Abstract: An embossing apparatus comprises an embossing die comprising a printed relief pattern, and a resilient surface for pressing media against the embossing die to emboss features corresponding to the printed relief pattern on the media, in which the printed relief pattern comprises a number of layers of a deposited material, and in which a number of layers of the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern comprises a deposited material with a relatively lower coefficient of adhesion than layers of the deposited material disposed under the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern. A printed relief pattern for embossing media comprises a number of preliminary layers, the preliminary layers comprising a first material, and a number of terminal layers, the terminal layers comprising a second material, in which the second material has a lower adhesive coefficient than the first material.

Abstract: A press includes a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, and a roller. The impression cylinder rollingly engages the blanket cylinder to form a nip and includes at least one gripper configured to selectively secure an end of a media sheet relative to the impression cylinder. The roller is selectively engageable against the impression cylinder to apply to pressure to the secured media sheet prior to its passage through the nip.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus includes an embossing die that includes a printed relief pattern made up of multiple layers of a deposited material. A resilient surface presses media against the embossing die such that embossed features corresponding to the embossing die are formed in the media. A method for embossing media includes forming an embossing die by depositing multiple layers of ink on a impression layer to form a relief pattern and pressing media against the embossing die to transfer the relief image to the media.

Abstract: A press includes a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, and a roller. The impression cylinder rollingly engages the blanket cylinder to form a nip and includes at least one gripper configured to selectively secure an end of a media sheet relative to the impression cylinder. The roller is selectively engageable against the impression cylinder to apply to pressure to the secured media sheet prior to its passage through the nip.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus includes an embossing die that includes a printed relief pattern made up of multiple layers of a deposited material. A resilient surface presses media against the embossing die such that embossed features corresponding to the embossing die are formed in the media. A method for embossing media includes forming an embossing die by depositing multiple layers of ink on a impression layer to form a relief pattern and pressing media against the embossing die to transfer the relief image to the media.

Abstract: In one example, a web press includes a web press station (610) and a convertible buffer (600) near the web press station, the convertible buffer being configured to convert to a platform (630) for accessing the web press station. A method for performing web press maintenance is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one example, a web press includes a web press station and a convertible buffer near the web press station, the convertible buffer being configured to convert to a platform for accessing the web press station. A method for performing web press maintenance is also disclosed.

Abstract: Coating apparatus including a spray to provide a coating, a controller to control the spray to vary a spraying width of the spray, and a first roller to receive the coating and to smear the coating on a substrate.

Abstract: Coating apparatus including a spray to provide a coating, a controller to control the spray to vary a spraying width of the spray, and a first roller to receive the coating and to smear the coating on a substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a determination unit, a print unit, and an image forming blanket. The determination unit may determine a raised support image having a support perimeter to be printed on an impression media corresponding to a type of media. The print unit may at least one of print the image to be transferred by the image forming blanket to the media and print the raised support image determined by the determination unit on the impression media. The support perimeter may be smaller than the media perimeter. The image forming blanket may transfer the image to a front surface of the media from the image forming blanket by contacting the media and bending the edge portion of the media about the raised support image.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus comprises an embossing die comprising a printed relief pattern, and a resilient surface for pressing media against the embossing die to emboss features corresponding to the printed relief pattern on the media, in which the printed relief pattern comprises a number of layers of a deposited material, and in which a number of layers of the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern comprises a deposited material with a relatively lower coefficient of adhesion than layers of the deposited material disposed under the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern. A printed relief pattern for embossing media comprises a number of preliminary layers, the preliminary layers comprising a first material, and a number of terminal layers, the terminal layers comprising a second material, in which the second material has a lower adhesive coefficient than the first material.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus comprises an embossing die comprising a printed relief pattern, and a resilient surface for pressing media against the embossing die to emboss features corresponding to the printed relief pattern on the media, in which the printed relief pattern comprises a number of layers of a deposited material, and in which a number of layers of the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern comprises a deposited material with a relatively lower coefficient of adhesion than layers of the deposited material disposed under the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern. A printed relief pattern for embossing media comprises a number of preliminary layers, the preliminary layers comprising a first material, and a number of terminal layers, the terminal layers comprising a second material, in which the second material has a lower adhesive coefficient than the first material.

Abstract: A printer applies an imaging material to form an image, withdraws vapors from the applied imaging material and treats the withdrawn vapors with a vapor treatment system. The printer heats untreated withdrawn vapors with heat from the vapor treatment system.

Abstract: A cartomizer assembly of an electronic cigarette which is formed from automated assembly compatible parts comprises a container assembly including a container and a heater coil surrounding a wick in an airflow space of the container. The entire coil of the heater coil is inside the container and the heater coil is configured to heat liquid on the wick to generate an aerosol mist during a vaporization process. A liquid storage space is in liquid communication with the wick and is operable to supply liquid to the wick. The heater, the wick, and the container are shaped such that the heater and wick can be dropped into the container during automated assembly thereof and be directed to and located at a desired location in the container.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette comprises a battery portion that includes a battery which is operable to provide power to a heating element of the electronic cigarette, and a cartomizer coupled with the battery portion. The cartomizer comprises a solid core, and the heating element which vaporizes a portion of a liquefied portion of the solid core to form an aerosol mist that acts as a smoke replacement.

Abstract: A printing device (100,101) has a first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703), a second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705), and a buffer device (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) disposed between the first (103, 303, 603, 703) and second print engines (105, 305, 605, 705). The buffer (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) is configured to store a variable amount of web substrate (106, 301, 713) received from the first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703) and feed the substrate (106, 301, 713) to the second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705).

Abstract: An embossing die is created by printing multiple ink layers (530, 540) in superposition thereby to build up a printed relief pattern (510) in accordance with received design data specifying a design to be embossed. The design data is modified after receipt to introduce into the printed relief pattern to be built, one or more channels (610) which extend depth-wise through multiple ink layers of the printed relief pattern (510) and serve to fully or partially segment the printed relief pattern.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may be wirelessly charged through an inductive charging system. A receiving coil in or on the e-Cig may be in proximity to a wireless charger that transmits electrical power to the battery of the e-Cig. Alignment of the receiving coil in the e-Cig with a charging base can wirelessly charge the battery of the e-Cig.

Abstract: A customer loyalty method including receiving transaction information associated with a transaction between a customer and a merchant, determining, in accordance with a set of predefined loyalty benefit rules associated with the merchant, a loyalty benefit associated with the transaction information, associating the loyalty benefit with a transaction identifier, receiving the transaction identifier from the customer, and crediting, to an account associated with the customer and in association with the merchant, the loyalty benefit associated with the transaction identifier received from the customer.

Abstract: Assembly and quality of an electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may be tested and verified using imaging techniques. Infrared (“IR”) imaging may identify whether a temperature is uniform in an e-Cig during usage. Potential burning locations may be identified through the imaging by identifying locations whose temperature is unusually high or non-uniform. This temperature information may be used to calibrate the power of the e-Cig.