Abstract: An apparatus that conveys pellet-shaped articles may include a hopper that receives a quantity of the pellet-shaped articles. The hopper may include one or more openings to direct a flow of air into the hopper to dislodge jamming or bridging of pellet-shaped articles within the hopper.

Abstract: A wiper that extends toward an inkjet head and wipes a nozzle surface of the inkjet head includes: a base section extending in an extension direction of the wiper, an inclined surface continuous with the base section and having, in a direction in which the wiper travels during wiping, a thickness that gradually decreases toward the extension direction; and a leading-end projecting section thinner than the base section and provided at a leading end of the wiper in such a manner as to be continuous with the inclined surface and project in the extension direction.

Abstract: A method includes receiving torque data of a powder recoater operatively connected to an additive manufacturing system. The torque data includes torque data of the recoater when the recoater traverses a build area. Receiving torque data includes receiving force data from a plurality of load cells, each load cell operatively associated with a blade segment of a recoater blade assembly. The method also includes determining a quality of one or more of an additive manufacturing process and/or product based on the torque data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a structured, at least partly optically transparent varnish surface on a surface of a substrate board, preferably of a wood material board, having a decoration. The steps of the method include applying a transparent or at least partly transparent varnish to an applicator roll thereby producing a structured varnish surface and transferring the structured varnish surface to a substrate board having a decoration. The varnish is applied to the applicator roll by a plurality of digitally controlled nozzles in a distribution defining a structure and/or is transformed on the applicator roll into a distribution defining a structure. Furthermore, a device for carrying out the method is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for structuring a press belt (5) made of metal, which has surface areas having three-dimensional embossed structures (6) to be transferred to decorative panels, and a coating is applied to an outer face of the press belt (5) and the embossed structures (6) are then produced by abrading material from or applying material to uncoated regions of the press belt (5), and the application of the coating is carried out by means of a digitally controlled printing method in which the coating is applied in droplet form, wherein before the press belts (5) are structured, the length and width of the embossed structures (6) are determined, taking into account an anticipated elongation of the press belt (5) in an operative state.

Abstract: A conveyer mechanism (110) may include one or more composition inspection units provided along the intended product transport path. The product's composition, e.g., it's ink composition, is compared with a predetermined standard, to determine whether the product is acceptable. A bar code (48, 45.1, 47.1, 85) may be provided to an external surface of the article for identification/traceability purposes.

Abstract: A flexographic printing system including an ink pan configured to pivot around a pivot element having a pivot axis. A first bracket affixed to the ink pan is configured to rest on the pivot element, and a second bracket is affixed to the ink pan in an adjustable position and is configured to constrain motion of the ink pan to a pivoting motion around the pivot axis. A fountain roller is mounted on the ink pan and is at least partially immersed in the ink in the ink pan for transferring the ink to an anilox roller having a patterned surface for transferring a controlled amount of ink from the ink pan to the flexographic printing plate. A height adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting a height of a distal portion of the ink pan to control the extent of contact between the fountain roller and the anilox roller.

Abstract: A flexographic printing system comprising a print module including a plate cylinder on which is mounted a flexographic printing plate, an impression cylinder, an ink pan containing an ink, and an anilox roller for transferring the ink to the flexographic printing plate. A fountain roller mounted to the ink pan is at least partially immersed in the ink in the ink pan and transfers the ink to the anilox roller. A doctor blade mounted to the ink pan and is on a side of the anilox roller proximate to the impression cylinder removes excess amounts of the ink from the patterned surface of the first anilox roller before the ink is transferred to the flexographic printing plate.

