Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit that transfers an image onto an object by making contact with the object; an attachment table to which the object is attached and that changes a height thereof in accordance with force by which the transfer unit makes contact with the object; and a transport unit that transports the attachment table to which the object has been attached along a transport path.

Abstract: Computing devices, input devices, keyboard assemblies, and related systems include a set of conductive traces or leads configured to transfer a capacitive load from an appendage of a user or another capacitive load source from a remote location, such as on a keycap of the keyboard, to a conductive portion or electrode on the keyboard that is positioned near a touch-sensitive interface of a computing device. The capacitive load is thereby transferable through the conductive traces or leads to the touch-sensitive interface without having to directly apply the load, such as by touching a finger to the interface. This can reduce or eliminate the need for on-screen controls or keyboard interface elements in a touch screen device without having to use a more expensive and energy-draining wired or wireless connection between the computing device and a keyboard case or accessory for the computing device.

Abstract: A method of printing radiopaque indicia on a medical device. The method includes applying radiopaque marking fluid to a surface of a plate comprising one or more etchings having a depth of at least 0.0001 inches, exposing the radiopaque marking fluid on the surface of the plate to air to allow the radiopaque marking fluid to achieve a sufficient level of tackiness, and transferring the radiopaque marking fluid to a medical device. The radiopaque marking fluid comprises a clear ink and tungsten particulates having a particulate size of more than one micron.

Abstract: A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp. The accessory may also include fastening mechanisms, such as magnetic elements, to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.

Abstract: A pad printing machine comprising at least one inverted planetary roller threaded drive (12; 24; 36; 48; 60; 62) and application of latter to a pad printing machine.

Abstract: A tablet printing apparatus first applies either ultraviolet rays or infrared rays to surfaces of tablets that are being conveyed. The ultraviolet or infrared rays are applied to at least a contour portion of a target area where a print image is to be formed. In the case of applying ultraviolet rays, the surface of the contour portion is roughened, and the angle of contact with ink is reduced. In the case of applying infrared rays, the contour portion is etched into a recessed shape. Thereafter, ink is ejected inside the contour portion. This configuration suppresses the spread of the ejected ink to the outside of the target area. As a result, the print image has a well-defined contour.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image on the nail of a user comprises a handle body having an outer gripping surface and an inner surface defining a clear bore extending completely therethrough and an image transfer body formed of a transparent pliable material having an outer surface corresponding to the clear bore of the handle body and an image transfer surface extending from the handle body. A kit may include the apparatus and a plate containing at least one image location having a depression adapted to contain a portion of paint to be transferred to a user's nail. A user locates a portion of paint in depression of the plate, presses an image transfer surface on the image transfer body on the portion of paint to transfer the portion of paint to the image transfer surface and applies the image transfer surface to a nail of the user.

Abstract: An automated feed manufacturing product is disclosed. The automated feed manufacturing product is provided with a flexible substrate having a plurality of card zones with the card zones defining sensing areas with sensor units formed within the sensing areas. The sensor units have a first electrode having first fingers, and a second electrode having second fingers and with the first fingers interleaved with the second fingers and with the first fingers spaced away from the second fingers. The sensor units also comprising biomolecule receptors on the flexible web between the first electrode and the second electrode such that a physical property of the first electrode relative to the second electrode is effected upon one or more of the biomolecule receptors binding to a biomolecule. The automated feed manufacturing product can be formed as a continuous web, or discrete sheets formed using a sheet feeder that picks up and processes the discrete sheets.

Abstract: A system and method for producing an optical aperture for an optical element of an infrared optical system includes placing the optical element in a printer and applying ink in an image of the optical aperture to a curved surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A printing method wherein when pressing a printing blanket made from an elastic material which becomes thinner towards the tip thereof, is pressed against an original plate for printing, to which ink has been applied, the descending speed is set to a minimum when the tip of the printing blanket comes into contact with the original plate for printing, and as the pressing progresses, the descending speed is increased. Similarly, when the printing blanket is pressed against the surface to be printed, the descending speed is set to a minimum when the tip of the printing bracket comes into contact with the surface to be printed and as the pressing progresses, the descending speed is increased.

