Abstract: An electrographic label system is disclosed whereby flexographic and electronic printing are combined in a modular design to produce multi-color labels. Label stock is unwound from a roll and passes over an automatic shut off roller that shuts down the entire printing process and stops the flow of label stock when it runs out so that a new roll of stock can be sliced to the old roll and rethreading the system is not necessary. A back slitter having a roller cutter cuts the desired height of the label leaving a feed strip between the label and opposite edge. The label stock is fed into a flexographic printer having a drum which imprints a first image, cuts the label to the correct length, and imprints a register mark on the feed strip. The label stock material is next fed into an electronic printer interfaced with a computer or programmable logic controller which imprints a second image upon each label.

Abstract: A printing press with a page cutting control apparatus (11) for controlling cut-off registration in a rotary printing press (10) includes markers (30, 32, 51, 53) for printing reference marks (36) on webs (20, 23) with magnetizable ink having magnetic particles therein, magnetizers (62, 64, 65, 67) for magnetizing the reference marks, sensors (121-124) for magnetically detecting the reference marks, and a controller (140) for changing the web length in response to the detecting.

Abstract: Method for setting the cutting register on a cross-cutting device positioned downline of a web-fed printing press, the position of the cut edges being variable as a function of the position of the printed image on a moving web, includes scanning with a first scanning device located directly after a last printing unit of the web-fed printing press a printed image on a moving web, generating and feeding signals regarding the printed image to a control device, generating signals with an angle sensor connected to web-guiding cylinders of the web-fed printing press, and associating the angle-sensor signals with the printed-image signals in a region between two printed images and storing the signals in the control device, generating signals regarding the printed image with a second scanning device directly before a cross-cutting device in the region between the two printed images, directing the scanning device, as viewed in a transverse direction of the web, at the same line as the first scanning device, periodical

Abstract: A tape cutting device includes a fixed blade fixed to a frame and a movable blade fixed to a manually pivotable lever. A printing operation to the print tape is performed by a print head and a platen. In this case, the tape runs by the rotation of the press roller and a tape feed roller, those being driven by a driving motor 2 through a power transmitting portion including a gear train. A gear of the gear train is associated with a tape cutting prevention mechanism including a stop lever. When the tape printing operation is carried out, the stop lever is movable to a first pivot position where the manually pivotable lever is abuttable on the stop lever to prevent the manually pivotable lever to be angularly rotated. When the tape is to be cut, the stop lever is moved to a second pivot position offset from the manually pivotable lever. Thus, the movable blade can be moved toward the fixed blade to cut the tape.

Abstract: A device (10) for maintaining registration in a printing press (12) having a printing unit (11) for printing a paper web (16), a device (20) for folding the paper web (16), a device (22) for cutting the folded web (16), and a device for adjusting the mass flow of the web towards the folding device (20) in order to maintain proper registration of the web (16) relative to the cutting device (22).

Abstract: The method and apparatus for printing adhesive backed media, such as a label strip or a multi-part form, includes an endless belt which is rotatably mounted to a support frame and is advanced along an endless path of travel such that a label strip may be fed from a wound roll to the endless belt with the adhesive backed side of the label strip directly in contact with the endless belt, and indicia may be imprinted upon the opposite side of the label strip. The printing apparatus includes a platen mounted within the endless belt and a print head positioned in alignment with the platen so that the endless belt and the label strip carried by the endless belt extend between the print head and the platen so as to permit printing on the label strip. The printing apparatus may include a stripping roller mounted at the downstream end of the endless belt and having a relatively small radius to facilitate the release of the adhesive backed label strip from the endless belt.

Abstract: Tickets for concerts, conventions, sports, and like events, have a security feature to assist in preventing counterfeiting. A stretchable security thread is disposed in a piece of paper stock extending so that it intersects, with portions lying on either side of, a line of separation in the piece of paper stock (and/or is parallel to the length of the ticket). The line of separation typically is a perforation. The security thread is a stretchable material, such as polyester, and may have microprinting. When the ticket is detached at the line of separation, the security thread does not initially separate but rather stretches to provide a visual (and tactile) indication between the separated portions of the paper stock before it breaks. Such tickets are produced from a web of material having the security threads, which web is printed, and then cut into sheets for delivery to a customer who then can apply variable printing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is a tape feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus for a mailing machine which has a feed deck for envelopees and a postage meter for printing postage indicia on successive envelopees as they are fed along the feed deck. The tape feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus is mounted in the mailing machine above the feed deck and adjacent to the postage meter on the side thereof opposite to the direction of the feed of envelopees for feeding successive finite lengths of tape to the postage meter for printing of postage indicia on a portion thereof and for cutting and ejecting the printed portion of the finite lengths of tape from the mailing machine.