Abstract: There is described an intaglio printing press comprising a plate cylinder (8) carrying one or more intaglio printing plates (8c) and an impression cylinder (7) cooperating with the plate cylinder (8), a printing nip being formed between the plate cylinder (8) and the impression cylinder (7). The plate cylinder (8) and the impression cylinder (7) each comprise one or more cylinder pits (8a, 7a) and a corresponding number of cylinder segments (8b, 7b), the plate cylinder (8) and the impression cylinder (7) being in rolling contact with one another during printing operations along their respective cylinder segments (8a, 7b) when no cylinder pits (8a, 7a) are present at the printing nip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier having at least one printed area produced by intaglio printing and partly covered with a film, and to a method for producing said data carrier.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for manufacturing electronic devices using a roll-to-roll rotary pressing process, comprising a winding roll around which flexible printing paper is wound; a plurality of printing units arranged in a straight line; at least one coating unit; a rewinding roll to rewind the printing paper when printing has been completed; a plurality of guide rolls arranged between the winding roll and the rewinding roll, thus guiding the printing paper; a plurality of drying units, each drying unit being provided on a printing paper-path between the printing unit and the adjacent guide roll to dry ink transferred to the printing paper or on a printing paper-path between the coating unit and the adjacent guide roll to dry the printing paper on which coating agent is supplied; and tension regulating units installed around the winding roll and the rewinding roll, respectively, for regulating tension of the printing paper.

Abstract: A method of forming ink patterns and an apparatus for printing ink patterns capable of reducing the amount of wasted ink and enhancing the printing and positional precision of the shape of ink patterns on a member to be printed, are described herein.

Abstract: A plate cylinder includes a base body with a cylindrical shape which is rotated in a predetermined direction and a pattern plate which is provided on an outer circumference surface of the base body and is rotated integrally with the base body and where a plurality of concave sections, which configures a predetermined printing pattern and is filled with conductive ink, is formed, where a blade, which wipes away the conductive ink which protrudes from the concave sections, contacts the outer circumference surface of the pattern plate, a blanket roll, to which the conductive ink is transferred and which performs printing by transferring the transferred conductive ink to a printing medium, contacts the outer circumference surface of the pattern plate, and a wall, which regulates infiltration of the blade and the blanket roll into the concave sections, is provided in the concave sections.

Abstract: A printing surface includes a substrate having latching electrodes on a first surface, a spacer layer on the first surface of the substrate, the spacer layer patterned to form wells such that the latching electrodes reside in the wells, a deformable membrane, the membrane having conductive regions, on the spacer layer to enclose the wells, each enclosed well and its associated region of the membrane forming a pixel membrane, and actuation circuitry to actuate the electrodes to cause selected ones of the pixel membranes to remain in a deflected state when the pixel membranes receive an impulse to return to an undeflected state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for manufacturing electronic devices using a roll-to-roll rotary pressing process, comprising a winding roll around which flexible printing paper is wound; a plurality of printing units arranged in a straight line; at least one coating unit; a rewinding roll to rewind the printing paper when printing has been completed; a plurality of guide rolls arranged between the winding roll and the rewinding roll, thus guiding the printing paper; a plurality of drying units, each drying unit being provided on a printing paper-path between the printing unit and the adjacent guide roll to dry ink transferred to the printing paper or on a printing paper-path between the coating unit and the adjacent guide roll to dry the printing paper on which coating agent is supplied; and tension regulating units installed around the winding roll and the rewinding roll, respectively, for regulating tension of the printing paper.

Abstract: A print station has print cylinder with axially spaced segments for printing different coating materials on a substrate at a single print station. The coating material is stored in adjacent wells separated by walls within a trough. The walls may be notched to receive the shaft of the print cylinder with each of the print cylinder segments disposed in one of the wells for receiving the coating material. Each of the print cylinder segments can receive the coating material from its respective well and then simultaneously in the respective well and applying it to a substrate.

Abstract: An ink removal device for an inkjet printer with a cartridge carrier and a print head. The ink removal device comprises a base, a wiper holder, a rotating member and a scraper. The wiper holder is movably disposed on the base and comprises a wiper disposed thereon to remove residual ink from the print head. The rotating member is disposed on the base. The scraper is rotatably disposed on the rotating member and rotates between a first position and a second position to remove residual ink from the wiper. The wiper moves relative to the scraper by means of the wiper holder sliding on the base.

