Abstract: A method for forming an array of viable cells is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises ink-jet printing a cellular composition containing cells onto a substrate. Upon printing, at least about 25% of the cells remain viable after incubation for 24 hours at 37° C. in a 5% CO2/95% O2 environment.

Abstract: An ink fountain assembly for use in duplicating machines, such as rotary lithographic machines. The assembly comprises a fountain trough defined by an elongated blade and an ink fountain roller defining a gap therebetween. A proximal edge of the blade is rigidly retained and a distal edge of said blade, adjacent said roller, engaging a portion of the frame and being initially flexed and prestressed toward said roller to define the gap. The gap may be varied to control ink flow therethrough.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, and a supply of ribbon. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure, a take-up spool enclosure, a pair of ribbon guides, and a gap between the ribbon guides and the supply and take-up spool enclosures. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure, and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The ribbon extends from the supply spool, over the ribbon guides and the gap, and to the take-up spool. Another aspect of the ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a cleaner roller. The cartridge housing includes front and rear walls. The cleaner roller is rotatably supported between the front and rear walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple die cut business forms is disclosed. One embodiment of a printing press according to the present invention includes a number of different stations that are connected together by a continuos web. Multiple die cut business forms are produced by a continuos process from stock paper to an output configuration such as continuos roll, fan fold, or cut sheet. One aspect of the present invention is that a silicone treated glassine stock paper substrate can be utilized to allow business forms to be produced with minimized curling.

Abstract: A seamless printing sleeve comprising a hollow cylindrical base and a seamless imageable surface as its outermost layer is described. The imageable surface acts as an integral flexographic printing surface. Preferably the printing sleeve comprises an intermediate photopolymer or resilient polymer layer between the outer surface of the base and the imageable surface. Also, preferably the base is uniformly transparent or translucent to actinic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of transferring a membrane image to an article. The method comprises providing a printed decoration to be applied onto a low surface energy membrane. The low surface energy membrane has a hardness level of greater than 70 durometer Shore A and a surface energy of up to 25 mJ/m2. The method further includes applying a predetermined pressure with a pressure device to force the printed decoration through a screen onto the low surface energy membrane. The pressure device has a hardness of up to 70 durometer Shore A. The method further includes forming the low surface energy membrane to the geometry of the surface of the article and applying pressure between the membrane and the article to transfer the membrane image from the membrane to the article.

Abstract: A method of and device for controlled printing using liquid embossing techniques is disclosed. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention a stamp comprises a differentiated embossing surface with protruding and recessed surfaces to enhance the ability of the stamp to selectively displace liquid ink from a print surface and/or remove solvent from the liquid in a soft curing process. A stamp with differentiated surfaces is fabricated by selectively coating, or otherwise treating the protruding features, the recessed features, or a combination thereof, such that the surface energies and/or wettability of the protruding surfaces and the recessed surfaces are differentiated.

Abstract: In recording on a recording medium such as a CD-R using a tray, a recording apparatus is provided, which is capable of correctly conveying the recording medium in a recording apparatus with easy operation by a simple low-cost recording construction. A tapered portion is provided at the leading end of the tray while a tray sheet, which is smaller in thickness than the tray, is stuck on the bottom surface of the tapered portion so as to protrude from the leading end of the tray in the conveying direction of the tray.

Abstract: Disclosed is a template transfer assembly and method that features a template transfer substrate, and a template having first and second sides, with the first side facing away from the template transfer substrate and the second side facing the template transfer substrate and having mold pattern formed thereon. Polymerized imprint material is disposed between the second side and the template transfer substrate to fixedly attach the template to the template transfer substrate. The method of transferring an imprint lithography template includes dispensing a selected volume of imprinting fluid onto the template transfer substrate, placing the template upon the selected volume; and converting the imprinting fluid to solid imprint material. The selected volume of imprint material is of sufficient quantity to fixedly attach the template to the template transfer substrate while maintaining a space between the mold and the template transfer substrate.

