Abstract: Apparatus for automatically filling fluid into containers includes an actuator for raising and lowering a fluid dispensing needle. The needle is coupled to a pump. A first sensor senses that the needle has been moved to its lowered position. A control circuit responsive to the first sensor prevents the pump from pumping fluid to the needle unless the needle is in its lowered position. A horizontal actuator moves the needle actuator in a horizontal plane from one container to another. A second sensor senses that the needle has been moved to its raised position, and the control circuit is responsive thereto for preventing operation of the horizontal actuator unless the needle has been moved to its raised position.

Abstract: A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp. The accessory may also include fastening mechanisms, such as magnetic elements, to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically filling fluid into containers includes an actuator for raising and lowering a fluid dispensing needle. The needle is supported for vertical sliding movement. A first end of a pivot arm is engaged with a cam rotated by a motor for rocking the pivot arm. The dispensing needle is also engaged with the pivot arm for being raised or lowered thereby as the pivot arm rocks. The cam, which may be circular and eccentric, may be surrounded by a circular bearing and slidingly received within a yoke at the first end of the pivot arm. The needle is coupled to a pump. A first sensor senses that the needle has been moved to its lowered position. A control circuit responsive to the first sensor prevents the pump from pumping fluid to the needle unless the needle is in its lowered position.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for wetting a roller of a printing system comprising an applicator unit comprising a liquid agent chamber. Upper and lower walls extend from the liquid agent chamber to define a slit therebetween. The upper wall extends beyond a lip of the lower wall to a transfer lip. A flow restrictor is received in the slit to prevent flow of liquid agent to a respective portion of the transfer lip, thereby defining a restricted portion of the slit and an adjacent unrestricted portion of the slit. The flow restrictor fits in the restricted portion with a clearance that permits liquid agent flow at a reduced velocity relative flow through the unrestricted portion, such that liquid agent along the restricted portion is discharged from the lower wall. A method of installing a flow restrictor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device comprises needles (10) for piercing the skin (4) of a patient to form pores (20) in a predefined pattern; and carriers (12) in the same pattern that may be loaded with a drug (14) for delivery. The carriers (12) are applied to the pores (20) to deliver the drug (14) through the pores (20) to a location beneath the surface of the skin (4). The carriers (12) may remain outside the pores (20), be introduced into the pores (20) after the needles (10) have been removed or be inserted alongside the needles (20) while they are still in place.

Abstract: A device for marking a treatment isocenter on a patient's body includes a base including alignment indicia; a marker disposed over the base and positioned relative to the indicia for marking the isocenter on the patient's body; and an actuator for actuating the marker and causing a mark indicating the isocenter to be made on the patient's body. The actuator can include a button and a spring coupled to the marker. Compressing the actuator causes the marker to travel through an ink well prior to piercing the patient's skin. The device is disposable as intended for a single use.

Abstract: A contact printing system is disclosed. A gravure cylinder having a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. A first portion of a first fluid and a second portion of a second fluid are disposed from a respective channel disposed internal to the gravure cylinder. The gravure cylinder, including the first and second at least one channels and the plurality of discrete cells, is formed so that the gravure cylinder has a unibody construction and has no moving parts interior to the gravure cylinder.

Abstract: A contact printing system is disclosed. A gravure cylinder having a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. A first portion of a first fluid and a second portion of a second fluid are disposed from a respective channel disposed internal to the gravure cylinder. The gravure cylinder, including the first and second at least one channels and the plurality of discrete cells, is formed so that the gravure cylinder has a unibody construction and has no moving parts interior to the gravure cylinder.

Abstract: A contact printing system for printing X colors upon a web substrate is disclosed. The contact printing system comprises X-Y printing components where X and Y are whole numbers, 0<Y<X, and X>1. Each of the printing components comprises a gravure cylinder having a plurality of discrete gravure cells disposed within a surface thereof. A first portion of a fluid is displaceable into a first portion of discrete gravure cells from at least one channel extending from a position external to the gravure cylinder. A second portion of the fluid is displaceable into a second portion of the plurality of discrete gravure cells from the at last one channel. The gravure roll, including at least one channel and the plurality of discrete cells, is formed such that the gravure roll has a unibody construction and there are no moving parts interior to the gravure roll.