Abstract: A mailing machine is disclosed having an elongate feed deck, means for feeding envelopes along the feed deck, and a postage meter mounted in the mailing machine and having a printing mechanism disposed in juxtaposition with the feed deck so as to print postage indicia on successive envelopes as they are fed along the feed deck. The mailing machine includes a tape feeding and cutting apparatus mounted above the feed deck and adjacent to the postage meter on the side thereof opposite to the direction of feed of envelopes along the feed deck for feeding successive finite lengths of tape to the postage meter for printing of postage indicia on a portion thereof and for cutting and ejecting the printed portion of the finite length of tape from the mailing machine. The tape feeding and cutting apparatus is constructed and arranged so that all of the tape storing, feeding, severing and ejecting mechanisms of the apparatus are all positioned entirely one one side of the postage meter.

Abstract: A sheeter which can cut a running printed sheet discharged from a web-fed rotary gravure press, a web-fed rotary forms press, or similar rotary press with higher accuracy is provided on-line. The sheeter can selectively carry out a change in the length of cut with the change of a printing plate cylinder. A drum roller, which has the same diameter as that of the plate cylinder in a printing unit or a diameter that is enlarged by an amount of the applied tension, is provided in such a way that it is exchangeable and lies on a sheet guide passage introducing the running printed sheet to a cutting section with the flying knife. The drum roller is rotationally driven synchronous with the plate cylinder by a driving shaft of the plate cylinder, and feeds the running printed sheet to the cutting section by winding it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus for a mailing machine which has a feed deck for feeding envelopes therealong and a postage meter for printing postage indicia on successive envelopes as they are fed along the feed deck. The tape feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus is mounted in the mailing machine above the feed deck and adjacent to the postage meter on the side thereof opposite to the direction of the feed of envelopes for feeding successive finite lengths of tape to the postage meter for printing of postage indicia on a portion thereof and for cutting and ejecting the printed portion of the finite lengths of tape from the mailing machine. The apparatus includes a tape holding assembly and means for pivotally mounting the tape holding assembly for movement between a normal operating position and an operator accessible position to facilitate loading and threading of a fresh roll of tape.

Abstract: To avoid a deformation of the label strip (3) of a label transport apparatus in a reversing guide (10) during a long period of disuse, the drive motor (29) is reversible, so that at the end of a transporting sequence the label strip (3) is transported back until it has left the reversing guide (10).

Abstract: Non-stop pile-changing device in a delivery of a printing press includes an auxiliary pile support insertable between two sheets in a sheet-conveying direction for temporarily receiving thereon oncoming sheets in an auxiliary pile, a device for exchanging a main pile of sheets and an old main pile support whereon the main pile has been deposited for a new main pile support, and a device for depositing the auxiliary pile on the new main pile support, the auxiliary pile support being relatively thin in comparison with the thickness of the main pile support, and remaining underneath the auxiliary pile and forming a base for the auxiliary pile as it is being deposited on the new main pile support.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of and an apparatus for sticking a paper web to a paper web threading member superposed on the paper web through the intermediary of an adhesive material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a web handling apparatus including a printer for printing on longitudinally extending multi-portion webs, with the web including a plurality of longitudinally extending web portions and connected at a longitudinal line of weakening between each adjacent pair of web portions, each web portion including record members, guide structure for causing adjacent web portions to move along different paths or planes to effect tearing and resultant separation of the web portions at each line of weakening, and a rewinder for drawing on the separated web portions and winding them into separate rolls. In the event tearing does not occur readily along the lines of weakening, there are knives to assist in separating the web portions.

