Abstract: A rotary anvil is outfitted with pins protruding from the base of an axially extending channel along the surface of the anvil. A cutting mat having a generally elongate body includes first and second locking members projecting from opposite axial ends thereof. The cutting mat is installed on the anvil such that the first and second locking members are positioned within the channel over one of the pins. The cutting mat may include a foot extending from the first locking member that includes a pin receptacle that seats down over the pin. Alternatively, a lockup device may be provided to temporarily secure the cutting mat to the rotary anvil. The lockup device includes a pin receptacle on the bottom surface thereof adapted to seat down over the pin. The first and second locking members of the cutting mat are then installed into the channel in cooperation with the lockup device.

Abstract: A method of making a photopolymer sleeve blank for use in flexographic printing is provided which includes providing a base sleeve, applying a cushion layer over the base sleeve, applying an optional barrier layer over the cushion layer, and applying a photopolymer layer over the barrier or cushion layer. The method provides a sleeve blank having an integral cushion layer and eliminates the need for a back exposure step.

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: An image transfer belt is provided for use in digital printing applications which includes a base film layer having perforations therein which are filled with a conductive polymer layer to provide controlled conductivity to the belt. The belt further includes a compliant layer over the conductive polymer layer. The resulting belt exhibits electrical properties suitable for digital image transfer. These properties may be varied according to the desired application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compressible printing sleeve carrier for use in offset lithography which is formed from a composite fiber-reinforced compressible polymer. 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: An image transfer product such as an offset printing blanket or sleeve is provided which comprises a very thin printing surface layer in combination with a smooth image reinforcement layer comprising a polymeric film, a fabric, or a polymer-coated fabric. The thin printing surface layer has a thickness between about 0.001 to about 0.012 inches (about 0.025 to about 0.3 mm). The image transfer product is more efficiently manufactured due to reduced solvent usage and reduced number of coating passes, and in use, exhibits uniform feed, web control, and registration characteristics.

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: 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 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 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: An image transfer belt is provided for use in digital printing applications which includes a base film layer having perforations therein which are filled with a conductive polymer layer to provide controlled conductivity to the belt. The belt further includes a compliant layer over the conductive polymer layer. The resulting belt exhibits electrical properties suitable for digital image transfer. These properties may be varied according to the desired application.

Abstract: A liftings trough for mounting in an interior space of a rotatable member of a length grading machine is defined by walls that are contoured to provide a maximum clearance between the mounted trough and an inlet opening through which grain flows into the interior space of the rotatable member, while maintaining a maximum capacity of the trough to receive granules in a particular size range, which are lifted by pockets located along an interior surface of the rotatable member, when the grain flows into the interior space of the member and the member rotates about the trough.

Abstract: A slurry dividing apparatus is configured to divide a main slurry stream into smaller constituent slurry streams, wherein each stream contains a desired proportion of suspended solids. The dividing apparatus includes a main flow channel and a plurality of branch flow channels extending upward from a flow divider that terminates an upper end of the main flow channel. The main slurry stream enters the main flow channel, at an inlet opening thereof, and is decelerated, by an upward extension and expanding cross-section of the main flow channel, before reaching the flow divider and being divided into the smaller constituent slurry streams flowing within the plurality of branch flow channels. Each of the smaller streams flows up and then over a weir, which extends across an upper portion of each of the branch flow channels, and then down into a corresponding discharge flow channel of the apparatus.

Abstract: An endless belt for use in digital imaging systems is provided having edge to edge uniform flatness, and precise circumferential and edge to edge thickness. The layers comprising the belt may be tailored as desired for use in either image recording, image transfer or sheet transport operations. In one embodiment, the belt includes an elastomeric base layer, a reinforcing support layer, and an elastomeric surface ply. The belt is preferably manufactured by building the layers on a workpiece and then curing the layers.

Abstract: The invention provides for a seal assembly for a grain separator. The grain separator may include a housing, a rotatable grain separation cylinder within the housing, the cylinder having an end surface, a grain inlet having an inlet spout extending through the end surface for conveying grain into the cylinder in a feed zone, an auxiliary end piece or seal cone functionally connected to the end surface of the cylinder. The auxiliary end piece may have an annular external surface spaced laterally from the feed zone, and a seal interfacing with the annular external surface, thereby defining a seal zone spaced laterally from the feed zone. Such grain separators have increased capacity compared to separators with traditional seal assemblies.

Abstract: The invention includes a hammermill for comminuting material. The hammer includes a housing and a cutting plate disposed within the housing. A rotor assembly is rotatably mounted within the housing about an axis of rotation and a plurality of hammers are functionally coupled to the rotor assembly. The housing is rotatable about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention provides for a seal assembly for a grain separator. The grain separator may include a housing, a rotatable grain separation cylinder within the housing, the cylinder having an end surface, a grain inlet having an inlet spout extending through the end surface for conveying grain into the cylinder in a feed zone, an auxiliary end piece or seal cone functionally connected to the end surface of the cylinder. The auxiliary end piece may have an annular external surface spaced laterally from the feed zone, and a seal interfacing with the annular external surface, thereby defining a seal zone spaced laterally from the feed zone. Such grain separators have increased capacity compared to separators with traditional seal assemblies.

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.

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 fabric plies in the blanket construction, and provides high tensile strength, low stretch, and resistance to gauge loss.

Abstract: A liquid transfer article is provided including a support assembly and an imaged surface formed directly on the surface of the support assembly by digital photopolymerization. The support assembly is in the form of a polymeric base, and the liquid transfer article is formed by providing a liquid photopolymer on the surface of the base and then irradiating the polymer with a light source to form the image. The liquid transfer article is reimagable and may be used in gravure printing processes, as well as other printing applications.