Abstract: A pet bath apparatus includes a sloped floor unit which includes an elevated portion, a lower portion, and a drain portion located in the lower portion. A set of support legs project downward from the sloped floor unit. A pair of end wall units and a pair of side wall units are supported by the sloped floor unit. Connector assemblies are supported by the wall units and selectively connect adjacent wall units together. The sloped floor unit includes an elevated mid-portion and two lower portions sloping downward from the elevated mid-portion. The drain portion includes a plurality of drain apertures. The sloped floor unit includes a pair of support ridges projecting upward from side portions of the sloped floor unit, and each side wall unit includes a flange portion projecting outward from an inside side wall surface and in engagement with a support ridge. Each side wall unit includes a pair of alignment-pin-receiving elements which project outward from end portions of the inside side wall surfaces.

Abstract: A computer, electronic, or other keyboard includes a backspace/erase key positioned such that it enables comfortable activation of the backspace/erase function via thumb movement. Such activation can be accomplished more easily, more efficiently, and more ergonomically effectively than on prior art keyboards because it can be done without averting the eyes from the text copy and does not entail moving or uncomfortable stretching of the hands.

Abstract: A single-pass ink ribbon and a multi-pass ink ribbon are incorporated in a single recording apparatus. An identification mark is attached to one end of the single-pass ribbon (or the multi-pass ink ribbon) so that a ribbon sensor can discriminate two kinds of ribbon from each other to find out which one is used for the printing. With the result of the discrimination, a controller selects an appropriate program to set up a printing condition for the ribbon being used for the printing. A thermal head temperature, a degree of wear of the ribbon and a black ratio of the ribbon may also be taken in account in determining the printing condition. If the thermal head temperature is used, one temperature table is selected from a number of temperature tables which are prepared in advance for respective temperature. The printing condition is determined such that the printing density is maintained as long as the same ink ribbon is used.

Abstract: A light radiating device is formed of a casing having an opened lower surface arranged at a perforating plane of a heatsensitive stencil sheet; a light emitting device arranged within the casing; and reflection mirrors including lower side reflection mirror contacted with the perforating plane of the heatsensitive stencil sheet, an upper side reflection mirror in continuous with the lower side reflection mirror in a predetermined angle and an upper reflection mirror arranged in continuous with the upper side reflection mirror and in parallel with the perforating plane of the heatsensitive stencil sheet. The mirrors are arranged in the casing and reflect light from the light emitting means against the perforating plane of the heatsensitive stencil sheet.

Abstract: A method and a cylinder arrangement for a printing apparatus is provided in which printing plates (16,17) or punching plates (16,17) of different lengths may selectively be mounted on the same plate cylinder (12,13), and wherein a web (10) to be printed or punched may be moved past the cylinder (12,13) at a substantially constant speed. Two or more formats (18,19) may be interlaced on the web (10). The formats (18, 19) may be of different lenghts in the longitudinal direction of the web (10). Adjustment means for adjusting web length between printing units or between contact points between the web (10) and plates (16,17) within the same printing unit are not needed.

Abstract: An integrally-formed print element for providing finer dots than previously possible with an impact printer. The dots produced permit the printing of Chinese, Amharic, Devanagari, and like characters, in sizes as small as standard newsprint, and print in books and periodicals, without significant distortion of the characters. The print element has an axis of symmetry and includes in order a cylindrical base with a longitudinal axis corresponding to the axis of symmetry of the print element; a frusto-conical-shaped impact element support with its largest diameter end extending from one end of the cylindrical base; and a cylindrical impact element located on and extending integrally from the other end of the frusto-conical-shaped support. The overall size of the print element is preferably such that it is attachable to standard impact printer hammer tips.