Abstract: A ticket issuing machine having a stocker for containing a continuous form, a paper carrier device for carrying the continuous form supplied from the stocker to an inlet of a carrier line, a paper separating device for separating the continuous form at a score thereof in the carrier line, and a printing/recording device for printing or recording data on the continuous form. The paper separating device includes a blade retained so as to be movable toward and away from a score formed in the continuous form, which blade has a rounded bursting portion adapted to face the score, and a blade driving mechanism for driving the blade so as to bring the blade into abutment against the score for separation of the continuous form at the score. Accordingly, the continuous form can be reliably separated at the score with a small force.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a web handling apparatus including a printer for printing on longitudinally extending multi-portion webs, with the web including a plurality of longitudinally extending web portions and connected at a longitudinal line of weakening between each adjacent pair of web portions, each web portion including record members, guide structure for causing adjacent web portions to move along different paths or planes to effect tearing and resultant separation of the web portions at each line of weakening, and a rewinder for drawing on the separated web portions and winding them into separate rolls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: A marker is used for the confirmation of the paper web-threaded paths for rotary presses. The marker includes a marking unit for putting a mark on a paper web and a regulator composed of 1) a timing detector to detect the rotational phase of a printing cylinder and transmit a detected timing signal and 2) a transmitter to transmit an operating signal to the marking unit when it receives a detected timing signal from the timing detector. The regulator control when a mark is put on the paper web by the marking unit so that the mark always has a predetermined phase with respect to the printed images produced during a printing operation. A paper web-threaded path confirming apparatus includes a mark detector to detect a mark put on the paper web by the marking unit and transmit a detected mark signal. A transmitter transmits a rotational phase signal relatively to the rotational phase of a cutter cylinder rotated in a folder unit.

Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing a moving web within a printing press having one or more printing units cooperating to print an image on the web, including an air driven stabilizer structure disposed proximate to the printing units associated therewith for controlling the arc length of blanket follow between the web and one or more of the printing cylinders by creating a Bernoulli effect.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: A paper web threading apparatus for a rotary printing press comprises a paper web threading member guide provided along a paper web threading path of the printing press extending from a paper web supply section to a position just in front of a folding section; a paper web threading member pooling section provided downstream of the paper web threading path; a paper web threading member which is located over the whole length of the paper web threading path extending from the most upstream position thereof to the paper web threading member pooling section upon commencement of the paper web threading operation and which is run along the paper web threading member guide towards the paper web threading member pooling section during the paper web threading operation; a paper web retaining member provided on the paper web threading member for securing the paper web to the threaded along the path; and at least one paper web threading member driving unit for running the paper web threading member along the paper web th

Abstract: This invention relates to a control device for adjusting the travelling tension and the cutting position of printing paper in a printing apparatus. The control device automatically controls the travelling tension of the paper webs within a reference control range, which depends on the number of the paper webs, when the printing machine is driven at a constant speed or when changing speeds slowly. This control device also automatically corrects over-stretching or loosening of the travelling paper webs due to the resistance or the inertial force of guide rollers when the printing machine is driven to change speeds quickly such as at the start or end of the printing operation.

Abstract: A dust removal arrangement for a turning bar in folders for printing machines has the turning bar surrounded by several suction chambers which, when viewed in cross-sectional, are arranged in a semicircular manner successively in parallel to the turning bar axis as well as in the moving direction of the paper, at least in the area of one of the lateral edges of the paper moving path. Discharge electrodes, has a d.c. voltage applied and are arranged at the paper inlet in the front area of the first suction chamber and at the paper outlet in the area behind the last suction chamber opposite the turning bar.

Abstract: A paper cutting system for use with printer mechanisms, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for double cutting paper in a printer to trim the final output paper to a standard length. The invention provides an economical means for printing a full-size image on a standard length output sheet from a roll of paper by initially setting the length of the output sheet to the desired standard length plus the length of the necessary leading margin. After the image is printed full-size on the extra-length output sheet, the output sheet is advanced forward out of the printer and cut a first time by the printer's paper trimmer to crop the leading margin of the output sheet. The output sheet is then advanced forward again and cut a second time to crop the output sheet to the desired standard length size.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: A method of cut position determination for printing machines, wherein in order to ensure a synchronous running of the paper webs (P1-P4) to be folded and cut into newspapers (16) on a printing machine for rotary offset printing or rotary letter press printing, main and secondary registers (5, 7) are controlled in their position by means of servomotors (M1-M4) as a function of actuating signals (S.sub.M1 -S.sub.M4). Above each former-introduction guide roller (10), 4 photocells (11) are arranged equally spaced next to one another, which detect brightness signals (H.sub.A1 -H.sub.D4) from the printed surface of these paper webs at a scanning frequency of 20 khz. These brightness signals are subjected to a Fourier analysis in a microprocessor. The fundamental oscillation is evaluated, the fundamental oscillation with the greatest amplitude being selected from the 4 fundamental oscillations of each paper web.

