Abstract: A system is provided for freeing laser bars stuck in a facet coating fixture. A roller device is provided that rolls into a facet coating fixture channel and applies a downward force to a stuck laser bar. The roller device and coating fixture combination provide an uncomplicated and reliable system for handling the bars.

Abstract: In a paint roller having an inner core with an outer annular surface and a radially resilient, substantially cylindrical paint roller medium extending around and affixed to the inner core for rotation therewith, the improvement wherein the outer medium has a substantially uniform outer diameter and comprises a base of resilient porous material, and a distribution of non-porous material which masks portions of the base. Preferably the distribution of non-porous material is random.

Abstract: A coating applicator is provided having a plate cylinder including a cylindrical body about which a coating plate is mounted in sleeve-like fashion. The plate is the type used in the flexographic printing industry, and is made of photosensitive, monomeric material. The longitudinal edges of the plate are mounted to the cylindrical body using a clamping mechanism which permits easy installation and removal. Even with relatively light pressure, the photopolymer plate releases a substantial portion of the coating material when the plate is applied to a workpiece. Consequently, the composition and secondary rollers may be spaced apart by a gap slightly smaller than the thickness of the workpiece. Because of this gap, coating material does not tend to be applied from the plate cylinder to the secondary roller, thus reducing the safety and environmental problems associated with cleaning the secondary roller.

Abstract: A liquid metering and coating assembly for use in a thermal toner fixation unit of a plain paper copier or printer. The assembly consists of a release oil-supply roll having a compliant and flexible porous permeation control layer and a cleaning blade. The cleaning blade is mounted so as to contact the surface of the permeation control material. The cleaning blade removes excess toner and other incidental debris from the surface of the permeation control layer thereby providing a freshly cleaned surface from which controlled amounts of release oil are uniformly coated onto the surface of an adjacent contacting roll.

Abstract: In a paint roller having an inner core with an outer annular surface and a radially resilient, substantially cylindrical paint roller medium extending around and affixed to the inner core for rotation therewith, the improvement wherein the outer medium has a substantially uniform outer diameter and comprises a base of resilient porous material, and a distribution of non-porous material which masks portions of the base. Preferably the distribution of non-porous material is random.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved device for delivering a release agent to fuser rollers employed in various printer devices, such as laser printers, fax machines, copier machines, etc. The release agent delivery device of the present invention comprises an elongated web of microporous membrane (e.g., expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) bonded to a substrate, filled with release agent, and mounted between two shafts. The web spans across the fuser roller so that the roller is simultaneously cleaned and oiled during normal operation. When the portion of the web in contact with the fuser roller becomes contaminated or expends its release agent supply, the web can be advanced to place a fresh surface in contact with the fuser roller.

Abstract: A plate cylinder (1) for applying hot glue to a paper web comprises distributed circumferentially in a regular pattern a plurality of separate magnet units (22) oriented radially, extending up to its circumferential surface (18) and temperature-resistant up to at least 300.degree. C. which radially oriented outwards like the substantially tubular tool base body (15) are heated and serve to retain one or more separate, flexural letterpress plates.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved device for delivering a release agent to fuser rollers employed in various printer devices, such as laser printers, fax machines, copier machines, etc. The release agent delivery device of the present invention comprises an elongated web of microporous membrane (e.g., expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) bonded to a substrate, filled with release agent, and mounted between two shafts. The web spans across the fuser roller so that the roller is simultaneously cleaned and oiled during normal operation. When the portion of the web in contact with the fuser roller becomes contaminated or expends its release agent supply, the web can be advanced to place a fresh surface in contact with the fuser roller.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid metering and surface coating device which can satisfactorily perform the operation of applying a release liquid to at least the surface of toner image fixation rolls in plain paper copying, with exceptional accuracy, uniformity, and durability. The device comprises a porous support layer adhered to a metal shaft. The porous support layer is comprised of an open-celled thermosetting polymer foam internally reinforced to obtain the strength, resilience, and heat resistance needed for high durability in use as part of a hot toner image fixation mechanism in a PPC machine. The porous support is comprised of materials having high compatibility with and wettability by the liquids to be distributed and having high liquid holding capacity so as to provide smooth continuous liquid delivery.

