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Sommaire du brevet 2476441 

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

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  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Demande de brevet: (11) CA 2476441
(54) Titre français: SYSTEME DE MANUTENTION DE PLAQUES
(54) Titre anglais: PLATE HANDLING SYSTEM
Statut: Réputée abandonnée et au-delà du délai pour le rétablissement - en attente de la réponse à l’avis de communication rejetée
Données bibliographiques
Abrégés

Abrégé français

L'invention vise à créer un dispositif qui, tout en étant de conception la plus simple possible, met à disposition de façon rationnelle des plaques d'impression de type et de dimension les plus divers pour des types d'appareil d'exposition les plus variés. A cet effet, sur un dispositif servant à charger et/ou décharger des plaques d'impression sur un appareil d'exposition, notamment un appareil d'exposition à tambour, un moyen d'aspiration pour recevoir des plaques d'impression, notamment des plaques de thermo-impression, comprend au moins une plaque d'aspiration et au moins deux têtes aspirantes reliées à un système de dépression. Selon l'invention, la plaque d'aspiration a la forme d'un segment cylindrique et sa forme peut être modifiée, du moins son plan.


Abrégé anglais


The aim of the invention is to create a device which enables rational
provision of printing plates of various types and sizes for the most different
types of printing plate scanners, in spite of having means which are as few as
constructively possible. To this end, a device is provided for loading and/or
unloading printing plates into and out of a scanner, especially a drum
scanner, said device comprising suction means which are used to receive
printing plates, especially thermoprinting plates, and are provided with at
least one suction plate and at least two suction heads connected to a vacuum
system. The suction plate is embodied as a segment of a cylinder and can be
deformed at least in terms of the surface form thereof.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


-18-
claims
1. An apparatus for loading and/or unloading an
exposer (3), in particular a drum exposer (3),
having printing plates (7) with
- a suction means (10, 11), comprising at least
one sucker plate (10) and at least two suction
heads (11) connected to a vacuum system, for
picking up printing plates (7), in particular
thermal printing plates,
characterized in that
- the sucker plate (10) is constructed in the form
of a cylindrical segment and
- the sucker plate (10) is designed such that it
can be deformed at least in relation to its
surface form.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized
in that the sucker plate (10) is fixed to a
suspension means.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized
in that the suspension means comprises an upper
axle (23) of the apparatus, the sucker plate (10)
is fixed to the upper axle via webs (12), and in
that the angle or the distance between two webs
(12) can be varied.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized
in that the suspension means comprises a spindle
(29) having a spindle drive (30) for deforming the
sucker plate (10).
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that at least one of the webs
(12) comprises a pneumatic cylinder (28).

-19-
6. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that two sides of the sucker
plate (10) are arranged substantially parallel to
the axis of the cylindrical segment and the sucker
plate (10) can be deformed more easily with
respect to the surface form at said sides than in
the center.
7. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the sucker plate (10) is
aligned axially by the force of gravity.
8. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized by a pivoting device bar means of
which the sucker plate (10) can be pivoted around
an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the
cylindrical segment.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized
in that the sucker plate (10) substantially
maintains the axial alignment when pivoted.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9,
characterized in that the pivoting device
comprises at least one arm (13) which is rotatably
arranged on a shaft (19), and in that the sucker
plate (10) can be pivoted around an axle (23)
substantially parallel to the shaft (19).
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10,
characterized in that the pivoting device
comprises two arms (13) for carrying out parallel
pivoting movements.
12. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 8 to
characterized in that the pivoting device is
designed in such a way that it can execute a
pivoting movement of 45° to 270°, preferably of
75° to 240°.

-20-
13. The apparatus as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 12,
characterized in that the suction heads (11) of
different sizes are arranged in or on the sucker
plate (10).
14. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13,
characterized in that the suction means (10, 11)
is also designed to remove an intermediate paper.
15. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14,
characterized by a drive means, preferably by a
motor (18) assisted by a counterweight (25).
16. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15,
characterized in that it, further comprises a plate
magazine (1).
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16,
characterized in that the plate magazine
comprises extendable drawers (5, 6), in particular
drawers (5) with a convexly curved bottom plate or
a convexly curved insert at their bottom.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17,
characterized in that printing plates (7) of
different format can be stacked in the drawers
(5).
19. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 16 to
18, characterized in that a drawer (6) has at last
one conveying means for moving a printing plate,
in particular a conveyor belt.
20. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 16 to
19, characterized in that the drawers (5, 6) can
be extended in the horizontal plane by a drive.

