Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automating the fiber laying process during the repair of composite structures made of fiber-reinforced plastic material based on the three-dimensional printing technique. Continuous fiber rovings (e.g., carbon fibers) impregnated with liquid epoxy can be directly printed onto the damaged surface of the composite structure (e.g., an aircraft component made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) without human manipulation in an autonomous manner.

Abstract: The present application provides a tucker fold dispenser for folding and dispensing a sheet of material. The tucker fold dispenser may include an outer shell, a removable roller cassette positioned within the outer shell, a paper path therethrough, a number of loading rollers positioned about the paper path, a number of folding rollers positioned about the paper path, and a tucker bar mechanism positioned about the folding rollers.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to enable intelligent management and implementation of travel policies, elite cardholder benefits, or vendor offers related to expenses incurred on a payment card.

Abstract: A film application apparatus includes a first base configured to couple a film material and a second base rotatably coupled to the first base. The first base defines an opening and two through holes on opposite side of the first base, the through holes communicate with the opening. The second base defines a receiving chamber and the receiving chamber is configured for accommodating a work piece. The film application apparatus further includes a pressing component inserted through the first base, the pressing component penetrating through the opening from the two through holes for pressing the film material against to a face of the work piece.

Abstract: A print method for making a bank card is provided, which includes the following steps: S10, determining print times and print designs each time according to the convex words and/or designs to be printed; S20, fixing the bank card to be printed to a print position; S30: printing the bank card to be printed several times according to the print times and print designs each time in order to form the convex words and/or designs on it. A print device is also provided for making a bank card. The print method and print device for making the bank card can print convex words and/or designs on the surface of the bank card cheaply and efficiently.

Abstract: A label forming apparatus includes a film forming device and a printer. The film forming device includes a transportation mechanism that transports a base sheet having a print surface, a storage unit that stores a position of the film based on prescribed positions of markers, a film forming unit that forms the film on the print surface, and a marker forming unit that forms the markers at the prescribed marker positions on the print surface. The printer includes a marker position detector provided on the downstream side of the film forming device to detect the markers, an image layer forming unit provided on the downstream side of the marker position detector to form an image layer on the film, and a second controller coupled with the marker position detector and the image layer forming unit to form the image layer on the film by controlling the image layer forming unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for microcontact printing are described. The microcontact printing apparatus includes a planar stamp and a pressurized roller. The pressurized roller includes an inflatable bladder that can be inflated by a fluid to a pressure that reduces printing defects such as voids and stamp collapse. A substrate is disposed between the pressurized roller and a stamp coated with an ink of functionalizing molecules. As the pressurized roller moves over the substrate, at least a portion of the functionalizing molecules are transferred from the stamp to the substrate in the desired pattern.

Abstract: An imprinter includes a printing base for mounting a card and a print paper to be imprinted on a predetermined area thereof, a carriage that is movable above the printing base, a roller shaft arranged at a position of a predetermined height from the card mounting surface of the printing base, a roller including an outer periphery of hard material a center boss that is in rotational engagement with the roller shaft and elastic members provided between the outer periphery and the center boss of the roller. The elastic members are radially deformed during imprinting operation to cause the outer periphery of the roller to radially move relative to the center axis of the roller shaft into a state of eccentric circle in vertical section, so that the embossed information of the card may be transcribed onto the print paper.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel intaglio printing press and a method for intaglio print making using the intaglio printing press described herein. The present invention is comprised generally of two assemblies: a press bed assembly and a print head assembly. The print head assembly serves as a first class lever within a pair of surfaces of a press bed assembly that define runway. The runway structure of the press bed assembly confines the force applied to the print head assembly and translates that force into a pressure directed to the print paper covered and inked artwork. The print paper and inked artwork are positioned proximate to the lower surface and the print head portion of the print head assembly is situated between the artwork and the upper surface. The print head assembly comprises one or more lever handles, a compression roller and one or more track roller.

Abstract: A manual imprinter for transferring the image of a relief formation to a writing surface, preferably to imprint a document with the number of a security seal personalized by a relief numbering. The manual imprinter, in the presently preferred embodiment, comprises a support art adapted to support the numbered portion of the security seal, and an arm carrying a graphite block, hinged to the arm. The arm has a guide for a manual actuator, to which the graphite block is fixed. When the arm is closed against the arm, the block is pressed against the numbered portion of the security seal, the document to be imprinted being interposed therebetween. The operation of the actuator forces the graphite block across the region of the relief number of the seal, resulting in the transfer of the image of the number to the document.

