Abstract: The invention provides printing systems and methods for depositing small volumes of liquid on solid substrates. These systems and methods are useful with a wide variety of liquids and substrates and offer a wide variety of applications, including the deposition of arrays of analytes. In particular embodiments, the systems comprise a preservation device, a detachable ganged plurality of printing devices, and/or a wire bonding capillary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing ink to an ink fountain of a printing press. A flexible bag of ink is utilized and is compressed for forcing the ink into the fountain, and a sensor determines the level of ink in the fountain and thus controls the force on the bag, that is, the compressor on the bag. The flexible bag of ink is subjected to a compressor, which can be a flexible air-filled bladder which forces against the ink bag to compress the ink therefrom and into an ink fountain.

Abstract: In a method which ensures unexceptionable sealing between a plate extending on a plate-holding table of a pad-transfer printing machine and an inking cup movable along the plate in contact with a face thereof, the plate is deformed pneumatically towards the inside of the cup.

Abstract: Ink is supplied to an ink duct in a rotary printing press from an ink cartridge. The cartridge receives a piston which can be pushed into the cartridge from one end to force ink out of the discharge end of the cartridge. This piston is moved through the cartridge by a helical gear in the form of a rotatable spindle driven by an electric motor.

Abstract: A cup holder for rotating a doctoring ink cup includes a housing with a cup receiving chamber and a bumper extending into the chamber. The bumper contacts the ink cup to rotate it within the chamber during inking of a gravure plate. It is the relative motion of the plate and the ink cup during inking of the plate which causes the bumper to contact the ink cup. A second bumper extends into the cup receiving chamber. A method of inking a gravure plate includes inking the plate by relative motion between an ink cup and the plate, and rotating the ink cup during inking such that an edge of the ink cup in contact with the plate rotates with respect to the plate. The rotation is caused by the relative motion.

Abstract: To remarkably decrease the amount of material for the manufacture of ink containers and the volume of the ink containers after use, so as to contribute to the economy of natural resource consumption and solving the problem of destruction of global environment by the waste of products, without sacrificing the easiness of handling the ink containers for printers, the ink container for directly storing ink is principally constructed by a thin walled vessel contractible according to discharge of the ink therefrom, with a nozzle being connected to an end portion of the vessel, with a disk handle being mounted to the nozzle, so that the disk handle can be grasped by five fingers of a hand for carrying the ink container by hand and for removing a cap therefrom. For the ink container being mounted into a printer, the ink container is mounted into a reinforcing case with the nozzle and the disk handle, so that the ink container is handled like the case.

Abstract: A refilling cartridge is provided for refilling a jet printer cartridge with ink. The refilling cartridge includes a housing for a foil pouch refilling chamber and a hollow needle projecting from the housing. A rubber elastic sealing element is provided at a free end of the needle to be selectively penetrated by the needed. The sealing element is secured by a movable retaining element that shields the hollow needed and is movable in a lengthwise direction of the hollow needle to selectively expose the free end of the hollow needle. A spring element holds the retaining element in a position where the sealing element seals the open end of the needle and releasable locking elements are provided for the retaining element.

Abstract: The temperature of ink applied to a substrate during printing is controlled by directing air of controlled temperature at the ink by means of an ink temperature controlling device (9). The device comprises a fan (11) and a heater (12) for heating the air propelled at the ink by the fan. The device may include a sensor (22) for monitoring the temperature of the ink in which case the sensor may be operably connected to the fan and/or heater to form a closed loop system.

Abstract: A method of identifying a franking machine used to print franking impressions is disclosed. Ink used by the franking machine contains a chemical tag unique to each franking machine, or to a group of franking machines, and the impression printed by the franking machine is sensed to determine the identity of the tag and hence to determine the identity of the franking machine used to print the impression.

