Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feed cassette. The sheet feed cassette has a cylinder lock having a cylinder, and a turning unit coupled to the cylinder to be rotatable integrally with the cylinder. A switch switching part of the turning unit is configured to switch a power switch such that the power switch is in an ON state when an inner cylinder of the cylinder lock is at an unlocked position, and the power switch is in an OFF state when the inner cylinder is at a locked position. A cassette locking part of the turning unit is configured to place a sheet feed cassette of a standard sheet feeder in an unlocked state when the inner cylinder of the cylinder lock is at the unlocked position and place the sheet feed cassette in a locked state when the inner cylinder is at the locked position.

Abstract: A method of marking on sheet metal includes the following steps: preparing marking information in digital format; transmitting the marking information to a marking system's control unit also having a system for driving the sheet metal; a system for braking the sheet; and a marking head; and inserting the sheet metal into the braking system and into the drive system. The method further includes the steps of exerting a drive force on the sheet metal in a drive direction; exerting a braking force on the sheet metal opposing the driving force, so as to tension and flatten the sheet metal; and marking the marking information on the tensioned sheet metal using the marking head, set in a marking plane.

Abstract: A printer platen component of an apparatus for automated manufacturing of three-dimensional composite-based objects for printing onto substrate sheets. The platen solves two problems: 1) holding the sheet down without allowing it to move while printing; and 2) getting rid of excess printing fluid. The platen comprises a plate with a number of air channel openings used for suction to hold the sheet in place, a bed of wire used to suspend the sheet and to keep the sheet straight, a depressed reservoir where printing fluid accumulates, a number of punching holes, a number of screws which serve as release sites for the sheet and cooperate with tips of a gripper to transfer the sheet to the platen, and a rough surface to additionally help hold down the sheet and keep it from moving. The platen is connected to an air plenum resting underneath the main plate to provide the suction.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a white ink composition for use in digital offset printing, including a first white colorant including a first plurality of white pigment particles, wherein an average diameter of at least about 40% of the first plurality of white pigment particles is in a range of about 250 nanometers to about 350 nanometers, a second white colorant including a second plurality of white pigment particles, wherein an average diameter of at least about 40% of the second plurality of white pigment particles is in a range of about 350 nanometers to about 550 nanometers, at least one dispersant, at least one component selected from a curable monomer or a curable oligomer, and a photo-initiator. Also provided is a method of digital offset printing using the white ink composition of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a container including a frame, an auxiliary frame member provided on the frame so as to be slidable relative to the frame, and a front cover that covers a front side of the auxiliary frame member, the container being detachably supported in a body of the sheet feeding device; a cover member that covers a top side of the container when the container is attached to the body; and a locking unit that prevents the container attached to the body from being detached from the body when the container is locked and that enables the container to be detached from the body when the container is not locked.

Abstract: A label medium and an apparatus for manufacturing the label medium are provided. The label medium includes a release sheet and an adhesive sheet temporarily adhered to the release sheet. The adhesive sheet has a base layer and an adhesive layer provided on the base layer. The adhesive sheet includes a plurality of label parts printed on the base layer and a frame part provided outside the label parts. The adhesive sheet is cut along an outline of each of the label parts. The frame part includes a peeling direction indicating portion to indicate a peeling direction in which the frame part is peeled off from the release sheet, the peeling direction being substantially perpendicular to one side of the outline of the label part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an obtaining unit that obtains personal setting information about a user who logs into the image forming apparatus from a server apparatus and a display control unit that controls a display unit to display a customized operation screen customized for the user based on the obtained personal setting information. If the personal setting information has been obtained from the server apparatus within a predetermined time, the customized operation screen is displayed. If the personal setting information has been obtained from the server apparatus after the predetermined time elapses, the customized operation screen is not displayed.

Abstract: An overcap is provided for placement on a cap for a container. The overcap includes a pair of mating components separated by a hinge. Interlocking means is provided for securing the components together about the cap. The interlocking means couples the components for rotation about the cap without causing removable rotation of the cap and preventing non-destructible detachment of the components. The components define a lip for positioning beneath the cap for preventing removal of the overcap therefrom without destructible detachment of the components. The overcap supports an electronic tag therein. The mating components of the overcap include a severable location for removing the overcap from the cap.

Abstract: An inkjet printing device including a head unit that includes an inkjet head, a fixed tank for storing ink to be supplied to the inkjet head, and a tank attachment section to which ink tank for storing ink to be replenished to the fixed tank is exchangeably attached. When ink tanks are exchanged, an ink tank attached to the tank attachment section of head unit is removed by an arm section of the tank exchange mechanism, and an ink tank to be used for exchange removed from tank storage unit is attached to the tank attachment section of the head unit.

