# US 2013/0156483 A1 · Method and apparatus for tensioning a printing form

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- Number: US 2013/0156483 A1
- Document ID: US20130156483A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/765,886
- Filed: 2013-02-13
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2010-09-22
- Assignees: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
- Inventors: Theodore William Frentzel, JR.; Carl Bernard Arnold
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156483A1

## CPC

- B41J 15/16: Means for tensioning or winding the web
- G03F 7/24: Curved surfaces {(G03F7/70 takes precedence)}
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- G03F: PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR; (phototypographic composing devices B41B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; electrophotography, sensitive layers or processes therefor G03G)

## Abstract

A method and apparatus of securing and tensioning a printing form in an apparatus having a rotatable drum includes securing a first portion of the printing form to a first means for receiving that is coupled to a surface of the drum, and securing a second portion of the printing form to a second means for receiving that is disposed on a rotatable member that extends over a portion of the drum. The rotatable member is rotated so that the circumferential distance between the first receiving means and the second receiving means is about the same as a length of the printing form. A rotary torque means is coupled to the rotatable member to apply a substantially constant torque on the member and tension the printing form about the surface of the drum. The rotary torque means adjusts torque on the member which adjusts tension on the printing form.

## Claims

### Claim 1

(canceled)

### Claim 2

(canceled)

### Claim 3

(canceled)

### Claim 4

(canceled)

### Claim 5

(canceled)

### Claim 6

(canceled)

### Claim 7

(canceled)

### Claim 8

(canceled)

### Claim 9

(canceled)

### Claim 10

(canceled)

### Claim 11

(canceled)

### Claim 12

(canceled)

### Claim 13

(canceled)

### Claim 14

A method of tensioning a printing form that is disposed circumferentially about a rotatable drum, comprising:
coupling a first portion of the printing form to the drum;
tensioning the printing form by coupling a second portion of the printing form to a member that is disposed circumferentially about the drum; and
adjusting the tension on the printing form by using a rotary torque means to adjust the torque on the member.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the step of coupling comprises stamping the first portion of the printing form onto a first set of pins that are coupled to the drum.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the step of tensioning comprises stamping the second portion of the printing form onto a second set of pins that are coupled to the member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the rotary torque means comprises a pneumatic actuator and the step of adjusting the tension comprises adjusting the air pressure of the pneumatic actuator to adjust the torque on the member.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 where in the rotary torque means comprises a braking mechanism.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 further comprising tensioning the printing form by rotating the drum and thereby applying a first torque on the printing form and applying a second torque on the printing form with the rotary torque means wherein the first torque and the second torque differ.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 further comprising using a motor to tension the printing form by rotating the drum with the motor and thereby applying a first torque on the printing form and applying a second torque on the member and the printing form by adjusting the second torque with the rotary torque means.

### Claim 21 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting the tension on the printing form as the drum is rotating.