Abstract: The ink to be impregnated into the figure portion 6 of the processed stamp plate 10 in the stamp device 11 is formed of polyoxyethylene-alkyl-phenyl ether and oil soluble dye melted therein and regulated to have the viscosity in a range of 300-2000 cps, more preferably, 500-1500 cps. This stamp device 11 can thus extremely improve all of stamping characteristics, i.e., stamping durability, ink spreading condition, ink seeping condition, ink permeation speed, and the number of trial stamping times.

Abstract: An ink-refillable stamp includes a knob, fixed seat, a moving seat movably connected to the fixed seat, a stamping set securely inserted in the fixing seat and a bottom cover. The stamping set consists of an upper frame and a lower frame combined together. At least one ink-spongy pad and a stamping face are housed in the stamping set. At least one partition strip can be provided in the stamping set to separate the inner space into at least two rooms for filling with ink-spongy pads and inks of different colors therein. A plurality of apertures is defined in the upper frame to let ink to be supplied therefrom. When the ink stored in the stamp is exhausted, the stamp can be cleanly and conveniently refilled by a new ink cartridge wherefrom ink flows through the apertures into the stamping set.

Abstract: A printing sheet is made from a porous resin sheet containing a predetermined amount of carbon grains. In order to manufacture the printing sheet, a mask (which partially shields the infrared rays according to a predetermined pattern) is placed on a transparent plate and the printing sheet is placed on the mask sheet. Flash bulbs irradiate the infrared rays onto the mask sheet. Infrared rays irradiated onto the transparent portion of the mask sheet pass through the mask sheet and reach the printing sheet, causing the carbon grains to heat the resin sheet such that pores in said resin sheet are sealed to form a non-print portion on said porous resin sheet corresponding to said transparent portion.

Abstract: A stamp member including a first porous sheet in which ink can be impregnated, and a second porous sheet which is harder than the first porous sheet. A compressive strength of the second porous sheet being not less than 5 kg/cm.sup.2 when the second porous resin is compressed by 25%. The first and second porous sheets are fixed to each other at a plurality of points.

Abstract: A stamp unit has a transparent film which protects a stamp surface of the stamp material at the time of transportation of the stamp unit, during storage until a user starts to produce a stamp after purchasing the stamp unit, and during production of the stamp plate. The transparent film is thermally adhered on the lower edge of the holder member and is capable of protecting the surface of the stamp material until the start of the stamp printing. The transparent film is capable of easily and economically adhering to the stamp material without adhering to a thermal adhesion jig.

Abstract: In order to supply a multiple number of inks at a desired geometry, a filling frame has filling ports of substantially vertical passage holes. A stamp piece has a continuous porous structure and is placed on a base plate with the filling framed laid thereover. Each ink is supplied from a corresponding filling port to a separated area and is impregnated into a stamp piece in substantially the same geometry as that of separated area so that each will not mix with the other. Thus, inks are filled keeping the separation, into the stamp piece having a continuous porous structure laid below the filling frame.

Abstract: A stamp unit capable of opening an ink pack position between a grip member and a holder member for supplying ink to the stamp material easily in one step. To supply ink to the stamp material, the grip member is pressed downwardly with the ink pack located in the holder member. The ink pack in the holder member is pressed between a thick paper plate and a cutting rib to be opened. Ink from an ink pack flows downwardly through ink holes to be supplied to the stamp material. When the ink runs low, it can be replenished by the simple process of replacing the ink pack.

Abstract: There is provided a stamp material comprising a stamp portion and a stock for holding the stamp portion. The stamp portion includes a stamp surface-forming portion for forming a stamp surface therefrom. The stamp portion is removably mounted in the stock. According to another aspect, there is provided a stamp material-setting jig for setting the stamp material in a stamp-making apparatus. The stamp material-setting jig has a mounting recess formed in one surface for mounting the stock therein, and a positioning portion formed in an opposite surface to the one surface for effecting positioning of the stamp material in the stamp-making apparatus.