Abstract: An intelligent touch-sensitive surface that is easy to clean, that self-monitors when it has become contaminated, and can discern when it has been cleaned. The surface incorporates a plurality of sensors that detect events that contribute to contamination and/or cleaning, including, but not limited to, detecting users' touches, movement of the surface, when liquid is present on the surface, when there has been a change of users, time passage since the last cleaning, and how well the surface was wiped. The surface then reports its cleaning status to software residing on a host computer, which in turn can transfer the information to a host server. In this way, the cleaning status of each surface can be monitored remotely and/or logged.

Abstract: A relief printing plate manufacturing method includes: generating binary image data based on multivalued image data representing a printing image; generating, from the binary image data, target stereoscopic shape data; calculating, based on the target stereoscopic shape data, exposure amount data; providing a predetermined exposure amount to an outside image adjacent pixel in a range of predetermined pixels adjacent to an ON pixel; and applying laser light to an area of OFF pixels based on the exposure amount data to engrave a portion outside of an area, and applying laser light to the outside image adjacent pixel based on the predetermined exposure amount to form a relief having a projecting shape with a corner part of a flange part of a top face of the relief at least partially chamfered.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a notification section that provides information to a user; a sheet feeding section that feeds a sheet; an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet; a first conveyance section that conveys a sheet fed from the sheet feeding section to the image forming section; a displacement detection section that detects a displacement of a sheet in the first conveyance section; a displacement correction section that corrects a lateral position of a sheet on the basis of a result of detection by the displacement detection section; and a control section that controls the notification section to notify an occurrence of a displacement error which cannot be corrected by the displacement correction section and a cause of the displacement error when the displacement error is detected by the displacement detection section.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a marking to an elongated sheet material is provided. The apparatus includes a processing machine through which an elongated length of the sheet material is passed. A marking system is arranged to apply a marking to the elongated length of sheet material passing through the processing machine. The marking system comprises at least one spray gun and a pump for supplying marking fluid to the spray gun. The pump is operable at selectively variable speeds. A controller controls the speed of the pump based upon a speed at which the sheet material is passed through the processing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a plate made by the method, e.g., using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a light tunnel of light reflective walls with polygonal cross-section like a kaleidoscope, and a light source, located at one end to produce light radiation to the inside of the light tunnel towards the other end. Light entering the light tunnel towards an inner reflective surface of a wall is reflected off the inner reflective surface so that it can emerge from the other end to cure a plate having photo-curable material thereon.

Abstract: According to an instruction by a manager, information about the image forming apparatus to be monitored is set with the management server. A communication test is conducted between the management server and the image forming apparatus. The management server confirms an ID of the image forming apparatus. Subsequently, upon receiving a setting information request from the image forming apparatus, the management server responds with generated UI button information and access-destination information which can be extended by the UI button information to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a window shade having a real natural material printed image coated thereon. A real natural material is scanned and the data of the image is stored in a computer which generates an image of the scanned real natural material. That image is duplicated a plurality of times by the use of the computer and the images are assembled in a predetermined arrangement to produce a composite image which is then enhanced using photo-enhancing software. The enhanced composite image is then printed by the use of a colored ink printing machine on material to form the window shade. Preferably, but not exclusively, the material is constituted by slats of a louvered blind or a fabric of a roller blind.

Abstract: A printer comprises a print mechanism and a wireless communication module including a wireless transceiver and a configuration module. The configuration module is adapted to electronically query at least one available wireless device to determine at least one wireless security parameter of the at least one available wireless device and to receive a response from the queried at least one available wireless device, via the wireless transceiver, for configuring the printer for wireless association in a wireless computing network including the at least one available wireless device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an engraved plate used in intaglio printing, said plate being engraved by a tool, for example a laser beam, characterized in that the engraving tool uses data from a depth-map, based on a three-dimensional raster image of the document to be printed.