Abstract: A doctor assembly for a pad printing system includes a body and a doctor blade. The body has an outer surface and an opposite inner surface that defines a passageway through the body. The inner surface engages a removable pre-filled ink cup to secure the ink cup to the body. The inner surface directs ink from the ink cup through the passageway toward an ink-receiving surface of a cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body and engages the cliché device. The doctor blade wipes the ink along the cliché device as the body laterally moves relative to the cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body such that the doctor blade is laterally spaced apart from the inner surface of the body.

Abstract: A printing device includes: a transfer roller and a supporting unit for supporting a target substrate to be printed in which a printing pattern formed on the transfer roller is printed onto the target substrate by rotating the transfer roller on the target substrate. The printing device further includes: an adjusting mechanism which is configured to extend/contract the printing pattern formed on the transfer roller along a rotational direction of the transfer roller by adjusting a pressing amount of the target substrate against the transfer roller based on position information on a pattern printed on the target substrate when the transfer roller is rotated on the target substrate.

Abstract: At least one printing unit which can be moved into a print-image pickup position and into a print-image transfer position fitted with a first printing pad support involving a first pad support system or first pad seat for a first printing pad and a printing plate carrier to receive a printing plate, said printing unit also including a second pad support fitted with a second support system or second pad seat for a second printing pad, the two pad supports are such that the first support system of the first pad support and the second seat or second support system of the first pad support and the second pickup or second support system of the second pad support face each other at least when in the print-image transfer position.

Abstract: A pad printing machine comprising a work board. The work board is situated in front of the pad printing machine and fitted with an optical display displaying given operational states of the pad printing machine to an operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing is provided. The method includes preparing a hollow printing pad having a transfer surface, the printing pad being configured so that when the transfer surface is pushed, the gas in the hollow part is released to the outside of the printing pad; transferring ink or paint in recesses formed on the surface of a printing plate to the transfer surface of the printing pad by applying the ink or paint onto the surface of the printing plate and by pressing the transfer surface of the printing pad against the surface of the printing plate; and transferring the ink or paint to the object to be printed by pressing the transfer surface of the printing pad against the object to be printed until at least the hemispherical portion of the object to be printed is wrapped by the transfer surface of the printing pad.

Abstract: A shoe platen to securely hold a shoe so that graphics, including custom graphics, can be printed on the shoe automatically. The platen comprises a shoe plate 102 configured to receive shoes such as high-top shoes or low top shoes. Adjusters 104, 106 can also be used to accommodate shoes of various styles and sizes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and method for forming a thin film pattern using the printing apparatus which can form a multi-layered thin film pattern on a substrate.

Abstract: A pad printing machine with a holder for a printing plate includes an ink supply device having a hollow body which rests with its front face on the printing plate during operation of the machine, a device for producing a relative movement between the printing plate and the hollow body, and a printing pad which can be pressed onto the inked printing plate and receives the ink from recesses in the printing plate and transfers the ink to an object to be printed. The drive assembly for the relative movement between the hollow body and the printing plate has a rotatably driven first cam and the drive assembly for the pad has a rotatably driven second cam, wherein both cams are arranged on a single control disc.

Abstract: A pad printing machine includes a printing plate holder, a printing plate attached on the printing plate holder, a device for inking the printing plate, and a pad configured to lift the ink off the printing plate and transferring the ink to an object to be printed. At least one of the printing plate holder, the device for inking the printing plate and the pad is moveably arranged, with the printing plate being supported for displacement and rotation.

Abstract: Method for overprinting already printed packages includes preparing a raster or steel magnetic block which is provided with a clamping plate, wherein the block is engraved with the aid of a jet etching device and represents new texts or patterns which are applicable by tampon printing using specific inks on a located existing and already printed part of a box, drying, verifying and packing the box. The method is used for overprinting and includes masking an undesired area by printing a blanking pavement and afterwards by overprinting a desired text, instruction or a pattern thereon and uses an automatic line including a de-stacker (3) for automatically feeding boxes, at least one printing head (1), at least one drying tunnel (4) and at least one restacker (5).

Abstract: There are provided a printing method in which at least approximately hemispherical portion of a spherical object to be printed can be printed by pressing a pad against the portion one time, and which can prevent an image printed on the spherical object to be printed from being elongated or distorted, and a printing pad used for this printing method.

