Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for lithographic printing plates includes a rotating elastomeric roller that contacts imaged plates, which are typically (although not necessarily) carried on a rotary cylinder, at a velocity different from the velocity (if any) of the plate. The roller may spin in the direction of, or opposite to, that of the cylinder and at substantially different speed. Typically, the apparatus is mounted proximate to the cylinder, circumferentially adjacent to the imaging system, and is retractable so as to be selectively engaged when imaging is complete. The apparatus may include, in addition to or in lieu of the elastomeric roller, a second retractable cleaning member for rubbing the imaged plate with a cleaning fluid. The second cleaning member may be an elongated cartridge having an absorbent towel exposed along one face thereof. A cleaning fluid is dispensed onto the towel by, for example, a spraying device. The cartridge is then extended to urge the towel against the printing plate as it rotates.

Abstract: A method for cleaning cylinders of a rotary printing press having washer and suction devices and an adjacently mounted dryer which shortens the down time during the cleaning operation and at the same time satisfies safety requirements. At the beginning of a cleaning process, the dryer is reduced from its normal operating output level to a predetermined lower operating output level which eliminates the risk of combustion with cleaning fluid vapors. At the end of the cleaning process, the operating output of the dryer is increased from its reduced level to its normal operating level in a significantly shortened period of time, as compared to conventional practice, resulting in reduced down time for the printing machine during the cleaning operation.

Abstract: A printer which includes a paper selector for setting return amount and return amount memories for storing return amounts for at least two kinds of recording paper. The type of recording paper is selected by a printer control command so that a return amount for continuing a printing operation specific to the selected type of recording paper can be set. As a result, printing can be executed once a return amount has been set for each type of recording paper if the user wishes to print on different types of recording paper having different return amounts, thereby reducing the burden on the part of the host computer in controlling the printer and increasing the printing speed of the printer.

Abstract: An improved litter box assembly includes two litter boxes with one box nested within another. Each box has a floor with multiple openings and a plate disposed under the floor. Each plate is slidably attached to the floor of the respective box and also has multiple openings. The plate is slidable between a first position in which the openings in the floor and the openings in the plate correspond and a second position in which the openings in the floor are blocked by the plate. The boxes are identical and interchangeable. When nested, the boxes are reversed so that each plate, in sliding from the first position to the second position, slides in the opposite direction of the other plate in sliding from the first position to the second position. When the boxes are reversibly nested, a litter receiving space is created between the floors of the two boxes. In operation, when soiled litter in a upper box is to be removed, the plate of the upper box is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: The present invention features an apparatus for a journal-receipt printing machine. The apparatus semi-automatically loads the journal paper onto the take-up spool. The machine also has a drop-in, loading capability for the journal-paper supply-roll. The journal-printing apparatus utilizes a duckbill, take-up core or spool that is bifurcated into stationary and movable sections. The bifurcated spool is spring-loaded, and is caused to bias-close through the movement on the cam surface. The leader of the journal paper is placed over the stationary section of the spool. The gear train causes the cam follower to turn over the cam surface and close. The gear train then forces the duckbill spool shut against its biasing, thus capturing the paper between the spool sections. In this fashion, the procedure of resupplying the machine with journal paper is accomplished without the user having to thread paper.

Abstract: First and second oppositely oriented, spaced apart tandem printers are simultaneously computer controlled to print both sides of labels on a continuous web of blank labels. The front and back designs, the number of labels to be printed and the number of labels on the web between the printers are each entered into the computer and stored. The first printer is actuated to print label fronts and the web is advanced. The second printer is not actuated to print label backs until the first printer has printed the fronts of a number of labels equal to the number of labels between the printers. After the first printer has completed printing the fronts of the required number of labels, the second printer will continue printing an additional number of label backs equal to the number of labels between the printers. Sets of different labels can be printed sequentially.

Abstract: A habitat for rodents and a method for making same is provided. The habitat comprises a housing formed of coconut shell. The coconut shell defines a inner cavity therein. The coconut shell is comprised of a material resistant to gnawing damage by the rodents and has thermal retention characteristics to allow the rodent to burrow within the cavity in approximately adjacency with an inner curved surface of the coconut shell with body heat of the rodent being radiated and relatively retained by the coconut shell to heat a portion of the coconut shell to assist in maintaining the relative warmth of the rodent. The housing has an opening defining an entrance to the cavity with the opening being sized and adapted to accommodate the rodent therethrough.

Abstract: Printing press having a device for centrally adjusting sheet-guiding elements located both on the drive and the control or operating sides of the printing press, the adjusting device including adjusting members for respectively driving the sheet-guiding elements in common, includes a drive member couplable selectively to the respective adjusting member on a respective one of the drive and the operating sides and to the adjusting members on both the drive and the operating sides.

Abstract: A metal backed printing blanket for mounting on a cylinder that includes a gap. The blanket comprises a metal base plate having top and bottom surfaces and ends which include leading and trailing edges adapted for engaging the cylinder gap. The article further comprises a compressible, elastomeric printing blanket secured to the top surface of the base plate, but not to the ends, and having an upper face adapted for contact transfer of ink to a printable substrate. In addition, the blanket is provided with an anti-slip layer upon at least a portion of the top surface of at least one end of the base plate to facilitate retention of the base plate ends within the gap during rotation of the cylinder. The anti-slip layer has a coefficient of friction that is greater than that of the base plate and a thickness sufficient to permit insertion of the base plate edges and ends into the cylinder gap.

