Abstract: An ink fountain assembly for use in duplicating machines, such as rotary lithographic machines. The assembly comprises a fountain trough defined by an elongated blade and an ink fountain roller defining a gap therebetween. A proximal edge of the blade is rigidly retained and a distal edge of said blade, adjacent said roller, engaging a portion of the frame and being initially flexed and prestressed toward said roller to define the gap. The gap may be varied to control ink flow therethrough.

Abstract: An image setting apparatus produces an image on a flexible section of imageable material. The apparatus includes a retainer for retaining the flexible section in a cylindrical configuration about a cylinder axis. An imageable surface of the section faces inwardly toward the axis. The apparatus includes an imaging source for selectively exposing the inwardly-facing imageable surface to produce the image. The retainer includes a plurality of arced supports spaced from each other along the axis. Each support has a curved surface segment for physical contact with an outwardly-facing surface of the section.

Abstract: A core end plug for mounting a roll of sheet material on a shaft. The plug comprises a cylindrical band of stiffly flexible plastic material having ends defining a longitudinal gap therein. A plurality of radial webs extend inwardly from the band. A pair of the webs are opposite each other and are provided with first and second elongated apertures which define identical acute angles to the diameter of the band. A third web defines third and fourth elongated apertures along a common major axis perpendicular to the diameter. A band is fitted into each end of a roll core and a mounting plate is inserted into each core end plug. A mounting shaft extends through central apertures in the mounting plates and through the fourth aperture in the third web. Pins in the mounting plate are received in the first and second elongated apertures.

Abstract: A scanner/printer system for smoothing the edges of text or line art is described having a copyboard for an image original, a CCD, a PCI bus, edge smooth software and a laser printer. The edge smooth software adds variable size fill-in patterns of pixels to the image data scanned by the CCD at low resolution to smooth the edges of text or line art prior to printing at high resolution.

Abstract: A delivery interrupt mechanism for a printing machine includes a support frame having a stationary guide defining a guide path. A flexible finger is slidably supported by the guide for movement along a curved portion of the guide path while substantially conforming in shape to the curved portion between a retracted position and an extended position in which the finger extends from the frame to support leading edges of printed sheets in a printing machine. The finger is connected to a rotatable input shaft mounted on the frame so that the finger is moved along the curved portion of the guide path between its retracted and extended positions when the input shaft is rotated.

Abstract: Encapsulated particles, such as magnetic particles, colored pigments, or carbon black, with high chemical affinity for ink vehicles. The encapsulated particles of this invention are suitable for printing inks, as well as for magnetic recording systems, such as audio and video tapes and magnetic storage disks, when the encapsulated particles are magnetic particles. The encapsulated particles comprise particles having a coating on their surface, said coating comprising in one embodiment an ionomer and in another embodiment, an oil, such as soya oil, and optionally a thixotropic agent, and/or a binder resin. The method of the present invention for making such encapsulated particles avoids the use of volatile organic solvents and provides printing inks and coating compositions comprising such encapsulated particles, that also avoid the use of volatile organic solvents.

Abstract: The drier consists of a plurality of nozzles that direct a small volume of air onto the printed image at as high a velocity as possible without disturbing the wet image. The air so delivered while it must be dry, does not have to be heated to effectively dry the image, however, the drying time can be reduced by increasing the air temperature if desired. The use of high velocity air creates what is known is "skin effect" to dry the ink where the outer surface of the ink is quickly dried.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus comprises an input image scanner for scanning an input image area with a beam of radiation and deriving from an image on at least part of the input image area a digital signal representing the image, and an output image scanner for reproducing from said signal an output image on at least part of an output image area. The input image scanner and the output image scanner are arranged to scan the input and output image areas respectively simultaneously at a fixed relative rate, and the output and input images are represented as a series of pixels arranged in orthogonal directions at fixed resolutions. In the data path between the input and output scanners the digital signal is processed to change the size of the output image relative to the input image, by using a data store whose data capacity is substantially less than that required to hold data corresponding to an image covering the whole of the input image area.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus comprises an input image scanner for scanning an input image area with a beam of radiation and deriving from an image on at least part of the input image area a digital signal representing the image, and an output image scanner for reproducing from said signal an output image on at least part of an output image area. The input image scanner and the output image scanner are arranged to scan the input and output image areas respectively simultaneously at a fixed relative rate, and the output and input images are represented as a series of pixels arranged in orthogonal directions at fixed resolutions. In the data path between the input and output scanners the digital signal is processed to change the size of the output image relative to the input image by using a data store whose data capacity is substantially less than that required to hold data corresponding to an image covering the whole of the input image area.

Abstract: An offset printing machine that has an eccentrically mounted blanket cylinder operated by a single piston that moves the blanket cylinder from a first position separating the blanket cylinder from both the master cylinder and the impression cylinder to a second position engaging the blanket cylinder with the master cylinder for inking and to a third position engaging both the master cylinder and the impression cylinder for printing.

Abstract: A mask is used for mounting a sensitized sheet, such as a printing plate, onto the surface of an exposure drum. The mask, acting as an intermediary between the exposure drum and the printing plate, is a flexible sheet, with a top and bottom surface, that is mounted about the exposure drum. A groove formed within the top surface of the flexible sheet is used for securing the printing plate by means of a vacuum. A passageway formed within the flexible sheet connects the groove to the bottom surface and receives a vacuum from the exposure drum. Plates of different sizes are mounted to the exposure drum by interchangeable masks of corresponding sizes.

