Abstract: A polychromic image is reproduced and transferred onto a substrate by (a) providing a single support member having a continuous surface moving at substantially constant speed along a predetermined path; (b) forming on the surface a colored image from variable printing data with a printing ink containing a coloring agent; and (c) bringing a substrate into contact with the colored image to cause transfer of the image from the surface onto the substrate and thereby imprint the substrate with the image. Steps (b) and (c) are repeated several times to define a corresponding number of printing stages arranged at predetermined locations along the aforesaid path and each using a coloring agent of different color, and to thereby produce several differently colored images which are transferred at respective transfer positions onto the substrate in superimposed relation to provide the desired polychromic image.

Abstract: A polychromic image is reproduced and transferred onto a substrate by (a) providing a single positive electrode formed of an electrolytically inert metal and having a continuous passivated surface moving at substantially constant speed along a predetermined path, the passivated surface defining a positive electrode active surface; (b) forming on the positive electrode active surface a plurality of dots of colored, coagulated colloid by electrocoagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid in the presence of a coloring agent, the dots of colored, coagulated colloid being representative of a desired image; and (c) bringing a substrate into contact with the dots of colored coagulated colloid image to cause transfer of the colored, coagulated colloid from the positive electrode active surface onto the substrate and thereby imprint the substrate with the image.

Abstract: A method for coating a metallic substrate with an oily substance. Use is made of a support member having a ceramic coating comprising an oxide ceramic material, onto which is applied the oily substance to form a film of the oily substance uniformly covering the surface of the ceramic coating, the film of oily substance breaking down into micro-droplets having substantially uniform size and distribution. The micro-droplets of oily substance are thereafter transferred onto a surface of the metallic substrate without substantially altering the size and distribution of the micro-droplets, thereby coating the surface of the metallic substrate with the oily substance. The invention is particularly useful for coating the positive electrode of a high-speed electrocoagulation printing apparatus with an olefinic substance containing a metal oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a metallic substrate with an oily substance. Use is made of a support member having a ceramic coating comprising an oxide ceramic material, onto which is applied the oily substance to form a film of the oily substance uniformly covering the surface of the ceramic coating, the film of oily substance breaking down into micro-droplets having substantially uniform size and distribution. The micro-droplets of oily substance are thereafter transferred onto a surface of the metallic substrate without substantially altering the size and distribution of the micro-droplets, thereby coating the surface of the metallic substrate with the oily substance. The invention is particularly useful for coating the positive electrode of a high-speed electrocoagulation printing apparatus with an olefinic substance containing a metal oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing an image and transferring same onto a substrate. A positive cylindrical electrode is rotated about its longitudinal axis at a substantially constant speed, the positive electrode having a passivated surface defining a positive electrode active surface. A plurality of negative electrolytically inert electrodes electrically insulated from one another are arranged in rectilinear alignment to define a series of corresponding negative electrode active surface disposed in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the positive electrode and spaced from the positive electrode active surface by a constant predetermined gap, the negative electrodes being spaced from one another by a distance at least equal to the electrode gap to prevent edge corrosion of the negative electrodes.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of preventing undesirable gas generation between a pair of opposite, electrically energized negative and positive electrodes spaced from one another by a gap filled with an aqueous electrolyte solution. According to the invention, the positive electrode is coated with an olefinic substance to form micro-droplets thereof on the surface of the positive electrode prior to electrically energizing the electrodes such that upon electrical energization hydrogen generated as a result of electrolysis is consumed by reaction with the olefinic substance to convert same by hydrogenation into an ethylenically saturated product, the hydrogenation reaction being carried out in the presence of a metallic oxide catalyst. In this manner, undesirable hydrogen generation and accumulation at the negative electrode is prevented.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of preventing undesirable gas generation between a pair of opposite, electrically energized negative and positive electrodes spaced from one another by a gap filled with an aqueous electrolyte solution. According to the invention, the positive electrode is coated with an olefinic substance to form micro-droplets thereof on the surface of the positive electrode prior to electrically energizing the electrodes such that upon electrical energization hydrogen generated as a result of electrolysis is consumed by reaction with the olefinic substance to convert same by hydrogenation into an ethylenically saturated product, the hydrogenation reaction being carried out in the presence of a metallic oxide catalyst. In this manner, undesirable hydrogen generation and accumulation at the negative electrode is prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing an image and transferring same onto an end-use support. A positive electrolytically inert electrode is provided in the form of an endless elongated belt moving at substantially constant speed along a closed horizontal path and having an electrode active surface extending vertically. A plurality of negative electrolytically inert electrodes which are electrically insulated from one another are arranged side-by-side in rectilinear alignment to define a series of corresponding electrode active surfaces disposed transversely of the belt and spaced from the positive electrode active surface thereof by a constant predetermined electrode gap. The electrode gap is filled with a substantially liquid colloidal dispersion containing an electrolytically coagulable colloid, a liquid dispersing medium and a soluble electrolyte and having a substantially constant temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for high speed image reproduction by electro-coagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid. A plurality of negative and positive electrolytically inert electrodes which are electrically insulated from one another are arranged to define a matrix of dot-forming elements, the negative and positive electrodes of each matrix element having planar active surfaces extending in a substantially common plane and in close proximity to one another. A layer of substantially liquid colloidal dispersion is applied over the electrode active surfaces of the matrix elements, the colloidal dispersion containing an electrolytically coagulable colloid, a liquid dispersing medium and a soluble electrolyte, and having a substantially uniform temperature throughout the layer.