Abstract: An imprinter includes a base having a flatbed for receiving a credit card and merchant plate having characters to be imprinted on a formset, and a carriage supported for motion in first and second opposed directions along the flatbed. The carriage has platen holder supports and first and second rolling platen units attached to the platen holder supports. Each of the first and second rolling platen units include a platen holder having opposed sidewalls, the sidewalls having opposed openings therein, and a rolling platen having an axle supported in the opposed openings of the sidewalls. The openings have at least two lobe shaped portions, each having a closed end and an open end, joined together at their open ends to form a substantially L-shaped opening. The first rolling platen unit has opposed openings having closed ends of the respective, opposed first lobes facing the first direction and the closed ends of the respective, opposed second lobes facing the flatbed.

Abstract: The present invention employs a light weight fixed bed to support an intaglio plate, and discloses a print roller mounted on a movable trolley which is advanced across the intaglio plate causing the pressure of the print roller to effect the printing. The trolley is fabricated from light weight beams substantially forming the sides of a hollow box beam, and the print roller is stiffened by support of intermediate rollers tied to a trolley beam. This precludes the print roller from flexing under the load presented by the intaglio plate and the associated paper and felt material as the print roller under pressure traverses the plate. This allows the use of a lighter, smaller diameter print roller. Handwheels attached to the trolley provide spring loaded pressure to control the pressure of the print roller on the intaglio plate assembly.

Abstract: An imprinter of simplified construction, including a base having a flatbed for receiving at least one character bearing element having characters to be imprinted on a print receiving element, and having a pair of opposed upwardly extending sides as well as a lid having a top surface, a pair of platen holder supports, and downwardly extending sides engaged with and slidable along the upwardly extending sides of the base to support the lid for sliding motion in first and second opposed directions along the flatbed and to limit movement of the lid orthogonal to the flatbed during movement in the first and second directions.

Abstract: An imprinter apparatus selectively raises and lowers a print roll (100 or 102) over a print bed (12) for receiving a station plate and conventional credit card to produce a receipt for a credit transaction. The print rolls are freely suspended from a cross member (60) of the carriage (14) for independent pendulous movement that is restricted in one direction to provide pressure for printing and less restricted in the return direction to avoid ghosting. The trolley for the carriage includes a nylon slipper (130) which has on one surface axles for wheels (50-52) that run on the lower side of the print bed (12) and a slider (144) on the upper print bed side; on the other side of slipper (130), pins (140, 142) are provided that protrude through the steel carriage wall (62 or 64) for preventing relative movement between the trolley and the carriage (12). The various parts are designed to fit together with a minimum of secondary operations to reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An imprinter (10) for imprinting a formset (12) with embossed data from a card (14) and a plate (16) in accordance with the invention includes a flatbed (20) having a top surface (22) on which the card and the plate are held below the formset during imprinting; a movable carriage (24) having at least one rolling platen (48 and 50) with the at least one rolling platen imprinting the embossed data during movement along the flatbed; and a single piece skirt (26) having a periphery (28) which extends peripherally outside the flatbed and which is attached to the flatbed to from a unitary structure of the flatbed and the skirt with the skirt having a plurality of projections (30 and 32) extending inward onto the top surface of the flatbed with the projections defining a card receiving surface area (34) on the top surface of the flatbed for holding the card during imprinting and a formset receiving area (36) on the top surface of the flatbed for holding the formset during imprinting.

Abstract: Retaining elements are disclosed for mounting on a platen of an imprinter in order to position and secure an identification band on the platen for an imprinting operation. Each retaining element comprises a base having a planar bottom surface and an upper surface generally parallel with the bottom surface and including a band support portion, an adhesive layer along the bottom surface for securing the retaining elements to the platen, and a cantilevered spring arm secured at one end to the base (and extending over the band support portion of the base). A pair of such elements are affixed in spaced relation on the platen on opposite sides of an imprinting zone so that an identification band can be slipped between the undersides of the spring arms and the support portion of the bases with the imprint-receiving portion of the band traversing the imprinting zone and, preferably, the clasp of the band engaging a side edge of one of the retaining elements.

