Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for printing on the surface of soft gelatin capsules during filling. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for printing a pre-determined figure or symbol on the surface of a soft gelatin capsule while a product is being encapsulated, including means for transporting the gelatin ribbon, inking means and means for shaping the soft capsule, including an injection, molding and die-cutting station and additional printing means.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a roller imprinter that allows easy replacement of a transfer roller, and a method of producing an imprinted sheet. In at least one embodiment, a roller imprinter is disclosed for transferring a pattern on a surface of a transfer roller to a surface of a workpiece sheet through rotation of the transfer roller, the roller imprinter including an axis shaft or rotation for the transfer roller, and the axis of the shaft being non-coincident with the rotation axis of the transfer roller.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate counterfeit deterrence in a printer or the like. A final image is scanned from a photoreceptor belt before or after transfer of the image to a print medium or from the print medium itself prior to output, and the scanned image data is assessed using a set of stored criteria to detect counterfeit signatures in the scanned image. Upon a determination that the scanned image includes a restricted image, and therefore contains one or more counterfeit image, the printer is shut down, electronically locked until serviced, and/or caused to damage or mark the printed counterfeit image(s).

Abstract: Provided is a screen printer including a main body in which an operation region and at least one introduction and extraction portion are formed, wherein the operation region includes an installation position of a stencil mask therein, and, through the at least one introduction and extraction portion, the stencil mask is introduced into the operation region and is extracted from the operation region to an outside of the main body; and a conveyance unit which conveys the stencil mask introduced into and disposed at the operation region to the at least one introduction and extraction portion when the stencil mask is replaced by a new stencil mask introduced through the at least one introduction and extraction portion, and conveys the new stencil mask to the operation region.

Abstract: A method of depositing viscous material on a substrate includes positioning the substrate in a print position, performing a print operation on the substrate with a print head and a stencil to deposit viscous material on the substrate, and inspecting the substrate with a vision system to detect a defect with the deposit of viscous material on the substrate. The method further includes, in the event of a defect, re-working the substrate by depositing viscous material on the substrate with a dispenser attached to a cleaning assembly, the stencil, or an independent gantry to correct the defect.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer member onto which a image is primarily transferred from an image forming unit; a transfer unit to secondarily transfer the image from the intermediate transfer member to a media at a secondary-transfer position; a conveying unit configured to convey the media to the secondary-transfer position; and a conveying speed controller to control a speed of conveying the media. The conveying unit includes a first detector and a second detector downstream the first detector and upstream the secondary-transfer position. Based on a detection of the media by the first detector and a timing at which the image forming unit forms the image, the conveying speed controller changes the conveying speed until the second detector detects the media and changes, after the second detector detects the media, the conveying speed to a speed substantially the same as the intermediate transfer member speed.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for making a cylindrically-shaped element, and particularly a cylindrically-shaped element for use as a base sleeve for printing or as a support for a print form. The method includes wrapping a sheet of a material having a first end and a second end to bring the second end adjacent the first end to form a base sleeve having an axial seam of the first and second ends. The first end has a non-linear edge having an amplitude. Portions between the first end and the second end overlap and form the axial seam. The method can include applying an imageable material adjacent an exterior surface of the base sleeve that covers at least a portion of the axial seam.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen printing apparatus and screen printing method which, in screen printing that is to be performed on the upper surface of a circuit board, and the bottom surfaces of recess openings in the upper surface, can efficiently perform a printing work while ensuring an excellent printing quality. In a screen printing apparatus which prints a paste for bonding an electronic component on an upper surface and a bottom-surface of a recess, a printing apparatus 2(1) and a printing apparatus 2(2) which sequentially 10 print the paste in two steps on the circuit board are placed in series. The printing apparatus 2(1) on the upstream side includes a bottom-surface printing mask which is provided in correspondence with the bottom surface of the recess, and a closed squeegee mechanism 36A which butts against and slides over an upper surface of the bottom-surface printing mask to 15 pressurize and supply the paste.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a handheld stamp assembly. The handheld stamp assembly includes a stamp mount having a top member with an opening and a bottom member capable of being slid into the top member along a first direction through the opening, wherein the top member and the bottom member form an enclosure when the top member slides into and is secured with the bottom member; and a handle coupled to the stamp mount in a detachable manner along a second direction.

Abstract: A challenge to be met by the present invention is to provide a screen printer arranged so as to be able to readily perform both replacement of squeegees and operation for filling a paste feed syringe with paste. A paste feed syringe (14) is configured so as to be able to change its position between a paste feed attitude having an imaginary extension within a vertical plane at an oblique angle such that a nozzle (14a) provided at a lower end of the paste feed syringe comes to a position immediately below squeegees (15) and a storage attitude which is turned from the paste feed attitude through about 90 degrees around an axial line (41).

