Abstract: A hot stamping machine including a stamping member which presses a stamping foil against a peripheral surface of articles which are successively positioned in a stamping position and wherein stamping foil is removed from an unwinding mechanism for each stamping sequence and passes in succession into a suction box, along a braking surface and opposite the stamping member that urges the foil against an article, and wherein a reserve of foil is available in the suction box between the unwinding means and the braking surface, while the foil is tensioned between the stamping member and the article, during stamping of the article, and between the braking surface and a rewinding mechanism.

Abstract: The hot stamping cylinder (1) is provided with a heating system which consists of a heating foil (3) which is arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder (1), enabling extraordinarily quick heating and cooling times. In addition to actually heating the surface of the cylinder and the annular or sleeve-type stamping tools (10) placed thereon, the latter are clamped by thermal expansion in said adjusted position.

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: An apparatus and method is disclosed for thermally transferring an image from a thin flexible backing containing the image onto an outer cylindrical surface of a cylindrical resilient material. The device comprises a rotatable mount for rotatably holding the cylindrical resilient material. A roller assembly comprising a plurality of rotatable rollers linearly moves the thin flexible backing in accordance with the rotation of the rollers. A positioning device positions the thin flexible backing into contact with the cylindrical resilient material. A heater device applies heat to the thin flexible backing. A motive device moves the thin flexible backing linearly on the roller assembly and rotates the cylindrical resilient material about the axis of the rotatable mount, thereby transferring the image from the thin flexible backing to the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical resilient material.

Abstract: A device for sealing folders, parcels, and the like. The device comprises a handle which carries at its free end a metal plate containing an image to be printed, a thermoelectric element for heating the plate, and a heat accumulator for maintaining the temperature of the plate. An adhesive thermolabile tape comprises a semi-transparent film of cellulose acetate carrying on one of its faces a layer of colored adhesive material. The film is "scorched" by the action of the seal so as to display in an indelible way, the image of the latter.

Abstract: A machine for continuously stamping at least one advancing product strip has a stamping wheel, the rotatable wheel having at least one heated stamping die positioned about its outer circumference, and has a rotatable shaft for driving the stamping wheel and pairs of rotatable synchronizing rollers affixed on rotatable shafts upstream and downstream of the stamping wheel in the line of the advancing strip for positioning the advancing strip for stamping and for delivering the advancing stamped strip for cutting. The stamping wheel driving shaft and the shafts of the synchronizing rollers are connected to a motor for being driven in synchronism so the stamping wheel and rollers have a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of advance of the product strip.

Abstract: A machine for printing oval objects. The oval object has imparted to it a simple pivoting movement about an axis which is separate from the center of the radius of curvature of a section of the area of the object to be screenprinted upon. The printing screen which is attached to a printing or a screen support is moveable to correct simultaneously the distance between the screen and the rotation axis of the object. The printing machine is applicable to processes for decorating convex surfaces by screen printing, hot pressing, and dry offset printing.

Abstract: A petri dish imprinting apparatus comprises an imprinting block of characters disposed along one side of a support surface for a covered petri dish and having heated characters adapted to imprint the petri dish by thermal embossment. An endless belt on the other side of the path presses the petri dish against the heated characters.

Abstract: In a laminating machine comprising an applicator roller at a substantially fixed location and a support movable relatively to said roller for an article which is to be laminated with a decorating film that is peeled off a composite web composed of said decorating film on a backing sheet, a feeding device for taking said web to said applicator roller, said feeding device comprising a supply reel for said web, means for axially displacing said supply reel substantially parallel to said applicator roller and a rotatable jockey roller for tensioning said web and disposed between said supply reel and applicator roller, said jockey roller being mounted for substantially vertical displacement as well as pivotal motion about a vertical axis and axial displacement in unison with said supply reel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying indicia to the surface of generally cylindrical articles. The machine utilizes a rotary article transport assembly or turret mechanism which has a plurality of gripper hands mounted thereon for holding the cylindrical articles to be decorated. At least one article orienting station is provided to orient the article so that the indicia is applied over the proper portion of the surface of the article. After orienting, the article is rotated in a holding assembly and the indicia carrying tape or foil is pressed against the appropriate portion of the outer surface of the article by a heated die carried on a cylindrical drum mounted immediately adjacent to the article being decorated. Means are provided for rotating the article being decorated and the die carrying drum at the same peripheral surface speed. Also, means are provided for positively feeding the decorating tape between the bottle and the transfer die.