to form connections, which makes it suitable for preventing adhesive connections.
  • the plate support means are adapted to generate an air cushion for the purpose of supporting the printing plates.
  • the geometry of the movement of the removal of the printing plate can also make the adhesive forces between printing plate and plate support means as small as possible.
  • a preferred embodiment provides the measure that the plate support means are adapted to be subjected to a bending which is convex toward the side of the printing plate.
  • the separation between printing plate and plate support means hereby takes place along a displacing line. The forces for performing the separation are therefore small.
  • This embodiment is simplified structurally when the plate support means are adapted to be unrolled downward over a roller simultaneously with movement of the printing plate away from the plate support means.
  • the gripping means of the transport means can be adapted to grip the printing plate at least at two gripping positions and to subject the printing plate to a bending between the gripping positions. This causes the bending in the printing plate itself and not in the plate support means. It will be apparent that this embodiment requires the printing plate to be flexible. It is noted that the embodiment wherein the plate support means are bent can be applied in the case of rigid printing plates and in the case of flexible printing plates.
  • the same embodiments provide a method wherein the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by bending the printing plate or the plate support means and subsequently moving the printing plate away from the plate support means.
  • Another option for separating the printing plate from the plate support means by relative movement of the printing plate and the plate support means involves 'sliding' of the printing plate over the plate support means.
  • the transport means are adapted to move the printing plate in the direction of the plane of the plate support: means. A separation by 'shearing' is hereby obtained, this reducing the forces necessary for the separation.
  • this geometry of separation can be combined with that of subjecting the printing plate or the plate support means to a bending.
  • the same embodiment provides a method wherein the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by moving the printing plate and the plate support means relative to each other in the direction of the plane of the plate support means.
  • the printing plate which is adhesive on its underside must be moved to the carrier after removal from the plate support means.
  • the printing plate is gripped by the gripping member of the transport means.
  • the gripping member is adapted to grip the plate on its upper side.
  • the gripping member is adapted to grip the edges of the plate. In some cases it is not possible to avoid the underside of the printing plate being gripped, for instance because the printing plate is very flexible. It is then attractive for the gripping member to be adapted to extend under a part of the underside of the plate.
  • the adhesive layer will provide for a measure of adhesion, although the adhesion is still not sufficient to enable use of the printing plate in the printing press. In order to achieve a good adhesion it is
  • the device is provided with pressing means for pressing the printing plate onto the carrier placed on the carrier support means.
  • a film present on the underside of the printing plate is removed prior to placing of the printing plate on the plate support means and the printing plate is pressed onto the carrier after placing of the printing plate on the carrier.
  • the pressing means comprise an elongate pressing member which is adapted to move over the printing plate from an edge of the printing plate.
  • the same embodiment provides the measure that during pressing the pressing means press on the plate along a displacing line from an edge of the plate.
  • Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of plate support means as component of the device shown in figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of plate support means as component of the device shown in figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of plate support means during separation of the printing plate and the plate support means in a first manner
  • Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of plate support means during separation of the printing plate and the plate support means in a second manner
  • Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of plate support means during separation of the printing plate and the plate support means in a third manner.
  • Figure 1 shows a device designated as a whole with 1 for positioning printing plates onto a carrier.
  • the device comprises a frame 2 in which a table 3 is mounted, on which table a plate support 4 is placed, as is a carrier support 5.
  • carrier support 5 comprises a part of table 3 on which strips 6 are placed for positioning carrier 7.
  • the carrier is formed by a sheet of polyester 7 so that the carrier support can take a simple form, although it is also possible for the carrier to be formed by a printing cylinder so that the carrier support means are formed by bearings, optionally a shaft and means for accurately determining the axial position and rotation position of the printing cylinder, as is otherwise per se known.
  • the frame is further provided with a rail 10 which extends horizontally above the table and along which a carriage 1 1 is movable.
  • Carriage 11 is provided with gripping means 12 for gripping a printing plate 13. Gripping means 12 can be controlled so that they can grip and release printing plates 13.
  • FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a plate support 4.
  • Plate support 4 here comprises a base 14 which is placed on table 3 and a series of strips 15 extending in vertical direction from the base. Strips 15 otherwise extend parallel to each other not only in vertical direction but also in horizontal direction. Strips 15 are made from flexible material, for instance plastic, this such that they are bendable in their transverse direction. They are preferably also provided with a rounded upper end and are preferably formed integrally with base 14. It is also possible for strips 15 to be manufactured from a material comprising silicone so as to prevent as far as possible adhesion between printing plates 13 and the strips. It is noted that the contact surface between strips 15 and printing plates 13 is as small as possible in order to prevent adhesion as far as possible.
  • Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of plate support 4, wherein fingers 16 are placed on base 14 instead of strips 15.
  • fingers 16 can be formed integrally with base 14, although it is also possible for fingers 16 to be formed separately and implanted in base 14.
  • the structure of a brush is hereby obtained. It is not precluded that a commercially available brush is used as plate support.
  • the fingers 16, or bristles of a brush used for this purpose are resilient so that they can bend and the same effect can be achieved as in the previous embodiment.
  • a flat plate can be used as plate support, the upper layer of which is manufactured from silicone or a material comprising silicone.
  • the object of device 1 is to arrange printing plates 13, in particular but not only flexible printing plates 13, on carriers for printing plates, such as films 7 or printing cylinders.
  • printing plates 13 For adhesion of these printing plates 13 use is generally made of printing plates provided on their underside with an adhesive layer, the plates initially being provided with a cover sheet.
  • the cover sheet is only removed when printing plate 13 has been placed on its carrier 7, after which the cover sheet must still be removed.
  • the cover sheet is removed before printing plate 13 is placed on plate support 4.
  • Plate support 4 is adapted to avoid as far as possible adhesion of the adhesive layer of printing plate 13 to plate support 4.
  • Printing plate 13 can therefore be placed with its adhesive underside on the plate support 4 shown in figures 2 or 3, wherein the adhesive force is small due to the small contact surface between the adhesive layer and the upper side of strips 15, fingers 16 or bristles, this being important when printing plate 13 is separated from plate support 4.
  • the plate support must of course be adapted here to carry out such a movement, for instance in that the plate support is embodied as a belt guided over at least one roller.
  • This movement of the plate support preferably takes place together with a linear movement of the printing plate; the separation hereby always takes place along the same line.
  • the geometry according to figure 5 can only be applied with flexible printing plates as this geometry requires the bending of the printing plate.
  • the gripping means must of course also be adapted to cause bending of the printing plate. Use can for instance be made for this purpose of two gripping members which grip the printing plate at different positions. The other geometries can be applied in the case of both flexible and rigid printing plates.
  • the gripping means use can be made of suction cups to grip the upper surface of the printing plate. In the dimensioning hereof account must be taken of the relief present on the upper side of the printing plate, this being necessary to enable relief printing.
  • the gripping means can also be adapted to grip the sides of the printing plate, possibly in combination with gripping on the upper side thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Screen Printers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for positioning a printing plate (13) on a carrier (7), comprising plate support means (4) for supporting the printing plate, carrier support means (5) for supporting the carrier and transport means (11) with a gripping member (12) for gripping the printing plate, for transporting the printing plate from the plate support means to the carrier present on the carrier support means and for positioning the printing plate on the carrier, wherein the plate support means are adapted to support the printing plate non- adhesively. With these plate support means the adhesive layer does not result in an adhesion between printing plate and plate support means such that the printing plate can no longer be removed by a mechanical element from the plate support means. The cover sheet can thus already be removed before the printing plate is placed on the plate support means so that the printing plate can be picked up by gripping means and can be positioned directly on the printing cylinder or on the sheet-like carrier, (7).