-21-
21. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 16 to
20, characterized by a detection means for
detecting the lack of at least one printing plate
(7) in a drawer, the detection means being
arranged in or on a drawer (5).
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21,
characterized in that the detection means
comprises an optical sensor.
23. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 15 to
22, characterized in that the drawers (5) are
optically opaque when in the closed state.
24. A method of loading and/or unloading an exposer
(3), in particular a drum exposer (3), with
printing plates (7) by means of an apparatus which
comprises a suction means (10, 11) comprising at
least one sucker plate (20) and at least two
suction heads (11) connected to a vacuum system to
pick up printing plates (7), in particular thermal
printing plates, having one or more of the steps
in which
- a printing plate (7) is picked up by the suction
means (10, 11),
- is inserted into an exposer (3),
- is removed from the exposer (3) and
- is transferred to an output ramp (14), and
- an intermediate paper is removed
characterized in that
- the sucker plate (10) is constructed in the form
of a cylindrical segment
and
- the sucker plate (10) is changed at least in
relation to its surface form.
25. The method as claimed in claim 24, characterized
in that the suction means (10, 11) is fastened to
arms and, by means of a pivoting movement of the

22
arms (13) and the suction means (10, 11) fastened
to them, a printing plate (7) is picked up,
inserted into the exposer (3), transported from
the exposer (3) to the output ramp (14) and/or an
intermediate paper is removed.
26. The method as claimed in either of claims 24 and
25, characterized in that the sucker plate (10)
substantially maintains the axial alignment when
pivoted, the sucker plate (10) being aligned
axially by the force of gravity.
27. The method as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26,
characterized in that the sucker plate (10) is
pivoted by means of a pivoting device around an
axle substantially parallel to the axis of the
cylindrical segment.
28. The method as claimed in one of claims 24 to 27,
characterized in that the printing plates (7) are
picked up from a drawer of a plate magazine (1).
29. The method as claimed in claim 28, characterized
in that the printing plate can be picked up from
extendable drawers (5, 6), in particular drawers
(5) with a convexly curved bottom plate or a
convexly curved insert at their bottom.
30. The method as claimed in claim 28 or 29,
characterized in that printing plates (7) of
different format are stacked in the drawers (5).
31. The method as claimed in one of Claims 28 to 30,
characterized in that using a detection means to
detect the lack of at least one printing plate (7)
in a drawer (5), the lack of at least one printing
plate (7) is detected, the detection means being
arranged in or on a drawer (5).

-23-
32. The method as claimed in one of claims 24 to 34,
characterized in that by means of a control
system, both the opening of the drawers (5, 6),
the transfer of the printing plate (7) from the
plate magazine (1) to the exposer (3) and/or from
the exposer (3) to the output ramp (14), and/or
the removal of an intermediate paper proceeds in
an automated manner.
33. The method as claimed in one of claims 24 to 32,
characterized in that the loading of the exposer
(3) and/or the removal of an intermediate paper is
carried out by means of a first apparatus, which
comprises a suction means (10, 11) comprising at
least one sucker plate (10) and at least two
suction heads (11) connected to a vacuum system
fox picking up printing plates (7), and the
unloading of the exposer is carried out by means
of a second apparatus, which comprises a suction
means (10, 11) comprising at least one sucker
plate (10) in the form of a cylindrical segment
and at least two suction heads (11) connected to a
vacuum system for picking up printing plates
the sucker plate (10) in at least one of the
aforementioned apparatuses being constructed in
the form of a cylindrical. segment, and being
changed at least in relation its surface form.

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CA 02476441 2004-08-16
~O 03/06988$ - 1 - PCT/EP02/01671
Plate handliag s~rste~e
The invention relates to an apparatus for loading
and/or unloading an exposer (output scanner, output
recorder), in particular a drum exposer, with printing
plates, comprising a suction means. The invention also
relates to a process based on this apparatus.
Books, newspapers, brochures or other products to be
printed are produced by means of different printing
processes. The production of such printed products can
be carried out, firstly, by conventional printing
processes, such as planographic, relief, gravure or
screen printing and, secondly, by digital processes,
such as the computer-to-plate (CTP) technique. rn the
case of offset printing, the printed products are
produced by using printing forms. In this case, the
image or the text to be printed is transferred to
printing form blanks - also called printing plates. Tn
this case, a light-sensitive layer applied to a metal
or plastic plate, based on silver or made of a
photopolymer, is exposed by mearxs of W radiation. In
addition, in particular in the area of the CTP
technique, thermal plates are also used, on which an
image can be set by the action of specific
temperatures. Lasers are suitable both for exposing
photosensitive plates and for setting images thermally.
The size of the printing plate to be produced depends
on the object to be printed. For all the processes in
printing technology, an extremely wide range of plate
formats belong to the prior art. In the area of the GTP
technique, a series of systems for setting images on
printing plates with an extremely wide range of formats
have been known for a long time, such as the
"Laserstepperp from Misomex, the Laserstar from ~Cx~ause
or "xpose!" from the Lizscher company.
In printing technology, time is a key component.
Automation of the production of painting plates is