Abstract: The apparatus is a spray shield to prevent ink and cleaning fluids from being spun off of the ends of printing cylinders. A cylindrical shield around the end of the printing cylinder is attached to a hub resting on the printing cylinder axle, and the hub and shield have sections held together by a hinge and a latch so they can be unlatched and removed for cleaning. An axial spring assembly is attached to the hub on the side opposite from the cylindrical shield so that the springs compress and friction is minimized if the hub is contacted by the printing cylinder.

Abstract: Paint rollers (11-15) having an outer annular paint roll medium (21-25) configured and constructed to produce special effects when rolled over a work surface in a positive or negative mode of painting or in one case, in both modes simultaneously. In three embodiments, the outer medium (21-25) is constructed from a sheet of flexible material such as a sheet of thin non-porous (e.g., plastic) material or a sheet of thick resilient porous material by loosely compacting a blank of the material into a preformed shape and then wrapping the preformed shape around and affixing it to an inner roller core (16). In another embodiment, a sculptured outer medium (24) is formed by wrapping a preformed shape of sponge or sponge-like material around and affixing it to an inner roller core (16). In a further embodiment, the outer medium (25) is formed by a base layer (80) of resilient porous material and by relatively hard areas of non-porous material (88) at the outer surface of the base layer (80).

Abstract: A press for printing an electrical circuit component directly onto a substrate with an electrically-conductive liquid includes a press surface having a printing direction and a direction transverse thereto. A plurality of liquid-carrying cells are disposed on the press surface for carrying the electrically-conductive liquid, the cells being in liquid communication with each other in both the printing direction and in the transverse direction. A method of making such a press includes the steps of providing a press surface and engraving the press surface with the plurality of liquid-carrying cells which are in liquid communication with each other in both the printing direction and in the transverse direction.

Abstract: The paint or decorating roller, which is intended to produce contrast effects with substantially unevenly-distributed impressions, such as those produced with pads, without showing an undesirable tendency to slip, is constituted by an array of flexible tuft-like decorating elements (2, 9, 19) which are fixed permanently or removably to the outer surface of the roller body (1, 15, 2 1) which is coupled for rotation on the straight front portion of a respective support arm (4, 17, 25), each tuft being formed by the pleating along at least two intersecting lines of an inner, central region of a flat piece of fabric, hide or other material having a regular or preferably even an indented outline; the roller is for use in the painting and decorating field in general.

Abstract: An attachment is made to a roller printer that indicates to a user of the roller printer that it is tracking a straight line on a vertical surface. The attachment in the best mode is a spirit level so positioned that it indicates whether the printing roller of the roller printer is horizontally oriented in use. A protractor or other form of angle indicator may be used with a pivotable spirit level to aid the user of a roller printer in producing a pattern that extends inclined to the vertical.

Abstract: A liquid metering and coating device made of a liquid permeation control material including porous polytetrafluoroethylene, adhered to a porous support material of open-celled foam. The porous support and permeation control material contain mixtures of silicone oil and silicone rubber which bond to the porous support material and form an interconnected network of silicone rubber throughout the device. The device is suitable for use as a part of a toner fixation mechanism in a plain paper copying machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid lubricant in a pattern to a face of a sheet workpiece has a support frame through which the workpiece is transported in a travel direction substantially parallel to its face, a plurality of axles in the frame extending along respective axes generally perpendicular to the direction and individually displaceable generally perpendicular to the direction and to the respective axes, and respective liquid-pervious rollers journaled on the axles about the respective axes. A liquid lubricant is fed to the rollers and respective actuators connected between the axles and the frame displace the respective rollers perpendicular to the direction and to the respective axes into and out of contact with the workpiece as same passes in the direction through the frame. A controller connected to the actuators individually controls and operates same to apply the liquid lubricant in the rollers to the workpiece in a predetermined pattern as the workpiece passes through the frame.

Abstract: A ready-made fabric sack with an elastic string around the periphery of the sack opening to be placed over a transfer cylinder in a printing press. When placed over the transfer cylinder, the inherent resiliency of the fabric and string causes the sack to envelop the cylinder to provide a resilient fabric surface which prevents smearing and streaking of wet printed sheets.

