Abstract: The squeegee arm and screen frame portions of a tilt screen type screen printing machine are pivotally connected to specially designed rocker housings slidably movable along horizontal support rods. The rocker housings have portions which are not rotated by pivoting of the squeegee arm and screen frame, thus permitting such rocker housing portions to be horizontally driven along the support rods by rodless air cylinders mounted on the machine. Additionally, the nonrotatable portion of the screen frame rocker housing carries a horizontally disposed gear rack which can be operatively mated with a pinion drive gear portion of a rotatable fixture supporting a round item to be printed so that horizontal translation of the rack rotationally drives the fixture during the screen printing process. Because of the rocker housing design, upward tilting and horizontal movement of the screen frame does not disrupt the rack and pinion registry.

Abstract: A thin film supplier for supplying ink, paste etc., used in relief-plate printing devices, die bonders etc., including an original printing plate placed on a table. The printing plate is provided with a through hole, and a bridge piece is placed in this hole. A recess is formed in the through hole by the bridge piece which has a thickness less than that of the printing plate, and ink, paste, etc. is poured into the recess so that a relief printing plate attached to a plate holder is immersed in such ink, paste, etc.

Abstract: In the marking method and apparatus, a printing plate which is mounted to a plate holder is moved horizontally and vertically and set above a workpiece. The printing plate is then lowered quickly until it comes into contact with the workpiece upon which printing is performed and then, based upon a signal from a detector which detects such a contact of the printing plate to the workpiece, the printing plate is further lowered slowly a predetermined fixed distance. Thus, even if the thickness of the workpiece is different from workpiece to workpiece, the pressing-in amount of the printing plate into the workpiece can be constant for different workpieces.

Abstract: A plastic article such as key tops of a key board needs wear resistant printing. This is attained in a styrene-based resin body suitable for such an article including key tops, by a process for permeation printing, comprising the steps of printing an article with an ink comprising a medium having a solubility parameter of 8.5 to 11.5 (cal/cc).sup.1/2 and then covering the printed surface of the article to permeate the ink into the article. Further, a system suitable for permeation printing a plastic article is provided which comprises a transfer-type printing device and a body heating and covering device, the body heating and covering device comprising a covering body which is heated and covers the printed surface of the plastic article to cause ink to permeate into the plastic article.

Abstract: An ink design is silk screened onto an intermediate surface and is then transferred to an article by a deformable pad. In order to provide a large difference in the ink affinities of the intermediate surface and pad, these are made of silicone rubbers in which different catalysts are used in the curing of the rubbers. Dibutyltindilaurate as catalyst provides an intermediate surface of low ink affinity which can enable 100% transfer of ink from the intermediate surface to the pad when a stannous octoate catalyzed, condensation cured rubber, or a suitable addition cured rubber, is used for the pad. The screen is heated to a greater temperature than that of the intermediate surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ink container, for example a pot, a tank or the like, for a tampon printing press having a printing block, on which an ink transport element, for example a roller, as well as a doctor blade can be moved back and forth. The ink container is enclosed by a cover element, containing the ink transport element and the doctor blade, which can be moved between operational positions in which it uncovers and covers the printing block.

Abstract: A device for applying color to a block of a tampon printing machine includes a coloring and wiping device which is constructed as a bottomless hollow body and can be moved toward and pressed against the block with a pressing device. The pressing device is at least one magnet arranged in the hollow body. The magnets are arranged in pocket-shaped recesses at the end faces of the square hollow body. It is also possible to provide a stirring mechanism in the hollow body and to arrange the magnets in downwardly open chambers or an annular groove of the stirring mechanism.

Abstract: A programmable pad printer which responds to an input signal by selecting one of a plurality of marks for transfer to a semiconductor. The input signal is provided to the printer from an external source, such as a semiconductor tester. The appropriate mark is then presented to an opening in a housing by rotating a disc containing the plurality of marks. A print head picks up the mark from the disc and transfers it to the semiconductor.

