Abstract: This invention relates to a flood bar and squeegee for printing apparatus. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the flood bar or squeegee comprises an elongated member having an ink engaging face. A plurality of spaced apart fins are arranged across the face. The fins are generally parallel to one another and each end of the member is bent inwardly so as to inhibit the flow of ink to the sides of the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring an article from one conveyor to another and a printing system incorporating the same, including an array of endless conveyorized strips carried by a roller and a relatively rigid member, the roller and the member being positioned within the strips, and a mover operatively associated with the roller for effecting its rotation and hence movement of the strips. The apparatus is positioned between and in cooperation with adjacent ends of successive conveyors of a printing system. The surface of each strip is characterized by a series of upwardly extending projections, each projection being of a relatively small diameter in relation to its length. The roller is adjacent to the exit end of the apparatus and has disks positioned longitudinally between the strips and coaxially with and about the roller at intervals across its width.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device, a system and a method for locating a printing screen at a selected starting position for printing operations and for resetting the screen to the starting position for its adjustment relative to an article. The device includes first and second centering plates disposed in overlapping relationship to one another. The plates are mounted to respective first and second moveable screen support members. At least one micro-adjuster is associated with each support member for effecting precise adjustment of the respective centering plates and, hence, the screen. A first micro-adjuster effects longitudinal movement of the first member and a second effects movement of the second member laterally. Thereby, planar movement of the screen and the associated centering plates is effected. The device also has an arm with an aperture for receiving and engaging a screen centering member. The member passes through the aperture and into engagement with a corresponding receptacle in the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flood bar and squeegee for printing apparatus. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the flood bar or squeegee comprises an elongated member having an ink engaging face. A plurality of spaced apart fins are arranged across the face. The fins are generally parallel to one another and each end of the member is bent inwardly so as to inhibit the flow of ink to the sides of the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlled indexing of an article to a printing station. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises an endless printing blanket carried by rollers positioned within the blanket and a translatable carriage assembly operatively associated with the blanket. The assembly includes an expandable clamping member which, upon selected expansion, contacts the blanket to secure the assembly thereto. The assembly follows the blanket as it (and the article it supports) are indexed to the printing station. An encoder monitors the distance traveled by the blanket during indexing and corrects for variation between the distance traveled and a preset distance. Upon arrival of the article at the printing station, the clamping member contracts, concomitantly releasing the blanket. A cylinder then returns the assembly a selected distance in position for another indexing movement, and so forth.

Abstract: An apparatus having a vacuum track, and a vacuum pallet for use therewith. The apparatus comprises a vacuum duct having a single vacuum pump and a plurality of ports which individually open when said vacuum pallet passes thereover. The pallet has a shoe which fits snugly over the port to facilitate evacuation of the pallet, and has small holes in the article-supporting surface through which the vacuum acts to hold an article in place thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus, e.g., a screen printing machine or dryer, having a light fixture wherein one or more cover plates shuttle between an open position in which light may bathe and dry a nearby object and a closed position in which the light is blocked. As an article passes under a lamp mounted onto the fixture the cover plates slide open, and as the dried article departs, the plates slide shut. This apparatus is especially suited for use in conjunction with an ultraviolet lamp, to prevent the escape of UV light into the work environment.

Abstract: Apparatus for off-contact screen printing in which the distance between the screen and the article to be printing upon is quickly and easily adjusted by a saingle manipulation of a lever. Advantageously, this screen adjustment is performed so that the screen remains parallel to the article and does not need to be leveled each time an adjustment is made. The apparatus includes a linkage system for holding the screen level as the screen moves up and down during the screen printing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus having a vacuum track, and a vacuum pallet for use therewith. The apparatus comprises a vacuum duct having a single vacuum pump and a plurality of ports which individually open when said vacuum pallet passes thereover. The pallet has a shoe which fits snugly over the port to facilitate evaculation of the pallet, and has small holes in the article-supporting surface through which the vacuum acts to hold an article in place thereon.

Abstract: A screen printing machine has a plurality of stationary printing head frames each with a bell crank linkage suspending a framed screen mounting assembly for parallel movement of the screen into and out of engagement with a pallet supported article to be printed. The head frames are integrated into the machine structural frame in both a rotatable pallet embodiment and a linear web embodiment. Separate actuators are carried by a carriage, the latter being moveable along the head frame from one end to the other, the actuators being arranged to lower and raise separate flood bars and squeegee blades, correlating the up-and-down movement of the flood bars and squeegee blades with the raising and lowering of the screens.

