Punching debris extraction system

Abstract

An extraction system for extracting debris from an imaging and perforating system contained in a housing proximate the punching system that produces debris during the formation of one or more perforations. The extraction system conveying the debris from the interior of the housing to the exterior including a conduit arranged to convey the debris from the interior space to a position outside of the housing without effecting the imaging and punching operation.

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 schematic of a chip extraction system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the chip extraction system in an imaging and punching system.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the chip

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematics of a portion of the chip extraction system.

Claims

1. An imaging and punching system comprising: a housing defining an enclosed interior space; a image recording system for forming an image on a printing plate, the image recording system being disposed within the interior space;a punching system for forming a perforation and associated debris in the printing plate, wherein a portion of the printing plate is separated from the printing plate during the forming of the perforation, the punching system being disposed within the interior space;a controller for controlling at least the image recording system and the punching system;a conduit arranged to convey the debris from the interior space to a position outside of the housing.

2. The imaging and punching system of claim 1, further comprising an airflow generation system for creating a flow of air within the conduit for conveying the debris through the conduit.

3. The imaging and punching system of claim 2, wherein the airflow generation system uses a pressure differential to create the flow of air within the conduit.

4. The imaging and punching system of claim 2, wherein the airflow generation system includes at least a partial vacuum source.

5. The imaging and punching system of claim 4, wherein the source comprises an air amplifier.

6. The imaging and punching system of claim 2, wherein the airflow generation system includes one of a mass air flow meter, airflow sensor or thermistor.

7. The imaging and punching system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one access area to the interior space, the access area being closed during the conveying of the debris through the conduit to the position outside the housing.

8. The imaging and punching system of claim 1, wherein the controller causes the image recording system to impart an image on an additional printing plate during the conveying of the debris through the conduit to the position outside the housing.

9. The imaging and punching system of claim 1, wherein the controller causes the punching system to form a perforation on an additional printing plate during the conveying of the debris through the conduit to the position outside the housing.

10. A method of extracting punch debris in a punching and imaging system enclosed in an housing, comprising: conveying the debris from proximate a punch area in the punching and imaging system enclosed in an housing to a conduit proximate the area;moving the debris through the conduit to outside the housing; andoutputting the debris from the punching system.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising creating a flow of air within the conduit for conveying the debris through the conduit.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising creating a pressure differential to create the flow of air within the conduit.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising operating an air amplifier to create the flow of air within the conduit.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising operating one of a mass air flow meter, airflow sensor or thermistor to create the flow of air within the conduit.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling the image recording system to impart an image on an additional printing plate during the conveying of the debris through the conduit to the position outside the housing.

16. A punching debris extraction apparatus comprising: a housing defining an enclosed interior space;a punching system for forming a perforation and associated debris in a printing plate, wherein a portion of the printing plate is separated from the printing plate during the forming of the perforation, the punching system being disposed within the interior space;a controller for controlling at least the punching system;a conduit arranged to convey the debris from the punching system; andan airflow generation system for creating a flow of air within the conduit for conveying the debris through the conduit.

17. The punching system of claim 16, wherein the conduit is arranged to convey the debris from the interior space to a position outside of the housing.

18. The punching system of claim 16, wherein the airflow generation system uses a pressure differential to create the flow of air within the conduit.

19. The punching system of claim 16, wherein the airflow generation system includes at least a partial vacuum source.

20. The punching system of claim 19, wherein the source comprises an air amplifier.

21. The punching system of claim 16, wherein the airflow generation system includes one of a mass air flow meter, airflow sensor or thermistor.

22. The punching system of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises at least one access area to the interior space, the access area being closed during the conveying of the debris through the conduit to the position outside the housing.

23. The punching system of claim 16, further comprising an image recording system for forming an image on the printing plate, the image recording system being disposed within the interior space, and wherein the controller causes the image recording system to impart an image on an additional printing plate during the conveying of the debris.

24. The punching system of claim 16, wherein the controller causes the punching system to form a perforation on an additional printing plate during the conveying of the debris through the conduit.