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- ~ w
therefore a logical consequence, This is because fully
automatic printing plate production as one operation in
the entire printing process accelerates the throughput
and increases the productivity of a print shop.
DE-A 40 38 544 describes an apparatus fox producing
printing plates. Tn this case, the plate blanks are
arranged in stacks on stack carriers inside a magazine.
This magazine contains a circulating conveyor
constructed as a paternoster and driven, having a
plurality of stack carriers arranged one behind
another. The stack carriers can be removed from the
magazine in the horizontal direction by means of a
displacement device and can be conveyed onto the
copying table by a holding or feeding apparatus. This
feeding apparatus comprises a suction frame with
suckers. The suction frame can be moved in the
horizontal and vertical plane and can transfer a plate
blank to a copying table. The disadvantage with this
0 apparatus is, in particular, the complicated elevator
mechanism within the magazine.
The apparatus described in DE-C1 41 05 269 for loading
and unloading printing plates is less complicated than
the apparatus described previously. Here, the plate
blanks, likewise mounted in cassettes, are stacked in
the manner of a tower as a magazine. The individual
plate blanks can be transferred from a desired cassette
to the copying table by means of a feeding apparatus.
For this purpose, the cassettes can be moved in the
horizontal plane out of the magazine, so that the
feeding apparatus can have access to the individual
plate blanks. Not every cassette can be moved
individually out of the tower; instead in each case the
part of the tower is moved out, so that the desired
cassette with the printing plates is arranged at the
top. The feeding apparatus in turn comprises a rotary
star, to whose projecting pivoting arms suction heads
are fixed.

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
-
The disadvantage with the apparatuses described in DE-
A-44 38 544 and DE-A-41 05 269 is that they are not
capable of loading cylindrical drum exposers.
EP-A-0 822 453 describes an apparatus and a method for
picking up and transporting printing plates into an
automated exposure dev~.Ge. A large number of printing
plates is stored in the farm of stacks in cassettes or
magazines. Here, different magazines can contain,
different plate formats. The plate removal described in
the application is carried out by a feeding apparatus.
Far this purpose, the desired plate formats are
arranged by means of a complex elevator mechanism such
~.5 that they can be reached by the feeding apparatus. The
feeding apparatus comprises a horizontally arranged and
horizontally displaceable plate with suction heads, by
means of which heads the plate on which an image is to
be set can be picked up by vacuum. The disadvantage
with this apparatus is, in particular, the complicated
elevator mechanism. In addition, this application dace
not prbvide any solution as to how the planar printing
plate can ultimately be put into the cylindrical drum
exposure by the feeding apparatus, on which it is
arranged by means of vacuum, as described..
An apparatus fdr loading drum exposers is disclosed by
EP-A-d 887 181. 2n this case, a printing plate which is
arranged in a planar fashion by means of vacuum on a
feeding apparatus ~.s inserted into a cylindrical drum
exposex with the aid of a loading devise. The printing
plate is transferred from the feeding apparatus to the
leading device via rotating rolls. The 7.oading
apparatus in turn moves over rails along the inner
surface of the drum exposer, carrying the printing
plate with it . The same loading device can move in the
opposite direction and, aS a result, can transfer a
printing plate on which an image has already been set
out of the dxum expvser to a developing machine

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- 4 -
arranged downsstream. The disadvantage with this device
is its complexity. Firstly, there must be a roll system
to remove the printing plate ~rom the feed~.ng apparatus
and, secondly, specific rail systems have to be
arranged on a drum exposer so that the loading device
can move along the internal drum. In addition, this
apparatus is suitable only far loading internal drum
exposers.
7.0 The prior art likewise includes e.pparatuses for
printing plate loading and unloading which can be
obtained on the market, such as the plate loading
system (PHS) relating to the °xpose!° CTP exposer from
the Luscher company. In this apparatus, the printing
plates are stored in a planar fashion and in stacks in
cassettes. These cassettes are arranged on one another
and can be moved out of the front side in the
horizontal direction. The feeding apparatus comprises a
cylinder and a device for positioning the cylinder. The
cylinder is mounted on the positioning device such that
it can be rotated with respect to its longitudinal
axis. Arranged an the cylinder are suction heads which
are connected to a vacuum system. 8y means of the
positioning device, the cylinder can be moved both in
the vertical and iz~ the horizontal direction. In order
to pick up a printing plate, a cassette is pushed
horizontally out of the cassette stack and the cylinder
is lowered vert~.cally onto the printing plate until the
suction heads make contact with the printing plate. The
cylinder is rotated over the printing plate by means of
a horizontal movement o~ the positioning device with
the vacuum switched on, as a result of which the
topmost printing plate of a cassette is firmly held on
the outside of the cylinder as the cyliz~der rotates. By
means of the vertical drive of the positioning device,
the cylinder is drawn upward, together with the
printing plate. The cylinder with the printing plate
which has laeen picked up is then moved aver the drum of
the exposer by means of a horizontal displacement by