Abstract: An imprinter in accordance with the invention includes a base (31) having a flatbed (32) for receiving a station plate (33) and a credit card (34) to be imprinted on a print receiving element and a carriage 29 movable in first and second directions to cause imprinting, respectively, by first and second rolling platens 42 and 44 each having an axle 50 rotatably supported in the carriage in opposed downwardly extending members (52) of the carriage.

Abstract: A franking machine is disclosed comprising a carriage manually movable along a bed and a print drum carried by the carriage to make rolling engagement with a mail item supported on the bed. A toothed rack extends along the length of the bed and gearing on the carriage meshes with the rack to drive the print drum and an impression roller carried by the carriage. The gearing is arranged such that as the carriage is moved in a forward direction along the bed, a mail item gripped between the print drum and the impression roller is fed along the bed in the reverse direction so that the length of traverse of the carriage, and the length of the bed, is less than the length of the franking impression to be printed.

Abstract: An imprinter apparatus which utilizes a print roller traveling within a carraige over a base plate is provided with a rolling assembly which engages channels in the base plate to minimize play between the carriage and the base plate. The rolling assembly includes a first set of rollers which are laterally constrained within the carriage, a second set of rollers which are free to move laterally, and means for retaining the rollers in the channels. The imprinter apparatus is further provided with means for selectively lifting and lowering the print roller at the end and beginning of the print stroke. The lifting and lowering means includes inclined planar regions on a plastic molded print roller axle and cam means for laterally sliding the location of support of the axle along the inclined planar surface to selectively lift and lower the print roller.

Abstract: An electric motor driven imprinter (60) in accordance with the invention includes a base (70) for receiving a print bearing element (62) having printing to be imprinted on a print receiving element (64) with the electric motor being mounted in the base; a head (61) pivotally connected to the base for imprinting; a movable carriage (116) mounted on the head having mounted therein a rolling platen (128) driven by the electric motor (82) to move the carriage in a first direction and a second opposite direction along a longitudinal axis with movement in each direction to one of a pair of ends of travel (110, 112) imprinting print from the print bearing element on the print receiving element; a capstan (84) which is driven by the motor; and a cable (86) attached to the capstan, forming a loop between the capstan and an idler wheel (142) attached to the head at a point along a longitudinal axis of the head adjacent an end of travel spaced farthest from the capstan and attached to the movable carriage.

Abstract: A postage meter of the flat-bed type is provided with detachable indicia plate. The indicia plate includes a plurality of tabs which are secured in receiving aperture in a formed recess in the base of the postage meter. The indicia plate also includes a locking pin which in a first orientation permits the pin to pass through an aperture in the meter base. The locking pin then, upon reorientation, prevents removal of the locking pin.

Abstract: A bill publishing apparatus is disclosed, for payment by use of a bank ca including an element for receiving a bank card, an element for receiving a bill, a printing drum with rotary wheels each carrying a series of characters and a mobile carriage carrying a printing roller. Each drum wheel is fast for rotation with a coding disk carrying a series of codes associated respectively with the characters of the wheel. An element for reading the codes and an element controlled by the reading element are provided for recording an angular positions of the wheels and so values of the characters.

Abstract: An improvement of locking lever for use in office automation apparatuses such as a facsimile, a laser printer, a copying machine, etc. The improvement includes a lever having two end portions, for transferring power; a knob mounted fixedly on a central portion of the lever, for rotating the lever in a given direction of locking/unlocking the locking apparatus; and a pair of locking metals attached to the two end portions, for isolating the locking metals onto an object encountered.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed having stationary frame members disposed at an angle with respect to one another and supporting an ink storage member on one portion while supporting an image carrier member on the other portion. A movable member is capable of rotation and reciprocation, and supports an ink transfer member and a pressure applying member. When in a first angular position, the movable member will bring the ink transfer member and the pressure applying member into operable engagement or position with said ink storage member and said image carrier member respectively when reciprocated between first and second end limits of travel. When the movable member is disposed in a second angular position, the ink transfer member is brought into operable engagement or position with respect to the image carrier means as the movable member is reciprocated between first and second end limits of movement.

