Abstract: A device for simultaneously illuminating objects with light from more than one light source for improved color matching and comparison that includes more than one light source, baffles for separating the light sources and for forming viewing slots, and a platform area in which samples can be simultaneously illuminated on separate portions by each light source.

Abstract: Label sheets are formed from a continuous web of laminated stock material comprising a face stock layer and a liner layer secured together by an adhesive layer. The stock material is delaminated and an adhesive deactivating material is applied to the adhesive layer in longitudinal strips to create active and inactive adhesive portions. Label sheets are formed by cutting the web of stock material transversely. Individual labels are formed on the label sheets by kiss-cutting the face stock layer. Each individual label includes an attachment end with active adhesive and a free/unattached end with inactive adhesive. A method of manufacturing partially-secured labels includes the steps of delaminating a stock material, deactivating strips of an adhesive layer, and relaminating the stock material. The method also includes the steps of cutting the stock material into individual label sheets and kiss-cutting the label sheets to form individual, partially-secured labels.

Abstract: A labeling system includes a label sheet with a liner and a face sheet secured thereto by a pressure-sensitive, fugitive adhesive. The face sheet is die-cut into a plurality of individual, preprinted labels. A method of manufacturing the label sheet includes the steps of pressure.mounting a face sheet on a liner with a pressure-sensitive, fugitive adhesive. A method of labeling merchandise displayed on shelves at a point-of-sale display includes the steps of mounting a label display strip on the shelf edge, preprinting information on the label sheets, separating the labels from the label sheets and inserting same in the label display strip.

Abstract: A sheeting apparatus and method are disclosed for cutting a web of material passing through a printing press into sheets. The apparatus comprises a rotating die roller including a knife mounted longitudinally thereon, the die roller being connected to the printing press transversely to the web and moveable between an engaging position wherein the knife rotates into cutting engagement with the web and a released position wherein the knife does not contact the web. A pair of springs bias the die roller into one of the engaging and released positions and a pair of linear actuators are provided to selectively move the die roller into the other of the engaging and released positions in opposition to the spring bias. The sheeting apparatus further includes a programmable controller for automatically operating the actuators. The method involves cyclically moving the die roller between the released position and the engaging position at intervals to cut the web into sheets of a predetermined length.

Abstract: Label sheets are formed from a continuous web of laminated stock material comprising a face stock layer and a liner layer secured together by an adhesive layer. The stock material is delaminated and an adhesive deactivating material is applied to the adhesive layer in longitudinal strips to create active and inactive adhesive portions. Label sheets are formed by cutting the web of stock material transversely. Individual labels are formed on the label sheets by kiss-cutting the face stock layer. Each individual label includes an attachment end with active adhesive and a free/unattached end with inactive adhesive. A method of manufacturing partially-secured labels includes the steps of delaminating a stock material, deactivating strips of an adhesive layer, and relaminating the stock material. The method also includes the steps of cutting the stock material into individual label sheets and kiss-cutting the label sheets to form individual, partially-secured labels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for processing images such as photographs or magazine pages. The computer-driven apparatus includes a reciprocating easel which moves along railings under an image capture device such as a camera. Vacuum pickers pick up images which have been processed and drop them into image drop bins under computer control, thus freeing the human operator from moving images. Vacuum compartments on the reciprocating easel hold images securely in place while they are photographed but release them when they are not being photographed. A bar code scanner system may be used to track images and correlate the images with film frames in the camera. Translucent panels within the easel allow transparencies to be processed by illuminating the images from beneath the easel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for tracking individual user consumer transactions which provides the user with an eraseable, re-writeable, visual format display while avoiding retrieval of data from an outside source.

Abstract: Surface relief holograms are prepared by directly impressing them into aluminum and other hard metal substrates, without the need to preheat or otherwise soften the substrate. A holographic embossing shim is prepared from a master and possesses a unique combination of surface configuration, hardness, and strength. The embossing shim can be mounted on a cylindrical support. In one embodiment, the shim is used to emboss a hardenable material, which is later hardened to form a tool.

Abstract: A promotional system is provided which provides a user with human readable and machine readable message responses to transactions in which the responses are formed by a transaction unit and based upon the user's present transaction while taking into account the user transaction history, the responses including calculations based on a set of promotional program rules to form a message response for the user and without the need for the transaction unit to communicate with a central memory or processing unit.

Abstract: An image forming system for making enlarged prints, such as billboards, which utilizes a recording medium mounted on a rotating cylinder and which is supported so as to prevent deflection, utilizing a plurality of computer controlled spray heads having flow adjusting means which traverse the width of the recording medium and spray a deposition medium onto the recording medium in accordance with scanning signals from an original image to reproduce the image on the recording medium. The invention also includes apparatus and processes for mirror image forming on opposite sides of the recording medium and/or forming images on the recording medium using a translucent recording medium.