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
-
the positioning device. Using the vertical drive of the
positioning device, the cylinder with, the printing
plate is positioned on the inside of the drum, and the
printing plate ~.s inserted into the drum by switching
off the vacuum. 2n order to remove the printing plate
on v~rhieh an image has beer, set, the same sequence of
movements is carried out ~.n the opposite order, with
the difference that the printing plate is not put back
again into the cassette from which it was removed but
is placed in or on a carrier, which. can be arranged
instead of a cassette. This carrier is then connected
to a develop~,ng device. The apparatus described is also
capable of removing intermediate p~.pers, which are
located between the individual printing plates in order
1.5 to protect the side on which an image is to be set, by
means of the same mechanism described above. This can
be done, for example, while a printing plate is having
an image set on it. The disadvantage with this
apparatus is its complexity. Firstly, a cylinder that
can be rotated around its axis and has suction heads is
needed. Secondly, a device which. can be moved both in
the vertical and in the horizontal direction i.s needed
to position Ghe cylinder. In addition, the size of the
apparatus is disadvantageous.
The object of the present invention is, therefore, to
provide an apparatus which, in spite of the lowest
possible expenditure on construction, permits the
logical provisioning of printing plates of different
3o types and sizes far an extremely wide range of types of
printing plate expasers. In particular, this apparatus
is intended likewise to be suitable for loading and
unloading drum exposers with printing plates,
independently of the size of the opening of the drum.
Additionally, the apparatus is to be cost-effective and
space ~- saving .
A further abject of the present invention is to provide
a method with which exposers, in particular drum

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
exposers, can be loaded efficiently with printing
plates and unleaded.
The object is achieved by an apparatus as claimed in
Glaim 1, which is characterized in that the sucker
plate is co~.structed in the form of a cylindrical
segment and the sucker plats is designed such that it
can be deformed at least in relation tc its surface
farm.
These measures advantageously permit the use of the
apparatus according to the invention for loading and
unloading exposers with printing plates, in particular
the loading and unloading of dr~~m exposers having a
very wide range of drum aperture siz~a with printing
plates of various sizes.
The auction means according to the invention comprises
a sucker plate and suction heads. In this conr~.ec~ion, a
plate is to be understood not to mean a flat, planar
surface, but rather the plate has the shape of a
cylindrical segment. The sucker plate is designed in
this case such that it can be deformed in relation to
its surface farm. According to the invention, the
sucker plate is fixed by webs to an upper axle of the
apparatus, it being possible for the angle or the
distance between the webs to be varied.
In one embodiment of the invention, the sucker plate
can be deformed by means of spindles with a spindle
drive, and tha webs can be constructed ae pneumatic
cylinders. rn a development of the invention, the sides
of the sucker plate, which are arranged para~.lel to the
axis of the cylindrical segment, can be deformed more
easily with xespect to the surface form than the center
of the sucker plate.

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
A further embodiment of the invention provides a sucker
plate which can be pivoted around an axle, the axle
being arranged substantially parallel to the axis of
the cylindrical segment. According to the invention,
the suction means substantially maintains its axial
alignment when pivoted. In this case, the sucker platE
is aligned axially by the force of gravity.
By means of the pivoting movement, the pink-up
20 apparatus can reach different heights. In the case of
an apparatus which also has a p7.ate magazine,
therefore, it ~-a possible to dispense with a
complicated elevator mechanism which brings the
cassettes or printing plates into a position accessible
to the pick-up apparatus. Aooording to the invention,
simple drawer systems are used, in which the printing
plates are stacked. The pick-up device is constructed
according to the invention in such a way that, by means
of the arcuate pivoting movement of the suction means,
all the drawers,of a plate magazine can be reached. Use
is preferably made of such drawers which pexmit the
printing plates to be stored without the influence of
light.
In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the
base plate or an insert at the bottom of a drawer can
be curved aonvexly. A printix~g plate stack which is
stored in a drawer consequently likewise has such a
curvature.
A further advantageous measure oan consist in both the
opening and closing of the drawers of the plate
magaaine, and the movement of the suct~.on means, being
able to take place fully automatically and under
software control.
In a development of the invention, two pick-up
apparatuses according to the invent ion can load a drum
exposer, it being possible for one apparatus to be used