Abstract: A method for detecting a type of one of plurality of devices attached to a graphics machine, each device being one of at least a first type and a second type. The method includes detecting at a controller the type of device attached to or to be attached to the machine. The controller is capable of preadjusting the device or machine as a function of the detection. A graphics machine includes a controller, a first device connected to the controller, the first device being categorizable as one of at least a first type and a second type, the controller detecting the type of the first device, and a memory accessible by the controller, the memory storing information regarding the first type and the second type.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely operating at least two components which are movable relative to one another in a machine for processing printing materials, includes drive motors each driving a respective one of the movable components. At least one control computer detects movement of the movable components. The control computer is set up in such a way that, if a spacing is reduced between the movable components, at least that movable component, which is the cause for the reduction in the spacing between the movable components, is brought to a standstill. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A printer comprises a print mechanism and a wireless communication module including a wireless transceiver and a configuration module. The configuration module is adapted to electronically query at least one available wireless device to determine at least one wireless security parameter of the at least one available wireless device and to receive a response from the queried at least one available wireless device, via the wireless transceiver, for configuring the printer for wireless association in a wireless computing network including the at least one available wireless device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating, reading and transferring identifiers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a handheld system for associating a selected audio content with an object includes an identifier applied to a surface of the object and having a predetermined graphical format that is configured to encode the selected audio content, and a handheld device operable to encode the identifier and further operable to detect an audio content associated with the identifier.

Abstract: A retrofit kit for a printing press adjustment hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is maintained to benefit from its mounting position and alignment, but the hydraulic fluid is removed. A hydraulic actuator shaft is attached to a mechanism that converts the rotary motion of an electric motor to linear motion. The electric motor provides faster and more accurate control of the hydraulic actuator shaft than the hydraulic fluid, providing for faster adjustment of the printing press.

Abstract: An image forming device has: a cassette that accommodates a recording medium and that can be pulled out from a front surface of a device main body; and a lock unit locking the cassette to a rear surface of the device main body. The lock unit may have: a lock hole formed in a peripheral wall of the cassette; a bracket mounted to a rear surface side of the device main body; a lock having a rod, that passes through a hole formed in the bracket and that is inserted in the lock hole, and a hook, that is formed at the rod and that hooks on the lock hole; and a wire connecting the lock and a heavy object.

Abstract: A method for detecting a type of one of plurality of devices attached to a graphics machine, each device being one of at least a first type and a second type. The method includes detecting at a controller the type of device attached to or to be attached to the machine. The controller is capable of preadjusting the device or machine as a function of the detection. A graphics machine includes a controller, a first device connected to the controller, the first device being categorizable as one of at least a first type and a second type, the controller detecting the type of the first device, and a memory accessible by the controller, the memory storing information regarding the first type and the second type.

Abstract: A creasing device includes a feeding mechanism, a creasing mechanism, sensors, and an aligning mechanism. The feeding mechanism conveys paper on which an image has been formed in a post-processing apparatus main body direction. The creasing mechanism makes a crease on the paper. The sensors detect a deviation of the paper with respect to the feeding direction. The aligning mechanism, based on an amount of deviation in a result of a detection by the sensors, causes the creasing mechanism to rotate in such a way that the creasing mechanism is aligned parallel to a crease direction of the paper.

Abstract: In speed control that is performed within a single operating cycle of a printer, three-level control of ON control, OFF control, and chopper control, is performed in place of the two-level control of ON control and OFF control, to effectively suppress speed variations due to load variations within a single operating cycle, even in small printers provided with DC motors having small output torques. In a printer comprising a DC motor 7, a paper feeding unit 5 that includes a paper feeding roller that uses the DC motor as the driving source, and a printing mechanism unit 2, for printing, in use of the printing mechanism unit 2, onto paper that is advanced by a specific amount by the paper feeding unit 5, an encoder 10 for outputting pulse signals according to the rotation of the DC motor 7 is provided.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for marking collectible items to increase their collectible uniqueness includes creating a multiplicity of unique date codes, each of the multiplicity of unique date codes including a representation of a calendar month and a representation of a day in the calendar month, randomly selecting one of the multiplicity of unique date codes, and affixing the randomly selected one of the multiplicity of unique date codes to a collectible item. According to other embodiments, a system with a computer and a marking device may apply a date code to a collectible item. According to yet other embodiments, a method for marking collectibles includes creating at least three hundred sixty-five collectibles in a time period shorter than a year, and marking each with a unique date code combination such that no two visually identical collectibles share the same date code.

Abstract: A microdot printing head containing hollow pins as reservoirs for biological samples is manufactured with a high degree of accuracy in the spacing of the hollow pins by press fitting the pins into bushings at precisely dimensioned end sections in the bores of the bushings, and receiving the bushings into a common support block.

Abstract: A printing device securing apparatus includes a printing device having a first securing member operable to couple to an external locking device. An input tray includes a second securing member operable to couple to an external locking device, wherein the input tray is operable to couple to the printing device such that the first securing member is adjacent the second securing member. With the input tray coupled to the printing device, an external locking device may be coupled to the first securing member and the second securing member in order to secure the printing device and the input tray if security is an issue.

