Abstract: A sheet construction including a first material, and methods of making and using the same. The first material can include a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. The first material can define a first print-receptive medium. The sheet construction can also include a leading margin extending from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge and bounded at least by the leading edge, the first longitudinal edge, the second longitudinal edge, and the print-receptive medium. The sheet construction can also include a first side margin bounded at least in part by the leading margin, the first longitudinal edge, and the first print-receptive medium. The first side margin can include at least one compressed region.

Abstract: A device for inserting a web of printing material into a flat-bed die-cutting and/or embossing machine includes a compensator for converting a continuous movement of the web of printing material into an iterative movement of the web of printing material. A clamping unit clamps the web of printing material, a cutting unit carries out a cross cut through the web of printing material, and an inserting unit transports the web of printing material into the flat-bed die-cutting and/or embossing machine. The device advantageously allows the web of printing material to be automatically clamped, cut and fed to the flat-bed die-cutting and/or embossing machine. As a result, no further stopping of an upstream printing press is required and the amount of waste is reduced. A manufacturing system for producing packages and a method for feeding a web of printing material are also provided.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus includes an embossing die that includes a printed relief pattern made up of multiple layers of a deposited material. A resilient surface presses media against the embossing die such that embossed features corresponding to the embossing die are formed in the media. A method for embossing media includes forming an embossing die by depositing multiple layers of ink on a impression layer to form a relief pattern and pressing media against the embossing die to transfer the relief image to the media.

Abstract: A depth-changing pattern for simulating a wood grain appearance is debossed on strip material, such as a metal or steel sheet, by longitudinally feeding the strip material past a debossing drum having upraised protrusions with transversely-varying depths that impact the surface of the strip material, forming depressions in the surface as the sheet is pulled past the debossing drum. As the sheet material is pulled through the debossing drum assembly, it is moved in a direction parallel with the rotational axis of the debossing drum and transverse to the direction of material feed, thereby creating a random or non-repeating and depth-changing pattern. The strip material may then be subjected to further processing steps such as forming, coloring and staining to produce an article having a realistic wood grain appearance.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure, a driving device attached to the enclosure, a first rotating member, and a second rotating member. The first rotating member includes a relief member. The second rotating member includes an intaglio member corresponding to the relief member. The first rotating member and the second rotating member are attached to the driving device and can be rotated by the driving device, to move a paper between the first rotating member and a second rotating member. The relief member is engaged with the intaglio member to emboss a pattern on the paper.

Abstract: A system for securing a card or paper with a printing component to print an image and an embossing component to emboss a pattern to emboss an impression at a configurable place on the paper. An embossing die may include a pattern to make the impression. The impression is correlative with the image to indicate a likelihood of authenticity. Multiple cards are includable on paper to be securable by the system. The image may include a code corresponding with a value usable with a merchant. A method to secure a card or paper is disclosed.

Abstract: An embossing system for embossing at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having male embossing elements, a second embossing roll having male embossing elements, wherein the first and second embossing rolls define a first nip for receiving the web, and a third embossing roll having male embossing elements, wherein the second and third embossing rolls define a second nip for receiving the web, and wherein at least a substantial portion of the embossing elements of at least one of the first, second, and third embossing rolls are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus comprises an embossing die comprising a printed relief pattern, and a resilient surface for pressing media against the embossing die to emboss features corresponding to the printed relief pattern on the media, in which the printed relief pattern comprises a number of layers of a deposited material, and in which a number of layers of the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern comprises a deposited material with a relatively lower coefficient of adhesion than layers of the deposited material disposed under the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern. A printed relief pattern for embossing media comprises a number of preliminary layers, the preliminary layers comprising a first material, and a number of terminal layers, the terminal layers comprising a second material, in which the second material has a lower adhesive coefficient than the first material.

