Abstract: A process for the production of image cards including printing of a sheet so as to obtain a printed sheet with a plurality of images disposed in a plurality of windows, overprinting of decorations on said image windows, deposition of a protective layer on said decorations so as to fix them and avoid removal of the material from the decorations and punching of said printed sheet so as to obtain a punched sheet with microperforations along the perimeter of said windows containing the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of treating a recording element are provided. The apparatus includes a carrier removal station adapted to remove a predetermined percentage of carrier present in the recording element. A converting station is positioned downstream from the carrier removal station and is adapted to increase a durability characteristic of the recording element. A controller is electrically connected to at least one of the carrier removal station and the converting station so that an operating parameter of at least one of the carrier removal station and the converting station is individually adjustable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexographic printer comprising: inner dividing means which, together with a surround casing, define first, second and third enclosures; and fluid circulation means which are used for the circulation of at least one fluid at a regulated temperature. The aforementioned enclosures are sufficiently closed off and insulated from one another and the fluid is circulated at a sufficient flow rate, such that the solvent vapour concentration in the atmosphere, originating from the ink, is below a lower pre-fixed explosion limit in at least the second and third enclosures which house means of actuating the rotation and movement of the cylinders and electric and/or electronic devices and/or elements associated therewith.

Abstract: The tack of an ink that is used in a printing group of a rotating printing press, or the temperature of a rotating component in the printing group is selected or controlled. This selection or control is accomplished in a manner so that optimal printing is achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: The invention is of an improved method and process for printing plastic tag blanks for producing plastic identifier tags (such as cattle ear tags). By printing images on tag blanks using conventional ink jet printer technology and thereafter “welding” the image to be plastic of the printed tag blank, a durable image is provided all the tag without the need for undertaking conventional hot stamp printing with its associated costs, inconveniences, and even safety hazards as associated with the heated metallic print blocks of such conventional method.

Abstract: A method of cooling a material web includes, after drying a material web, moving the material web in a given direction on a meander-shaped web path over a cooling cylinder and at least one other cylinder disposed at a location selected from a group thereof consisting of a location upline and a location downline from the cooling cylinder, as viewed in the given direction of the web path, providing for the moving of the material web to be with at least partial looping thereof over the cooling cylinder and the other cylinder, and arranging the cylinders with respect to one another so as to exclude contact pressure with one another that is in effect between two respective ones of the cylinders; a device for performing the method.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for aqueous multicolor gravure printing which can print at a high speed without color drift, which is formed of plural printing unit processes, each of which contains a printing process, a drying process and a cooling process, wherein the quantity of heat supplied in the drying process in each printing unit is removed in the cooling process to render the temperature of the printed web uniform before the next printing process, and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A device for cooling printing stock and printing units by refrigerated air blast at sheet-fed rotary printing presses. It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device, which require little energy and space and, at the same time, ensure that the printing stock and the printing press are protected against harmful effects of temperature. Pursuant to the invention, this objective is accomplished owing to the fact that the refrigerated air blast, after contact with the surface of a sheet-guiding cylinder (2) of at least one pneumatic sheet-guiding device (12, 13, 14; 15, 16; 17, 18, 19), is recycled at least partially.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a formed object, comprising the steps of printing a desired high quality photo or near photo like image on a forming material at a resolution substantially equal to the resolution of an original digital image used to form the high quality image, and forming the formed object by a forming process in which the temperature and pressure across the object are varied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the stable lamp standby power to the order of 5% of nominal full power in order to reduce the effects of heat from the lamp on a substrate during production downtime. In particular, a power controller changes the operating voltage and current of the lamp, and controls the temperature of the lamp in order to maintain stable lamp operation at the changed voltage and current.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (10) for printing an image on a receiving substrate (20) including ink application means (11) for imagewise applying liquid side of the receiving substrate; a drying section (12) for drying the receiving substrate after the ink application; transportation means (13,14,15) for transporting the receiving substrate along a path (30–36) past the ink application mean (11) and through the drying section (12); wherein the path (30–36) has a path section (30–36) between a first position (P1,P2) at the ink application means (11) and a second position (P3–P7) downstream the first position (P1,P2), the path section (30–36) having first (30) and second (32) substantially straight portions and a convex curve (31) between the first (30) and second (32) substantially straight portions.