Abstract: Printing plates for all-over printing of large areas by the intaglio printing process, a method for producing the printing plates and data carriers, in particular bank notes, with large-area printed images produced by the intaglio printing process area proposed. Flawless inking is ensured by providing partitions in the engraving of the printing plate which rise up vertically from the base of the engraved area and have at least a height of 50% of the engraving depth. The partitions largely prevent ink from being wiped out of the engraved areas when ink is wiped off the printing plate surface. This permits a large printed area to be covered all over with ink layers on a data carrier. By special arrangement and design of the partitions one can also produce fine structures in the printing area which area recognizable only with magnifying aids depending on the selected distances between the partitions.

Abstract: A method for producing a security document having printed image 1 produced by steel intaglio printing and embossed microstructures 2 of an order of magnitude of less than 100 microns is carried out by one printing plate 8 on which both the steel intaglio structures and the microstructures are present. The parts of the microstructures closest to printing plate surface 9 are located 20 to 100 microns below the printing plate surface so that they are not touched and destroyed by the wiping cylinder. Alternative methods for producing a steel intaglio printing plate with integrated microstructures are provided. The microstructures can be used for embossing a diffractive relief or a blind embossing.

Abstract: A printing unit include a plurality of ink supply members for supplying inks different from each other to a printing area or printing area-like portion, and a plurality of detecting systems, each detecting an amount of the corresponding ink accumulated on the printing area or printing area-like portion.

Abstract: Improved resolution plates based on hydrophilic organic coated substrates, where a hydrophobic layer is present during inkjet imaging and where after heating to fuse the inkjet image, the hydrophobic layer does not irreversibly fuse into the organic coating, but can be removed by aqueous washing to restore the hydrophilic nature of the plate surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to disclose an apparatus and method for printing a spark plug, wherein an excellent print quality is obtained and maintained. The printing apparatus comprises: a marking roller for forming an ink film on an intaglio on itself; a transfer roller for transferring the ink film from the intaglio to the spark plug insulator; an ink supply nozzle for supplying the intaglio with the printing ink; and a doctor blade for scratching a surplus ink which does not contribute to form the ink film. the concave depth of the intaglio is made to be between 15 ?m and 20 ?m, both inclusive, thereby optimizing the ink drying.

Abstract: An intaglio printer has a form or plate cylinder and a printing or counterpressure cylinder. In addition, at least one screen printing cylinder is provided and transfers screen printing ink to the form or plate cylinder.

Abstract: A printing bridge for silk-screen printing machines has at least one mobile transversal support beam and a doctor retaining and adjusting element slidably attached to the beam. In order to deliver fluid to the doctor retaining and adjusting element, the doctor retaining and attaching element includes a fluid driven actuator connected by tubes to a duct in a section bar on the transversal support beam.

Abstract: A doctor device in an inking unit of a rotary printing machine, having a base member, and a working doctor adjustable with respect to the base member, includes a sensor for determining a position of the working doctor relative to the base member; and a rotary printing machine includes the doctor device.

Abstract: A process for gravure by means of an erasable and reusable gravure form proceeds from a gravure blank form with a base screen which is designed at least for the maximum amount of ink to be transferred. The depressions of the base screen of the gravure blank form are uniformly filled with a liquefiable substance by means of an applicator device and material is then removed from the depressions in conformity to the intended image by means of thermal energy applied by an image-point transfer device. The printing form is then inked by means of an inking system and, finally, is regenerated after the printing process to produce a gravure blank form, wherein the depressions of the base screen are filled again in a uniform manner.