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REMOVABLY POSITIONING A PRINTING PLATE ON A CARRIER
The invention relates to a device for positioning a printing plate on a carrier, comprising plate support means for supporting the printing plate, carrier support means for
supporting the carrier and transport means with a gripping member for gripping the printing plate, for transporting the printing plate from the plate support means to the carrier present on the carrier support means and for positioning the printing plate on the carrier. Such devices are known inter alia from EP-A-1 727 677. The device known from this document is provided with means for accurate positioning of the printing plates, particularly flexible printing plates, on a printing cylinder or on a sheet-like carrier, usually in the form of a mylar sheet. The printing plate is then adhered to the printing cylinder or to the flat carrier. For the purpose of adhering the printing plate to the flat carrier or to the printing cylinder use is generally made, particularly when printing on corrugated cardboard, of an adhesive layer arranged on the underside of the printing plate. This adhesive layer is provided with a cover sheet to prevent unwanted adhesion. In order to remove the cover sheet while preserving the accuracy obtained by the positioning device a first part of the printing plate is fixed while the cover sheet is removed from a second part and this second part is pressed onto the printing cylinder or the sheet-like carrier, after which the cover sheet is removed from the first part and the first part is finally also pressed down. This requires much manual labour, while these operations have an adverse effect on the accuracy. The present invention has for its object to provide means wherein the above stated drawbacks are obviated.
The present invention provides for this purpose a device of the above stated type, wherein the plate support means are adapted to support the printing plate such that an adhesive layer present on the underside of the printing plate does not impede the removal of the printing plate from the plate support means by the gripping member.
These measures provide plate support means wherein the possibly present adhesive layer does not result in an adhesion between printing plate and plate support means such that the printing plate can no longer be removed by a mechanical element from the plate support means. These measures make it possible to already remove the cover sheet before the printing plate is placed on the plate support means so that the printing plate can be picked up by gripping means and can be positioned directly on the printing cylinder or on the sheet-like carrier without human intervention for removal of the cover sheet. It will be apparent that the measures according to the invention can be applied in the case of printing plates which are provided on their underside with an adhesive layer, but also in the case of printing plates where this is not the case. The present invention also provides a method for positioning a printing plate on a carrier, comprising the steps of placing the printmg plate on plate support means, placing a carrier on carrier support means, gripping means gripping the printing plate placed on the plate support means, separating the printing plate from the plate support means, transporting the printing plate from the plate support means to the carrier present on the carrier support means and placing the printing plate on the carrier, wherein the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by subjecting the printing plate or the plate support means to a bending or by moving the printing plate in the direction of the plane of the plate support means. A specific embodiment provides a device of the above stated type, wherein the gripping member is adapted to grip the printing plate on a single side of the printing plate, the transport means are adapted to move the printing plate upward on the gripped side of the printing plate, and wherein the plate support means are adapted to release the adhesion between the printing plate and the plate support means in stepwise manner. The adhesion between the plate support means and the printing plate is hereby released in stepwise manner so that the force for releasing the adhesion in a single step is always as small as possible.
There are different configurations of the plate support means; according to a first preferred embodiment the plate support means are provided with a number of narrow vertical elements extending substantially upward from a base plate. This achieves that the contact surface between the plate support means and the printing plate or the adhesive layer present thereon is small. The adhesive layer must of course be adapted so as not to support too heavily on the vertical elements under the weight of the printing plate so that the least possible adhesive action occurs between the printing plate and the plate support means. When this embodiment is applied in combination with the above stated measures, the separate elements provide for stepwise arrangement of the plate support means.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the vertical elements are bendable in at least one direction. When the printing plate is moved in the bending direction of the vertical elements, the elements will also bend and the printing plate will as it were be sheared away from the elements so that the adhesive forces of the adhesive layer have less effect.
A further embodiment provides the measure that the vertical elements of the plate support means comprise strips extending vertically transversely of the bending direction. This forms a structurally attractive, simple embodiment.
