Abstract: A method for imaging a product with a pattern commences by forming a film of a wet or tacking marking material on a cliché. A negative of the pattern is ablatively imaged into the film on the cliché. The negative image then is pressure transferred from the cliché onto a marking pad. Finally, the negative image is pressure transferred from the marking pad onto the product. Preferably, the cliché where the film is formed contains recesses. The apparatus, which images the product, has a moveable cliché having a recessed pocket. An ink reservoir transfers ink into the recessed pocket. A laser imaging system images a pattern into ink contained in the recessed pocket. A stamp pad is moveable from a home position to contact the imaged pattern for pressure transferring the pattern onto the stamp pad, and moveable to a printing station to pressure transfer the pattern onto a product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for transferring a conductive picture (12) to an irregular surface of a mobile phone casing (4) for shielding the mobile phone casing from electromagnetic radiation. It also relates to the printing color used for the conductive picture and tampon pads (5) used for the transferring of the conductive printing color to the phone casing (4). Conductive partial pictures (7) are printed on the irregular surface of the casing (4) step by step by means of tampon pads until the complete conductive picture (12) is achieved. The tampon pad has a shape corresponding to the surface of the phone casing. The printing color has a composition, which facilitates the adhering on the tampon pad. The invention also describes a method for printing an electric circuit pattern on a phone casing (4) by using the above mentioned tampon pads and printing color.

Abstract: An intaglio printing method for transferring a resin to a print receiving material, using an intaglio printing master having portions depressed in a printing shape below the surface of the printing master, includes the steps of: filling a resin paste comprising a resin in the depressed portions of the printing master, bringing the printing master, with the resin paste being filled in the depressed portions thereof, into close contact with the print receiving material, hardening the resin in the resin paste in the depressed portions of the printing master, and separating the printing master from the print receiving material so as to transfer the hardened resin in the depressed portions of the printing master to the print receiving material. An apparatus for carrying out this intaglio printing method is proposed. By use of the apparatus, for instance, an elastic and durable spacer free from fatigue destruction for a touch panel is can be prepared in a circulation process.

Abstract: A machine for printing a plurality of colored patterns on the surface of a contact lens has a plurality of parallel oriented print stations each of which has an image die and an ink cup for applying ink into the image in the die. A slide is moveable between the plurality of the print stations such that a contact lens on the slide can receive printing at each of the stations. The slide also carries a vertically moveable print pad for applying printing to a lens and an indexing cleaning tape for cleaning the print pad. Each of the print stations has a separate control for independently setting a dwell time for the print pad before applying ink to the contact lens.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electronic parts is provided which is capable of forming fine patterns with high accuracy as well as easily fabricating a multilayered structure of a conductor pattern with high performance. The disclosed method includes the steps of forming a pattern on a surface of a flexible resin sheet by laser process, and then forming a release layer on the surface of the thus obtained pattern, thereby forming an intaglio plate. Next, the intaglio plate is filled with Ag paste, dried and laminated onto an insulating substrate, on which a thermoplastic resin layer is formed. Thereafter, the intaglio plate is peeled from the substrate so that the pattern of the paste is transferred thereon, and a conductor pattern is formed. Further, an insulating layer is formed to cover the conductor pattern and another conductor pattern is formed on the insulating layer, thereby forming a multilayered structure.

Abstract: A friction drive system floor conveyor includes a tubular guide rail laid along a conveyor line, a tubular support rail laid directly above, and disposed in parallel relation to, the tubular guide rail, multiple inverted J-shaped carriers having rollers pivoted freely at their upper ends for engagement with the upper side of the support rail, and a pair of guide rollers freely pivoted at the lower end to engage opposite sides of the guide rail, a driven bar linking bases of the carriers, a carriage support bracket installed upright on the driven bar, and a friction drive disposed along the conveyor line. The friction drive system floor conveyor achieves a stable conveyance with low noise, and without roll or rattling while conveying heavy materials or articles, simplifies system construction, and facilitates system maintenance.