Abstract: The system of the present invention controls the temperature of ink so as to enhance print quality. An ink roller has a circulation path therein. A circulation system circulates fluid, such as water, through the ink roller and through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is part of a refrigeration and heating system that selectively cools and heats the circulating water. The refrigeration and heating system uses a compressor, an expansion valve and the heat exchanger. To provide refrigeration, refrigerant fluid is circulated in the refrigeration and heating system through the expansion valve and to the heat exchanger. To provide heating, the expansion valve is bypassed by a conduit, wherein hot fluid from the compressor flows directly to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A printing press has a plate cylinder, an inking system and a dampening system. A bridge roller provides a path between the inking and dampening systems. The bridge roller is in contact with a dampening form roller, which in turn is in contact with the plate cylinder. The dampening form roller is driven by an arrangement that allows the dampening form roller to rotate at a differential speed with respect to the plate cylinder in order to clean hickies off of the plate cylinder. The speed of the bridge roller is controlled so as to provide a slip nip between the bridge roller and the dampening form roller and so as to control the ink-water balance, even when the dampening form roller is rotating at a differential speed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for promoting customer traffic. A promotional unit is provided having audio messages stored in its memory. At least one audio message is associated with a plurality, or range, of selected bar encoded indicia. The promotional unit audibly outputs the stored audio message associated with a particular indicia when that encoded indicia is scanned and decoded by the promotional unit. Means are provided for associating each audio message with a range of indicia identified by a starting indicia and an ending indicia. The system is adapted for editing the audio messages and providing corrective prompts for known fault conditions. The unit is adapted to employ musical audio messages and a plurality of scanner types.

Abstract: A dampening system has a pan for containing dampening fluid, and transfer and metering rollers for bringing dampening fluid up out of the pan. A transition roller contacts one of the transfer and metering rollers. The transition roller is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the transition is off of the plate cylinder and dampening fluid is applied to the plate cylinder by ink form rollers. In the second position, the transition roller is on the plate cylinder. Another version of the dampening system has a bridge roller between the transition roller and a ink form roller, which bridge roller is movable between third and fourth positions. In the third position, the bridge roller is on the transition roller. In the fourth position, the bridge roller is off of the transition roller. The dampening system can dampen the plate cylinder without the use of alcohol. The transition roller is rotated by a separate motor so that its speed is controlled independently of the other rollers.

Abstract: A dampening system has a pan for containing dampening fluid, and transfer and metering rollers for bringing dampening fluid up out of the pan. A transition roller contacts one of the transfer and metering rollers. The transition roller is movable between first and second position. In the first position, the transition is off of the plate cylinder and dampening fluid is applied to the plate cylinder by ink form rollers. In the second position, the transition roller is on the plate cylinder. Another version of the dampening system has a bridge roller between the transition roller and a ink form roller, which bridge roller is movable between the third and fourth positions. In the third position, the bridge roller is on the transition roller. In the fourth position, the bridge roller is off of the transition roller. The dampening system can dampen the plate cylinder without the use of alcohol. The transition roller is rotated by a separate motor so that its speed is controlled independently of the other rollers.

Abstract: A pneumatic axially oscillated, frictionally rotated roller is disclosed and may be used in the ink or damping systems of a printing press. The roller features an internal air piston-cylinder construction that causes the axial motion but permits the roller to freely rotate. Further, several air cylinders can be stacked on each side of the roller to permit even a small diameter roller to be pneumatically oscillated. The roller, when used as an ink form roller, may be operated to oscillate in synchronization with an adjacent oscillating, vibrating roller to continually diagonally redistribute the ink so as to eliminate or minimize "ghosting". The foregoing is accomplished by controlling the oscillation of the form roller to move axially in a direction opposite of that of the vibrating roller. The lengths of the strokes of the two rollers may differ or be the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for controllably locking a shaft to a bearing surface moveable thereupon to permit or prevent axial movement of the bearing with respect to the shaft. In one embodiment an axially extending flap is formed in the shaft which is activated by a wedge to expand the diameter of the shaft and thereby lock the shaft to the surrounding bearing surface. In another embodiment a slot is formed in the bushing surrounding the shaft and the internal diameter of the bushing decreased with a wedge screw to lock the bushing to the shaft.

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 portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image. The apparatus preferably complies with American National Standard Institute standards "Direct Viewing of Photographic Color Transparencies" and "Viewing Conditions for the Appraisal of Color Quality and Color Uniformity in the Graphic Arts." The apparatus includes a case which opens to have a cover portion positioned approximately horizontally near the top of an approximately vertical body portion. Pivotal side light shield plates can be opened to shield the sides of the apparatus from undesired ambient light, and a pivotal bottom plate can be positioned approximately horizontally for viewing prints. A transparency viewing plate having back lighting means for illuminating a transparency is positioned within the field of light from a source in the cover portion which strikes both the transparency and simultaneously the reflection copy image on the approximately horizontal plate.