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
for the removal of the printing plate from the plate
magazine and the subsequent transfer of the printing
plate into an exposer and fox the removal of an
intermediate paper, and the other apparatus can be used
for the removal of the printing plate on which an image
has been set from the exposer and the transfer of said
printing plate to a developing apparatus.
The apparatus according to the invention can in
principle be used irrespective of the type of plate
magazine, the printing plate format and the type of the
exposing device. The apparatus according to the
invention can be used for any of the printing processes
described at the start.
Further advantageous details of the invention are
presented in the dependent claims, of which individual
claims in turn have their own inventive contribution
beyond the basic invention described here.
The invention will be explained in more detail using
the exemplary embodiments illustrated schematically in
the figures, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus
according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an apparatus
having two pick-up apparatuses according to the
invention,
Fig. 3 shawl a perspective illustration of a pick-up
apparatus according to the invention,
Fig. 4 shaves a cross section through a schematically
illustrated, deformable sucker plate according
to the present invention,

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
Fig. 5 shows a arose section of a schematically
illustrated, further embodiment of a deformable
sucker plate according to the present invention
and
Fig. 6 shows a plan. view of ~. deformable sucker plate
according to the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the apparatus
according to the invention.. The apparatus comprises a
plate magaaine 1, a pick-up apparatus 2 and an exposer
3. The pick-up apparatus 2 according to the invention
is depicted without covering and in detail in Fig. 3.
The plate magazine 1 comprises a housing 4 having a
plurality of drawers 5, 6. The bottom plate of a drawer
5 is of a4nvexly curved design. Printing plates 7,
illustrated hatched here, of an extremely wade range of
types and of different formats can lays placed in the
manner of ~. stack in a drawer 5. The use of plate
magaz~,nes in which the printing plates are Stored in
planar fashion is likewise possible. In, the present
embodiment, the drawers 5 axe equipped with plate
stacks, including the intermediate papers located as a
protection between they individual plates. In each case
one plate format is stored in a drawer 5, the side of
the painting plate 7 on which. an image is to be set
being oriented upward. Up to 100 plates can be stacked
per drawer 5. In the process, the printing plates 7
match the curvature of the drawer 5. The drawers 5 can
be arranged to be extended by an electric motor. A
detection device, not illustrated here, such as an
optical sensor, for example, which is arranged in or on
a drawer can detect the lack of one or more printing
plates 7 in a drawer 5.
4n the front side of the plate magazine 1 there ig a
trough 8 having a stack holder 9 to hold the
intermediate papers removed from the plate stack.

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- 1.~ -
The pink-up apparatus 2 comprises a sucker plate 10
with suction heads 11, which are fitted to arms 13 via
webs 12. By means of the pivoting movement of the arms
13, a printing plate '~ can be removed from the drawer 5
and inserted into a drum exposer 3. For the purpose of
removal, the sucker plate 10 is lowered onto the
printing plate 7 until the suction heads 1~. of the
sucker plate 10 can make contact with the printing
plate 7. The printing plate 7 can be held firmly on the
sucker plate 10 by vacuum. As an alternatW'e to this,
it is also possible to use a, horizontally and
vertically displaceable pick-up apparatus.
Irrespective of the design. of the pick-up apparatus 2,
the sucker plate 10 is placed onto the printing plate ?
in such a w~.y that the surface form of the sucker plate
10 is changed, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. This
shape change of the sucker plate 10 has the effect that
auction heads 11 which are arranged closer t4 the sides
of the sucker plate 10 can make contact with the
printing plate ?. Contact with the suction heads 1I is
made with that side of the printing plate 7 on which an
image is to be set. The suction heads il are put in
place in such a way that their lateral movement on the
printing plate surface is kept as small as possible.
The suction heads 11 are therefore designed in such a
way that injury to or destruction of this side is nat
possible. For example, the suction heads 11 are
fabricated from resilient, soft plastic material. The
deformability of the sucker plate l0 makes it possible
that printing plates ? of a very wide range of s~.zes
can be picked up and deposited by the sucker plate 10.
In this case, picking up a specific plate type can be

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- 11 -
controlled by applying the vacuum selectively to
specific suction heads ~.1.
A print~.ng plate 7, once picked up, is inserted into
the semicircular drum exposer 3 by means of a pivoting
movement of the arms l,~ . The form of the sucker plate
l0 with the printing plate 7 fixed to it is matched in
this case to the size of the opening in the exposer 3.
Exact positioning of the printing plate 7 in the
1.0 expc~ser 3, not illustrated here, can be carried out
eithar via a punched-out portion of th~ printing plate
7, which can be insexted ~.n exact register in pins
arranged on the exposer 3, or the position of the
printing plate 7 can be registered digitally.
While the laser of the exposer 3 is setting an image on
the printing plate 7, the pick-up apparatus 2 is able
to remove an intermediate paper which ie located
between the individual plates 7 for the purpose o~
protecting stacked printing plates 7. After a printing
plate 7 has been removed from a plate stack, such an
intermediate paper is at the top in a drawer 5. The
removal of this sheet is done with the same mechanism
as the picking up of a printing plate 7, that is to say
via the sucker plate l0 and the vacuum system which can
b~ applied. In order that an intermediate paper is not
picked up togethex with a printing plate, different
sizes of suction heads 21 are arranged on the sucker
plate 10. An intermediate paper is in this case picked
up by means of a vacuum system which is appli$d to
smaller suction heads. once the intermediate paper has
been picked up, the drawer 5 moves back into the plate
magazine 3. As a result of canceling the vacuum, the
sheet falls into the stack container 9 in front of the
plate magazine 1.
The presence or absence of a printing plate 7 or of an
intermediate paper can be established by a sensor