Abstract: A pad printing machine with a holder for a printing plate includes an ink supply device having a hollow body which rests with its front face on the printing plate during operation of the machine, a device for producing a relative movement between the printing plate and the hollow body, and a printing pad which can be pressed onto the inked printing plate and receives the ink from recesses in the printing plate and transfers the ink to an object to be printed. The drive assembly for the relative movement between the hollow body and the printing plate has a rotatably driven first cam and the drive assembly for the pad has a rotatably driven second cam, wherein both cams are arranged on a single control disc.

Abstract: A roller pad printer for printing on an associated object includes a frame, a flat cliché operably mounted to the frame for receiving and a resilient roller pad operably mount to the frame for rolling contact, at a first location and in a first direction along the cliché, to receive ink transferred from the cliché. The roller pad is adapted for rolling contact with the object, at a second location and in a second direction, to transfer the ink from the roller pad to the object.

Abstract: A plurality of through holes having an equal size are formed in an underlay substrate. Positions of the plurality of through holes are suitably set according to the shape of a substrate sheet. Specifically, an equal number of through holes are formed in each of end blank corresponding regions that, when the substrate sheet and the underlay substrate are overlapped with each other, overlap with end blank regions of the substrate sheet, of the underlay substrate. In addition, the through holes are formed at equal spacing in portions excluding the end blank corresponding regions in a blank corresponding region, which overlaps with a blank region of the substrate sheet, of the underlay substrate.

Abstract: A pad printing machine including at least one pad holder and an object carrier which is positionally displaceably relative to the pad holder and is designed to receive one or more objects, where said pad printing machine further comprises a setup print image receiving element at a fixed distance from the object carrier, further an image recorder to generate an image of at least one zone of the setup print image receiving element, a position deviation detector ascertaining the deviation of the actual position of a print image situated on the print image receiving element from a reference position defined by reference data, and a position shift ascertaining element to ascertain the shift of the object carrier relative to a reference position, as well as a method for printing objects using a pad printing machine.

Abstract: A pad printing machine comprising at least one inverted planetary roller threaded drive (12; 24; 36; 48; 60; 62) and application of latter to a pad printing machine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for applying a design on a medium. In some embodiments, the system includes a letterpress assembly having a base and platen that may be configured in an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the base receives the medium and the platen receives a printing plate. The printing plate may include the design to be applied to the medium. A roller assembly may then receive the letterpress assembly in the closed configuration and may exert a compressive force on the letterpress assembly. The compressive force brings the medium into contact with the printing plate and applies the design on the medium.

Abstract: A print pad for printing on a hard surface has a tip portion made of a silicon rubber having a first durometer. Rearward of the tip portion is a central body portion made of a silicon rubber having a durometer that is different than the durometer of the tip portion. Rearward of the central body is a base suitable to attachment to a machine.

Abstract: Method for printing on a pharmaceutical tablet by etching a printing plate to form a pattern of etchings therein within an area corresponding to an outline of the tablet, varying the ink-retaining volumes of the etchings in a pre-determined manner and in a direction across the etching pattern from one side to an opposite side, placing ink into the etchings, and transferring ink from the etchings in the etched printing plate onto an outer surface of the tablet. Variations in the ink-retaining volumes of the etchings cause a larger amount of ink to be transferred from etchings having a larger ink-retaining volume than from etchings having a smaller ink-retaining volume during the ink transfer stage. This causes different changes in the color of the outer surface of the tablet dependent on the amount of ink being transferred.

Abstract: A method for marking an ophthalmic lens according to predetermined patterns includes supplying a plate (1) provided with engravings (4), filling the engravings (4) with marking ink, applying a pad (7) to the engravings (4), applying the pad (7) to the ophthalmic lens (5). The method involves a stage for pre-preparing the pad (7) in such a way that at least two movable with respect to each other inking portions (12, 13) are defined and a transformation stage for modifying the arrangement of the inking portions (12, 13) which is carried out between the stage for applying the pad (7) to the plate (1) and the stage for applying the inked pad to the lens (5).

Abstract: An ink cup assembly for a printing machine is disclosed as including an outer cup body with a recess, and an inner cup body with a cavity for containing an ink, the inner cup body being made of polyethylene, and a main body portion of the inner cup body is received within the recess of the outer cup body for releasably engaging the inner cup body with the outer cup body.

