Screen process with variable coating thickness capability

Abstract

A method of applying a flowable printing fluid in a predetermined pattern of predetermined thickness to a flexible air impervious sheet comprises providing a vacuum table and overlying the table with a template having a thickness at least substantially as great as the thickness of printing fluid desired to be applied. The template has openings defining the predetermined pattern formed therethrough so that the table is exposed through the template throughout the predetermined pattern. The flexible sheet to which the predetermined pattern of printing fluid is to be applied is placed over the table and template so that the pattern formed in the template is aligned with the sheet in the desired location. A vacuum is pulled on the vacuum table to cause the flexible sheet to be drawn down into the template through the openings defining the predetermined pattern. Then, the flexible sheet is overlaid with a printing screen having open printing areas overlying and generally corresponding to the template openings forming the predetermined pattern. Thereafter, the flowable printing fluid is squeegeed through the open printing areas of the printing screen and onto the portions of the flexible sheet drawn down into the openings in the template.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.