Abstract: A sorting table for sorting fruit includes a frame with a first side member and a second side member, a plurality of conveying rollers carried by the frame, a plurality of sorting rollers carried by the frame and positioned downstream from the conveying rollers, and a pair of combs positioned respectively with the first side member or the second side member. Each comb includes slots associated with a respective one of the sorting rollers. Each of the combs is pivotally coupled with a corresponding one of the first side member or the second side member. An actuator is coupled with each of the combs for selectively moving the pair of combs in directions transverse to the crop flow direction. An electrical processing circuit coupled with the actuator is configured for controlling the actuator and thereby selectively increasing or decreasing a spacing between the sorting rollers.

Abstract: A can 1 is provided with a mouth part (4), a shoulder part (3), and a body part (2). The shoulder part (3) of the can (1) is decorated, without damaging the shoulder part (3), by forming at least one of a recess and a protrusion by a rotating process in which the shoulder part (3) is held between a receiver (11a), having a concave-convex shape, of an inner roll (11) and an outer roll (12) having a convex-concave shape corresponding to the concave-convex shape of the receiver (11a) of the inner roll (11).

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method are disclosed for printing on three-dimensional objects. The apparatus employs an offset printing process in which an ink image is deposited onto an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having the form of a flexible endless belt. After drying of the ink image on the ITM, the ITM transports the dried ink image to an impression station having a nip at which the ITM is compressed between an object and an impression surface, so that the dried ink image is transferred from the ITM to the object. The impression surface may form part of a stationary anvil, the ITM sliding relative to the impression surface during passage through the impression station. To optimize throughput, the velocity of the ITM relative to the surface of the object at the impression station may be greater than the velocity of the ITM relative to the imaging station.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method are disclosed for printing on conical objects. An ink image is deposited onto the outer release surface of an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having the form of a flexible endless belt. After drying of the ink image on the ITM, the ITM transports the dried ink image to an impression station having a nip at which the ink image is transferred onto the objects. In order to permit printing on conical objects, the ITM is elastically deformable at least in the direction of movement of the ITM, and is guided in such a manner as to be elongated during passage through the impression station, the extent of elongation varying across the width of the ITM so as to match the surface velocity of the ITM to that of the object over the entire line of contact between the ITM and the object at the nip.

Abstract: A mouthpiece lining paper of a filter cigarette, which mouthpiece lining paper is provided on surface regions to be adhesively bonded with a three-dimensional surface structure, that is to say with a surface which has elevations and/or depressions, wherein the elevations and depressions protrude from and are set back from the film/foil surface only locally, respectively. The mouthpiece lining paper is a film/foil. In one preferred embodiment, a row of elevations and/or depressions runs along an edge of the mouthpiece lining paper of the type which runs along the overlap region of the mouthpiece lining paper with itself on the finished cigarette.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus for applying an embossing pattern to a wrapper for a smoking article, the embossing apparatus configured so as to act to at least partially minimize the reduction, in at least one direction, in the tensile strength of the wrapper resulting from the application of said embossing pattern.

Abstract: A method is provided for ornamenting a container, a mandrel, drum, apparatus used for the method, in which the number of manufacturing processes and the manufacturing cost are reduced, and scratches are prevented in the inner and outer surface of the container. The ornamenting method of a container includes a process to perform underprinting, a process to perform outer surface printing, and a process to perform embossing on the surface of the container held by a holder in a manufacturing line. It is preferable that the outer surface printing process and the embossing process are simultaneously or successively performed.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a crank arm in a crank-arm press with a curved tool at the end of the crank arm being constrained to move so the curved tool makes rolling contact across a flat, stationary substrate. The crankshaft rotates about an axis, the crank arm is rotatably mounted at one end to the crankshaft, a curved tool is mounted at the other end of the crank arm, a line on the surface of the curved tool and parallel to the crankshaft axis of rotation is constrained to move perpendicular to a plane while the curved tool is in rolling contact with the substrate, said plane being the plane of the flat stationary substrate, the radius of curvature of the curved tool being greater than the length of the crank arm; and with the radius of the curved tool, the length of the crank arm, and the eccentric radius of rotation of the crankshaft being selected to maintain the contact line of the curved tool in the substrate plane during the rolling contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvement in printability of coated paper by adding composition comprising granular starch onto the paper, said composition being essentially free of mineral or synthetic pigment.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a smoking article, the smoking article having a rod of smoke able material (15) and a cylindrically wrapped layer of sheet material, comprises a holder (3) for holding sheet material, an embossing unit (8) configured to emboss sheet material drawn from the holder and an assembling station (14) for assembling the smoking article, configured to receive embossed sheet material from the embossing unit and to wrap the embossed sheet material at least partially around a part of the smoking article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting text on items such as tools. The imprinting process involving employing a roll forging assembly including a large-sized roller plate and a multi-angle vise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting text on items such as tools. The imprinting process involving employing a roll forging assembly including a large-sized roller plate and a multi-angle vise.