Abstract: A cross gluing cylinder has spaced peripheral glue application bars which apply glue to a paper web. The overall circumferential length of the cross gluing cylinder can be changed by shifting the glue application bars and cooperating intermediate cylinder sections radially outwardly or inwardly.

Abstract: An applicator for applying paint to a painting pad with no need to pour any paint from the original paint can. The applicator comprises a conventional standard paint can with a lid and a sleeve with upper and lower surfaces to effect a seal between the paint can and the paint can lid. The sleeve rotatively supports a roller which carries a free hanging, flexible, endless paint transfer belt and weight. The belt encircles the roller and the weight. The weight pulls the belt tight and near to the bottom of the paint can. The paint is applied to a painting pad by moving the painting pad across the paint transfer belt and support roller causing the roller to rotate and move the transfer belt down through the paint to the bottom of the can and back up, thereby picking up paint and transferring it to the painting pad. With the paint can lid in place, the applicator and unused paint may be conveniently stored.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is used in combination with an ink tray having a housing having a first and second chamber. The first chamber has an overflow baffle extending laterally within said chamber to divide the first chamber into an inlet side and an outlet side. An inlet port is provided for receiving replenishing ink in the inlet side of the chamber and an outlet port is provided for removal of excess ink from said ink tray. A plurality of portals extending between the first and second chambers for directing replenishing ink to the second chamber from the inlet side of the first chamber and excess replenishing ink from the second chamber to the outlet side of the first chamber. An elongated inking roller is mounted to the housing. The absorption material is mounted in the second chamber to contact the replenishing ink. The absorption material has a portion extending from the second chamber and contacting the inking roller to allow the transfer of replenishing ink to the inking roller.

Abstract: A liquid metering and coating device made of a liquid permeation control layer adhered to a porous support in which the support is an open-celled foam internally reinforced to obtain the strength, resilience, and heat resistance needed for high durability in use as a part of a hot toner image fixation mechanism in a plain paper copying machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying protective coatings to photographic films or papers in web or sheet form. More specifically, apparatus for applying protective coatings that are curable by actinic radiation is provided. The apparatus includes a feeding station for supplying film which may be either a feed spool or a sheet feeder for holding and supplying individual sheets of film. The apparatus further includes a conveyor for conveying the film through a coating station and a curing chamber to a receiving station which also may either be a take-up spool to receive coated cured film or a stacking device to receive a stack of individual sheets of film. The conveyor can either be a series of conveying spools or pulleys or an endless conveyor belt in the case of individual sheets of film. The coating station includes a coating roller having a pattern of grooves formed by winding wire onto the surface thereof or other pattern of surface indentations.

Abstract: A roll (30) of adhesive worked between two rollers (10, 12) of the gumming device is supplied by feed nozzles (34a, 34b) projecting fine streams of adhesive (35a, 35b) with monitored flow. In case of an increase in the measured viscosity of the adhesive or stopping of the machine on which the gumming device is used, a water-atomizing device (40) allows the viscosity to be reduced and prevents the adhesive from drying out. A dimension of the adhesive roll is monitored and controls regulation of the output of the adhesive-feeding nozzles. The gumming device thereby ensures proper gumming of a strip of paper (2).

Abstract: A relatively uniform distribution of discrete, separate particles of edible powder such as starch or flour that adhere to the surface layer of the tortilla is used to prevent sticking of tortillas, one to another, when stacked in a package. A resilient foam sponge roller is used to first reservoir, and then compressively apply the particles to the surface of the tortilla.

Abstract: A doctor bar consists of two different circular disks that are clamped or fixed in some other way on a cylindrical carrier bar. Circular disks having a smaller diameter and made from elastic material alternate with circular disks that have a larger diameter and are made of a very wear-resistant material, specifically ceramic. The difference in the outside diameter makes for one-half the groove of peripheral grooves of the doctor bar that are formed between the various circular disks.

