Would this patent prevent any company from using their plate on the Quickmaster? Also, I heard from a DI user that says Presstek is now paying a credit or "core-fee" for the return and reusing of their "cylinder" that held the plate material.
5657692 : Removable supply and uptake assemblies for lithographic plate material.
INVENTORS:
Theriault; Edwin G., Hudson, NH
Moss; James R., Satellite Beach, FL
Gardiner; John P., Londonderry, NH
Fuller; Douglas D., Contoocook, NH
ASSIGNEES: Presstek, Inc., Hudson, NH
ISSUED:Aug. 19, 1997
FILED: May 4 , 1995
SERIAL NUMBER: 435094
ABSTRACT: A system for accepting and winding lithographic plate material around a cylinder adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis includes supply and uptake spools and an alignment tool for use therewith. The cylinder is hollow, having an interior and an axial opening thereto, and includes means within its interior for selectably engaging supply and uptake spools. The engagement means are in fixed alignment with one another and are disposed within the cylinder so as to define an unobstructed winding path extending around the cylinder from the supply spool to the uptake spool. Plate material stored on the supply spool is extended around this path and affixed to the uptake spool. The tool includes means for releasably gripping supply and uptake spools, and alignment components for aligning the gripping means to at least one engagement means within the cylinder when the tool is introduced therein. The tool is removed from the cylinder following release of the spools to the engagement means.
Neil |
