Abstract: The present invention provides a foil applicator assembly for a screen printing press having a support arm extending along a first line. The assembly has a carriage having a leading edge and a trailing edge and is mounted for reciprocating translational motion along the first line. A press roller is mounted to the carriage and has a first axis of rotation generally orthogonal to the first line. A film supply roller is mounted proximate the press by a member that is stationary with respect to the carriage and provides a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation and has a first outer surface. A film guide member is mounted on the carriage and is spaced from the press roller along the first line.

Abstract: A textile holder having adjustable side extensions is provided. The side extensions can be generally U-shaped metal rods or wires having a plurality of spaced notches for adjusting the spacing of the wires from a central pallet portion. Alternatively, other structures, such as plates can be used for the side extensions. The plates can include one or more slots. Screws or posts on the central pallet portion can be used to align the plates at appropriate extension distances and hold the plates in place.

Abstract: A textile holder having adjustable side extensions is provided. The side extensions can be generally U-shaped metal rods or wires having a plurality of spaced notches for adjusting the spacing of the wires from a central pallet portion. Alternatively, other structures, such as plates can be used for the side extensions. The plates can include one or more slots. Screws or posts on the central pallet portion can be used to align the plates at appropriate extension distances and hold the plates in place.

Abstract: A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.

Abstract: A hybrid printing machine is described having both silk screening stations and a direct-to-garment digital printing station with a raster image processor to control a portion of a printing process.

Abstract: A workbed comprises a plurality of parallel support members with each support member having a first edge with a contact surface of a specific configuration. A second, opposed edge with a second contact surface on the support member is also provided with the same specific configuration. As a result, instead of replacing the support member each time the first edge's support surface is worn or degraded, it can be flipped, or reversed so that the second, edge's support surface of the support member is used to form the workbed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor belt tracking system for a dryer having a web of a mesh material having a protrusion extending along the length proximal one lateral edge and above a flat surface and a first generally cylindrical roller having a three-tiered slot for receiving the protrusion and two flanking shallow tracks for receiving base flanges.

Abstract: A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor belt tracking system for a dryer having a web of a mesh material having a protrusion extending along the length proximal one lateral edge and above a flat surface and a first generally cylindrical roller having a three-tiered slot for receiving the protrusion and two flanking shallow tracks for receiving base flanges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a textile dryer having a housing defining a chamber having an infeed and an outfeed. A separation wall extends through the chamber to create a first zone having a first ambient condition and a second zone having a second ambient condition. A first conveyor extends through the first zone and a second conveyor extends through the second zone. A controller is provided to allow an operator to independently select the speed and direction of the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and to independently select the physical conditions of the first ambient condition and the second ambient condition, and to maintain these settings during the operation of the dryer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric compressor for applying heat and or pressure to a textile before or after applying ink to a textile during a screen printing operation to prevent fibrillation, to provide a smooth base coat, and/or to cure ink.

Abstract: An indicator system is provided for ensuring proper registration of a frame. A plurality of stops for a registration system are electrically coupled to each other. When contact is made with a metal frame, a circuit is created and an indicator coupled to the circuit, such as a light, can be activated to show such contact.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a number printing machine is provided. The machine includes at least one pallet, and an input to input at least the height and width of, and spacing between, a plurality of numbers to be printed on a substrate. The machine also includes a controller responsive to the input to control movement of the at least one pallet to print the plurality of numbers on the substrate in registration. In another embodiment, a method for printing numbers in registration on a substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of inputting into an input the length, width, and spacing between numbers to be printed, and positioning the substrate in response to the input such that the numbers are printed in registration.

Abstract: A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.

Abstract: A screen printing safety system is provided. The system includes a screen printing machine, and a plurality of zones in the vicinity of the screen printing machine. Each of the zones includes at least one sensor for sensing encroachment past a predetermined point. The sensors are adapted to stop operation of the screen printing machine when encroachment is sensed in at least one of the plurality of zones.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a squeegee blade holder is provided. The holder includes a first side member, a second side member, and a pivot portion between the first and second side members. The holder also includes a separator between the first and second side members for maintaining compression of the side members against the squeegee blade. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of holding a squeegee blade in a holder is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first holder side, and providing a second holder side. The method further includes compressing the first and second holder sides against the squeegee blade, and maintaining compression of the first and second holder sides against the squeegee blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor belt tracking system for a dryer having a web of a mesh material having a protrusion extending along the length proximal one lateral edge and above a flat surface and a first generally cylindrical roller having a three-tiered slot for receiving the protrusion and two flanking shallow tracks for receiving base flanges.

Abstract: A hybrid printing machine is described having both silk screening stations and a direct-to-garment digital printing station with a raster image processor to control a portion of a printing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor belt tracking system for a dryer having a web of a mesh material having a protrusion extending along the length proximal one lateral edge and above a flat surface and a first generally cylindrical roller having a three-tiered slot for receiving the protrusion and two flanking shallow tracks for receiving base flanges.

Abstract: A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.