Abstract: A hot dip metal strip coating apparatus includes at least one roll submerged in a bath of molten coating metal for guiding the strip through the bath. The submerged rolls are mounted on the ends of support arms by bearings including a pair of substantially flat metal surfaces disposed in planes parallel to and spaced from the horizontal axis of the roll shaft, with the planes of the flat surfaces intersecting one another at an angle within the range of about 60.degree. to about 135.degree.. The flat bearing surfaces are oriented to contact the roll shaft tangentially, with the load in the strip and the flat bearing surfaces supporting the roll during coating and the bearing permitting the free flow of liquid metal between the bearing and shaft on each side of the tangential line of contact of each flat surface with the shaft.

Abstract: A magnetic cylinder for use in printing or die cutting has annular spaced-apart pole pieces with flexible or pliable annular magnets in the spaces between the pole pieces, a protective covering over the magnets and supports alongside the magnets for structurally supporting the protective covering.

Abstract: This process is directed to the coloration of envelope and stationery grades of white paper stocks with a water based ink coating. Characteristics of the flexographic process include both press and ink specifications. Critical mechanical or material characteristics are associated with each of the fountain roll, the anilox roll, the plate roll and the impression roll of a flexographic printing system. Used in conjunction with the critical combination of press characteristics is a unique, water-based ink formulation for rapidly coloring an entire web side with a colored ink to simulate the appearance of a colored paper stock.

Abstract: A skeleton wheel for a printing press has a pair of reel assemblies, one mounted axially along each of the leading and trailing edges of an opening extending the full axial width of the wheel, and to which the ends of an anti-smear fabric web are attached. Each reel assembly includes an axially extending roller which is non-rotatably mounted to the wheel yet permitted limited axial movement.

Abstract: A device for applying a protective coating to the weld or solder seam of a can body has an application roller (2) serving to apply a coating material inside a region covering the seam at the inside (15) of the can body. The roller periphery has a cross-sectional profile (5) comprising at least one depression (10) in a middle region (9) of a middle portion (6) having a region width of less than 60% of the width of the middle portion (6). The profile (5) further comprises at least one salient point and/or at least two points of inflection in this middle region (9). The device renders it possible to achieve optimum layer thicknesses of the coating over the seam, which are neither too little for the stresses occurring during the long-term storage of corrosive liquids nor too great for the tearing strength stressing of the coating which occurs during the flanging over of the edges of the can body.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a plastics coated paperboard web with a sterilizing liquid such as hydrogen peroxide, the web adapted to be folded and cut to form aseptic packages for filling with foodstuffs such as fruit juices and milk. The apparatus includes a pair of rolls between which the web is moved and is coated. The lower (applicator) roll of the pair is provided with continuous helical grooves and is partially immersed in a bath of sterilizing liquid. The configuration of the grooved surface of the applicator roll has been found to be critical in meeting coating standards in the field of aseptic packaging. The grooves make a pitch angle of from 5.degree. to 12.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the applicator roll, with a preferred angle of 9.degree.. Either single grooves or crossed grooves may be used, with the land area of this roll being from 60 to 80%. The applicator roll is manufactured from stainless steel (#316).

Abstract: A paper web recording medium provided with toner images as conducted through a fixing housing containing solvent vapor over a paper deflection drum for fixing the toner images on the recording medium. The paper deflection drum is formed by a rigid roller body made of expanded or foamed plastic over which an elastic grid network fabric of toner-repellent material is drawn as an exterior surface sleeve. A low-mass paper deflection roller having low thermal conductivity is thus provided, so that no solvent vapor can condense at the surface of the fixing drum. The low-mass structure of the paper deflection drum also prevents a smear print when starting or stopping conduct of the paper web through the fixing housing.

Abstract: In order to eliminate the contaminant particles collecting between the inking roller in the inking system of a rotary printing machine and the doctor blade, a strip or wiper element of elastic material extending in the axial direction and projecting from the surface of the inking roller is glued onto the surface of the ink roller or inserted into grooves thereon to pick up and transport small contaminants from the trough into the ink path where they are harmless.

Abstract: A transport roller for a record carrier in a printer, for example, an ink jet printer, is composed of at least two laterally adjoining, hollow, cylindrical roller sections. Each roller section is connected to its hub by means of at least one carrier portion. The roller sections are adjacently arranged on a shaft by way of the hubs by which they are locked against rotation. At a first lateral end of each roller section a groove opens towards this first end, in which groove there is arranged a toroidal ring. The laterally open groove is closed by the second lateral end of the roller section which adjoins this first lateral end.

