Plate handling method and apparatus for imaging system

A plate guide apparatus for use in an imaging system in which plates of recording media are fed through an imaging unit, said plate guide apparatus comprising:

• an input portion for receiving a plate from the imaging engine, said input portion including an input sensor that provides an input signal;
• a first conveying assembly extending from said input portion to an intermediate portion of said plate guide apparatus, said intermediate portion including an intermediate sensor that provides an intermediate signal, and said first conveying assembly being provided to direct a plate along a first direction responsive to said input and intermediate signals;
• a second conveying assembly extending toward an output portion of said plate guide apparatus, said output portion including an output sensor that provides an output signal, and said second conveying assembly being provided to direct a plate along a second direction from said intermediate portion to said output portion responsive to said intermediate and output signals, said second direction being generally perpendicular to said first direction;
• and
• a moveable frame for mounting said second conveyor assembly thereon, said frame operable to raise or lower said second conveyor assembly with respect to said first conveyor assembly.

A method of guiding plates of image recording media in an imaging system, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a plate from an imaging engine along a first direction;
• actuating a first conveyor assembly to direct said plate along said first direction;
• ceasing actuation of said conveyor assembly when said plate reaches a predetermined intermediate location;
• raising said second conveyor assembly with respect to said first conveyor assembly prior to actuating said second conveyor assembly;
• actuating a second conveyor assembly to direct said plate along a second direction that is generally perpendicular to said first direction;
• and
• providing said plate at an output location along said second direction.

A system for recording images onto a printing plate, the system comprising:

• a feed handler for feeding the printing plate into an imaging engine;
• said imaging engine for recording images onto the printing plate;
• a bridge handler for receiving the printing plate from the imaging engine in a first direction, then transferring the printing plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to a plate processor, said handler comprising:
• a first conveyor assembly for receiving the printing plate from the imaging engine in the first direction;
• a second conveyor assembly for transferring the printing plate in the second direction to the plate processor;
• and
• a moveable frame for mounting said second conveyor assembly thereon, said frame operable to raise or lower said second conveyor assembly with respect to said first conveyor assembly;
• and
• said plate processor for processing the recorded images on the printing plate.

A method for recording images onto a printing plate, the method comprising:

• feeding the printing plate into an imaging engine;
• recording images onto the printing plate in the imaging engine;
• providing a first conveyor assembly for receiving the printing plate from the imaging engine in a first direction, and a second conveyor assembly for transferring the printing plate in a second direction;
• providing a moveable frame for mounting said second conveyor assembly thereon, said frame operable to raise or lower said second conveyor assembly with respect to said first conveyor assembly;
• and
• automatically receiving the imaged printing plate from the imaging engine in a first direction, then transferring the imaged printing plate to a next unit in a second direction different from the first direction.