Abstract: The invention refers to a printed substrate comprising a substrate with an oleophilic surface having a Gurley-Hill permeance value bigger than 5000 s/100 ml, the ink printed on the substrate having an IGT ink set-off value bigger than 0.60 print density units at 30 s delay time. The invention also refers to a printing method performed in at least one printing unit under use of following substrate/ink combination: the substrate has an oleophilic surface and is non-porous, i.e. has a Gurley-Hill permenace value bigger than 5000 s/100 ml, the pigment carrier/ink has an IGT ink set-off value larger than 0.60 print density units at 30 s delay time.

Abstract: Roll-forming apparatus is provided together with a conveyor system utilized to transport raw dough rolls. A stop gate is movably positioned in the path of the rolls and, when placed in an interfering position, temporarily stops the rolls while the rolls maintain sliding contact with the conveyor. An imprinter is positioned above the conveyor and adjacent the stop gate. The stop gate is subsequently moved to a noninterfering position to permit the rolls to pass to the imprinting drums where the rolls are formed into a desired shape.

Abstract: Roll-forming apparatus is provided together with a conveyor system utilized to transport raw dough rolls. A stop gate is movably positioned in the path of the rolls and, when placed in an interfering position, temporarily stops the rolls while the rolls maintain sliding contact with the conveyor. An imprinter is positioned above the conveyor and adjacent the stop gate. The stop gate is subsequently moved to a noninterfering position to permit the rolls to pass to the imprinting drums where the rolls are formed into a desired shape.

Abstract: The writing pen creates a background of metallic coated under-layers embossed with strings of impressions on a writing medium. The pen comprises a cartridge with a removable cap connected to the non-writing end of the pen. The cartridge acts as a cylindrical housing for a replaceable sub-cartridge, which stores a coating substance. An out-feeding roller is rotatably disposed, in proximity with the sub-cartridge to receive the coating substance. An intermediate roller is rotatably disposed to receive the coating substance from the out-feeding roller for onward transmission to an embossing and metal coating roller. The embossing and metal coating roller has projections on its surface and is rotatably disposed in the cylindrical housing to generate a unique string of repeated impressions in quick succession on a writing medium. The rollers meshed together to form a gear train to provide a cumulative radial drive to the embossing and coating roller.

Abstract: A coin press (10) includes a die (20) and an anvil (22) that abut and counter-rotate to nip and press a coin. The coin press (10) has a timing device (80) with a coin slot (84) and a gate (92) rotatable about a gate axis parallel to the width of the coin slot (84). The gate (92) rotates between a closed position to obstruct the coin slot (84) and an open position that allows the coin to pass gravitationally by the gate (92). A timing ring (130) rotates with one of the die (20) and the anvil (22) and has at least one lobe (132) that activates a trip lever (122) to rotate the gate (92) and gravitationally drop the coin between the anvil (22) and an image on the die (20). The die (20) and the anvil (22) are removably and replaceably mounted by sliding into a slot (46) and another slot (48) on a frame (40). First and second adjusters (62, 64) allow adjustment of pressure between the die (20) and the anvil (22).

Abstract: A device for processing continuous webs has a machine frame and at least one tool arranged on the machine frame for processing the continuous web. A drive device is provided for driving the at least one tool. The drive device is a two-row gear wheel having a first toothing and a second toothing, wherein the first toothing has an inch-based division and the second toothing has a metric division. The at least one tool is driven by the first toothing when processing the continuous web according to an inch-based size and wherein the at least one tool is driven by the second toothing when processing the continuous web according to a metric size.

Abstract: An embossing device for tissue paper converting apparatus, includes a first roll and a second roll cooperating with each other to emboss a web of tissue paper in-between, first protrusions on the circumference of the first roll cooperating with the second roll to form a first nip with a first gap in-between, second protrusions on the circumference of the first or second roll cooperating with the other of the first and second roll as a counter roll to form a second nip with a second gap in-between. The embossing device further includes an adjusting means for selectively adjusting the second gap of the second nip of some or all second protrusions.