Abstract: A print medium and methods are provided for producing a die-cut portion easily separable from the print medium, thereby shortening the required time to separate the die-cut portion and reducing wasted consumption of print media. The print medium may include die-cut portions having a contour of a wristband, such as those used in a hospital on the wrist of a patient. The die-cut portions are formed sequentially at a constant interval on the print medium, and die-cut lines are formed between each die-cut portion as lines connecting adjacent die-cut portions. The print medium may be automatically cut at the position of a severance line perpendicular to the die-cut line referenced by a cut mark on the print medium. Because the edges of the severed print medium piece are perpendicular to the die-cut lines, separating the die-cut portion from the print medium can be easily started along the die-cut line.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a bank structure, includes: (a) forming a multi-layer structure on an underlying surface thereof, the multi-layer structure having at least a first layer and a second layer, (b) embossing the second layer so as to define a bank pattern in the second layer, (c) transferring the bank pattern to the first layer so as to form a bank structure defining an indented region; and (d) removing the second layer after the step (c) so as to expose a surface of the first layer as a top surface of the bank structure.

Abstract: A printing unit of a printing material processing machine, preferably a sheetfed offset printing press, includes a form cylinder and an impression cylinder. The form cylinder has a printing form for applying printed information to the printing material and the impression cylinder has a microstructured surface, preferably a cover, contacting the printing material. A surface of the impression cylinder contacting the printing material is provided with micro-embossed structures for applying embossed information to the printing material. The printing material is printed and embossed simultaneously. A security feature and/or a change in gloss can be implemented on the printed product through the use of the embossed, preferably micro-embossed, information.

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: An apparatus for treating products continuously fed to the apparatus includes a first roller rotatable around a first rotation axis and a second roller rotatable around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis. A treatment gap is formed between the first roller and the second roller. The apparatus further includes an adjusting means for in-line adjusting the nominal size of the treatment gap. The adjusting means includes at least one piezoelectric element for shifting the position of the first rotation axis and/or the second rotation axis.

Abstract: A method, an arrangement and computer program product for manufacturing micro-optic surface design with complex, variable three-dimensional forms. A step embossing, step imprinting, a chip bonding or a corresponding device capable of patterning the surface of a target substrate is obtained. The target substrate whereto the micro-optic structures shall be patterned is obtained. A plurality of different stamping tools operable with the device is obtained. Each stamping tool includes one or more surface relief forms defining one or more micro-optic structures. A stamping tool is selected from the plurality of stamping tools by the device. The target substrate is embossed with the selected stamping tool as controlled by the device. The selected stamping tool is optionally heated or assisted by at least one ultraviolet light so as to cure the target substrate during or after the embossing. The selecting and embossing steps are repeated until the micro-optic surface design has been completed on the substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for ornamenting a container, a mandrel, drum, apparatus used for the method, in which the number of manufacturing processes and the manufacturing cost are reduced, and scratches are prevented in the inner and outer surface of the container. The ornamenting method of a container includes a process to perform underprinting, a process to perform outer surface printing, and a process to perform embossing on the surface of the container held by a holder in a manufacturing line. It is preferable that the outer surface printing process and the embossing process are simultaneously or successively performed.

Abstract: In a line art transfer free hand colouring printing technique, a design outline is first generated on a transfer substrate using a glutinous ink and is then applied to a surface, for example the front of a T-shirt. A user then applies colouring and/or texturing in and/or around the design in accordance with personal choice to create an image and thereafter a finishing is applied. The finishing comprises a sheet releasably carrying decorative transfer elements which upon application to the image highlights the outline only, the remainder of the image remaining unaffected by the finishing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating a sheet of paper in an offset printing process is provided. The method includes producing a perf plate, which creates the perforations, by printing an image onto a printing plate. The image is produced by a desktop publishing application. The printed image produces guidelines on the printing plate, to which a selected perf rule is applied. The perf rule is selected according to the style of perforation that is desired for the specific application. The perf rule is attached to the printing plate within the guidelines by an adhesive backing of the perf rule, as well as a layer of tape over the perf rule to ensure the perf rule stays in place.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes to encode substrates (e.g., paper, synthetics, etc.) with information, and substrates including signals encoded therein. One claim recites a substrate-making process including: obtaining an element to be utilized in a substrate-making process, the element including a property to introduce a texture pattern including an encoded signal into a substrate, the encoded signal being machine-detectable from image data corresponding to at least a portion of the texture pattern, the encoded signal including a variable component; and utilizing the element to impart the texture pattern into a substrate during the substrate-making process. Another claim recites a physical substrate including: a surface having a texture pattern provided in the surface during a substrate-making process. The texture pattern includes a machine-readable signal that is detectable from image data corresponding to at least a portion of the texture pattern.

