Processes Patents (Class 101/129)
  • Publication number: 20120174805
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method for performing a hole-plugging process on a circuit board. The method comprises: forming at least two locating holes on the circuit board; delivering the circuit board to a locating area of a hole-plugging screen printer, and adjusting a moving path of the circuit board in the locating area according to a locating device of the hole-plugging screen printer and the locating holes; and transporting the circuit board to a screen printing area of the hole plugging screen printer automatically according to the moving path, and adjusting a hole-plugging stencil of the hole-plugging screen printer to align an inking point of the hole-plugging stencil with a hole to be plugged on the circuit board, so as to plug ink dropped from the inking point of the hole-plugging stencil into the hole. The present application discloses a system for executing above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: ZHUHAI FOUNDER TECHNOLOGY MULTILAYER PCB CO., LTD. FUSHAN BRANCH, PEKING UNIVERSITY FOUNDER GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Te Chen, Yueh Ching Chen, Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20120174806
    Abstract: A method for screen printing using a screen, preferably a metal screen made by electroforming, having a pattern of openings separated by bridges and crossing points, and having a flat surface on the squeegee side, wherein on the printing side of the screen the screen has a 3-D structure comprising peaks (P) and valleys (V) formed by a difference in thickness between the bridges and crossing points. The use of the method in the production of RFID tags, solar panels, electronic printing boards. A 3-D printing screen, with an attached stencil with or without the negative of an image to be printed. A printing machine comprising: one or more 3-D printing screens, in combination with one or more reservoirs for ink and/or in combination with a roller or squeegee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Stork Prints B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Benjamin Spoor, Marinus Cornelis Petrus Dekkers, Martin Jan Smallegange
  • Patent number: 8216415
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a continuous feed variable depth die cut for use in cutting kinesiology tape. The die cut includes a housing, including a first opening configured to allow the kinesiology tape to enter the housing and a second opening configured to allow the kinesiology tape to exit the housing. The die cut also includes a roller inside the housing, wherein the roller is configured to rotate as the kinesiology tape passes over the roller and a die formed on the outer surface of the roller, wherein the die includes a cutting edge for cutting the kinesiology tape and wherein the cutting edge is formed in the shape of the strip of kinesiology tape to be cut. The die cut further includes a surface inside the housing, wherein the kinesiology tape passes over the surface when the kinesiology tape is being cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Reed M. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20120145016
    Abstract: A method of depositing viscous material on a substrate includes positioning the substrate in a print position, performing a print operation on the substrate with a print head and a stencil to deposit viscous material on the substrate, and inspecting the substrate with a vision system to detect a defect with the deposit of viscous material on the substrate. The method further includes, in the event of a defect, re-working the substrate by depositing viscous material on the substrate with a dispenser attached to a cleaning assembly, the stencil, or an independent gantry to correct the defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis G. Doyle
  • Publication number: 20120145017
    Abstract: A method of partially imaging a substrate, for example glass, with a print pattern comprising layers of ceramic ink in substantially exact registration. The method relies on a mask ink layer defining the print pattern and differential thermal expulsion of ceramic ink medium during a heat fusing process between the areas outside the print pattern and within the print pattern. This results in pigment and glass frit forming a durable image material adhered to the substrate within the print pattern and non durable material outside the print pattern, enabling its removal outside the print pattern to leave the desired layers of ceramic ink within the print pattern in substantially exact registration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CONTRA VISION LTD.
