Abstract: Apparatuses and methods that utilize material-handling systems in which material in the systems has enhanced stability, e.g., during conveyance of the material from a reservoir to a printhead through a conduit, the conduit having a conduit wall defining an inner conduit space and including a material line for carrying the printing material in the inner conduit space, wherein the inner conduit space is configured to carry a heated liquid, being heated from a liquid heater, to contact the material line.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described that utilize material-handling systems in which material in the systems has enhanced stability, e.g., during conveyance of the material from a reservoir to a printhead.

Abstract: The dispenser includes an enclosure for holding a plurality of paper rolls in stacked, substantially vertical relation. The front wall of the enclosure has an opening through which a paper roll may move to exit the enclosure. A tray is provided for retaining a paper roll as it moves through the exit opening. A section of the rear wall is inclined to guide a paper roll through the exit opening and into the retaining tray. A removable divider is provided to convert the dispenser for use with different size paper rolls. Brackets for rotatably mount a paper roll extend from the bottom of the enclosure for dispensing individual sheets. Removable decorative panels are provided for mounting proximate the front and side walls. The dispenser may be supported on a horizontal surface by the bottom, suspended from a vertical surface or hung from a door. Openings in the walls permit observation of the number of papers rolls remaining in the enclosure.

Abstract: A gravure plate assembly having an elastomer pad sandwiched between a more rigid base plate and a less rigid metal top plate bearing an engraving surface.

Abstract: A method for carrying out pad transfer printing is disclosed in which process parameters for a desired print cycle are input to a controller. The method includes the steps of independently driving a gravure printing plate between an inking position and an ink transfer position, and independently driving an ink transfer pad between an ink receiving position and an ink transfer position, both in accordance with the input process parameters. The process parameters may include the velocities or lengths of movement of the gravure printing plate and ink transfer pad, and the dwell periods between movements of these components. The process parameters may be adjusted automatically in accordance with differences between the estimated and actual times required to move the printing plate and transfer pad along their paths of movement.