Abstract: A credit card imprinter has a flat imprinter base on which a merchant plate, a credit card and a form set are positioned. A hand operated carriage is pulled back-and-forth over the form set and imprints the merchant plate, in one direction, and the credit card, in the opposite direction, on the form set. The carriage contains two independent platen rollers each rotatably mounted on a separate axle. The axles and their rollers are urged upwards by springs and are automatically shifted from an upward idle position to a downward print position by a unitary one-piece plastic slider. The slider has four outwardly extending arm portions which act on the axles to shift their heights.

Abstract: A replaceable ink cartridge provides a means for replacing an ink roller on an imprinting device without soiling ones hands or clothes. The replaceable ink cartridge includes an ink roller which is received within and contained by a molded containment member prior to its insertion on an imprinting device. In addition, an imprinting device utilizing the replaceable ink cartridge and a method for replacing a replaceable ink cartridge without soiling ones hands or clothing are also provided.

Abstract: The ink is dropped onto a flat plate, and then supplied to a printing area by a doctor blade. An impression pressure cylinder around which a material to be printed is wound is then rolled against the plate under a predetermined printing pressure, or the plate is moved to the impression cylinder and rotated freely in a predetermined position by the frictional resistance thereof with respect to the plate. Thus, the ink on the printing area is transferred to the material to be printed to carry out printing. The rolling of impression cylinder or moving of the plate is performed by a pneumatic cylinder. The printing speed, the interruption of the movements of the impression cylinder or plate, and the returning of the impression cylinder or plate to its original position after the completion of the printing operation are controlled by regulating the pressure supplied to the air cylinder.

Abstract: A hand operated imprinter for imprinting using a credit card, onto a document, comprising a base member having a panel forming a document supporting surface, a reciprocative roller carrier member transversely spanning the base member and movable longitudinally over the document supporting panel of, the carrier member having opposite side portions flanking opposite sides of the base member, the roller engaging a document when positioned on the panel overlying the base member having tracks at opposite sides of the base member longitudinally spanning the length of the base member for movably supporting and guiding the carrier member the track having a first horizontal track surface paralleling the panel and an inclined downwardly and outwardly facing second track surface having outwardly diverging upper and lower side faces, the portion of said base member at each side thereof lying between said first and second track surfaces defining a truncated triangular rib formation, and said carrier member having a pair o

Abstract: A card and form positioning device for easy and accurate alignment of the embossed area of a plastic card with the appropriate area of a form that is to be imprinted. The device has an L-shaped piece and pegs protruding upward from a flat guide base and through the platen of a card imprinting machine. A spring means beneath the guide base pushes the pegs through holes in the platen. During imprinting, the roller mechanism strikes the L-shaped piece prior to moving across the pegs and causes the base and pegs to move downward so that the roller can imprint the form.

Abstract: An imprinter for imprinting a document with two lines of information forming two rows of alphanumeric characters wherein the two rows of imprinted characters have corresponding characters and corresponding relative character positions such that each line contains the same informational content, one of the lines of rows being substantially tamperproof and the other being machine readable.

Abstract: Electric motor driven imprinter apparatus for imprinting characters from a character imprint source member onto document sheets or the like, including a housing having a driven roller moved back and forth transversely across an imprint station, a horizontally slidable carrier block member and a changeable cassette carried by the block member having a changeable vertically slidable roller block member and a roller rotatably carried thereby. A pair of spaced apart rotatable sprockets and an endless drive chain having a spud projecting therefrom and provided for driving the carrier block member and roller block member back and forth through advance and return strokes spanning the imprint station.

Abstract: A card and form positioning device for easy and accurate alignment of the embossed area of a plastic card with the appropriate area of a form that is to be imprinted. The device has card guide corners and pegs protruding upward from a flat guide base and through the platen of a card imprinting machine. A spring means beneath the guide base pushes the guide corners and pegs through holes in the platen.

Abstract: A document activated imprinter apparatus for imprinting characters from a credit card comprising a housing with entrance and exit slots, imprinting means, a carrier member with a flat upwardly facing surface, receiving and positioning means, guiding and reciprocating means and forward drive means.

