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: A cap platen to securely hold headwear, such as caps, hats, and the like, so that graphics, including custom graphics, can be printed on the cap automatically. The platen has a vise plate to support the bill of a cap and a face plate attached to the vise plate to hold the crown of cap. Arms can be attached to the vise plate or the face plate to apply a biasing force against the sides of the cap pushed the sides of the cap outwardly away from the face plate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pad printing system configured to print a work piece having at least a first print area and a second print area distal from the first print area is provided. The pad printing system may include a first print station and a second print station, wherein each print station is independently operable and configured to transfer a fluid image from an ink tampon to a work piece at least once during a printing cycle. The pad printing system may further include a moveable platform and a work piece holder supported by the platform having a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation may be configured to align the first print area with an ink tampon in the first print station and the second orientation may be configured to align the second print area with an ink tampon in the second print station.

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 color image forming apparatus of the type recording a register mark on a recording medium for registering the leading edges of images of respective colors to form a color image. The apparatus forms the register mark on the medium outside of the effective area of a main image and such that the mark extends perpendicular to an intended direction of medium feed. The register mark is developed in cyan and in the highest density to insure accurate register of colors. The register mark is cut off together with the leading edge of the medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for ink tampon printing, wherein printing forms are taken from inked printing blocks by ink tampons and transferred to work pieces mounted in work piece holders. To achieve multicolor printing of a work piece with a single work piece holder, the process of the present invention provides that a plurality of printing forms are taken from a printing block or printing blocks by a plurality of ink tampons aligned next to one another, that the ink tampons are then located in printing positions and the work piece is sequentially located in the printing positions by means of adjustment of the single work piece holder on a sliding track, and through sequential printing and reset strokes of the ink tampons, along with the corresponding adjustment of the work piece holder to the printing positions of the ink tampons, the printing forms are successively transferred to the single work piece mounted in a single work piece holder.

Abstract: A multicolor imprinter employs a plurality of heat transferable tape of different colors wound upon one another in continuous convolutions on a supply reel which has its axis of rotation parallel to the direction of travel of the tapes through a marking zone. A guide structure is provided between the supply reel and the marking zone to turn the tapes so that they are parallel and coplanar as they traverse the marking zone. A separate takeup reel is provided for each tape and has an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of tape travel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining pattern registration control in a printing system which prints an image on a relatively moving substrate. Portions of the overall image are electronically generated and printed in row-by-row (e.g. scanned) fashion at respective print stations positioned along the path of the substrate. Registration control is achieved with the aid of index markings spaced along the length of the substrate.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus is provided for a serigraphic printing machine to align the objects to be printed on with the printing panels assuring alignment of the different colors applied at the several printing stations. The objects to be printed on are carried by supports which have a centering plate thereon and are pivoted around a pin opposite the centering plate. Each printing station is provided with a centering pin in registration with the printing panel at each station. Each centering pin is engaged into a slot of the centering plate to align the support and the object with the printing panel when printing is to occur. All of the centering pins are fixed along a rotatable rod adjacent the printing stations which is rotated by a hydraulic piston to engage the centering pins into their respective centering plate slots.

Abstract: A printing device of a construction, wherein a plurality of printing hammers are arranged in parallel facing toward a character wheel provided on its outer peripheral surface with a plurality of character types to be struck by the printing hammers through a printing paper, etc., interposed between the printing hammers and the character wheel, and an ink applying device is kept in contact with the character wheel to apply printing ink onto the type face of the characters, the ink applying device having on its surface discrete sections to apply a printing ink of a color to a particular character to be struck by a particular printing hammer out of a plurality of the printing hammers, and another printing ink of another color to the remainder of the characters to be struck by the remainder of the printing hammers.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for coloring a pile fabric, liquid coloring material is introduced into compartments, and the pile fabric is pressed face downwardly into the compartments. In order to provide regions wherein different colors are distinct from one another, a resilient barrier is provided between compartments to which different colored liquid coloring material is introduced and in order to provide areas of the pile fabric wherein the colors are blended, liquid coloring material of different colors is introduced into the compartments in regions not separated by a resilient barrier.