Yet another preferred embodiment provides the measure that the vertical elements of the plate support means are rod-like, such as bristles. Because brushes are readily available in many sizes, this is an inexpensive embodiment. As alternative to the above elucidated embodiments, wherein vertical elements are used, another embodiment provides the measure that the upper layer of the plate support means comprises silicone. Silicone is a material which due to its structure does not readily tend to form connections, which makes it suitable for preventing adhesive connections.
According to another alternative, the plate support means are adapted to generate an air cushion for the purpose of supporting the printing plates.
As well as the nature of the plate support means, the geometry of the movement of the removal of the printing plate can also make the adhesive forces between printing plate and plate support means as small as possible. For this purpose a preferred embodiment provides the measure that the plate support means are adapted to be subjected to a bending which is convex toward the side of the printing plate. The separation between printing plate and plate support means hereby takes place along a displacing line. The forces for performing the separation are therefore small.
This embodiment is simplified structurally when the plate support means are adapted to be unrolled downward over a roller simultaneously with movement of the printing plate away from the plate support means.
It is however also possible for the gripping means of the transport means to be adapted to grip the printing plate at least at two gripping positions and to subject the printing plate to a bending between the gripping positions. This causes the bending in the printing plate itself and not in the plate support means. It will be apparent that this embodiment requires the printing plate to be flexible. It is noted that the embodiment wherein the plate support means are bent can be applied in the case of rigid printing plates and in the case of flexible printing plates.
The same embodiments provide a method wherein the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by bending the printing plate or the plate support means and subsequently moving the printing plate away from the plate support means. Another option for separating the printing plate from the plate support means by relative movement of the printing plate and the plate support means involves 'sliding' of the printing plate over the plate support means. According to this embodiment the transport means are adapted to move the printing plate in the direction of the plane of the plate support: means. A separation by 'shearing' is hereby obtained, this reducing the forces necessary for the separation. Most adhesive layers after all adhere mainly in the direction transversely of their plane and less so parallel to the plane. It is noted that this geometry of separation can be combined with that of subjecting the printing plate or the plate support means to a bending. The same embodiment provides a method wherein the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by moving the printing plate and the plate support means relative to each other in the direction of the plane of the plate support means. The printing plate which is adhesive on its underside must be moved to the carrier after removal from the plate support means. For this purpose the printing plate is gripped by the gripping member of the transport means. In order to prevent the gripping member engaging on the adhesive underlayer of the printing plate, it is recommended that the gripping member is adapted to grip the plate on its upper side.
The same object is also achieved when the gripping member is adapted to grip the edges of the plate. In some cases it is not possible to avoid the underside of the printing plate being gripped, for instance because the printing plate is very flexible. It is then attractive for the gripping member to be adapted to extend under a part of the underside of the plate.
Although the printing plate is situated at the correct position on the carrier when the gripping member is moved away from the printing plate after placing of the printing plate on the carrier, it is not yet properly adhered; the adhesive layer will provide for a measure of adhesion, although the adhesion is still not sufficient to enable use of the printing plate in the printing press. In order to achieve a good adhesion it is
recommended that the device is provided with pressing means for pressing the printing plate onto the carrier placed on the carrier support means.
According to the same embodiment, a film present on the underside of the printing plate is removed prior to placing of the printing plate on the plate support means and the printing plate is pressed onto the carrier after placing of the printing plate on the carrier.
In order to prevent inclusion of air bubbles it is important that the pressing means comprise an elongate pressing member which is adapted to move over the printing plate from an edge of the printing plate. The same embodiment provides the measure that during pressing the pressing means press on the plate along a displacing line from an edge of the plate.
The present invention will be elucidated hereinbelow with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of plate support means as component of the device shown in figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of plate support means as component of the device shown in figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of plate support means during separation of the printing plate and the plate support means in a first manner;
Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of plate support means during separation of the printing plate and the plate support means in a second manner; and
Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of plate support means during separation of the printing plate and the plate support means in a third manner.