Abstract: In order to accommodate a relatively large number of paper storage reels (11-17) with diameters of relatively large size in correspondence with a relatively large paper reservoir in a space of relatively small dimensions, storage reels (12-15) are also arranged in side-by-side relationship, i.e. laterally offset with respect to the paper feed slots (21-27) of the printer (20). The path segments of the paper webs (2-5) extending in this case in part skewed with respect to the paper feeding direction of the printer are made possible by rerouting members (52/62, 53/63, 54/64, 55/65, 42-45) at which the paper webs are guided on a rerouting path extending along part of a helical winding.

Abstract: A self-standing printing apparatus is described which includes a paper feeder for feeding individual sheets of paper, an impression cylinder and an accessory shaft adjacent the impression cylinder on which various types of printing heads may be mounted, including a numbering device. A counter roller may also be provided adjacent the impression cylinder for perforating the paper against perforating strips which may be provided on the surface of the impression cylinder. The impression cylinder is adapted to move out of contact with the various printing heads on the accessory shaft and the counter roller when the paper supply is interrupted. As the paper supply is reinstated, the impression cylinder automatically moves back into position. A particular paper supply and transfer device is also described as well as a novel inking unit. A stacking plate for stacking the printed sheets along with jogger devices are provided.

Abstract: An attachment for an offset press, of the type adapted to process individual sheets of paper, to enable it to feed and print continuous form in proper registery. In one embodiment the invention includes a paper feeding station downstream of the press and a separate registration station upstream of the press. The paper feeding station employs an adjustable rotating circumferential segment, driven off the press, cooperating with a draw roller to intermittently engage the continuous form paper, draw a predetermined increment through the press and then disengage from the paper. In another embodiment the paper feeding function is accomplished by the printing blanket which discontinuously engages the paper and feeds it through the press in predetermined increments thereafter disengaging from the paper after each of the increments is fed.

Abstract: The stencil duplicator includes: a cylindrical porous rotary printing drum and a means for selectively rotating it in a preferred direction; a means for clamping the leading edge of a stencil master along a generator of the printing drum; a means for supplying printing ink to the inner surface of the printing drum; a press roller means for pressing a paper sheet to the outer surface of the printing drum with a progressive rolling action; a means for feeding a paper sheet between the printing drum and the press roller means; a means for making a stencil master, including a light transmitting plate, a light source which selectively illuminates the light transmitting plate, and a pressure plate facing the light transmitting plate, with the light transmitting plate and the pressure plate being selectively able either to be separated or pressed together; a means for feeding the leading edge of a stencil master which has passed between the light transmitting plate and the pressure plate towards the clamping means s

Abstract: A machine for continuously laterally perforating very wide paper and having an electronic control for smoothly starting and stopping the paper, a length of perforated paper detection device and combined control warning device for detecting the end of the roll of paper, wherein the machine is arranged in a compact structure having two simultaneously mechanized lateral holders which support all of the various mechanisms so as to thereby ensure the perfect positioning thereof. The actuation of the perforator heads of the machine is effected by the paper itself through a precision mechanized antiskid roller and the tension of the paper is controlled by swinging rollers whose movement is detected by a sensor and electronically processed while simultaneously taking into consideration the speed of the paper so as to control the unwinding of the feed roll of paper utilizing an electromagnet brake.

Abstract: A printing system for printing characters in various fonts and formats onto webs of sheet stock of various sizes includes apparatus for cutting the web into various lengths to accommodate various formats as well as for providing different lengths of tags which are interposed between batches of tags to permit easy separation of the batches. A stacker is also provided which selectively stacks the tags in a shingle fashion or into piles. Circuitry is provided to detect jams in the system and to assure that the proper size web corresponding to the selected format is used. Also, the system is provided with circuitry for adjusting the line print position to compensate for positioning errors caused by mechanical tolerances in the printers.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for a sheet fed printing machine having a feed drum for supporting individual sheets and feeding them one after another to the impression cylinder for printing by the blanket cylinder, including a knife blade having a cutting edge, a knife blade support, an arm for mounting the support adjacent the feed drum, the arm being pivoted about an axis parallel to the axis of the feed drum for limited rocking movement toward and away from the feed drum, a stop and a clamp for establishing a reference cutting position for the arm, the feed drum having an anvil extending around its periphery cooperating with the edge of the knife blade for cutting of the sheet as the feed drum rotates, way surfaces between the knife blade support and the arm for guiding the knife blade support for movement in the plane perpendicular to the feed drum and along a path of adjustment which bears a shallow angle to a line of tangency to the feed drum, and a manually operated adjusting screw effectively interposed between

Abstract: A flexible deformable blank support such as a strip of paper, is fed and continuously treated or worked on in connection with its passage through a computer printer. The paper can be in the form of a roll or can be folded, and can pass through a finishing unit such as a perforator or a cutter. Plural autonomous printing units are provided, to perform different printing operations, in addition to or in lieu of the finishing units such as the perforators or cutters. The autonomous units are selectively controlled so as to adapt the printing and/or finishing as a function of the operation performed by the computer printer.