Abstract: A stackable stamp assembly used to form images on a surface includes a substantially congruent and releasably engageable base, intermediate members, and cover assembly. A stamp is attached to each of the intermediate members. The intermediate members are dish-shaped so that the stamp of an upper member is received within the member disposed immediately below when the members are stacked one on top of the other. The assembly may also includes ways to facilitate the alignment of the assembly with the surface on which an imprint of the stamp is to be made.

Abstract: A stamp unit capable of preventing ink from leaking out of the stamp unit is disclosed. The stamp unit includes a skirt member attached to an ink impregnated body. The skirt member has a substrate formed with a through-hole at its center. A pair of first guides and a pair of second guides are provided on the substrate for guiding corresponding edge portions of a stencil sheet. The first guides extend in a lengthwise direction of the substrate, and the second guides extend in a widthwise direction of the substrate. A pair of third guides are provided on the substrate outside of the second guides. The third guides guide corner portions of the stencil sheet so as to position between the second guides and the third guides. The corner portions guided by the third guides have corners with sharp crease.

Abstract: A multi-color ink pad assembly with end user configurable pad/plate assemblies. The pad/plate assemblies comprise an absorbent pad impregnated with ink attached to a rigid mounting plate. Attachment means are provided which engage the mounting plate to attach the pad/plate assemblies onto a base such that the user may manually remove and reattach the pad/plate assemblies to the base in any number of configurations. Two detent members are formed on the mounting plates and a hole is formed in the base. The detent members pass through the hole and engage the base to help avoid inadvertent removal of pad/plate assemblies from the base. The end user thus has tremendous flexibility in constructing multi-color inking surfaces.

Abstract: An expandable stamp pad comprising a plurality of ink pads arranged in a line and suitable for use with a multitude of different aqueous dye-based inks, and methods of using the same. Typically, the line is straight, although, if desired, the line may be curved. The plurality of ink pads are retained on an extension member that permits adjacent ink pads to contact one another when the extension member is retracted, (e.g., in use) while maintaining the plurality of ink pads in separation when the extension member is extended (e.g., in storage). Also, a multi-color stamp pad suitable for use with aqueous dye-based inks wherein a plurality of ink pads each impregnated with a different ink have disposed therebetween a thin, aqueous-impermeable film, such as a thin plastic film. Preferably, the stamp pad comprises more than two ink pads, further preferably five or more ink pads.

Abstract: A unique two piece, hand held, device having an ergonomic and ambidextral hand holder with a detachable, and/or interchangeable, sponge-like, image imprinting element is disclosed. The imprinting element is preferably made of a unitary piece of a sponge body having an ornamental design embossed into the printing face. The embossed printing face is dipped into a paint and the paint is transferred to the desired surface by pressing the printing surface of the sponge body against the surface to be decorated.

Abstract: An ink-replenishable signet comprises a body, a reciprocal shield movably receiving the body, a grip portion mounted on the reciprocal shield and a bottom cover mounted to a bottom of the body. The body includes a pedestal, two rectangular tubes extending integrally and upwardly from the pedestal and a post formed between the two rectangular tubes. The pedestal further has two stepped portions respectively formed at two sides thereof and an ink reservoir and a stamp block received therein. A stop is mounted to the two stepped portions of the pedestal for restricting the movement of the stamp block. The expansion has an enclosure extending integrally from a top face thereof. The top face of the reciprocal shield defines an aperture and two holes therein for the post and two rectangular tubes of the pedestal to be respectively extending therethrough and then is engaged with a clip member.

Abstract: A method of producing a planar stamp including a stamp member, an ink reservoir, and a stamp frame. In the method, after fitting the ink reservoir into the stamp frame, the stamp member, without a print surface and made of a polyethylene foam sheet, is adhered to the stamp frame in order to enclose it in the stamp frame, whereby a planar stamp portion is assembled. Then, a thermal head of a print surface forming apparatus is moved along an entire surface of the stamp member, while the thermal head is in contact with the stamp member, in order to form a print surface. Lastly, ink is injected into the ink reservoir in order to impregnate the stamp member with the ink.