Abstract: In a screen printing machine, a dual locator system for accurately positioning a pallet support plate and associated printing pallet. In operation the inner and outer edge of the pallet assembly are releasably engaged by said dual locator so as to lock the pallet in a predetermined position relative to the printing screen when the printing machine is in the print portion of the printing cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting articles of clothing to a printing pallet for use with a screen printing machine which comprises a sleeve having a channeled portion to slidably receive the pallet, a support structure adapted to releasably support said sleeve in a position which facilitates the mounting of each article of clothing to the outer surface of the sleeve and the transfer of the article from the sleeve to the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet assembly for a multi-station printing machine, where the pallet is transported by an indexing arm, is secured to the arm by a ball and socket hinge assembly with the distal end of the pallet engaged over a keeper pin so that the pallet can selectably be disengaged from the pin and rotated about its longitudinal axis in order to turn over a garment disposed on the pallet and thereby permit imprinting the garment on both sides. A support structure extends laterally beyond the edges of the pallet in order to support an overhanging screen and squeegee whereby printing of the garment surface can be effected to the extreme side edges.

Abstract: In a screen printing machine, a dual locator system and floating pallet for accurately positioning a pallet support plate and associated printing pallet is disclosed. In operation, the inner and outer edge of the support plate are releasably engaged and positioned in response to the movement of a print head thereby enhancing the quality of resulting multicolor print.

Abstract: In a multi-color, multi-station screen printer, a first assembly comprising a plurality of screens is mounted coaxially with a second assembly comprising a plurality of workpiece supporting pallets. In one embodiment, of the method of the present invention, where only a single operator is required, the plurality of pallets do not rotate but the plurality of screens are selectively displaced in unison and in one angular direction. In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, where three operators are utilized, the plurality of screens and the plurality of pallets rotate, each in unison, about a common, vertical axis in both angular directions. A combination of four screens and three pallets are described but other combinations are possible. Large and small articles may be printed in a single cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for over the edge printing including a printing squeegee which forces ink through clear portions of a printing screen onto a workpiece. Excess ink which is forced through clear portions of the printing screen and which extend over the edge of the workpiece, are cleaned by a cleaning assembly which includes a cleaning belt. The cleaning belt is unrolled below the printing screen and an excess ink squeegee prints the excess ink onto the cleaning belt which is then cleaned and re-rolled and the apparatus is made ready for the next printing stroke.

Abstract: In a screen printing machine having a plurality of workpiece supporting pallets that are driven along an oval path and which cooperate with a plurality of printing heads that are adapted for movement between an operative, printing position at each of a plurality of printing stations and an inoperative, non-printing position spaced from each of the printing stations, means are provided for selectively indexing the pallets either to an immediate printing station or to a succeeding printing station which is spaced downstream from the preceding printing station in the direction of movement of the pallets by at least one intermediate printing station. The apparatus disclosed herein replaced the hydraulic and electrical apparatus of the prior art with mechanical structure and requires only a single operator as compared with two or three operators with prior art structure. A cable is used in the present invention to replace the power linkage employed in the prior art for raising and lowering the flood bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for over the edge printing including a printing squeegee which forces ink through clear portions of a printing screen onto a workpiece. Excess ink which is forced through clear portions of the printing screen and which extend over the edge of the workpiece, are cleaned by a cleaning assembly which includes a cleaning belt. The cleaning belt is unrolled below the printing screen and an excess ink squeegee prints the excess ink onto the cleaning belt which is then cleaned and re-rolled and the apparatus is made ready for the next printing stroke.

Abstract: A conveying system adapted for use with a screen printing machine having an endless printing blanket for supporting and indexing a work piece during a screen printing operation. The system includes transfer apparatus disposed adjacent the discharge end of the indexing printing blanket which includes removing apparatus in the form of belt strips having gripping pins to peelingly remove the work piece from the printing blanket. Elevating apparatus for first lifting the leading edge of the work piece away from the printing blanket so as to suspend the leading edge until the work piece is advanced in a position for engagement by the gripping pins is provided such that the leading edge bridges any spacing between the discharge end of the printing blanket and the removing apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a pallet locating and positioning apparatus for use on a screen printing machine having an oval track about which a series of pallets supporting work pieces are indexed from station to station. An internal surface of a side rail of a hollow rectangular pallet engages outwardly biased detenting fingers which are affixed on adjacent parallel lateral edges of a pallet base plate driven about the endless track of the screen printing machine. One finger engages a complementary shaped notch in the side rails accurately detenting the pallet along the longitudinal axis of the pallet base plate.