Abstract: A method for screen printing of a material on a substrate is provided. The method includes moving a process head assembly having at least one deposition device from a first position to a second position to perform a stroke, wherein the stroke includes at least a first phase for material processing of a material on a screen device using the at least one deposition device and a second phase for a material transfer from the screen device to the substrate. The at least one deposition device moves in a first direction in the first phase. At least one device moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the first phase. The at least one deposition device and the at least one device simultaneously move during at least a part of the first phase. The at least one device is selected from the group including the at least one deposition device, a material processing device, the screen device, and a substrate support.

Abstract: A method of stenciling a stenciled graphic in a desired position and orientation on the graphic-display surface of a substrate includes providing at least one stencil template defining the stenciled graphic and at least one guide element including mutually-space template positioning indicia. Both the stencil template and the guide element are magnetically attracted to the substrate. The guide element is magnetically affixed to the graphic display surface in a desired location and orientation. The stencil template is magnetically affixed to the graphic-display surface in a location selected with positioning reference to at least one template-positioning indicium of the guide element. With or without the guide element still affixed, pigment is applied to the graphic-display surface through the at least one stencil template to impart to the graphic-display surface the desired stenciled graphic. The at least one stencil template is then removed from the graphic-display surface.

Abstract: A system or machine is disclosed which takes pre-stretched emulsion coated screens, digitally prints thereon and exposes them before further processing and use in a screen printing machine.

Abstract: A clamping system for clamping a printing screen frame within a printing machine that uses at least one inflatable bladder to effect clamping. The system may be modular, so that bladders and/or extending inserts may be exchanged, replaced or incorporated as required.

Abstract: A kit and method for assembling a frame supporting a stretched sheet includes a set of four stretcher bars, a set of braces, a stretching lever, and a sheet of material. A first stretcher bar can be initially attached to a first edge of the sheet. Remaining second, third, and fourth stretcher bars can be assembled with the first stretcher bar and corner braces to form a frame that rests upon the sheet. The stretching lever can be used to stretch the sheet between opposing stretcher bars just before the sheet is attached to a stretcher bar. The method of using a stretching lever as opposed to stretching pliers greatly reduces the time and difficulty of uniformly stretching the sheet.

Abstract: A stencil includes a substrate defining at least one aperture extending therethrough. The at least one aperture provides a template for painting a design on an underlying surface. The stencil is also provided with an adhesive layer at least partially covering one side of the substrate. The adhesive layer is a reversible adhesive configured to temporarily attach the stencil to an underlying surface and leave the underlying surface unmarked after removal. The reversible adhesive retains an adhesion property for a plurality of adhesion cycles.

Abstract: A screen-printing panel comprising a locking strip sewn to a screen-printing mesh is described. The mesh along an edge of the panel is folded around the locking strip and secured using a line of stitching. A gap between the end of the locking strip and the edge of the mesh contributes to corner softening. Another gap between the end of the stitching and the end of the locking strip also contributes to corner softening. Locking strips have various cross sections including rectangular, triangular, and complex curves. Two colors of thread may be used to aid in orienting the panel. An adhesive may be used to hold the mesh to the locking strip for convenience during handling and sewing.

Abstract: A printing screen comprises a screen printing foil and a sub-frame component secured to an edge of the foil, wherein the foil is formed with cut-outs defining deflectable parts of the foil to be deflected out of the plane of the remainder thereof, and the sub-frame component comprises a fixed lip upon which part of the foil can be received, a recess into which the said deflectable parts of the foil can be deflected, and a moveable lip defining a series of spaced projections, the moveable lip being moveable to a position in which the projections bear against the deflectable parts of the foil, deflecting the deflectable parts into the recess to secure the foil to the sub-frame component.

Abstract: There are provided an operating knob 42 capable of movement operation in a front-back direction with respect to a right and left side support part 31, a rod member 45 whose front end is joined to the operating knob 42, a back edge stopper 47 which is moved in the front-back direction through the rod member 45 and also is abutted on the back edge of the mask 15 by fixing operation of the rod member 45 by the operating knob 42, and a front edge stopper 53 abutted on the front edge of the mask 15.

Abstract: There are provided an operating knob 42 capable of movement operation in a front-back direction with respect to a right and left side support part 31, a rod member 45 whose front end is joined to the operating knob 42, a back edge stopper 47 which is moved in the front-back direction through the rod member 45 and also is abutted on the back edge of the mask 15 by fixing operation of the rod member 45 by the operating knob 42, and a front edge stopper 53 abutted on the front edge of the mask 15.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a pattern on a building on site, which comprises following steps: applying a base coat on a surface of said building; pressing and adhering a pattern mold onto said base coat before initial setting of said base coat so as to form a compound body of the base coat and the pattern mold; applying a cover coat on said compound body; releasing the mold so as to obtain said pattern. The decoration method of the invention makes the wall surface safe and solid, of a long service life, available of a variety of patterns and convenient to construct.