Abstract: A substrate for an electron source, the substrate including a plurality of electron emission devices each including a pair of opposing electrodes. The substrate is prepared using an intaglio plate having recessed portions corresponding to a pattern of the electrodes, the depth of the recessed portions being in the range from 4 &mgr;m to 15 &mgr;m, filling the recessed portions with ink, pressing a blanket against the intaglio plate so that the ink is transferred from the inside of the recessed portions onto the blanket, and bringing the blanket into contact with the substrate so that the ink is transferred from the blanket onto the substrate thereby forming the electrode pattern.

Abstract: A doctor blade for wiping excess printing ink off the surface of a printing form (10) has a front section in the form of a leaf (3) which interacts with the surface of the printing form (10). In order to avoid wear or damage to the printing form surface as a result of the contact pressure exerted by the leaf (3) on the printing form surface, the leaf (3) is provided with a coating (5) over the entire doctor blade length. The coating (5) consists of lubricant or contains lubricant particles (8). As a result of the significant reduction in friction between the leaf (3) and the printing form surface, not only is the wear on the printing form surface reduced, but the wear on the doctor blade is also reduced, and its service life is extended.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital electrostatic printing machine, comprising a cylinder with an electrostatically chargeable surface (PIP cylinder), to which charging electrodes, a laser write head and a quench electrode are assigned, and comprising an ink applicator, a transfer cylinder and a central cylinder. According to the invention, the ink applicator comprises an engraved roller.

Abstract: For security printing of documents, in particular banknotes, by printing a sheet or web using intaglio technology, an ink image is applied to transfer rollers (6) using rotary screen printing technology, said ink image is transferred from the transfer rollers to one or more intaglio plates which are provided with engravings and are fixed in or on the shell of a plate cylinder, and the ink present in the engravings of the intaglio plates is transferred to a sheet or web pressed against the plate cylinder (1) by a counter pressure cylinder (8).

Abstract: System for applying a pumpable substance (printing liquid) to running material webs, comprising a chambered doctor blade casing provided with a space for pumpable substance; an inlet and an outlet for pumpable substance; and at least two doctor blades detachably mounted on the chambered doctor blade casing, which blades bound an opening which, in operation, faces the outer circumference of a roller and which extends over the length of the chambered doctor blade casing, and the chambered doctor blade casing being sealed at its end faces by detachable seals.

Abstract: A method of producing a substrate for an electron source, the substrate including a plurality of electron emission devices each including a pair of opposing electrodes, the plurality of electron emission devices being arranged on the substrate. The method comprises the steps of preparing an intaglio plate having recessed portions corresponding to a pattern of the electrodes, the depth of the recessed portions being in the range from 4 .mu.m to 15 .mu.m, filling the recessed portions with ink, pressing a blanket against the intaglio plate so that the ink is transferred from the inside of the recessed portions onto the blanket, and bringing the blanket into contact with the substrate so that the ink is transferred from the blanket onto the substrate thereby forming the electrode pattern thereon.

Abstract: In a wiping device of an intaglio printing press in which a doctor blade can follow the movement of a wiping roller through a cam mechanism, a holder for the doctor blade is supported on a tank on the machine body side by long holes, formed in the holder in its right-and-left direction and elongated in its back-and-forth direction, and flanged pin members, passing through the long holes, so as to be movable in the directions of throw-on and throw-off movement of the doctor blade. The rightward and leftward movements of the holder are restrained by the long hole and pin member located at one site in the center of the holder. Thus, the doctor blade can fully follow the cocking of the wiping roller, and there are no problems due to the penetration of a solvent or ink.

Abstract: A method of making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A multicolored ink pattern is formed on a collector device, then hardened or cured while on the collector device. The multicolored pattern is then applied to a substrate using a suitable adhesive.

Abstract: A process and rotary printing machine for indirect rotogravure printing without intermediate drying, wherein the printing ink with a viscosity in the range of 80 to 1000 mPa s is supplied to the rotogravure form cylinder by a chamber doctor. Additionally, the transfer cylinder carries a covering with a closed surface, low surface roughness, low wettability and high radial compressibility.

