Abstract: An imaging drum assembly is provided for use in an imaging apparatus for forming images on sheet material. The imaging drum assembly comprises a rotatable imaging drum having an outer surface adapted to attract sheet material to the imaging drum. A material clamp is mounted to the drum and has a retainer positioning a retaining surface radially outward of the outer surface and forming a space therebetween. A slide is movable positioned within the space between an outer radial position where outward radial movement of the slide is blocked by the retaining surface and an inner radial position distant from the retaining surface. A biasing member urges the slide toward the outer radial position.

Abstract: The present invention is for a ceramic calibration filter, in one embodiment a ceramic attenuator (410), for attenuating radiation between a light source (402) and a photodiode sensor (422). A laser signal is reduced by ceramic attenuator (410) to a low-level signal that can be measured the photodiode sensor (422). A focal plane (240) of the light source is offset from a face of the ceramic attenuator (410).

Abstract: A method for forming a medium is provided. A base layer is provided. A material layer is provided with the material layer having a void. A transponder having a memory is positioned in the void. A medium is also provided. The medium has a base layer and a material layer joined to the base layer. The material layer has a void. A transponder having a memory is positioned in the void.

Abstract: A method for forming a medium is provided. In accordance with the method a base layer is provided. A material layer is formed on the base layer. The material layer has void. A transponder having a memory is positioned in the void. A medium is also provided. The medium has a base layer and a material layer having a void. A transponder having a memory is positioned in the void.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) includes: a) a rotatable, magnet-attracting imaging drum (300) arranged to mount a receiver sheet (32) and a donor sheet (36) in superposed relationship; b) a motor (258) for rotating the imaging drum; c) a sheet transport assembly (91); d) a printhead (500); e) a lead screw (250) for moving the printhead; f) a linear translation subsystem (210); and g) a magnetic load roller (350) for eliminating entrained air.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging drum (300) for an imaging apparatus, the imaging drum being provided with a recess (326) for receiving an image media. The recess is defined by one or more openings of a mask coupled to the drum. The invention also provides a method of making an imaging drum for use in an imaging apparatus. The method comprises the steps of providing a drum, applying a mask to the drum (300), the mask pattern being formed of a material having a thickness sufficient to define a recess of a desired depth on the drum surface when the mask is applied to the drum.

Abstract: A method of loading a medium onto an imaging drum (300) mounted for rotation about an axis, the imaging drum having force providing points to provide an attractive force between the imaging drum and the medium. The steps of the method are: rotating the imaging drum (300) about the axis into a position such that force providing points are located out of a medium load position in which the medium to be loaded first contacts the imaging drum; and maintaining the imaging drum (300) in the position until the medium is in the medium load position. With the medium in the medium load position, rotating the imaging drum about the axis such that the force providing points engage with the medium causing the medium to engage with the imaging drum. Once the medium has engaged with the imaging drum, the medium is allowed to move and the imaging drum is rotated such that the medium is wrapped around and loaded onto the imaging drum (300).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for annotating a content bearing medium having a memory. The method includes obtaining data representing the content borne on the medium and storing the data representing the content borne on the medium in the memory of the medium. The stored data in the memory is conveyed to a location remote from the medium and annotation data is obtained from the remote location. The remotely obtained annotation data is stored in the memory.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method for forming an improved lamination envelope (260) for use in forming a pre-press proof (200) which comprises laminating at least one surface of a lamination envelope (150) with a pre-laminate sheet (240) comprising a first thermoplastic layer (300) and a first support layer (145) having a first release layer (270) and first support base (310), forming a lamination sandwich (210). The first support layer (145) from the lamination sandwich (210) is removed forming a pre-lamination envelope (250). A stiffener sheet (170) is laminated to the pre-lamination envelope (250) forming an improved lamination envelope (260).

Abstract: The invention is a process for forming a press proof (190) by forming an imaged receiver sheet (140) comprising a first thermoplastic layer (240) and a first support layer (160) by disposing an image (290) with a first density on the first thermoplastic layer (240) by using a laser thermal transfer (220); forming a pre-laminate comprising a second thermoplastic layer (250) and a second support layer (170); laminating the pre-laminate (260) to a medium and removing the second support layer (170) forming a supported pre-laminate (270); laminating the imaged receiver sheet (140) to the supported pre-laminate (270) changing the density of the image to a second density using a temperature that exceeds the glass transition point of the thermoplastic layer (230) and a speed of between 10 and 40 inches per minute forming a supported color proof (310); and removing the first support forming a color proof (300).

Abstract: A method for forming an overlay (310); to be used to verify or form a folding die (300), embossing die (330), or rule die (320) comprising the steps of; creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) having an image (210), a first thermal print layer (224), and a support layer, laminating an imageless receiver sheet (160) having a second thermal print layer (228) and a second support layer (170), which is preferably clear with the imaged receiver sheet (140), thereby encapsulating the image (210) between the first thermal print layer (224) and the second thermal print layer (228); removing the first support layer (150); removing the second support layer (170); forming an overlay (310) having an electrostatic charge; to be used to verify or form a folding die (300), embossing die (330), or rule die (320).