Abstract: A pad-type printing machine comprises a holding device for a printing block, an ink feeding mechanism including a hollow body which in operation of the machine has its end face in contact with the printing block, and a pressure mechanism for pressing the end face of the hollow body against the printing block. A device is also provided for generating a relative movement between the printing block and the hollow body. A pad or tampon is pressed upon the inked printing block for picking up ink from recesses of the printing block and transferring it to an object to be printed. The periphery of the end face of the hollow body is provided with a hard material. The hollow body of the printing mechanism is, in the area of its end face constructed so that it can be bent in this area, and the area is connected to the remaining part of the hollow body by a connection which permits relative movements between the area of the end face and the remaining part of the hollow body.

Abstract: A bowling ball, rather than being engraved with a decoration, is printed with the decoration, relying on graft polymerization chemistry by which the printing fluid, offset to the ball in decoration form, is effectively bonded to the ball which may be rubber or other polymer capable of participating in graft polymerization.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting block assembly, particularly for embossing die elements used with cutting, scoring and/or punching dies, having a block adjustably mounted within a frame. The perimeter of the block is spaced from the frame, and adjustable opposed spacers extend between the block and the frame so as to adjust the position of the block within the frame.

Abstract: A hand-operable pad-type printing machine capable of one hand operation, thereby enabling the operator to handle the printing article by the other hand. In addition, the machine secures the printing precision which would be difficult to achieve under hand-operated pad-type printing machine.

Abstract: A programmable printing system for product marking applications is described in which a printing member is carried by an articulated mechanical arm, such as a robot arm. Due to the enhanced maneuverability and reach of the articulated arm, printing can be carried out on surfaces which would not be accessible to conventional types of conveyor-mounted product marking devices. The articulated arm is controlled by a programmable control means which can be reprogrammed as needed in order to print on objects having different sizes, shapes and orientations, or to print at more than one location on the same object. The apparatus finds particular utility in connection with pad transfer printing, including multicolor pad transfer printing, but is also applicable to other printing methods.

Abstract: In a printing mechanism for producing an impression on a surface of material to be printed lying in a printing plane, a first element is provided which is mounted on the machine frame so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation and is driven in a clock-timed manner and which comprises at least one print transfer surface on at least one surface area. In addition, a second element is provided which is mounted on the machine frame so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation extending parallel to the first and is likewise driven in a clock-timed manner and which comprises at least one printing plate constantly provided with printing ink on at least one surface area facing the first element. The two elements are movable relative to one other between an operative position, in which the print transfer surface bears against a printing plate, and a rest position, in which the print transfer surface is at a distance from the printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose transfer printing apparatus comprising a stand, a main body and an upper portion to form a U-shaped frame. The stand is provided at the front with a conveyor and at the rear with an ink container seat, the upper portion being furnished with a front suspension arm which can be moved horizontally and vertically by a gas pneumatic cylinder and a rear suspension arm which can only be moved horizontally by a pneumatic cylinder. A plurality of ink containers each having a L-shaped member are arranged to dovetail into the ink container seat, and a plurality of silicon rubber heads respectively corresponding to the ink containers are arranged to dovetail into the front suspension arm. A plurality of blade seats respectively corresponding to the ink containers are arranged to dovetail into the rear suspension arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for high-speed tampon printing with tampons, printing blocks, and workpiece holders for the workpieces to be printed, where the workpieces are placed and held in the workpiece holders and where the tampons alternately receive printing images from the inked printing blocks and transfer them to the workpieces.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling ink supplied to the inking surface of an intaglio printing device includes a sensor for sensing voids in the ink on the inking surface. The control circuit provides a predetermined volume of ink to a reservoir when such a void is detected. A timer inhibits the control circuit for a predetermined time after each ink transfer to avoid overfilling the reservoir.

Abstract: The inking bars of an intaglio inking device are mounted in a cartridge which is easily inserted into and removed from the inking device. Adjacent inking bars have different aperture patterns to form an ink path transversely across the inking bars to remove ink from between adjacent bars. A moveable shuttle carries stop bars which can be used to selectively detent the inking bars.

Abstract: The present invention is a low cost electronic apparatus construction method which may be employed for hand held calculators, electronic learning aids and electronic games. This technique involves a simplification in the construction of the apparatus including reduction in the number of piece parts necessary for the assembly. The primary electrical circuit interconnection pattern of the electronic apparatus is printed upon a part of the case of the apparatus which must be nonconducting. This printed circuit pattern together with the construction of the back case includes connection portions for electrical connection to the major components of the apparatus which may include an integrated circuit, a display device and an electrical power source. The primary circuit pattern printed on the back case includes a plurality of interleaved comb key switch positions.