Abstract: A tampon printing machine has at least one printing plate for having an engraving, an inking device that inks the engraving with printing ink and a printing pad that lifts the ink out of the engraving and transfers it to an object to be printed, wherein a laser engraving device is connected in-line before the inking device.

Abstract: A method for etching a pad-printing cliché and printing an image therefrom on a golf ball comprising providing a film positive of an image; placing the film positive on a pad-printing cliché having a variable relief photocurable pre-polymer surface; curing the pre-polymer that is not blocked by the film positive; removing the film positive from the polymer surface; washing the pad-printing cliché for a first predetermined time sufficient to remove any uncured pre-polymer, such that the pad-printing cliché has the image etched into the pre-polymer surface, the etched image having a substantially homogeneous bottom surface that is free of protrusions formed by screens, normally required for variable relief material, heating the pre-polymer for a second predetermined time sufficient to fully dry the pre-polymer; further curing the pre-polymer exposed by the washing step; providing a golf ball having a dimpled surface; distributing a layer of ink over the etched image in the pad-printi

Abstract: Tamp printing of at least one picture (4) occurs by means of at least one tamp pad (1, 18, 24, 34) on a piece (3), which has boundary surfaces (5, 13) forming angles relative to each other, the tamp pad first printing in one direction (10) against a boundary surface (13, 43) and thereafter, after further compression of the tamp pad (1) against said boundary surface (13) due to its deformation, prints in another direction (45) than the direction (10) against another boundary surface or other boundary surfaces (5, 43), whereby the picture is transferred to said boundary surfaces.

Abstract: A machine for printing a plurality of colored patterns on the surface of a contact lens has a plurality of parallel oriented print stations each of which has an image die and an ink cup for applying ink into the image in the die. A slide is moveable between a plurality of the print stations such that a contact lens on the slide can receive printing at each of the stations. The slide also carries a vertically moveable print pad for applying printing to a lens and an indexing cleaning tape for cleaning the print pad.

Abstract: A plate material for laser plate making contains a thermoplastic resin, a light absorbing agent and a water repellent or an oil repellent.

Abstract: An ink dabber printing press including a printing device, an ink dabber mounted to the printing device, and structure for changing the printing position so that different size objects to be printed can be accommodated.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an ink well assembly for use with a transfer pad or tampon printing machine having a image plate. The ink well assembly of the present invention includes an ink reservoir for holding ink, a receiving area for securing the image plate in a sealed relationship with the ink, a plurality of adjusters for securely urging the image plate within the receiving area, and a plurality of fasteners unexposed to the ink. The unexposed fasteners secure component parts without exposing the fasteners to the ink to allow easy set up, cleaning, disassembly and reassembly, elimination of ink leaks, and incorporation with the pad printing machine without significant machine downtime.

Abstract: This invention is to improve cam structure that can maintain precise moving time between a printing plate and a printing pad in a pad printer. Cam disk moving horizontally during the printing process and other cam disk moving vertically along the printing pad were combined to the double side of one cam in this pad printer of the invention. Therefore, the structure was simplified and miniaturized.

Abstract: In order to fashion a print head lifting device of a tampon printing machine with as simple components as possible which is without play and of low maintenance, a crank link 3, 4, 6 is provided for having a driven crank 3 and a link 5 borne on a machine frame 1, wherein the connecting rod 4 is connected to a lifting lever 11 via a connecting lever 15 pivotably hinged at both sides, the one end of which is disposed on the machine frame 1 and the other end of which is pivotably connected to the longitudinally displaceable print head lifting rod 8.

Abstract: In a method which ensures unexceptionable sealing between a plate extending on a plate-holding table of a pad-transfer printing machine and an inking cup movable along the plate in contact with a face thereof, the plate is deformed pneumatically towards the inside of the cup.

