Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information management system includes a storage device and a control unit. The storage device is provided in a management server communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus to which a cartridge having a consumable item is detachably attached, via a network, and stores information on the consumable item or the cartridge. The control unit limits a predetermined function related to image formation of the image forming apparatus when, based on identification information indicating the cartridge stored in a cartridge storage device provided in the cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus, information on the consumable item or the cartridge is acquired from the storage device, and the acquired information satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the cartridge is not a genuine cartridge.

Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host. In addition, the ATM includes an ink bearing roll to print indicia on checks moving in the ATM.

Abstract: An automatic multi-process ink leveler for open-fountain printing presses includes a duct with four chambers extending over the width of the ink fountain. In the case of a split ink fountain, which is typically used in newsprint presses wherein the ink tray is split into four sections each for one page of the paper web, the automatic leveler is provided with a remote-controlled valve for each chamber associated with each of the segments. Accordingly, there are provided 4×4 valves for four colors at the bottom surface of the ink leveler. By opening the remote controlled valves for a desired color (i.e., black, cyan, magenta, yellow) in the segment, a quick color change in a split ink fountain can be obtained without cleaning the entire ink leveler. In addition, different types of ink (different tack, viscosity) can be used with the same result.

Abstract: A paint roller device including a holder frame with a handle, a paint container, a paint feeding roller, a paint distribution roller, and a painting roller, wherein the paint container has two hangers respectively hung on two round rods of the holder frame and turned with the paint container within a limited angle confined between locating pins on the holder frame; torsional springs are coupled between the painting roller and the holder frame to force the painting roller apart from the paint distribution roller; the painting roller has a felt cover layer on a foam cover thereof, the felt cover layer bilaterally projecting over two opposite sides of the holder frame for painting corner area on the workpiece.

Abstract: A portable ink fountain insert for an ink fountain of a printing press includes a body defining a volume for receiving ink, with a discharge gap being defined at the lower front end of the body. A pull is cable guided in a recess in the front wall. A gap control device is connected to the body and to the pull cable for selectively opening and closing the ink discharge gap in response to displacement of the pull cable. An actuating element engages the pull cable for controlling displacement of the pull cable and thus the opening and closing of the discharge gap.

Abstract: An inking mechanism for postage meters and price stamping machines includes an ink transport roller, an intermediate roller and an inking roller being operatively connected to one another and having surfaces. The surface of the intermediate roller transfers ink from the ink transport roller to the inking roller and the surface of the inking roller is formed of porous material. An ink supply container in the form of a tank has a slit-like opening formed therein. Porous material substantially fills the tank as a storage medium for stamp ink. The porous material protrudes out of the slit-like opening in the tank and contacts the surface of the ink transport roller in the form of a squeegee.

Abstract: A marking apparatus for printing indicia on products being transported along a conveyor. The moving products, such as cartons, are engaged by a printing roll with a drive rim that engages the surface of the article. As the printing roll turns, a printing segment carried on the roll comes into contact with the surface to print the indicia thereon. Ink is supplied to the printing segment by means of an ink supply roll mounted on a lever arm and which contains a supply of ink that is supplied to a porous ink-containing cylindrical surface. The lever arm is urged in one direction of rotation by a biasing device such as a compression spring to force the ink supply roll against an adjacent ink transfer roll with a predetermined force. The ink transfer roll has a cylindrical, elastomeric pad that receives ink from the ink supply roll and transfers it to the printing segment of the printing roll.

Abstract: A label imprinting machine has a feed hopper, a stacking hopper, an imprinting station, and a printing head at the imprinting station. Unimprinted labels are transported from the feed hopper to the imprinting station and imprinted labels from then to the stacking hopper. The machine further has a cartridge inking system including a holder for holding an ink cartridge, a pick up ring holding roll, an ink pick up ring on the pick up ring holding roll, an ink distribution roll in driving engagement with the pick up ring holding roll, and a power driven ink transfer roll engaging the printing head and frictionally engaging the ink distribution roll, to regulate the rotational speed of the ink distribution roll and the pick up ring holding roll. The ink distribution roll oscillates back and forth along its axis as it rotates about its axis.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for printing indicia on a substrate which includes a frame assembly having a print roller, a transfer roller in rotational engagement therewith and a fountain roller in rotational engagement with the transfer roller. A bracket member is mounted on the frame assembly for retaining a disposable ink cartridge at the fountain roller, the disposable ink cartridge being mounted in the bracket. The disposable ink cartridge has a top, an upwardly recessed bottom and contains an ink absorbing material such as a sponge. A means for storing and introducing a metered supply of ink to the cartridge during operation of the apparatus is provided including a bag container, conduit means for conducting the ink to the cartridge and means for penetrating the ink absorbing material such as a needle mounted at the terminus of the conduit means.

