Patent ID: 6397748
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B41F

Abstract:
An apparatus for mounting a printing plate comprising:a support, said support moveable from a first position to a second position; a vacuum cup having a first end and a second end and a circumferential rim, said vacuum cup connected to said support, said vacuum cup second end having an aligning member, said aligning member comprises an outer annular member, said outer annular member having a passage therein to permit a vacuum to be drawn in a region radially outward of the outer annular member but radially inward of said circumferential rim of the vacuum cup to cause the vacuum cup to engage and support the printing plate thereon; and a vacuum source, said vacuum source connected to said first end of said vacuum cup to permit an operator to control a suction force on said vacuum cup so that when a target on the printing plate is visually aligned with said aligning member the suction force causes the vacuum cup to simultaneously mechanically align the target with the aligning member and to provide a holding support for the printing plate.