Abstract: A method of printing design seamlessly on clothing, and clothing obtained thereby are provided. The method includes steps of placing a cylindrical cover around a print cylinder, placing a print medium, on which a design is printed, around the cylindrical cover, placing a cloth around print medium, and heating the print medium so that the print medium and the cloth are heated and the design is transferred from the print medium to the cloth. The transfer of the design is done by sublimation of dye, which forms the design, induced by the step of heating. The cloth is subsequently cooled and flipped.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing group and to the use of a printing ink. The tack of an ink that is used in a printing group of a rotating printing press, or the temperature of a rotating component in the printing group is selected or controlled. The ink itself is temperature regulated in response to production speeds to maintain the ink tackiness in the desired range. A gradient that sets forth an interrelationship between ink tackiness, temperature and production speed can be used in a control device for use in temperature regulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surface of substrates such as printed sheets, with improved surface quality. The apparatus includes a first roller (2, 7) rotatable in a first direction and forming a placement surface for traveling printed sheets, one or more second rollers (4, 5, 6) mounted parallel to the first roller (2, 7) for defining a roller nip with the first roller through which the sheets are directed and for exerting a predetermined radial pressing force against the sheets, the second rollers (4, 5, 6) being rotatable in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first roller (2, 7) and at least some of the second rollers (4, 5, 6) having a heating device for heating the printed sheet in the area of the roller nip between the first and second rollers.

Abstract: The tack of an ink that is used in a printing group of a rotating printing press, or the temperature of a rotating component in the printing group is selected or controlled. The ink itself is temperature regulated in response to production speeds to maintain the ink tackiness in the desired range. A gradient that sets forth an interrelationship between ink tackiness, temperature and production speed can be used in a control device for use in temperature regulation.

Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a drum having a peripheral surface having passageways therein. A screen having apertures therein is placed over the peripheral surface of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling material to be printed and printing machine elements at sheet-fed rotary printing machines by means of cooled compressed air. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which requires little space, is able to cool effectively the material to be printed as well as the machine elements, which are undesirably heated by the dryers. Pursuant to the present invention, this objective is accomplished by providing an apparatus wherein cooled, compressed air is supplied over one or more sheet-guiding devices for guiding the sheets pneumatically along the sheet-guiding path, and a cooling device is disposed in the cross section of flow of the compressed air or the sheet-guiding device.

Abstract: A method for tightening an embossing plate ring on a chuck of a rotary embossing press, wherein the chuck is intended to be connected to a heater for leading the embossing plate ring to a working temperature. Between the chuck and the embossing plate ring is a split transmission ring made of a material having an expansion coefficient which is higher than that of materials used for the chuck and the embossing plate ring to cause the blocking of the embossing plate ring onto the chuck at the working temperature of the embossing plate ring.

Abstract: A printing device for seamless printing on a cloth is provided. A design is transferred from a print medium to the cloth. The device includes a print cylinder and a heater heating the print cylinder. The print medium is wrapped around the print cylinder, and the cloth is wrapped around the print medium. The heating of the print cylinder transfers the design to the cloth. The cloth is also seamless. The transfer of the design is done by sublimation of dye, which forms the design, induced by heating of the print cylinder. The print medium is a sublimation paper. An optional cylindrical cover is also provided. The cylindrical cover is placed around the print cylinder, and the print medium and the cloth are wrapped around the cylindrical cover.

Abstract: A zoned UV curing system for drying UV inks and coatings in printing presses. A plurality of linear UV lamps are spaced apart laterally across the travel path of substrates in a press. The axis of each lamp is aligned generally with the travel path, but may be slanted slightly so that every point on the travel path passes directly under at least one lamp. Power supply and control means allow selection of which lamps are powered, so that unneeded lamps may be turned off to save power. The power level of each lamp is variable. One transverse UV lamp may be placed upstream to initiate curing before substrates pass the zoned system. An IR heater may be placed upstream to preheat UV ink and coatings to enhance curing and to smooth coatings.

