METHOD FOR INTRODUCING AND REMOVAL OF PRINTING BLOCKS INTO AND OUT FROM A WASHING MACHINE FOR PRINTING BLOCKS AND A DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD

Abstract: With a method for introducing and removal of printing blocks into and out from a washing machine for printing blocks, being able to washing, rinsing and drying the printing blocks of different dimensions in one working procedure, where printing blocks are suspended in a conveyer (5) equipped with catching means, it is inventor's aim to develop a method for automatically handling the printing blocks when loading and emptying a machine for washing, rinsing and drying printing blocks. This aim is achieved with a method, where the printing blocks are suspended on a yoke (6), where they are fastened with suitable locking means (8), after which the yoke (6) with the printing blocks is taken to an introduction station (2), from which the conveyer (5) can catch the yoke (6) and thereby take the printing blocks through the washing-rinsing-drying-machine (1), after which the yoke (6) arrives to an exit station, from where the yoke (6) with the printing blocks is removed and the printing blocks can be released from the yoke (6).

Description: METHOD FOR INTRODUCING AND REMOVAL OF PRINTING BLOCKS INTO AND OUT FROM A WASHING MACHINE FOR PRINTING BLOCKS AND A DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD. The invention relates to a method for introducing and removal of printin g blocks/plates into and out from a washing machine for printing blocks, b eing able to washing, rinsing and drying the printing blocks of different dimensions in one working procedure, where the printing blocks ar e suspended in a conveyer equipped with catching means. The invention relates further to a device for performing the method. A machine performing such method is known from US-A 3,656,493, w here a machine for the washing of serigraphy frames being suspended in a conveyer equipped with catching means. A frame to be washed is taken into t h e machine through an opening, which can be closed by a door. After th e washing, the still wet serigraphy frame is removed through the same door. After this, the frame must be dried before being recycled. This machine c an wash and rinse only one frame at a time and is therefore time consuming. I n addition, much water is used, as the frames are not dried in the machine. The machine must be operated constantly, as frames should be mounted in an d released from the catching means, and consequently the machine is expensive to run. DK-Utility Patent No. 196 50 058 relates to a box shaped machine for washing parts from "flexo" printing machines, presumably including printing blocks. The parts to be washed are introduced into the machine through a n opening standing on a conveyer. After having been washed and rinsed, t h e parts are passing a drying section with powerful blowers, blowing away with high speed the rinsing water from the parts, after which they are guided out through another opening. The machine can also recycle the washing an d rinsing water to save water. DE-Patent No. 35 34 591 relates to a box shaped machine for w as hin g printing block frames. The parts to be washed are introduced into the m ac h in e through an opening standing on a conveyer. After having been washed an d rinsed, the parts are passing a drying section with blowers blowing hot ai r against the parts, after which the part are taken out through another opening . Here the drying is performed with hot air evaporating the water, which will reduce the recycling of the water. Having considered the prior art technique the inventor has therefore set as a goal to develop a method for automatically handling the printing blocks when loading and emptying a machine for washing, rinsing and dry in g printing blocks. To this end the inventor has suggested, that the printing blocks are suspended on a yoke, where they are fastened with suitable locking means , after which the yoke with the printing blocks is taken to an introduction station, from which the conveyer can catch the yoke and thereby take th e printing blocks through the washing-rinsing-drying-machine, after whi c h the yoke arrives to an exit station, from where the yoke with the printin g blocks is removed and the printing blocks can be released from the yoke. In an advantageous embodiment, the suspension of the printing blocks takes place in a loading station, which after suspending the printing blocks takes the yoke to the introduction station. In a further advantageous embodiment the loading station is made as a magazine, which can hold several yokes with printing blocks? In still a further advantageous embodiment the exit station comprises a collecting device, which can hold several yokes, the collecting device b eing removable from the exit station bringing the yokes to a release station. In a special embodiment of the method according to the invention, th e printing blocks can stay in the yoke for storage. Thereby, it will be possible to store the printing blocks in a computer-controlled store immediately when the y leave the washing machine, without waiting for the printing blocks to dry. If, further, the yoke is identifiable, the printing blocks can be retrieved by mean s of a computer-controlled retrieval system. A device for performing the method according to the above mentioned method, can advantageously have the yoke provided with a longitudinal grove, matching the fixing means on the printing blocks, together with fasteners distributed along the yoke. With such means the printing blocks can be inserted on and removed from the yoke in a few actions. Further embodiments of the invention will be clear from the dependent claims. The invention is now described more detailed with reference to th e drawing. The drawing it can be seen, that fig. 1. shows a principal sketch of an example of the machine for performing the method according to the above mentioned method with the conveyer, and fig. 2. shows a principal sketch of an example of a cross section of the yoke. fig. 3. shows a principal sketch of an example of a yoke. In the three figures an example of the machine 1 according to th e invention is shown with the loading station 2 as a sketch in broken lines, th e introduction station 3, the not explicitly shown exit station on the opposite side of the