Abstract: A punching device includes a punching unit that punches a hole in a sheet of paper; a container that receives a chad of paper generated upon punching by the punching unit; a dispersing member that is provided within the container and that is configured to disperse the chad of paper; and a guiding member configured to guide the chad of paper that is generated upon punching by the punching unit and fallen into the container to the dispersing member.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a cartridge holder configured to receive a pen or a cutter, a platen configured to receive an object, a first moving mechanism configured to move the cartridge holder, a reading unit configured to read image data from the object, a second moving mechanism configured to move the object to the reading unit, and a processor configured to instruct the apparatus to instruct the first moving mechanism to move the cartridge holder close to the platen, instruct the second moving mechanism to move the object so that the image data is read by the reading unit, extract, from the image data, a processing mark on the object, calculate a rotation angle for correcting image data, based on rotation angle, at least one of the processing mark, and correct, based on the image data and processing data.

Abstract: To make it possible to easily and accurately form a cutout indicative of the presence of a code in printed matter. An apparatus according to the present invention includes a unit configured to determine a position of attachment of a code including voice information in an image and an attaching unit configured to attach a mark in a position based on the determined position of code attachment in the image, wherein the mark indicates a position to be cut out from a sheet, on a side of which the image and the attached mark are to be printed and a cutout caused by the cutting indicates a position of code attachment.

Abstract: A printing and embossing folder includes a first panel member having a plurality of holes and a second panel member hingedly coupled to the first panel member having a plurality of holes in corresponding relationship to the holes of the first panel member. A set of design tiles include positive relief designs disposed thereon. A corresponding set of design tiles have either negative relief designs for embossing or no relief for printing. The tiles can be positioned at any desired location on the folder so long as the positive design tiles are positioned opposite a corresponding tile for either embossing or printing. Inserting a sheet of paper within the folder and pressing the folder will cause the design to be embossed or printed into the paper.

Abstract: A punching device includes a punching unit that punches a hole in a sheet of paper; a container that receives a chad of paper generated upon punching by the punching unit; a dispersing member that is provided within the container and that is configured to disperse the chad of paper; and a guiding member configured to guide the chad of paper that is generated upon punching by the punching unit and fallen into the container to the dispersing member.

Abstract: A multi-function media embellishing template and a system and method of embellishing media with the template is provided. The template includes a body having a media abutment surface and an aperture in the media abutment surface extending through the template, and an embellishing wall extending from the media abutment surface and terminating in an embellishing surface. The media embellishing template can be formed by exposing first and second sides of a template blank not covered by a resist to etchant, etching the surface of the first side to form a media abutment surface and an embellishing wall extending from the media abutment surface and terminating in an embellishing surface, and etching the surface of the second side not covered by the resist to form at least one aperture extending through the template.

Abstract: Hand operated hinged folder assembly for printing, embossing and cutting includes a base member with a recessed well for placement of stamps, embossing elements or die cutters therein and a lid hingedly attached to the base member for engaging with the base member having a recessed well for receiving a various inserts including a cutting mat, a stamping surface or embossing elements. The hinged folder is configured to be passed through a roller press to cause the hinged folder to stamp, emboss or cut a sheet of paper placed within the hinged folder.

Abstract: A printing and embossing folder includes a first panel member having a plurality of holes and a second panel member hingedly coupled to the first panel member having a plurality of holes in corresponding relationship to the holes of the first panel member. A set of design tiles include positive relief designs disposed thereon. A corresponding set of design tiles have either negative relief designs for embossing or no relief for printing. The tiles can be positioned at any desired location on the folder so long as the positive design tiles are positioned opposite a corresponding tile for either embossing or printing. Inserting a sheet of paper within the folder and pressing the folder will cause the design to be embossed or printed into the paper.

Abstract: A revolving indexer for use in connection with a printing machine utilizing die cutting cylinders including a shuttle for sliding the die cutting cylinder out from the printing machine and printing web and a sliding shuttle deck for loading the die cutting cylinder into the revolving indexer is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is shown to retrofit a printing press to provide for perforations in a paper at the time of printing, which perforations aid the end user in tearing out coupons or redeemable items from the paper. An existing pipe roller is removed and replaced with a perforator assembly and a perforator roller. The assembly has perforator wheels that are adjustable left and right between limits, and can be lowered when perforations are desired. A threaded drive shaft moves the perforator wheels left or right. Cylinders lower the perforator wheels during perforating. Adjustments may be made electronically, as where to set the perforator wheels.

Abstract: A non-apertured media embossing template (24) is formed from a non-apertured die (20). Media embossing template (24) has a raised perimeter (32) and at least one embosser (34). The raised perimeter (32) is a two-dimensional embossing perimeter integrally formed with a face of non-apertured die (20). The raised perimeter (32) can be used to emboss and/or cut a media (26), based upon the amount of force (28) applied to press media (26) onto the non-apertured die (20). Each embosser (34) has an embossing pattern that can be used to further emboss the media (26), providing either a uniform pattern for embossment on media (26), or further detail associated with raised perimeter (32). The media embossing template (24) can be precisely positioned on the media (26) by aligning registration points (56 and 58) on the media (26) and the non-apertured die (20). Registration points (56) on the media (26) may be pre-printed on media (26) using a rubber stamp or other media printing or stamping method.