Abstract: A printing screen unit (110), comprising: a printing screen (112), comprising a sheet, at least sections of at least one pair of opposite edges of which include one of engagement apertures (124) or engagement projections; and a supporting frame (114) including at least one pair of interface units (116, 117) which are attached to the at least one pair of opposite edges of the printing screen (112), wherein the interface units (116, 117) each comprise at least one coupling element (130) which includes the other of engagement apertures or engagement projections (158) for inter-engaging with the one of engagement apertures (124) or engagement projections at a respective one of the opposite edges of the printing screen (112), and an interface member (126) which includes a coupling slot (142) for captively receiving the at least one coupling element (130) therein.

Abstract: A stencil stretcher frame unit includes a stencil stretcher frame for stretching a printing stencil, the stencil stretcher frame including a seat; a protective device accommodated in the seat and holding the stencil stretcher frame, the protective device including a plurality of protective bars configured to hold the printing stencil in a plane and to accommodate a circumferential edge of the printing stencil so as to cover the circumferential edge along a circumference of the printing stencil, adjacent ones of the plurality of protective bars being supported on each other at respective end areas of the protective bars so as to allow a relative movement with respect to each other; and a joining device configured to fasten the protective device to the stencil stretcher frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for attaching metal stencil foils to screen mesh using thermoplastic materials. Mechanical, rather than adhesive, attachment of metal stencil foils to screen mesh is accomplished by melting thermoplastic material so as to encapsulate portions of metal stencil foils and screen mesh resulting in faster, less expensive, and more durable bonding.

Abstract: A stencil stretcher frame unit comprises a stencil stretcher frame for stretching a printing stencil, the stencil stretcher frame including a seat; a protective device accommodated in the seat and holding the stencil stretcher frame, the protective device including a plurality of protective bars configured to hold the printing stencil in a plane and to accommodate a circumferential edge of the printing stencil so as to cover the circumferential edge along a circumference of the printing stencil, adjacent ones of the plurality of protective bars being supported on each other at respective end areas of the protective bars so as to allow a relative movement with respect to each other; and a joining device configured to fasten the protective device to the stencil stretcher frame.

Abstract: A portable airbrush with improved mechanisms for aerosolizing paint and for facilitating stenciling. The device utilizes an air compressor that is compact, portable and relatively lightweight. The air compressor is housed in a base that has projections to hold stencils in positions that make it easier for a person to spray his or her own nails. The stencils are removably attached to the projections with stencil fasteners. The mechanism for aerosolizing the paint arranges an air-emitting nozzle, a paint-emitting needle, and its attached paint reservoir in such a way that when the nozzle and paint reservoir are removed from the wand, substantially no residual paint remains in the wand. The air compressor may be battery-powered or powered by house current, and the device may be packaged in a case with numerous stencils and refillable bottles of paint.

Abstract: In a receipt printer (10), suitable for printing on a paper ribbon of different widths, wound on a roll (14) arranged in a seat (15, 22, 23, 24) in the printer, a wall is provided for the lateral positioning (18, 30) of the roll of paper (14) in its seat, to keep the paper ribbons, or the respective rolls (14a, 14b) of at least two different widths in the proper printing position, independently of the width of the ribbon; the positioning wall (18) is arranged inside the seat (15) of the roll of paper, with a first surface (44) facing a side (26?) of the same roll (14a).

Abstract: A protective device with a frame includes protective bars for holding a printing stencil in a plane and joining means for fastening to a stencil stretcher frame, whereby the protective bars accommodate the edge of the printing stencil along its circumference in a manner that covers the edge. In addition, a stencil stretcher frame is provided for stretching a printing stencil held in a such protective device Adjacent protective bars, while forming the frame, are supported on each other with one of their respective end areas in a manner that allows a relative movement with respect to each other. For the stencil stretcher frame, a seat for accommodating the protective device and a joining means for fastening the protective device are provided.

Abstract: A screen mask includes a screen mesh with a tensioning force of 196 to 392 N/mm; a tension mesh with a tensioning force of 49 to 98 N/mm; a resin plate (fixing part) arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the screen mesh for fixing a part of the tension mesh with a tensioning force of 392 to 980 N/mm; and a screen frame. A length Ls of the screen mesh in a first direction intersecting a direction in which a squeegee squeegees on the screen mesh when performing a screen printing is 0.6 to 0.9 times a length Lt of the tension mesh in the first direction, a length Lk of the resin plate, the length Ls, and the length Lt in the first direction satisfy a relationship Lk=a(Lt+Ls)/2, where “a” is a coefficient in a range of 0.5 to 1.2.

