Abstract:
An automatic screen registration device for a registering a screen printing frame and method of use that includes generally (1) a print head or plurality of print heads; (2) frame or frames attached directly to the print head(s) and (3) a means for positioning a screen in the frame(s). The present invention uses a multi-point registration system that is attached to each print head of a screen printing system.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of screen printing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device and method for simultaneously aligning screens in registration. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Printed indicia which are applied to T-shirts and other articles of clothing are very popular. Several Internet Stores that specialize in printing fanciful indicia such as ornamentation, slogans, college names, or sports team names on T-shirts and other clothing have surged in popularity. 
     Screen printing is a printing technique whereby a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. Registration, as it relates to screen printing, is simply the process of making sure that the design lines up exactly as it should for the print. 
     It is important to position the screens and secure them properly to make sure every article of clothing gets the same print in the same location. As such, the most critical and time-consuming part of the screen printing process involving multiple colors is the alignment or registration of successive screens. Each screen for each color must be in registration with the other screens to ensure that the various colors do not overlap or are incorrectly spaced. Otherwise, the printed indicia will not be in registration, resulting in a skewed or imperfect indicia. Screens can be manually registered or machine registered. 
     Traditional machine registered multicolor screen printing uses machines with multiple print heads (1 for each color). They also have multiple printing arms (receivers). A traditional screen registration device uses a 2-3 point registration device that attaches to the receiver arm. This device must be moved (rotated) under each print head. Screens are manually placed against the registration points and then locked by the frame holder attached to the print head. This process must be repeated for each color of a print job at each print head. It must also be repeated for each individual print job. It would therefore be useful to provide a registration device that attaches to the print heads rather than the printing arm/receiver to allow all screens of a print job to be simultaneously registered. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to address several challenges in previous attempts to register screens in a screen printing device. The present invention is an automatic screen registration device for a registering a screen printing frame and method of use that includes generally (1) a print head or plurality of print heads; (2) frame or frames attached directly to the print head(s) and (3) a means for positioning a screen in the frame(s). 
     The present invention uses a multi-point registration system that is attached to each print head of a screen printing system. The system uses multiple blocks to contact the screen and moveable devices (such as air cylinders) assist the screen in making and maintaining contact. The blocks are mounted to adjustable plates, which are then mounted to adjustable brackets that mount the entire assembly to the print head. Alignment is performed with an alignment frame mounted to the receiver arm and rotated to each print head for alignment and locking. Since the registration is now mounted to each print head, alignment only needs to done at the machine assembly, installation or as part of normally scheduled maintenance. So, during actual use for registering screens, they are loosely placed in the frame holder and activated to position all screen simultaneously. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is top view of the automatic screen registration device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the automatic screen registration device of the present invention mounted on the print head. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of a prior art print head with screen clamps and microregistration components. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of the prior art device in  FIG. 3  with the present invention attached to the print head. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective side view showing screen registration bracket in an unlocked and locked position. 
         FIG. 6  is top view of the present invention not engaged in registration to the alignment frame. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the present invention engaged in registration around the alignment frame. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the simultaneous registration system of the present invention mounted on a printing press and not engaged in simultaneous registration around the alignment frame for the first print head. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the present invention mounted on a printed press, locked and engaged in registration around the alignment frame or the first print head. 
         FIG. 10A  is a top view of the present invention mounted on a printing press and all engaged in registration for all print heads. 
         FIG. 10B  is a top view of the alignment frame of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the simultaneous registration system of the present invention prior to engaging multiple, simultaneous screens into registration. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the simultaneous registration system of the present invention after engaging multiple, simultaneous screens into registration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , the registration device of the present invention is shown. A front registration assembly  500  sits opposite and parallel to the rear registration assembly  501 . The front frame  300  of the front registration assembly  500  is parallel to an opposing frame  301  of the rear registration assembly  501 . The frames  300  and  301  each having a pair of opposing side edges and a pair of opposing end edges. A first block  202  extends perpendicularly from the side edge at the end of the rear frame  301  to create a first corner between the first block  202  and front frame  301 . A second block  200  extends perpendicularly from the side edge at the end of the front frame  300  such that the first block  202  and second block  200  are opposing. A third block  201  is parallel to the side edge of the front frame  300  and perpendicular to the second block  200  to form a second corner. 
     The device uses a means for positioning a screen between opposing frames  300  and  301  and adjacent to the first and second corners. The positioning means can include, but is not limited to, air cylinders, levers, mechanical means or other positioning device well known within the prior art. In the preferred embodiment, as shown throughout the Figures, the device uses air cylinders  105  located along the end edge of the first and second frame  300  and  301  that is opposite the first and second blocks  202  and  200 . The air cylinders  105  are adapted to push the screen towards and adjacent to the first and second blocks  202  and  200 . A third air cylinder  105  located along the side edge of the front frame  301  with the third air cylinder  105  being adapted to push the screen towards the second and third block  200  and  201  and adjacent to the second corner. 
     A printing screen is held within the front screen frame holder  101  and rear screen frame holder  102  as shown in further detail in  FIGS. 6-7 . 