Abstract: A method for forming indicia on a three-dimensional surface, in particular golf ball components, such as dimpled covers, cores, intermediate layers, and half shells, using dye sublimation, wherein the indicia is offered an improved level of protection from degradation during normal ball use due to diffusion of the sublimating ink into the surface of the component. The indicia can be applied to painted, unpainted, or coated surfaces.

Abstract: An image processing system wherein a data processing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected through a network. The data processing apparatus transmits a print job that is received through the network from a client and first instruction data that instructs to calculate a printing cost for the print job to each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and receives response data with respect to the transmission from each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and selects one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses based on a plurality of response data received. The image processing apparatus responds to reception of the print job and the first instruction data from the data processing apparatus, calculates a printing cost based on an image processing capability of the apparatus itself, and transmits the print cost calculated to the data processing apparatus.

Abstract: A printing press is provided with a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of a surface of a printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder by feeding air onto the plate cylinder. A plate-replacement space is provided in a certain region around the plate cylinder for replacement of a printing plate mounted on the plate cylinder with a new one introduced from the outside of the printing press. The temperature control unit is designed to be selectively shifted between a temperature control mode and a space opening mode, in which the temperature control mode enables air to be fed through the plate-replacement space onto the plate cylinder, and the space opening mode makes the plate-replacement space open to the outside of the printing press so that the replacement of a printing plate can be done.

Abstract: A printing unit cylinder is subject to only low deformation in the event of operationally induced increases in the temperature of the printing unit. At least the barrel of the body of the printing unit cylinder is produced from a metallic material with a linear coefficient of expansion of ?<5×10?6K?1 in a temperature range of from about 20° to about 60°.

Abstract: A device for cooling a material web in a web-fed rotary printing machine, includes a heating device for producing waste heat for evaporative cooling of a cooling medium, and a cooling configuration through which the cooling medium is directable for web cooling. A first quantity of the cooling medium is evaporated and a second quantity is cooled by removal of heat of evaporation. A vapor generator produces vapor at least partly by the waste heat from the heating device. At least one vapor-jet vacuum nozzle is operatable by the vapor for producing a negative pressure. The cooling medium is to be subjected to negative pressure in a negative-pressure chamber for at least partial evaporation and for cooling. A dryer including the cooling device, a printing machine including the cooling device or the dryer and a cooling method are also provided.

Abstract: Tools supporting and heating device for tools like printing plates, used for diecutting and hot pressure transfer of portions of metallic films on a substrate. This device comprises a base plate applied against one of the sides of the honeycomb chase. This base plate is made of a sequence of at least one insulating surface and of at least one conducting surface enabling to feed at least one heating device intended to be inserted inside each one of said apertures in order to heat a printing plate fastened against a second side of the honeycomb chase.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process and to a device for printing a multicolor image composed of at least two varicolored partial images on a surface. A first partial image is transferred onto the surface in an ink transfer position and at least a second partial image is transferred onto the surface in the same ink transfer position and is superimposed to the first partial image. The partial images transferred onto the surface are dried at least partially or hardened at least partially between the ink transfer steps. The drying step is carried out according to the present invention in the ink transfer position. High print quality can be achieved according to the present invention in a simple manner because the first partial image set and dried partially or also the respective additional, partially dried partial images always have well-defined surface properties. Essentially cylindrical bodies are preferably printed in multiple colors according to the present invention.

Abstract: A computer controlled power saving automatic zoned dryer for a printing press has a dryer head facing the substrate travel path, having a multiplicity of IR lamps connected individually or in groups to form a plurality of heating zones running longitudinally and each extending laterally side by side across the substrate travel path. The radiant heat output of each heating zone is controlled separately by means of a control unit connected to a power supply. The control unit individually regulates output of the heating zones. Unneeded zones are turned off to reduce cost of power and conserve energy. A plurality of heat sensors spaced laterally across the substrate path measure the surface temperature of substrate heated areas corresponding to the heating zones being operated and maintain an automatic set point temperature.

Abstract: A cylinder, such as a forme or transfer cylinder of a printing machine has at least one clamping conduit in an outer cylinder body. This clamping conduit extends axially in the cylinder body and has a radial depth. A tempering medium can flow through the cylinder. The cylinder outer body has an inner surface which is generally circular and which cooperates with the tempering medium.

