# US 11,993,069 B2 · Apparatus and process for T-shirt/garment screen printing

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- Number: US 11,993,069 B2
- Document ID: US11993069B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/949,184
- Filed: 2020-10-19
- Published: 2021-04-22
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2019-10-18
- Assignees: Blueback, LLC
- Applicants: Blueback, LLC
- Inventors: Jeff Eugene Nehring; John August Reglein; Jeffrey Justin Puffett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993069B2

## CPC

- B41F 15/36: flat
- B41P 2215/12: Screens
- B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L)
- B41P: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS

## Abstract

A screen assembly is provided for screen printing and includes a screen with a perimeter frame and a tray covering the frame. The tray includes a central opening with an inner peripheral lip or edge which press fits against the screen to keep ink from contacting the frame during the screen printing process. After printing, the tray is removed from the frame so that the assembly can be cleaned and reused. The assembly and its method of use eliminates the need for conventional taping of the screen and frame.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A screen assembly for screen printing, comprising:
a frame;
a screen mounted to the frame and having a perimeter edge;
a tray having an outer perimeter to fit over the frame and an inner perimeter residing within the frame over the screen and being open within the inner perimeter;
the inner perimeter including an upright sidewall which matingly engages into the frame for a snap fit connection between the tray and the frame;
the inner perimeter including a horizontal lip to contact the screen, and;
whereby the snap fit provides pressure between the lip and the screen to form a seal and thereby prevent ink from leaking along the screen perimeter edge and accessing the frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the tray extends inwardly from the frame and over the top of the screen.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the tray is one piece.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The screen assembly of claim 1 the tray has a contour to sealingly engage the screen.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame and screen are free from tape.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame and the tray have matching profiles.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the tray includes upper extensions extending beyond the frame for gripping by an operator to remove the tray from the frame.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The screen assembly of claim 7 wherein the upper extensions are located on at least two corners of the tray.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the tray is reusable.

### Claim 10

A screen printing assembly, comprising:
a screen having an upstanding perimeter frame;
a plastic tray snap fit downwardly into the frame on top of the screen by mating upright walls on the tray and the frame, and extending inwardly to engage an upper surface of the screen and provide a seal without the use of tape to prevent ink from migrating beneath the tray.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The screen printing assembly of claim 10 further comprising tabs on the tray extending outwardly beyond the frame to facilitate release of the snap fit between the tray and the screen.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The screen printing assembly of claim 10 wherein the tray and the frame are free from additional mechanical fasteners to secure the tray and frame together.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The screen printing assembly of claim 10 wherein the frame and the tray have mating contours to provide the snap fit between the frame and the tray.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The screen printing assembly of claim 13 wherein the mating contours extend substantially 360 degrees.