Abstract: A device, apparatus and a method for containing a liquid within a liquid reservoir using a magnet and applying the liquid to a depression in a plate that is responsive to a magnet are disclosed. In particular there is provided a device for applying a liquid to a depression in a plate that is responsive to a magnet. The plate has a smooth flat surface. The device includes a reservoir for holding the liquid. The reservoir includes a wall which has an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the wall is adapted to closely contact the smooth flat surface of the plate. The device also includes at least one ring magnet adjacent the outer perimeter of the wall of the reservoir.

Abstract: A print pad socket assembly for transfer printing is provided. The print pad socket assembly includes a socket member having a side wall and a central post member. A print pad is hand-installed into the socket and includes a seat region for securing the central post of the socket. The outer wall of the socket and central post provides peripheral and internal support, respectively, for the print pad to improve overall wear life. The socket is fastened to a printing machine armature plate a single time and when a print pad wears out, only the print pad itself is replaced which saves time and expense during operation.

Abstract: A doctoring cup particularly suited for inking non-flat plates includes a plate contacting edge with an "Ease of Flex" parameter greater than about 0.020 lb.sup.-1. Ease of Flex is defined as 1/(Mt.sup.2), where t is the thickness of the plate contacting edge and M is the flexural modulus of the material from which the cup wall defining the edge is formed. By non-flat plates is meant plates out of flat by greater than 0.0002 inches/inch. The doctoring cup can be used to ink both flat and non-flat printing plates using a doctoring pressure of less than about 300 psi.

Abstract: A pad printing apparatus is provided with a sealed ink cup for the printing of long images having a length greater than the diameter of the ink cup. The ink cup is caused to move lengthwise of the image and the movement of the image transfer pad is in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the image.

Abstract: A tampon printing process which uses a printing plate having at least one printing form at its surface, wherein the printing form is filled with printing medium at time intervals and the printing medium is subsequently transferred from the printing form onto a support by means of a tampon.

Abstract: A compliant doctoring cup particularly suited for inking non-flat plates includes a body defining a cavity for containing ink and a blade with two free ends coupled to the body along a periphery of the cavity. The body of the cup defines a channel generally along a periphery of the cavity and the blade is positioned within the channel. A resilient member, for example, a liner, interfaces the blade to the body of the cup. The liner contains the ink and defines the channel.

Abstract: A printing block is inked with a container containing printing ink, and printing formats or partial images are transferred to workpieces with a tampon. An edge of the container, which edge lies on the printing block, is rotated on the printing block around a vertical axis during a relative movement between the container and the printing block. As a result, the printing block can be used longer, and a clean print is guaranteed for a longer time in the case of abrasive printing inks.

Abstract: A doctoring ink cup for containing and applying ink to an engraved image on a printing plate includes a flexible doctoring cup drawn from a sheet of spring steel. The doctoring cup has rim forming a doctoring edge for wiping excess ink from the printing plate. A cup shaped stiffening member is bonded to the doctoring cup for stiffening the doctoring cup.

Abstract: The doctor portion of the ink cup of a pad printing machine is formed of a polymeric composite which has high compressive strength and high resistance to chemicals, notably to printing inks. The polymeric doctoring portion is tapered and defines a narrow distal end surface which circumscribes the open end of the cup for doctoring engagement with an opposed plastic gravure surface. The doctoring portion may be a separate ring element suitably mounted at the open end of the cup body or it may be a unitary part of the cup. In a preferred embodiment, this doctoring portion is a ring formed of a polymer composite reinforced by carbon fibers and which is permeated by lubricant particles or granules of graphite.

