Abstract: A letterpress printing plate in the form of an elongate, looped flexible band having a base layer, as of polyester, and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is exposed to ultraviolet light through a negative, and its unhardened portions are dissolved away, thereby leaving a printing image and one or two series of markings in relief on the base layer. Typically in the form of annular banks, the markings are arranged at constant spacings along one or, preferably, both sides of the base layer. Perforations are then formed in the base layer through the annular banks thereon. In its use on a web-fed rotary press the looped, perforated printing plate is to be wrapped around a plate cylinder and a guide cylinder spaced therefrom, with its perforations engaged with sprocket teeth on the plate cylinder, for printing the long image on a web against an impression cylinder.

Abstract: In order that a printing paper feed device is able to be set in an inoperative condition with a simple operation and that the printing paper feed device is able to return automatically to an operative condition with restart of a printer, a printing paper feed releasing device for printers is provided with a releasing lever able to bring a printing paper guide to the releasing position, a lock lever able to lock the releasing lever in the operated position, and a supporting shaft or a cam plate able to bring the lock lever to the position, wherein the lock against the releasing lever will be released when the printer restarts.

Abstract: A needle printing device having a plurality of printing needles mounted in electromagnets with a permanent magnet operating through a yoke to retain a spring upon which the needles are mounted against the core of the electromagnet, the spring having an armature thereon which is released when the electromagnet is energized to permit the needles to be driven into printing position by operation of the spring. The particular features of the invention involve a construction wherein the yoke means is formed in two parts, with the first part having a surface which is formed in a common plane with a surface of the core of the electromagnet, the second part of the yoke having a surface which lies in a common plane with a surface of the armature when the electromagnetic is de-energized with the armature held against the core of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A marking machine having a printing wheel with printing characters on the periphery of the wheel. Adjustment means are provided for adjusting the rotational position of the wheel with respect to a drive shaft comprising a drive train connecting the printing wheel to the drive shaft. The printing wheel is rotatable with respect to the drive shaft but may be fixed by an intermediate backing plate member which is keyed to the drive shaft. An adjustable eccentric rotatably connected to the printing wheel has an eccentric shaft element fitting in a slot in the backing member to provide rotable adjustment of the printing wheel with respect to the drive shaft. The printing wheel may be slipped on and off the shaft and is secured to the drive shaft by a hub-like handle member having a spring radially biased ball detent receivable within a groove on the end of the drive shaft to facilitate ready connection and removal of the printing wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus to be used in the screen-printing art distributes viscous printing substance and comprises first and second distribution passages extending lengthwise along an elongated common passage. The distribution passages have first ends in proximity to each other and second ends in proximity to each other. Feed means supply the viscous substance to each distribution passage, each distribution passage having, along its length, a tapered outflow opening. The tapered outflow opening of the first distribution passage increases from the first end to the second end thereof and the tapered outflow opening of the second distribution passage increases from the second end to the first end thereof. The two distribution passages work together to evenly distribute the viscous substance to the elongated common passage.

Abstract: A convertible, multicolor, printing press for printing the safety background of banknotes or the like comprises, in one configuration, an impression cylinder, a second blanket cylinder which engages the impression cylinder, a first plate cylinder which engages the second blanket cylinder and also engages a first blanket cylinder which first blanket cylinder is spaced from the impression cylinder, and several sectioned inking rollers which engage the first blanket cylinder and which are each inked by inking devices of different colors. The printing press is converted to a second configuration by exchanging the sectioned inking rollers for second plate cylinders, separating the first plate and second blanket cylinders from engagement with the first blanket (11-14) and impression cylinders respectively, and moving the impression cylinder to directly engage the first blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A printer head of improved design for a dot line printer, for high speed data printout. The printer head features independent magnetic circuits for driving each of the printer needles which form printed dots, with the magnetic circuits acting on armatures carrying the printer stylus, the armatures being mounted on the free ends of leaf springs. The leaf springs can be designed for optimum performance, irrespective of magnetic circuit considerations, and the head assembly is based on a lightweight non-magnetic frame. Substantially higher printing speeds than have hitherto been possible are attainable, due to reduced heat buildup in the drive coils, reduced interference between adjacent magnetic circuits, and optimized spring performance.

Abstract: In a flexographic printing press comprising a plurality of plate cylinders and backing cylinders driven by a central gear, the pitch circles of the backing cylinder gears are so covered by the central gear that, if they are projected laterally, they make contact with the pitch circle of the central gear. In the region of contact, the plate cylinder gears engage the central gear as well as the backing cylinder gears. The axes of the backing cylinders are pivotable relative to the axis of the central gear to accommodate plate cylinders of different diameters and maintain the axes of the cooperating plate and backing cylinders on a single diametrial line through the axis of the central gear.

Abstract: Printing apparatus with a roller platen and a plastic strip for holding paper against the roller platen even if insufficient paper is fed through to reach the usual guide rollers. The plastic strip is arranged in a closed loop and is connected to the print element to move with it in the line direction. The strip has a perforation for the penetration of printing type or the like.