Abstract: A method for verifying an image (210) on a printing plate comprising the steps of: an overlay (310) forming the method consisting of: creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) having an image (210), a first thermal print layer (224), and a support layer; laminating an imageless receiver sheet (160) having a second thermal print layer (228) and a second support layer (170), which is preferably clear with the imaged receiver sheet (140), thereby encapsulating the image (210) between the first thermal print layer (224) and the second thermal print layer (228); removing the first support layer (150); removing the second support layer (170); adhering an overlay (310) to a printing plate having an image (210), using an electrostatic charge; and viewing the overlay (310) against the image (210) on the printing plate for image quality and content.

Abstract: A method for creating an embossed pre-press proof comprising: laminating a pre-laminate sheet (240); removing the first support layer (150) forming a pre-laminated receiver stock (350); creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) with a second thermal print layer and a second support layer (170); laminating the imaged receiver sheet (140) with the pre-laminated receiver stock (350); removing the second support layer (170) creating a pre-press proof (200); overlaying and laminating a glossy sheet on the pre-press proof forming a glossy pre-press proof (340); removing the glossy sheet (220); overlaying an embossing sheet (180) with an embossed image (190) on the glossy pre-press proof (340) transferring the embossed image to the surface of the glossy pre-press proof (340); and removing the embossing sheet (180).

Abstract: An accurate system (501) for the magnetic alignment of an imaging subsystem (468) of an image processing apparatus (10) includes: 1) a master alignment fixture (534) including: a) two like, magnet-attracting translation-bearing rods (206, 208); b) a drum axis tool (526) or drum (300); c) a device (535) for supporting the translation-bearing rods (206, 208) in a parallel, planar relationship; d) a device (540) for supporting the drum axis tool (526) or drum (300) parallel to the translation-bearing rods (206, 208); and e) a device (546) for measuring and aligning the translation-bearing rods (206, 208) in relation to the parallel drum axis tool (526) or drum (300); and 2) a removable set apparatus (502) attachable to the master alignment fixture (534), including: a) a tube (506) or rod; b) aligned, downwardly extending first set arms (510) with magnets (518) attached, the magnets being detachably attachable to the translation-bearing rod; and c) at least two second, extended arms (511) that are detachably at

Abstract: An accurate system (501) for the magnetic alignment of an imaging subsystem (468) of an image processing apparatus (10) includes:

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) for scanning and printing images at the same time includes an input scanner connected to an imager, preferably: a) a rotatable drum (300) including a scanning portion (462) adjacent to an imaging portion (461), the drum (300) being mounted for rotation about an axis, the imaging portion (461) of the drum being arranged to mount a receiver sheet (32) and a donor sheet (36) in superposed relationship thereon, the scanning portion (462) of the drum being arranged to mount an input image (456) thereon; b) a motor (258) for rotating the drum (300); c) a printhead (500); d) an input scanner (455); e) a lead screw (250) for moving the printhead (500) in a first direction, the printhead (500) being mounted on the lead screw (250); and f) a linear translation subsystem (210) on which the printhead (500), scanner (455), drum (300), and lead screw (250) are mounted.

Abstract: A laminating method of forming a pre-press proof (200) which comprises the steps of forming a lamination sandwich (210); placing lamination sandwich (210) at the entrance to a laminator (10) such that the lamination sandwich (210) passes through a nip portion (220) formed by a first lamination roller (120) and a second lamination roller (130) and, wherein at least one of the first lamination roller (120) or second lamination roller (130) comprises a substantially solid core (330), a first deformable layer (250) having a 60-80 durometer and surrounding the substantially solid core (330), and a second deformable layer (260) having a 20-60 durometer and surrounding the first deformable layer (250).

Abstract: A rotational stop that includes: a lead screw having a longitudinal axis, a motor integrally mounted to the lead screw, wherein the motor provides rotation to the lead screw; a slide mounted to a support structure to provide movement relative to the lead screw longitudinal axis; a rotational control plate attached to the motor and having a plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate, and; a rotational control guide having a rotational control surface on its face, wherein the rotational control surface is in intimate contact with the plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate such that linear error is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A self-balancing imaging drum (300) for supporting print media (32) includes an external surface (303) having a plurality of vacuum holes (306) extending from the hollowed-out interior portion (304) of the self-balancing imaging drum (300). A first vacuum supply (450) is formed in the hollowed-out interior portion (304) thereby communicating vacuum through the plurality of vacuum holes (306) for holding print media (32) onto the external surface (303) of the self-balancing imaging drum (300). At least one balance corrector (490) consists of a vacuum cylinder (480) for housing a vacuum piston (470) with a return spring (460) mounted in the wall of the self-balancing imaging drum (300) such that when the self-balancing imaging drum (300) is rotated it generates a second vacuum supply (440) to the external surface (303) of the self-balancing imaging drum (300) for holding the print media (32).

Abstract: A self-adhering image made by the steps comprising: forming an imaged receiver sheet (140) having an image (230), a first thermoplastic layer (304), and a first support layer (150); laminating an imageless receiver sheet (160) with a second thermoplastic layer (308) and a second support layer (170) with the imaged receiver sheet (140) thereby encapsulating the image (230) between the first thermoplastic layer (304) and the second thermoplastic layer (308); removing the first support layer (150); removing the second support layer (170); and forming an encapsulated image capable of self-adhering to a surface.