Abstract: A method of and installation for supplying suction/compressed air and drying air to a printing machine, whereby the vacuum pumps and compressors which are necessary for supplying the suction air/compressed air are disposed together in a room with a separate air supply, wherein to homogenize if required condition air without extra costs the cooling air for the vacuum pumps or compressors is conducted substantially in a circuit, and the heated exhaust air of the vacuum pumps and the heated cooling air of the vacuum pumps and compressors are cooled in a heat exchanger and used for heating separate drying air.

Abstract: This invention relates to an offset printing method in which the picture to be printed is formed on a plate-holder-cylinder (3), the said picture is transferred onto a blanket (4) carried by a blanket-holder-cylinder (5), then transferred onto a paper compressed between the blanket (4) and a back pressure cylinder (7). The temperature T3 of the blanket-holder-cylinder (5) is regulated. The invention also relates to an offset printing device comprising an inking unit (1), a plate-holder-cylinder (3), a blanket-holder-cylinder (5), a backpressure cylinder (7). It comprises means (8) for regulating the temperature T3 of the blanket-holder-cylinder (5).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multicolored steel sheet having multiple colors, designs or patterns on its surface and a manufacturing system for carrying out the same are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling impurity levels in an enclosed printing press environment are disclosed. A disclosed system controls impurity levels by using variable speed fans to control the intake of air into the enclosed environment and the exhausting of air from the enclosed environment. The exhaust fan is used to control the impurity levels within the enclosed environment. Adjustments to the speed of the exhaust fan are based on sensors which measure impurity levels in the enclosed environment. The intake fan is used to maintain a constant static pressure level within the enclosed environment. Adjustments to the intake fan speed are based on static pressure sensors within the enclosed environment.

Abstract: A heat transfer sheet comprising a substrate, a light-heat conversion layer, and an image forming layer, wherein the image forming layer contains as a binder at least one of an acrylic resin and a styrene-acrylic copolymer resin, the acrylic resin and the styrene-acrylic copolymer resin having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or lower and a minimum film-forming temperature of 50° C. or lower.

Abstract: A process and a plant for applying of one or more compounds, such as inks or coatings, to a substrate. In each station of the plant at least one compound is applied by a process that requires applying an essentially liquid mixture containing the compound to be applied to a transfer medium, heating the tranfer medium to obtain coagulation of the portion of the mixture which is in contact with the transfer medium, and placing the transfer placed in contact with the substrate so that the coagulated portion of the mixture is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: A cylinder, such as an inking roller for a printing press, includes a base body and an outer body. A tempering medium can flow in a gap between the base body and the outer body. The base body has a circumference which includes grooves that define a multiple helical channel for the tempering medium. The outer body is supported by the base body of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is of an improved method and process for printing plastic tag blanks for producing plastic identifier tags (such as cattle ear tags). By printing images on tag blanks using conventional ink jet printer technology and thereafter “welding” the image to be plastic of the printed tag blank, a durable image is provided all the tag without the need for undertaking conventional hot stamp printing with its associated costs, inconveniences, and even safety hazards as associated with the heated metallic print blocks of such conventional method.

Abstract: There are provided a method of forming an image on a card and an apparatus therefor, which are capable of properly carrying out printing of an image on a card and protection of the printed image in a simplified manner without changing the size of the card. A card is used which has an ink-fixing layer laminated on a surface of a substrate layer and an ink image-receiving layer peelably laminated on a surface of the ink-fixing layer. An image is printed on the card, while feeding the card, by an ink jet printing method using a sublimable dye ink. The card printed with the image is conveyed to a heating source, and subjected to heat treatment by the heating source to cause diffusion of the sublimable dye ink held in the ink image-receiving layer in the ink-fixing layer, and color development to form an image. The ink image-receiving layer is peeled off the card after the heat treatment.

Abstract: In a cooling device and method for cooling an engraving system of an engraving device given engraving devices for engraving printing form surfaces, the cooling device comprises a plurality of cooling units wherein each cooling unit is allocated to respectively cool one engraving head.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a recording material, in particular a printing plate, in an exposer for recording printing originals. An exposer has an exposure drum for holding the printing plate, and has a cylinder. An internal pipe and webs connect the cylinder to the internal pipe. Using a rotary lead-through, a temperature-control liquid is led into the internal tube of the exposure drum and, by thermal conduction via the webs and the cylinder, keeps the printing plate at a constant temperature.

