Abstract: A method and apparatus for punching an image-recordable plate with a notch of variable depth or a hole at variable distance from a reference line, such that enable the plate to be mountable on the cylindrical surface of the drum of an imagesetter, with a pin thereon engaging the notch or the hole so that an edge of the recorded image will essentially parallel a reference edge of the plate. The apparatus consists of a punch that includes an edge guide for the plate, or pins to engage registration holes in the plate, and a punching die having a variable position with respect to the guide or the line of pins.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately cutting a multi-view print from a sheet of print material is disclosed comprised of a lower body portion and a cutter blade residing in the lower body portion. The cutter blade has a cutting outline corresponding to the outline of the to be cut multi-view print. An upper body portion is rigidly positioned with respect to the lower body portion and has a first opening therethrough corresponding to the outline of the cutter blade and second openings that are defined by the upper body portion for receiving a user's fingers so as to enable the movement of a sheet of print material when positioned between the upper and the lower body portions whereby a lenticular or barrier type cover sheet, positioned in the first opening, permits viewing of the multi-view print to enable the guiding of the sheet of print material into accurate alignment with the cover sheet prior to cutting with the cutter blade.

Abstract: A punch assembly is provided with a positive retraction mechanism to remove the punch from the media to be punched, thereby preventing binding of the punch in the media. The punch assembly includes a driving mechanism to provide a driving force on the punch and a positive retraction mechanism disposed to provide a retraction force on the punch operative sequentially following operation of the driving mechanism. The punch assembly, which is of a smaller size and more economical to manufacture, is particularly useful with an imagesetter of a prepress printing system. The punch may be mounted in a cantilever manner to punch the opening as close to the edge of the media as possible without interfering with the laser beam of the imaging assembly. In this maimer, the area of media available for imaging may be maximized and media waste minimized. Additionally, a shaft support mechanism is provided for the shaft upon which the retraction mechanism for each punch is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a photo album leaf from a media having a front and back side. The apparatus includes a processing path along which the media moves through the apparatus; a digital printer disposed along the processing path for printing images on the front side of the media, the images being composed so as to define a segment having a fold line about which the segment is folded so as to form the leaf; a processing section disposed after the printer along the processing path for processing the media on which the images have been written; a removal mechanism for removing the protective release layer from the segment; a folding mechanism for folding the segment so as to form an album leaf.

Abstract: A process for producing a card comprising:recording variable data comprising photographic data on at least one selected from a surface of a center core to be used for the card, and a back surface of an oversheet in a sheet form supplied from a roll thereof, by variable data recording means comprising a sublimation type thermal transfer device which uses a thermal transfer sheet having a dye layer imparted with a releasability,superposing the center core and the oversheet to form an integral laminate;cutting the integral laminate into a card form having a predetermined size.

Abstract: A ticket dispenser has a dispenser body with an internal chamber, and a lid for closing the chamber. The lid has an external ticket-receiving surface. A roll of paper or the like is contained in the chamber, and is fed between a rotating drum and an upright support surface. The lid defines a substantially upright wall with an upper edge, the wall being offset with respect to the support surface when the lid is closed. A passive retainer mechanism on the body retains against the upright wall any part of the paper web rising from between the drum and the support surface. A relatively stiff deflector bends the web material around the edge by virtue of a deflector surface located so as to be intersected by the projection of the operative part of the upright wall portion. A cutter is provided to cut the paper web into discrete tickets.

Abstract: A cutting device for imparting a partial incision to a blank, the blank produced therefrom, and a method for producing are disclosed herein. The partial incision in the blank creates an access area wherein a fitment is placed thereover in a post processing fitment application. The access area has an uncut portion and an unincised portion. The access area may have a circular shape or an oval shape. The depth of the partial incision allows for facilitated rupturing by the fitment after the blank is fabricated into a carton, and a fitment is attached thereto.

Abstract: A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical single cavity for snugly sheathing a flower pot. The container is specifically dimensioned sheath a flower pot so as either (a) to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot, or (b) form a hexagonal gusset in the bottom. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped in the general form of a trapezium; or from a single web folded double. The lower portion of the container is ornamentally imprinted along a border extending beneath a generally lateral line above the longitudinal axis of the web; and, with a marker in the upper portion, identifies the contents, or provides instructions for their use or care. When the cavity is distended by being partially filled, the entire container, except for a transition zone, presents a smoothly arcuate surface of the frustum of a cone.