Abstract: Device for fastening a clamping bar for clamping a covering to a clamping shaft formed with a groove wherein the clamping bar engages, including a spring-loaded retainer disposed on the clamping shaft and engaging in the clamping bar, the device further including a locking element radially displaceable in the clamping shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for double-sided printing of identification cards (1) has a printing unit (2) with a thermal printhead (17), a card transport device, an input sensor (8) and an output sensor (9) as well as a reversing unit (3) for reversing and further transporting the printed card (1) which is provided with a rotor (36) with a rotating card transport device. The card transport device on the rotor (36) is controlled so that it feeds the card (1) printed on one side and turned by 180.degree. to the printing unit (2) again without changing its direction of rotation. The card transport apparatus of the printing unit (2) is switchable from the forward to the return transport direction (A and B, respectively) for return transport of the card (1) from the output sensor (9) to the input sensor (8). When the card (1) reaches the input sensor (8) upon return transport, the card transport device is switched back for printing the other side of the card (1) and feeding it to the reversing unit (A) again.

Abstract: A roll-feed apparatus which is removably attached to a printer/plotter that has a self-alignment feature. Media, such as paper, vellum or film is pulled through the printer/plotter. However, a back-tension is created in the roll-feed apparatus by creating a pre-determined force on the shaft to which a roll of media is mounted. By increasing the force on the shaft, frictional drag is induced impeding the shaft's rotation. It has been found that the rotational impedance, in conjunction with the pull of the printer/plotter, corrects any misalignment of the media in approximately six meters of media run.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for mounting a keyboard to a base and for positioning the keyboard in a backward tilted position and for use by an operator having at least one hand. The keyboard has a plurality of keys, a front end, a rear end, and a top surface or key plane defined by a plane of the uppermost portion of the keys. In one embodiment, the device comprises a bracket engaged to the base and a clamp engaged with the bracket such that the keyboard may be orientated in a backward tilted position which is defined by the rear end of the keyboard being disposed below the front end of the keyboard. The clamp is engagable with the keyboard to prevent the keyboard from falling off when the keyboard is orientated in said backward tilted position. The clamp may comprise first and second clamp members.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hot-stamped decal includes seven steps which are: step (a): to prepare a metalized polyester film comprising a metalized layer disposed on a top surface thereof, a clear polyester sheet disposed to an under side of the metalized layer, an adhesive layer disposed to an under side of the clear polyester sheet and a release sheet disposed to an under side of the adhesive layer; step (b): to prepare crystallized particles; step (c): to add the crystallized particles into a volatile solution to let the crystallized particles in the volatile solution be in an over-saturated status; step (d): to add ink into the over-saturated solution of step (c); step (e): to use the solution of step (d) to execute a printing process on the metalized layer to form a pattern thereon composed of a printed ink layer; step (f): to mop the printed ink layer with an alkaline corrosive solution to corrode the top surface of the metalized layer not covered by the printing ink layer; and step g): a neutralizatio

Abstract: A printer is provided with a platen having a sloping plane platen surface, a medium guide path for smoothly guiding paper along the plane including the platen surface, a transparent open/close paper guide positioned above the medium guide path, and two pairs of drive rollers and driven rollers arranged along the platen, with one pair of drive roller and driven roller being disposed in an upstream direction and the other pair of drive roller and driven roller being disposed in a downstream direction with respect to the platen and the paper print movement. The printer is further provided with a ribbon cassette which makes it possible to position a linear portion of an ink ribbon in parallel to the platen surface, a mechanism for switching the linear portion of the ink ribbon between a printable position and a nonprintable position, and a mechanism for attaching a ribbon cassette to a carriage while moving it in a downwardly forward direction.

Abstract: A device for tensioning printing formes (or "printing plates") on a forme (or "plate") cylinder of a rotary printing machine, including a stretching shaft extending through a gap formed in the cylinder, the stretching shaft holding receiving elements and, opposite thereof, clamping surfaces gripping the trailing end of a printing plate, with individual tensioning elements being mounted side by side on the stretching shaft, and the stretching shaft being stretchable, via adjusting elements, linearly in axial direction in order to optimally tension the trailing end of the printing plate independently of a possible stretching of the printing plate.

Abstract: A disposable cat litter box includes a supporting base and a removable, disposable bag of litter which is designed to fit inside of the base. The disposable bag is provided with a draw string to facilitate its closure after use, and a cardboard bottom inside of the bag provides for a conforming fit of the bag within the base. In a modified embodiment, a plurality of disposable bags are nested inside of the base, and each bag is of a pleated structure with small reinforcement wires going in vertical and horizontal directions. This allows one side of the bag to be lifted upwardly within the base so as to form a deflecting shield which reduces the amount of litter spillage from the bag during a use of the box by a cat.