Abstract: A variable field imprinter is provided including a platen carriage adapted to be reciprocated over an imprinting surface and then locked in a position to one side of the imprinting surface by a releasable blocking system. The blocking system consists of (i) a platen carriage blocking mechanism and (ii) a digit wheel sensing mechanism these two mechanisms must be interconnected by a credit card. Resetting of at least one of the digit wheels provides a force from the digit wheel sensing mechanism which is transmitted by the credit card to the platen carriage blocking mechanism to disarm the blocking system so that the platen carriage can be moved for imprinting.

Abstract: A motor operated imprinter is disclosed. The imprinter is easy to use as a consequence of the print bearing elements and formset being retained on a generally horizontal disposed surface. A head bearing a rolling platen is pivoted from an open position which exposes the surface for retaining the print bearing element and the formset to a closed position to activate the motor and the imprinting cycle. A brake mechanism including a head anester is provided to slow the opening movement of the head after the imprinting cycle.

Abstract: A printing machine that prints on forms or documents from cards having embossed characters thereon takes into account different thicknesses of cards and forms. The machine provides an even pressure downwards.

Abstract: An embossing imprinter includes an embossing transfer roller and a data print head. The embossing transfer roller is formed mechanically integrally with the data print head. The printing formats can be electronically modified.

Abstract: A motor operated imprinter is disclosed. The imprinter is easy to use as a consequence of the print bearing elements and formset being retained on a generally horizontally disposed surface. A head bearing a carriage with a rolling platen is pivoted from an open position which exposes the surface for retaining the print bearing element and the formset to a closed position to activate the imprinting cycle. An uncomplicated mechanism is used for transmitting power from a motor located in the base to the carriage in the head. The motor is actuated when the head is closed.

Abstract: A credit card imprinter is disclosed herein in which printing of the sheet is inhibited or prevented if the credit card is inadvertently incorrectly positioned on its support. The imprinter has a manually-operated printing carriage movable along a support member on which a sheet can be arranged to overlie an embossed credit card. In one embodiment a combined detent and trip mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the printing carriage over the support member and to raise a printing roller in the carriage away from the support member. The mechanism is disabled by the correct insertion of the credit card. In another embodiment, a resilient means is provided for preventing the sheet from being positioned on the support unless the credit card has been properly positioned thereon.

Abstract: A credit card imprinter having a number of rotatable type faces to imprint the amount of purchase on a credit card receipt. The type wheels are coaxially arranged and rotatably supported adjacent and in contact with the receipt to be imprinted. The imprinter is provided with a mechanism for positioning the type wheels which includes a member which translates along the type wheels to successively set same to the desired position, thereby allowing all of the type wheels to be positioned with a single mechanism. A roller is then used to imprint the type on the receipt and the type wheels are reset to the starting position by a reset mechanism.

Abstract: A portable, handheld data recorder for pressure-transfer printing embossed information onto a form set from a credit card or the like includes a push/pull platen assembly contained in a closed housing but manually operable from the exterior of the device. A releasable retainer also within the housing is provided for holding the form set in place during imprinting and again is manually operable from the exterior of the device. The recorder also includes resilient means for accommodating credit cards of different thicknesses.

Abstract: An apparatus for imprinting details contained in embossed script on a credit card onto a purchase document comprises a base member of .hoarfrost.-profile in which a movable member including a pressure roller moves on castors. Lateral slots in the two walls of the base member permit the introduction--at one side of the base member--of a credit card, and of papers at the opposite side of the base member. The said movable member can be actuated by a handle pivotally attached to the base and connected by a connecting rod with the said movable member.

Abstract: An imprinter for use with a credit card having fluorescent markings thereon, the imprinter comprising a substantially rectangular bed, a credit card holder for holding the credit card on the bed, a document holder for holding a document on the bed in partially overlapping relationship with the credit card, a carriage containing a print roller for passage over the credit card and document to imprint data from the credit card on the document, an aperture receivable of a credit card formed through said bed and guide means for holding a credit card inserted through the aperture in a predetermined orientation beneath the bed. A credit card validation system is disposed beneath the bed of the imprinter.