Abstract: A stamping machine including a rubber stamping head angular position adjustment mechanism, which can be adjusted to the desired angular position for stamping different workpieces, a horizontal slide adjustment mechanism, which can be adjusted to move the rubber stamping head to the desired horizontal position, an automatic ink feeder, which can be adjusted to supply metered quantity of ink, a scraper carrier, which keeps the scraper blade and the ink application roller unit operated at the same elevation, an ink tray assembly, which is detachable, and a workpiece conveying mechanism, which uses a driving wheel driven by an air cylinder through a rack and a gear to turn a conveying chain in carrying a series of workpiece table plates for a continuous stamping operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling printing ink includes a bucket support positioned over a container that allows buckets to be placed up-side-down on the bucket support and rotated to wipe the inside of the bucket substantially clean. A cover for the container is moveable between an open position which allows the bucket to be placed on the bucket support and a closed position wherein the cover and bucket cooperate to form a substantially air tight closure over the container. Paddles urge ink from the container toward a discharge opening such that ink may be dispensed through various dispensing systems.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is used in combination with an ink tray having a housing having a first and second chamber. The first chamber has an overflow baffle extending laterally within said chamber to divide the first chamber into an inlet side and an outlet side. An inlet port is provided for receiving replenishing ink in the inlet side of the chamber and an outlet port is provided for removal of excess ink from said ink tray. A plurality of portals extending between the first and second chambers for directing replenishing ink to the second chamber from the inlet side of the first chamber and excess replenishing ink from the second chamber to the outlet side of the first chamber. An elongated inking roller is mounted to the housing. The absorption material is mounted in the second chamber to contact the replenishing ink. The absorption material has a portion extending from the second chamber and contacting the inking roller to allow the transfer of replenishing ink to the inking roller.

Abstract: A method for modifying a conventional laser printer toner cartridge assembly so it may be used in a fax machine in place of more expensive cartridges specifically designed for the fax machine. The method comprises removing the cylinderical fitting stubs protruding from the toner hopper portion of the cartridge assembly by grinding or melting them off. Holes are melted in the indentations of the cartridge assembly at the location where the fax machine sensor operates. Clear, flat, thin plastic windows are attached over these holes to allow the light beam from the sensor to enter the toner hopper. An additional indentation is formed on the toner hopper portion of the cartridge assembly corresponding in location to fitting and aligning protrusions on the fax machine. This indentation is melted or pressed into the cartridge assembly casing and is made less sloppy and rough in appearance by applying a filler material over portions of the indentation.

Abstract: An ink pad device for a high speed mailing machine is disclosed. The ink pad device includes an ink pad and an ink chamber in which the ink pad is at least partially disposed to sorb ink therefrom. The ink pad device may also comprise an ink reservoir and/or a pump for pumping ink from the reservoir to the ink chamber. The ink pad device is attachable to a drive for moving the ink pad horizontally and vertically from a horizontal home position to a horizontal inking position in which the ink pad is tamped against a printing device which imprints postage indicia. The ink pump comprises a deformable chamber which is compressed to pump ink from the reservoir to the ink chamber. In one embodiment, the ink pad and the ink chamber are provided as a disposable, non-replenishable, non-refillable unit containing a limited amount of ink for limited use. In another embodiment, the ink chamber, the ink pad, the reservoir and the pump form a unit in which ink is replenished from the reservoir to the ink chamber.

Abstract: An ink tray includes a housing having a first, second and third chamber. The first chamber has an overflow baffle extending laterally within said chamber to divide the first chamber into an inlet side and an outlet side. An inlet port extends into the first chamber for receiving replenishing ink in the inlet side of the chamber and an outlet port is provided for removal of excess ink from said ink tray. A plurality of portals extending between the first and second chambers for directing replenishing ink to the second chamber from the inlet side of the first chamber and excess replenishing ink from the second chamber to the outlet side of the first chamber. An elongated inking roller is rotatively mounted in the third chamber. The third chamber is configured to expose a longitudinal portion of said inking roller. Absorption material is mounted in the second chamber to contact the replenishing ink.

Abstract: An inking device for postage meter in a high speed mailing machine is disclosed, the inking device functioning to apply ink to a printing die in the postage meter between each printing operation performed by the postage meter. The inking device includes an ink pad disposed in a reservoir and held therein by a cover member having an aperture through which an upper portion of the ink pad projects so as to contact the lower printing surface of the printing die. The configuration of the ink pad is such that there is a small channel or space between the outer edges of the ink pad and the inner edges of the aperture of the cover member so that ink which is squeeze out of the ink pad during compression thereof with the printing die will not ooze onto the upper surface of the cover member and eventually spread onto other parts of the mailing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling printing ink includes a bucket support positioned over a container that allows buckets to be placed up-side-down on the bucket support and rotated to wipe the inside of the buckets substantially clean. A cover for the container is moveable between an open position which allows the bucket to be placed on the bucket support and a closed position wherein the cover and bucket cooperate to form a substantially air tight closure over the container. Paddles urge ink from the container toward a discharge opening such that ink may be dispensed through various dispensing systems.

Abstract: An inking device for a postage meter in a high speed mailing machine is disclosed in which the inking device has an ink reservoir containing an ink pad, and a cover member to secure the ink pad in the reservoir. The reservoir is formed as a generally rectangular tray having a flat bottom wall and upstanding front, rear and side walls, and includes a plurality of elongate upstanding ribs covering most of the area of the bottom wall for supporting an ink pad and for defining ink flow channels between the ribs. There are also relatively short upstanding ribs disposed around the other sides of the tray, and all of the ribs have upwardly inclined portions adjacent the front, rear and side walls against which a cover member presses to compress that portion of the ink pad which overlies the inclined portions of the ribs.