    Inventors: George Roland Hill, Gail Eaton, Robert Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120145014
    Abstract: A combination stencil printer and dispenser includes a frame, a movable stencil coupled to the frame, a substrate support coupled to the frame to support a substrate in a print position, and a print head coupled to the frame to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. The combination stencil printer and dispenser further includes a dispenser mounted on the movable stencil to dispense viscous material on the substrate when the substrate is in the print position. In other embodiments, the dispenser can be mounted on a stencil wiper or on an independent gantry provided within the combination stencil printer and dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis G. Doyle
  • Publication number: 20120145015
    Abstract: A combination stencil printer and dispenser includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, a substrate support coupled to the frame to support a substrate in a print position, and a print head coupled to the frame to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. In one embodiment, the combination stencil printer and dispenser further includes a cleaning assembly coupled to the frame to wipe excess viscous material from a bottom surface of the stencil. The combination stencil printer and dispenser further includes a dispenser mounted on the cleaning assembly to dispense viscous material on the substrate when the substrate is in the print position. In other embodiments, the dispenser can be mounted on a movable stencil or on an independent gantry provided within the combination stencil printer and dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis G. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8191471
    Abstract: A print inspection device is provided with a camera for picking-up an image of a substrate to be processed after a paste is printed on the substrate through a mask sheet by a printer, a measured value calculating a measured value of a printed paste area based on the picked-up image of the substrate, a setting means for setting a standard range for working state judgment of the area, and a comparing and judging means for comparing the measured value with the standard range and for judging whether the printer is in a normal working state or not depending on whether the measured value is in the standard range or not. The setting means sets the standard range to a less paste amount side for a predetermined period of time after the mark sheet is cleaned up than for other periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshimichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20120103211
    Abstract: A method of printing an image that diffracts radiation is disclosed. The method includes assembling an ordered periodic array of particles on a substrate, wherein the array of particles diffracts radiation in a wavelength band dependent on viewing angle; printing an imaging composition onto a portion of the array in a configuration of an image; shifting the wavelength band of radiation diffracted and changing the refractive index by the printed portion of the array so that the printed portion diffracts radiation at a different wavelength band and reflectivity intensity from a remaining portion of the array; and fixing the printed portion of the array, such that the printed portion of the array diffracts radiation and exhibits the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Purdy, Jessica M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8166875
    Abstract: In supply of feedback data to improve a positional deviation quantity and a deviation state of a soldering paste printed on individual substrates held on the carrier, a plurality of average values of individual positional deviation for each of the individual substrates are obtained, and then, if the deviation value ?M indicating a difference between the maximum value Mmax and the minimum value Mmin of the plurality of average values M of individual positional deviation is less than or equal to the tolerance value ?(t), an intermediate value of the maximum value Mmax and the minimum value Mmin is obtained, and the positioning parameters of the mask plate and the carrier are corrected based on the intermediate value (Mmax+Mmin)/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Inoue, Fumio Kikutsugi, Masahiro Kihara
  • Patent number: 8162199
    Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of excess solder or contaminant, which are encountered on the surfaces of injection mold prior to the transfer of a solder on a silicon wafer. More particularly, there is provided an apparatus for the removal of excess solder, which may be present on a mold surface, without removing any solder, which is located in cavities formed in the mold, and wherein the solder is applied through an injection molded soldering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Bourchard, Guy Brouillette, David H. Danovitch, Peter A. Gruber, Jean-Luc Landreville
  • Publication number: 20120090484
    Abstract: A screen printer capable of concurrently, efficiently subjecting a plurality of different types of substrates, to a printing operation. The screen printer makes up an electronic component mounting line and prints electronic component bonding paste on a substrate. A substrate conveyance section that conveys a substrate forwardly or backwardly in a direction of conveyance of a substrate is disposed at an intermediate position between a first screen printing section and a second screen printing section arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line CL. It thereby becomes possible to adopt a variety of substrate conveyance forms, as required, such as return conveyance for returning the substrate from a downstream machine to an upstream side of the screen printer and bypass conveyance for letting the substrate sent from an upstream side pass through the screen printer, to thus be conveyed to a downstream machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiichi Miyahara, Kazuhide Nagao, Wataru Hidese, Yoshiaki Awata