Abstract: Provided are an optimized tool apparatus and methods for dry transfer printing of semiconductor elements with high yield and good placement accuracy. The tool apparatus comprises a vacuum coupled fast peel apparatus that provides high pickup yield of the semiconductor elements. In an aspect, this vacuum coupled apparatus provides high pickup rates during pickup of the semiconductor elements from a donor/source wafer. Provided is a tool apparatus for dry transfer printing with a reinforced composite stamp having a thin glass-backing. The tool apparatus also comprises a pressure regulated micro-chamber which provides precise control of a composite stamp lamination and de-lamination. In an aspect, the micro-chamber has an internal cavity volume that is variably controlled, thereby providing precise control of the force on the stamp, and corresponding separation velocity, and improved semiconductor element pick-up and/or placement.

Abstract: A switch-over processing method includes the steps of performing a first process on a sheet passing between a first cylinder and a second cylinder with a first mounted body being mounted on a circumferential surface of the second cylinder arranged to oppose the first cylinder, and performing a second process different from the first process on the sheet passing between the first cylinder and the second cylinder with a second mounted body being mounted on a circumferential surface of the second cylinder in place of the first mounted body. A switch-over processing apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to example embodiments, a printing apparatus includes a wafer delivery unit configured to move and support a wafer, an optical microscope configured to inspect the wafer, a pattern transfer unit configured to display a position of a defect on the wafer detected using the optical microscope.

Abstract: A heads up display (HUD) system that includes a light source configured to project an image, and a diffractive combiner. The diffractive combiner includes one or more reflective volume phase gratings (RVPG), each configured to reflect light from the light source having a distinct wavelength toward a HUD viewer. Each RVPG is also embossed with a pattern configured to diffract light at the distinct wavelength so the HUD viewer can see an image in a field of view that passes through the diffractive combiner. By forming a diffractive combiner with an RVPG embossed with a particular pattern, the occurrence of rainbow artifacts on the surface of the diffractive combiner caused by random sources of light is reduced.

Abstract: There is provided a method of winding up a transfer film and a device for performing transfer printing on printed sheets of paper, capable of eliminating the need to frequently replace the transfer film, thereby allowing the transfer film to be used over a prolonged time. According to the method of winding up a transfer film, the transfer film fed from a feed roll through a feed path is pressed onto a fed printed sheet to transfer patterns of the transfer film, and then the transfer film is wound up onto a windup roll through a windup path. During the rewind of the transfer film from the windup roll to the feed roll, a lateral position of the transfer film running along the feed path is detected, and the feed roll is moved in its axial direction to follow a lateral positional change of the transfer film.

Abstract: A new and improved roller press for embellishing media includes a pair of spaced apart roller press members supported for rotation by bearing blocks. A handle having a ratchet mechanism is connected to a first roller for turning the roller during pressing. A gear set connects the rollers for turning a second roller in a rotational direction opposite of the first roller for moving the media between the rollers for pressing. A feed bed and exit bed are disposed between the bearing blocks to provide a stable base for supporting the press.

