Abstract: System for producing three-dimensional structures on a substrate, including a machine frame having mounted thereon a replaceable unit for producing a three-dimensional structure on a substrate by a given method, a feeder and a delivery for the substrate, and at least one transport device for transporting the substrate from the feeder to the delivery device via the unit for producing the three-dimensional structure, including an electronic data processor for controlling the replaceable unit for producing the three-dimensional structure and, optionally, the transport device, and another replaceable unit for producing a three-dimensional structure on the substrate by a method which differs from the given method, the other replaceable unit for producing a three-dimensional structure on the substrate by the method which differs from the given method being mountable on the machine frame in exchange for the unit for producing a three-dimensional structure on the substrate by the given method.

Abstract: A printing machine for printing on regular-stock type substrates and on card-stock type substrates includes a rotatable drum member having an outer surface for contacting regular-stock and card-stock type substrates; a first path for moving and printing on regular-stock type substrates, the first path including a curved portion defined by the outer surface of the rotatable drum member, and a first printing station; and a second path for moving and printing on card-stock type substrates, the second path being substantially straight and including a second printing station separate from the first printing station.

Abstract: Solid compositions containing diamidediurethanes are useful as components of hot-melt inks. Diamidiurethanes may be prepared by reaction of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and/or lactone with either (1) monoamine and diisocyanate or (2) diamine and monoisocyanate. Alternatively, the diamidediurethane may be prepared by reacting a non-hydric carboxylic acid and/or anhydride with an hydroxyamine and a dfisocyanate. The reactant identity and stoichiometry, as well as the reaction conditions, may be tailored to optimize the formation of diamidediurethane in preference to high molecular weight oligomers. The hot-melt inks may be used in ink jet, flexographic, gravure and intaglio printing.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for making high viscosity gelled ink resins which exhibit improved properties. In a preferred embodiment, a precursor resin is conducted through an extruder with a cross-linking agent, preferably a heat reactive phenolic resin, to induce formation of covalent cross-link bonds in the resin producing a high viscosity resin which resists viscosity breakdown under high shear conditions. The resulting gelled ink resins may be used directly in making ink, obviating the need for further gelation and avoiding the use of conventional organo-metallic gelling agents.

Abstract: The specification describes a process for making gelled ink resins which exhibit improved properties. In a preferred embodiment, a rosin-based or hydrocarbon-based resin is mixed with an organic solvent and reacted with a crosslink agent under conditions sufficient to produce a substantially covalently cross-link gelled resin. The resulting gelled resin resists viscosity breakdown under high shear conditions and may be used directly for making ink compositions, obviating the need for further gelation and avoiding the use of conventional organo-metallic gelling agents.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for making high viscosity gelled ink resins which exhibit improved properties. In a preferred embodiment, a precursor resin is conducted through an extruder with a cross-linking agent, preferably a heat reactive phenolic resin, to induce formation of covalent cross-link bonds in the resin producing a high viscosity resin which resists viscosity breakdown under high shear conditions. The resulting gelled ink resins may be used directly in making ink, obviating the need for further gelation and avoiding the use of conventional organo-metallic gelling agents.

Abstract: An embossing system for the simultaneous positive and negative (i.e. in and out embossing of an indicia (10) in sheet material (20) has a top plate (40) and a bottom plate (50) each with respective positive and negative embossing plate portions (43/53, 44/54) which are aligned and complementary, so arranged that during the embossing step, the neutral portions (45,55) of the plates (40,50) do not apply pressure to the sheet material (20). By applying ink to one plate (40), or by placing an ink ribbon (80) between the sheet material (20) and one plate (40), the indicia (10) can be simultaneously inked and embossed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus useful for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A multicolored ink pattern is deposited to a substrate while in a deformable state, flattened during the deposition process, and the deformed, more uniform shape of the printed dot is thereafter retained, preferably by curing during deposition. The transfer layer is preferably formed on a collector roll. A plurality of colored ink patterns is then transferred to the collector roll, preferably from a single pattern roll having multiple patterns thereon, to form the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a multi-color ink pattern on a substrate surface which comprises arranging a series of patterned surfaces with each patterned surface having a pattern that is unique to one of the colors and that corresponds to the pattern of that color in the multi-color pattern, supplying to each patterned surface a radiation-curable ink formulation, having an appropriate colorant to form an ink pattern thereon, transferring individually the color pattern from each patterned surface to a collector roll, increasing the cohesiveness of the ink sufficiently to permit complete transfer of the pattern, forming a composite of the color patterns on a collector roll, and transferring the composite pattern in its entirety to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A belt-type printing machine, especially for a plurality of colors, comprising at least one printing station (2) containing a frame (1), idler rolls (7) arranged in bearings therein, an impression cylinder (6) for guiding a continuous web (8) to be printed arranged in preferably fixed bearings on the frame (1), a plate cylinder (3), two sprocket wheels (4, 5) coaxially mounted to but not commonly driven with the plate cylinder (3) and at least one tensioning cylinder (10), around which an endless belt (11) extends having at least one flexible printing plate and being provided with perforations for the sprocket wheels (4, 5), wherein an inking assembly (13) allocated to the flexible printing plate of the belt (11), a drive acting upon the sprocket wheels (4, 5) to the belt (11) and an additional single drive (32) acting upon the plate cylinder (3) to the belt (11) for the purpose of avoiding the jump movement between the perforations of the belt and the pins of the sprocket wheels are provided.

Abstract: An intaglio cylinder for effecting intaglio printing is disposed in contact with an impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder for effecting dry offset printing is disposed in contact with the intaglio cylinder. These cylinders are disposed such that a line interconnecting the axes of the impression cylinder and the intaglio cylinder will make an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to a line interconnecting the axes of the intaglio cylinder and the blanket cylinder. When printing with the printing press described above a method is used comprising the steps of forming an intaglio image on the intaglio cylinder, forming a dry offset image on the blanket cylinder, transferring the dry offset image on the blanket cylinder onto non-image portions of the intaglio cylinder, and simultaneously transferring the dry offset image and the intaglio image on the intaglio cylinder onto a sheet wrapped about the impression cylinder.