Abstract: Device for connecting retaining elements and a crosspiece on a printing-form cylinder of a rotary printing press for fixing a flexible printing form to the circumference of the printing-form cylinder, a front edge of the flexible printing form being able to straddle a front edge of a gap formed in the cylinder, and a rear edge of the flexible printing form being fixable by at least one resilient retaining element mountable actuatably on the crosspiece and having a hook-shaped projection at an end thereof directed towards the circumferential surface of the printing form, includes a plurality of the retaining elements mountable alongside one another, and stop elements for form-lockingly locking the retaining elements on the crosspiece.

Abstract: A flexible plate, such as a printing plate or a blanket support plate, is clamped on the surface of a cylinder by rotation of a clamping spindle that carries a movable plate end suspension lip. The clamping spindle is shiftably supported in the cylinder and moves radially out with respect to the cylinder as a full clamping torque is applied to it.

Abstract: A process for a production basis relief decorating of ceramic articles. In place of conventional, manual application of relief features, the process provides for a special technique for screen printing of relief features onto the surface of a transfer decal sheet, typically a decal sheet that has previously been printed with a conventional, two-dimensional primary design. The new process includes a screen printing stencil of unusual thickness, at least 0.015" and up to as much as 0.125", characterized by having unrestricted non-convergent through openings. Ceramic inks are formulated to heavy viscosity, having a characteristic comparable to peanut butter, with a viscosity in excess of one million cps. The ink is flow resistant in character, and is forced through the stencil openings by a slow-moving squeegee. The squeegee action is such as to provide increased dwell time of the ink with the surface of the transfer decal paper, before lifting of the stencil.

Abstract: A printing method for performing enlargement printing of one continuous line by simultaneously shifting a plurality of printing heads by a shifting magnitude. The shifting magnitude of the printing heads is set to be greater than a shifting magnitude utilized in standard printing. Dividing points for shifting traces of each of the printing heads are set such that the shifting traces of adjacent printing heads partially overlap one another. Divided printing zones are established between the dividing points, and the printing timing of the printing heads is controlled for performing the enlargement printing of the one continuous line. Additionally, a printing method for performing reduction printing of one continuous line is performed by setting a shifting magnitude of the printing heads to be equal to that used in standard printing. Divided printing zones are established to be printed by at least two printing heads in a non-overlapping manner.

Abstract: A temperature-control device particularly for an offset printing machine for at least two separate liquids in the machine. Dampening solution circulates in a first liquid circulation circuit to printing plates or the like receiving the dampening solution. A first heat exchanger communicates with a cold generator and the first liquid circulation circuit passes through a first heat exchanger. The second cooling solution of the printing machine cools parts of the machine and is in a second liquid circulation circuit. The second liquid circulation circuit passes through the second heat exchanger. After passing through the first heat exchanger, the first liquid circulation circuit also passes through a second heat exchanger, whereby heat is exchanged between the first and second liquid circulation circuits. The second liquid circulation circuit includes a controllable bypass for selectively bypassing the second liquid past the second exchanger.

Abstract: Embodiments of a new hand-held bird feeder are disclosed, permitting economical construction, the use of which feeder enables the bird feeding enthusiast actively to entice birds to feed, to feed birds in close proximity, and to relocate the site of feeding as necessary. The preferred embodiment discloses a cane with two ends, one of which is adapted for use as a handle, a receptacle for holding bird feed affixed to the end of the cane distal from the handle, and a perch affixed to the cane proximal to the receptacle.

Abstract: The apparatus is a spray shield to prevent ink and cleaning fluids from being spun off of the ends of printing cylinders. A cylindrical shield around the end of the printing cylinder is attached to a hub resting on the printing cylinder axle, and the hub and shield have sections held together by a hinge and a latch so they can be unlatched and removed for cleaning. An axial spring assembly is attached to the hub on the side opposite from the cylindrical shield so that the springs compress and friction is minimized if the hub is contacted by the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided with an integrated sensor that detects the printhead position without requiring a custom cable assembly or other sensing components. The thermal printer comprises a rotatable platen and a printhead disposed relative to each other to define a print region therebetween through which a print media is transported. The printhead may be selectively pivoted between a closed position abutting the platen and an open position substantially separated from the platen. The printhead is operable to print information onto the print media as the print media is transported by rotation of the platen when the printhead is pivoted to the closed position. The printhead further comprises a circuit board coupled thereto that is pivotable in cooperation with the printhead. The circuit board is operably coupled to a central controller to receive control signals and provide the control signals to the printhead.

Abstract: An apparatus for reinking a printing ribbon which includes a tank for ink fitted with a ball which, when rotated, transfers a quantity of ink to a sheathed wheel which in turn transfers this ink to a gear through which the ribbon travels and absorbs the ink is provided. An inked printing ribbon cassette including the reinking apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A hard copy apparatus with a print media telescoping tray system is disclosed. The telescoping tray system consists of an output tray, a paper tray, and an output tray position detector. The trays are constrained to translate in one line of motion, a substantially planar path into and out of the front of the apparatus, by nesting the paper tray within the output tray and guiding the trays along the line of motion. The trays telescope in a relatively small vertical opening below the paper feed drive mechanism of the apparatus. The telescoping tray system enables two modes of printing operation by providing a paper output path when in the output tray closed mode and by providing a full tray where printed sheets can be stacked during a multi-sheet or batch print job in an output tray open mode.

Abstract: A printer comprises a frame having a pair of side walls spaced apart a given distance according to a given width size of a recording medium. A platen is supported between the pair of side walls and has a surface for supporting the recording medium. A printhead, operable in a printing position thereof to perform a printing operation on the recording medium, is supported between the side walls for tilting movement and displacement in forward/backward and rightward/leftward directions. A pressing body is supported by the frame for pressing the printhead into contact with the surface of the platen. When the printhead is in the printing position, the printhead is freely pivotable to permit automatic angular adjustment thereof following the surface of the platen so that the printhead can contact the surface of the platen with a uniform surface pressure.