Abstract: Thermal transformative variable gloss control produces selectively variable levels of gloss finish on thermoformed materials. In embodiments, the power level of LED curing lamps associated with an ink jet printer that is using thermoforming inks for printing is selectively varied depending upon a desired level of gloss in a finished substrate. Heat treating of the substrate during thermoforming or in an oven develops the glossy finish on the substrate in relation to the level of power applied to the printer LED curing lamps during printing.

Abstract: Apparatus, compositions, and systems for ultraviolet (UV) heat-activated laminating adhesives applied via an inkjet printing process are disclosed. A system includes a first inkjet mechanism configured to deposit ink in a particular pattern onto a surface of a rigid medium. A second inkjet mechanism is configured to deposit a laminating adhesive onto the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium. A pair of stainless steel plates is configured to receive an overlay film layer and the laminating adhesive deposited onto the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium. The overlay film layer is positioned such that a surface of the overlay film layer faces the laminating adhesive. Pressure and heat are applied to the overlay film layer and the laminating adhesive to laminate the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium.

Abstract: Apparatus, compositions, and systems for ultraviolet (UV) heat-activated laminating adhesives applied via an inkjet printing process are disclosed. A system includes a first inkjet mechanism configured to deposit ink in a particular pattern onto a surface of a rigid medium. A second inkjet mechanism is configured to deposit a laminating adhesive onto the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium. A pair of stainless steel plates is configured to receive an overlay film layer and the laminating adhesive deposited onto the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium. The overlay film layer is positioned such that a surface of the overlay film layer faces the laminating adhesive. Pressure and heat are applied to the overlay film layer and the laminating adhesive to laminate the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium.

Abstract: Apparatus, compositions, and systems for ultraviolet (UV) heat-activated laminating adhesives applied via an inkjet printing process are disclosed. A system includes a first inkjet mechanism configured to deposit ink in a particular pattern onto a surface of a rigid medium. A second inkjet mechanism is configured to deposit a laminating adhesive onto the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium. A pair of stainless steel plates is configured to receive an overlay film layer and the laminating adhesive deposited onto the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium. The overlay film layer is positioned such that a surface of the overlay film layer faces the laminating adhesive. Pressure and heat are applied to the overlay film layer and the laminating adhesive to laminate the particular pattern printed on the surface of the rigid medium.

Abstract: An energy curable foam inhibition ink composition comprises an oligomer component consisting of 5-15% by weight of the ink composition, a photoinitiator component consisting of 5-15% by weight of ink composition, a monofunctional monomer component consisting of 20-40% by weight of ink composition, a difunctional monomer component consisting of 10-20% by weight of the ink composition, and an inhibitor additive consisting of 5-20% of the ink composition.

Abstract: A curable ink composition for digitally printing onto plastic substrates that can be formed into three-dimensional objects is provided. Generally, the ink composition comprises a pigment, an acrylic polymer or copolymer, a diluent, and a mono-functional monomer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a curable ink composition for digitally printing onto plastic substrates and three dimensional objects comprising an ink composition comprising a pigment, an acrylic polymer or copolymer having an acid number below about 20 component, a diluent, additives and a mono-functional monomer. The mono-functional monomer may be an aromatic monoacrylate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a curable ink composition for digitally printing onto plastic substrates and three dimensional objects comprising an ink composition comprising a pigment, an oligomeric component, a diluent, additives and a mono-functional monomer having a molecular weight of 10 g/mole to 600 g/mole. The curable ink composition adheres to the plastic substrate to thereby allow elongation of 100% to 900% of the printed ink image during thermal processing of the plastic substrate.

Abstract: A method for controlling cell size associated with an access point that has a receive sensitivity and an output power. The method includes changing a start of packet threshold and/or a clear channel assessment threshold to vary the cell size of the access point.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable apparatus for rapidly reading continuously and sequentially a plurality of ticket records having specific data encoded thereon as the tickets are removed individually from a supply magazine and conveyed along a prescribed path by a ticket feed assembly, an escapement assembly and a transport drive wheel to a ticket data sensing station. Data encoded on each advancing ticket is read in timed relation with displacement of a ticket advancing through the apparatus by control means and transmitted to equipment for storing and/or reproducing of the data in another form.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing an electrically conductive rail to a support structure comprises a resilient clip configured to grasp an electrically insulating sleeve that encloses the electrically conductive rail. A longitudinal opening in the sleeve exposes the rail so as to permit sliding electrical contact along the rail by a shoe or other type of conductor for providing power to an electrically driven movable device or vehicle that travels along a track or pathway defined generally by the rail. The resilient clip is seated within a bracket, and a securing means coadunately fastens the clip to the bracket and the bracket to the support structure. A plurality of such mounting assemblies can be used to secure a plurality of such rails to the support structure in adjacent parallel disposition with respect to each other, where each mounting assembly secures a corresponding one of the rails to the support structure independently of the other mounting assemblies.

Abstract: A hand held lightweight apparatus for cleaning lint and fiber waste from the clearer rolls of spinning frames without removing such rolls from the spinning frame includes a driven, monofilament nylon flail which revolves at high speed within a suction head coupled to a vacuum producing apparatus. The nylon cord extends through an opening of the suction head upon each revolution of the driven flail device and the whipping action tears the accumulated lint and waste from the clearer rolls, while sightly roughening the roll surfaces, and the waste is directed to a collection point.

Abstract: A system for receiving semi-rigid or flexible workpieces from a prior operation, and stacking the workpieces in a specified, stable fashion for employment in a subsequent operation. A conveyer advances sequentially random spaced workpieces to the bottom of a vertical stack which is driven in a circular path upon a support plate by a rotor assembly. A ramp or scoop of the support plate extends generally radially from the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly and directs workpieces from the conveyor to the top of the support plate and beneath the workpieces already positioned within the stack.

Abstract: Automated machine for the continuous bias cutting of an elongated tube of material, such as tubular knitted fabric, into a plurality of individual strips, and winding the strips into a plurality of rolls. The tubular material is advanced axially at a uniform rate from a supply to a cutting and rolling section by a plurality of skewable rotatable cylinders acting as a positive feeding means. As the tubular material is withdrawn from the supply, it passes over a spreader which opens and tensions it. The skewed cylinders cause the tube to rotate about its axis as it advances. Control means are utilized to adjust automatically the skew angles of the cylinders, to increase or decrease the rate of advance of the tube, to compensate for variations inherent in the material which affect its rate of feed. Control means also are utilized to adjust automatically the tension exerted by the spreader, to correlate such tension with the rate of advance as determined by the skew angles of the cylinders.

Abstract: Automated machine for the continuous bias cutting of an elongated tube of material, such a tubular knitted fabric, into a plurality of individual strips, and winding the strips into a plurality of rolls of fabric. The machine comprises a supply section, a spreading and tensioning section and a cutting and rolling section. The tubular material or fabric is stored in the supply section in a rotatable receptacle in the form of a stack of untensioned superimposed flattened folds. The tube is advanced axially from the supply to the cutting and rolling section of the machine by a plurality of skewed rotatable cylinders. As the flattened tube is withdrawn from the supply, it passes over a spreader which opens and tensions it. The rotatable skewed cylinders cause the advancing tube to rotate about its axis as it advances to be cut into strips.