Abstract: A pad transfer printing machine is disclosed in which the engraved printing plate is suspended face-down at an elevated position above the surface to be printed, and is horizontally movable between a retracted position and a pad contacting position. The plate is inked and scraped as it moves horizontally and, at the pad contacting position, presents an inked image to a deformable transfer pad. A movable printing member drives the transfer pad in alternating upward and downward strokes and inverts the pad during each upward and downward stroke, so that the transfer pad is alternately brought into contact with the printing plate at the top of its stroke and with the surface to be printed at the bottom of its stroke. The elevated position of the printing plate renders it easily accessable for removal and replacement. Excess ink is automatically removed from the printing plate by the scraping device as the plate is removed, and the excess ink is returned to the ink supply.

Abstract: A dabber printing machine for printing of workpieces with printing ink wherein a dabber-holder is fastened from below to a first and second vertical carriage (6, 6'). The dabber-holders run parallel to one another. In each case, in one extreme position of the horizontal carriage (7), with which both vertical carriages (6, 6') are connected, the vertical carriages (6, 6') are pressed downward by two levers (14) of a pair of gear units (12). In the other extreme position, such are pressed downward by the levers (14) of the other pair of gear units (12). Thus, the dabber-holders with the dabbers jointly and simultaneously make vertical and horizontal movements in the form of an inverted U. A step of operation of the transfer element from printing station to printing station optically occurs upon every or every other horizontal movement. Thus, indexing of the workpieces to be printed is simplified and the efficiency of the printing machine is doubled.

Abstract: A pad-type printing machine with a mount for a cliche, with an ink supply device exhibiting a hollow body, whereby during the operation of the machine the end face of the hollow body rests at least occasionally on the cliche, with a device for pressing the end face of the hollow body against the cliche, with a device for producing a relative motion between the cliche and the hollow body, whereby the hollow body is guided such that it can swivel about an axis extending basically parallel to the relative motion, and with a pad which can be pressed onto the inked cliche and which accepts the ink from the recesses in the cliche and transfers it onto an object to be printed is characterized by the fact that at least on some of the circumference of its end face the hollow body comprises hard material and is microfinished with a peak-to-valley height of at most 2 .mu.

Abstract: An ink applicator for a tampon printing machine of the type having a printing block holder in which an ink holding pan is adjacent to the printing block and connected by an inclined surface which makes an uninterrupted transition to the top of the printing block and over which an ink distributor moves from the ink holding pan to the top of the printing block in which the ink distributor is a rotatably mounted roller which is rotatably movable from the ink holding pan up the inclined surface and across the top of the printing block in one rotatable direction and in the opposite rotatable direction return to the ink holding pan.

Abstract: An intaglio inking plate comprising a printing surface having an aperture therein, a plurality of separately-movable bars filling the aperture and means for positioning each bar separately either flush or depressed from the printing surface. The positioning means comprises (1) means for moving all of the bars to their flush positions, (2) means for blocking the further movement of selected ones of the bars, and (3) means for moving all bars that are not blocked to their depressed position.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a gravure press, in particular for indirect gravure printing using a silicon rubber pad, which is first pressed upon the inked and wiped gravure plate to absorb ink and then pressed upon the material to be printed, comprising a mounting plate for a gravure plate, an inking device, a doctor blade and a drive mechanism for the silicon rubber pad, the inking device and the doctor blade. To permit the use of a low-priced plastic plate, the coat thickness of the light-sensitive top coat is equal to the engraving depths; the mounting plate has a microfinished surface, and the doctor blade is rigid and resistant to bending and designed in the form of a straight-edge.

Abstract: In an intaglio printing method, the steps of providing a novel intaglio inking plate having a surface and means for producing different prescribed patterns of shallow depressions therein, producing a first prescribed pattern of depressions in said surface, filling said depressions with ink, transferring ink from the pattern of filled depressions to a transfer surface, altering the surface to provide a second pattern of shallow depressions therein and then repeating the step of filling the depressions with ink and transferring an ink pattern to a transfer surface.