Abstract: A box blank forming apparatus includes at least one printing assembly, a slotting assembly, and a feeding and conveying mechanism for feeding blanks through the apparatus. The printing assembly includes a rotatable printing cylinder, and the slotting assembly includes a rotatable blade. The feeding and conveying mechanism brings the blanks into contact with the printing cylinder and the slotter blade to complete printing and slotting operations on the blanks in the formation of boxes. An interrupter is provided in association with the printing assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the printing cylinder, and similar structure can also be provided with the slotting assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the slotter blade. A controller is provided for controlling operation of the interrupter of the printing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the registration of printed matter during the manufacture of bags on fixed-size bag formation equipment, from a continuous web of a substantially non-stretchable material. Printed matter, printed upon the continuous web at regularly-spaced intervals, includes a plurality of periodically spaced reference markers. While a finishing drum propels the continuous web in a direction of flow emanating from a supply of web material, at a substantially constant speed, feed rollers, positioned upstream from the finishing drum, propel the continuous web at a variable speed, relative to the substantially constant speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: A flat insulated container blank for forming the sidewall of a conventional insulated paper container made on a rotary turret single wrap cup making machine includes an inner layer of container stock, an intermediate layer of insulating material adhered to the container stock and an outer layer of label material. The blank is made from advancing webs of sheet material by a continuous form process.

Abstract: A gripping surface adapted to be mounted on the outer circumferential surfaces of a pair of cutting cylinders 12, 14 in a printing press is provided. The gripping surface includes a plurality of mounting strips 26. Each mounting strip 26 has an upper surface and a lower surface and a layer of VELCRO.TM. brand gripping material 38 mounted on the upper surface. The layer of gripping material 38 is mounted on the upper surface of each mounting strip 26 using a self adhesive. At least one keeper tab 36 is disposed on the lower surface of each mounting strip 26. The keeper tab 36 is mounted in a "t" slot formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder on which the mounting strip is mounted. The mounting strips 26 are flat and formed of a thermoplastic material using an injection molding process.

Abstract: A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical bag with a single cavity when at least partially filled with a pulverulent material such as soil which may have a live plant growing therein, or comestible goods such as popcorn and other snacks which rely heavily upon spur-of-the-moment purchases by a customer who must first be visually attracted to the goods, thereafter be visually convinced of their freshness, and have the opportunity to smell and/or touch the goods prior to purchasing them. The container may also be specifically dimensioned to snugly sheath a flower pot so as to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an empty transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped as a trapezium; or from a single web folded double.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a high quality life size poster of an action figure including the steps of forming a life size multi color pre-print on a web like sheet and forming a corrugated substrate including the web like sheet and having a longitudinal axis and first and second surfaces. The web like sheet is laminated or glued to a crimped portion of the substrate. A laminated figure is then die cut or otherwise formed into the silhouette of a human action figure, dinosaur or other animate or inanimate object. A plurality of fold lines transverse of the longitudinal axis are formed in the corrugated substrate which includes the web like material so that the laminated figure can be folded along the fold lines to form a compact bundle for shipping and storage and unfolded for display in its extended format.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a variable size folding machine 10 in which a plurality of cross perforaters 61, 62, and 63 are disposed. Any of the plurality of cross perforaters 61, 62, and 63 may be selected for forming lateral perforations on a signature 15 of a corresponding size. A lateral perforated line is applied by the selected cross perforater to the print paper 14A-14F printed in the printing machine and delivered therefrom. Each of the cross perforaters 61, 62, and 63 can be integrated and moved as a cross perforater unit 60 to thereby select a particular cross perforater.

Abstract: Tickets for concerts, conventions, sports, and like events, have a security feature to assist in preventing counterfeiting. A stretchable security thread is disposed in a piece of paper stock extending so that it intersects, with portions lying on either side of, a line of separation in the piece of paper stock (and/or is parallel to the length of the ticket). The line of separation typically is a perforation. The security thread is a stretchable material, such as polyester, and may have microprinting. When the ticket is detached at the line of separation, the security thread does not initially separate but rather stretches to provide a visual (and tactile) indication between the separated portions of the paper stock before it breaks. Such tickets are produced from a web of material having the security threads, which web is printed, and then cut into sheets for delivery to a customer who then can apply variable printing.

Abstract: A modular machine for making cardboard packages having a plurality of modules. A controlling automatic indexing device is provided which cooperates with a length of shaft and blocking means attached to each module for stopping the length of shaft at a predetermined indexing angular position. Thus, when the machine is stopped in order to change or clean the rotary members of the modules, each length of shaft of each module is stopped in the same position of the cycle and remains at its angular position during separation of the modules.

Abstract: A machine for forming a box without smearing or distorting its printed matter. The machine has a feed section at its input stage, a stacking section at its output stage, and print, dryer, and die cutter sections at its intermediate stages. The dryer section has an overhead vacuum conveyor for moving box blanks from the print section to the die cutter section. The die cutter section for forming the cutouts in the box has a first and a second roller, with the first roller having an extension and the second roller means having a soft surface to allow the extension to penetrate, thus cutting the box. The drying operation is performed without causing any smearing of the printed matter and, similarly, cutouts are formed without causing any distortion of the printed matter, all being accomplished while the box blank moves along its predetermined path within the box forming machine.