Abstract: To provide an embossing device, an embossing method and an embossed can which are capable of conducting embossing having a non-shaped section and an arbitral number of embossed areas, and are capable of improving quality or productivity. An embossed can 10 is a double-embossed surface can in which on a can barrel 101 a first pattern 104 is printed; a first concave part 105 is formed in the state that it is so positioned as to almost conform to the first pattern 104; a second pattern 106 is printed at a position which is distant in the circumferential direction with the non-shaped section therebetween; and a second concave portion 107 is formed in the state that it is so positioned as to almost conform to the second pattern 106.

Abstract: Hot embossing may be more advantageous than other polymer microfabrication processes. An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for developing a computationally inexpensive viscoelastic model for the hot embossing of complex patterns. These developed models may help engineers refine their selection of processing parameters based upon successive simulations of the embossing process. The example embodiment models deformation of a deformable body embossed with a stamp as a function of convolving a point-load-time response and a contact pressure distribution. In order to generate the point-load-time response, a time-dependent response of a surface of the thermoplastic to system inputs applied to an elemental region of the surface of the thermoplastic may be employed. The example embodiment generates an estimate of the contact pressure distribution as a function of the point-load-time response and an average pressure applied to the stamp.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the device and the method for printing an alignment film. The printing plate comprises: a resin plate; a plurality of pixel array embossing pattern formed on the resin plate, for printing the alignment film to a pixel array formed on the glass substrate of the liquid crystal display device; a plurality of dummy embossing pattern formed on the resin plate at which the pixel array embossing patterns are not formed as seeing in the rotating direction of the printing roller; and a grooved pattern formed on the resin plate between the pixel array embossing patterns and between the dummy embossing patterns.

Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate comprising a plurality of fields, including, inter alia, positioning a first volume of fluid on a first subset of the plurality of fields of the substrate, with the first volume of fluid being subjected to a first evaporation time; positioning a second volume of fluid on a second subset of the plurality of fields of the substrate, differing from the first subset, with the second volume of fluid being subjected to a second evaporation time, differing from the first evaporation time; and patterning the first and second subsets of the plurality of fields, with the first subset of the plurality of fields being patterned prior to the second subset of the plurality of fields being patterned, with a volume associated with the second subset of the plurality of fields being greater than a volume associated with the first subset of the plurality of fields to compensate for the second evaporation time being greater than the first evaporation time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier with an optically variable structure having an embossed structure and a coating contrasting with the surface of the data carrier. The embossed structure and the coating are so combined that at least parts of the coating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewing but concealed upon oblique viewing so that a tilt effect arises upon alternate perpendicular and oblique viewing. The coating is executed uniformly and the embossed structure is divided into partial areas where different partial embossed structures are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hologram forming apparatus, including: an embossed hologram sheet; a roller which forms a nip portion between the embossed hologram sheet and the roller, wherein a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed to the nip portion so that the toner image is brought into contact with the embossed hologram sheet, and the recording medium and the embossed hologram sheet are heated while being nipped and conveyed in the nip portion; a cooling portion for cooling the recording medium that has passed through the nip portion and is in a contact state with the embossed hologram sheet; and a separating portion for separating the recording medium from the embossed hologram sheet, the recording medium having passed through the cooling portion and bearing the toner image on which an embossed shape of the embossed hologram sheet is transferred.

Abstract: A method and system of embossing ink including applying the ink to a print substrate, applying an embossing substrate to the ink wherein the embossing substrate imprints a predetermined pattern into the ink, and curing, via a radiation source, the ink such that an imprint of the predetermined pattern is embossed in the ink.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus transferring a surface structure of a stamper to material to be patterned by allowing the stamper come in contact with the material to be patterned. The imprint apparatus includes a holding means that holds the material to be patterned and the stamper with a distance therebetween, a pressure reduction means that reduces pressure of a chamber in which the material to be patterned and the stamper are placed, and an alignment means that aligns the stamper with the material to be patterned.

