Paper picking system and method
a paper picking system and paper picking technology, applied can solve the problems of easy marring of emulsion-coated surfaces, unique technological hurdles in the printing industry, and delicacy of unexposured emulsion-coated surfaces,
Inactive Publication Date: 2005-03-31
KODAK IL
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AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
"The present invention provides a mechanism for picking and discarding slipsheets in a CTP imager. The mechanism includes a roller, rotating means, and clamps along its length. The clamps have a contact portion and a positioning portion. The contact portion is positioned at a distance from the roller when the roller and surface-contact portion are in contact with the surface of the slipsheet, and it is in contact with the roller when the roller and surface-contact portion are not in contact with the slipsheet. The mechanism is placed in a first position where the roller and surface-contact portion are in contact with the topmost slipsheet, and then the roller is rolled to create a fold in the slipsheet. The fold is then clamped between the surface-contact portion and the roller. The mechanism can also be used to release the slipsheet by rolling the roller again. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and efficient mechanism for picking and discarding slipsheets in a CTP imager."
Problems solved by technology
Automating the printing industry presents unique technological hurdles.
In the case of printing plates, some of these hurdles result from the delicacy of the unexposed emulsion-coated surfaces of these plates.
These emulsion-coated surfaces are easily marred, and if marred, create undesirable defects in the final printed product.
Measures used to reduce marring of plates during storage or transport, however, introduce additional problems for automation.
The automation of slip-sheet removal for the printing industry presents a number of unique problems; slip-sheet removal is not simply a matter of moving a single sheet from a stack of similar sheets.
Removing a thin, lightweight, and relatively deformable slip sheet sandwiched between relatively heavy printing plates is a technological challenge further complicated by the fact that the slip sheets must be removed without damaging the sensitive surfaces of the printing plates.
The removal process can also be complicated by the fact that slip-sheets and plates are often quite large.
In addition, the actual materials used for slip-sheets can vary, although commonly the slip-sheet material is paper, which may be fragile and easily torn.
Another difficulty is that slip sheets tend to adhere to printing plate surfaces when plates are separated from each other.
As a result, the exact position of the slip-sheet relative to a plate is not consistent.
The tendency of the slip-sheets to adhere also complicates slip-sheet removal, especially since the slip-sheets must be separated from printing plates without scratching or otherwise damaging the emulsion-coated surfaces of the plates.
Since the emulsions are very delicate, any mechanical impact imposed upon the emulsion-coated surface of the plate is a potential source of damage, even if it occurs through a slip-sheet.
However, attempts to remove slip-sheets using suction cups tend to fail for a number of reasons: 1.
Slip-sheets are often so porous that a suction cup cannot achieve sufficient vacuum suction to lift the slip sheet; 2.
Slip-sheets can be very large in some application, such that a slip-sheet may be lifted by a suction cup, but the suction cup may not be capable of moving the slip-sheet laterally without releasing it; 4.
Slip-sheets rarely provide sufficient stiffness to permit reliable gripping and are prone to wrinkling at the interface between suction cup and slip-sheet, causing vacuum failure and premature release.
The above examples indicate that the prior art of automated slip-sheet removal is based on several approaches, however these approaches do not fully address the above-mentioned problems associated with slip-sheet removal in the context of fully automated CTP processes.
Method used
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[0028]FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the paper picking mechanism of the present invention. The mechanism, residing in a CTP machine, comprises a picking unit, generally denoted by numeral 6, an elevating mechanism 25 and an inclined surface 70, the lower end of which protrudes from the CTP machine. The picking unit 6 is shown twice in FIG. 1, once in its plates position 5, near a stack 15 of plates separated by slip-sheets, and once in its tray position 5A, for dispensing the picked slip-sheet.
[0029]FIG. 2 is a blown-up scheme of the area denoted 5 in FIG. 1, showing the picking unit 6 in the picking position, The picking unit comprises a roller 20 made of high-friction material, preferably rubber. The roller 20 is preferably connected by a timing-belt 50 or by a chain or gear wheel to motor 60. Roller 20 spans the width of the slip-sheet 10 lying on top of the stack of plates. A plurality of clamps 30 are mounted along the roller 20. The clamps 30 are preferably loaded by springs 40....
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A paper picking system and method, the system comprising a roller spanning the width of the paper, clamping unit positioned along the roller and elevating means for elevating the roller and the plurality of clamping units having clamping portions and surface-contact portions, wherein the clamping portions are positioned at a given distance from the roller when the roller and the surface-contact portions are in contact with the surface of the paper, and wherein the clamping portions are in contact with the roller when the roller and the surface-contact portions are not in contact with the surface of the paper.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention pertains to the field of printing and in particular to the field of automated loading of printing plates. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A CTP system accepts input jobs / pages written in a page description language, for example, Postscript. The jobs are sent through a raster image processor to a platemaker for exposure. The platemaker engine images the raster data on a plate, which is later mounted on the press, inked and made ready for printing. [0003] The inclusion of a CTP system into a printing operation suggests a greater extent of automation that can be achieved. A full CTP process can automate, through the use of computers and special equipment, the transfer of information from the original layout to the press plate. [0004] Also included in the automation of a CTP system is the media handling. It is necessary to supply plates individually from a plate supply area to the platemaker engine and it is desirable to reduce the amount o...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): B65H3/06
CPCB65H3/0623B65H2701/1928B65H2403/21
InventorZAHAVI, AVI
OwnerKODAK IL