Abstract: Compression-resistant heating frame, comprising an upper plate and a lower plate which are secured to each other, and a heating layer interposed between the two plates. Force-absorption studs are disposed between the two plates in order to protect the heating layer against deformation by compression of the plates against each other. The studs are distributed to permit regular heating of each plate. The force-absorption studs are distributed at the nodes of a rectangular, hexagonal or centered square network. The force-absorption studs preferably include a flange to distribute the compression force on a metal base sheet which is interposed between the upper plate and the heating means. Thermal insulation material is interposed between the heating layer and the upper plate. The heating layer may comprise a film through which an electric circuit passes in order to produce heating by joule effect.

Abstract: An embossing hand tool includes a first handle that can be operatively supported by a flat surface. The first handle includes a first embossing die and may also include a changeable indicia supported by a heated axle. A second embossing die may include a resilient pad opposite the changeable indicia. A second handle is coupled to the first handle and to the second embossing die with one of the couplings being a pivotal coupling and the other coupling being a sliding coupling. A link is coupled to the first handle and to the second embossing die with one of the couplings being a pivotal coupling and the other coupling being a sliding coupling. The link is further coupled to the second handle at a pivot point equidistant from the other couplings such that the first embossing die and the second embossing die remain substantially parallel throughout their range of motion.

Abstract: Tools supporting and heating device for tools like printing plates, used for diecutting and hot pressure transfer of portions of metallic films on a substrate. This device comprises a base plate applied against one of the sides of the honeycomb chase. This base plate is made of a sequence of at least one insulating surface and of at least one conducting surface enabling to feed at least one heating device intended to be inserted inside each one of said apertures in order to heat a printing plate fastened against a second side of the honeycomb chase.

Abstract: The invention is of an improved hot stamp machine for custom imprinting plastic tag blanks with selectable indicia. The machine, because of its mechanical configuration, facilitates stamping operations which are virtually devoid of any risk of injury to the user. The hot stamp machine of the present invention is configured such that a plastic tag blank is inserted through a small aperture (not substantially larger than is necessary to admit the plastic tag blank there through), and with the tag blank fully in position for stamping, the stamping operation automatically occurs within the machine, with the dangerous stamping mechanism being safely out of reach of the user.

Abstract: A method of printing color images which includes the formation of a pattern of three primary color separated halftones of the image from a medium applied to a substrate. The medium is embossed to form a surface relief configuration on each halftone image. Each surface relief configuration reflects one specific primary color at a specific angle. In one embodiment, the medium is applied to a substrate in the pattern of color separated halftone images in a single printing pass by a composite offset printing plate. The medium is then embossed by an embossing plate to create the surface relief configurations thereon. In a second embodiment, the medium is applied to the substrate and embossed by a single plate in a single printing pass. In a third embodiment, the medium is applied to the substrate in a relatively continuous layer and thereafter embossed to simultaneously create a pattern of color separated halftones of the image and a different surface relief configuration on each halftone image.

Abstract: A hot debossing stamper for a report or book cover workpiece includes a print engine having a logo die forcer. In printing with a logo die, the logo die is mounted in a die holder and a loader-unloader tool articulates the holder and mounted die into the print engine under the logo die forcer. The die holder includes a die-supporting rectangular frame with a first locking projection extending from one end of the frame and a second locking projection extending from an opposite end. Upon insertion into the print engine, the first locking projection locks into a hook on the bottom end of the die forcer and the second locking projection seats on bail spring extending from an opposite end of the forcer bottom end.

Abstract: A continuous sheet of metal leaf advanced at a constant rate is moved at variable velocity through a rotary die stamper such that between stamps the metal leaf moves at a velocity which is slower than the velocity of a substrate web; but just prior to stamping the metal leaf is accelerated by contact between the metal leaf and a raised die rotating at the velocity of the substrate web so that when the stamp occurs the metal leaf is traveling at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of the substrate web. Varying the velocity of the metal leaf has the effect of minimizing the distance the metal leaf travels between stamps which conserves consumption of the metal leaf. Separate means for accelerating the leaf prior to stamping and decelerating the leaf after stamping also may be provided.

Abstract: A wire marking apparatus for marking selected codes onto any of a plurality of wires. The marking apparatus may be disposed between a source of a plurality of wires and an apparatus for processing the wires. The marking apparatus includes a support and marking assembly that is movable in directions extending parallel to the wires and a marking head that is movable in directions orthogonal to the wire. These orthogonal movements are carried out to properly position the marker with the appropriate wire to be marked and at a selected location along the wire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simultaneously hot stamping and embossing a work sheet, such as for instance a paper work sheet, utilizing a die with a relief design thereon, and a complementary counter, and operable to cause embossment of the work sheet together with transfer of heat transferable material from an intermediate substrate, at raised areas on the die design onto the work sheet, while preventing or selectively localizing transfer of the heat transferable material on the flexible substrate to identified simultaneously formed embossed areas of the work sheet, upon closing of the die and counter against the intermediate substrate and work sheet, with predetermined pressure and temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing apparatus in which heat and pressure are applied, in a pattern to be printed, to a printing ribbon to ensure clear and rapid printing. The heat is applied via an electroconductible ribbon and type face combination.

Abstract: A tax stamping machine for applying heat activated tax decals to the bottom of packs of cigarettes in cartons utilizes an adjustable carton guide channel having an offset section and a heated stamp bar having a plurality of selectable patterns of heated platens. The cigarette carton guide channel is adjustable in both width and depth so that various sizes of cigarette packs in cartons can be handled. A carton stop bar and reset latch assembly are used to halt the travel of hand fed cartons along the guide channel while tax stamps or decals are applied to the packs within the cartons.

Abstract: A method for surface embossing mineral fiber sheets, comprising mineral fibers, perlite and binders, is disclosed. A liquid, preferably water, is sprayed on the surface of the board to be embossed and the wet surface is compressed at an elevated temperature of from 550.degree. to 750.degree. F for about 0.1 to about 2 seconds. The elevated temperature rapidly forms steam which penetrates the sheet surface to be embossed by the simultaneous application of pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embossing diffraction gratings on a record medium is disclosed. The diffraction gratings are embossed on a strip of aluminized plastic which is later imbedded in a record medium like a "credit card" for use in a security system which utilizes data recorded in the form of diffraction gratings and data recorded in magnetic stripes on the card. The apparatus utilizes embossing masters in the form of "type bars" or grating bars which are selectively indexed to an embossing station where the embossing takes place under controlled heat and pressure conditions. A special method or layout scheme is used in laying out the embossing masters on the grating bars.

Abstract: A magazine type printing head for a printing machine having at least one two part chamber with a stack of typeface carrying slugs in each part. The head has means which move an upper slug from a stack in one part of the chamber to the second part and then moves a lower slug in the second part to a printing position in the first part of the chamber. The printing head has particular application in a hot stamping machine where means to heat the slugs are provided. A dye carrying foil is conveyed adjacent the typeface of the slug or slugs in the printing position. A movable support retains an article to be stamped and presses the article together with the foil against the typeface.

Abstract: Hot printing of hard copy i.e., human readable, characters to meet the strict, high quality dimensional and other standards required for automatic optical or other means of reading such characters. The printing is effected by a heat responsive ink means. In the present embodiment, the ink means is heated by the printing members.Documents, especially tags or labels, marked with such hot printed automatically readable characters. The documents may also contain punched encoded information; and may further have printed thereon conventional, human but not automatically readable characters.