Patents Examined by Andrea H. Evans
  • Patent number: 6912953
    Abstract: A roller machine includes a rotatably mounted roller body which can be placed on or against one counter roller. The roller has at least one axis and at least one spring element which is arranged between the roller body and a machine frame. The spring element is disposed between the roller body and the part of the axis which is used to secure the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst-Walter Hauer
  • Patent number: 6910414
    Abstract: A method of making screen printing frames can include, in certain illustrative embodiments, affixing at least two frames to one another, applying a masking film to both frames, exposing the frames, removing the unhardened emulsion in the meshes, and separating the frames from one another for deployment in a screen printing apparatus. This exemplary process can be used to create images in substantially complete registration with one another on frames having different mesh counts. Stated another way, these embodiments permit the use of multiple frames to print different inks through different meshes in a single pass to form images in substantially complete registration with one another. In certain preferred embodiments, a screen printing apparatus can include two frames, each having a mesh with a different pitch, wherein the frames are adapted to receive different inks and held in fixed register during a screen printing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Carrie L. Thomas, Catherine Wynkoop, Kevin Townsend
  • Patent number: 6901858
    Abstract: A plate cylinder of a printing press, with a tensioning channel which extends in the axial direction, in which means for fixing the plate ends of at least one printing plate which can be positioned on the plate cylinder are arranged. The leading plate end can be fixed by a holding element against a contact surface by means of a tensioning rail which can be moved in the tensioning channel. After that, and after the plate cylinder has been rotated, it is then possible to hook the trailing plate end on the extended tensioning rail. After that, it is possible to draw the tensioning rail back in again to tension the trailing plate end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Günter Koppelkamm
  • Patent number: 6892633
    Abstract: Tools supporting and heating device for tools like printing plates, used for diecutting and hot pressure transfer of portions of metallic films on a substrate. This device comprises a base plate applied against one of the sides of the honeycomb chase. This base plate is made of a sequence of at least one insulating surface and of at least one conducting surface enabling to feed at least one heating device intended to be inserted inside each one of said apertures in order to heat a printing plate fastened against a second side of the honeycomb chase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Bobst SA
    Inventors: Francois Both, Michel Piguet
  • Patent number: 6892637
    Abstract: A stamp pad holder for use in a self-inking hand stamp. The stamp pad holder has a stamp die box that holds a stamp forming material, ink cartridge and plastic within the die box. The stamp forming material is placed at the bottom of the die box. A pre-inked ink cartridge is placed above the stamp forming material but separated by an impermeable film. The film prohibits ink from flowing from the ink cartridge to the stamp forming material until the film is pulled from the die box prior to use. This permits the ink from the ink cartridge to impregnate the stamp forming material. The die box is then inserted into the hand stamp. A method of manufacturing the die box is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Craig J. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6890112
    Abstract: There is disclosed a linerless label web roll wherein the label web has a patterned coating of pressure sensitive adhesive on its underside between marginal side edges and at marginal side edges of the label web. The adhesive is provided in longitudinally extending laterally spaced stripes of adhesive with intervening adhesive-free zones. The label web can be supported and/or guided by support or guide elements which contact the adhesive-free zones in a suitable utilization device such as a printer or label applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Paxar Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: James Richard Kline
  • Patent number: 6880991
    Abstract: A printing method includes the steps of transporting a recording medium and an intermediate transfer medium for holding an image temporarily to an image forming position; selectively forming an image on the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium at the image forming position; transporting the recording medium to an image transfer position; and transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium at the image transfer position. When forming the image on the recording medium at the image forming position, it is prohibited to form the image on the intermediate transfer medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Tsuruta, Tsuyoshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 6880997
    Abstract: There is provided a lock system for securing a printer door to prevent theft of an ink cartridge. The lock system comprises a lock housing that is attachable adjacent the printer door and which has a lateral aperture extending generally parallel thereto. The lock system further comprises a locking member disposed within the lateral aperture and which is slidable therealong between unlock and lock positions. Its locking portion becomes substantially retracted within the lateral aperture when in the unlock position. The locking portion becomes extended over the printer door when in the lock position to secure the same and prevent theft of the ink cartridge thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Security Works, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Waguespack, Christopher E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6868785
    Abstract: A de-duster for a moving printing material web includes at least one blower nozzle assigned to a first side of the printing material web, and at least one blower nozzle assigned to a second side of the printing material web. The blower nozzles are set counter to web travel direction at an angle ?. The de-duster further includes at least one extraction nozzle assigned to the first side of the printing material web, and at least one extraction nozzle assigned to the second side of the printing material web. The extraction nozzles are set counter to the web travel direction at an acute angle ?. Each of the at least one blower nozzle is disposed between the at least one extraction nozzle at a respective side of the printing material web and the respective side of the printing material web. A combination of the de-duster and a cutting device, a folder with the combination, and a web-processing printing press in combination with the folder, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Goss International Corporation
    Inventors: Markus Döhner, Thierry Thevenin
  • Patent number: 6862989
    Abstract: A printing unit including a rigid cylinder rotatable about an axis of rotation, a plurality of inflatable bladders disposed on a circumferential surface of the cylinder, and a first fluid supply regulation unit configured to supply a first fluid to a first set of inflatable bladders of the plurality of inflatable bladders and to regulate a first fluid pressure inside the first set inflatable bladders. In addition, a method for mounting a sleeve-shaped printing sock onto a blanket cylinder of an offset printing press, in which a set of inflatable bladders disposed at an outer region of the blanket cylinder are at least partially deflated. The sleeve-shaped printing sock is slid over one end of the blanket cylinder so that the printing sock at least partially surrounds a circumference of the blanket cylinder. The set of inflatable bladders are then inflated so that the printing sock fits tightly around the circumference of the blanket cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Belanger, Richard Karl Weiler