Abstract: A paper web guiding mechanism for a web-fed rotary printing machine is disclosed. The paper web guiding mechanism includes paper guide rollers and a prefeed formed roller which are substantially wider than the maximum width of the web which can be printed. Two turning bars are provided for each paper web which may be slit from the printed web. At least three formers are disposed on a common horizontal plane and are used to form the web sections that are guided to various mixed or superimposed arrays by the paper web guiding mechanism.

Abstract: To permit continuous adjustment of separating rollers (10, 11) positioned downstream of cutter cylinders (3, 4) cutting sheets (7) from a continuous web (1) during operation of the machine, to adjust for different lengths of cut sheets, and accelerate the cut sheets to the circumferential speed of a gripper apparatus, the separating cylinders (10, 11) are mounted on a first carrier structure (38) which is longitudinally moveable independently of the drive therefore with respect to transport belts (8, 9) passing beneath the separating rollers, the adjustment spacing between the separating rollers being controllable, for example by compressed air cylinders (55). Drives, in order to reduce noise, preferably are by gear belts driven from the cutter cylinders, to provide for synchronized operation of the transport or conveyor belts, the separating cylinders (10, 11) and of subsequent transport apparatus, such as a gripper cylinder (12).

Abstract: A compound printer having print stations, die cutting stations and other operations, such as perforating and punching, has structure for rapid changeover of the individual stations. Movable carriages on carriage bars and indexing mounts allow rapid removal and installation of the elements, such as the print station or the die. Changeover time is substantially reduced. Removed components may be stored on the carriages.

Abstract: A system for controlling registration in a Printing press between the moving web having repetitive print patterns and a work station operated cyclically in synchronization with the press. The system includes a photoelectric scanner having a variable sensitivity, a position pulse generator with a backup accumulating device, a motorized compensator for controlling the longitudinal position of the web relative to the work station and a digital control circuit for driving the compensator to correct misregistration. The control system counts position pulses during each cycle of the work station, defines a monitoring period during which marks and repetitive print patterns are scanned and signals differences between the cycles of the print markings and the work station by sampling at the occurrence of each mark, a digital number which corresponds to the instantaneous position of the work station and its cycle.

Abstract: In the label printing system of the present invention, a strip of adhesive-backed label stock capable of receiving a latent charge image and having a releasable backing layer is drawn continuously from a supply reel and passed successively through an electrostatic print head, a developer, a pressure fixer, and a rotary die or butt cutter for separating the printed stock into individual labels on the uncut releasable backing layer. The latent imaging of each label at the electrostatic print head is carried out at defined discrete locations on the label stock. These locations may be defined in response to a synchronization signal produced by an angular position detector cooperating with the rotary cutter. The synchronization signal is indicative of a predetermined instantaneous rotational orientation of the cutting elements on the rotary cutting member, thereby insuring that the printed label indicia are properly centered within the label edges after die or butt cutting.

Abstract: Cable harnesses are manufactured with a so-called cable head arranged on a able laying carriage. The cable head is controlled by an electronic data processor and continuously lays a cable running off a coil or spool, about pins on a cable laying table or pallet. A plurality of such coils or spools are mounted in a cable magazine arranged for cooperation with said cable laying table. Any one of the cables on the coils may be drawn into the cable head which is equipped with cable marking tools and with cable buffer tools. The cable being laid is marked and for this purpose it is "buffered" to such an extent, that a dwell time is obtained sufficient for the marking operation. The buffering takes place first to form a loop. The cable length stored in the loop is used up during the marking so as not to interrupt the feed advance of the cable during its marking.

