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US 11,214,051 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for preparing a screen printing screen
AssigneeM&R Printing Equipment, Inc.
InventorAndrew L. Oleson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system or machine is disclosed which takes pre-stretched emulsion coated screens, digitally prints thereon and exposes them before further processing and use in a screen printing machine.
Claims20
An apparatus for preparing an emulsion coated screen for a screen printing operation comprising:
- a housing having a screen support structure for receiving a rectangular screen frame holding an emulsion coated screen,
- a three point registration system connected to the housing for contacting three different sides of the screen frame connected to the screen support structure;
- a reservoir containing a supply of an ultraviolet blocking agent
- a print applicator connected to the housing for printing on a first side of the screen, the print applicator in fluid communication with the reservoir, the print applicator configured for relative movement with the screen support structure;
- and,
- a source of ultraviolet light in the form of a bar that substantially spans a dimension of the rectangular screen frame connected to the housing to expose the first side of the screen, the source of ultraviolet light configured for relative movement with the screen support structure.
3 more elements
A method for preparing a screen for a printing machine comprising the steps of:
- providing a housing having a print applicator in fluid communication with a reservoir holding supply of an ultraviolet blocking agent, a screen support structure in operative alignment with the print applicator and a source of ultraviolet light in the form of a bar that substantially spans a dimension of the rectangular screen frame in alignment with the screen support structure;
- loading a rectangular screen frame containing an emulsion coated screen onto the screen support structure;
- contacting a first side of the screen frame with a first component of a registration system on the screen support structure;
- contacting a second side of the screen frame with a second component of the registration system on the screen support structure;
- contacting a third side of the screen frame with a third component of the registration system on the screen support structure;
- printing a quantity of the ultraviolet light blocking agent on a first side of the emulsion coated screen with the print applicator on the housing;
- and,
- exposing the first side of the screen to the source of ultraviolet light on the housing.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.