  • Publication number: 20120090483
    Abstract: A screen printing apparatus and method for printing deposits of a print medium on workpieces, the apparatus comprising: a frame support unit for supporting a printing screen unit which comprises a screen sheet which includes at least first and second patterns of print apertures; a workpiece support unit; a print head unit; and at least one screen cleaning unit; wherein the at least one screen cleaning unit and the print head unit are operated in parallel, whereby, when the printing screen unit is in the first printing position, the at least one screen cleaning unit cleans the underside of the screen sheet at a location corresponding to one of the first and second sets of print apertures and the print head unit prints print medium onto workpieces through the other of the first and second sets of print apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Richard Willshere, Martin Symons
  • Publication number: 20120085252
    Abstract: A screen printer capable of concurrently, efficiently subjecting a plurality of different types of substrates, to a printing operation. The screen printer makes up an electronic component mounting line and prints electronic component bonding paste on a substrate. A substrate conveyance section that conveys a substrate forwardly or backwardly in a direction of conveyance of a substrate is disposed at an intermediate position between a first screen printing section and a second screen printing section arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line CL. It thereby becomes possible to adopt a variety of substrate conveyance forms, as required, such as return conveyance for returning the substrate from a downstream machine to an upstream side of the screen printer and bypass conveyance for letting the substrate sent from an upstream side pass through the screen printer, to thus be conveyed to a downstream machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiichi MIYAHARA, Kazuhide NAGAO, Wataru HIDESE, Yoshiaki AWATA
  • Publication number: 20120085253
    Abstract: A screen printing apparatus including two screen printers, each including a substrate introduction portion by which a substrate is introduced from an upstream side of a component mounting line, a printing portion which performs a screen printing to the introduced substrate, a substrate discharge portion by which the substrate is discharged to a downstream side, and a substrate moving stage which receives the substrate to position the substrate with respect to the printing portion and to move the substrate to the substrate discharge portion. The two substrate introduction portions, the two printing portions, and the two substrate discharge portions are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a perpendicular symmetrical plane extending in a transportation direction of the substrate in the component mounting line, respectively. Each printing portion is provided at a position further from the perpendicular symmetrical plane than the substrate discharge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhide Nagao
  • Publication number: 20120085254
    Abstract: A screen printing apparatus including two screen printers, each including a substrate introduction portion by which a substrate is introduced from an upstream side of a component mounting line, a printing portion which performs a screen printing to the introduced substrate, a substrate discharge portion by which the substrate is discharged to a downstream side, and a substrate moving stage which receives the substrate to position the substrate with respect to the printing portion and to move the substrate to the substrate discharge portion. The two substrate introduction portions, the two printing portions, and the two substrate discharge portions are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a perpendicular symmetrical plane extending in a transportation direction of the substrate in the component mounting line, respectively. Each printing portion is provided at a position further from the perpendicular symmetrical plane than the substrate discharge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhide Nagao
  • Patent number: 8136447
    Abstract: A decorative article having a substrate with two opposing viewable surfaces. Each viewable surface has a screen print thereon which, in combination, provides a decorative article having a three-dimensional visual. Also, a method of registering the screen prints is provided. The method ensure that two or more panels having the same designs printed thereon are consistent with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: William C. Gochenauer, James R. Baxter, Ann M. Murdoch
  • Publication number: 20120062670
    Abstract: The present invention relates a composition which is useful in printing an electrical conductor on the front surface of a substrate, such as a solar cell. A phase change binder is used to allow printing of narrow grid lines which also may have adequate height to provide sufficient electrical conduction. The present invention is also directed to a process to print a pattern of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventor: Feng Gao