Figure 1 shows a device designated as a whole with 1 for positioning printing plates onto a carrier. The device comprises a frame 2 in which a table 3 is mounted, on which table a plate support 4 is placed, as is a carrier support 5. In the present embodiment carrier support 5 comprises a part of table 3 on which strips 6 are placed for positioning carrier 7. In the present exemplary embodiment the carrier is formed by a sheet of polyester 7 so that the carrier support can take a simple form, although it is also possible for the carrier to be formed by a printing cylinder so that the carrier support means are formed by bearings, optionally a shaft and means for accurately determining the axial position and rotation position of the printing cylinder, as is otherwise per se known.
The frame is further provided with a rail 10 which extends horizontally above the table and along which a carriage 1 1 is movable. Carriage 11 is provided with gripping means 12 for gripping a printing plate 13. Gripping means 12 can be controlled so that they can grip and release printing plates 13.
Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a plate support 4. Plate support 4 here comprises a base 14 which is placed on table 3 and a series of strips 15 extending in vertical direction from the base. Strips 15 otherwise extend parallel to each other not only in vertical direction but also in horizontal direction. Strips 15 are made from flexible material, for instance plastic, this such that they are bendable in their transverse direction. They are preferably also provided with a rounded upper end and are preferably formed integrally with base 14. It is also possible for strips 15 to be manufactured from a material comprising silicone so as to prevent as far as possible adhesion between printing plates 13 and the strips. It is noted that the contact surface between strips 15 and printing plates 13 is as small as possible in order to prevent adhesion as far as possible.
Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of plate support 4, wherein fingers 16 are placed on base 14 instead of strips 15. As in the previous embodiment, fingers 16 can be formed integrally with base 14, although it is also possible for fingers 16 to be formed separately and implanted in base 14. The structure of a brush is hereby obtained. It is not precluded that a commercially available brush is used as plate support. Here too the fingers 16, or bristles of a brush used for this purpose, are resilient so that they can bend and the same effect can be achieved as in the previous embodiment.
Alternatively (not shown in the drawings) a flat plate can be used as plate support, the upper layer of which is manufactured from silicone or a material comprising silicone.
The use and the operation of device 1 according to the invention will now be elucidated. The object of device 1 is to arrange printing plates 13, in particular but not only flexible printing plates 13, on carriers for printing plates, such as films 7 or printing cylinders. For adhesion of these printing plates 13 use is generally made of printing plates provided on their underside with an adhesive layer, the plates initially being provided with a cover sheet. According to the prior art the cover sheet is only removed when printing plate 13 has been placed on its carrier 7, after which the cover sheet must still be removed. According to the invention the cover sheet is removed before printing plate 13 is placed on plate support 4. Plate support 4 is adapted to avoid as far as possible adhesion of the adhesive layer of printing plate 13 to plate support 4. Printing plate 13 can therefore be placed with its adhesive underside on the plate support 4 shown in figures 2 or 3, wherein the adhesive force is small due to the small contact surface between the adhesive layer and the upper side of strips 15, fingers 16 or bristles, this being important when printing plate 13 is separated from plate support 4.
For mutual separation of printing plate 13 and plate support 4 use can be made of different movement geometries, three of which are shown in figures 4-6. In the situation shown in figure 4 the printing plate 13 is moved in the direction of the plane of the table, as indicated by arrow 17. The bendable elements will hereby bend in the manner as shown in figure 4. When use is made of strips 15, the direction of movement must extend transversely of the longitudinal direction of strips 15 in order to ensure the bendability of strips 15 in the shown direction. The adhesive layer of printing plate 13 is adapted to have a great adhesive force in the transverse direction and less so in the 'shear' direction, of which use is made in this embodiment. Strips 15, fingers 16 or bristles will also not all have exactly the same resilience, so that they will lose their contact with printing plate 13 one by one, which also facilitates the separation.
Although in the configuration shown in figure 5 the separation according to arrow 18 takes place along a line of force extending more perpendicularly of the direction of the adhesive layer, only a small number of fingers, bristles or strips are separated from the adhesive layer at the same time because the separation always extends over an advancing line, so that the forces required for this purpose are small. This is caused by a rolling movement of the printing plate to be performed by the gripping means.