Abstract: A personal identification and tracking system comprising an impression means for providing a predetermined image upon an impressionable medium and an activation unit for moving the impression means between a first position, where said impression unit is in contact with the impressionable medium, and a second position whereby said impression unit is out of contact with said impressionable medium. The system is particularly adaptable to snow, sand or mud.

Abstract: The embossing rolls of embossing devices serving for the treatment of two-dimensionally extending materials, preferably in the packaging industry, may be made exchangeable if they are disposed in suitable interchangeable units. An interchangeable unit may e.g. take the form of a sleeve having its ends provided with fitting surfaces. The mount of an embossing device comprises corresponding seats which are very precisely adapted to the actual interchangeable unit. In the inserted condition, i.e. when the fitting surfaces of the retaining elements are inserted in the associated seats, the embossing roll contained in an exchangeable unit is thus placed in its operational position without requiring any further adjusting operations. Particularly the driven embossing roll of such an embossing device is thus substantially less complicated to exchange, thereby allowing quick maintenance and production changeovers.

Abstract: A device for applying an embossing to a web of tissue paper (12) comprises a full width anvil roller (14) and a plurality of small widths embossing rollers (16) which are rotationally movable around rotational axes which run parallel to the rotational axis of the anvil roller. The embossing rollers (16) have a width which is substantially smaller than the width of the anvil roller (14) and can be individually positioned against the anvil roller.

Abstract: The present invention is a hand-held tool for embossing a sheet of paper or other media, and a method for performing the embossing. The tool is preferably a two-ended embossing tool, wherein each end has differently-sized roller ball that rotates/rolls in all directions inside a retainer. Each roller ball is biased outward, for example, by a detent-style spring unit. The preferably spring contacts the ball, so that the ball(s) and the spring(s) is/are the only moving parts of the tool. To use the tool, preferably the user applies pressure to the tool over paper or other media on top of a template with open channels in the shape of a desired design. The ball is received in the channel with the paper or other media lying between the exposed ball surface and the template. A guide surface extends out from the ball to be generally parallel to the surface of the paper beside the channel area.

Abstract: The general application of the invention is a finishing process for an air-laid nonwoven web composed of short cellulosic fibers, bound by a thermoplastic binder and having a less than perfect homogeneous fiber distribution. In the invention, the process includes deforming under hot stress the web between an undeforming hard engraved cylinder and a slave cylinder having a hardness between about 60 and 90 degrees shore hardness D. The slave cylinder is resilient and deformable at the pressure applied to it by the engraved cylinder. In particular, the invention applies to the manufacture of webs and of disposable, decorative napkins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stamping distinguishing marks on parts moving in the feed direction of a roll line, comprising at least one mark-holder for holding a mark, the mark-holder being placed on the circumference of a stamping wheel. The inventive device comprises an eccentric stamping wheel which is mounted so as to rotate in a stamping unit and which can be accelerated in rotation by means of driving mechanism in synchronism with the speed of the parts to be stamped with a distinguishing mark. The stamping wheel applies a force on the parts to be stamped with a distinguishing mark which can be adjusted continuously and constantly. It is possible to adjust the horizontal, vertical and possibly oblique orientation of the stamping position of the stamping wheel. The inventive device is also characterized in that it comprises a range measuring device for the moving parts, which is used to control a horizontal driving mechanism for tracking the stamping unit carrying the stamping wheel.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing database queries with geographic inputs that are converted to a direct marketing area prior to performing the query. Direct marketing areas define geographic locations as discrete areas of interest that may be more useful than city limits or a specific geographic location (e.g., latitude/longitude). Direct marketing areas are more useful geographic designations for purposes of advertising and marketing. A geographic input, such as a city and state, or a latitude and longitude are converted to a direct marketing area. The direct marketing area is then substituted for the entered geographic parameter (e.g., city and state or latitude and longitude), and the requested database query is performed.

Abstract: In an automatic exposure apparatus for printing plates, a photopolymer plate is taken out of an accommodating cassette in which stacked photopolymer plates are accommodated, and an image is recorded onto the photopolymer plate. A shutter which opens and closes an opening of the accommodating cassette is configured as a thin plate, and thus, the accommodating cassette is thin and light.