  • Publication number: 20120055355
    Abstract: The invention discloses a device and a process for producing indicia comprising magnetically oriented magnetic or magnetizable particles in an ink or coating composition on a sheet of substrate material. The device comprises a flat-bed screen-printing unit having a flat printing screen and a printing platen for receiving said sheet, the printing platen having an upper surface facing the printing screen and a first direction along its upper surface along which said sheet is unloadable, and a magnetic orienting unit comprising multiple magnet assemblies. The magnetic orienting unit is disposed below the upper surface of the printing platen, said multiple magnet assemblies are disposed along said first direction, and all of said magnet assemblies are concomitantly movable from a first position away from the upper surface of the printing platen to a second position close to the upper surface of the printing platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicants: CHINA BANKNOTE SICPA SECURITY INK CO., LTD., SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Xiang Li, Claude-Alain Despland, Edgar Mueller, Pierre Degott, Anton Bleikolm, Alexandre Sudan
  • Publication number: 20120055356
    Abstract: A method for screen printing a printed circuit board substrate comprises the following steps. A printed circuit board substrate including a copper foil layer is provided. Pluralities of marks are formed on the copper foil layer. A plurality of printing screens are provided, each includes an screen pattern and an opening corresponding to a respective mark. Printing material is applied on the ith screen Si to form an ith printing pattern and cover the ith mark at the ith opening, the ith printing pattern conforms to the ith screen pattern; checking whether the ith mark is covered by the printing material when i is less than N. Printing material is applied on the (i+1)th screen Si+1 so as to form an (i+1)th printing pattern on the copper foil layer and covers the (i+1)th Mark Mi+1 at the (i+1)th opening, if the ith mark is covered by the printing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicants: FOXCONN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INC., FUKUI PRECISION COMPONENT (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: XIAO-FEI ZHENG
  • Patent number: 8122825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screenprinting device having a fabric and a template situated on the fabric. The fabric and/or the template each have a coating which reduces the adhesion of a screenprinting paste or a screenprinting ink to the fabric and/or to the template. In this way, finer structures may be generated, in particular in regard to electronic elements during the production of circuits using multilayer technology. Furthermore, the present invention describes a method for producing a corresponding screenprinting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventor: Dieter Schwanke
  • Publication number: 20120042795
    Abstract: A screen printing apparatus and method for applying paste to a substrate while agitating the paste through vibration or pulsating of one or more pulse sources. The screen printing apparatus may comprise a support structure including a frame, a stencil supported by the frame, a squeegee configured to contact the stencil and transfer the paste through apertures of the stencil, and at least one pulse source attached to the support structure and configured to agitate the paste on the stencil. The pulse sources may be configured to attach to and vibrate the frame, squeegee, or other components contacting the paste. Some of the pulse sources may vibrate in different directions relative to each other. In some embodiments of the invention, the pulse source may be configured to be directly inserted or immersed in the paste resting on the stencil during various steps of the printing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: PRECO, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher S. Walker
  • Patent number: 8117749
    Abstract: A process for producing a metallic gasket, which comprises making a thin metallic sheet into a solid figure having an inclined surface, thereby providing a bead region extended upwardly and downwardly over the inclined surface, and forming a sealing part made of a hardened rubber layer on the surface of bead region, characterized by forming a sealing part extended from the apex of the bead region down to an upperward position on the inclined surface, and another sealing part extended from a downward position on the inclined surface down to the flat bottom part, and joining the sealing parts by the rubber material in a solution state extended along the inclined surface from both of the sealing parts, before drying and hardening of the material for making sealing parts. Application of the rubber material in a solution state is carried out preferably by a screen printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: NOK Corporation, Ishino Gasket Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nikamoto, Naoki Matsumoto, Toshihiro Higashira, Namieki Oosawa, Tomonori Funatsu
  • Publication number: 20120037016
    Abstract: A light guide plate and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The light guide plate includes a substrate, a screen-printed layer, and a light-solidified layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface are opposite. The screen-printed layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate by a screen-printing process. The light-solidified layer is formed on the second surface of the substrate by a light-solidification and imprinting process. The screen-printed layer has a plurality of screen point patterns. The light-solidified layer has a plurality of micro-structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jen-Shun LIN, Bai-Chen Chang, Kun-Chih Pan