Abstract: A label web overprinting machine in which the label web is indexed through the apparatus by two opposed rollers, one of which has a recess in its periphery defining a step and the other of which is movable through a small distance to form a nip for drawing the web forwardly through a printing station of the machine.A solenoid controls the movement of the movable roller and by a machine cycle operated switch the solenoid is energized to bring the one roller into substantial contact with the other at an instant when the recess of the one roller is directed towards the other roller. Immediately the step of the roller contacts the other roller, the web is indexed forward and the solenoid is subsequently deenergized by a photo-electric cell arrangement arranged to detect a particular indicia on a label or the downstream edge of a given label.

Abstract: A label machine for forming individual labels from an endless tape strip. The machine includes a novel label removal device which uses compressed air to insure removal of each label to a collection station after it is cut from the endless strip, thereby preventing hang-up of labels at the machine's cutter assembly. The machine also includes a novel tape feed mechanism that provides accurate label length control, thereby preventing waste of tape. These mechanisms are preferably used in combination with a printer head, the novel tape feed and label removal mechanisms cooperating to prevent printing errors between leading and trailing labels cut from the endless tape strip.

Abstract: A strip of adhesive-backed label stock capable of receiving a latent charge image and having a releasable backing layer is drawn continuously from a supply reel and passed successively through an electrostatic print head, a developer, a pressure fixer, and a rotary die or butt cutter for separating the printed stock into individual labels on the uncut releasable backing layer. The latent imaging of each label at the electrostatic print head is commenced in response to a synchronization signal produced by an angular position detector cooperating with the rotary cutter. The synchronization signal is indicative of a predetermined instantaneous rotational orientation of the cutting elements on the rotary cutting member, thereby insuring that the printed label indicia are properly centered within the label edges after die or butt cutting. When die cutting is used, separate takeup reels are provided for the waste cuttings and for the finished labels on the uncut releasable backing layer.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine for printing several colors on continuously fed sheets comprises a cylinder for driving a web disposed at the web inlet in the printing machine and coupled to a speed variator.A rotary cutting device is disposed downstream of the web driving cylinder, and means are provided for rotating said rotary cutting device at constant speed. The printing machine also comprises a drum provided on its periphery with regularly distributed grippers, normally closed by springs and of which the opening is controlled by fixed opening ramps.This drum forms a single large-diameter impression cylinder in contact, at different points of its periphery, with the blanket cylinders of the different printing units. This impression cylinder is mounted to rotate about a horizontal and transverse axis on a support frame mounted for horizontal and longitudinal slide, and means are provided for causing the support frame to slide towards and away from the blanket cylinders of the various printing units.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing labels is disclosed, and more particularly a portable apparatus which will reproduce indicia of a master sheet on a continuous web substrate and thereafter cut the web into individual labels. The apparatus is provided with a rotatable plate roller, to which the master sheet is attached. A fountain solution module is provided which applies a fountain solution to the surface of the master sheet, and an ink module is provided which supplies ink to the master sheet in the areas which the fountain solution has not adhered. A blanket roller is provided having a diameter equal to the plate roller and is in contact therewith. The plate and blanket rollers are driven at equal speed such that the ink on the plate roller will be accurately transferred to the blanket roller. In addition, a freewheeling impression roller is provided which is mounted for reciprocating movement into and out of contact with the blanket roller.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for rotary roller printing presses, having at least one collecting or crosswise folder, positioned behind which there is at least one sword folder composed of a folding sword interacting with a pair of folding cylinders, the folded material being conveyed to the sword folder via a belt guide having upper and lower belts and, in the region of the folding sword, passing positioned limit stops for the folded material. The belt guide has at least two strands positioned one behind the other and being driven at opposingly stepped speeds, with the faster-running strand on the collecting or crosswise folder side, having a run-out groove opening wedge-shapedly, beyond which least one locating stop moving at the speed of the slower-running strand, on the sword folder side, is positioned, its path at least partly overlapping with the feeding-in region of the equally fast belt guide strand.

Abstract: An inexpensive apparatus is provided for printing and dispensing a series of special individualized pressure sensitive labels. The dispenser apparatus includes replaceable storage, such as a cassette or a small floppy disc for storing a series of related addresses, for example, and a full keyboard for providing input to the replaceable memory, together with control circuitry. A cassette of blank pressure sensitive labels mounted on a web is provided, and this web is fed past a photocell, under a printhead and then past a peeling blade which, in one mode, dispenses labels through a slot, with the extension of the labels through the slot being detected by a light and photocell pair which in this mode controls label printing and advancing. In accordance with another mode, the peeling blade from which the labels are dispensed may be disabled, and a set of labels prepared and stored on the takeup reel of the apparatus.