Abstract: A printing press comprising a plate cylinder having an outer circumferential surface having an axially-extending slot therein, the slot having a first side and a second side, the plate cylinder having an axially-extending hole at least partially opening along the first side and having a hole axis. A printing plate has a lead edge and a tail edge, the lead edge and tail edge being located in the slot, and the plate cylinder has an eccentric shaft situated in the hole. The eccentric shaft is for eccentric rotation with respect to the hole axis so as to selectively provide a force against the lead edge and tail edge.

Abstract: A method of preparing a printing plate comprises producing an oleophilic image on the surface of a support by ink-jet printing the image on the surface using an aqueous solution or aqueous colloidal dispersion of a polymer bearing water-solubilizing groups wherein the water-solubilizing groups interact with the surface of the support thereby binding the polymer to the support and rendering the polymer insoluble.

Abstract: A sleeve for a cylinder of a printing, coating or the like machine, comprising in particular a lithographic layer, a compressible layer, a support layer and, between the two last layers, a heat-shrinkable layer for permitting the adaptation of the sleeve to the diameter of a cylinder.

Abstract: A roller including an internal supporting structure and at least one layer of elastic silicone-based material attached to the supporting structure and forming a mirror-finished flexible outer surface of the roller. The supporting structure includes a central hollow perforated cylindrical body having a central axis and a pair of opposite ends; and a pair of end flanges attached to the cylindrical body at the opposite ends. Each of the pair of end flanges has outer circumferential surfaces which are raised with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical body such that the supporting structure is removably insertable inside a hollow support-mold by having the outer circumferential surfaces engage with an inner surface of the support-mold for forming an interspace between the inner surface of the support-mold and the outer surface of the cylindrical body for containing elastic silicone-based material introducable from inside the supporting structure and through the perforated cylindrical body.

Abstract: A reciprocating belt drive arrangement for the printhead carriage of a printer comprises an endless belt looped around a toothed drive pulley, which engages a toothed part of the belt, and an idler pulley with circumferential grooves which are arranged to receive ribs on the remaining part of the belt to prevent transverse movements of the belt leading to wear. The ribs and grooves may be interchangeable. In an alternative embodiment the toothed and ribbed parts extend side-by-side along the belt.

Abstract: A thermographic printing apparatus, and method for thermographic printing, including a header assembly having at least two rollers for transporting a substrate having first and second sides, two edges, and powder adhering liquid on the first side thereof through the apparatus, wherein the rollers contact the substrate on the second side thereof, at least two disks each having an edge for transferring the substrate between each roller and the disks, wherein the disks position the substrate adjacent the edge thereof to provide at least one substantially contained area within the disks and substrate, and a powder supply for providing powder particles into the at least one contained area for application to the first side of the substrate, whereby an amount of the particles provided into the contained areas adheres to the powder adhering liquid on the substrate.

Abstract: A belt-like screen carrying a row of printing patterns is held between two roller screen holders. The printing patterns are advanced one by one to a printing position by the rotation of the roller screen holders. This allows the printing patterns to be changed from one to another. Frames are provided for locking and unlocking the printing patterns at the printing position. The completion of a run of printed circuit boards can be monitored to automatically change the printing patterns.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon or tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. The supply roll is under tension because a plurality of spring fingers push against a friction plate, thereby pressing the supply roll against an inner partition plate. The ribbon moves straight off the supply roll without bunching. A spring-loaded ribbon tensioner reduces slack in the ribbon by applying tension to the ribbon.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for a hand held printer includes a lever pivotally mounted to a base and coupled to a slidably mounted blade. Pivotal movement of the lever translates the blade along a cutting axis to cut labeling media. The lever is automatically returned to the noncutting position by a spring, and the blade is biased toward the cutting bar by a spring incorporated in the blade mounting mechanism. The blade has a chevron shape to provide a clean cut in a short cutting stroke.

Abstract: An adhesive tape dispenser comprises a base, a tape roll mounting portion disposed at one end of the base, a tape cutting tool disposed at other end of the base, a printing cylinder pivoted to the base, an ink supplying device located on the base and under the printing cylinder, and a cover fastened pivotally with the base. As the adhesive tape is dispensed, the underside of the dispensed tape comes in contact with the printing cylinder. When the printing cylinder is actuated to turn by the dispensed tape, the dispensed tape is printed by the printing plate of the printing cylinder. The printing plate is continuously provided with ink by an ink cylinder of the ink supplying device.