  • Patent number: 8113115
    Abstract: A rotary screen printing press includes, a rotary screen cylinder which supports a screen printing form and is supported rotatably; an impression cylinder which is provided to oppose the rotary screen cylinder, and is supported rotatably; and a squeegee which is located within the rotary screen cylinder and, during printing, contacts an inner peripheral surface of the screen printing form, while being pressed against it, to transfer ink stored within the rotary screen cylinder to a material to be printed, which is held on the impression cylinder, via holes of the screen printing form. The printing press has a squeegee throw-on and throw-off control device which controls the pressing force of the squeegee acting on the inner peripheral surface of the screen printing form during printing in accordance with the type and thickness of the material to be printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Umetsu, Hiromitsu Numauchi, Isao Komuro, Akehiro Kusaka
  • Publication number: 20110315028
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a screen printing device and screen printing method in which, in screen printing which is to be applied to a cavity circuit board configured by bonding board members together, printing misalignment hardly occurs. A mask member 33 has a cavity-portion corresponding mask region MRC where a mask pattern MPC corresponding to cavity-portion electrode patterns 11dp is formed on the bottom faces of fitting portions 33a to be fitted into cavity portions CV; and a flat-portion corresponding mask region MRF where a mask pattern MPF corresponding to flat-portion electrode patterns 12dp is formed as separate regions. Positioning between the cavity-portion corresponding mask region MRC and the cavity-portion electrode patterns 11dp is performed, and screen printing is applied. Positioning between the flat-portion corresponding mask region MRF and the flat-portion electrode patterns 12dp is performed, and screen printing is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Seiko Abe, Tetsuya Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110297020
    Abstract: To provide a screen printer and a screen printing method that can assure a required degree of accuracy of print position when a type of work requiring a high degree of positional accuracy is taken as a target. In relation to screen printing of a plurality of single-piece substrates 11 held on a carrier 10, a cavity portion 15 having print patterns assigned to the respective single-piece substrates 11 are provided on a mask plate 14, and a camera head unit 23 captures an image of the mask plate 14 and the single-piece substrates 11, to thus recognize the position of the mask plate and the positions of the respective single-piece substrates. The single-piece substrates 11 held by the carrier 10 are individually positioned to the cavity portion 15 and sequentially printed according to a result of recognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110290127
    Abstract: A screen printing apparatus is described. The apparatus has a plurality of radial arms each having a printing head associated therewith. A target area is in alignment with at least one of the printing heads wherein a design is applied to a target article at the target area by the printing head. A means for providing relative movement between the target area and the printing head provides multiple passes between a squeegee associated with the printing head and the target area. A means for providing a pressure between the squeegee and the target area is regulated such that a first pressure between the squeegee and the target area on a first stroke is not equal to a second pressure between the squeegee and the target area on a subsequent second stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: M & R PRINTING EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Boguslaw Biel, Joel Zupancic, Luis Miguel Hoefken, R.
  • Publication number: 20110293895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a moisture barrier for the protection of internal environment of sensitive devices comprising a homogeneous dispersion of superficially functionalized containing surface modifying organic group belonging to the same chemical class of at least one functional group of the polymeric compound, to a process for the production of said barrier and to sensitive device comprising such barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SAES GETTERS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Bonucci, Roberto Macchi, Roberto Giannantonio
  • Publication number: 20110283903
    Abstract: Method of printing and printing apparatus whereby the repeat length is greater than the circumference of the rotary printing screen (5). This may be achieved by controlling the rotation of the screen as a non-printing zone (2) of the screen passes a moving web (w) such that an associated non-printed region formed on the screen has a length that is greater than the non-printing zone. This, in turn, may be achieved by suspending the rotation of the screen or reducing the speed of rotation when the non-printing zone is in registration with the web and then increasing the speed of rotation to a predetermined printing speed as a printing zone (1) of the screen comes into registration with the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Emerson & Renwick Limited