Abstract: A punching apparatus for a sheet media comprises a base and a handle actuator. The base comprises a first impression head that defines a first image-forming pattern and a second impression head that defines a second image-forming pattern. The base further comprises a first impression head protrusion having a first height and a second impression head protrusion having a second height. The handle actuator hingedly couples to the base. The handle actuator moves between a first position, a second position, and a third position. A limiting member contacts the first impression head protrusion when the handle actuator is moved to the second position, and the first impression head moves to a sheet media forming position. The limiting member contacts the second impression head protrusion when the handle moves to the third handle position, and the first and the second impression heads move to the sheet media forming position.

Abstract: The printing processing system of the present invention includes an image data generating unit for generating multiple types of image data, each of which corresponds to each individual purpose of document data, deriving from the document data; and a control unit for executing a control for performing a designated post-process on a sheet of paper on which an image is formed based on the specific type of image data among the multiple types of image data.

Abstract: Substrate punch assembly, comprising a punch for perforating a substrate, a resilient element provided next to the punch, and a die arranged opposite to the punch for pressing against the substrate in the direction of the punch during a punch action, wherein the resilient element is configured to at least partly move with respect to the punch for pushing the substrate away from the punch when the punch moves away from the die.

Abstract: A printing and embossing folder includes a first panel member having a plurality of holes and a second panel member hingedly coupled to the first panel member having a plurality of holes in corresponding relationship to the holes of the first panel member. A set of design tiles include positive relief designs disposed thereon. A corresponding set of design tiles have either negative relief designs for embossing or no relief for printing. The tiles can be positioned at any desired location on the folder so long as the positive design tiles are positioned opposite a corresponding tile for either embossing or printing. Inserting a sheet of paper within the folder and pressing the folder will cause the design to be embossed or printed into the paper.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium includes a perforation blade controlling unit for controlling perforation processing on the recording medium on the basis of perforation processing information included in the printing information, a perforation processing unit for perforating the recording medium on the basis of an instruction of the perforation blade controlling unit, and a perforation lateral moving unit for moving the perforation processing unit in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording medium on the basis of an instruction of the perforation blade controlling unit. An image recording apparatus having a perforation processing device that can control ON/OFF of vertical perforation processing and can further control a vertical perforation processing position in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium on the basis of an instruction from a higher-level device is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for media embellishment.

Abstract: A multi-cartridge system including a plurality of cartridge connectors configured to receive electronic cutting cartridges, and an external connector for operably connecting the electronic cutting cartridges to an electronic cutting machine. The cartridge connectors are in electrical communication with an external connector.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A mailing machine for processing mailpiece envelopes, wherein a print station thereof is reconfigurable to process envelopes in two operating modes. The reconfigurable print station includes a displacement device having an integrated cutting mechanism to perform both printing and cutting operations. The displacement device includes a displacement surface for urging the mailpiece envelopes against a registration surface to facilitate print operations and a cutting mechanism coupled to the displacement device for cutting the sheet material in a direction substantially parallel to the processing path of the mailpiece envelope. The cutting device is adapted to be repositioned relative to the displacement surface such that, (i) in a first operating mode, the cutting device is retracted beneath or below the plane of the displacement surface, and (ii) in a second operating mode, the cutting device is extended above the plane of the displacement surface to cut the sheet material as it traverses the processing path.

Abstract: A multi-function media embellishing template and a system and method of embellishing media with the template is provided. The template includes a body having a media abutment surface and an aperture in the media abutment surface extending through the body, and an embellishing wall extending from the media abutment surface and terminating in an embellishing surface.

Abstract: A line-pattern formation apparatus includes: a pattern former with a display defining a pattern and a referential projection indicating a reference position of the pattern; a positioning plate including a line-pattern indicator indicating a plurality of patterns in a lateral condition and a reference-positioning indicator specifying the reference position of the patterns; and a positioner including a stand on which a sheet is placed and a fixing member for fixing the sheet placed on the stand. The fixing member is provided with fitting portions for making the positioning plate detachably attached to the fixing member.