Abstract: A pad printing machine includes: a cliche plate; a pad disposed above the cliche plate; and a transmission mechanism operatively connected to the cliche plate and to the pad. The transmission mechanism includes a main shaft; a main arm connected to the cliche plate and pivotably mounted on the main shaft; a pivot arrangement connected to the main arm; a lever pivotably mounted on the pivot arrangement and being connected to the pad; and an arrangement for controlling a pivoting motion of the main arm and the lever including: a first cam operatively coupled to the main arm; a groove disposed in one of the first cam and the main arm for controlling a pivoting motion of the main arm in response to a rotation of the first cam; and a second cam operatively coupled to the lever such that a rotation of the second cam controls a pivoting motion of the lever. The transmission mechanism further includes a drive for actuating the transmission mechanism to move the cliche plate and the pad.

Abstract: A transfer-pad printing composition comprising either a latex or solution coating composition comprising a coating vehicle and a monomeric or polymeric hydroxylated and/or carboxylated surface active wetting agent that is coating compatible with the pad surface such that the coating composition, provided in the shape of a pattern, is precisely imprinted on its surface and the pad can precisely transfer the design to another surface that is receptive to the coating. The process of transfer-pad printing with the composition. Also, articles made by such transfer printing.

Abstract: A gravure plate assembly having an elastomer pad sandwiched between a more rigid base plate and a less rigid metal top plate bearing an engraving surface.

Abstract: So as to prevent ink leakage and reduce the amount of ink consumed, the device for supplying ink in a thin-film fashion to a printing plate includes rotation-stop members provided on an ink supply so that the rotation-stop members prevent any upward movement that would occur at an end portion of the ink supply with which a horizontally movable printing plate is in contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus useful for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A multicolored ink pattern is deposited to a substrate while in a deformable state, flattened during the deposition process, and the deformed, more uniform shape of the printed dot is thereafter retained, preferably by curing during deposition. The transfer layer is preferably formed on a collector roll. A plurality of colored ink patterns is then transferred to the collector roll, preferably from a single pattern roll having multiple patterns thereon, to form the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a multi-color ink pattern on a substrate surface which comprises arranging a series of patterned surfaces with each patterned surface having a pattern that is unique to one of the colors and that corresponds to the pattern of that color in the multi-color pattern, supplying to each patterned surface a radiation-curable ink formulation, having an appropriate colorant to form an ink pattern thereon, transferring individually the color pattern from each patterned surface to a collector roll, increasing the cohesiveness of the ink sufficiently to permit complete transfer of the pattern, forming a composite of the color patterns on a collector roll, and transferring the composite pattern in its entirety to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A pad printing machine is disclosed in which the downward pressure forces are transferred to a thrust collar on the ink cup by application through a divided bearing which applies the hold-down forces at points that are spaced forward and rearward of the transverse pivot axis of the ink cup, and only at such spaced points, to resist rocking moments such as may arise from the reciprocating movements of the cliche. Further, the thrust collar is a combination of a very rigid pressure ring and a hard but slightly resilient plastic pressure distribution ring which is accurately machined after subassembly with the rigid ring to assure full mating engagement with the upper surface of the annular flange around the entire circumference of the ink cup, to assure uniform pressure of the entire knife edge on the cliche. In a preferred embodiment, the ink cup also is formed of a hard plastic.

Abstract: An enclosed ink cup for a pad-type printing machine including a hollow structure defining a reservoir region that is closed around the sides and top, is open only at the bottom, and has a lower edge for sealably contacting an engraved printing plate so as to contain ink within the structure over the plate, and a vacuum port in the structure that communicates with the top of the region for applying a vacuum to the region above the ink to promote sealable contact between the lower edge and the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sizing a piston to a defined size outer diameter surface, which is the contact surface with the cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus method involves first measuring each piston, then calculating the amount of coating required to achieve the desired diameter for each individual piston or range of pistons and then applying a precise coating in either one or more coats preferably by using a rotary pad printing technique to produce the precise film thickness, thus narrowing the diameter range of the group of pistons.