Abstract: A microstructure area (201) providing a first diffractive visual effect is produced on the surface layer (240) of a paper or cardboard substrate (230) of a product (200). In addition, a bulge (206) or a recess (207) having a second microstructure area (202) is produced on the surface layer (240), wherein a doubly curved portion (203) is located between the first (201) and the second (202) microstructure areas. Said combination of the bulge (206)/recess (207), microstructure areas (201, 202) and doubly curved portion (203) makes counterfeiting of the product (200) difficult and provides a special visual effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold, a manufacturing method of the mold, and a method of forming patterns using the mold. The mold may include a main body having a convex portion and a recess portion, and a polymer layer formed over the main body by processing a surface of the main body with a high molecular weight material through a surface treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a stamp for hot embossing (HE). The stamp can be constructed from any photo-resist epoxy that is stable at temperatures equal to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material to be stamped. The stamp can be used repeatedly without significant distortion of features. The stamp benefits from low relative cost, high fidelity of features in all three-dimensions and fast construction.

Abstract: A combination embosser and printing system. The combination embosser and printing system creates a raised seal or image having one or more areas of inked image in and/or around the raised image. The combination embossing and printing system is adapted to emboss and print a substrate in a single actuation of the system. The system generally includes an embossing assembly adapted to form at least one raised image area on a substrate and a printing assembly adapted to form at least one inked image area on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of creating a single transaction card is disclosed and comprises embossing the single transaction card within a pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card, filling the pocket with a fill panel to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card, wherein a third surface of the fill panel is in uniform, direct contact with an interior of the pocket. Another method is disclosed for machining a face pocket within a single transaction card and disposing a microchip therein. In various embodiments, a single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer, such as, for example, titanium.

Abstract: A method for producing a deep-nested embossed product is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing an embossing apparatus having mating first and second embossing members; b) providing the first embossing member with a plurality of discrete embossing elements in a non-random pattern; c) providing the second embossing member with at least one linear embossing element; d) coordinating the at least one linear embossing element with the non-random pattern of first embossing elements; e) aligning the first embossing member and the second embossing member so that the non-random pattern of first embossing elements nest with the at least one linear embossing element to an engagement depth of greater than about 0.01 mm; f) providing one or more plies of material to the embossing apparatus; and, g) passing the one or more plies of the material between the first and second embossing members to produce the deep-nested embossed product.

Abstract: Methods of perforating a web substrate are disclosed that include forming selected perforation designs and patterns. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed in linear or nonlinear fashion, can extend in the cross direction or the machine direction and can be formed to complement or match an embossed or printed design on the web. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed utilizing various mechanical perforating techniques.

Abstract: Durable, easily recognizable and easy-to-feel tactile marks are provided which may be incorporated into security documents, such as banknotes, to assist visually impaired people in validating such security documents. Deposits are printed onto the substrate, using an ink, resin or ink-like printing material, in a predetermined pattern to form tactile marks adhering to the substrate. A sufficiently high pressure is applied to the substrate with the printed tactile marks to calender the tactile marks, thereby forming corresponding protrusions in the substrate on the opposite sides of the printed tactile marks. An energy curable printing material may be used to print the deposits and the calendering of the tactile marks may be performed by intaglio printing.

Abstract: A metal plate press-forming process with a fine line pattern, in which the metal plate is heated and applied with a gas or liquid pressure in several stages so as to be pressed against a molding die to be formed into a shape and simultaneously to obtain a second fine-line pattern transferred from a first fine-line pattern on the molding die. A press-formed metal housing obtained using the aforesaid metal plate press-forming process is also disclosed. Also, a method of forming a fine line pattern on a molding die is disclosed, in which a patterned photoresist layer is formed on a block, and a fine line pattern on the block is formed by etching the block using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask.

Abstract: A pick for a string instrument is manufactured by the use of a hot stamp press. A pick blank is mounted on a support surface of the press with a front side of the pick blank disposed upwardly. A heated die head is moved against the front side of the pick blank and maintained in that position a sufficient time to imprint a pattern configuration into the front side to thereby form a gripping surface on the front side. A film may be disposed between the front side and the die head. A pattern may also be imprinted into the rear side.