Abstract: A sheet boring apparatus is configured to bore a hole in a sheet bundle by processing a portion of the sheet bundle along and inside an outline of the hole to form a remaining portion and by dropping the remaining portion. The sheet boring apparatus includes a laser processing unit configured to emit a laser beam on to the sheet bundle to perform boring processing, and a moving portion configured to move an emitting process position of the laser beam. When the laser processing unit performs boring processing, the moving portion moves the emitting process position of the laser beam in a direction of thickness of the sheet bundle and a direction of processing width inside the outline of the hole to narrow the processing width toward a bottom of the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for marking a sheet-shaped workpiece using a marking tool. The marking tool is mounted in a punch holder of a punch press and a counter-support is fixed in place on a side opposite of a marking surface of the workpiece to be marked. The surface of the workpiece is marked by displacing the workpiece in its plane while engaging the marking tool with the workpiece. In one form, a support roller provides counter-support. In another form, an elastic element is cooperatively associated with the punch stroke of the punch press to translate an exactly defined contact pressure force between the tool tip and the workpiece to be marked.

Abstract: A new and improved embellishing die and system and method for embellishing media is provided. The embellishing die includes a first side having a first embellishing surface and a second side having a second embellishing surface. The first and second sides can be on opposite sides of the die. The first and second embellishing surfaces can each include a cutter for cutting the media, or an embossing surface for embossing the media. The first embellishing surface can include an embossing surface for embossing the media and the second embellishing surface can include a cutter for cutting the media. The system can include the embellishing die and a press for pressing media against the media embellishing die to embellish the media.

Abstract: A method of operating a sheet-processing rotary printing press provided with a die cutting or punching unit and a delivery for forming processed sheets into a sheet pile or stack includes, in a first method step, moving the punching or die cutting unit, during production printing by the rotary printing press, from a first operating state of the unit wherein the sheets are punched or die cut, into a second operating state of the unit wherein the sheets are not punched or die cut as they pass the punching or die cutting unit, and after a given number of non-punched or non-die cut sheets have passed through the unit. In a second method step, the punching or die cutting unit is moved back into the first operating state thereof. The invention also includes a method of operating the printing press.

Abstract: A marking device includes a marking mechanism, a marking portion moving mechanism, and a pressure adjusting circuit. The marking mechanism marks a surface to be processed, of an object to be marked, by reciprocating a marking portion. The marking portion moving mechanism moves the marking portion in two-dimensional directions along the surface to be processed. The pressure adjusting circuit keeps a constant pressure which the marking portion applies to the surface to be processed. The marking mechanism includes a cam mechanism for linearly reciprocating the marking portion by following a cam which is rotated by a driving member.

Abstract: A guide hole 18 is formed in a left side wall 17 of a grip 2 provided to a stamp assembly 1. When the stamp assembly 1 is mounted to a thermal perforation unit 50, a guide bar 38 provided to the thermal perforation unit 50 is inserted into the guide hole 18. A protector clasp 18a for opening and closing the guide hole 18 is provided to the left side wall 17. The protector clasp 18a can be manually slid up and down in a protector clasp groove 17a. When the protector clasp 18a is in a lower position shown in FIG. 1 (a), the guide hole 18 is closed so that the stamp assembly 1 can not be mounted to the thermal perforation unit 50. When the protector clasp 18a is in an upper position shown in FIG. 1 (b), the guide hole 18 is closed so that the stamp assembly 1 can be mounted to the-thermal perforation unit 50.

Abstract: A sign making machine is provided comprising a frame and a power unit attached to the frame. A hydraulic cylinder is also attached to the frame and is hydraulically connected to the power unit. This hydraulic cylinder has a piston rod extending downwardly. A platen is mounted on the bottom of said piston rod and a die is mounted beneath said platen. Sheeting material is mounted on rolls and passes beneath said die on a cutting surface on the bottom portion of the frame. The sheeting material passes through a track means. Pin means are provided on the die to mark said sheet material. Markings are provided on the frame so that the markings made by the pin means may be aligned with one of the markings on the frame to provide desired spacing between a symbol cut by said die means and the next symbol to be cut by the die means.

Abstract: A sign making machine is provided comprising a frame and a power unit attached to the frame. A hydraulic cylinder is also attached to the frame and is hydraulically connected to the power unit. This hydraulic cylinder has a piston rod extending downwardly. A platen is mounted on the bottom of said piston rod and a die is mounted beneath said platen. Sheet material is mounted on rolls and passes beneath said die on a cutting surface on the bottom portion of the frame. The sheet material passes through a track means. Indicia on the die indicate a width quotient of a symbol to be cut. A drive unit advances the sheeting material by a distance equal to the width quotient of the symbol plus the width quotient of the next symbol to be cut plus the spacing between these symbols.

