CPC Definition - Subclass B41D

Last Updated Version: 2017.08
APPARATUS FOR THE MECHANICAL REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES FOR STEREOTYPE PRINTING; SHAPING ELASTIC OR DEFORMABLE MATERIAL TO FORM PRINTING SURFACES ({engraving by spark erosion B23H;} marking or engraving metal by the action of a high concentration of electric current B23H 9/06; type, machines or accessories for making, setting, or distributing type B41B; processes for the manufacture or reproduction of printing surfaces B41C; machines or apparatus for engraving in general, or for embossing B44B 3/00, B44B 5/00; chemical etching of metal C23F 1/00; electrolytic etching C25F 3/00; photomechanical reprodcution G03F)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Making of stereotype printing surfaces, means for casting stereotype plates including machines, moulds and accessories, processes for handling and treating stereotype plates, and processes for preparing stereotype matrices.

Means and processes for shaping into relief form elastic or deformable material like rubber or plastics. The raised parts having an almost flat top surface define the image to be printed, e.g. alphanumerical or decorative symbols, in relief or letterpress type printing apparatus.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Foundry moulding in general

B22C

Casting of metals in general

B22D

Shaping or joining of plastics in general

B29C

Producing particular articles from plastics including rubber

B29D

Flat type-bed letterpress or relief printing presses in general

B41F 1/02- B41F 1/14, B41F 3/02- B41F 3/28

Rotary letterpress machines in general

B41F 5/00

Flexographic rotary letter press machines in general

B41F 5/24

Letterpress printing apparatus specifically adapted for office or other commercial purposes

B41L 15/00

Stereotype printing plates per se in general

B41N 1/00

Printing plates having elastic or deformable material in general

B41N 1/12

Stereotype mats

B41N 11/00

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Stereotype plates

stiff metallic plates cast from a multilayer tissue paper and/or plaster containing matrix. This latter matrix is produced by applying fluid plaster or said multilayer tissue paper by using contact pressure onto the surface of a type bed being filled with a prearranged set of printing types carrying alphanumerical or decorative symbols representing e.g. a full page to be printed, fixed together in an open frame.

Stereotype printing surfaces

letterpress or relief type printing devices used in flat type bed printing presses and in rotary letterpress machines.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • "stereotype printing surfaces", "stereoplate" and "cliché"
Preparing or treating stereotype matrices
Definition statement

This place covers:

Shaping the matrices by exerting pressure and further secondary treating steps like cleaning, moistening or drying the matrices, specific technology mostly used until year 2000.

Casting stereotype plates; Machines, moulds, or devices therefor
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines, casting and moulding devices specifically adapted for manufacturing stereotype printing plates, specific technology mostly used until the year 2000.

Working, treating, or handling stereotype plates
Definition statement

This place covers:

Deforming, e.g. bending, and transporting flat or curved stereotype plates, specific technology mostly used until the year 2000.

Shaping elastic or deformable material, e.g. rubber, plastics material, to form printing surfaces (making rubber printing blocks B41C 3/04)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Shaping of rubber or plastics exclusively for manufacturing of relief type or of letterpress type printing surfaces, e.g. flexographic printing plates, mechanical apparatus for said shaping of rubber or plastics.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Shaping or joining of plastics in general

B29C

Producing particular articles from plastics including rubber

B29D

Chemical treatment of plastics or rubber for manufacturing printing surfaces in general

B41C 1/00

Processes for reproduction or duplicating to produce printing blocks from plastics

B41C 3/06

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Relief type printing surfaces

printing surfaces that are defined by raised parts having an almost flat top surface defining an alphanumerical letter or defining any other design or symbol.

Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Preparing or treating sterotype matrices

B41D 1/00

Casting sterotype plates; machines, moulds, or devices therefore

B41D 3/00

Working, treating, or handling strereotype plates

B41D 5/00

Shaping elastic or deformable material, e.g. rubber, plastic material, to form printing surfaces

B41D 7/00