Abstract: A hot leaf imprinter is provided with first and second hot leaf supply rolls and a guide arrangement for guiding the hot leaf from said first and second supply rolls along first and second paths to a printing station. The respective portions of said first and second paths adjacent said printing station correspond with each other, the first and second paths being aligned in spaced relation at a portion thereof immediately in advance of the corresponding portion with the respective hot leaf from said first and second supply rolls in facing spaced relation. A selectively actuable plunger is provided for normally holding the beginning of the hot leaf of one of said first and second supply rolls in spaced relation to the hot leaf of the other of said first and second supply rolls and for selectively displacing said beginning of the hot leaf of said one of said first and second supply rolls into secured engagement with the hot leaf of the other of said first and second supply rolls.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for webs continuously moving along a path wherein a printing head is cyclically displaced along a further path which includes a portion extending substantially along the web path, the printing head engaging the web against a displaceable back-up member while traversing said portion of its path, the print head being spaced from the web path during the remaining portion of each cycle. Apparatus is provided for selectively adjusting the velocity of the print head while in engagement with the web and back-up member so that the print head and web are moving at substantially the same velocity. The print head may be a heated die, in which case a heat-released pigment bearing strip is incrementally advanced to the region intermediate the print head and web when the print head is spaced from the web and is engaged against the web by the heated die when the print head engages the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for imprinting intermittently advanced webs has a carriage mounted for reciprocal displacement parallel to the web on a support. The web passes between a backup plate and a print roller rotatably mounted on the carriage. The carriage is displaced in one direction while the web is at rest, the print roller being coupled to the support for rotation during displacement of the carriage to effect printing by engaging the web against the backup plate. Printing is effected during displacement of the carriage in both directions.