Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transferring a pattern of a composition containing particles of an electrically conductive material and a thermally activated adhesive from a surface of a flexible web to a surface of a substrate. The apparatus comprises: respective drive mechanisms for advancing the web and the substrate to a nip through which the web and the substrate pass at the same time and where a pressure roller acts to press the surfaces of the web and the substrate against one another, a heating station for heating at least one of the web and the substrate prior to, or during, passage through the nip, to a temperature at which the adhesive in the composition is activated, a cooling station for cooling the web after passage through the nip, and a separating device for peeling the web away from the substrate after passage through the cooling station, to leave the pattern of composition adhered to the surface of the substrate.

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: 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: An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for transferring a substance pattern to a substrate. The system comprises a nip defined between a roller and an opposing surface, a web carrying the substance pattern driven to pass the nip with a predetermined velocity, and an endless conveyor for transporting the substrate towards the nip, the substrate passing through the nip at the same time, and with the same speed, as the web in order for the substance pattern to be transferred from the web to the substrate. Upon gripping of the substrate by the nip, no further force is applied by the transport conveyor, thereby avoiding compression of the substrate. The endless transport conveyor can be formed with at least one projection configured to engage a trailing edge of the substrate and can be driven to push the substrate towards the nip with a velocity less than the velocity of the web.

Abstract: A system (10, 110) includes: (i) a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) (44, 500, 600), including: a stack of: In (a) a first layer (602), located at an outer surface of the ITM (44, 500, 600), configured to receive ink droplets to form an ink image thereon, and to transfer the ink image to a target substrate (50, 51), and (b) a second layer (603) including a matrix holding particles (622), configured to receive optical radiation (99) passing through the first layer (602), and to heat the ITM (44, 500, 600) by absorbing the optical radiation (99); (ii) an illumination assembly (113), configured to dry the ink droplets by directing the optical radiation (99) to impinge on the particles (622); and (iii) a temperature control assembly (121), configured to control a temperature of the ITM (44, 500, 600) by directing a gas (101) to the ITM (44, 500, 600).

Abstract: There is disclosed a transferable composition being applicable to a membrane serving to transfer a pattern of the composition to an intended substrate. The transferable composition comprises a swellable polymer swelled by a swelling agent and particles dispersed therein. Methods of preparing the composition, applying it to a transfer membrane as a pattern, and transferring the pattern to a substrate, as well as articles made thereby, are also provided. The transferred patterns may serve a decorative and/or functional purpose and the transferable compositions may accordingly include decorative and/or functional particles. When the functional particles are or can be rendered electrically conductive, a pattern formed therewith can be part of a conductive circuit and can serve, for example, for the manufacturing of a solar cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are UV-protective compositions comprising swelled polymer matrix macroparticles comprising a thermoplastic polymer swelled with at least one swelling agent, and a plurality of nanoparticles of an inorganic UV-protective agent comprising at least one solid inorganic crystal and a dispersant associated with the crystal, wherein the inorganic nanoparticles are dispersed and embedded in the swelled polymer matrix macroparticles. UV protective compositions comprising zinc titanate having the general formula Zn2Ti(1-x)FexO4 are also disclosed. Method of preparation of such compositions, including of nanoparticles of such inorganic UV-protective agent and uses of compositions comprising the same are also provided.

Abstract: A flexible belt is disclosed for use in a printing system. The belt comprises an endless strip which, in use, travels along a continuous path. Formations are provided along the sides of the strip which are capable of engaging with lateral tracks to place the belt under lateral tension, the lateral tracks further serving to constrain the belt to follow the continuous path.

Abstract: There are disclosed aqueous pigment dispersions containing dispersant-improving-agents, and methods of preparing and using the same.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) (210, 310, 320, 330, 400, 410, 420, 430, 500, 520, 540, 600, 700, 802) configured for receiving ink droplets to form an ink image thereon and for transferring the ink image to a target substrate (226), the TTM (210, 310, 320, 330, 400, 410, 420, 430, 500, 520, 540, 600, 700, 802) includes one or more layers (273, 277, 373, 379, 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 704, 706, 708, 712) and one or more markers (33, 333, 335, 392, 408, 418, 428, 448, 458, 612, 710, 804, 806) integrated with at least one of the one or more layers (273, 277, 373, 379, 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 704, 706, 708, 712) at one or more respective marking locations along the ITM (210, 310, 320, 330, 400, 410, 420, 430, 500, 520, 540, 600, 700).

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 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: 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: Methods for producing, from hydrophilic carbon black particles and at least one curable hydrophobic silicone pre-polymer, elastomeric compositions comprising dispersed carbon black particles, as well as their corresponding cured products. Once the curing process has taken place, such compositions can be used for the preparation of numerous articles of wide industrial applicability.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for coating or coloring keratinous fibers, such as human hair. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of coating mammalian hair includes (a) providing an oil phase that includes at least one reactive condensation-curable film-forming amino-silicone pre-polymer, (b) after subjecting said oil phase to a pre-treatment duration to obtain a pre-treated oil phase, emulsifying the pre-treated oil phase with an aqueous phase that includes water, so as to obtain a pre-treated oil-in-water emulsion, (c) applying, on an external surface of individual hairs of the mammalian hair, the pretreated oil-in-water emulsion, (d) after partial condensation curing of said pre-polymer of the pre-treated oil-in-water emulsion has occurred so as to form an at least partially cured amino-silicone coat on the external surface of the individual hairs, optionally washing the hair.

Abstract: An indirect printing system is disclosed having an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of an endless belt that circulates during operation to transport ink images from an image forming station. Ink images are deposited on an outer surface of the ITM by one or a plurality of print bars. At an impression station, the ink images are transferred from the outer surface of the ITM onto a printing substrate. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the ITM 20 is maintained within the image forming station at a predetermined distance from the one or each of the print bars 10, 12, 14 and 16 by means of a plurality of support rollers 11, 13, 15, 17 that have a common flat tangential plane and contact the inner surface of the ITM.

Abstract: A printing assembly is disclosed for thermal transfer printing onto a surface of a substrate. The assembly comprises at least one first printing system comprising a transfer member having opposite front and rear sides with an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of thermoplastic particles is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which energy is applied by a thermal print head, optionally via the rear side of the transfer member, to selected regions of the imaging surface to render particles coating the selected regions tacky, a transfer station at which the imaging surface of the transfer member and the substrate surface are pressed against each other to transfer to the substrate the particles that have been rendered tacky to form an adhesive image; and at least one more printing system downstream from the first system.

Abstract: A printing assembly for thermal transfer printing is disclosed. The assembly comprises at least one first printing system comprising a transfer member having an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of thermoplastic particles is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which electromagnetic radiation (EM) is applied, optionally via the rear side of the transfer member, to selected regions of the imaging surface to render the particles coating the selected regions tacky, a transfer station at which only the regions of the particles coating that have been rendered tacky are transferred to a substrate to form an adhesive image; and at least one more downstream printing system. The transfer member includes on its front side an EM radiation absorbing layer, the imaging surface being formed on, or as part of, the absorbing layer, and on its rear side a body which can optionally be transparent to EM radiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink. In some embodiments, an intermediate transfer member (ITM) comprising a silicone-based release layer surface is employed. For example, the release layer surface satisfies at least one of the following properties: (i) a receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 60°; and (ii) a 10-second dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 108°. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.