A similar consideration applies for the embodiment shown in figure 6, wherein the rolling movement is however performed by the plate support. The plate support must of course be adapted here to carry out such a movement, for instance in that the plate support is embodied as a belt guided over at least one roller. This movement of the plate support preferably takes place together with a linear movement of the printing plate; the separation hereby always takes place along the same line. The geometry according to figure 5 can only be applied with flexible printing plates as this geometry requires the bending of the printing plate. The gripping means must of course also be adapted to cause bending of the printing plate. Use can for instance be made for this purpose of two gripping members which grip the printing plate at different positions. The other geometries can be applied in the case of both flexible and rigid printing plates.
In respect of the gripping means it is noted that use can be made of suction cups to grip the upper surface of the printing plate. In the dimensioning hereof account must be taken of the relief present on the upper side of the printing plate, this being necessary to enable relief printing. The gripping means can also be adapted to grip the sides of the printing plate, possibly in combination with gripping on the upper side thereof. Finally, it is possible to grip the printing plate on its underside, for instance using thin rods adapted to engage only a part of the adhesive underside of the printing plate.

Claims

Claims
1. Device for positioning a printing plate on a carrier, comprising:
- plate support means for supporting the printing plate;
- carrier support means for supporting the carrier; and
- transport means with a gripping member for gripping the printing plate, for transporting the printing plate from the plate support means to the carrier present on the carrier support means and for positioning the printing plate on the carrier,
characterized in that the plate support means are adapted to support the printing plate such that an adhesive layer present on the underside of the printing plate does not impede the removal of the printing plate from the plate support means by the gripping member.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the gripping member is adapted to grip the printing plate on a single side of the printing plate, that the transport means are adapted to move the printing plate upward on the gripped side of the printing plate, and that the plate support means are adapted to release the adhesion between the printing plate and the plate support means in stepwise manner.
3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate support means are provided with a number of narrow vertical elements extending substantially upward from a base plate.
4. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the vertical elements are bendable in at least one direction.
5. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the vertical elements of the plate support means comprise strips extending vertically transversely of the bending direction.
6. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the vertical elements of the plate support means are rod-like, such as bristles.
7. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the plate support means are adapted to support the printing plate provided with an adhesive layer with the least possible adhesive force.
8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the upper layer of the plate support means comprises silicone.
9. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the plate support means are adapted to generate an air cushion for the purpose of supporting the printing plates.
10. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the plate support means are adapted to be subjected to a bending which is convex toward the side of the printing plate.
11. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the plate support means are adapted to be unrolled downward over a roller simultaneously with movement of the printing plate away from the plate support means.
12. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-11, characterized in that the gripping means of the transport means are adapted to grip the printing plate at least at two gripping positions and to subject the printing plate to a bending between the gripping positions.
13. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the transport means are adapted to move the printing plate in the direction of the plane of the plate support means.
14. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the gripping member is adapted to grip the plate on its upper side.
15. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-13, characterized in that the gripping member is adapted to grip the edges of the plate.
16. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-13, characterized in that the gripping member is adapted to extend under a part of the underside of the plate.
17. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device is provided with pressing means for pressing the printing plate onto the carrier placed on the carrier support means.
1 S. Device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the pressing means comprise an elongate pressing member which is adapted to move over the printing plate from an edge of the printing plate.
19. Method for positioning a printing plate on a carrier, comprising the following steps of:
- placing the printing plate on plate support means;
- placing a carrier on carrier support means;
- gripping means gripping the printing plate placed on the plate support means;
- separating the printing plate from the plate support means;
- transporting the printing plate from the plate support means to the carrier present on the carrier support means; and
- placing the printing plate on the carrier,
characterized in that the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by subjecting the printing plate or the plate support means to a bending or by moving the printing plate in the direction of the plane of the plate support means.
20. Method as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by bending the printing plate and subsequently moving the printing plate away from the plate support means.