machine 1, where the release station is similar to the loading station 2. The loading station 2 is the location, where the printing blocks are suspended on the yoke 6, which themselves are hanged on a set of forks not further shown in the drawing. The set of forks 4 are slidingly mounted in a device being able to move the forks 4 from the loading station 2 to the introduction station 3. A similar set of forks is present at the exit station, where the forks can receive the yokes with the clean printing blocks and be moved to the release station. In the introduction station 3 the yoke 6 is moved from the forks 4 and transferred perpendicular to the forks 4 into an area, where the conveyer 5 c an engage the yoke and move it together with the printing blocks into th e washing machine. During the washing-rinsing-drying phase the conveyer 5 is occupied in moving the yoke ahead, until the yoke reaches the exit station, where the conveyer 5 disengages the yoke and leave it to be moved by other means to the exit station. Here, the yoke 6 is transferred to a set of forks similar to those in the loading station 2. The set of forks can thereafter bee moved from the exit station to the release station, where the printing blocks can be removed from the yoke 6. By choosing the length of the forks 4 properly, an advantageous embodiment can be achieved in, that the loading station 2 can be made as a magazine, which can hold several yokes 6 with printing blocks. Correspondingly, if the exit station comprises a collecting device, e.g. a set of forks, which can hold several yokes with clean printing blocks, and th e collecting device is removable from the exit station bringing the yokes 6 to the release station, several printing blocks/plates can be cleaned in one operation without interference from operators, who after the cleaning can either reuse the printing blocks or store them. To this end, it is useful, if the printing blocks can stay in the yoke for storage. Thereby, it will be possible to store th e printing blocks in a computer-controlled store, immediately when they leave the washing machine, without waiting for the printing blocks to dry. If, further, the yoke is identifiable, e.g. by a bar code, the printing blocks can b e retrieved by means of a computer-controlled retrieval system. The yoke 6 used for the cleaning of the printing blocks has in a preferred example of an embodiment a longitudinal grove 7, matching the fixing means on the printing blocks, together with fasteners 8 distributed along the yoke 6. Such fasteners 8 are quite simple, but rather effective for keeping the printing blocks in place. On the yoke 6, an example of a coupling means 9 can be seen behind the fastener 8 for engaging with the conveyer. In the figures 2 and 3, a handle 9 is shown, but that is only considered as an example for such means 9. For easing the storage and retrieval of the printing blocks/plates each yoke 6 can be provided with a machine-readable identifier. Such identifier could be a bar code or any electronically, optically, or magnetically detectable means or any combination thereof.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. Method for introducing and removal of printing blocks into and out from a washing machine for printing blocks, being able to washing, rinsing and drying the printing blocks of different dimensions in one working procedure, where printing blocks are suspended in a conveyer (5) equipped with catching means, characterised in, that the printing blocks are suspended on a yoke (6), where they are fastened with suitable locking means (8), after which th e yoke (6) with the printing blocks is taken to an introduction station (2), from which the conveyer (5) can catch the yoke (6) and thereby take the printing blocks through the washing-rinsing-drying-machine (1), after which the yoke (6) arrives to an exit station, from where the yoke (6) with the printing blocks is removed and the printing blocks can be released from the yoke (6). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in, that the suspension of the printing blocks takes place in a loading station (2), which after the suspension takes the yoke (6) to the introduction station. 3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in, that the loading station (2) is made as a magazine, which can hold several yokes (6) with printing blocks. 4. Method according to any of the previous claims, characterised in, th a t the exit station comprises a collecting device, which can hold several yokes (6) with clean printing blocks, the collecting device being removable from the exit station bringing the yokes to a release station. 5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in, that the printing blocks could stay in the yoke (6) for storage. 6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in, that the printing blocks could be retrieved by the yoke (6) being identifiable. 7. Device for performing the method according to any of the preceeding claims, characterised in, that the yoke (6) has a longitudinal grove (7), matching the fixing means on the printing blocks, together with fasteners (8 ) distributed along the yoke (6). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in, that the device further comprises a loading station (2), an introduction station (3), an exit station, and a release station. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in, that the device also comprises a link from the release station to storage. 10. Device according to claim 7, characterised in, that each yoke (6) is provided with a machine-readable identifier. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in, that the machine- readable identifier is a electronically detectable means. 12. Device according to claim 10, characterised in, that the machine- readable identifier is a magnetically detectable means. 13. Device according to claim 10, characterised in, that the machine- readable identifier is an optically detectable means. 14. Device according to any of the claims 11, 12 or 13, characterised i n , that the machine-readable identifier is any combination of the electronically, optically, or magnetically detectable means.

Inventors: HOLDT NIS BUCH, HOLDT, NIS, BUCH
Applicants: HOLDT NIS BUCH, HOLDT REPRO AS, HOLDT REPRO A/S, HOLDT, NIS, BUCH
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B41F35
IPC codes: B41F35