Abstract: To obviate local differences in heat expansion in the ink duct, ink metering means and ductor roller, and to temper the printing ink, stabilize the ink-damping agent emulsion and protect the ductor roller from corrosion, the ink duct includes a heat insulating material secured to underside of the duct body and a mid-section portion of the duct body side facing the ductor roller is supplied with a warm air flow from the printing press, boosted by a plurality of fans.

Abstract: Described is a lifting device for cylindrical templates in printing machines, with an inking tube extending through each cylindrical template, the lifting device travelling along a rail running parallel to the direction of the cylindrical template and along a rail travelling in a direction normal thereto and which can be releasably connected to the inking tube. The lifting device is constructed in the form of a hydraulically or pneumatically operated telescopic arm, always in the vertical position, which carries a tong-like gripper (2) for releasable connection with the inking tube (3).

Abstract: A water-soluble dye, free from cellulose reactive groups, of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is --(C.sub.a H.sub.2a O).sub.m (C.sub.b H.sub.2b O).sub.n H,R.sup.2 is H or --(C.sub.a H.sub.2a O).sub.m (C.sub.b H.sub.2b O).sub.n H, orR.sup.1 & R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen atom form a morpholine ringa & b are different and from 1 to 8m is from 1 to 10;n is from 0 to 9;q is 1/2 or 1p is 1 or 2L is a transition metal capable of complexing with a dyeM is H, ammonium, or a monovalent metal;B, D, F & E are H or substituents;X is NR.sup.1 R.sup.2, NR.sup.3 R.sup.4, --NR.sup.3 --Z--NR.sup.4 --, OR.sup.3, or the residue of a mono- or dis-azo chromophore comprising benzene, naphthalene or hetero-mono- or bi-cyclic diazo and coupling components, linked to the triazine nucleus through a primary or secondary amino linking group in which R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A water-soluble dye, free from cellulose reactive groups, of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is --(C.sub.a H.sub.2a O).sub.m (C.sub.b H.sub.2b O).sub.n H;R.sup.2 is H or --(C.sub.a H.sub.2a O).sub.m (C.sub.b H.sub.2b O).sub.n H; orR.sup.1 & R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen atom form a morpholine ring;a & b are different and from 1 to 8;m is from 1 to 10;n is from 0 to 9;Y is a triphendioxazinylene (TPD) group;M is H, ammonium, or a metal;X is NR.sup.1 R.sup.2, alkoxy, NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 in which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl, or the residue of a mono- or dis-azo chromophore comprising benzene, naphthalene or mono- or bi-cyclic heteroaryl diazo and coupling components, linked to the triazine nucleus through a primary or secondary amine linking group;andZ is an alkylene, arylene or aralkylene group,suitable for the preparation of a printing ink, especially for ink jet printing.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for printing indicia on a substrate which includes a frame assembly having a print roller, a transfer roller in rotational engagement therewith and a fountain roller in rotational engagement with the transfer roller. A bracket member is mounted on the frame assembly for retaining a disposable ink cartridge at the fountain roller, the disposable ink cartridge being mounted in the bracket. The disposable ink cartridge has a top, an upwardly recessed bottom and contains an ink absorbing material such as a sponge. A means for storing and introducing a metered supply of ink to the cartridge during operation of the apparatus is provided including a bag container, conduit means for conducting the ink to the cartridge and means for penetrating the ink absorbing material such as a needle mounted at the terminus of the conduit means.

Abstract: In a mailing machine, having a removable postage meter with a rotatable printing drum and printing die there is an inking apparatus included with the mailing machine. The inking apparatus has a ink supply cartridge which engages an ink transfer roller mounted in a frame of the inking apparatus. A cam member operatively associated with the transfer roller prevent ink contamination of the postage meter when the meter is installed or withdrawn from the mailing machine.

Abstract: Printed products and their respective corresponding printing plates are divided into a plurality of image elements. For each image element the surface coverage is determined by photoelectric measurements; a reference reflectance value is then calculated from these measurements, taking into consideration such parameters as the printing characteristic. These reference reflectance values are compared with the actual reflectance values measured on the printed products and the results of the comparison are evaluated to form a quality measure and to calculate control values for the ink feed devices of the printing machine. In this manner, the use of special color measuring strips may be eliminated.