Abstract: A cylinder, such as a forme or transfer cylinder of a printing machine has at least one clamping conduit in an outer cylinder body. This clamping conduit extends axially in the cylinder body and has a radial depth. A tempering medium can flow through the cylinder. The cylinder outer body has an inner surface which is generally circular and which cooperates with the tempering medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adjusting the temperature of a printing press, which can effectively adjust the temperature of plate cylinders and rollers in each inking arrangement in a press for multicolor printing on cylindrical bodies and make it possible to conduct the printing, without the appearance of scumming even in waterless offset printing presses. A first system conduit 25 for adjusting the temperature of rollers with an ink feed function in each inking arrangement and a second system conduit 26 for adjusting the temperature of rollers with an ink distribution function are provided, the temperature can be adjusted separately in the first system conduit and second system conduit, and plate cylinders 2 are cooled by blowing cooling air whose temperature is set to a prescribed temperature from axially extending portion of the plate cylinders in the axial direction of the plate cylinders.

Abstract: A printing press is provided with a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of a surface of a printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder by feeding air onto the plate cylinder. A plate-replacement space is provided in a certain region around the plate cylinder for replacement of a printing plate mounted on the plate cylinder with a new one introduced from the outside of the printing press. The temperature control unit is designed to be selectively shifted between a temperature control mode and a space opening mode, in which the temperature control mode enables air to be fed through the plate-replacement space onto the plate cylinder, and the space opening mode makes the plate-replacement space open to the outside of the printing press so that the replacement of a printing plate can be done.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media. Various embodiments generate image data accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image having a size such that an output image having that size prior to shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface. Still further embodiments provide print media kits having shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened state.

Abstract: A method of retransferring print media onto a substrate material includes providing a generally continuous sheet of pigmented foil, and a generally continuous sheet of retransfer print media. A portion of the pigmented foil is contacted with a portion of the retransfer print media. A reverse resin image is thermally printed onto the retransfer print media by selectively heating the portion of the pigmented foil in contact with the portion of the retransfer print media. The reverse resin image is placed over a substrate. The reverse resin image is thermally transferred from the retransfer print media to the substrate so as to form a forward image on the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for enhancing the effectiveness of a water spray (30) to cool and/or remoisten a web (12) of material. The apparatus includes a web dryer, preferably a flotation dryer (100), an electrostatic charge generating device (31) or devices, a water spray (30), an integrated power supply (20) to supply high voltage power to the charge device, and a drainage system (35) for handling excess liquid generated during the cooling and/or remoistening of the web. The cooling apparatus is capable of a modular arrangement to optimize spacing and facilitate the addition of cooling capacity where needed, such as with faster web speeds or heavier web weights. One or more temperature sensors can be used to optimize the amount of and rate of fluid fed to the spray nozzles. The spray nozzles and charge bars can be retractable with respect to the web to facilitate web-up procedures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in which a first liquid is extruded through a porous printing plate to its printing surface, a second liquid is externally applied over the first liquid on the printing surface, and a sheet material is contacted with the printing surface in order to print the second liquid onto the sheet material. In some embodiments, the first liquid is a release agent, the second liquid is a printing agent, and a sheet material is contacted with the printing agent on the printing surface, whereby the release agent prevents the adhesion of the printing agent and the sheet material to the printing surface and thereby allows the sheet material to be easily separated from the printing surface. In some embodiments, the printing agent is an adhesive and the release agent prevents the adhesive from strongly adhering to or accumulating on the printing surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying forced draught/compressed air and drying air to a printing press, whereby the vacuum pumps or compressors required to supply said forced draught/compressed air are arranged together in a room with a separate air supply. The aim of the invention is to homogenise and if possible even condition air, in particular, process air for the printing press, whilst avoiding additional operating costs. To achieve this, the cooling air for the vacuum pumps or compressors is substantially conducted in a circuit, the heated exhaust air of the vacuum pumps and the heated cooling air of the vacuum pumps and compressors is cooled in a heat exchanger and is used to heat drying air that has been separated for this purpose.