Abstract: A stamping device is provided for imprinting inked images onto an external object. The stamping device includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a passageway therebetween. An image nib is attached to the second end of the housing and has an outwardly projecting face portion with at least one raised image formed thereon. An absorbent transfer medium or insert member is disposed within the passageway of the housing in adjacent relationship with respect to the image nib. In use, the passageway is adapted to receive a marking nib of a writing instrument, such as a marker, at the first end of the housing. When the marking nib of the writing instrument is inserted into the passageway, ink flows from the writing instrument to the absorbent insert member and then to the image nib.

Abstract: A stamp device including a stamp body including a grip portion at an upper end thereof and a base portion at a lower end thereof; an ink impregnated body impregnated with ink and attached to the base portion of the stamp body; a thermal stencil sheet disposed on the stamp body so as to cover the ink impregnated body; a skirt member fitted around the lower end of the stamp body; and a mechanism for maintaining intimate contact between the thermal stencil sheet and the stamp body.

Abstract: A stamp has a stencil paper at a central portion of which a stamp pattern is formed including an ink permeable portion and an ink impermeable portion. A frame member holds an outer peripheral portion of the stencil paper, and an ink impregnated body is arranged with the frame member in contact with the central portion of the perforated stencil paper. The frame member and ink impregnated body are secured to a supporting member. A groove is formed in the supporting member between the frame member and the ink impregnated body. The stamp assembly is capable of stamping with no leakage of ink outside the device and with no peeling off of the stencil paper.

Abstract: A stamping device (10) which comprises a body (11) having an open bottom end (12), a stamping member (21) provided at the body bottom end (12), a skirt (14) supported at the body bottom end (12) around the stamping member (21) for movement between a lower position to protect the stamping member (21) and an upper position to expose the stamping member (21) for stamping operation, and a spring (15). The spring (15) forms a one-piece structure with the skirt (14) and is adapted to resiliently bias the skirt (14) into the lower position. The spring (15) comprises opposite sides (16) joining the skirt (14) and an upper side (17) extending across the opposite sides (16).

Abstract: A stamp pad including a base part with peripheral walls surrounding and supporting an ink member, the walls having connector elements which enable a releasable engagement of multiple stamp pads in side by side relation to form an assembly of multiple pads with a substantially continuous ink surface.

Abstract: Ink cups of pad printing machines are produced by insert molding a flanged plastic cup body directly on a hard doctor knife blade ring of carbide whereby the mounting portion of the blade ring is embedded and mold-bonded with the cup flange. The resulting cup is included in a pad printing machine that includes an annular hold-down ring that engages directly and uniformly on the cup flange.

Abstract: A stencil stamp assembly having a comparatively small size, high ink holding capacity, excellent stamping durability and is capable of stamping images having a high print quality. The stencil stamp includes a handgrip and a stencil stamp assembly. The stencil stamp assembly includes an ink bearing member covered with a thermal stencil sheet. The thermal stencil sheet has a plurality of pores on holes arranged in a pattern. During a stamping action, ink from the ink bearing member is forced through the pores in the stencil sheet and onto a recording sheet to form a stamped image on the recording sheet. The ink bearing member has at least two layers having different densities. The less dense layer is in contact with the thermal stencil sheet. The least dense layer provides a large ink storage capacity. The more dense layer has a higher ink holding capacity, which reduces the potential for ink leakage.

Abstract: A stamping machine including a rubber stamping head angular position adjustment mechanism, which can be adjusted to the desired angular position for stamping different workpieces, a horizontal slide adjustment mechanism, which can be adjusted to move the rubber stamping head to the desired horizontal position, an automatic ink feeder, which can be adjusted to supply metered quantity of ink, a scraper carrier, which keeps the scraper blade and the ink application roller unit operated at the same elevation, an ink tray assembly, which is detachable, and a workpiece conveying mechanism, which uses a driving wheel driven by an air cylinder through a rack and a gear to turn a conveying chain in carrying a series of workpiece table plates for a continuous stamping operation.