Abstract: A frame unit for tensioning a printing screen, the frame unit comprising a frame including at least one frame member, the at least one frame member comprising: a supporting frame element; at least one engagement element for engaging a fitted printing screen to tension the same, wherein the at least one engagement element comprises a body which is pivotally coupled to the supporting frame element such that the at least one engagement element is pivotable in one, tensioning sense to tension a fitted printing screen and the other, opposite sense to adopt a configuration in which a printing screen can be fitted to or removed from the frame unit, a first, engagement arm extending from the body for engaging a fitted printing screen, and a second, biasing arm extending from the body to which a biasing force is applied to bias the at least one engagement element to pivot in the tensioning sense; and at least one biasing element operative to apply a biasing force to the biasing arm of the at least one engagement eleme

Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-packaged kit and a method for creating unique multi-toned custom patterns or camouflage on a surface, and in particular the surfaces of a firearm. The multi-toned custom patterns or camouflage are created by separating or peeling off pre-cut stencil/templates from sheet or roll stock adhesive backed masking material and applying the stencil/templates to a surface. The surface is subsequently sprayed with coatings, finishers and sealants. Additional layers of stencil/templates are then added and sprayed with various colors or tones of coatings, finishers and sealants to complete the desired effect on the firearm surface.

Abstract: A stencil printing machine includes a rotatable drum having an outer circumferential wall formed by an ink impermeable member, a stencil clamping part for clamping a leading end of a stencil sheet, an ink supply unit having an ink supply opening for supplying a surface of the outer circumferential wall with ink, a press roll for pressing a printing paper against the outer circumferential wall of the drum, an ink recovery unit having an ink recovery opening formed on a downstream side of a maximum printing area in a printing direction to collect ink flowing into the ink recovery opening by suction, the maximum printing area being defined on the outer circumferential wall, and a press unit for pressing the stencil sheet onto the outer circumferential wall of the drum and a control unit for controlling respective operations of the main motor, the ink recovery unit and the press unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a printing screen frame, a first sheet attached to the printing screen frame, an alignment frame, and an alignment device. The alignment device may have a first means for registering the printing screen frame and the first sheet in a first position and a first orientation, with respect to the alignment device, and a second means for registering a second sheet with respect to the alignment device. The first sheet may be a wire mesh. The second sheet may be a photo tool. In addition, first and second current devices can be attached to the printing screen frame to apply current to the frame and the first sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-curable ink formulations, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a family of radiation-curable ink formulations specifically for flexographic and screen printing applications. The inventive ink formulations are based on multifunctional acrylate resins formed by the reaction of acrylate monomers and oligomers with ?-keto esters (e.g., acetoacetates), ?-diketones (e.g., 2,4-pentanedione), ?-keto amides (e.g., acetoacetanilide, acetoacetamide), and/or other ?-dicarbonyl compounds that can participate in Michael addition reactions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching and mounting a screen printing screen or mesh that separates the tensioning of the screen/mesh into two independent directions with the screen/mesh attached to two separate independent frames. The outer frame has two ends perpendicular to a print direction for attaching to ends of a screen mesh. The outer frame is placed outside of the inner frame, and supports the screen/mesh tensioned in the print direction of movement, with a high level of tension. The inner frame has two sides parallel to a print direction for attaching to the sides of the screen/mesh. The sides of the inner frame can apply tension, when applicable, to the screen/mesh, at a significantly lower tension level in the non-print direction, can act as, or provide a fixing point for barriers to stop the leakage or loss of the print medium or ink from the screen.

Abstract: A hand accent stencil applicator system for positioning a design on a surface is provided. The applicator system comprises an applicator handle and a compression housing mounted to the applicator housing. A bladder is positioned within the compression housing for holding a texture material. A design template is mounted to the compression housing wherein the applicator handle exerts forces into the compression housing causing a texture flow from the bladder through the design template.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a silkscreen mesh holding apparatus is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to allow a silkscreen mesh to be adhesively bonded to the apparatus while preventing the formation of residual staining liquids thereon. In one configuration, the apparatus formed of tubular material and is coated with a powder coating configured to allow the apparatus to be easily cleaned with more environmental safe types of cleaning solvents. In one embodiment, the apparatus is coated with a powder coating configured to provide an adhesive attached thereto a bond strength, within a bond strength range, that allows a silkscreen mesh bonded therewith to be removed by peeling such silkscreen mesh and adhesive from the apparatus without the use of solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a top part of a screen printing machine, wherein the bearing elements (4,4a) for the screen printing stencil (2) are respectively and directly guided and held on lateral longitudinal guide elements (10,11) by means of carriages (9), enabling said bearing elements (4, 4a) to be adjusted in relation to each other and to be fixed. Said configuration makes it possible for the screen printing stencil (2) to be held in a stable and exact manner, irrespective of the size thereof. According to the invention, one of the bearing elements (4a) can also be raised in order to lift the screen printing stencil (2) when pressed against the other bearing element (4). The bearing elements (4, 4a) are thus respectively held on the carriers thereof (7,8) by means of pivoting hinges (5, 6).