Abstract: Textile filaments are treated with chemical solutions during their manufacture and a longevous apparatus is provided to accomplish this treatment. The apparatus is a cylindrical sleeve engaged with a rotating engaging means for a substantial portion of the sleeve length and the sleeve and means are disposed to be contacted with the chemical solution contained by a receptacle. The peripheral surface of the sleeve is disposed in relation to the receptacle so that the sleeve comes in contact with the moving textile filaments. The sleeve can be a graphite, metallic or metallic coated noncorroding material. The sleeve can have a thickness ranging from a foil to a thickness which allows the sleeve to be coated with a metallic coating. The rotatable engaging means can be a noncorroding material such as stainless steel, a thermosetting polymer, graphite or rubber.

Abstract: A rigid plastic tube supports an ink applying sleeve of resilient micro-porous ink retaining material, and a pair of end journal and closure members are pressed into opposite ends of the tube. An ink retaining unit confined within the support tube between the end closure members and includes axially spaced thin plastic discs which define therebetween ink retaining capillary chambers for receiving a supply of ink. A series of axially spaced holes are formed in the support tube and control the outward radial flow of ink from the capillary chambers into the micro-porous sleeve. In one form, the thin plastic discs are separately formed of molded and include axially projecting hub portions which interfit and provide for pressing a stack of the discs together to form the ink retaining unit.

Abstract: A rigid plastic tube supports an ink applying sleeve of resilient micro-porous ink retaining material, and a pair of end journal and closure members are pressed into opposite ends of the tube. An ink retaining unit confined within the support tube between the end closure members and includes axially spaced thin plastic discs which define therebetween ink retaining capillary chambers for receiving a supply of ink. A series of axially spaced holes are formed in the support tube and control the outward radial flow of ink from the capillary chambers into the micro-porous sleeve. In one form, the thin plastic discs are separately formed or molded and include axially projecting hub portions which interfit and provide for pressing a stack of the discs together to form the ink retaining unit.

Abstract: A skeleton wheel or cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing stations or at the delivery station of a printing press is provided with a loosely retained ink repellent fabric covering for supporting and conveying the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or indenting the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential surface of the skeleton cylinder is provided with a coating of a fluorocarbon plastic having a fabric base portion bonded to the surface of the cylinder structure. The low friction properties of the coating permit ease of shuffling movement of the fabric covering and the coating structure provides a cushioning effect to prevent smearing or indenting the sheet material by the fabric cover. The improved cylinder is provided with a plurality of retaining plates slidably fitted in axially spaced hub portions of the cylinder which plates are each locked in place by a set screw.

Abstract: An ink applying sleeve of resilient micro-porous ink retaining material is confined between a pair of circular flanges mounted on a connecting support hub. A cylindrical ink retaining unit is also mounted on the center hub and is confined between the flanges to support the sleeve. The unit includes a stack of thin plastic discs which define concentric annular ink retaining capillary passages or chambers for receiving a supply of ink. The concentric chambers are interconnected by a series of radially extending passages which control the outward radial flow of ink from the concentric chambers into the micro-porous sleeve. In one form, the thin plastic discs are heat-formed from thin sheet plastics material and have a center hole for receiving the support hub.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine has a device for fixing toner. The fixing device is constructed such that it has a base support with two pairs of locating holes for a pair of spaced apart lower end blocks having means to support bearings which rotatably support the lower fixing roller. There is an upper pressure roller which rests upon the lower roller. The upper roller is rotatably supported by bearings which are clamped downwards through engagement with "U" Bolts. In turn, the "U" Bolts are yieldably attached through the locating holes to the base support of the fixing unit. The "U" Bolts are threaded at the respective straight shanks, which allows for easy adjustment of the roller nip pressure through springs and adjusting nuts, engaged to the shanks of the "U" Bolts beneath the base support.