Abstract: An expandable stamp pad comprising a plurality of ink pads arranged in a line and suitable for use with a multitude of different aqueous dye-based inks, and methods of using the same. Typically, the line is straight, although, if desired, the line may be curved. The plurality of ink pads are retained on an extension member that permits adjacent ink pads to contact one another when the extension member is retracted, (e.g., in use) while maintaining the plurality of ink pads in separation when the extension member is extended (e.g., in storage). Also, a multi-color stamp pad suitable for use with aqueous dye-based inks wherein a plurality of ink pads each impregnated with a different ink have disposed therebetween a thin, aqueous-impermeable film, such as a thin plastic film. Preferably, the stamp pad comprises more than two ink pads, further preferably five or more ink pads.

Abstract: A multi-color ink pad assembly with end user configurable pad/plate assemblies. The pad/plate assemblies comprise an absorbent pad impregnated with ink attached to a rigid mounting plate. Attachment means are provided which engage the mounting plate to attach the pad/plate assemblies onto a base such that the user may manually remove and reattach the pad/plate assemblies to the base in any number of configurations. The end user thus has tremendous flexibility in constructing multi-color inking surfaces.

Abstract: A stamp and a process of producing a stamp includes a stamp that is made from a sponge having open cells to allow repeated impressing operations without supplying stamp ink for a long time. The process includes fitting a heat-fusing ink sheet or a heat-generating plate, which contains a heat-generating material, over the surface of a stamp-piece that has open cells therein. A liquid substance soaks a manuscript having characters, patterns, etc., which are represented by non-applied areas of recording material. The manuscript is placed over the top in such a manner that an image may appear to be a mirror image. The manuscript is irradiated from above with light to cause light to pass through the non-applied areas of recording material to increase the temperature of the heat-generating material at sites corresponding to the non-applied areas of recording material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for stabilizing a microporous marking structure is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of placing a microporous marking structure in conjunction with an absorbent material within a stabilizing device. A positive pressure is then applied to the microporous marking structure within the stabilizing device until a sufficient amount of ink originally retained within the microporous marking structure is forced to flow therefrom into the absorbent material so that the microporous marking structure obtains a substantially stabilized state. The apparatus may comprise a pair of substantially rigid plates arranged for relative movement with respect to each other wherein at least one of the substantially rigid plates is adapted to support a microporous marking structure thereon until the microporous marking structure is arranged between the plates.

Abstract: An multicolor stamp pad comprising a plurality of ink pads arranged in a line and suitable for use with a multitude of different aqueous dye-based inks, and methods of using the same. The plurality of ink pads are retained on an extension member that permits adjacent ink pads to contact one another when the extension member is retracted, (e.g., in use) while maintaining the plurality of ink pads in separation when the extension member is extended (e.g., in storage). The multicolor stamp pad suitable may also have disposed between the ink pads a flexible, thin, aqueous-impermeable film, such as a thin plastic film.

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 fan-shaped stamp pad that provides from one to a multitude of differently colored inks to a single stamp, at the option of a user. Additionally, the fan-shaped stamp pad permits the application of a great number of colors of ink to a stamp while requiring only one application of the stamp to the stamp pad, thereby reducing the chance of smearing, or otherwise contaminating, the ink from one section of the pad to another.

Abstract: A multi-color ink pad assembly with end user configurable pad/plate assemblies. The pad/plate assemblies comprise an absorbent pad impregnated with ink attached to a rigid mounting plate. Attachment means are provided which engage the mounting plate to attach the pad/plate assemblies onto a base such that the user may manually remove and reattach the the pad/plate assemblies to the base in any number of configurations. The end user thus has tremendous flexibility in constructing multi-color inking surfaces.