Abstract: A tool (40) for imprinting a pattern in a has a handle (42). A stamp (44), connected to the handle (42), has a pattern (54) formed on a face (52) of the stamp (44). The face (52) of the stamp (44) forms a concave surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a pattern into absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, diapers, and adult incontinence pads is disclosed. The apparatus for forming a pattern of embossments in an absorbent article comprises an embosser assembly having a patterned die roll and an anvil roll. In one embodiment, the anvil roll comprises a multi-layered structure, that comprises a metal hub, encircled by a compressible layer and enclosed by a sleeve which reduces machine dynamics, such as vibration, associated with the embossing apparatus and significantly improves the embossing line process and quality. The embosser assembly also has a mechanism for applying compressive pressure on the components of an absorbent article when the components are placed between the die roll and the anvil roll.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for placing printed color images on a series of objects, by: generating digital data representing a plurality of different color images; providing a print medium composed of a substrate carrying a coating which is releasable from the substrate and is formulated to retain printing inks; providing a digitally controlled color printer having a plurality of print heads; supplying the generated digital data to the printer; feeding the print medium through the printer and past the print heads while operating the print heads under control of the generated data to print the color images on the coating; and placing a portion of the coating on which an image has been printed in contact with one of the objects and transferring the image to the object.

Abstract: A method of fastener identification for traceability of manufacturing information of an individual fastener, is achieved by applying a code to the fastener. The fasteners to be identified typically are formed of hardened materials such as steel. A die cast, forged or pressed roll stamp or forge stamp is thus used to apply the code and is formed with a raised stencil of one or more characters or indicia. Multiple lots of a certain fastener typically are manufactured in a given time period, such as a year, thus requiring a different code to identify each fastener lot. Numbers of lots and sizes of individual lots for a given time period are difficult to predict for a fastener producer, thus risking waste if multiple customized stamps are used to identify the lots. A universal stamp having a single indicia stencil is utilized to identify all lots of a certain fastener in a given time period, by removing selected ones of the stencil characters from the universal stamp for each different lot.

Abstract: A machine and method for producing pressed items from coins, tokens, and like items. The machine includes multiple operating stations from where multiple operators can activate the machine; a press adapted to press coins, tokens, and like items delivered to it and to release pressed items therefrom; multiple collecting stations adapted to receive items that have been pressed; a gating device that delivers items to be pressed to the press in a predetermined order and in response to activation of the machine at the operating stations; and a dispenser that delivers pressed items from the press to the collecting stations in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: The general application of the invention is a finishing process for an air-laid nonwoven web composed of short cellulosic fibers, bound by a thermoplastic binder and having a less than perfect homogeneous fiber distribution. In the invention, the process includes deforming under hot stress the web between an undeforming hard engraved cylinder and a slave cylinder having a hardness between about 60 and 90 degrees shore hardness D. The slave cylinder is resilient and deformable at the pressure applied to it by the engraved cylinder. In particular, the invention applies to the manufacture of webs and of disposable, decorative napkins.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of producing embossed first and second elongate, edgewise side by side, repeating, optical patterns on a sheet for use in producing secure identification means, the method comprising: continuously embossing the first and second optical patterns on the sheet, such that the first and second patterns repeat at different rates, so that the first pattern will "walk" with respect to the second pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and a process of, sector engraving metal elements, is disclosed. The apparatus includes an engraving roller having a particular pattern formed thereon, and a workpiece mounting system which is capable of translational movement within two mutually orthogonal directions. When the engraving process is to be performed, the engraving roller is held in contact with the workpiece, and as a result of a first translational movement of the workpiece mounting system in a first direction, a predetermined sector of the engraving roller is caused to contact a predetermined portion of the workpiece whereby a predetermined portion of the roller pattern is reproduced upon the workpiece.

Abstract: A vertical cylindrical member is supported by a frame adjacent a plurality of rotatable horizontally mounted rollers that support a plate to be marked. A carriage is mounted for vertical reciprocal movement on the cylindrical member. A piston cylinder assembly having an extensible piston rod positioned therein is secured at one end to the upper portion of the cylindrical member. The end of the piston rod is connected to the carriage. A shaft is rotatably supported by and positioned below the carriage. A marking wheel having a plurality of marking elements retained on the surface thereof is secured to the end of the shaft in overlying relation with the surface of the plate to be marked. The piston cylinder assembly maintains a preselected marking pressure on the marking wheel of the plate to be marked.

Abstract: A printing device for printing cylindrical objects, such as wheels, comprises a printing stereotype having a cylindrically arcuate printing surface and which is rotatably mounted at a fixed position alongside a pivotal workpiece mounting support. A workpiece holder is rotatably mounted on the support and it may be moved toward and away from the printing stereotype in order to move the workpiece holder in directions to make it possible to engage the printing stereotype on the surface of a workpiece and to thereafter move it out of engagement therewith. The construction includes a carrier ribbon containing thermoplastic ink which is trained to run between the workpiece holder and the printing stereotype in order to effect transfer of the printed image to the article to be printed.