    Inventors: Colin Hargreaves, David Hargreaves
  • Patent number: 8051772
    Abstract: A support system and method for supporting a printing screen unit in a screen printing machine. The support system includes a support assembly comprising a support unit for supporting a printing screen unit comprising a printing screen including printing apertures through which printing medium is printed onto a workpiece; and a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the printing screen in a screen printing operation, wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to tension the printing screen to a first tension in a printing phase in printing printing medium onto a workpiece and a second tension, which is lower than the first tension, in a separation phase in separating the printing screen unit and the workpiece. Other aspects also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Novatec SA
    Inventors: Francis Bourrières, Clément Kaiser, Richard Andre Piatek, Andrew Dean Ure, Mark Alfred Whitmore
  • Publication number: 20110259216
    Abstract: An imaging system for and a method of imaging at least one workpiece alignment feature on an upper surface of a supported workpiece, the system comprising: a workpiece support which includes a support surface for supporting a workpiece; and at least one imaging unit which is disposed below the support surface of the workpiece support for imaging at least one workpiece alignment feature on the upper surface of the workpiece, wherein the at least one imaging unit comprises an infra-red illuminator which is operative to illuminate a region of a lower surface of the workpiece and a detector which is operative to capture an image of the region of the workpiece which includes at least one workpiece alignment feature on the upper surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Martyn Buttle, Martin Symons
  • Publication number: 20110259217
    Abstract: The present invention provides a screen printing apparatus and screen printing method which, in screen printing that is to be performed on the upper surface of a circuit board, and the bottom surfaces of recess openings in the upper surface, can efficiently perform a printing work while ensuring an excellent printing quality. In a screen printing apparatus which prints a paste for bonding an electronic component on an upper surface and a bottom-surface of a recess, a printing apparatus 2(1) and a printing apparatus 2(2) which sequentially print the paste in two steps on the circuit board are placed in series. The printing apparatus 2(1) on the upstream side includes a bottom-surface printing mask which is provided in correspondence with the bottom surface of the recess, and a closed squeegee mechanism 36A which butts against and slides over an upper surface of the bottom-surface printing mask to pressurize and supply the paste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiko Abe, Tetsuya Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110252988
    Abstract: To provide a screen printing apparatus and a screen printing method which can enhance a plate separating property after a printing operation regardless of a type of a mask, thereby suppressing occurrence of printing failure. A screen printing apparatus includes mask supporting means 6 for supporting a mask 2 from the rear surface thereof, holding means 20 for holding a printing medium 3, posture changing means 30 for changing a posture of the printing medium 3 held by the holding means 20 between a parallel posture parallel to the mask 2 and a tilted posture tilted about the mask 2, and lifting means for lifting the holding means 20 so as to contact and separate the surface of the printing medium 3 with or from the rear surface of the mask 2. Here, the printing medium 3 having been subjected to a pattern printing operation is separated from the mask 2 from one end of the printing medium to the other end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tanaka, Seiichi Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20110252987
    Abstract: A reusable stencil apparatus and methods for making and using same are provided. In a general embodiment, a stencil apparatus includes a body having front and back sides and at least one design cutout formed in the body, a removable adhesive on the back side of the body, and a release coating on the front side of the body. The stencil apparatus does not require a backing layer to prevent the adhesive from sticking to a front side of the body when the stencil apparatus is rolled up. The stencil apparatus may be removably adhered to a surface and a transfer medium applied to the stencil apparatus and surface to leave an image of the design cutout on the surface when the stencil apparatus is removed from the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Linda Cibula
  • Publication number: 20110250410
    Abstract: Ultraviolet light-curable deposits are printed onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern to make tactile marks (e.g. Braille-like resin dots) for use by people with impaired vision to, for example, recognize the denominations of banknotes. The deposit demonstrates high adhesion due to: (1) presence of 20-80% (wt.) of a low viscosity acrylate component to provide a substrate-penetrating property; and, (2) 2-30% (wt.) of an adhesion-promoting acid acrylate. The deposit material further includes 1-30% (wt.) of urethane acrylate, 1-30% by weight of reactive diluent, photoinitiator and 1-10% (wt.) of rheological adsorbing additive. Optimally, the adhesion promoter is added after the other components have been mixed with the rheological additive. The printing step may be followed by heating before the curing step to increase penetration of the ink into the substrate. The deposit may comprise a taggant for use as a security feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadeusz Piotr Rygas, Thivaharan Thurailingam, Silviu Crisan, Norbert Joseph Sylvain Chalifoux