Abstract: Wipers are mounted on the opposite ends of a cylindrical glue wetting roll which direct the glue adhering to and moving upwardly with the flat end surfaces of the glue wetting roll first inwardly toward the axis of rotation of the glue wetting roll and then back to the glue pan. The glue applicator roll which picks up the glue from the glue wetting roll includes a ceramic coating about its annular surface which is contacted by the sheet material to which the glue is applied and by the picker fingers which pick the sheets from the roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for applying liquid to a yarn running at high speed, and with a relatively low resistance being imparted to the yarn during the application. The apparatus includes a roller partially immersed in a liquid bath, and having a circumferential surface composed of alternating lands and grooves in the circumferential direction. Means are provided for rotating the roller and for guiding the running yarn tangentially across the top portion of the roller, and such that the yarn advances at a linear speed substantially greater than the peripheral speed of the roller. The yarn guiding means is adjustable to permit the extent of the contact between the yarn and the top of the roller to be varied.

Abstract: Glue roller for use in labeling machines and the like, comprising a metal hub, a tubelike support body fixed on the hub, and an elastic sleeve with a cylindrical outer surface seated on the support body. The support body is a first moulded part of foam material having sealed boundary zones, which is foamed directly onto the hub. The elastic sleeve is a second moulded part of elastic foam material with sealed boundary zones, which is foamed directly onto the support body. The support body and elastic sleeve are provided with interengaging projections and recesses which extend parallel to the axis of the roller.

Abstract: A decorative relief finish pattern is formed by applying to the surface of a coated article or substrate a pattern-forming device composed of a rigid or semi-rigid porous, air-permeable material and having a design thereon. The pattern-forming device, when applied on the surface of the article or substrate a plurality of times, can form such a decorative relief pattern without any undesirable and noticeable protuberance and joints between the first rundown and the subsequent ones.

Abstract: In a finger slotting and glue applying machine, random length studs, free from blemishes and having precisely squared ends, are advanced edgewise on a conveyor with their right ends (as viewed from the delivery end of the conveyor) aligned, past a set of slotting saws for uniformly slotting the right ends of the studs. The studs are then shifted to align their left ends and advanced past a second set of slotting saws for uniformly slotting the left ends of the studs. The studs then have adhesive applied in the left end slots and are then discharged at the introductory end of a machine which advances the studs lengthwise, interfitting and adhesively uniting successive studs end to end for producing blemish-free composite studs or beams which may be cut into any chosen length or lengths. The present invention has to do with limiting the regulating, the feeding and application of the glue to the slotted left ends of the studs and with the clean recovery and return to the source of surplus glue.

Abstract: A pressure roller for applying pressure to a sheet-like material passing between the pressure roller and an application roller for applying a layer of liquid to the material, as in the development of diazotype copies, comprises a plurality of relatively short constituent rollers connected to one another by connecting means which permit radial displacement of the adjacent constituent rollers relative to each other and wherein each constituent roller is urged toward the application roller by at least one resilient spring-like element. The pressure roller thus enables contact between it and the application roller with an even pressure, without significant sagging along its length, while allowing uneven areas of the sheet-like material to pass therebetween without affecting the force exerted over the entire nip between the rollers. Improved development of diazotype copies can thus be obtained.

Abstract: A painter pad applicator comprises a faceted roller rotatively mounted in brackets that can be removably secured to the side walls of a conventional paint tray so that the roller is positioned transversely in the paint tray well. The roller is buoyant in the paint contained in the paint tray and the brackets are arranged to permit vertical movement of the roller in the tray so that as the paint level changes the roller follows with a selected amount of roller surface area always projecting above the surface of the paint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating wherein the horizontal flow of coating liquid is restricted adjacent the ends of the coating roll to overcome foaming by high flow rates of liquid flow while avoiding fouling of the roll journals.

Abstract: A novel liquid development system is disclosed wherein a rigid member adapted to move in contacting cooperation with a resilient surface is provided on at least one end with a semi-rigid end extender so that the surface of the end extender lies substantially in the same plane as the rigid surface. This extender is found to eliminate damage done to the resilient surface by reason of its contact with the edge of the rigid surface.

Abstract: A method .[.and apparatus.]. for coating wherein the horizontal flow of coating liquid is restricted adjacent the ends of the coating roll to overcome foaming by high flow rates of liquid flow while avoiding fouling of the roll journals.