Abstract: A pad printing system includes a pad printing machine and an object positioning device. The object positioning device is a multiple positioning device by means of which an object support may be consecutively positioned at a print station each time.

Abstract: A rotating cliché pad printer includes a frame, a flat cliché operably mounted to the frame, an ink cup configured to reside on the cliché and a pad applicator. The cliché includes at least one etched region and is adapted to receive ink thereon in the etched region. The ink cup is configured to reside on the cliché and to deposit ink into the at least one etched region. The cliché and ink cup are rotatably movable relative to one another. The pad applicator includes at least one pad adapted to move into and out of contact with the at least one etched region to receive ink from the etched region. The pad is further configured to contact an associated object to transfer the received ink to the associated object.

Abstract: A pad printing system includes a doctor assembly comprising a cliché, an ink cup, and a variable hold down force system configured to apply a variable force to the ink cup and doctor assembly responsive to a direction of travel.

Abstract: A method of printing a patterned layer comprises (step 31 in FIG. 4) detecting the position and alignment of clichés supported on subbeds on the bed of a printing machine (see FIG. 5) using alignment marks thereon. The positions of the subbeds are adjusted according to the detected alignment and position of the areas of the mother glass and the positions and alignment of the clichés (step 32 in FIG. 4). The clichés are then inked (step 33 in FIG. 4). Alternatively, steps 32 and 33 could be reversed. Ink is transferred (step 34 in FIG. 4) from the clichés, supported on the printer subbeds, onto a blanket 16 (see FIG. 2(b)). The material on the blanket 16 is transferred (step 35, FIG. 4) onto the mother glass (as in FIG. 2(c)). A novel printing machine bed (41, FIG. 5) comprises an array of subbeds (42-45 in FIG. 5) individually alignable in a common plane.

Abstract: A printing device and a printing method using the same is disclosed. An air pocket is formed in a cliché stage to prevent a cleaning solution from permeating into a space between the cliché stage and a cliché plate, thereby preventing a lower surface of the cliché plate from being contaminated. The printing device comprises a cliché stage for fixation of a cliché plate, a plurality of vacuum holes disposed in the cliché stage for providing a vacuum to fix of the cliché plate to the cliché stage; and an air pocket surrounding the plurality of vacuum holes for providing air to minimize permeation of a cleaning solution into a space between the cliché plate and the cliché stage.

Abstract: A pad printing system for applying an image to a print object includes a cliché device capable of presenting a raised ink image and a conveyer belt. A plurality of pads attached to the conveyer belt. The conveyer belt is operable to move the pads into contact with the cliché device to pick up the raised ink image, and then to move the pads into contact with the print object to transfer the image to the print object.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a cliché including: providing a transparent glass substrate; depositing a metal layer on the substrate; patterning the metal layer and thereby forming a first metal pattern; etching the glass substrate by using the first metal pattern as a mask and thereby forming a first convex pattern; patterning the first metal pattern and thereby forming a second metal pattern; and etching the first convex pattern by using the second metal pattern as a mask and thereby forming a second convex pattern.

Abstract: An ink supply system is used with a printer of the type in which ink is deposited in an engraved receiving region on a cliché plate and is scraped from the plate leaving ink in the receiving region. The ink supply system includes an ink cup having a hollow interior defining an ink reservoir and defining an outer edge. The outer edge has a doctor blade formed thereon for engaging and scraping the plate. The ink cup has an inlet and an outlet. A pump has a suction side and a discharge side with the suction side in flow communication with the cup outlet for drawing ink from the cup. A viscosity controller is in flow communication with the pump discharge and receives ink from the pump. A flow conduit extends between the viscosity controller and the ink cup for providing a flow of ink from the viscosity controller to the ink cup.

Abstract: Sublimable pad-printing ink and a method of marking an object with the ink, wherein the ink includes a hardening transparent pad-printing ink base and at least one sublimable colored pigment. The hardening transparent pad-printing ink base resists a sublimation temperature of the at least one sublimable colored pigment. The method includes pad-printing the object with a marking that includes a monochrome or polychrome marking composition having at least one monocolor pigmented component including fine particles of at least one sublimable monocolor colored pigment and heating at least one of the object and the pad-printed marking composition.