Abstract: A method for carrying out pad transfer printing is disclosed in which process parameters for a desired print cycle are input to a controller. The method includes the steps of independently driving a gravure printing plate between an inking position and an ink transfer position, and independently driving an ink transfer pad between an ink receiving position and an ink transfer position, both in accordance with the input process parameters. The process parameters may include the velocities or lengths of movement of the gravure printing plate and ink transfer pad, and the dwell periods between movements of these components. The process parameters may be adjusted automatically in accordance with differences between the estimated and actual times required to move the printing plate and transfer pad along their paths of movement.

Abstract: A multiple-color tampon printing machine with a tampon carrier member is rotatable in a step-by-step movement about a first axis. A stereotype plate carrier member is rotatably mounted about a second axis which extends parallel to the first axis. The stereotype plate carrier member carries out a step-by-step rotating movement synchronously with the tampon carrier member. The tampon carrier member additionally carries out an up-and-down movement at predetermined fixed positions of rotation. A surface of a stereotype plate, a printing material holding device, and a tampon cleaning device are arranged in a common plane and in a circle around the tampon carrier member, such that, when the printing material is held stationary, a first tampon picks up a printing image from the respective stereotype plate surface, a second tampon preceding the first tampon prints the printing image onto the printing material, and a third tampon following the first tampon is cleaned by the tampon cleaning device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roller offset printing apparatus which comprises image sensors 14 and 15 disposed on a linear stage 4, and position correction motors 8 to 13 disposed in the respective peripheries of a master plate 6 and a work plate 7, wherein positions of the master plate 6 and the work plate 7 on the linear stage 4 are detected by the image sensors 14 and 15 so that the respective positions of the master plate 6 and the work plate 7 are corrected by the motors 8 to 13 in accordance with the quantities of displacement when there is any displacement between the detected positions and reference positions. After correction, the linear stage 4 and a roller transfer drum 1 are moved while being synchronized with each other to thereby perform transfer. As a result, accuracy in positioning of the master plate and the work plate on the linear stage is improved, so that good superposition printing is provided.

Abstract: An inking device effective to provide a faultless ink-tight fit comprises a sheet-like support for a plate, and a cartridge, similar in shape to an overturned glass, which is adapted to contain an ink and has a lip in liquid-tight doctoring engagement with the plate, wherein the cartridge has a ring formed from a zirconia-containing ceramic material and provided with a sharp edge constituting the lip.

Abstract: An enclosed ink cup for a pad-type printing machine including a hollow support having a continuous wall surrounding and defining a reservoir region and an opening to the reservoir region at the bottom of the region, and a continuous, sheet metal band disposed around and conforming to an outer vertical surface of the wall, the band having a lower portion extending below the hollow support for sealably contacting an engraved printing plate so as to contain ink within the band over said plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an image such as out of a nail lacquer, picking up the image and transferring the picked up image either by a non-linear motion or a linear motion to a person's nail where it is deposited. A multicolor image can be built up on a person's nail. Stops are provided for properly indexing the pick up and deposit of the image.

Abstract: An inkcup and drive mechanism for a printing machine wherein the inkcup comprises a hollow body for containing a supply of ink and having an open end outlined by a wiping edge, a biasing spring for urging the wiping edge into contact with a surface of a printing plate, and a holder for supporting the biasing spring and engaging the printing plate so that the assembly of hollow body, biasing spring and holder is movable along the printing plate to place the open end of the hollow body into and out of registry with the image for inking the same and so that the biasing spring is entirely within the inkcup and applies force only to the hollow body and to the holder. The printing plate is removable from the machine so that the inkcup is easily manually removable from the machine in a sealed and contained condition.

Abstract: An inking and doctoring arrangement for a pad printing press includes a unidirectionally rotatable replaceable flat printing plate, a doctor blade arranged above the printing plate and displaceable relative thereto for scraping ink from the upper surface of the printing plate, and an ink tray for fixedly receiving the printing plate.A tray cover is rotatably supported on the ink tray above the printing plate for preventing evaporation of the ink thinner. An ink guide is fixedly secured to the tray cover for joint rotation therewith for spreading ink scrapped by the doctor blade over the upper surface of the printing plate while kneading the same.

