Abstract: Thermal transfer printing apparatus is provided with a driven impression roller movable into an operative position to urge a print receiving medium into engagement with an ink layer of an ink transfer ribbon and the ribbon into heat transfer engagement with a thermal print head. Rotation of the impression roller feeds the ribbon and print receiving medium past the print head. A drive roller for a ribbon take-up drive is located so as to be engaged directly by the impression roller or by the print receiving medium when the impression roller is in the operative position so as to impart drive to the ribbon take-up.

Abstract: A bidirectional hand held label printer with a novel labeling media and ink ribbon drive mechanism. A delay is introduced in the labeling media and ink ribbon drive mechanism to pretension the ribbon prior to feeding labeling media and ribbon past the print head. When the drive motor reverses direction, the drive roller stalls momentarily while the take up ribbon drive spindle tensions the ribbon in the desired direction.

Abstract: An ink dabber printing press including a printing device, an ink dabber mounted to the printing device, and structure for changing the printing position so that different size objects to be printed can be accommodated.

Abstract: An improved key structure for computer keyboards includes two crossed support frames that, after pivotal connection, have center limiting rods projecting respectively from outer sides of the connecting position. Left and right slide rods respectively project from both sides of a horizontal rod at a bottom end of the two crossed support frames, with an inverted U-shaped groove disposed at a middle section and straddling on the limiting plates of the corresponding key base so that when the crossed support frames are compressed and lie down in a closed state, they will not deviate. Two opposite slide bars that orient inwardly are provided on upper ends of the crossed support frames. Four slide holes are respectively provided on a bottom face of a key unit corresponding to the slide bars so that the slide bars can be positioned in the four slide holes and cause the two crossed frames to lie flat.

Abstract: A plug in daughtercard with an edge connector having pins configured to maintain a low impedance power supply path and accurately control the impedance of lines carrying signals. A low impedance power supply path is provided with pins of the daughtercard organized in rows and columns with some rows providing all power supply voltage and ground return contact pins extending across the entire daughtercard edge. Rows providing power supply voltage and ground return are further interleaved between rows providing signal path connection pins to maximize the number of power supply voltage and return pins to assure a low impedance power supply path is provided to components throughout a daughtercard. Signal line impedance matching is provided using the rows of pins providing the power supply voltage and ground return connections. Ground return pins in such rows are coupled through metal plates which simulate a larger metal ground plane.

Abstract: A screen printing frame and bordered fabric stretching devices for quickly stretching a screen and for retensioning a screen. The apparatus includes stretching devices for adjustment the print registration of a stencil on the screen. The bordered fabric can be quickly released from the frame.

Abstract: A twist registration machine for use in adjusting twist registration in printing presses of the type that comprise a plurality of aligned print towers mounted on a support, the twist registration machine and a method for adjusting twist registration of printing images on such printing presses during printing are disclosed.

Abstract: With a view to making it possible to load a cassette onto a to-be-loaded body in a slack-free good condition of a web accommodated in the cassette, preventing the entry of dust into engaging grooves after the loading of the cassette, and permitting the loading of only such a cassette as is suitable for the loading, there is provided a winding core in a ribbon cassette which accommodates an ink ribbon in a wound-up state, the winding core having a plurality of engaging grooves formed circumferentially in its peripheral surface for engagement with a plurality of engaging projections formed circumferentially at equal intervals on an outer peripheral surface of a winding bobbin of the to-be-loaded body onto which the cassette is to be loaded, the engaging grooves each having side engaging portions for engagement with side faces of each engaging projection and an upper engaging portion for engagement with an axial tip face of each engaging projection in an abutted or covering relation thereto.

Abstract: A pneumatic cartridge expressing device is shown for expressing cartridges containing viscous materials. The device has a holder that is axially longer than the cartridge, and a cap that is sealingly fitted over one axial end of the holder with a piston guided within the cap and forced by compressed air against either the one axial end of the holder or against one axial end of the cartridge. Compressed air is provided through an opening in the piston to pressurize the cartridge, and in the case where the piston seals against the one axial end of the holder, also passes into an annular gap between the cartridge and the holder to prevent bulging of the cartridge during expressing of the cartridge. Compressed air is provided through a separate opening in the cap to the annular gap in the case where the piston seals against one axial end of the cartridge.

Abstract: In order to create a wipe blade device for tampon printing machines, having a wipe blade 39 which moves back and forth relative to a printing block 41, which is distinguished by its simple construction and low number of easily produced individual components as well as its compact configuration of the guiding elements, a double scissors 13 is provided for which is pivotably borne on one side on the wipe blade mount 12 and on its other side in an approximately stationary fashion with respect to the printing block 41. The intermediately disposed free ends of the double scissors 13, 16, 21 are pivotably connected to each other, the arms of which 15, 20 are in mutually toothed engagement 19, 24 at least at one side.

