The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 12, 1999
Applicant:
Inventor:
Fernando Lopes, Richmond, CA;
Assignee:
Creo Products Inc., Burnaby, CA;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B41F 2/700 ; B41F 1/28 ; B41F 2/100 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B41F 2/700 ; B41F 1/28 ; B41F 2/100 ;
Abstract
A retainer for holding a printing plate to the cylindrical surface of a vacuum drum has a curved surface which conforms to and seals against the cylindrical surface of the drum. The retainer is held in place by pressure differential. An edge portion of a printing plate is received below a lip which extends along the retainer. The retainer is light in weight and therefore does not significantly unbalance the drum even if it is not always in the same position on the drum. The retainer is also inexpensive to manufacture and less likely than prior art clamps to cause damage if it fails.