Abstract: An adaptive quantiser holds a model of the output distribution the would be obtained by inputting an expected signal as a desired output distribution. The actual input signal is monitored and the quantisation steps modified in dependence thereon so that the desired output distribution is obtained. The adaptive quantiser has application in fields as diverse a speech processing and educational test grading.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a printing apparatus which includes a polygonal support frame, a plurality of spaced apart pallets movably mounted on the support frame, and a pallet drive assembly mounted to the support frame and connected to the pallets for indexing the pallets around the support frame to desired printing locations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flood bar and squeegee for printing apparatus. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the flood bar or squeegee comprises an elongated member having an ink engaging face. A plurality of spaced apart fins are arranged across the face. The fins are generally parallel to one another and each end of the member is bent inwardly so as to inhibit the flow of ink to the sides of the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring an article from one conveyor to another and a printing system incorporating the same, including an array of endless conveyorized strips carried by a roller and a relatively rigid member, the roller and the member being positioned within the strips, and a mover operatively associated with the roller for effecting its rotation and hence movement of the strips. The apparatus is positioned between and in cooperation with adjacent ends of successive conveyors of a printing system. The surface of each strip is characterized by a series of upwardly extending projections, each projection being of a relatively small diameter in relation to its length. The roller is adjacent to the exit end of the apparatus and has disks positioned longitudinally between the strips and coaxially with and about the roller at intervals across its width.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device, a system and a method for locating a printing screen at a selected starting position for printing operations and for resetting the screen to the starting position for its adjustment relative to an article. The device includes first and second centering plates disposed in overlapping relationship to one another. The plates are mounted to respective first and second moveable screen support members. At least one micro-adjuster is associated with each support member for effecting precise adjustment of the respective centering plates and, hence, the screen. A first micro-adjuster effects longitudinal movement of the first member and a second effects movement of the second member laterally. Thereby, planar movement of the screen and the associated centering plates is effected. The device also has an arm with an aperture for receiving and engaging a screen centering member. The member passes through the aperture and into engagement with a corresponding receptacle in the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flood bar and squeegee for printing apparatus. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the flood bar or squeegee comprises an elongated member having an ink engaging face. A plurality of spaced apart fins are arranged across the face. The fins are generally parallel to one another and each end of the member is bent inwardly so as to inhibit the flow of ink to the sides of the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlled indexing of an article to a printing station. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises an endless printing blanket carried by rollers positioned within the blanket and a translatable carriage assembly operatively associated with the blanket. The assembly includes an expandable clamping member which, upon selected expansion, contacts the blanket to secure the assembly thereto. The assembly follows the blanket as it (and the article it supports) are indexed to the printing station. An encoder monitors the distance traveled by the blanket during indexing and corrects for variation between the distance traveled and a preset distance. Upon arrival of the article at the printing station, the clamping member contracts, concomitantly releasing the blanket. A cylinder then returns the assembly a selected distance in position for another indexing movement, and so forth.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the three-dimensional screen printing of images onto pallet-supported articles allow more than one layer of ink to be printed upon an article to form a three-dimensional design. A pallet having a compressible substrate is described; the substrate compresses to receive previously printed image masses during subsequent printing steps. A screen having baffles may cooperate with the substrate. A screen comprising dimples in its article-contacting surface is provided, whereby previously printed images may be protected from screen contact during a printing operation. Multiple printing steps may be performed without intermediate drying steps.

Abstract: For use in spin art decorating, the stretcher is constructed with an expanse of resilient material for supportingly engaging the undersurface of a section of fabric whose outer surface is to receive the liquid coloring agent. The resilient material is suspended by a rectangular rigid frame which is provided with flanges having a series of notches selectably engageable with pins at opposite ends of a carrier arm or beam thereby enabling selection of any one of a number of points for the center of revolution when the frame and article mounted thereon is spun. The stretcher facilitates even application from squeeze bottles of the coloring agents to the garment fabric that is mounted on the stretcher, reduces vibration during spinning, eliminates coloring agent build-up at the geometric center of the stretcher, enhances drying, and yields other advantages.

Abstract: In a multi-color, multi-station screen printer, a first assembly comprising a plurality of screens is mounted coaxially with a second assembly comprising a plurality of workpiece supporting pallets. In one embodiment, of the method of the present invention, where only a single operator is required, the plurality of pallets do not rotate but the plurality of screens are selectively displaced in unison and in one angular direction. In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, where three operators are utilized, the plurality of screens and the plurality of pallets rotate, each in unison, about a common, vertical axis in both angular directions. A combination of four screens and three pallets are described but other combinations are possible. Large and small articles may be printed in a single cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for over the edge printing including a printing squeegee which forces ink through clear portions of a printing screen onto a workpiece. Excess ink which is forced through clear portions of the printing screen and which extend over the edge of the workpiece, are cleaned by a cleaning assembly which includes a cleaning belt. The cleaning belt is unrolled below the printing screen and an excess ink squeegee prints the excess ink onto the cleaning belt which is then cleaned and re-rolled and the apparatus is made ready for the next printing stroke.