Abstract: A paper tray assembly for a computer controlled printer has an angled paper discharge wall and a paper stack skewer which automatically urges the leading edges of each sheet of paper in the stack against the slanted wall as the paper tray is inserted into a tray receiving slot in the printer. The reason for doing this automatic skewing is to prevent paper misfeeds. Optionally, paper length and paper width adjusting slides are used with the automatic paper stack skewer being pivotally affixed to a length adjustment slide, if used. The skewer is operated by interengaging cams and followers which are actuated as the paper tray is inserted into or removed from a tray receiving slot in the printer.

Abstract: A matrix plate and a matrix plate holder for a hand stamp are disclosed, wherein the matrix plate can be easily attached to and detached from the matrix plate holder. The matrix plate includes a mounting element defining a guide, a pair of arc-shaped fitting portions integrally formed on two lateral sides and a front of the guide, wherein each fitting portion defining an engaging tip, and a pair of manipulating wings integrally formed on two lateral sides of the fitting portions. The matrix plate holder includes a main board defining a cutout, two locating blocks located beside the cutout, wherein each locating block defines a locating recess and a connecting structure for connection to a casing of the handle stamp. When the matrix plate and the matrix holder are assembled, the guide is fittingly received in the cutout, the fitting portions are fixedly clamped between the locating blocks and the engaging tips are received in the locating recesses.

Abstract: A device in a printing press for applying air flow to printing stock being transferred by a transfer drum to an impression cylinder so as to achieve a flawless application of the printing stock on the impression cylinder before the printing stock reaches a printing nip defined by the impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder of the printing press includes a flat air-guide element extending over the breadth of the impression cylinder from a vicinity of the circumference of the transfer drum to as far as possible in a direction towards the printing nip so as to form a wedge-shaped space having a tip extending towards the printing nip.

Abstract: A keyboard where no finger pressure is needed to input data, that uses rows of emitters opposed by rows of detectors to detect a finger position, that is environmentally sealed, and inherently intrinsic safe. The keyboard has a mouse function so an operators finger can be tracked to position a cursor on a host display, and input normal keyboard functions. A sleep mode for a display or keyboard that slows down the scan rate and emitter intensity to increase emitter life. A split keyboard for each hand with an arm rest with an arm strap to attach the keyboard to an operators arm and a strap to attach the keyboard to the arm of a chair. A learning keyboard with a mode for QWERTY or other key pattern keyboards that the position of the operators fingers are tracked and supper imposed on a display, so the operator can see when their finger is over the correct keyboard indicia so correct data entry can be made without looking at the keyboard.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a platen having a sloping plane platen surface, a medium guide path for smoothly guiding paper along the plane including the platen surface, a transparent open/close paper guide positioned above the medium guide path, and two pairs of drive rollers and driven rollers arranged along the platen, with one pair of drive roller and driven roller being disposed in an upstream direction and the other pair of drive roller and driven roller being disposed in a downstream direction with respect to the platen and the paper print movement. The printer is further provided with a ribbon cassette which makes it possible to position a linear portion of an ink ribbon in parallel to the platen surface, a mechanism for switching the linear portion of the ink ribbon between a printable position and a nonprintable position, and a mechanism for attaching a ribbon cassette to a carriage while moving it in a downwardly forward direction.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for transfer printing thermoplastic materials with thermal diffusion inks. An image is transferred in a heatable press from a paper substrate colored with thermal diffusion inks onto an intermittently moved, fiber-containing carrier material into which the thermal diffusion inks can at first be sublimated then diffused. This fiber-containing carrier material provided with thermal diffusion inks is then transported into the gap between the calender rollers, where it is continuously brought into contact with a thermoplastic melt at an increased temperature so that the thermal diffusion inks penetrate into the thermoplastic melt and at the same time a composite strip made of the fiber-containing carrier material and the thermoplastic melt is formed. The products obtained by this process are suitable for producing a decorative layer on parts of skis or snowboards and on composite materials made of fiber-reinforced plastics.