Abstract: A reciprocating tool in the nature of a dental handpiece is modified to carry a needle/cone assembly for use as a tattooing device. The needle/cone assembly includes a needle assembly trapped in a cone structure. The needle assembly includes a cap portion which is held by fingers in the handpiece to prevent rotation of the needle assembly, and a frangible neck which is broken on removal of the needle/cone assembly from the handpiece to prevent reuse of the needle assembly. A removable protective tube around the needles acts also as an insertion tool for the needle assembly.

Abstract: A tattooing device comprises a needle carrier (1) having a plurality of hollow needles (2), an exchangeable program carrier (11,26,31,39) and control means having a jaw (7). The program carrier has an assembly of cylindrical cavities (13,28,33,40) with a fluid (23), each of which can be put into open communication with a needle, in which cavities pistons (6,18,34,38) are movable for pressing out the fluid and which cavities are at least partly closed at an axial end by a closing element (18,29,34,41) in dependence on the force exerted by the jaw for transfer to the needle. The closing element is at least partly deformable, the deformation of the closing element requiring a heavier force than that required for inserting the needle into the tissue so that owing to the force exerted by the jaw on the program carrier first the needle is inserted into the tissue and subsequently by the deformation of the closing element the piston can move into the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for marking livestock and other articles includes a pivoted support structure for a marking head. The support structure contacts the animal and adjusts the marking head position appropriately for marking the animal. An electrical switch detects the presence of the livestock within the support structure, formed as a hood for contacting the animal to be marked, and activates a number of solenoids, in a predetermined sequence, for marking the animal. The marking control circuitry includes solenoids for inking the marking head and for reinking the inking pad. A control is provided for adjusting the number of times an animal is to be marked in a pass through the apparatus.

Abstract: A tatooing apparatus is provided with at least one needle carrier (17, 42, 47) with an arrangement of needles (19, 44, 46) by which at least a number of the needles are mutually arranged according to a program of symbols and in such a manner that the tissue to be tattooed can be pierced by the free ends of the needles. Each of the needles is hollow and is provided with an outlet opening close to its free end for feeding a contrasting fluid into the perforation in the tissue. The apparatus is further provided with a fluid feeding mechanism a control mechanism therefore, the fluid feeding mechanism comprising a reservoir (16, 43, 54) accommodating contrasting fluid and a program carrier of non-porous material, the program carrier also including perforations (30, 49) which are directed in relation to the inlet openings of the needles.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a substance to a layup of sheet material at a selected location on each of the sheets which comprise the layup includes a table for supporting the layup, a tool assembly including an axially elongated rotary applicator tool having a sharp free end, a carriage assembly movable relative to the supporting surface of the table for positioning the applicator tool with its free end in alignment with the selected position, a mechanism for feeding a supply of the substance to the applicator tool, a first drive mechanism for rotating the applicator tool about its axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the applicator tool toward the layup supporting surface whereby to cause the free end of the tool to penetrate the layup and for moving the tool away from the supporting surface to withdraw it from the layup. The substance may comprise a liquid, a solid material or a paste-like substance.

Abstract: A method for imprinting alphanumeric or other characters on an adhesive bearing tape of the type having an antiblocking layer or coating on the surface of the tape which is opposite to the surface having the adhesive coating thereon. The method includes the steps of providing a printing plate having a plurality of pin-like projections defining the characters to be printed, coating the pin-like projections with ink, and bringing the ink bearing pins into contact with the tape with sufficient force that the pins penetrate the antiblocking layer and deposit the ink into the tape media below the antiblocking layer.

Abstract: A plurality of sleeves extends through a printing-medium chamber; each sleeve has one or more openings through which its interior can communicate with the chamber. In each sleeve a plunger is reciprocable between a retracted position in which the opening is exposed so that printing medium can enter from the chamber, and a printing position in which the plunger closes the opening and the printing medium in the sleeve is applied to a workpiece. A drive reciprocates the plungers individually. The chamber may be pressurized to cause more rapid entry of printing medium into the sleeves. The quantity of printing medium applied during each plunger reciprocation may be selectively varied.

Abstract: Vertically reciprocatory printing elements each have an interior space for printing medium. Each element is first charged with printing medium during its reciprocation and the printing medium is then forcibly expelled from the printing element as the same reaches its printing position.

Abstract: Printing medium is supplied to a plurality of individual dot-printing elements, and these elements are used for printing a pattern on a web by applying dots of printing medium from respective ones of the elements to the web, either to the surface thereof or into the depth of the same.

Abstract: Printing medium is supplied to a plurality of individual dot-printing elements, and these elements are used for printing a pattern on a web by applying dots of printing medium from respective ones of the elements to the web, either to the surface thereof or into the depth of the same.

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.