Abstract: Printed products and their respective corresponding printing plates are divided into a plurality of image elements. For each image element the surface coverage is determined by photoelectric measurements; a reference reflectance value is then calculated from these measurements, taking into consideration such parameters as the printing characteristic. These reference reflectance values are compared with the actual reflectance values measured on the printed products and the results of the comparison are evaluated to from a quality measure and to calculate control values for the ink feed devices of the printing machine. In this manner, the use of special color measuring strips may be eliminated.

Abstract: The cup printing assembly (10) including ink transfer rollers (20,22,24) for forming an ink image from an ink reservoir (14) and transferring the ink image to a cup (16). An ink reservoir (14) stores the ink to be transferred. The assembly (10) is characterized by the ink reservoir (14) being an absorbent continuous belt member (18) for retaining ink thereon.

Abstract: The information carrier is periodically applied to a platen which is preferably rotatable. The apparatus comprises in known manner a rotary stamp for printing information on the information carrier when this carrier moves between the platen and the stamp. The platen has at least one groove with two edges and a bottom situated between planes which bound at least an annular stamp surface carrying the printing faces, a part of the periphery of the stamp extends into the groove without touching the edges, and reset means urging the stamp and the platen towards each other. In accordance with the invention the inking device is arranged in the groove, said reset means urging the periphery of the stamp against the inking device in the absence of an information carrier.The invention is employed in cheque readers and stamping machines.

Abstract: A disposable ink cartridge for use in automatic marking systems. The ink cartridge is composed of a housing which contains a collapsible elastomeric ink reservoir having an open end secured to a plurality of barrier disks. The barrier disks are apertured to permit passage of ink through and between them, from the reservoir. An ink absorbing member of fibrous or porous material is positioned at the other, outlet end of the cartridge housing. The ink cartridge provides a constant flow of ink when the ink absorbing member is contacted by a print head or the like until the supply of ink is depleted from the reservoir. The cartridge design permits depletion of essentially the entire reservoir under the above conditions.

Abstract: A disposable inking cartridge in combination with a housing for transferring ink to a secondary surface, including a housing having a pair of sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having a locating guide, wherein the locating guide includes at its trailing end a leg forming an acute or perpendicular angle therewith, an applicator roller rotatably mounted in the housing for transferring ink to a secondary surface, and a disposable inking cartridge lockingly mountable in the sidewalls of the housing.

Abstract: An offset marking system includes a marking wheel depending from an indexing motor adjacent to a window in a tube that carries components to be marked. A print wheel is rotatably mounted in a bearing. The indexing motor and bearing are slidably mounted on supports between a spring and a motor-operated cam. A rotating ink roller conveys ink from an ink reservoir to the print wheel. As an alternative to the motor-operated cams, a solenoid-operated level pivoted about an axis in the plane of the print wheel and marking wheel selectively moves the print wheel and marking wheel apart and together by acting on the bearing and indexing motor.

Abstract: The machine comprises a table for guiding paper to be printed which table is bordered by two vertical side walls supporting a rotary drum. A part of the outer surface of the drum includes ribs for hooking elastic printing forms carrying portions in relief. The table also includes a transverse slot for receiving a colored litho chalk against which chalk the reliefs press the paper so that the pattern of these reliefs are printed thereon and the paper is driven along.

Abstract: Preprinted duplicating masters for producing printed copies, with or without spirit duplicating fluids, comprising a foundation sheet reverse printed in a predetermined pattern with an imaging material which produces copies upon the application of pressure alone, although the spirit duplicating process can be used. The imaging material is applied as a synthetic polymeric resin disperion having an ink composition therein and is subsequently heated to gel but not fuse the resin so that the ink composition will be retained therein but will be releasable and transferable in a predetermined pattern to a substrate by at least the application of pressure alone. A protective cover sheet is placed over the printing to prevent inadvertent and accidental transfer of the ink composition.

Abstract: A high speed unit printer comprising an intermittently rotating ink disc having a substantially horizontal surface on which a supply of ink is deposited. A collecting blade continuously directs the ink into a narrow stream near the periphery of the disc. An adjustable metering blade continuously spreads the ink stream from the collecting blade into a band of uniform thickness. An inking pad and a transfer pad are mounted on a common slide assembly which reciprocates to transfer ink from the disc to an adjacent plate or type, and an image from the plate or type to the article to be printed. The slide assembly is mounted on a pivotally mounted slide arm assembly which is raised during reciprocating movement of the slide assembly by a rotating cam.