Abstract: The invention describes an insert element (1) for a stamp, with several setting wheels (9) disposed adjacent to one another which are rotatably mounted on a shaft (7) of an insert body (2). The setting wheels (9) are designed to support typeface belts (10). The typeface belts (10) are covered at least in the region of the setting wheels (9) by a cover element (12) which in turn has end regions (19, 20) spaced apart from one another in the direction of the shaft (7) and is provided with slots (13) through which setting wheel circumferences (11) extend. In order to couple the cover element (12) with the insert body (2), at least one coupling mechanism (15) is provided, which comprises respective co-operating coupling elements (16, 17) on the insert body (2) and on the cover element (12).

Abstract: A screen printing device is disclosed. The screen printing device includes a screen printer workstation having a work path. The work path has an input end, an output end, and a conveyor for transporting a workpiece between the input end and the output end. A stencil assembly is adapted to engage the workpiece as the workpiece is transported between the input end and the output end. The stencil assembly includes a stencil having an endless loop. A method of applying a substance to a workpiece using an endless loop stencil is also disclosed.

Abstract: A decorating machine applies artwork to a product having a central axis and a frustoconical surface around its central axis. The decorating machine includes a film with artwork, a moveable deck, and a roller. The moveable deck includes a rotating mount on which the product is rotatably mounted. The product undergoes a pendulum-like movement on the deck while the product rotates relative to the moveable deck. The roller has a frustoconical shape that generally corresponds to the frustoconical surface of the product. The film is located between the roller and the product. The roller provides heat and pressure to the film such that the artwork attaches to the frustoconical surface of the product.

Abstract: A pad printing machine including at least one pad holder and an object carrier which is positionally displaceably relative to the pad holder and is designed to receive one or more objects, where said pad printing machine further comprises a setup print image receiving element at a fixed distance from the object carrier, further an image recorder to generate an image of at least one zone of the setup print image receiving element, a position deviation detector ascertaining the deviation of the actual position of a print image situated on the print image receiving element from a reference position defined by reference data, and a position shift ascertaining element to ascertain the shift of the object carrier relative to a reference position, as well as a method for printing objects using a pad printing machine.

Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket having a first surface and a second surface, each surface having projections projecting from the surface. When the flexible jacket is installed over the transfer cylinder with the second surface positioned facing towards the transfer cylinder the first surface is positioned to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, and when the flexible jacket is installed over the transfer cylinder with the first surface positioned facing towards the transfer cylinder the second surface is positioned to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder. The anti-marking device is removably attached to the transfer cylinder.

Abstract: A squeegee device includes a squeegee that has a sliding contact portion in sliding contact with a screen mask, and that prints a solder on a circuit board through the screen mask, wherein an attack angle of the squeegee is adjustable. In the squeegee device, when adjusting the attack angle during a tooling change in which the type of circuit board is changed, positions of the sliding contact portion before and after adjustment substantially match.

Abstract: A sheet guiding apparatus with a sheet diverter function, a production system with a printer and a folding machine for printed products, in which such a sheet guiding apparatus is used, and a method for producing printed products with the production system, permit productivity to be raised without increasing the operating speed of the folding machine.

Abstract: A moving-out and adjustment device for screens is revealed. The moving-out and adjustment device is applied to screen printing machines and having a frame, two sliding member and an adjustment mechanism. The frame consists of an upper frame and a lower frame. The two sliding members are disposed on two sides of the upper frame symmetrically and a screen is mounted between the two sliding members. Thus the screen is moved from a printing position of a screen printing machine horizontally by the sliding members. The bending and deformation of the screen can be avoided. The adjustment mechanism is arranged at the frame and having a first moving unit and a second moving unit. By operating the first moving unit and the second moving unit, the upper frame is moved in both the X direction and the Y direction in the X-Y plane in relation to the lower frame.

Abstract: An image formation device is configured such that a feed roller and a discharge roller are rotated in a first direction so that the sheet is fed from the fixing unit to the discharge opening at a first speed V1, in a second direction so that the sheet is fed from the discharge opening to the diverging point at a second speed V2 if the entire sheet has reached a discharge opening side with respect to the diverging point, and the feeding speed is changed to a third speed V3 if the sheet has reached a position where it is nipped by the sheet feed rollers after the sheet was started to be fed at the second speed V2.