Abstract: An image forming device comprising two components capable of relative movement and a lubricant disposed between such components. The lubricant may include a carrier medium capable of reducing friction between the components including boron nitride.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention reads job management data including an ID allocated to a printing apparatus receiving each print job and an ID allocated to a printing apparatus executing the print job from each of printing apparatuses 50a and 50b at regular intervals. The technique calculates profit distributions, cost distributions, and charge distributions at preset division rates to the printing apparatus receiving each print job and the printing apparatus executing the print job, based on the job management data. The technique then notifies each printing apparatus or each administrator of printing apparatuses of the calculated profit distributions, cost distributions, and charging distributions.

Abstract: An image forming device has: a cassette that accommodates a recording medium and that can be pulled out from a front surface of a device main body; and a lock unit locking the cassette to a rear surface of the device main body. The lock unit may have: a lock hole formed in a peripheral wall of the cassette; a bracket mounted to a rear surface side of the device main body; a lock having a rod, that passes through a hole formed in the bracket and that is inserted in the lock hole, and a hook, that is formed at the rod and that hooks on the lock hole; and a wire connecting the lock and a heavy object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample dispenser, for the application of liquid samples on to a sample absorbing area, with a sample dispenser body (1) having at its end a sample pick-up surface (5) bounded by a continuous edge (6), wherein the sample pick-up surface (5) is provided with a recess (7) such that, when the sample pick-up surface (5) is dipped into a sample reservoir, a droplet of liquid sample of predetermined size adheres to the sample pick-up surface (5) and by placing of the sample pick-up surface (5) on the sample absorbing area is completely dispensed, and wherein the recess (7) is in the form of a flat recess (7), that is to say, it has a depth which is less than its width. The sample dispenser according to the invention is of very simple design. In using it, the desired sample amount to be transferred is determined by the flat recess of the sample pick-up surface and can be reproduced very precisely.

Abstract: A system and method of producing labels at remote locations worldwide in communication with a server and central database via the internet is shown and described. The present invention accommodates vastly different printing methods including thermal printing, lithographic printing, etc. For lithographic printing or other printing methods using plates, a ratioing algorithm is used to determine the optimum number of plates and label layout on each plate to minimize production costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for positioning an element with respect to at least two reference points (4a, 4c), in which said device acts upon a working point on the element to be positioned and comprises a positioning arm attached to a fixed hinging point with respect to said reference points (4a, 4c), comprising two mutually hinged parts (6a, 6b) allowing a movement of said element to each reference point (4a, 4c). The invention related further to a device for positioning at least one offset plate on a positioning table of a pre-press equipment, comprising means to move the offset plate in a plane parallel to the positioning table to at least one reference point (4a) on the positioning table, in which said means acts upon a working point situated in the supporting plane of the offset plate on the positioning table.

Abstract: A stack of planographic printing plates is accommodated in a packaging box for planographic printing plates in a manner such that imaging surfaces of the planographic printing plates are directed toward a bottom face plate. Therefore, when the packaging box for planographic printing plates is opened in a manner such that top face plates are directed upwards, the imaging surfaces of the planographic printing plates are directed downwards.

Abstract: To keep a printing paste, which is most influential to a printing performance, always in a uniform state, carry out printing at a high accuracy and in a stable manner, and use an expensive paste with no waste, there is provided a printing paste automatic supplying apparatus which supplies a predetermined amount of printing paste (5) by charging the printing paste (5) in a printing paste supply bag (15) and pressurizing the printing paste (5), provided with a mechanism for opening and closing a printing paste supply port (7) by bringing a printing paste supply plate (6) having the printing paste supply port (7) into contact with the back surface side of a squeegee (4) and vertically moving them, and further provided with a scraper (9) which scrapes up the printing paste on a screen printing plate (3).

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 method is provided for generating a variable data file to be used to generate custom printed articles. A template including a plurality of tokens is read, and a data structure including a plurality of printed article ID's is generated. A record in a database is identified using a first printed article ID, and data is extracted from a field of the record which is specified by a first token in the plurality of tokens. The data is outputted to the variable data file. In a preferred embodiment, an index is incremented to point to a second printed article ID in the data structure in response to reading a second token in the template. Also provided is a system for producing custom printed articles.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a flexographic printing press operation. The diagnostic system includes a generic database containing problem solving data and a specialized database containing customized, user-specific operations data. The generic database can be stored centrally, while the specialized database is stored locally. An interactive data entry interface permits an operator to indicate print faults and access the databases. The system generates possible solutions to the print faults based on the information in the databases and the fault indicated by the operator. Once a solution is chosen, the databases are updated to further enhance the knowledge available to the system.