  • Patent number: 6857368
    Abstract: A device for supplying radiant energy of a wavelength in the near infrared onto a printing substrate (14) in a planographic printing press, including at least one radiant energy source (10) whose light (12) impinges on the printing substrate (14) on the path (16) of the printing substrate (14) through the printing press at a position (116) downstream of at least one printing nip (18) in a printing unit is described which has the feature that the radiant energy source (10) emits light (12) only in a narrow band, the wavelength of the light being non-resonant to absorption wavelengths of water and preferably being between 700.00 nm and 2500.00 run. Also disclosed is a method for supplying radiant energy. By supplying energy in this frequency range while avoiding absorption resonances of water, an unwanted drying or unnecessary heating of the printing substrate are advantageously reduced while providing energy to the printing ink for its particular drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Heiner Pitz
  • Patent number: 6857364
    Abstract: A device for locking, with respect to a first power transmission element, a further power transmission element that is lockable in a rotational position thereof, provides for the first and the further power transmission element to have a common working chamber with a variable volume to which a pressure medium can be applied, it being possible for the pressure medium in the working chamber to be solidified by applying an electric voltage or a magnetic force field thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Christian Görbing, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter
  • Patent number: 6851365
    Abstract: A method for producing multicolor printing, by using printing plates provided digitally with images and/or print, represents an efficient solution for multi-color printing, in particular in a large format. Printing plates, which had been used in a printing press, are removed from the printing form cylinders, are sent to a device for neutralization, and are neutralized. The neutralized printing plates are fixed at correct registration in an exposure and development unit where they are exposed and developed. The printing plates provided with new images are again applied to the printing form cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Arndt Jentzsch
  • Patent number: 6829993
    Abstract: A lock apparatus for securing a hand stamping device to prevent an unauthorized stamping operation includes two locking heads constructed to established a ridged interconnection with the base frame and the upper actuator frame of the hand stamping device. The locking heads are releasably interconnected by parallel spaced apart struts for connecting the locking heads in a space apart relation for receiving the hand stamping device between the struts whereby the locking heads and the struts encircle the outer periphery of the hand stamping device. A lock is used to interlocking the locking heads in a spaced apart relation between the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Marc L. Aronson
  • Patent number: 6792858
    Abstract: A device for handling sleeves (20) for cylinders of printing presses, wherein a carrying tube (26) is provided, on which a mounting device (28), engaging these sleeve (20), is disposed for mounting the sleeve in a position, which is aligned coaxially with the carrying tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Fischer & Krecke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wilfried Kolbe, Klaus Schirrich, Andreas Kückelmann, Wolfgang Brusdeilins
  • Patent number: 6789475
    Abstract: A satellite printing machine for printing sheets includes a single central common counter-pressure cylinder and at least four satellite printing groups arranged in a peripherally distributed manner about the counter-pressure cylinder in a rotational direction thereof from a feed cylinder to an output cylinder. The counter-pressure cylinder is provided in the form of a rubber blanket cylinder. At least one additional satellite printing group cooperates with the counter-pressure cylinder for at least single-color back side printing, and is disposed in the rotational direction of the counter-pressure cylinder before the feed system and after the output cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Ebe Hesterman
  • Patent number: 6769360
    Abstract: An electronic stamp or method for performing stamps where one or several sets of phototransistors (8), with associated light emitting diodes (9), are mounted on a print head (3) that is hand-operated along beams (5) with the aid of a lever (4) coupled to an upper stamp housing (1). The phototransistors (8) generate signals used by a micro controller circuit (12) in order to in real time calculate positioning parameters about the print head (3), and thus be able to steer and control a stream of ink drops intended to form a predetermined printout pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Print Dreams Europe AB
    Inventor: Alex Walling
  • Patent number: 6766743
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adjusting the temperature of a printing press, which can effectively adjust the temperature of plate cylinders and rollers in each inking arrangement in a press for multicolor printing on cylindrical bodies and make it possible to conduct the printing, without the appearance of scumming even in waterless offset printing presses. A first system conduit 25 for adjusting the temperature of rollers with an ink feed function in each inking arrangement and a second system conduit 26 for adjusting the temperature of rollers with an ink distribution function are provided, the temperature can be adjusted separately in the first system conduit and second system conduit, and plate cylinders 2 are cooled by blowing cooling air whose temperature is set to a prescribed temperature from axially extending portion of the plate cylinders in the axial direction of the plate cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Mineo Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 6766733
    Abstract: A flexible die is provided which incorporates a base die and a superimposed interchangeable cutting or embossing die. The base die is generally planar and is adapted to securely receiving the superimposed interchangeable die thereon. Protruding upwardly from the outer face of the base die is a raised cutting portion, a raised embossing portion, or both, which raised portion is adapted to cut, form, or emboss the outer periphery of a blank or substrate. The superimposed interchangeable die is generally planar, and includes a raised cutting or embossing portion protruding upwardly from the outer face thereof, which raised portion is adapted to cut, form or emboss a portion of the blank or substrate. At least a portion of the superimposed interchangeable die is adapted to be received onto at least a portion of the base die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Winkler + Dunnebier, AG
    Inventor: Robert W. Collins
  • Patent number: 6761113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printing device for printing labels which have been removably affixed to a carrier strip, in particular goods labels, comprising at least one label feed device which comprises at least one wiper head, as well as comprising at least one printer with at least one print head for printing the label. Different label models can be printed in a continuous labelling process using only one printer, if at least one conveyor device is provided which conveys the labels, which have been peeled off at a wiper head, of which there is at least one, to the printer, of which there is at least one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Espera Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Korthäuer