Abstract: A method to impart physical enhancements to a sheet material having a printed image such that the physical enhancements are in alignment with the graphical features of the printed image as would be complimentary to the physical enhancements and thereby forming an enhanced image. One embodiment has a computer based design environment allowing a user to develop a scaled virtual representation of an enhanced image through a graphical user interface by assembling a plurality of virtual objects representing forms and dimensions of preexisting or preconceived enhancement components, forms and dimensions of preexisting or preconceived assembly components, forms and dimensions of physical enhancements imparted to sheet material by preexisting or preconceived enhancement components, forms and dimensions of graphical enhancements as would be printed to sheet material and complimentary to physical enhancements and forms of images.

Abstract: A method of making a keycap structure and making a keyboard having keycap structures, in which a film is printed with a top color layer and then a bottom color layer, the film is hot-pressed to form a thin shell, a plastic injection layer is formed on the bottom color layer by a plastic injection molding process, and finally the film having the plastic injection layer is cut or punched out to form a plurality of keycap structures. A keyboard having keycap structures may be further formed by combining the keycap structures and a set of keyboard members.

Abstract: A method of making a keycap structure having a UV-cured resin and making a keyboard having such keycap structures, in which a film is printed with a top color layer and then a bottom color layer, the film is hot-pressed to form a thin shell, a UV-cured resin layer is formed on the bottom color layer through a UV-curing process, and finally the film having the UV-cured resin layer is cut or punched out to form a plurality of keycap structures. A keyboard including keycap structures having a UV-cured resin may be further formed by combining the keycap structures and a set of keyboard members.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a hygiene paper product in form of a continuous paper web (W) of sheets partly separated by perforation lines (9) and wound to a log of predetermined longitudinal length, providing a continuous paper web (W), moving the continuous paper web in a direction of its longitudinal extension, providing at least one embossed pattern on the continuous paper web, providing in the area of an embossing station at least one mark (6, 7) onto the continuous paper web, which mark (6, 7) is in register to the embossed pattern, sensing the mark and controlling perforating means for registering the perforation lines (9) with the embossed pattern thereby imparting perforation lines to the continuous paper web in predetermined longitudinal distances, winding up the resulting web to logs, and cutting the log into rolls.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastomeric device (105), wherein the elastomeric device contains a relief structure with indentations with respect to the base (110), (102) and wherein selected ones of said indentations comprise at least two indentation depths (112), (108) and indentation widths (101), (107). It also relates to a method of making a master for construction of said elastomeric device comprising a procedure to provide a pattern on a substrate of a suitable material. One step in. the construction of said elastomeric device comprises a molding procedure of an elastomer. Methods of using the elastomeric device in printing, fluidic control, sorting, lab-on-a-chip devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting (10) comprising a cube layer (20) having a front light-receiving surface (30) and a rear retroreflecting surface (32), and a metallic layer (22) covering the rear retroreflecting surface (32). The rear surface (32) comprises an array of retroreflective elements (34) and diffusing patches (36) within such array (without retroreflective elements (34)). The metallic layer (22) covers the retroreflective elements (34) and the diffusing patches (36), whereby diffusing patches (36) scatter incoming light increasing daytime brightness to a desired level.

Abstract: A system and accompanying method for creating a securely printed document using curable toners. The system includes a first radiation source configured to expose a first radiation to a printing substrate having an applied amount of toner, thereby liquefying the toner into a molten state, a curing station, a first feeder configured to feed the printing substrate into the curing station, and a second feeder configured to feed the embossing substrate into the curing station, wherein the embossing substrate comprises a pattern to be imprinted into the toner. The curing station includes a combiner configured to press the printing substrate and an embossing substrate together, a second radiation source configured to expose a second radiation to the combined substrates, and a divider configured to separate the printing substrate from the embossing substrate.

Abstract: A method of printing is disclosed. The method comprises embossing a capillary structure onto a receiving layer, and depositing a liquid material to fill the capillary structure.