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- 12 -
mechanism which is not illustrated here but which can
be arranged on the sucker plate 10. For example, an
inductive detector can report whether metal or nonmetal
is resting on the sucker plate 10.
After an image has been set on the printing plate 7 and
the intermediate paper has been removed, the printing
plate 7 is transferred onto the conveyor belts of the
planar drawer G by means of the pick-up apparatus 2.
Via the conveyor belts, not illustrated here, of the
drawer 6, the plate is output to the output ramp 14 and
can subsequently be fed to a developing device, not
illustrated here. The output ramp ~.~ can also be
arranged at the rear of the plate magazine.
Both the construction of the exposer 3 and that of the
dQVeloping device are known per se and therefore do not
require any spec~.fic explanation in the present
connection.
For the further time optimization of the printing plate
production, two of the pick-up apparatuses 2 according
to the invention can be arr~.nged on an exposer 3. A
schematic illustration of such an apparatus is shown xn
Fig. 2. In this case, one pick-up apparatus 2 loads the
drum exposer 3 with printing plates 7 a~c~.d removes the
intermediate papers. This pick-up apparatus is
therefore arranged to a plate magazine 1. The other
pick-up dev~.ae 2 remo~res the printing plates 7 on which
images have been set from the drum exposer 3 and passes
these on via an output ramp ~.4 to a developer, not
illustrated here.
~'he pick-up apparatus 2 ~.s illustrated schematically ~.n
Fig. 3. It comprises a frame 15 having a bottom part 16
and two side parts 17. The side parts 17 are connected
at their upper end to a rotatable, lower axle or shaft
19 driven by a motor 18. The drive: shaft of the motor
18 goes onto a pinion 2p. The p~.nion 20 is operatively

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- 33 -
connected via a first tooth belt 21 to a belt pulley
22. The be~.t pulley 22 is firmly seated on tk~e shaft 29
so as to rotate with it. The latter is connected at
both ends to an arm 13 in each case. Here, the end of
the arms 13 ~.rranged at the shaft 19 is of cux~red or
disk-like design. The arms 13 are synchronized via the
shaft 19 and execute parallel pivoting movements. At
the other end of the arms 13, a sucker plate 10 is
rotatably arranged via a mounting comprising an upper
axle 23 and webs 12. The sucker plate 10 is constructed
in the form of a cylindrical segment. The upper axle 23
of the sucker plate l0 is ~.rranged substantially
parallel to the shaft 19. The sucker plate 10
arranged such that it can be pivoted around the upper
axle 23. When pivoted, the sucker plate 1p maintains
the axial alignment, the sucker plate 10 being aligned
on the basis of the force of gravity. The upper axle 23
is operatively connected to the shaft 19 via a furthex
toothed belt 2~. As a result of the drive, the suckex
plate 10 executes a controllable pivoting movement.
The sucker plate l0 comprises at lea$t two suction
heads 11. Illustrated here are a plurality of suction
heads 11, which are fitted in rows in or on the sucker
plate 10, parallel to the upper axle 23. It is possible
for suction heads 11 of different sizes to be arranged
on the sucker plate 10. Another arrangement of the
suction heads ~.~. is likewise possible. The suction
heads 11 are eanrlected to a controllable vacuum system,
not illustrated here. The sucker plate 10 is
constructed such that it can be deformed in relation to
its surface form. Various embodiments of the sucker
plate ~.0 are illustrated ire. Figs 4 and 5.
The dr~.ve motor 18 is assisted by a counterweight
system 25. For this purpose, a rod a6 having a weight
27 is in each case fixed to the curved end of the arms
13. The weight 27 is guided on the frame 15 so that it
can execute only vertical movements. To this end, in

