Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a coating composition comprising a first thermoplastic resin suspended in a liquid medium, and a second thermoplastic resin in the form of solid particles, wherein the second thermoplastic resin is incorporated but insoluble in the liquid medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a coating composition comprising a first thermoplastic resin suspended in a liquid medium, and a second thermoplastic resin in the form of solid particles, wherein the second thermoplastic resin is incorporated but insoluble in the liquid medium.

Abstract: A printing blanket is provided which includes a reinforcing layer formed from a polymeric fabric reinforcing material which softens and flows at a temperature less than that used in the final curing step of forming the blanket or a polymeric reinforcing material having a thickness of between about 0.003 inches and 0.010 inches. The reinforcing layer provides a smooth surface to support an outer print surface layer and provides improved print performance while enabling a reduction in the overall thickness of the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: An image transfer product is provided which includes a phase change material in one or more layers of the product to regulate the temperature of the product during printing operations. The image transfer product may be in the form of a printing blanket, printing sleeve, electrophotographic/xerographic transfer blanket, image transfer belt, or roller which includes a print surface layer and at least one layer underlying the printing surface layer. The phase change material may be included in any of the layers of the image transfer product, but is not present at the upper surface of the print surface layer. The phase change material may be in the form of a powder, fibers, capsules, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Printing blankets having non-extensible backing plies such as, for example, metalback blankets, are provided which have a construction that is adapted to be mountable onto blanket cylinders having a gap containing a conventional single reel rod lock-up mechanism. The blankets include first and second relief areas positioned such that when the blankets are mounted onto a blanket cylinder, the relief areas substantially align with the point at which the lead and trail ends of the blankets are inserted into a gap in the blanket cylinder to secure the ends in the lock-up mechanism.

Abstract: The invention includes a grain separator with a seal system. The seal system includes an elastomeric portion and an inelastomeric portion. The seal system interfaces with an inlet spout at at least two locations. The seal system is rotatable about an inlet spout. A sealing pressure is increased as grain interacts with the seal system.

Abstract: A printing blanket is provided which may include a printable surface ply, a compressible ply, one or more reinforcing fabric plies, and a non-extensible backing layer comprising a polymeric material. The printing blanket has first and seconds ends which are adapted to be inserted into the gap of a printing blanket cylinder, where each of the first and second ends may include a relief area formed by removing or molding a portion of the blanket or by removing or molding a portion of the non-extensible backing layer such that the blanket may be mounted in a wide variety of printing presses using a number of different lock-up mechanisms.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method of making a cutting mat backing includes creating a roving by wrapping a fiber material around a rotary cylinder under tension to form a plurality of layers. Each of the plurality of layers is angled with respect to a central axis of the rotary cylinder and the roving has a normalized axial flexural rigidity of from 2 lbf.in2 to 30 lbf.in2 over a beam width of 1 inch and a ratio of normalized circumferential flexural rigidity to normalized axial flexural rigidity of from 1:1 to 30:1. The method further includes infusing the roving with a polymer resin and curing the resin via electromagnetic radiation to form the cutting mat backing. Cutting mats including the cutting mat backing are also described.

Abstract: A printing sleeve is provided which includes a reinforcing layer formed from a polymeric cord reinforcing material which softens and flows at a temperature less than that used in the final curing step of forming the sleeve or a polymeric reinforcing material having a thickness of between about 0.003 inches and 0.010 inches. The reinforcing layer provides a smooth surface to support an outer print surface layer and provides improved print performance while enabling a reduction in the overall thickness of the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: An intermediate sleeve is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a print cylinder. The intermediate sleeve includes a base layer, a reinforcing layer, a barrier layer, and a surface layer. The sleeve further includes at least one air channel extending longitudinally, circumferentially, or spirally along the interior of the sleeve, at least one air passageway extending from an inner surface of the sleeve into the air channel, and a plurality of orifices extending radially outward from the air channel to an outer surface of the sleeve. The air channel, air passageway, and orifices are in communication such that pressurized air can be supplied from the interior of the print cylinder to the outer surface of the sleeve for mounting a printing sleeve on the intermediate sleeve.

