Post-imaging punching apparatus and method

Abstract

An imaging and punching system and related method for a plate imaging system that can record an image on recordable media and punch the imaged media. The imaging and punching system includes a punching apparatus that is a part of the imaging and punching system that can precisely punch an imaged plate in a punch area. The system also includes a transfer assembly, including the imaged media support, having a pivot for moving the imaged media from the imaging system to the punching system. The pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said punching system and movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punching system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an imaging and punching system.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the imaging and punching system of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of a preferred embodiment of the imaging and punching system of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the imaging and punching system of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of a portion of the imaging and punching system of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of a portion of the imaging and punching system of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of a portion of the imaging and punching system of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded, schematic of a portion of the imaging and punching system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for imaging and perforating recordable media comprising: an imaging system recording an image on recordable media to form imaged media;a recordable media support conveying the recordable media to the imaging recording device;at least one perforation device having a punch movable into and out of a punch area to punch the imaged media; andan imaged media support having a pivot, said pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said perforation device, the imaged media support being movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punch area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a positioning device for adjusting a position of the imaged media with respect to the punch area.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, the positioning device further comprising one or more registration pins.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more registration pins comprises a plurality of registration pins, at least one registration pin having a hemispherical shape capable of rotating so that a rounded surface of a rotated registration pin contacts the imaged media.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one registration pin is further capable of rotating such that only two of the plurality of registration pins contacts the imaged media.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, the positioning device further comprising one or more of the following: a push bar, registration pins, optical sensors or readers, vacuum cups, grooves in a bar fed by a vacuum, air cylinders pushing the plate edge, air cylinders pulling the plate edge, belts with fingers to push the plate, air, rollers driving the plate, an incline (gravity), leadscrew(s) for the pins, a motor, a sensors, and a camera and other devices.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transfer assembly including the imaged media support having a fixed pivot, wherein the transfer assembly moves between the first position and the second position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, the transfer assembly further comprising a camed positioning device for adjusting the position of the imaged media with respect to the imaged media support.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, the positioning device further comprising at least one rotatable pin, the at least one rotatable pin comprising a quasi hemispherical-like shape.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, the positioning device further comprising at least one rotatable pin, the at least one rotatable pin comprising a position determined by a controller.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller to control the movement of the first end.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller to control the placement of the imaged media in a predetermined manner.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the predetermined manner aligns the perforations with at least two edges of the imaged media.

14. A method of perforating imaged media comprising: moving imaged media from an imaging system to a punching system having a punch area by moving a first end of a imaged media support having a pivot, said pivot having a fixed relationship to said image system and said punching system, the imaged media support being movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punch- area;aligning the imaged media within a punching system including at least one perforation device movable into and out of the punch area to punch the imaged media; andpunching at least one hole in the imaged media in a predetermined position in the punch area; andoutputting the punched imaged media from the punching system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the imaged media is unloaded from the imaging system when the first end is in the first position.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising a recordable media support that supports a recordable media, the recordable media being conveyed to the imaging system after the imaged media is unloaded from the imaging system.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first end of the transfer assembly moves along an elliptical path.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein a transfer assembly including the imaged media support having a fixed pivot pivots about a point between the first position and the second position.

19. The method of claim 14, the method further including receiving positioning information data from registration pin contact with said imaged media to assist the alignment of the imaged media.

20. A apparatus for imaging and perforating recordable media comprising: an imaging system comprising an image recording device for forming an image on recordable media to form imaged media; at least one perforation device having a punch movable into and out of a punch area to punch the imaged media; anda transfer assembly, including an imaged media support having a reference, said reference having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said perforation device, the imaged media support being shuttled in a controlled manner, based on the reference, between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punch area.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a positioning device for adjusting the position of the imaged media with respect to the imaged media support.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, the positioning device further comprising one or more registration pins.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the one or more registration pins comprises a plurality of registration pins, at least one registration pin having a hemispherical shape capable of rotating so that a rounded surface of a rotated registration pin contacts the imaged media.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one registration pin is further capable of rotating such that only two of the plurality of registration pins contacts the imaged media.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, the positioning device further comprising one or more of the following: a push bar, registration pins, optical sensors or readers, vacuum cups, grooves in a bar fed by a vacuum, air cylinders pushing the plate edge, air cylinders pulling the plate edge, belts with fingers to push the plate, air, rollers driving the plate, an incline, leadscrew(s) for the pins, a motor, a sensors, and a camera and other devices.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a controller to control the movement of the transfer assembly.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a controller to control the one or more registration pins.

28. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a controller to control a placement of the imaged media in a predetermined manner.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the controller is further operable for controlling the punching system to form at least one perforation in the imaged media, wherein the predetermined manner aligns the at least one perforation with at least two edges of the imaged media.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more registration pins are adjacent the punch area.

31. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus comprises a first registration system operable for defining at least three points on at least two edges of the recordable media, wherein the image is formed on the recordable media in aligned relationship with the at least three points.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the positioning device further comprises a second registration system for determining the at least three points on the imaged media, wherein the at least three points on the imaged media align based on information in a controller concerning the at least three points used to align the recordable media.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the first registration system comprises a first set of registration members located on the image recording member, wherein the first set of registration members is operable for aligning a first edge of the at least two edges.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first registration system comprises an optical sensor for determining at least one point of the at least three points.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first set of registration members is operable for determining two points of the at least three points on the recordable media, the apparatus further comprising a positioning device that includes a second registration system for determining the two points on the imaged media.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the second registration system comprises a plurality of registration members, wherein a second set of registration members is selected from the plurality of registration members to determine the two points on the imaged media.

37. A method of imaging and perforating recordable media in an imaging and perforating system comprising: a. receiving recordable media in said system;b. imaging said recordable media to provide imaged media, wherein the imaging comprises forming an image on the recordable media in aligned relationship with at least three points disposed on at least two edges of the recordable media;c. transporting the imaged media to a perforating system by moving a first end of an imaged media support having a pivot, said pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said punching system, the imaged media support being movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punching system, the transfer assembly disposed to shuttle between the first and second position;d. determining the at least three points on the imaged media in the punching system based on the at least three points disposed on at least two edges of the recordable media;e. positioning the imaged media within a punch area in the punching system relative to the determined three points on the imaged media;f. perforating the imaged media in the punch area in aligned relationship with the determined at least three points on the imaged media; andg. outputting the punched and imaged media from the system.

38. The method of claim 37, the positioning step further comprising positioning one or more registration pins.

39. The system of claim 38, the positioning step further comprising rotating a registration pin to contact the imaged media.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising controlling the one or more registration pins with a controller.