Abstract: An apparauts for placing a printer-slotter in positions where it processes sheets of corrugated paper. The printer-slotter includes a feeding unit for feeding the sheets, processing units, and differentials connected with the processing units. The apparatus comprises a position detector for detecting the position of the kicker of the feeding unit, positioning controllers connected with a central control unit (CCU), and sensors detecting the angular positions of the rotating cylinders included in the printing units and in the creaser-and-slotter unit. The sensors are connected with the positioning controllers, respectively. The CCU compares the position of the kicker with the positions at which the processing units process the sheets. The CCU controls the differentials in such a way that the position of the kicker corresponds to the positions at which the processing units process the sheets.

Abstract: A corrugated cardboard box making machine wherein the units such as feed unit, printing unit and slotting unit are separably connected in alignment with a driving shaft being provided on each one of the units, and on an external gear which is one element of a coupling arranged between the driving shafts engaging projections are provided and on an internal gear which is the other element, there are provided engaging concave portions to automatically receive the engaging projections only when rotational positions of both of the gears are coincided. The machine is further arranged to automatically and accurately perform smooth connecting operation of each driving shaft when each unit is reconnected after such work as printing plate exchange is finished.

Abstract: To readily open up a multi-sheet folded printed product comprising at least two folded printed sheets or signatures which are placed one insdie the other, there is provided an innermost printed sheet which is, for instance, of greater length at the center in the direction of the fold line than the remaining printed sheets. The innermost printed sheet thus protrudes past the remaining printed sheets by a marginal section or lap at one lateral edge. An opening device now can engage the protruding marginal section and can open up the printed product at the center without difficulties. When the printed product has been completed, i.e. after insertion of an enclosure or inserts into the opened printed product, the marginal section or lap is cut away. Since such marginal section or lap must be cut away only at one printed sheet the loss in material associated with the cutting operation is exceedingly small.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for flattening perforated web fed materials so that when cut into sheets they stack easily without a tendency to fall to one side. The method and apparatus is particularly adapted to be installed on a web fed printing press equipped for forming perforations in the printed web, the apparatus being located between the perforating and sheeting and stacking stations of the press.

Abstract: A method and machine for folding, stacking and separating continuous forms in a moving web, the continuous forms web being prefabricated with regard to width, margin line holes and transverse perforations intended for zigzag folding of the web to form it into a stack after it has been provided with print in a printer having a supply of series of preferably personalized forms, wherein each series includes an initial form marked with an address and optionally with a separation mark a first system having feed means for the web which cooperation with the line holes advance the web in controlled register, and means for cutting the web on electronic command from a sensor which reacts to the separation mark or, alternatively, on electronic command from the printer, and a second system comprising a driven feed device for advancing the web and a swinging waddling device, the web passing through the waddling device and being formed during the swinging movements thereof into a zigzag folded stack, and further means for

Abstract: A photographic paper handling apparatus for handling a photographic paper in a continuous form having a plurality of images sequentially printed thereon in the longitudinal direction thereof is provided with a cutting-perforating section and a folding section. In the cutting-perforating section, the photographic paper which is transported along a photographic paper transport passage is cut into pieces each including a series of images printed in accordance with the order placed by each individual customer, and a perforation is provided in an area of each of the cut pieces of photographic paper which is defined between each pair of adjacent images. In the folding section, each of the cut and perforated pieces of photographic paper is folded along each perforation. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent prints processed in accordance with one order from being mixed with those in accordance with another order.

Abstract: To provide, selectively, different outputs from a cutting and folding apparatus (FIGS.

Abstract: To permit, selectively, assembly of different types of copy products (A1, A2), for example each containing different information, such as inserts advertising men's wear and ladies' wear, respectively, for a newspaper, first and second transverse severing and folding units (1, 8, 9, 10; 15, 18, 19, 20) are provided receiving, selectively, different portions (1a, 1b) of webs on which different copy product information is printed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tab on a tearing tape for a packing film for a pack of cigarettes, etc. and printing an identifying color or pattern on the tab. A cutter is provided on a roller facing a roll for supporting a bonded assembly of a web for forming a plurality of tearing tapes and a web for forming a plurality of packing films. The cutter has a generally U-shaped cutting edge for cutting a tab for each tearing tape. A printing plate is disposed movably in the cutter for printing an identifying color or pattern on each tab simultaneously when it is cut. An inking roller is provided on the opposite side of the cutter from the supporting roll for supplying a printing ink to the printing plate. The printing plate has a printing surface surrounded by the cutting edge and projecting slightly therefrom when the printing plate is in its inoperative position.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a package used to hold liquids, wherein the package has a perforated or punched-out rip-out opening or a point at which a drinking straw can be inserted, wherein a cardboard web is coated on one or both sides, printed and processed into packages, the improvement which comprises advancing the web past a station prior to coating, and at such station punching or perforating the web at predetermined intervals at predetermined points while simultaneously applying to or impressing into the web register marks, whereby such register marks serve to ensure proper location of the subsequently applied print relative to the punched or perforated points. This differs from prior processes in that it involves perforating the cardboard web prior to both coating and printing, and thus is a simpler process resulting in a superior product.