     The device may further employ a microregistration system, with the front microregistration system  103  shown in  FIG. 1 . and the front microregistration system  103  and rear microgregistration system  104  shown in  FIG. 2 . Microregistration systems are used to correct minor registration errors due to art, handling or machine deficiencies. Screen frames are clamped into position and when the printing starts, minor adjustments can be made without unclamping and moving the screen which is cumbersome and often just as inaccurate. Microregister uses screw type of adjustment (dial adjusters and micro locks) without unlocking the frame. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and further in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a screen  100  is held in place by screen frame clamps  106 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , the frame holders  101  and  102  are adjustably positioned on the front print head  400  and rear print head  401  using front bracket  302  and rear bracket  303 , respectively. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , a side view of traditional print head  400  is shown attached to the front screen frame holder  101  with screen clamp  106 . The microregistration system  103  uses dial adjusters  103   a  and micro locks  103   b.    
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , a side view of the front registration system  500  of  FIG. 2  is shown. The microregistration system uses dial adjusters  103   a  and micro locks  103   b . The front frame  300  of the screen registration system of the present invention is mounted using a bracket  302 . Air cylinder  105  pushes frame towards the corner created by blocks  200  and  201 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , the bracket  302  is adjustable along the print head  400 . In the preferred embodiment, the bracket is moved along the print head using the bracket adjustment slots  402 . The microregistration system uses dial adjusters  103   a  and micro locks  103   b . The front frame  300  of the screen registration system of the present invention is mounted using a bracket  302 . Air cylinder  105  pushes frame towards the corner created by blocks  200  and  201 . The bracket  302  is moved from an unlocked position to a locked position  503  and thereby locks the screen registration assembly  500  in place. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a top view of the present invention not engaged in registration ( FIG. 6 ) and engaged in registration ( FIG. 7 ) is shown. An alignment frame  107  is positioned between frames  300  and  301  each having a pair of opposing side edges and a pair of opposing end edges. A first block  202  extends perpendicularly from the side edge at the end of the rear frame  301  to create a first corner between the first block  200  and front frame  301 . A second block  200  extends perpendicularly from the side edge at the end of the front frame  300  such that the first block  202  and second block  200  are opposing. A third block  201  is parallel to the side edge of the front frame  300  and perpendicular to the second block  200  to form a second corner. 
     The device uses a means for positioning a screen between opposing frames  300  and  301  and adjacent to the first and second corners. The positioning means can include, but is not limited to, air cylinders, levers, mechanical means or other positioning device well known within the prior art. In the preferred embodiment, as shown throughout the Figures, the device uses air cylinders  105  located along the end edge of the first and second frame  300  and  301  that is opposite the first and second blocks  202  and  200 . The air cylinders  105  are adapted to push the screen towards and adjacent to the first and second blocks  202  and  200 . A third air cylinder  105  located along the side edge of the front frame  301  with the third air cylinder  105  being adapted to push the screen towards the second and third block  200  and  201  and adjacent to the second corner. 
     The device may further employ a microregistration system, with the front microregistration system  103  and rear microgregistration system  104 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a top view of the simultaneous registration system of the present invention mounted on a printing press and not engaged ( FIG. 8 ) and engaged ( FIG. 9 ) in simultaneous registration is shown. A plurality of screen registration devices is used. In  FIG. 8 , a screen alignment frame  107  is shown in a screen printing system prior to moving into position on one of the automatic screen registration devices and  FIG. 9  shows the screen alignment frame  107  is shown in position on one of the automatic screen registration devices. Front brackets  500  of each registration device is adjacent to the front screen holders  101  and rear brackets  501  of each registration device is adjacent to the rear screen holders  102 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , a top view of the simultaneous registration system of the present invention mounted on a printing press and engaged in simultaneous registration. Front brackets  500  of each registration device is adjacent to the front screen holders  101  and rear brackets  501  of each registration device is adjacent to the rear screen holders  102 . The alignment frame  107  is removed for simultaneous screen registration. 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , a top view of the simultaneous registration system of the present invention is shown prior to engaging simultaneous registration devices. Front brackets  500  of each registration device is adjacent to the front screen holders  101  and rear brackets  501  of each registration device is adjacent to the rear screen holders  102 . Screen frames  100  are shown out of alignment (not registered) in the devices. 
     Turning to  FIG. 12 , a top view of the simultaneous registration system of the present invention is shown after engaging the simultaneous registration devices. Front brackets  500  of each registration device is adjacent to the front screen holders  101  and rear brackets  501  of each registration device is adjacent to the rear screen holders  102 . Screen frames  100  are shown properly aligned and registered in the devices. 
     When the system is engaged, all screens  100  are registered simultaneously between the front screen frame holders  101  and rear frame holders  102  by the positioning means (air cylinders) of the front brackets  500  and rear bracket  501 . The entire system is powered by air. The air cylinders engage the screen and move it into registration. Once in position, the screen locks  106  are engaged, either manually or with air, and the registered screen is locked in position. If there are multiple screens they are simply placed on each print head in the apparatus. When the air is switched on, they all move into registration at the same time (simultaneously) and another flip of a switch allows all frames to be locked in place. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.