Abstract: In a screen printing machine having a plurality of workpiece supporting pallets that are driven along an oval path and which cooperate with a plurality of printing heads that are adapted for movement between an operative, printing position at each of a plurality of printing stations and an inoperative, non-printing position spaced from each of the printing stations, means are provided for selectively indexing the pallets either to an immediate printing station or to a succeeding printing station which is spaced downstream from the preceding printing station in the direction of movement of the pallets by at least one intermediate printing station. The apparatus disclosed herein replaced the hydraulic and electrical apparatus of the prior art with mechanical structure and requires only a single operator as compared with two or three operators with prior art structure. A cable is used in the present invention to replace the power linkage employed in the prior art for raising and lowering the flood bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for over the edge printing including a printing squeegee which forces ink through clear portions of a printing screen onto a workpiece. Excess ink which is forced through clear portions of the printing screen and which extend over the edge of the workpiece, are cleaned by a cleaning assembly which includes a cleaning belt. The cleaning belt is unrolled below the printing screen and an excess ink squeegee prints the excess ink onto the cleaning belt which is then cleaned and re-rolled and the apparatus is made ready for the next printing stroke.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a pallet locating and positioning apparatus for use on a screen printing machine having an oval track about which a series of pallets supporting work pieces are indexed from station to station. An internal surface of a side rail of a hollow rectangular pallet engages outwardly biased detenting fingers which are affixed on adjacent parallel lateral edges of a pallet base plate driven about the endless track of the screen printing machine. One finger engages a complementary shaped notch in the side rails accurately detenting the pallet along the longitudinal axis of the pallet base plate.

Abstract: A printing machine such as a screen printing machine having a series of pallets connected to an endless drive whereby the pallets are sequentially advanced to a printing station. The improvements reside in an arrangement in which the article support portion of the pallets are rendered readily removable to provide for interchangeability and which pallets have connected thereto guide rollers for laterally stabilizing the pallets as they advance through a printing station. An antiwhipping device is also operatively associated with the respective pallets to prohibit whipping the pallets round the ends of the endless drive, and a support arrangement is provided for supporting the pallets traveling along the lower flight of the endless drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the transfer printing of discrete cut-pieces of goods on a continuously rotating, drum type, transfer printer. The method and apparatus includes a rotary drum printer in which the rotary drum is reciprocally moved toward and away from a feed station in which the discrete goods are fed onto a continuous web of material having a transfer print thereon. The arrangement is such that when the drum is moved away from the feed station, the web and cut pieces thereon are indexed a corresponding amount, and when the rotating drum is moved toward the feed station, the web is held relatively motionless, thereby permitting the feeding of discrete cut-pieces thereon, permitting the drum to continue rotating to effect the transfer printing of the cut pieces previously fed into the web.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly for use on a screen printing machine which includes a squeegee holder and associated squeegee blade having a liquid filled tubular member for exerting a liquid or hydraulic pressure on the squeegee blade in a manner whereby the pressure exerted by the squeegee blade is equalized along the entire length thereof and to provide the squeegee blade with the flexibility necessary to conform to a printing surface. The assembly may also include a piston and cylinder assembly to vary the liquid pressure exerted on the squeegee blade and/or a contour bar through which the liquid pressure is transmitted to the squeegee blade.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a screen printing machine having an oval track or rail about which a series of pallets supporting a work piece are indexed from station to station. The arrangement is such that the pallets travelling about the oval rail are always disposed or maintained in a common plane. A printing head assembly having one or more color stations is operatively associated for movement into and out of printing relationship with one or more of the pallets as the pallets are indexed and maintained in a common plane.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a pallet type screen printing machine in which a pallet is indexed to a printing station when an article supported thereon is screen printed. A feed table with guides is cooperatively disposed relative to the pallet at a feed station to facilitate the accurate positioning of a work piece onto the pallet. The machine comprises an endless drive for effecting movement of one or more pallets to and from a printing station in an endless path whereby the face of the pallet is always maintained in a face up position. The pallet is formed to define a vacuum chamber which is operatively connected to a source for drawing a negative pressure thereon. A flexible coupling operatively connects the pallet to the endless drive to permit limited movement of the pallet so that the pallet may be brought into accurate registration with the printing head at the printing station.