Abstract: The fine-line pattern forming method is to form a pattern by transferring the pattern formed on the blanket of which surface is covered with an elastic material mainly composed of silicone resin, on a substrate on which a tack layer is formed.

Abstract: Air bubbles which are entrapped within the cells of an engraved applicator roller are displaced from the cells by wiping the surface of the engraved applicator roller with the bristles of a brush. An elongated brush mounted on a doctor blade head projects into a doctor blade reservoir. The bristles of the brush are disposed for wiping engagement against the engraved surface of an applicator roller which is wetted by liquid coating material. As the engraved applicator roller rotates in contact with the liquid material in the doctor blade reservoir, the bristles of the brush puncture the entrapped air bubbles and sweep the entrapped air away from the cells. The sweeping action of the bristles induces a relatively low pressure condition within the cells, which promotes the flow of liquid material into the cells.

Abstract: An offset printing method wherein, by using a screen stencil, ink is once printed on a transfer sheet whose top most layer is made of silicone rubber, and thereafter, the ink is transferred from said transfer sheet onto a substrate to be printed on, or by the use of an ink containing at least an organic solvent and a thermoplastic resin, the ink is transferred from said transfer sheet onto a substrate for printing through heating said substrate for printing or said transfer sheet, and an offset printing machine to be employed in said offset printing method which comprises, at least, a screen stencil movable in the horizontal direction, a rotatable cylindrical roller with a transfer sheet whose top most layer is made of silicone rubber being wound thereon, and a squeeze movable up and down.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for making printed foods such as cookies, crackers, and snacks at high production speeds on a continuous basis. The apparatus includes a rotary printer which is synchronized with dough forming apparatus such as a rotary cutter or rotary molder.

Abstract: A rotary tampon printing machine to print the edge area of automobile glazings is distinguished in that the tampon placed on the tampon roller exhibits a flange whose surface that transfers the printing ink corresponds to the frame-shaped printing design. As a block there is a screen printing stencil that is placed above the tampon roller. The tampon roller transfers the printing ink from the screen printing stencil to the glass sheet.

Abstract: A transferring layer on a transfer cylinder improves separability for facilitating complete transfer of ink from the transferring layer onto the material to be printed. This separability arises from the inclusion of a fluorine compound or a silicone compound in the transferring layer. In order to prevent incomplete transfer of ink from an intaglio printing plate to this transferring layer of the transfer cylinder, the printing speed of the transfer cylinder relative to the plate is controlled, and at the same time the viscosity of the ink is kept in a certain range. The use of a screen mesh is eliminated, thus preventing various problems associated with its use. A fine pattern of thick film can thus be printed with accuracy on various materials including fragile materials and those with surface irregularities.

Abstract: A printing process employing a water-based foamable ink composition comprising the following steps:(a) foaming the ink composition,(b) applying a coating of the foamed ink composition to the surface of a gravure cylinder which has an array of open cells spaced on the surface thereof,(c) doctoring the surface of the cylinder to convert said coating into discrete thin membranes spanning said cells, and(d) transferring the membranes to a web surface, either directly, or indirectly via one or more intermediate transfer rolls.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a self aligning applicator/doctor blade assembly having at least two working surfaces adapted to engage an ink carrying conical roll wherein the working surfaces lie along the roll surface. A geometric apex for the cone and the working surfaces are coincident. An inking device circulates ink along a path including a zone adjacent to at least one working surface and the roll.

Abstract: An improved reinforcement member for a central aperture in a flexible recording disk and a method for forming the same. The improved reinforcement comprises an integral, annular-shaped ring formed on one or both sides of the flexible recording disk about the central aperture thereof. This improved reinforcement is formed by transfer printing a liquid image of the reinforcement member onto a side surface of the flexible recording disk and then subsequently solidifying that liquid image. The liquid image to be transfer printed onto the flexible recording disk is first established by filling a metering reservoir shaped to be an image of the reinforcement member with a solidifying liquid. A terminal end of compliant rubber tampon is then first contacted to the reservoir thereby picking up the liquid image which is then contacted to the surface of the flexible disk to be deposited there.