Abstract: The swab printing machine is provided with an inking device having a carriage. A spreader support with a spreader head is tippably arranged on the frontal side of the carriage and can reciprocate over a printing plate. The spreader which is inclined backward by about 20.degree., takes ink from the ink container during its forward motion and distributes it over the printing plate, whereby the two rounded slide feet achieve the uniform distribution of the ink. During the return motion the excess ink is wiped off by a doctor blade. A laterally running recess is arranged in the lower portion of the spreader and the lower edge of this recess forms a narrow dipping edge. An adjustable central closure is provided on the spreader support and on the spreader head. After the initial positioning of the spreader head it is possible to remove same, clean it and remount it, without making readjustments.

Abstract: A shallow depression in a printing plate is filled with a viscous printing medium. Then, a transfer surface having the desired geometric pattern contacts the printing medium and thereby coats the surface with the medium. The coated transfer surface is then contacted with a receiving surface whereby medium in the desired pattern is transferred to the receiving surface. This method can be practiced with the same plate and at the same time as another, different transfer printing method.

Abstract: A printing machine using the `Bienne transfer` process, comprising a pad-holder carriage and a plate-holder carriage which, for their horizontal movement, are connected to links respectively coupled themselves to a control rod subjected to pivotal reciprocating motion about a fixed pivot under the action of a pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: Intaglio printing plate apparatus comprising in combination two intaglio die plates one for attachment to the top platen of a printing press and one for attachment to the lower or bottom platen with the recessed intaglio designs of the two plates, facing each other, that one of the plates which is to be attached to the top platen being formed with passages passing through its thickness to the recessed intaglio design, the other plate being formed with air bleed holes leading from the recessed design to atmosphere.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing fluid on a substrate in a predetermined design. A two-part die assembly is used in the apparatus and includes a die plate and a feed plate bonded together having at least one lateral fluid distribution channel therein. The die plate has a recess in a first surface thereof corresponding with the predetermined design and passage means therethrough connecting a second surface thereof with said recess to deliver fluid into said recess. The feed plate bonded thereto also has passage means therethrough to deliver fluid into said passage means of the die plate. The two-part die assembly is adapted to be releasably secured to a support means by, preferably, double-sided adhesive tape.

Abstract: A fluid injector unit, functioning as a pump-type injector unit through cooperation between an upper and lower press platen, being easily disassembled into a minimum number of parts for cleaning. Disengagement of a unitary assembly comprising a piston collar for supporting a main piston through biasing means therefor from a housing member containing a pump chamber results in easy access to those parts requiring cleaning without disassembly of parts external to fluid passages which do not require cleaning.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for printing materials, wherein ink is applied to an intaglio matrix and then scraped off to such an extent that ink remains only in the depressions of the matrix. A printing pad having a surface which is normally repellent to ink is pressed onto the matrix such that ink adheres thereto in accordance with the pattern of the depressions of the matrix. The printing pad is then pressed against a material to be printed such that the ink on the printing pad is substantially completely transferred to the printed material.

Abstract: A technique for producing a pre-distorted design format on a printing plate for use in a print transfer system in which an inked design engraved on the plate is picked up by a soft transfer pad and applied to the irregular surface of an article to be decorated, the pad being forced against the surface and conforming thereto to impress the inked design thereon. In this technique, a physical master is created which is an exact replica of the article to be imprinted, the irregular surface of the master being engraved or otherwise prepared to accept ink to define the design which is to appear on the article. The design on the master is inked, and this inked design is picked up by the transfer pad and applied to the regular surface of a proof sheet, whereby the distortion in the design impressed on the proof sheet reflects the distortion introduced by transferring from the irregular to the regular surface.

Abstract: In a printing method usable for color printing as well as printing in black and white, a printing form is utilized, comprising a multiple of separate channels each terminating in an orifice in a surface, used as printing surface, which orifice is arranged to form a neutral screen pattern, i.e. a screen pattern which has no connection to the figuration of the intended prints. The printing form for printing by charging the channels with printing ink columns for each channel selected to correspond to the desired nuance of the corresponding point of an original to be reproduced. The ink is charged in amounts sufficient to be successively distributed in the form of a coating to the surface of a multiple, preferable the whole intended edition of the objects or copies to be produced.