Abstract: A piston with piston skirt dry film lubricant coat applied by the transfer pad process to lessen the stresses associated with reciprocating engine parts and method for applying such a coat to the skirt of a piston. Wetted dry film lubricants are diluted with volatile solvents to create a wetted dry film lubricant of liquid consistency in order to make the dry film lubricants adaptable to the transfer pad coating process. Application of the wetted dry film lubricant to the piston by the transfer pad coating process provides for the precise and discriminant application of dry film lubricants to piston skirts thereby providing a less costly coated piston by avoiding the time-consuming task of masking the pistons prior to application of a wetted dry film lubricant by the currently used spray method and eliminating the waste and pollution problems associated with the spray method.

Abstract: An ink cup for a pad printer has a hollow body and a surface that contacts a die plate on the pad printer, the contact surface being formed from bronze. In a preferred embodiment, the bronze used to form the contact surface of the ink cup is a copper alloy consisting of 83% copper, 7% lead, 7% tin, and 3% zinc. The ink cup has a flange between the hollow body of the cup and the contact surface. The ink cup flange, which extends outward from the hollow body, has a curved outer surface. A retaining ring having a diameter greater than that of the ink cup flange, has a curved inner surface adapted for receiving the ink cup flange to maintain the ink cup in contact with the die plate while permitting the ink cup to rock within the retaining ring.

Abstract: The covering (13) of a printing roller (10) for transferring hot glue printing material from a printing block to the front panel of a display consists of cast silicone rubber without any silicone fluid. The use of silicone-fluid-free silicone rubber ensures that the printing materials will adhere well to the panel even in a sequence of printings, because the adhesion properties of the panel will not have been reduced by silicone fluid that would otherwise have been transferred from the roller to the panel. Although the roller covering is devoid of silicone fluid as stripping agent, the printing material nevertheless separates readily from the covering, because the latter is cast and therefore has a very smooth surface.

Abstract: An image carrier, more particularly for indirect gravure or pad printing, having a gravure image thereon, comprises a foil image carrier of metal, which has a smooth surface and is able to be mounted on a receiving element of a printing device. The costs of production of the image carrier are substantially reduced since the image carrier is constituted by a smooth and flexible metal foil adapted to make snug engagement with the surface of the element for receiving it.

Abstract: In a thin film forming apparatus, ink is supplied to the recess of a roll-shaped or plate-shaped intaglio (3, 23), the intaglio contacts a projection (4a, 24a) of a printing roll (4, 24), the ink held in the recess of the intaglio is transferred to the projection, the projection of the printing roll contacts a material to be printed (10, 30), and the ink is transferred to the surface of the material. Thus, a thin film is formed. The apparatus has a moving device (16, 7, 65, 36, 39) for moving the roll-shaped or plate-shaped intaglio. After the thin film is formed on the material by the initial printing, the intaglio is moved by a predetermined distance in the direction of the rotary shaft thereof or the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotary shaft. Then, a thin film smooth on the surface thereof and clear in a pattern edge is formed on the material by a second time printing.

Abstract: A method of applying metallized contacts to the surfaces of semiconductor substrates using a conventional pad printing device. Standard screen printing inks diluted 2-30 weight percent with an appropriate solvent have been satisfactorily used to accomplish the method. For certain contact configurations, portions of the surface of the substrate are covered with a Mylar mask during the pad printing process. The method makes it possible to form a metallized contact having a uniform thickness on an uneven substrate surface, e.g., the surface of a silicon substrate produced by the EFG method.

Abstract: Machine for printing uncooked poultry eggs wherein a decorative motif is affixed to the shell. The motif comprises continuous parts printed by tampography and extending at least over two arcs of ellipse which are perpendicular to one another, each being more than 2 cm in length.