Abstract: In a rotary printing press with a blanket cylinder (2) and an impression cylinder (3), the blanket is removed and replaced by a base sheet (5). On this base sheet (5) are arranged strips (6). The arrangement of the strips (6) corresponds to the perforation, stamping or creasing to be produced in the paper or cardboard passing through the rotary printing press. On the impression cylinder (3) is arranged a smooth protective sheet (7). Both sheets (5) and (7) can be used several times and can be installed or removed rapidly by means present on the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a hinge is formed in successive sheets to permit the sheets to lay substantially flat after being opened when bound to one another in a booklet. The stiffness of successive advancing sheets in a marginal region along a line substantially parallel to an edge of the sheet is reduced to facilitate bending of the sheet. The line of reduced stiffness for successive sheets is offset from one another so as to enable bending of the sheets therealong permitting the open sheets of a booklet of sheets to lay substantially flat.

Abstract: A folder assembly for book folding in a web-fed rotary printing machine is disclosed. A paper web is printed and is then directed to a cutting cylinder, a cooperating folding blade cylinder and to a folding jaw cylinder. A pair of third or quarter folders are coordinated to the folding jaw cylinder. An upper one of these third folders is fixed and receives cross folded signatures from the folding jaw cylinder. A lower one of these third folders is shiftable laterally with respect to the upper third folder generally in a horizontal plane which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the folding jaw cylinder. A gripper cylinder is positioned intermediate the folding jaw cylinder and a transport tape system which is shiftable with, and which conveys signatures from the gripper cylinder to the lower third folder. Both upper and lower third folders can be operated concurrently or either one can be operated by itself in response to desired production demands.

Abstract: An improved printing press. The printing press forms transverse lines of weakening at spaced intervals along a continuous strip of paper after the paper has been imprinted with a repeating business format. The press then creases the strip of paper along the lines of weakening formed therein.

Abstract: A printer-slotter having a blank feed unit, at leas tone printing unit and a creaser/slotter unit for printing, creasing and slotting the blanks fed one after another, the units each having a rotating member and arranged along the flow of the blanks and so as to be separable from each other, the printer-slotter comprising:a reference signal operator for generating a reference signal and giving it to each of said units,each of said units comprising:a speed variable motor for driving said rotating member;a zero point sensor for detecting a zero point marked on said rotating member;initial phase setting device for setting the initial phase of said rotating member of each unit on the basis of data obtained beforehand and in response to the signal from said zero point sensor;a speed detector for detecting the speed of said variable motor and generating a speed signal proportional to its speed;a phase detector for detecting the phase of said rotating member an generating a phase signal proportional to its phase; an

Abstract: An apparatus of feeding cardboards to a carton making section in the course of which they are individually printed in ink of different colors station by station, the apparatus including a conveyor unit located between each adjacent stations, which conveyor unit comprises an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor adapted to hold the cardboards therebetween, at least one of the upper conveyor or the lower conveyor including spikes projecting toward the cardboards held thereon, thereby securing the transferring of the cardboards from station to station.

Abstract: A booklet containing an integral pop-up is formed from a continuous web of paper in an in-line process on a single apparatus.

Abstract: A method and continuous form adaptively structured and arranged so as to facilitate the manufacture of book processing kits containing pocket-part books, circulation cards and binding labels. The method comprising printing the multi-part form on a paperstock that is compatible with a computer controlled printer, printing the requisite data in the appropriately allotted positions, and disassembling the form into its appurtenent parts. The continuous form is printed in a multi-color format and contains four book processing kits per sheet, and which kits are arranged and bounded by perforations therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a printed, pre-creased, plastic-coated packing material web provided with opening arrangements. The method includes providing a first wider web of paper or cardboard, whose width is a multiple of the desired packing material webs, with impressed crease line patterns and opening arrangements, whereupon the paper or cardboard web is covered with plastics. The wider web so treated is then cut into a number of partial webs, each partial web is of a width corresponding to the width of a complete crease line pattern. The partial webs are rolled up into large rolls intended for transport which in a separate printing operation are provided with text and decoration and are rolled up into magazine rolls of packing material of the desired size.