Abstract: A long-life inking cassette is provided wherein an inkable ribbon is pumped into a ribbon storage zone by a pair of textured nip rollers. The ribbon is drawn from storage, rotated 180.degree., re-inked, and passed at an angle and under tension past a print head before being returned to the nip rollers. A pair of dams are positioned to contact opposed edges of the ribbon as the ribbon leaves the storage zone to prevent folds of the ink ribbon from passing outwardly from the storage zone. Means are provided to amplify the drag on the ribbon between a dispensing pin at the outlet of the storage zone and an end of a first leg of the cassette. The drag amplification causes the ribbon to be taut when drawn past the printhead.

Abstract: A clamping device for thin flexible printing plates has a tensioning rail at the trailing wall of a wide longitudinal groove in the plate cylinder. The tensioning unit is mounted for axial and peripheral adjustment on a support of "L" cross-section having a first leg seated with respect to the bottom of the groove and a second leg presenting an upstanding reference surface interposed between the tensioning rail and the trailing wall of the groove. A set of tensioning springs recessed in the tensioning rail bear against the reference surface and apply peripheral tension to the plate. A spring detent latches the tensioning rail temporarily against the reference surface, overcoming the tensioning springs while the trailing edge of the plate is being gripped. The spring detent is mounted upon and movable with the support. Screws having a plurality of selectable holes anchor the support in a series of peripheral positions for accommodation of plates of different length.

Abstract: A guide device for a printing paper strip in a nonimpact printer allows easy and reliable loading of the printing paper strip and may not cause separation of the printing paper strip from conveyor rollers or deviation of a printing position from the normal printing position. The guide device comprises an operation member, a printing paper guide member which is movable between a close position and a separated position with respect to a conveyance path of the printing paper strip in synchronism with operation of the operation member, a platen member for urging the printing paper strip against a printing head, and a link mechanism for moving the platen member between an urging position and a separated position with respect to the printing head in synchronism with the operation of the operation member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening mechanism (10) for removably securing together two workpieces, such as the mounting plate (50) of a print head housing (16) and the support blocks 12 of a carriage (10) in a line printer. The fastening mechanism has a locking member (22) having a stud portion (24) mounted on the carriage (10) for rotational and axial movement relative thereto and having abutment surfaces (28) cooperating with cam surfaces (56, 62) on the print head housing (16) upon rotation of the locking member (22) so as to latch together the print head housing (16) and carriage (10) by the action of a spring (38) biasing the locking member in an axial direction. The fastening mechanism enables a simple and rapid removal and mounting of the print head housing (16) to the carriage (10) without the use of any tools.

Abstract: A moistening system for a printing machine, which can be suitable for application to a printing roller either of a wetting agent or alcohol, comprises a fountain roller partially immersed in a reservoir containing an agent to be applied to the printing roller, a slip roller in contact with the fountain roller, a rubbing cylinder rotated with the speed of the printing machine and applying the agent to the impression roller through distributing rollers, and a vibrating roller interpositioned between the rubbing roller and the slip roller to transmit the agent from the slip roller to the rubbing roller. The slip roller is connected to the rubbing roller so that they rotate with the same velocity.

Abstract: A printer in which paper transport takes place from a sealed entrance opening in a housing to the printing area, and then to a sealed exit opening of the housing. The entrance and exit opening is sealed against escape of noise by a rotatable cylindrical friction roller located between the incoming and outgoing portions of the paper strip, during printing the roller being pulled by tensile stress in a paper against wall portions on the outer side of the housing.

Abstract: A matrix print head operates 24 or more print wires to produce high quality characters. The head includes multiple levels, each of which contains common parts. Each level has a cup-shaped magnet frame, the bottom of which mounts poles. Around each pole is a bobbin-wound coil located via a tab on the bobbin which is held in a slot in the side wall of the magnet frame. An armature with a wide base and a narrow finger is associated with each pole. Each base pivots on a bevel edge formed in the side wall of the frame causing the finger to move a print wire. Posts on the bobbin extend through the holes in each armature to locate it on its pivot edge. The side wall of the frame and the armatures are configured so that only those portions capable of effectively contributing to moving the armatures are given substantial mass and size. Return force is applied to the armatures by a tensioned elastomeric band acting between the armature bases and a beveled surface spaced from the armatures.

Abstract: A silk screen cap printing device has a saddle secured to a frame member for mounting a cap for printing. The saddle has a flat platen which supports the front panel of the cap and is further designed to provide interior supports to the cap thereby blocking it. This blocking prevents creases along the front panel and serves to maintain the cap in position during printing. A means for mounting the cap in the same position upon the saddle each time is provided by a registration plate which is secured to the frame in a spaced-apart perpendicular relationship to the platen and defines a channel between the platen and the plates for receiving the sweatband of the cap. Also connected to the frame is a silk screen which is adapted to move between an advanced position wherein the silk screen contacts the front panel of the cap which is mounted upon the saddle and a retracted position wherein the silk screen is withdrawn for changing caps.