Abstract: A software system is useful for generating a page file from a template file and database entries. The database entries are representative of variable information and the template file includes data designating a variable text area. The software system includes a computer-readable medium storing a software program having first, second, and third routines. The first routine associates the variable text area with a first text file that includes a variable information placeholder, while the second routine derives a second text file from the first text file in accordance with the variable information placeholder and at least one of the database entries. The third routine then generates the page file from the template file and the second text file.

Abstract: A print screen tonal control and compensation system and method are provided in which a compensated density curve is utilized to increase press predictability, performance, resources consumption, color variation, and quality. A computerized test pattern is generated, and by applying computer to plate technology, a printed press produces a printed test pattern. The test pattern is subsequently analyzed to identify the plugging point of the production run, and a compensated density curve is created to eliminate plugging within the production pattern. The density curve is then used to generate a compensated printing plate for use in a production press run.

Abstract: A binding line having increased capacity and increased flexibility to deliver customized or personalized signatures to the gathering conveyor in order to customize or personalizes the content of a book to appeal to targeted demographic groups or individuals. The binding line includes a gathering conveyor, a plurality of packer boxes positioned along the gathering conveyor, each of the packer boxes being adapted to deliver a distinct signature to the conveyor, and a feeder system operatively associated with at least one of the packer boxes. The feeder system includes a feed conveyor and a plurality of feeder boxes, each of the feeder boxes being adapted to deliver a selected signature to the associated packer box. A primary controller is provided for activating a selected set of the packer boxes, thereby delivering a set of signatures to the gathering conveyor.

Abstract: A method of making a water-based publication gravure ink is provided wherein a polyamide resin or a mixture of the polyamide resin and a second resin is ground to produced a ground resin, and then the ground resin is mixed with water, a base, and a colorant. The resin/water/base/colorant mixture is then milled to produce a color dispersion, which is then mixed with an emulsion and water to produce a press-ready ink. Preferably, the water, the base and a dispersant are mixed first, and then combined with the colorant to produce a colorant slurry. The colorant slurry is then mixed with the ground resin, and milled to produce a slurry color dispersion. Also provided are water-based publication gravure inks made according to the methods outlined above, and a water-based publication gravure ink including water, a colorant, a mixture of a polyamide and a resin other than the polyamide resin, a base, and a dispersant.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a magnetic cylinder and image plate or blanket carrier plate of magnetic material are provided for printing. The cylinder has a peripheral surface and the image plate or carrier plate is wrapped around the cylinder with an inner surface of the plate being in direct contact with the cylinder peripheral surface. The blanket and carrier plate are subject to circumferential movement around the cylinder as the blanket is subject to localized pressure from another cylinder in a nip, plus forces due to ink tack. The cylinder peripheral surface is defined by circumferentially spaced, axially extending ridges for suppressing local sliding by surface gripping with the plate inner surface.

Abstract: In order to avoid ergonomic problems such as carpel tunnel syndrome while improving productivity, an apparatus for feeding signatures to a patent bound binding line is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pocket adjacent a binding line for receiving signatures to be delivered to the binding line. It also includes a signature feeder for feeding signatures from a source in a generally vertical direction to a signature receiving and transferring mechanism. The signature receiving and transferring mechanism has a signature receiving end positioned in generally vertically spaced relation to the source and a signature transferring end positioned generally adjacent to the pocket. The signature receiving and transferring mechanism has a signature conveyor for conveying signatures in a continuous stream from the signature receiving end to the signature transferring end for delivery into the pocket.

Abstract: In order to sell a multi-media product such as documentation and software in an effective yet unique manner, a convertible package/shelf organizer is provided. The convertible package/shelf organizer comprises a generally rectangular box having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of side walls defining an enclosure for shipping the contents of the box in a normal protected-product fashion. The front wall of the box is in the form of a cover hinged to one of the top and bottom walls and is movable from a closed position concealing and protecting the contents of the box during shipment to an open position providing access for removal of the contents of the box after shipment. The convertible package/shelf organizer is also such that the cover is moveable to a position within the enclosure juxtaposed against an inner surface of the one of the top and bottom walls to which it is hinged and also against the rear wall when the contents of the box have been removed therefrom.

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique disabling arrangement is contemplated. The signature feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim from a signature supply hopper. A vacuum assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The vacuum assembly includes a source of vacuum operatively associated with oscillating vacuum grippers. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the vacuum assembly to control operation of the vacuum assembly responsive to engagement with a surface of the cam.