Abstract: A printed material comprising at least one support having at least one oligomer and/or polymer applied thereon is provided. Also, a method for preparing the printed material and a method for delivering and storing at least one oligomer and/or polymer are provided. The printed materials of the present invention are useful in providing scientists with oligomers and/or polymers of interest from the printed materials easily and immediately.

Abstract: A multi-layer elastic flat-shaped article having a predefined shape, consisting of at least two outer layers made of a porous fibrous or filamentous batting, and at least one inner layer, disposed between and adherent to a pair of said at least two outer layers. The inner layer is applied as at least one adhesive skein forming a latticework configuration. The adhesive skein is formed of a thermoplast having elastic properties at room temperature, and being adapted to recover its latticework configuration after tensile loading. The resulting article flat shaped article may be elastically stretched, and return to its original configuration. A preferred method for depositing the thermoplast is a printing process, for example intaglio printing, flexoprinting or screen printing. Nozzles may also be used to extrude hot thermoplast in a pattern defined by a relative movement of the outer layer or layers and the nozzle. The pattern may be continuous or interrupted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a presensitized plate useful for making a lithographic printing plate comprising an intermediate layer and a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer on an aluminum substrate in this order, wherein the roughness of a surface of said aluminum substrate (Ra) is in the range of 0.2 to 0.55 &mgr;m and the intermediate layer comprises a polymer compound comprising at least one monomer unit having a sulfonic acid group and a method for making a lithographic printing plate by imagewise exposing the presensitized plate described above and developing the imagewise exposed presensitized plate with a developer comprising an inorganic alkali salt and a nonionic surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene ether group. The presensitized plate or the method of the present invention provides a lithographic printing plate showing good contrast between an image area and non-image area, no background contamination during printing, good stability with time and good printing durability.

Abstract: A safety device for rotary printing press is provided in which, if a blanket cylinder and a plate cylinder move a little larger, a gap between surfaces of the cylinders and guard member can be maintained to be less than a predetermined value and the function of safety protection is kept properly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction roll seal strip and a method for manufacturing it from a mixture, which mostly consists of nitrile rubber and graphite. A seal blank is formed from the mixture and hardened at a chosen temperature. The mixture to be hardened includes wax.

Abstract: The present invention includes a template to form a recorded pattern on a substrate from a conformable material disposed between the template and the substrate, with the recorded pattern having recorded features with designed dimensions, the template comprising an original pattern having original features with original dimensions, with the original dimensions differing from the designed dimensions sufficient to compensate for volumetric changes of the conformable material that occurs upon the conformable material transitioning between first and second states.

Abstract: A dropping tool for transferring drops of a liquid onto a substrate wherein a surface of the dropping tool for contact with the liquid has a first region which exhibits an affinity to the liquid to be transferred directly surrounded by a second region which exhibits a lower affinity to the liquid to be transferred than the first region; the topography of the first and second regions and the relative affinities of the first and second regions for the liquid to be transferred being selected such that when the dropping tool is dipped into and then removed from a source of the liquid to be transferred, the liquid adheres to the first region without substantially any adherence of the liquid to the second region. A dropping tool for transferring drops of liquid onto a substrate, the dropping tool comprising a tip, at least one surface tapered towards the tip, and a capillary channel which leads from a position of the tapered surface remote from the tip to a reservoir located within the dropping tool.

Abstract: A direct write holographic printer for producing RGB colour reflection holograms is disclosed. A Nd:YLF crystal (1) in a laser cavity is excited to produce an emission at 1313 nm which is frequency converted by doubling to 656.5 nm and by tripling to 437.7 nm. In a separate cavity a similar Nd:YLF crystal (1a) is synchronously or asynchronously excited to produce an emission at 1047.1 nm (or at the related line of 1053 nm) which is frequency converted by doubling to 523.6 nm (or 526.5 nm). The emissions at 437.7 nm and 656.5 nm are combined co-linearly with the emission at 523.6 nm (or 526.5 nm) to produce a single RGB pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method which superposes on a magnetic disk surface a magnetic transfer master disk (2) on which a magnetic film is formed so as to have an array pattern shape corresponding to a preset information signal, and magnetizes the magnetic film on the master disk (2) to thereby magnetic-transfer-record the array pattern of the information signal on the master disk (2) onto the magnetic disk as the magnetized pattern of the information signal, the method characterized by comprising a step of contacting/separating to/from a dummy disk (1) the magnetic film-formed surface of the master disk (2) to thereby clean the master disk (2), and a step of superposing, after the cleaning, the master disk (2) on the magnetic disk for magnetic transfer recording; and a magnetic transfer device for the method.