Abstract: A stamp unit includes a grip portion to be grasped by a hand, a stamp portion that is fixedly linked to the grip portion, a skirt member covering the outer peripheral side of the stamp side, and a protection cap that is freely detachably mounted on the stamp portion. The skirt member is upwardly and downwardly slidably supported. At its nonuse time, the lower end of the skirt member projects to a position lower than a print face portion of the stamp portion. However, by locating the stamp unit at a print position and pressing the grip portion, the skirt member is moved upwardly, and the print face portion of the stamp member is pressed against a print surface, whereby ink oozes out from the print face portion to perform the print operation. The stamp unit is further provided with plural engaging holes formed at the lower portion of the grip member and plural engaging pawls that are provided at the upper portion of the stamp member and elastically engaged with the respective engaging holes.

Abstract: An ink pad device with ink reservoir for coating a stamping device with ink comprising ink reservoir, cap, housing, high-absorbency ink pad, low-absorbency ink pad and ink pad cover. The present invention incorporates an ink reservoir to an ink pad so that the ink pad device may be used indefinitely by refilling the ink reservoir with ink, thereby avoiding the predominant situation wherein the ink pad device is discarded when the ink in the ink pad is depleted and the ink pad subsequently dries up. The ink in the ink reservoir is absorbed by the high-absorbency ink pad located in the bottom of the housing and in turn the low-absorbency ink pad placed on top of the high-absorbency ink pad absorbs the ink in the high-absorbency ink pad, thereby preventing a given stamping device from acquiring excessive amount of ink from the ink pad device.

Abstract: A method for producing a stamp includes the following steps: (1) forming a stamp member from a rubber material which has a low rebound characteristic and low compressibility; (2) preparing a plurality of stamping inks of different colors, each of the stamping inks having a relatively high viscosity and low flowability; (3) diluting the stamping inks with a diluent to increase their flowability and permeability; (4) placing a plurality of ink-absorbing members in a side-by-side adjacent arrangement and isolating them from one another in order to prevent fluid communication; (5) adding the diluted stamping inks into the ink-absorbing members respectively; (6) saturating the stamp member with a highly volatile liquid; (7) disposing the stamp member on the ink-absorbing members to transfer the diluted stamping inks from the ink-absorbing members to the stamp member so as to have the stamp member formed with regions of different colors, the highly volatile liquid assisting the infiltration of the diluted stamping

Abstract: A marking device for marking designs on golf balls includes a housing in which an ink pad is disposed. At least one marking plug is removably mounted in the housing by a screw thread connection. One end of the marking plug includes a design projection. If more than one marking plug is provided, they have mutually different design projections. The housing has a door for exposing the ink pad. A marking plug can be unscrewed from the housing, and its design projection can be pressed against the exposed ink pad. The design projection can then be pressed against a golf ball to imprint the design upon the golf ball. The marking surface of the design projection can be concavely curved with the same radius of curvature as the outer periphery of the golf ball. The marking device can be dimensioned for being connected to a chain.

Abstract: Two stamping components are centrally and axially aligned to insure an exact repeatable register between a stamping head and a compact disc. A rigid D-shaped post protruding from one stamping component engages a mating D-shaped opening recessed in another stamping component to align a stamping head with a compact disc. A recess in a casing retains and positions the compact disc. Movable rubber type positioned in an annular groove in the stamping head impart identifying inked insignia to the compact disc around the central opening of the disc. The stamping head may have a central D-shaped opening to receive a rigid D-shaped post from the compact disc positioner. Alternatively, the stamping head may have a central rigid D-shaped post to engage a mating central D-shaped opening alternately in the compact disc positioner. A circular stamp pad admits the stamping head. For a stamping head with a protruding post, the stamp pad has a mating recessed opening to receive the post.