Abstract: A paper printing ink is disclosed composed of a pigment, an alkyd resin binder modified with a long-chain fatty acid and which optionally contains conventional components, such as, lubricants, solvents, and viscosity modifiers, wherein the alkyd resin is a non-drying resin modified with oils, fatty acids, or fatty alcohols having an iodine number less than about 20. The inks of the present invention possess good printability properties and pigment wetting capability. This results in high gloss abrasion-resistant printing films which are free from contact yellowing and odor formation. Moreover, the inks of the present invention can be readily removed from the paper, thereby facilitating recycling of the paper. Methods for utilizing the inks as well as products printed with the inks are disclosed.

Abstract: There has been provided a method for manufacture of decals wherein the decal is printed with an offset rotogravure process utilizing solventless thermoplastic inks. By controlling the temperatures of the gravure rolls, the offset rolls and the back-up rolls, a continuous process is maintained which is capable of printing all layers of a decal without intermediate drying steps. The decal produced and claimed is, in a preferred embodiment, a ceramic heat release decal especially suited for the manufacture of decorated tableware.

Abstract: A printing machine comprising a cylindrical applicator has a spiral groove formed on the peripheral surface and is rotatable. A doctor blade used to wipe away excess ink and to insure adequate ink in the grooves. Electrodes are provided opposite the groove and paper is fed at a speed slower than the rotating peripheral speed of the applicator. A voltage related to the character to be printed is sequentially fed to the opposite electrodes to attract ink in the groove with the paper and print the character. In another embodiment a plurality of applicators are used with each applicator having a counter electrode having a stylus electrode array. As voltages are applied to the array the ink in the adjacent groove swells and contacts the paper. The voltages are staggered between the two electrode arrays. In a third embodiment, using multineedle electrodes raises the ink electrostaticly to the top portion of the applicator.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a phosphor screen for a color picture tube is disclosed which comprises the steps of transferring an ink pattern contained on an intaglio having a surface comprising ink receiving portions with a depth of 10.mu. or more, said ink containing 15 to 90% by volume of phosphor powder, by rotatably moving at a first speed a transcriber having a cylindrical surface covered with a layer of a soft material along the surface of the intaglio in order to apply the ink pattern onto the cylindrical surface of the transcriber and transcribing said ink pattern from said transcriber onto an object to be printed for a color picture tube by rotatably moving the transcriber at a second higher speed along the surface of said object.

Abstract: In a pellet marking apparatus of the type comprising, a frame, printing means comprising a design roller and a resilient printing roller mounted on the frame, an ink reservoir mounted on the frame, hopper means into which a multiplicity of pellets or the like are to be loaded, and a conveyor for transporting the pellets from the hopper and presenting them to the printing means for marking the pellets with the desired indicia, the improvement comprising hinge means for moving the printing means between an operative position in which the design roller is immersed in the ink reservoir and the printing roller is in position to contact pellets on the conveyor, and a dwell position in which the design roll is not in contact with the reservoir and the printing roller is spaced from the conveyor in a position so as not to contact pellets thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the relative position between a doctor blade and a printing cylinder in a rotogravure printing process in which the thickness of the layer of residual ink which is allowed to pass by the doctor blade is used as a control valve. The thickness of the residual ink is determined by determining the amount of the attenuation caused by the residual ink to a beam of light. In one embodiment a laser beam is impinged upon the residual ink on the printing cylinder and the portion of the laser beam which is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by the residual ink and the printing cylinder is detected. The thus detected light can be compared to a reference value for determining the attenuation due to the residual ink layer and hence determining the thickness of the ink layer. The thickness of the ink layer can in turn be used as a control value for adjusting the position of the doctor blade with respect to the printing cylinder.