Abstract: An embossing tool for embossing a sheet of material has a body formed with a fissure for receiving the sheet of material, a lever pivotably mounted about a pivot point on the body and a block positionable between the lever and the body. The block has an embossing face moveable along a first axis, and further has a center riser configured to receive the lever. At least one resilient member is provided, adjacent to the embossing face along a second axis, spaced apart from the first axis, and disposed between the block and the body. When the block is positioned between the lever and the body and when the lever is pivoted about the pivot point between a first position and a second position, the lever engages the block having the axially moveable embossing face to emboss the sheet of material.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser drilling system to manufacture gravure printing plates without etching or the use of hazardous chemicals includes activating a laser drilling system, including a picosecond laser, light valves, and a mechanism adapted to rotate a gravure cylinder blank. Operation of the light valves, includes setting the light valves to block and/or allow pulses of laser energy propagating from the laser drilling system that can ablate a linear pattern of cells along a substantially entire length of the gravure cylinder blank. Drilling of cells includes targeting the laser drilling system on the gravure cylinder blank, such that ablation of materials occurs as sub-beams propagate along an optical path to the target area and impinge upon the gravure cylinder blank, wherein specific cells within the target area of the gravure cylinder blank are drilled or not drilled according to settings of the light valves.

Abstract: An exposure system is provided that surrounds a photopolymer on a rotating cylinder ablation system. The exposure system linearly follows the ablation source and operates to expose the ablated (masked) plate with high intensity illumination from all sides so as to continuously expose all points on the photopolymer.

Abstract: A card cartridge includes a housing having a pair of opposing side walls, a top, a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, and a base. The housing includes an interior cavity that is sized to accommodate a stack of cards, a card access, and a card output slot. The card access allows a card transport mechanism to engage a lead card contained in the housing and feed the lead card through the card output slot.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a console that has a display consisting of a liquid crystal display, a start key, and ten keys. The console is integrated on the front side of a platen that is mounted on a main body of the image formation apparatus. The upper surface of the console is inclined.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the cylinder drive wheels of the transfer cylinders jamming against one another during setting and throwing-off movements includes a transfer cylinder having cylinder drive wheel which engages the drive wheels of a forme cylinder and of an impression cylinder in the thrown-on position. A linkage is connected to the transfer cylinder to be moved into the thrown-off position so that synchronously with the pivoting of the transfer cylinder to be thrown off, a counter-rotation of the transfer cylinder is produced a gear-wheel chain which meshes with the drive gear wheels of the forme cylinder and of the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A printing system has an imaging subsystem, an application subsystem, and a decoupler separating the imaging subsystem from the application subsystem. A method of imaging is also provided. In a placing action, an image is placed on a transfer roll in a first environment. In a moving action, the transfer roll is moved to a second environment. In a transferring action, the image is transferred to a media.

Abstract: In order to manufacture a discharging roller which discharges a recording medium from a recording apparatus, there are a first die formed with a first recess extending in an axial direction of a shaft portion of the discharging roller, and a second die formed with a second recess extending in the axial direction. The first die and the second die are combined such that the first recess and the second recess face to form a continuous cavity. Synthetic resin is injected into the cavity to mold a bore portion of the shaft portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering signatures to a binding line, the apparatus and method preferably comprising a printer feeder apparatus and method for providing personalized information in a variety of locations upon a selected one of a plurality of signatures types before the signatures are fed to the binding line.

Abstract: A stencil making device of the present invention includes a front tension roller pair located downstream of the nip of a thermal head and a platen roller for applying tension to a stencil. The front tension roller pair is made up of an upper roller formed of rubber and a lower roller formed of metal. The lower roller is formed with a plurality of groove portions spaced from each other in the axial direction and each having a small diameter not contacting the stencil. The groove portions therefore reduce the area of contact with the stencil for thereby reducing the influence of static electricity on the stencil.

Abstract: A former roller, which is driven for rotation, is located at the intake of a former for a folding unit. A controller unit is utilized to control the rotation of the motor, which drives the former roller, in such a way that the former roller exerts a tensile force on a material web that is fed to the former roller.