Abstract: A kit for applying stamping identification onto compact discs includes a base for supporting a compact disc, and a hand stamp with a spring loaded spindle sized to fit into a hole in the base for centering the stamp relative to the disc. The spring force on the spindle must be manually overcome to apply the stamp to the disc and helps maintain uniformity of stamping force. The stamp assembles with an inkwell unit for clean and convenient storage of both stamp and inkwell.

Abstract: In a hand stamp mount device especially suitable for a preinked stamp impression member that can give great numbers of imprints, the downstroke distance of a substantially rigid, non-rotatable assembly of a handle, a stem and a platen for carrying the impression member is adjustable precisely by turning with one's fingers an adjuster that correspondingly turns a stroke limiting stop member and causes it upon turning to be displaced proportionately lengthwise of the stem. Several ways of effecting the adjustments are disclosed, including some which eliminate all need for screw-threaded parts by making use of a molded ramp member presenting helical ramp surfaces. The platen and a case enclosing it are stiffened to resist stamping forces by an array of integral radiating ribs protruding upwardly from the platen and another array of such ribs protruding downward from the top of the case; and the ribs of the two sets intercalate to occupy vertical space in common when the platen is in normal upward position.

Abstract: A self-inking hand stamper with an inking pad tilted from the horizontal. In moving from its retracted, inking position to its forward, stamping position, and back again, the die plate pivots around two pivot points to move through an arc of substantially less than 180.degree., resulting in a smaller stamper interior. The first pivot point is provided by a single pivot pin mounted on each side wall of the stamper, and slidably journaled in a single curved cam slot in the respective die plate support leg. The second pivot point is provided by the die plate axle, which is secured to the downwardly extending legs of the actuator yoke and is slidably journaled in a straight, vertical guide slot in the stamper frame.

Abstract: A medical stamp system and method of use, the system comprising, in combination, a stamp having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion terminating in a planar surface, a dye on the lower surface with indicia indicative of an intended course of medical action; and a box having a first region for receipt of the stamp and a minor region coupled to and offset from the major region, the minor region having a recess and ink pad within the recess for the receipt of indelible ink, the recess and pad being of the size to receive the planar surface and dye of the stamp, the box also having a lid to cover the first and second regions of the box with indicia of the responsible position on the exterior surface of the box.

Abstract: A support base includes a housing tube, with the housing tube arranged to receive a reservoir tubular member having a fluid permeable tip at one end thereof and a removable cap at a second end thereof permitting replenishment of water within the reservoir, wherein the tip permits moistening of water activated glue portions of an envelope and permitting the moistening of stamps and the like positioned on the envelope.

Abstract: A printer device has a print body on one end of which a print head is mounted, the print body being longitudinally movable along an inking stroke and a printing stroke, with the printing stroke being angularly offset by approximately 90.degree. from the inking stroke, and with the print body being pivotally movable through an intermediate pivot stroke between the inking stroke and the printing stroke. A piston and cylinder assembly is connected to the print body for operatively causing advance movement of the print body along the inking stroke, the pivot stroke and the printing stroke, and return movement of the print body along the printing stroke, the pivot stroke and the inking stroke. The print body has a longitudinally elongated slot, and a fixed pivot pin is disposed in the elongated slot in the print body for guiding the print body, a first freely rotatable roller restraining the print body against pivotal movement during advance movement of the print body along the inking stroke.

Abstract: An ink roll made of a microporous thermoplastic structure impregnated with an ink has sufficient strength, toughness and flexibility to deliver ink to a transfer roll without substantial misting of the ink from the ink roll surface as the ink roll is driven by a drive roll at peripheral speeds of 200 ips or more. The microporous plastic structure of the roll may be formed from a blend of a first polymer having particles sizes in the range of 1 to 100 .mu.m, and a second polymer having particles sizes from more than 100 .mu.m to 600 .mu.m. The second polymer is selected to impart greater strength and abrasion resistance to the roll than the first polymer. Both of the first and second polymers may be copolymers of PVC and polyvinyl acetate. The second copolymer has more acetate groups than the first polymer, giving it significantly greater strength.