  • Patent number: 8033218
    Abstract: A printing device, a production unit and a production method of electronic parts suitable for production of precise electronic parts are provided. A squeegee is attached to a rotating machine, and is autorotated and self-driven, and moreover, a printing pressure is generated in the squeegee, and resin is strongly filled, thereby achieving a print having a precision-shape. Further, with a perforated plate as a boundary, upper and lower chambers are provided so as to control a pressure, thereby performing cutting and dispensing of the resin and achieving a print having a precision-shape. This method is applied to the packaging of electronic parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tokai Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kambara
  • Publication number: 20110242664
    Abstract: An optical assembly configured to display an image on a solar panel covered on at least a part of its surface with a lenticular array, between which an image in the form of substantially equidistant parallel bands with a specific pitch is arranged. The lenticular array has a plane internal surface and an external surface formed by external faces of a series of adjacent identical transparent cylindrical elements whose generatrices are parallel to the bands. The external side of the base of each cylindrical element has an asymmetric profile. The width of each cylindrical element is equal to the pitch of the bands. The bands are arranged so that, for a first angle range of given incidences at which the optical assembly is intended to be observed, radiation can reach a zone in which a band is arranged, and for a second angle range of lower given incidences, radiation can reach an active surface of the solar panel in a zone at least partially not masked by the bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Guillaume Counil, Michele Schiavoni, Patrick Gayout
  • Publication number: 20110226142
    Abstract: In a screen printer, printing frame for the screen printer and a preparation method therefor, the screen printer comprises a screen mesh, which is provided on a predetermined frame body so as to be stretched at a predetermined tensile strength, and a plate-making screen master, which is arranged on one of faces of the screen mesh, wherein the tensile strength at time of stretching the screen mesh is higher than that at time of arranging the screen master in the screen mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi MIMURA, Shigeki TANAKA, Yasuyuki MIKATSURA
  • Publication number: 20110226143
    Abstract: A stencil for applying indicia to a substrate, such as a lawn. The stencil is in the form of a flexible membrane having a plurality of openings for releaseably seeming the flexible membrane to the substrate or lawn. The flexible membrane is provided with a plurality of image regions corresponding to the indicia to be applied to the substrate or lawn. Each image legion has a bridging segment connecting the image region to the flexible membrane, the bridging segment being in the form of a flexible hinge to enable the image region to selectively cover and to selectively expose the substrate or lawn through the flexible membrane by selectively folding the image regions onto the substrate and onto the flexible membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Cudworth
  • Publication number: 20110209634
    Abstract: A method of screen printing on 3D glass articles includes providing a 3D glass article having a first 3D surface with a first surface profile and a second 3D surface with a second surface profile, the first 3D surface and the second 3D surface being separated by a thickness of glass. The method includes providing a fixture having a 3D fixture surface with a fixture surface profile matching the second surface profile. The method includes providing a screen having a design, a squeegee, and an ink. The 3D glass article is supported on the fixture by mating the second 3D surface with the 3D fixture surface. The screen is positioned at a plane a distance above the first 3D surface. The ink is deposited on the screen. The squeegee is positioned at a selected orientation relative to the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Sabia, Kathleen Ann Wexell
  • Publication number: 20110206885
    Abstract: A biodegradable flexible substrate providing a pressure sensitive self adhering transfer marking. The substrate includes a biodegradable paper liner supporting a biodegradable transfer matrix in the form of an ink matrix bearing a transfer marking, a layer of biodegradable clear adhesive over the ink matrix, and a biodegradable protective paper layer over the adhesive layer. The biodegradable ink matrix includes a layer of biodegradable water based clear ink, a layer of biodegradable colored water based inks depicting graphics, and a layer of biodegradable clear protective ink. In another aspect, a process for producing the substrate, is initiated by laying down a heavy clear water based ink or paint on a release liner, then the colors necessary for the graphic design are screen printed on the clear base and a top clear is added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher Baird Corlett
  • Publication number: 20110192295