Abstract: A screen-printing apparatus having pneumatically operated clamping devices for clamping one edge of a print screen frame to the print head of the apparatus. In a screen-printing operation where multiple print screens must be quickly interchanged, efficiency of time and energy may be achieved by a manually activated pneumatic clamping device that quickly secures and releases one edge of the screen frame to the print head. The screen-printing apparatus is not limited to a single print head, and multiple pneumatic clamping devices are envisioned for as many screen print heads as are mounted on the screen-printing apparatus.

Abstract: A marking device (10) comprises a frame (1) (of frame plates (12,14)) to which are fixed first and second motors (16,18). A carriage frame (40) is pivoted in the frame about a screw axis (22). A marking head (30) is mounted on the carriage frame for movement in a direction parallel the screw axis. A drive screw (20) is rotationally mounted in the frame along the screw axis and is driven by the first motor (16). The carriage frame is journalled on said drive screw to permit said pivoting about the screw axis. The marking head is driven by rotation of the screw, the carriage frame being pivoted by the second motor. The carriage frame (20) comprises a bar (32) on which the marking head slides. The bar is disposed parallel the drive screw. The bar has at each end an arm (34,36) pivoted on bearings (35,37) on the drive screw. One arm (36) has an extension (66) fixed to a belt (58) disposed around two idler pulleys (62,64) and a motor pulley (60) driven by the second motor.

Abstract: A support for a cylindrical screen in a rotation screen printing apparatus. The apparatus has two sides. The support includes a side flange on each of the two ends of the apparatus; an intermediate ring resiliently supported by each side flange; a turnbuckle rotatable rotatably disposed in each intermediate ring; a stencil ring disposed in each turnbuckle. Whereby the screen is received at each end of the apparatus through the stencil rings in a turnbuckle, so that when subjected to a load, the screen is able to pivot and be displaced in an axial direction relative to the flange at least within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A gripper for screen printing applications comprises a gripper body supporting a tensioning assembly comprising a gripping element designed for gripping the edge of a fabric to be tensioned on a frame, and a bottom abutment cam providing a variable lowering stroke based on a withdrawal tensioning stroke of the tensioning assembly.

Abstract: A sleeve for pressing rollers consists of an internal tube made of expandable material whose inside diameter is adapted to the diameter of the roller that is intended to carrying said material and that is connected with an outer dimensionally stable casing tube. To prevent oscillations of the casing tube that would impair good printing, the latter is provided at its terminal areas with carrying discs or bushings that at least have segments whose boreholes are adapted to the diameter of the roller with a snug fit or a pressing fit.

Abstract: When a stencil sheet (M) is wound around an outer peripheral surface of a rotary cylindrical drum (24) in accordance with a rotation thereof, a leading end of the stencil sheet (M) is retained by a clamp plate (51) provided on the rotary cylindrical drum (24), and the stencil sheet (M) is conveyed while being guided by upper and lower guide plates (45, 46) and nipped between the lower guide plate (46) and a supporting member (48) attached to an underside of a swinging member (47). At this stage, predetermined tension is applied to the stencil sheet (M) by an urging force of the swinging member (47) to thereby prevent occurrence of wrinkles on the stencil sheet (M).

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses for mounting screens on frames. Border strips with improved structural designs enable screens to be mounted so as to achieve higher tension more quickly and easily. Improved method permits screens to be mounted on frames with fewer steps. Also, improved bonding of border strips to screen fabric is taught.

Abstract: In a stencil printer, an elastic member is provided on a master conveying path from a roll of master sheet to a master pinch drum. The elastic member is pressed against the master sheet to apply back tension to the master sheet when the master sheet is moved by rotation of the master pinch drum after the leading end of the master sheet has been clamped to the clamp portion of the master pinch drum.