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
_ Zg
each case a guide carriage is arranged on the weight 27
and a guide rail on the frame 15, neither of which is
shown here. When the arms 13 are lowered, the weight 27
is pulled upward by the pivoting movement, and downward
when the arms 30 are lowered. The torque acting around
the axles 19 therefore retards the pivoting movement
during lowering, while during raising it assists the
torque of the motor foxae.
Figs 4 and 5 i~.lustrate schematicaJ.ly the cross
sections of various embodiments of a suction means
according to the invention having means for fixing to
the upper axle 23. The fixing means in Fig. 4 comprises
two pneumatic cylinders 28 and a spindle 29 with a
spindle drive 30. Shown in Fig. 5 is a means for fixing
the sucker plate 10 which, in each case, comprises two
webs 12 and a connecting piece 31, the upper axle 23
and the arms 13, the latter not illustrated.
The webs 12 or the pneumatic cylinders 28 are rvtatably
fitted to the sucker plate 10 and to the connecting
piece 31 or to the sp~.ndle drive 30. By reducing the
size of the angle between the webs 12 or the pneumatic
cylinders 28, the sucker plate 10 can be deformed in
relation to its surface form.
In this case, the angular change and therefore the form
change of the sucker plate 10 can be controlled, as
shown in Fig. 4, by a spindle dxive 30. As an
alternative to this, the angular change can be induced
Qn account of the force o~ gravity. If the sucker plate
is guided upward from the drum e~cposer 3 or from a
drawer 5, as illustrated in Fig. 5, then the angle
between the webs la changes on account of the force of
gravity which acts on the sucker plate 10.
An exemplary embodiment of a sucker plate 10 is shown
in Fig. 6. At the sides, which are arranged parallel to
the axis of the cylindrical segment, tha sucker plate

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- 15 -
has holes so that it can be deformed more easily in
relation to its surface form at these sides than Ln the
oenter.
5 z'he invention algid relates to a method for automatic
printing plate loading and unloading. Fig. 1
illustrates an apparatus with which the method
according to the invention rnay be carried out. A drawer
5 belonging to the plate magazine 1, cor~.taining a stack
10 of printing plates 7 of a specific format, is extended
horizontally by a drive. The pick-up apparatus 2 ie
then pivoted in the direction of the plate magazine 1
to such an extent that the sucker plate 10 can make
contact with the printing plate 7. As a result of the
pivoting movement being continued and as a xesult of
the associated deformation of the sucker plate ~,0, all
the suction heads 11 make contact with the printing
plate 7. By applying vacuum to the suction heads 11,
the printing plate 7 is held on the sucker plate 10.
After a printing plate 7 has been picked up on the
sucker plate 10, the latter is positioned into the drum
of the exposer 3 by means of the pivoting movement of
the arms 13, and is inserted into the drum as a result
of the vacuum being switched off . As an alternative to
this, the pivoting movement can be replaced by a
hor~.zontal and vertical movement.
While the exposer 3 is setting an image on the printing
plate 7, the intermediate paper is removed. For this
purpose, the arms 13 pivot back from the exposer 3
toward the still-open drawer ~,of the plate magazine 1.
The sucker plate l0 is then lowered Qnto the
intermediate paper which, following the removal of the
printing plate 7, ~.e located at the tap in the drawer
5. The action of picking up the sheet is carried out
via the same mechanism as that of a printing place 7.

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
- 16 -
In order to prevent a printing plate being picked up
together with an intermediate paper, the vacuum system
is applied selectively to the smaller suction heads 11.
zn addition, the presence of a printing plate 7 and/or
a~ an intermediate paper on the sucker plate 10 can be
detected via a sensor mechanism.
After the intermediate paper has been picked up by the
sucker plate 10, the drawer 5 is moored back iz~.to the
20 plate magazine 1 again. As a result of the vacuum being
switched off, the intermediate paper falls down, into
the stack container 9 of the trough 8.
The pick-up apparatus 2 then pivots back to the drum
exposer 3 again and picks up the printing plate 7 on
which an image has been set, by applying the vacuum.
The arms 13 pivot back again toward the open drawer 6.
The drawer 6 is closed, and the printing plate 7 on
wh~,ch an image has been set is transferred to the
output ramp l~ by the conveyor belts of the drawer 6.
Finally, the printing plate 7 is fed to the developing
device arranged downstream by means of the output
ramp 14.
In a further embodiment of the method according to the
invention, two pick.-up apparatuses 2 can be used fox
loading and unloading an exposer 3 and far removing an
intermediate paper. The first pick-up apparatus 2
removes the printing plate 7, loads the exposer 3 and
removes th~ intermediate paper. All the method steps
are carried out as described above. After an image has
been set, the second pick-up apparatus 2 removes the
printing plate 7 on which an image has been set and
transfers it either directly to a developing device or
to an interposed output ramp 14. While the second pick-
up apparatus 2 is removing the printing plate 7, the
first pick-up apparatus 2 caz~ already pick up a next
printi~ig plate 7 and keep it ready to load the
exposer 3.