21. Method as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the printing plate is separated from the plate support means by moving the printing plate and the plate support means relative to each other in the direction of the plane of the plate support means.
22. Method as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21 , characterized in that a film present on the underside of the printing plate is removed prior to placing of the printing plate on the plate support means and the printing plate is pressed onto the carrier after placing of the printing plate on the carrier.
23. Method as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that during pressing the pressing means press on the plate along a displacing line from an edge of the plate.
PCT/NL2011/050594 2010-09-22 2011-08-31 Method and device for removably positioning a printing plate on a carrier WO2012039603A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11751676.5A EP2619013A1 (en) 2010-09-22 2011-08-31 Method and device for removably positioning a printing plate on a carrier

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2005383 2010-09-22
NL2005383A NL2005383C2 (en) 2010-09-22 2010-09-22 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A PRESSURE PLATE ON A CARRIER.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012039603A1 true WO2012039603A1 (en) 2012-03-29

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL2011/050594 WO2012039603A1 (en) 2010-09-22 2011-08-31 Method and device for removably positioning a printing plate on a carrier

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EP (1) EP2619013A1 (en)
NL (1) NL2005383C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2012039603A1 (en)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1822373A (en) * 1930-06-09 1931-09-08 Arvey Corp Means and method of providing mounted lithographs with notches for centering
US2798629A (en) * 1953-06-01 1957-07-09 Kaulen Robert Method of and device for mounting flexible assembling forms on printing cylinders
US4707930A (en) * 1986-10-28 1987-11-24 Sakata Shokai, Ltd. Apparatus for mounting a relief plate for letterpress printing
US5345868A (en) * 1993-06-04 1994-09-13 Baker A Leroy Printing plate mounting support and method
EP0811487A2 (en) * 1996-06-06 1997-12-10 Robert E. Ireton Printing plate mounting system and method employing the same
EP1270260A1 (en) * 2001-06-18 2003-01-02 Jeffrey Albert Randazzo Shock absorber cushion for flexographic printing plate and method of use
DE202004000577U1 (en) * 2004-01-16 2004-04-01 Spilker Gmbh Perforated panel is placed between slab and print cylinder for accurate presentation of printing block to a print cylinder
EP1435291A1 (en) * 2003-01-06 2004-07-07 Esko-Graphics A/S Method and apparatus for mounting flexographic plate segments
WO2005090079A1 (en) * 2004-03-23 2005-09-29 Av Flexologic B.V. Automatic mounting system

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1822373A (en) * 1930-06-09 1931-09-08 Arvey Corp Means and method of providing mounted lithographs with notches for centering
US2798629A (en) * 1953-06-01 1957-07-09 Kaulen Robert Method of and device for mounting flexible assembling forms on printing cylinders
US4707930A (en) * 1986-10-28 1987-11-24 Sakata Shokai, Ltd. Apparatus for mounting a relief plate for letterpress printing
US5345868A (en) * 1993-06-04 1994-09-13 Baker A Leroy Printing plate mounting support and method
EP0811487A2 (en) * 1996-06-06 1997-12-10 Robert E. Ireton Printing plate mounting system and method employing the same
EP1270260A1 (en) * 2001-06-18 2003-01-02 Jeffrey Albert Randazzo Shock absorber cushion for flexographic printing plate and method of use
EP1435291A1 (en) * 2003-01-06 2004-07-07 Esko-Graphics A/S Method and apparatus for mounting flexographic plate segments
DE202004000577U1 (en) * 2004-01-16 2004-04-01 Spilker Gmbh Perforated panel is placed between slab and print cylinder for accurate presentation of printing block to a print cylinder
WO2005090079A1 (en) * 2004-03-23 2005-09-29 Av Flexologic B.V. Automatic mounting system
EP1727677A1 (en) 2004-03-23 2006-12-06 AV Flexologic B.V. Automatic mounting system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2619013A1 (en) 2013-07-31
NL2005383C2 (en) 2012-03-26

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