Abstract: A stencil foil assembly includes a stencil foil, having a stencil pattern thereon, of a planar configuration secured to a rigid frame with an upstanding wall and a support flange emanating inwardly from the upstanding wall. The stencil foil resides on the support flange with the bottom surface of the periphery of the stencil foil being in communication with the top surface of said support flange. The outer edge of the stencil foil is positioned adjacent to the inner surface of said upstanding wall. The periphery of the stencil foil is secured to the rigid frame. The stencil foil assembly protects a user from injury by preventing contact with the sharp outer edges of the stencil foil. The assembly protects the stencil foil portion from damage and greatly facilitates handling thereof.

Abstract: A screen printing machine including a stencil sheet assembly having a frame member having outer peripheral sides for partitioning an outer configuration and inner peripheral sides for partitioning an opening and stencil sheet adhered to one face of the frame member to cover the opening, a tension frame projected to inner sides of the inner peripheral sides of the frame member, having a raised portion raised toward the stencil sheet and arranged on other face of the frame member for applying tension to the stencil sheet, and holding means for holding the tension frame and the stencil sheet assembly which are put together such that a front face of the tension frame in a direction of raising the raised portion and the other face of the frame member are brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: A print screen frame assembly used in the textile screen print industry. The frame assembly is formed of electrical conduit comprised of a rigid metallic conduit material which is coated to resist solvents, dyes and other chemicals commonly used in the print screen industry. The frame member is comprised of bendable, durable conduit material formed into a desired shape and secured at a seam to form a unitary frame member. On the top side of the frame member, a taut fabric print screen is attached by an adhesive. At least one spacer with a flat bottom edge is placed on the bottom of the tubular frame member allowing print screens to be easily used in printing presses and to permit frames to be stacked on top of one another for storage purposes.

Abstract: A stencil sheet retaining device includes a clamping plate (44) for retaining an end portion of the stencil sheet (M), and a flapper member (49) for drawing out the end portion of the stencil sheet (M) from the clamping plate (44) side. A first contact piece (48) attached to the clamping plate (44) and a second contact piece (51) attached to the flapper member (49) are pressed due to the profiles of the cam grooves (56a, 56b) of a movable cam member (56) according to the rotary position of the rotary cylindrical drum (6), so that the clamping plate (44) and the flapper member (49) can be opened and the open angle of the clamping plate (44) and the flapper member (49) can be adjusted.

Abstract: A stencil leading end mounting device of a printing drum of a rotary stencil printer for clamping a stencil leading end between a stencil leading end supporting surface 70 of a base member 72 and a clamping surface 74 of a clamp member 76, the clamp member being biased at a drive portion 82 by a lever member 108 of an actuator to be tilted open about a linear pivot axis P, wherein the linear pivot axis P is defined by a contact point between a convex cam 115 and a bearing surface provided between the clamp member 76 and the based member 72, so as to move from a side of the clamping surface toward a side of the drive portion as the clamp member is more tilted.

Abstract: A stencil capable of accurately transferring a picture with a plurality of colors by a person without skill. This stencil includes a plurality of die seal papers from which parts of a picture are die-cut at different positions from each other as cutting die portions which are associated with each other to form a completed picture. The bottom faces of the die seal papers are adhesive faces. The die seal papers are bonded and fixed to each other in the required ranges of the base portions thereof. After the lower die seal paper is put on an object to color the object via the cutting die portion, the lower die seal paper is peeled from the object and cut away from the base portion thereof to form a polychrome picture.

Abstract: A method of locking a precut silkscreen fabric to splines which are then inserted into retensionable roller frames, wherein the fabric is scored where it contacts the spline, permitting the adhesive to lock the sections of the spline together through the scores in the fabric, mechanically locking the fabric in place.

Abstract: A plastic mask unit for paste printing, which is capable of performing paste printing with superior quality for a relatively large number of times over a long life span, and also a method of fabricating the above-mentioned plastic mask unit. The plastic mask unit includes a mask frame and a plastic mask plate which is secured directly to the mask frame. The plastic mask plate can be formed with a plurality of slit-shaped through-holes for serving as a print pattern for paste printing, either before or after the plastic mask plate is secured directly to the mask frame.

Abstract: According to the stencil making and attaching method of a printing device of the present invention, independent of variations in the detection of the stencil sheet set position detection sensor and variations in the clamped state due to curled stencil sheet, etc., it is possible to always set the image-formation start position of the stencil sheet at a regular position with respect to the drum rotation position, and consequently to improve the positional precision of the printing operation.

Abstract: A method for creating large area, thick film resistors with improved predictability and uniformity. “Tent poles” are employed during the printing of the large area resistors to prop up the screen mesh to ensure the resultant resistor does not have a scooped out center portion. The tent poles can be made from gold pads, resistor spots or emulsion spots.