Abstract: A cylinder setting mechanism for an offset printing device in which a blanket cylinder moves eccentrically about a first pivot point to make contact with the master cylinder so that it can be inked and then subsequently moved eccentrically about a second pivot point to make contact with the impression cylinder to transfer the image to paper. The invention enables the first and second pivot points to be adjusted to compensate for wear, plate thickness, and paper stock. In addition, a stop is provided to insure that there is a predetermined contact pressure between the surfaces of the blanket cylinder and the master cylinder. The first eccentric adjustment is made by rotating an eccentric tube at only one end about a first pivot point. The blanket cylinder rotates about the outside of the eccentric tube. The second adjustment is made by rotating an eccentric shaft on which the eccentric tube is mounted to adjust the position of the blanket cylinder in relation to the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A media feed roll apparatus is provided for the transfer of articles such as envelopes, magazines and newspapers, one by one, from a stack to a transport which conveys these articles to a work station for printing or labeling. The apparatus and methodology according to the invention allow for independent adjustment of the roller nip between upper drive rollers and lower facing rollers so that an article such as an envelope can be inserted into the nip with the roller pairs providing substantially equal nip pressure on the article. Roller nip pressure is achieved through a mechanism allowing raising and lowering of the upper drive rollers, preferably by a pivotal action, which are independently suspended. Upon being released from the mechanism, the rollers are biased toward the article thereby creating substantially equal nip pressure on the article even if the nip spacing is different as a result of the article having different thicknesses.

Abstract: An improved plate clamping assembly for a duplicating machine which utilizes a pivoted or cantilevered beam in the leading edge plate clamp assembly and a calibrated cocking screw to enabling skewing of the plate on the plate cylinder by moving one end of the pivoted or cantilevered beam. The improved assembly also coordinates the leading and trailing edge assemblies during installation of the plate by automatically adjusting the trailing edge plate clamp assembly to accommodate for an adjustment in skewing of the leading edge of the plate by the leading edge clamp assembly. Finally, it utilizes spring assemblies to enable self-adjustment for different plate thicknesses.

Abstract: A system for controlling an image printer including a scanning LED array is provided. An image printer control unit receives page profile and raster image data and converts the raster image data into parallel image data corresponding to the configuration of the LED array. Advantageously, the image printer control unit optimizes the number of lines of information printed during a scan to reduce splitting of characters between scans and coordinates printhead and photosensitive medium position. Interlaced scanning for high resolution is also provided. In an alternative embodiment image data is received in parallel vertical slices and bands for which no exposure is to be made are skipped.

Abstract: An improved printing machine for moving paper sheets from a paper stack along an endless belt to an impression cylinder with continual movement of the paper sheet without stopping and starting. The instantaneous angular position of the impression cylinder is sensed and the instantaneous position of the paper along the endless belt is sensed and an error signal is generated if the relative positions are such that the paper will not arrive at the impression cylinder clamp at the proper time. The error signal causes the vacuum to be applied to a vacuum paper sheet pickup to be turned on and off at varying times to vary the time of pickup of each paper sheet that is deposited on the endless belt, thus controlling the position of each sheet on the belt. The invention allows large increases in printing speeds over the prior art because the sheets of paper are moved between the paper stack and the impression cylinder in a nonstop manner.

Abstract: A cylinder setting mechanism for a single or multi-color offset printing device in which a blanket cylinder moves eccentrically about a first pivot point to make contact with a master cylinder so that it can be inked and then subsequently moved eccentrically about a second pivot point to make contact with the impression cylinder to transfer the image to paper. The invention enables the first and second pivot points to be adjusted to compensate for wear, plate thickness, and paper stock. In addition, a stop is provided to ensure that there is a predetermined contact pressure between the surfaces of the blanket cylinder and the master cylinder. The stop is automatically adjusted when the toggle is adjusted for a different thickness plate so that the desired offset printing pressure between the master and blanket cylinder surfaces is held at the optimum level.

Abstract: A graphic camera/platemaker optical system is described having a copyboard for an original subject, a lens, an image plane and a mirror. The copyboard, lens and mirror are independently movable such that they may move in different directions in order to produce a variable scale image or reproduction of the original onto the image plane. The movable elements are positioned by separate stepping drives controlled by a common microprocessor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for developing latent images on alkali-based or acid based paper stock which has been marked with a water-soluble oxidizing agent to form a concealed image. In the system, a marking composition is applied to said paper stock which comprises(a) A water-soluble iodide,(b) Acetic acid,(c) A water-soluble reducing agent, and(d) Water.Preferably, the reducing agent is ascorbic acid and preferably the marking composition also comprises a water-soluble dye.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for developing latent images on alkali-based or acid-based paper stock which has been marked with a water-soluble oxidizing agent to form a concealed image. In the system, a marking composition is applied to said paper stock which comprises(a) A water-soluble iodide,(b) Acetic acid,(c) A water-soluble reducing agent, and(d) Water.Preferably, the reducing agent is ascorbic acid and preferably the marking composition also comprises a water-soluble dye.