    Abstract: In a printing system in which a roll film is rolled out to be printed by a printer and the film is rolled up after printing and drying, there is a possibility that wrinkles of the film are generated when printing, and printed materials are scratched because the printed film is positioned near the printer. Both end sides of a suction stage in the film delivery direction are formed in a circular arc shape, and auxiliary stages are provided near the end portions to suck and hold a film, the auxiliary stages are allowed to be moved lower than a surface of the suction stage in the state to closely attach the film to the suction stage while applying tension to the film, and the film is sucked and held on the suction stage in the state to be printed after position adjustment to a surface of a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Akio IGARASHI, Makoto HOMMA, Naoaki HASHIMOTO, Tomoyuki YAHAGI
  • Patent number: 7989031
    Abstract: This invention relates to a component surface (side section 1a), in particular a vehicle surface, with a three-dimensional surface texture. This invention further relates to a method for the creation of a component surface (side section 1a), in particular a vehicle surface, with a three-dimensional surface texture. To keep the effort and expense required for the achievement of a three-dimensional surface texture low, the invention teaches that a film is glued to the component surface (side section 1a), which film has been provided prior to the gluing with a plurality of coats of paint, each using the screen printing process, which in their totality form a three-dimensional surface texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Linde Material Handling GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Krause, Cordula Ulbrich
  • Publication number: 20110174172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-aligning stencil device for producing a multi-color composite image on a target surface. The self-aligning stencil device includes a central panel and a plurality of stencil panels foldably connected to the central panel. The central panel includes a solid region and a cut-out region. The solid region of the central panel includes a front surface and a back surface, and is defined by an outer border of the central panel and an inner border of the central panel. The cut-out region is vacant space that is defined by the inner border of the central panel. Each stencil panel has its own distinct stencil pattern and is foldably connected to a different corresponding portion of the outer border of the central panel, thereby forming a connection fold between each stencil panel and its corresponding portion of the outer border of the central panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE ART CONCEPTS, LLC
    Inventors: John G. SWISHER, Janna MAKAEVA
  • Publication number: 20110146508
    Abstract: When a printed circuit board is inspected and determined to have an insufficient amount of printing of a print pattern, the printed board is returned to a screen-printing apparatus so that a new print pattern is formed so as to overlap a previous print pattern. In the re-printing, a raising speed of the printed board at a final stage of the board raising operation is rendered lower than in the previous screen printing so that the printed board is brought into contact with the underside of the screen mask more slowly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Manabu Mizuno, Ritsuo Hirukawa
  • Publication number: 20110146509
    Abstract: Shaped ceramic articles can be obtained by screen printing the desired shapes from a dispersion of a precursor of the ceramic onto a receiving surface using a transfer assisted technique that applies a differential pressure, at least partially drying the screen printed shapes, and firing them to generate the shaped ceramic articles. Shaped abrasive particles made using lower viscosity sol gels that tended to flow or creep after the screen printing formation were found to have higher grinding performance over screen printed shaped abrasive particles made with higher viscosity sol gels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Dennis G. Welygan, Dwight D. Erickson, John T. Boden
  • Publication number: 20110139636
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a gold-plated screen-printed electrode for use as an electrochemical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Rebecca Y. Lai, Weiwei Yang
  • Publication number: 20110139022
    Abstract: UV or EB curing ink compositions for screen printing which contain a remarkably high amount of an epoxidized vegetable or animal oil as sustainable material and a reactive diluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Alfred Brunner, Edwin Tafelmeier
  • Publication number: 20110120325
    Abstract: A stencil printer for printing viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil, and a print head to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. A substrate support supports a substrate in a print position. A substrate support movement assembly includes a first movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a first direction, a second movement mechanism configured to move the substrate support in a second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a third movement mechanism, spaced from a first movement mechanism, configured to move the substrate in the first direction. The stencil printer further includes a controller coupled to the substrate support movement assembly to move the substrate support by the first, second and third movement mechanisms in an x-direction, a y-direction and a rotational direction to align the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: John G. Klauser, Ronald J. Forget