Abstract: A toy camera with a housing cover containing an eye piece window for viewing and a flasher light with its accompanying release switch and safety switch. A battery energizes the light when the safety switch is closed and the release switch is depressed simulating a camera flash. A base partially enclosed within the housing contains a flexible plate having raised characters rolled on shafts disposed above a support board. A roll of paper and carbon paper are rotatably supported on the base and are positioned slidably over the plate and board. A spring loaded roller is pulled back and forth across the paper imprinting the ink from the carbon paper to the paper. The imprinted picture is manually pulled from the camera through a picture slot there it is torn off on serrated teeth. A crank arm allows the flexible plate to be directionally rolled exposing a new character on a blank frame or may be positioned over the board and a separate single plate inserted in the slot.

Abstract: A data recorder is provided comprising an anvil for supporting an embossed card and a form to be imprinted, a print head supported on a pivot means for movement between an open position and a closed position, and a roller platen movable across the anvil to perform a printing stroke. The anvil is mounted on a resilient pad and the pivot means is mounted in resilient bushing. In response to printing pressure applied by the roller platen in its movement through a printing stroke, the resilient mountings allow for movement of the anvil and the roller platen to adjust the pressure and compensate for the combined variations in the thicknesses of the form and the embossed card.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for imprinting characters embossed on cards comprising a substantially flat imprinting base having on its upper surface a plurality of printing elements including a card having embossed characters thereon; a platen carriage mounted on said base for reciprocal movement thereon; a first roller platen rotatably mounted on a first roller platen axle mounted in the platen carriage perpendicular to its direction of travel and a second roller platen rotatably mounted on a second roller platen axle mounted in parallel relation to the first axle; means for holding one of the roller platens in a lowered position capable of imprinting characters during travel over the base in one direction and simultaneously holding the other roller platen in a raised, idle position; automatic shifting means for shifting the raised idle roller platen into a lowered position at the limit of platen carriage movement and simultaneously raising the other roller platen; means for separately adjusting the vertical elevat

Abstract: An electrically operated data recorder of generally upstanding configuration, bias hinged near the bottom, a gate or side section permitting swinging movement of the hinged section between an open and a closed position. The hinged section serves as a bed of the machine against which a roller platen is designed to act during imprinting of a form from an embossed credit card placed on the bed. The gate is manually moved to the closed position and latched, which energizes an electric motor, setting the roller platen in motion to effect an imprinting operation. When the roller platen reaches the end of the printing stroke, the gate opens, the motor shuts off and is disconnected from driving attachment with the platen moving means. The released roller platen and its moving means are rapidly returned to home position by a spring, and the driving attachment is then reestablished to ready the device for a subsequent operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing indicia upon a stationary paper surface and including a rotating pressure ring with the ring being held in a skate assembly having its surface normally forcing the paper to be printed against an ink retaining ribbon, or other character printing medium, and a printer such as a numbering machine. The rotating pressure ring is normally held within a carriage device or the like, such as a skate assembly which carries the rotatable ring. The skate assembly is normally mounted for movement along a backing plate or rail, and motion may be applied to the assembly through any convenient means, including hand motion, or motion achieved for the assembly through mounting upon an endless belt. The pressure ring is driven by means of a pair of rollers which engage the surface of a running rail, or backing plate and thereby provide rotational motion to the rotating pressure ring.

Abstract: An imprinter having a roller platen assembly movably mounted on a head member for imprinting data from a printing plate such as a credit card onto a form positioned over the plate. The roller platen assembly has a reciprocally driven carriage means containing at least one removably mounted cartridge containing at least one row of roller platens mounted therein in parallel, spaced apart relationship to each other. A plurality of backup rollers are rotatably mounted within said roller platen assembly, each in contact and vertical alignment with each of the platen rollers when the cartridge means is in position within the carriage means. At least one of the roller platens is in contact with the raised printing elements of the printing plate at all times during each printing cycle of the imprinter to thereby lessen any tendency for smudging of the form to occur.

Abstract: Imprinting apparatus is provided which includes framework, a printing device, and a roller platen movably attached to the framework for movement from a print ready position to a home position. The roller platen is disposed for urging a pressure sensitive medium into imprinting engagement with the printing device in the course of such movement. In addition, the apparatus includes structure for supporting the printing device. The structure includes an anvil constructed and arranged for carrying the printing device in either of two different locations relative to the print-ready position of the roller platen.