Abstract: A device for painting wallpaper-like patterns on walls and other flat surfaces. The device comprises a container for holding paint as well as a series of feeder rollers for feeding paint onto the embossed surface of a pattern roller. Additional means, independent of the pattern roller, provides turning power to rotate the feeder rollers at the same linear speed as the pattern roller.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for printing indicia on a substrate which includes a frame assembly having a print roller, a transfer roller in rotational engagement therewith and a fountain roller in rotational engagement with the transfer roller. A bracket member is mounted on the frame assembly for retaining a disposable ink cartridge at the fountain roller, the disposable ink cartridge being mounted in the bracket. The disposable ink cartridge has a top, an upwardly recessed bottom and contains an ink absorbing material such as a sponge.

Abstract: An imprinter having a continuously rotated printing wheel, is inked through a transfer roller drivingly connected by intermittent gearing to the printing wheel, the roller being in contact with a Teflon surface of an arcuate ink pad projecting from an ink storing cartridge within an inking chamber housing an excess ink wiper.

Abstract: An ink supply device for use in a labeling machine: the ink supply device includes at least one inking roller; guide means on the frame of the labeling machine guide the inking roller to roll over the printing surface of a printing head; the guide means may comprise curved slots in or rails on the side plates of the machine frame; guide rollers that support the inking rollers are received in the guide means; in another embodiment, there are additional bearing plates attached at both ends of an inking roller; these plates are engageable with the lower end surfaces of the printing head; in other embodiments, two inking rollers are provided; each such roller is biased and guided in a different way; springs may bias both rollers toward the print surface, or only one roller; the roller may be guided to vertically shift over the print surface by a guide slot in the support carriage for the roller or by the slot of the guide means.

Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of hollow workpieces in, for example, a printing mechanism environment. Cam surfaces are locked to the interior of the hollow work performing member. A spindle is provided having secured thereto cam rollers operatively connected to the cam surfaces. The cam surfaces are identical in shape and are oriented so that a movement of the cam rollers relative thereto will effect an axial shifting of the hollow work member relative to the spindle. The spindle is driven for rotation by a first drive mechanism. The hollow work member is driven for rotation by a second drive mechanism which can be, in the printing machine environment, a frictional force applied by other driven rollers in the system. When the rotational speed of the spindle is in excess of the rotational speed of the hollow work member, the cam rollers wil move relative to the cam surfaces and effect the aforesaid axial shifting.

Abstract: A printing machine comprises a rotary print drum adapted to receive type and a rotary transfer roller located adjacent to the drum for transferring ink from an ink supply to type mounted on the drum. A transfer drive couples the drum to the transfer roller so that rotation of the drum effects rotation of the roller, the transfer drive comprising roller means arranged to contact both an end surface of the drum and an end surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: A high speed machine for imprinting code indicia consecutively upon individual articles moving in a line along the upper reach of a conveyor to an imprinting zone arranged along the conveyor path. The imprinting is performed by plural printing heads carried by an imprinting wheel. The speed of rotation of the imprinting wheel being correlated with the speed of the conveyor and the number of printing heads carried by the imprinting wheel. The articles are spaced uniformly one from the other a predetermined distance with their lateral movement being restricted during passage of the articles through the imprinting zone, a positive force being directed downward upon the top of each article at least at the time the imprint is applied thereto.

Abstract: A device for applying multi-color designs to wall surfaces or other areas is disclosed. A hand-held paint applying device is utilized in rolling contact with the area to be decorated. The applying device includes a design carrying roller in peripheral contact with an inking roller. The inking roller surface is divided into discrete areas each containing a different color ink (or paint). The application of ink to the various discrete areas on the inking roller is accomplished by means of a color pad (or tray) having its interior divided into corresponding discrete areas to enable the ink roller to be rolled thereover, whereby each different area on the ink roller will consistantly be inked with a predetermined color ink (or paint) contained in the corresponding discrete area in the ink pad.