Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: A method of printing includes, applying to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44), one or more fluids that include at least a printing fluid for forming an image on the ITM (44). At least part of the image is transferred from the ITM (44) to a target substrate (50). Residues of the one or more fluids that were not transferred to the target substrate (50) and remained on the ITM (44), are transferred from the ITM (44) to one or more rotatable elements (112), and the residues are removed from the one or more rotatable elements (112).

Abstract: A system (10) having a printing position and a non-printing position, the system (10) includes an image forming station (60) and a wiping assembly (200, 400). The image forming station (60) including at least a nozzle plate (61) having one or more nozzles (166, 166a, 166b, 166c), which are configured to apply droplets of a printing fluid onto a surface of one or more substrates (44) for producing one or more images thereon. The wiping assembly (200, 400) is at least partially positioned in a gap (141) between the nozzle plate (61) and the one or more substrates (44), and is configured, while the system (10) is in the printing position, to (i) make physical contact with the nozzle plate (61) and (ii) remove residues of the printing fluid from at least one of the nozzles (166, 166a, 166b, 166c).

Abstract: A system is disclosed for transferring a substance pattern to a substrate. The system comprises a web carrying the substance pattern, a web drive mechanism for driving the web through a nip between a roller and an opposing surface, and a transport mechanism for advancing a substrate having parallel side edges towards the nip, for the substrate to be gripped in the nip and frictionally driven through the nip at the same time as, and with the same speed as, the web, the web being pressed against a surface of the substrate during passage through the nip to cause the substance pattern to transfer from the web to the substrate. The lateral abutments located on opposite sides of the substrate are movable towards and away one another and resiliently biased to grip it, the abutments serving to align the substrate with the web and to advance it towards the nip.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coating apparatus for applying a monolayer layer of particles to a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pressurized air source, an application chamber partially bounded by the receiving surface into which an air stream is delivered by the air source, an air return path for returning air from the application chamber to an intake of the air source to form an air circulation loop, and a dosing device for introducing particles to be coated onto the receiving surface into the air circulation loop, a particle deflector being positioned in the path of the air stream to break up agglomerated particles carried by the air stream prior to coating the receiving surface with the particles. A method of applying a layer of particles is also provided, as well as printing systems benefiting from the present coating apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for printing images on generally cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises an impression station that includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image; and a transport mechanism for advancing the objects through the impression station, comprising a drive member rotatably connected to a plurality of rotatable mandrels, each for mounting a respective one of the objects, the transport mechanism being configured to cause each object to rotate during passage through the impression station such that, within a nip region of the impression station, the surface of the object makes rolling contact with the imaging surface, thereby causing the ink image to be impressed on the object. An impression platen is provided opposite the imaging surface within the nip region, the impression platen being configured to apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the objects to ensure rolling contact between the objects and the imaging surface.

Abstract: There are disclosed curable elastomeric compositions comprising at least one reactive curable silicone pre-polymer capable of forming a silicone elastomer upon curing thereof, and a plurality of hydrophilic carbon black particles dispersed therein, as well as their corresponding cured products. Such compositions, once cured, can be used for the preparation of numerous articles of wide industrial applicability.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein. Some embodiments relate to an aqueous treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system. In some embodiments, the system comprises a treatment station disposed downstream of the impression station and upstream of the image forming station for forming a uniform thin layer of a liquid treatment formulation onto a surface of an intermediate transfer member (ITM) at a lower run thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: An ink film construction comprising: (a) a printing substrate; and (b) at least one ink film, fixedly adhered to a top surface of the printing substrate, the ink film having an upper film surface distal to the top surface of the substrate, wherein a surface concentration of nitrogen at the upper film surface exceeds a bulk concentration of nitrogen within the film, the bulk concentration measured at a depth of at least 30 nanometers below the upper film surface, and wherein a ratio of the surface concentration to the bulk concentration is at least 1.1 to 1.

Abstract: A system includes: (a) a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) including multiple layers and markers including: (i) a structure engraved, in at least one of the layers, at respective marking locations along the ITM, and (ii) at least part of the structure is filled with a filling material that changes one or both of optical and magnetic properties of the ITM, the ITM includes an outer layer for receiving ink droplets, and transferring the ink image to a target substrate, (b) sensing assemblies disposed at respective predefined locations relative to the ITM, and configured to produce signals indicative of respective positions of the markers, and (c) a processor, which is configured to receive the signals, and based on the signals, to control a deposition of the ink droplets on the ITM, and the processor is configured to detect a deformation of the ITM based on the first and second signals.

Abstract: A system includes (a) an image forming station including multiple print bars arranged along an axis and configured to apply to a substrate being moved along the axis, droplets of printing fluids having multiple colors, respectively, and (b) multiple dryers, which are mounted on the image forming station, and are interleaved with the multiple print bars along the axis, the multiple dryers are configured to dry the droplets applied to the substrate for forming an image on the substrate, at least a dryer among the dryers includes: (i) an illumination assembly, which is configured to dry the droplets by directing the optical radiation to impinge on the substrate, and (ii) a temperature control assembly, which is configured to control a temperature of the substrate by directing a gas to the substrate, the illumination assembly and the temperature control assembly are packaged together in a housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composition comprising a water-insoluble thermoplastic compound capable of stimulating collagen synthesis (CSSC), the CSSC having a molecular weight of more than 0.6 kDa and being dispersed in a polar carrier as nano-elements having an average diameter of 200 nm or less and a viscosity of 107 mPa·s or less. The nano-elements of CSSC can be capable of stimulating the synthesis of skin proteins and/or enabling the delivery of active agents upon their application to a surface to be treated therewith. Methods for preparing the compositions and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for printing images on generally cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises an impression station that includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image; and a transport mechanism for advancing the objects through the impression station, comprising a drive member rotatably connected to a plurality of rotatable mandrels, each for mounting a respective one of the objects, the transport mechanism being configured to cause each object to rotate during passage through the impression station such that, within a nip region of the impression station, the surface of the object makes rolling contact with the imaging surface, thereby causing the ink image to be impressed on the object. An impression platen is provided opposite the imaging surface within the nip region, the impression platen being configured to apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the objects to ensure rolling contact between the objects and the imaging surface.

Abstract: A digital printing system (10) includes a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44) and a dancer assembly (100). The ITM (44) is configured to receive ink droplets from an ink supply system to form an image thereon, and to transfer the image to a target substrate (50). The dancer assembly (100) includes a fluid chamber (103) and a rotatable element (111) fitted in the fluid chamber (103), the fluid chamber (103) includes an inlet (107) configured to receive pressurized fluid (130) into the fluid chamber (103), and the pressurized fluid (130) causes the rotatable element (111) to move relative to the fluid chamber (103) and to apply tension to the ITM (44) while being rotated by the ITM (44).

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

Abstract: A system includes an image forming station, which is configured to apply droplets of one or more printing fluids to a target substrate, so as to form an image thereon, and a substrate conveyor, which includes one or more perforated plates having multiple openings, and is configured to grip and move the target substrate to and from the image forming station for forming the image, the substrate conveyor includes one or more rotatable elements, which are fitted in the respective openings, and are configured to provide mechanical support to the target substrate, and when the target substrate moves over the one or more rotatable elements, at least one of the rotatable elements is configured to rotate in response to a physical contact with the target substrate.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.