Abstract: This invention is to improve cam structure that can maintain precise moving time between a printing plate and a printing pad in a pad printer. Cam disk moving horizontally during the printing process and other cam disk moving vertically along the printing pad were combined to the double side of one cam in this pad printer of the invention. Therefore, the structure was simplified and miniaturized.

Abstract: In order to fashion a print head lifting device of a tampon printing machine with as simple components as possible which is without play and of low maintenance, a crank link 3, 4, 6 is provided for having a driven crank 3 and a link 5 borne on a machine frame 1, wherein the connecting rod 4 is connected to a lifting lever 11 via a connecting lever 15 pivotably hinged at both sides, the one end of which is disposed on the machine frame 1 and the other end of which is pivotably connected to the longitudinally displaceable print head lifting rod 8.

Abstract: A method and system for printing bi-directionally with a thermal print head movable back and forth along a print path adjacent a ribbon to transfer ink therefrom onto a substrate. The ribbon being drawn from an unwind reel and adjacent the print path, and the ribbon being clamped to maintain tension on the ribbon at least when the print head moves in the same direction as ribbon is drawn along the print path. A rotary drive member is rotatable in a first direction to actuate a brake member that clamps the ribbon against a fixed ribbon guide, and the rotary drive member is rotatable in a second opposing direction to rotate the rewind reel to draw ribbon from the unwind reel.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an ink roller assembly with a capillary ink metering unit and a surrounding porous ink retaining sleeve, wherein the unit is comprised of a pair of capillary sections connected to each other and wherein capillary sections include a hollow shaft and discs with intervening ink capillary chambers interconnected by passages. In another embodiment, a capillary ink metering unit includes discs on a solid shaft, wherein there are passages interconnecting capillary chambers.

Abstract: A used stencil receptacle for facilitating the disposal of used stencils. The used stencil receptacle is in the shape of a box, and comprises a base, a pair of long straight sides, a short straight side, and an open side or a movable side which is freely opened and closed.

Abstract: In a method of printing on individual self-supporting articles, for example CDs, telephone cards or the like, using multi-color printing, the relative positions of the individual print images which make up a total print image on the article are set by a procedure whereby, after at least one individual print image has been printed on the article, the print image is detected by a camera system. The representation of the actual position of the individual print image relative to the article bearing it is compared in a computer to a representation of the reference position stored therein. In dependence on the result of the comparison, if the actual position deviates from the reference position, the position of the printing mechanism and/or the position of a following article is altered for the printing operation in accordance with the result of the comparison.

Abstract: The invention provides a recording apparatus capable of preventing deterioration of printing quality likely to be caused by ink ribbon creases. The recording apparatus uses a replaceable ink ribbon cartridge which has an ink ribbon wound on a take-up spindle and a feed spindle. A take-up spindle support section rotatably supports the take-up spindle when the ink ribbon cartridge is mounted in a specific position. The recording apparatus is further provided with a displaceable retaining member displaceable between a first position, for holding the take-up spindle between the take-up spindle support section and the retaining member to restrict the displacement of the take-up spindle, and a second position, for permitting movement of the take-up spindle into the take-up spindle support section.

Abstract: A cushioning or damping layer is disposed between a flexographic printing plate and a printing cylinder or sleeve. The cushion layer is composed of an elastomeric material which has an open-cell relief surface which is sufficiently compressible to compensate for variations in printing materials and press conditions used during printing.

Abstract: A device, apparatus and a method for containing a liquid within a liquid reservoir using a magnet and applying the liquid to a depression in a plate that is responsive to a magnet are disclosed. In particular there is provided a device for applying a liquid to a depression in a plate that is responsive to a magnet. The plate has a smooth flat surface. The device includes a reservoir for holding the liquid. The reservoir includes a wall which has an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the wall is adapted to closely contact the smooth flat surface of the plate. The device also includes at least one ring magnet adjacent the outer perimeter of the wall of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of transferring a decorative stenciled image to an irregular object utilizes flexible plastic static cling sheet material as the stencil medium. The cutout stencil is shaped approximately to the size of the surface of the object that will receive the image and conforming the stencil medium to the surface smoothly, adhering the sheet material such that the static cling attribute of the material will bond to the object's surface without lifting or breaking that would cause gaps or bubbles. The method is completed by well-known steps of applying stencil ink or paint by brush or other suitable applicator, removing the stencil medium and optionally curing the image by baking or other fixation step.