Abstract: A hand-held manually operated labeling apparatus with a housing containing a support for a roll of labels, an interchangeable printing mechanism of either the band-type or slug-type, a label advancing mechanism and a label dispensing mechanism. The two types of printing mechanisms are constructed and arranged so that the print indicia of either mechanism to print a label will be disposed in the same position when they impact a label to be printed as the apparatus is manually actuated. A single housing for the two printing mechanisms supports the various parts for either printing mechanism type. A pivotable front plate in the labeling apparatus housing permits access to slug plates on the slug-type printing mechanism for changing them while that mechanism is mounted in the labeling apparatus.

Abstract: In a rotary printing press, a printing unit cylinder having a printing form with bent ends fastened thereon so as to form a printing form cylinder with a printing form mounted thereon, the bent ends of the printing form being provided with fastening tabs extendable into the interior of lock-up gap sections formed in the printing form cylinder, and webs respectively alternatingly disposed opposite one another being formed on a leading edge and on a trailing edge of the printing form, between the fastening tabs of the printing form, includes a plurality of pockets formed on a circumferential surface of the printing form cylinder, wherein the fastening tabs of the printing form engage, the webs provided between the fastening tabs and formed on the printing-form leading edge and the printing-form trailing edge terminating on generating lines of the printing form cylinder which differ from one another.

Abstract: A dispenser for a surface mounting paste or the like comprises a substrate 12 and a plurality of nozzles 9, 10 and 11 attached thereto such that they can be vertically driven. The paste dispenser 8 is moved by means of a squeegee moving mechanism.

Abstract: A cylinder of a rotary printing press has a plate end insertion slit which receives the angled ends of plates. A rotatable spindle is supported in a bore in the cylinder and carries a plurality of projections. These projections can function as plate end clamps. They also have hooks or protrusions which will engage edge positions of the plate ends to push the plate ends out of the cylinder slit.

Abstract: In a stencil printer, in order to definitely prevent an ink leakage even when the perforated portion 20c of the printing drum laps over the clamp 25 of the back press roller 14, the portions of a part of the outer circumferential surface of the back press roller positioned adjacent to the rear and opposite side edges of the clamp 25 is provided by a movable circumferential member 66 adapted to bias rearward relative to the clamp in synchronization with the opening operation of the clamp, so as thereby to cancel the clearance formed along the periphery of the clamp without obstructing the opening operation of the clamp.

Abstract: An embosser and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the embosser has a frame, a hammer and an anvil and includes: (1) a ram coupled to the frame and oriented to apply a force in a given direction and (2) force translators, coupled to the ram and the hammer, that reorient the force in a direction substantially normal to a plane of a face of the hammer and limit a cant of the hammer with respect to the anvil.

Abstract: A hand-held stamping device that includes a substantially transparent acrylic mounting block to which a substantially transparent printing element is removably affixed. When the device of the invention is used, the indicia formed on the printing element can be clearly viewed through the mounting block, and the printing surface can be clearly viewed through the printing element. This enables precise positioning of the indicia on the surface to be printed. The device includes both a convex surface and a planar surface to which the printing element can be removably affixed. When the printing element is affixed to the planar surface the indicia on the printing element, when viewed through the convex surface, is magnified.

Abstract: A regenerable stencil printing plate is provided, which can be repeatedly used in master making and printing. The stencil printing plate comprises a film made of such a polymeric material as polypyrrole and polythiophene which shrinks when it adsorbs a specific compound, and numerous fine apertures are formed in the film in cross sectional direction thereof. Stencil printing is performed by providing the stencil printing plate as mentioned above, transferring the compound to the film in such a manner that a desired image is reproduced to expand the apertures selectively at sites to which the compound is transferred, and allowing an image forming material to pass through the thus expanded apertures and transfer to a recording medium. The stencil printing plate can constitute an outer circumferentical surface of an ink-permeable cylindrical printing drum used in a conventional stencil printing apparatus.

Abstract: In a stencil printing machine, one surface of a stencil sheet with a perforated image is placed in contact with an upper surface of a printing material. Ink is provided on the other surface of the stencil sheet. Suction force is exerted on a bottom surface of the printing material, so that the ink is allowed to pass through the perforated image and then transfer to the upper surface of the printing material, thereby completing stencil printing.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon and tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. Ink particles are removed by a wiper from the ribbon prior to printing.