Abstract: A personal check amount stamping device for printing the exact amount of a check to be written on the face of the check form, in at least three locations. This printing of the exact amount by the writer of the check insures that the bank will not mis-interpret the amount of the check, and also obviates the job of printing the check amount on the bottom of the check by the bank employees.

Abstract: A disposable postage stamp marker is provided which consists of a frame and a device carried within the frame, for making a predetermined amount of visible impressions of small official government seals on mail to show that postage has been paid for the mail. An apparatus is carried within the frame and is coupled to the visible impressions making a device for enumerating the predetermined amount of visible impressions that can be made.

Abstract: The drive system for a mailing flat bed postage printing apparatus includes a postage meter cartridge having an indicia plate mounted in the base of the printing apparatus. An inking system is included for inking the indicia plate. The inking system includes a drive motor mounted to the base in driving communication with a first shaft rotatively mounted in the base. A cam is mounted to the first shaft having a cam surfaces. An ink tray is positionable by a linkage system wherein the linkage system includes cam followers in communication with the cam surface to position the ink tray in response to the rotational position of the cam. A platen is reciprocally positionable between a first and print position in the base. The cam is rotated in a first range wherein the cam surface positions the linkage system and a second range of rotation wherein the linkage system is in a dwell mode.

Abstract: Hand stamp including a stamp pad (10), a holder plate (11) supporting this, a shaft (15) connected the holder plate, a cover (17) which surrounds the holder plate (11) and the shaft (15) as well as a shaft knob (20) connected to the shaft, which against spring action can achieve a depression of the shaft (15) and the holder plate (11) with the stamp pad (10) connected to said shaft. To achieve a self adjusting contact pressure of the stamp pad the holder plate (11) is axially displaceable relatively the shaft (15), against the action of a spring (16).

Abstract: An ink pad device for a high speed mailing machine is disclosed. The ink pad device includes an ink pad and an ink chamber in which the ink pad is at least partially disposed to sorb ink therefrom. The ink pad device may also comprise an ink reservoir and/or a pump for pumping ink from the reservoir to the ink chamber. The ink pad device is attachable to a drive for moving the ink pad horizontally and vertically from a horizontal home position to a horizontal inking position in which the ink pad is tamped against a printing device which imprints postage indicia. The ink pump comprises a deformable chamber which is compressed to pump ink from the reservoir to the ink chamber. In one embodiment, the ink pad and the ink chamber are provided as a disposable, non-replenishable, non-refillable unit containing a limited amount of ink for limited use. In another embodiment, the ink chamber, the ink pad, the reservoir and the pump form a unit in which ink is replenished from the reservoir to the ink chamber.

Abstract: An ink cup for a pad printer has a hollow body and a surface that contacts a die plate on the pad printer, the contact surface being formed from bronze. In a preferred embodiment, the bronze used to form the contact surface of the ink cup is a copper alloy consisting of 83% copper, 7% lead, 7% tin, and 3% zinc. The ink cup has a flange between the hollow body of the cup and the contact surface. The ink cup flange, which extends outward from the hollow body, has a curved outer surface. A retaining ring having a diameter greater than that of the ink cup flange, has a curved inner surface adapted for receiving the ink cup flange to maintain the ink cup in contact with the die plate while permitting the ink cup to rock within the retaining ring.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the manual block printing of multicolor images upon an article to be printed, wherein the article is inserted between a printer base and a generally rectangular housing having means to yieldably urge said housing onto the base, a pair of guide members adjustably secured onto the printer base for registration and alignment of a corner of the article receiving the image, and a printer having a tray holder, a printing tray received on said tray holder and having a recess on its underside to receive a rubber cushion with the image thereon, and a handle projecting upward to allow the operator to manually insert and remove the printer from the housing to transfer ink from an ink source to the article to be printed. A number of images are provided, each image used for a single color of ink, and the articles are repeatably aligned for transfer of each image and color of ink in turn to form the final multicolor image.