CA 02476441 2004-08-16
_ 17 -
hint of dssigaata.vas
1 Plate magaaine
2 Pick-up apparatus
3 Exposer, drum exposer
4 Housing
5 Drawer
6 Drawer with conveyor belt.
7 Painting plate
8 Trough
9 Stack container
l0 5uekex plate
11 Suction head
i2 web
13 Arm
14 Output ramp
15 Frame
16 Bottom part
17 Side part
18 ~Ivtor
Zs shaft
24 Pinion
21 First toothed belt
22 Belt pulley
~3 Upper axle
24 Second toothed belt
25 Counterweight system
26 Rod
27 Weight
28 Pneumatic cylinder
29 Spindle
30 Spindle drive
~1 Connecting piece

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

2024-08-01 : Dans le cadre de la transition vers les Brevets de nouvelle génération (BNG), la base de données sur les brevets canadiens (BDBC) contient désormais un Historique d'événement plus détaillé, qui reproduit le Journal des événements de notre nouvelle solution interne.

Veuillez noter que les événements débutant par « Inactive : » se réfèrent à des événements qui ne sont plus utilisés dans notre nouvelle solution interne.

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , Historique d'événement , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

Historique d'événement

Description Date
Demande non rétablie avant l'échéance 2011-02-16
Le délai pour l'annulation est expiré 2011-02-16
Réputée abandonnée - omission de répondre à un avis sur les taxes pour le maintien en état 2010-02-16
Lettre envoyée 2007-03-09
Requête d'examen reçue 2007-02-09
Exigences pour une requête d'examen - jugée conforme 2007-02-09
Toutes les exigences pour l'examen - jugée conforme 2007-02-09
Inactive : CIB de MCD 2006-03-12
Lettre envoyée 2005-06-14
Inactive : Transfert individuel 2005-05-20
Lettre envoyée 2005-04-18
Exigences pour le changement d'adresse - jugé conforme 2005-03-24
Requête pour le changement d'adresse ou de mode de correspondance reçue 2005-03-08
Inactive : Transfert individuel 2005-03-08
Inactive : Page couverture publiée 2004-10-20
Inactive : Lettre de courtoisie - Preuve 2004-10-19
Exigences relatives à une correction du demandeur - jugée conforme 2004-10-18
Inactive : Notice - Entrée phase nat. - Pas de RE 2004-10-18
Demande reçue - PCT 2004-09-14
Exigences pour l'entrée dans la phase nationale - jugée conforme 2004-08-16
Demande publiée (accessible au public) 2003-08-21

Historique d'abandonnement

Date d'abandonnement Raison Date de rétablissement
2010-02-16

Taxes périodiques

Le dernier paiement a été reçu le 2009-01-23

Avis : Si le paiement en totalité n'a pas été reçu au plus tard à la date indiquée, une taxe supplémentaire peut être imposée, soit une des taxes suivantes :

  • taxe de rétablissement ;
  • taxe pour paiement en souffrance ; ou
  • taxe additionnelle pour le renversement d'une péremption réputée.

Les taxes sur les brevets sont ajustées au 1er janvier de chaque année. Les montants ci-dessus sont les montants actuels s'ils sont reçus au plus tard le 31 décembre de l'année en cours.
Veuillez vous référer à la page web des taxes sur les brevets de l'OPIC pour voir tous les montants actuels des taxes.

Historique des taxes

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Date payée
Taxe nationale de base - générale 2004-08-16
TM (demande, 2e anniv.) - générale 02 2004-02-16 2004-08-16
TM (demande, 3e anniv.) - générale 03 2005-02-16 2005-02-11
Enregistrement d'un document 2005-03-08
Enregistrement d'un document 2005-05-20
TM (demande, 4e anniv.) - générale 04 2006-02-16 2006-01-24
TM (demande, 5e anniv.) - générale 05 2007-02-16 2007-01-19
Requête d'examen - générale 2007-02-09
TM (demande, 6e anniv.) - générale 06 2008-02-18 2008-01-22
TM (demande, 7e anniv.) - générale 07 2009-02-16 2009-01-23
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
HANS LUESCHER
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
MICHAEL GRAF
PETER BERNER
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
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Description du
Document 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Revendications 2004-08-15 6 244
Description 2004-08-15 17 863
Dessin représentatif 2004-08-15 1 10
Abrégé 2004-08-15 1 20
Dessins 2004-08-15 6 102
Page couverture 2004-10-19 1 38
Avis d'entree dans la phase nationale 2004-10-17 1 201
Courtoisie - Certificat d'enregistrement (document(s) connexe(s)) 2005-04-17 1 104
Courtoisie - Certificat d'enregistrement (document(s) connexe(s)) 2005-06-13 1 114
Rappel - requête d'examen 2006-10-16 1 116
Accusé de réception de la requête d'examen 2007-03-08 1 176
Courtoisie - Lettre d'abandon (taxe de maintien en état) 2010-04-12 1 172
PCT 2004-08-15 4 170
Correspondance 2004-10-17 1 25
Taxes 2005-02-10 1 35
Correspondance 2005-03-07 1 52