Abstract: A custom decoration for bags, cases, portfolios and other business accessories (the “item”) that can be printed at an appropriate location directly on the otherwise-finished item is provided. The decoration comprises a single or multi-colored ink image transferred from a lithographic plate using a transfer pad. The underlying tag or “substrate” for the decoration is a smooth-surfaced soft polyvinylchloride or rubberized material with appropriate ink-receptive or attractive characteristic—such as a matte or semi-gloss surface finish. The item is placed on a supporting surface in a pad printing device so that the substrate is restrained within a registration jig; an inked image on a plate is contacted with a printing pad and the pad is moved to contact the substrate, thereby applying the custom decoration thereto. In one embodiment, the substrate is secured by cords to a side of the item.

Abstract: A rotary head pad printer includes a frame, a head mounted to the frame for rotational movement on the frame so as to define a plane and at least one pad assembly mounted to the head. The pad assembly reciprocates between an extended position and a retracted position. The pad assembly rotates about an axis between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The assembly reciprocates between the extended and retracted positions at the first and second rotational positions. The first and second rotational positions are non-parallel to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printer and an inexpensive method for producing a printed circuit board using a printer configured to facilitate printing at least directly on a copper-clad substrate. The method includes the steps of feeding a copper-clad substrate into the printer, printing an inverse circuit image on the copper-clad substrate, allowing the inverse circuit image to dry, metalizing the copper-clad substrate to adhere a resist mask to exposed, uninked copper to form a metalized circuit image, and etching the copper-clad substrate that has been metalized to remove copper that forms the inverse circuit image.

Abstract: An improved table and ink wipe cartridge for a pad printer consists of a table mounted to a base by a pair of parallel, nylon bearings. The bearings enable the table to slide back and forth easily without requiring conventional ballbearings and guides. The cartridge automatically rolls and wipes ink on a print tray carried by the table.

Abstract: A printing plate is supported on a table slideably mounted on a frame for forward and back horizontal movement. A table lever has a handle moving in a vertical plane to slide the table for inking an image on the plate with an inverted ink cup or for moving the inked image under a printing pad. A printing pad shaft is supported by a mast for vertical sliding movement of the printing pad down onto the inked image or onto a work piece supported by a work holder bracket adjustably attached to the table. A printing pad lever has a handle moving in a second vertical plane to move the printing pad shaft. A printing cycle includes a minimum number of sequential movements of the two handles in parallel vertical planes located side by side.

Abstract: A loader plate attaches to a cliche used in transfer pad printing to provide an extension surface from which a sealed paint pod may be introduced to the cliche allowing the cliche to remain in registered position while transferring paint pods. A magnet system allows simple clamping of the loader plate to the cliche to simplify operation by a single user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printer and an inexpensive method for producing a printed circuit board using a printer configured to facilitate printing at least directly on a copper-clad substrate. The method includes the steps of feeding a copper-clad substrate into the printer, printing an inverse circuit image on the copper-clad substrate, allowing the inverse circuit image to dry, metalizing the copper-clad substrate to adhere a resist mask to exposed, uninked copper to form a metalized circuit image, and etching the copper-clad substrate that has been metalized to remove copper that forms the inverse circuit image.

Abstract: A universal ink cup for a pad printing machine. The universal ink cup includes a first cup having walls defining a reservoir for holding liquid. An engageable coupling is removably coupled to the first cup, for affixing the ink cup to the pad printing machine. The engageable coupling may include a second cup, with the first cup including walls defining a hole such that the engageable coupling can be inserted in the hole and affixed to the first cup.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for printing three-dimensional objects, particularly objects having a substantially spherical shape. A pad is provided for printing by means of pad printing. The pad has a silicon shape with a determined thickness, and is mounted on a hollow pad holder made of an undeformable material which constitutes an isolated space together with the silicon shape. The pad is supplied with compressed air and is connected to a pressure vessel by means of a main element provided therefor through an opening. The apparatus is arranged in open loop, wherein there is provided an additional separate aperture for a separate inlet and outlet of air, with a pressure regulating unit enabling the pressure in the pad to be maintained greater than or at a preset level P. The pressure regulating unit regulates the compressed air which enters the regulator through a supply main.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pad-printing ink cup fitted with at least one magnet (10). The minimum of one magnet (10) may be positioned at different heights relative to the plane of the doctor edge (22), the magnetic force effective in the said plane depending on said heights.