Abstract: An image transfer product is provided which includes a phase change material in one or more layers of the product to regulate the temperature of the product during printing operations. The image transfer product may be in the form of a printing blanket, printing sleeve, electrophotographic/xerographic transfer blanket, image transfer belt, or roller which includes a print surface layer and at least one layer underlying the printing surface layer. The phase change material may be included in any of the layers of the image transfer product, but is not present at the upper surface of the print surface layer. The phase change material may be in the form of a powder, fibers, capsules, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A vertical grain cleaner having an intake manifold modified to reduce the formation of vortexes and pressure imbalances based on the flow of aspiration air through the cleaner. An intake manifold with a louver defining one or more apertures that allows air to pass through the louver. Methods of operating vertical grain cleaners.

Abstract: An improved printing blanket construction is provided which includes at least a top ply, a bottom ply, and a non-extensible backing ply. The blanket includes leading and trailing edges which are secured directly to the backing ply, where at least a portion of the leading edge forms a contoured edge, a stair-stepped edge, a beveled edge, or a combination thereof. The printing blanket construction having such a shaped leading edge reduces printing gap, reduces the impact forces on the leading edge of the blanket, and protects the blanket from the penetration of ink, solvents, moisture and the like into the blanket plies during use.

Abstract: Printing blankets having non-extensible backing plies such as, for example, metalback blankets, are provided which have a construction that is adapted to be mountable onto blanket cylinders having a gap containing a conventional single reel rod lock-up mechanism. The blankets include first and second relief areas positioned such that when the blankets are mounted onto a blanket cylinder, the relief areas substantially align with the point at which the lead and trail ends of the blankets are inserted into a gap in the blanket cylinder to secure the ends in the lock-up mechanism.

Abstract: A compressible printing sleeve carrier for use in offset lithography which is formed from a composite fiber-reinforced compressible polymer is provided. The printing sleeve carrier is formed by coating reinforcing filaments with a compressible polymer and winding the filaments around a mandrel to form a hollow cylindrical base, where the first portion of the base adjacent the inner surface contains the wound reinforcing filaments coated with the compressible polymer and the second portion of the base adjacent the outer surface contains the compressible polymer.

Abstract: A printing blanket is provided which may include a printable surface ply, a compressible ply, one or more reinforcing fabric plies, and a non-extensible backing layer comprising a polymeric material. The printing blanket has first and seconds ends which are adapted to be inserted into the gap of a printing blanket cylinder, where each of the first and second ends may include a relief area formed by removing or molding a portion of the blanket or by removing or molding a portion of the non-extensible backing layer such that the blanket may be mounted in a wide variety of printing presses using a number of different lock-up mechanisms.

Abstract: A printing blanket is provided which includes a reinforcing layer formed from a polymeric fabric reinforcing material which softens and flows at a temperature less than that used in the final curing step of forming the blanket or a polymeric reinforcing material having a thickness of between about 0.003 inches and 0.010 inches. The reinforcing layer provides a smooth surface to support an outer print surface layer and provides improved print performance while enabling a reduction in the overall thickness of the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A printing sleeve is provided which includes a reinforcing layer formed from a polymeric cord reinforcing material which softens and flows at a temperature less than that used in the final curing step of forming the sleeve or a polymeric reinforcing material having a thickness of between about 0.003 inches and 0.010 inches. The reinforcing layer provides a smooth surface to support an outer print surface layer and provides improved print performance while enabling a reduction in the overall thickness of the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A printing plate assembly for use in flexographic printing application is provided which includes an integral carrier layer, one or more cushion layers, and one or more photopolymer layers. The photopolymer layer(s) in the integral assembly are provided with relief images using digital imaging photopolymerization, which eliminates the need for a back exposure step and provides a precise relief depth for the plate.

Abstract: A printing blanket construction is provided which includes a reinforcing fabric ply comprised of a weft insertion fabric or a heavy gauge fabric, where the reinforcing fabric ply provides all of the necessary tensioning properties to the blanket. The use of the reinforcing fabric ply eliminates the need for additional reinforcing fabric plies in the blanket construction, and provides high tensile strength, low stretch, and resistance to gauge loss.