Abstract: In order to achieve relative simplicity in a reliable measurement technique, an apparatus and method for measuring wet film thickness on a surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fixture adapted to be positioned in close proximity to the surface, a gauge supported by the fixture for movement toward and away from the surface, and a spacer for spacing the fixture at a selected distance from the surface. The gauge is moveable from a first position out of contact with the wet film to a second position in contact with the surface to create a measurable spot of the wet film on the gauge. The method includes providing a gauge supported for movement toward and away from the surface, moving the gauge into contact with the surface to create a measurable wet film spot, and moving the gauge out of contact with the wet film to measure the spot.

Abstract: An automated receiving station is provided for inventorying stock items. The receiving station comprises a plurality of independently driven conveyor sections arranged sequentially for moving items along a predetermined path from a deposit end to a removal end while reading bar coded labels on the items and weighing the items. Further, identification labels are affixed to those items not otherwise having labels. More specifically, the independently driven conveyor sections include a receiving conveyor section for sequentially receiving items thereon, a scanner conveyor section along which items thereon may be scanned for identifying indicia, a weighting conveyor section for weighting any of the terms positioned thereon and a labeler conveyor section for affixing identifying indicia onto any one of the items.

Abstract: An improved waterbased gravure ink includes an additive package. The ink exhibits reduced volatile organic compound content and improved printability as compared to conventional waterbased gravure inks. A method of printing using the ink includes the steps of introducing the ink into cells of a printing surface and applying the ink in the cells to a printing substrate, the printing surface being made using about a 120.degree. to 150.degree. diamond and about 120 to about 300 lines per inch.

Abstract: In order to improve binding line output by reducing equipment downtime effects, a book accumulator for a binding line is provided. The binding line book accumulator includes a book accumulating table for accumulating books from and returning books to a binding line in first-in first-out fashion, and it also includes a first diverter for diverting books from the binding line to the book accumulating table and a second diverter for diverting books from the book accumulating table to the binding line. In addition, a control is provided for selectively and independently operating the first and second diverters upon demand in response to a variety of factors.

Abstract: In order to spread and flatten a signature for printing, and to hold the signature to prevent it from shifting, a binding line mail table includes a plate for supporting the signature in a flat orientation as the signature moves along the signature supporting plate. It also includes a first pair of drive belts disposed on the signature supporting plate in spaced apart relation and a second pair of drive belts disposed on the respective ones of the first pair of drive belts on the sides thereof opposite the signature supporting plate and, further, the drive belts are all then driven at substantially the same speed. With this unique arrangement, and to ensure that the signature is in a flat orientation as it moves along the signature supporting plate for printing thereon, at least one of the drive belts of one of the pairs diverges relative to the respective one of the drive belts of the other of the pairs.

Abstract: A method is provided for registering digitized multi-plane color images. The method designates one plane as the reference plane and registers each of the other warped planes with the reference plane. Each plane comprises pixels representing luminosity values having scalar x and y coordinates representing positions in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, of the plane. The planes are divided into regions. Correlation values are calculated for regions within the divisional region of the reference plane with a plurality of regions offset from the corresponding warped divisional region. A warp error value is calculated for each pixel of each divisional region as a function of the scalar offset. The warp error values are interpolated and added to the current position of each pixel of the warped plane.

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique latch arrangement is contemplated. The feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim upon receipt from a signature supply hopper. A suction assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The suction assembly includes oscillating suction grippers together with a vacuum control valve. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the suction assembly to control movement of the oscillating suction grippers and operation of the vacuum control valve.

Abstract: A warehouse material handling automation system is disclosed which includes a portable module (22) with which to load and unload material onto and off of an automatic guided vehicle (14). The system operates such that the automatic guided vehicle (14) can calculate its position relative to a destination and follow a route to the destination. In addition, the system operates even when the portable module (22) is displaced or moved from its original position to establish a new destination.

Abstract: A vapor containment apparatus for washing an ink pump and sucker tube with a volatile ink solvent has a closed receptacle with a liquid solvent sump. An elongated sleeve encases the sucker tube within the receptacle and positions an inlet end of the sucker tube in the sump. A solvent applicator directs solvent into contact with an outer surface of the sucker tube to drain into the sump and wash the outer surface. An solvent return tube delivers solvent from the ink pump to the sump such that solvent can be drawn through the sucker tube and the pump to wash the pump and the inner surface of the sucker tube. A vacuum exhaust draws solvent vapor through openings on the elongated sleeve and the return tube and evacuates the vapor from the closed receptacle.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the delivery of mail pieces by the postal service utilizes a data processor. A batch mailing includes selected mailing pieces to be monitored with each selected mailing piece being identified with a multi-digit number uniquely identifying a respondent therefor and the mailing piece. When the mailing piece is received the respondent telephonically reports the identifying number, date of receipt and condition of the mailing piece to the data processor. This information is stored by the data processor and is used to generate daily and batch reports showing, for example, date of receipt according to geographic location and/or pre-sort level of the mail pieces.