Abstract: An inking ring and wheel for code daters, the ring being formed as an elongate length of ink absorbent strip material of generally rectangular cross-section arranged secured end to end to define a ring, said ring being seated in a thin wall U-shaped shell whereby the outer portion of the ring extends radially from the shell so that a portion thereof is disposed outward of the shell. Preferably, the strip is formed of foam rubber and the shell is formed of uncured rubber. A slurry of a solvent and uncured rubber is used as an adhesive for joining the ends of the strip, as well as the strip to the shell. The assembly is vulcanized to effect permanent securement. The thus formed inking ring is mounted upon a cylindrical hub and a pair of side plates retained thereon on both sides of the inking ring to define an inking wheel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing apparatus having a print head and an inking mechanism for inking the print head. The inking mechanism comprises an ink roller, an inker body or carrier for the ink roller and structure for movably mounting the inker body. The ink roller is rotatably mounted to the inker body by mounting means including a pair of mounting members. The inker body has a pair of undercut slots and the mounting members have respective flanges received in the slots. Each mounting member is shown to have a resilient member or finger engageable with a respective shoulder on the inker body to lock the mounting member to the inker body. The inking mechanism has means for preventing its disconnection from the printing apparatus while the inking mechanism is in cooperation with the print head, but the inking mechanism can be removed and replaced with a new inking mechanism having a new ink roller while the inking mechanism is out of cooperation with the print head.

Abstract: An imprinting device for selectively marking a surface, for example a container, web, or the like, comprising a frame member having a power cylinder mounted thereon with a power arm ram reciprocatable in a first direction. A rigid non-sliding linkage connects the ram to a pivotable yoke member carried by the frame which in turn is pivotably connected to a type carrying member carrying a stamp head. The tupe carrying member is pivotable around a fixed point on the frame through a lost motion connection. The stamp has a vertical stamping movement and a horizontal inking movement. In the vertical movement the stamp projects above a plane of the frame while in the horizontal movement it is brought into contact with a disposable ink cartridge carried by the frame.

Abstract: A wire printing device comprises a frame removably mounted on a carriage which can move parallely to a platen. On the frame is removably mounted a guide block of resin material which guides a plurality of printing wires individually actuatable by a plurality of electromagnets, mounted on the frame. For an easy assembly of the printing device, a terminal guide is removably mounted on the frame for guiding the printing wires in proximity of the platen. Moreover, between the terminal guide and the guide block, a lubricating pad is disposed at contact with the printing wires and an oil container, mounted on the guide block, is connected through a wick to the pad for holding it constantly impregnated.

Abstract: A method of selectively reinking an imaged master having residual ink on its image areas after transfer of an image to a receiving member, comprising interposing a screen between and in contact with said master and an inking member containing a viscous lithographic ink, the web of said screen coated with an ink releasing adhesive material having an adhesive release value when dry of less than about 100 grams per inch, and passing ink through the pores of said screen to only the imaged portions of said master.

Abstract: A controll device for controlling the level of a liquid in a container, a tank, a printing machine, or the like, which includes an elongated member in form of a tube or a cable, having a free end adjacent the desired maximum liquid level in the container and being adapted to feed a control medium, i.e., a gas, electric current, or light therethrough, which acts on a signalling device, or control means of a pump for feeding liquid in the container and which are actuated when the liquid reaches the free end of the elongated member. The elonated member being adjustably mounted for adjusting the position of the free end thereof in vertical direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the relative position between a doctor blade and a printing cylinder in a rotogravure printing process in which the thickness of the layer of residual ink which is allowed to pass by the doctor blade is used as a control valve. The thickness of the residual ink is determined by determining the amount of the attenuation caused by the residual ink to a beam of light. In one embodiment a laser beam is impinged upon the residual ink on the printing cylinder and the portion of the laser beam which is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by the residual ink and the printing cylinder is detected. The thus detected light can be compared to a reference value for determining the attenuation due to the residual ink layer and hence determining the thickness of the ink layer. The thickness of the ink layer can in turn be used as a control value for adjusting the position of the doctor blade with respect to the printing cylinder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying an ink mist to an electrostatic printing head or the like including means for continual replenishment, density monitoring, and density adjustment of the ink supply, and means for generating a highly uniform mist of ink droplets. An ion stream is modulated in accordance with images or characters to be printed. Ink mist is introduced into the ion stream. Ink particles impinged upon by ions become charged and are accelerated toward a receiving medium by an overall accelerating field. Ink not utilized by the printing mechanism is returned to the ink supply for recycling. The composition of the ink supply is regulated by means of continuous monitoring of the ink density; automatically controlling additions of the ink constituents functions to maintain the ink density at a given level. The ink recycling system includes a precipitator to convert the unused ink mist into liquid ink and air.