Abstract: A method for producing a micromechanical device having a damper structure. The method includes: (A) providing a micromechanical wafer having a rear side; (B) applying a liquid damper material onto the rear side; (C) pressing a matrix against the rear side in order to form at least one damper structure in the damper material; (D) curing the damper material; and (E) removing the matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for systems and methods related to kiosks for personalizing a packaged article. The kiosks may also be used for storage, inventory management, retrieval, packaging, and/or personalization of packaged articles. The kiosks discussed herein differ from non-kiosk personalization systems, such as personalization systems installed on a factory or warehouse floor, in that the kiosks are self-contained personalization systems. In some embodiments, the kiosks are portable and can be moved between different sites or events. This portability allows the kiosks to personalize packaged articles for concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and the like.

Abstract: Kiosk systems are used for personalizing articles. The articles may include an item to be personalized assembled with components of packaging in a pre-hooped configuration. The system may include a housing and a personalization system within the housing. The personalization system may include a plurality of system components for personalizing the article. The system may also include a conveying system within the housing. The conveying system may be used to transfer the article in the pre-hooped configuration between the system components of the personalization systems. The system may also include a control system in the housing and/or remote from the housing. The control system may receive a personalization order and in response the control system may control the system components of the personalization systems and the conveying system so that the article is personalized without human intervention once within the housing.

Abstract: Kiosk systems are used for personalizing articles. The articles may include an item to be personalized assembled with components of packaging in a pre-hooped configuration. The system may include a housing and a personalization system within the housing. The personalization system may include a plurality of system components for personalizing the article. The system may also include a conveying system within the housing. The conveying system may be used to transfer the article in the pre-hooped configuration between the system components of the personalization systems. The system may also include a control system in the housing and/or remote from the housing. The control system may receive a personalization order and in response the control system may control the system components of the personalization systems and the conveying system so that the article is personalized without human intervention once within the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a decorative object, which enables manufacturing of a decorative object, on which a random concavo-convex structure is formed, such as non-glossy finish, with a uniform product appearance, while maintaining operating efficiency is described. The method for manufacturing a decorative object includes the steps of coating a concavo-convex surface having a concavo-convex structure with a coating solution including a resin component, transferring the concavo-convex structure to a transfer surface to form a resin layer having the transfer surface, and to obtain a transfer member comprising the resin layer, and decorating a surface for decoration by pressing the transfer surface of the transfer member against the surface for decoration including a thermoplastic resin while heating.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a solution to the problem of metal printing where the printer leaves an undesired “border” or “margin” around the edge, as the printer sensors detect the edge of the metal plate and stop printing before reaching the edge. The system and method disclosed herein comprises a metal plate removably associated with a carrier, where the carrier is larger than the metal plate such that the metal plate is positioned entirely within the perimeter of the carrier. The metal plate has a special receptive coating that allows ink from an inkjet printer to adhere to the metal plate without running. The carrier has an external coating that mimics the metal plate such that the sensors of the printer do not detect any “edge” of the metal plate and print over, onto the carrier. This creates a borderless final printed picture.

Abstract: A curved acrylic photographic article and a process for the making same comprising an optically clear acrylic layer and an adjacent synthetic organic polymer containing both light scattering particulates and diffused disperse dyes are described. The layered article being thermodynamically formed into a curved or other shape immediately subsequent to receiving a graphic decoration by dye diffusion thermal transfer.

Abstract: Processes for forming a thermoformed labeled article are described. Labels are attached to a sheet to be thermoformed or to a section thereof. Label attachment can optionally use an adhesive. If the label material is completely or partially compatible with the sheet then the use of adhesive may not be necessary. The labels may also receive various graphics or other designs, such as by printing. After appropriate placement of the label relative to the sheet, the assembly of both sheet and label is thermoformed. After thermoforming, a finished and labeled article is produced. Also described are various labels and label assemblies which are uniquely suited for use in the processes described herein.

Abstract: A two-part method for dye-sublimation printing a decorative design on a moldable orthotic substrate comprising a first digital printing step of printing a computer image file of a decorative design on a digital transfer paper substrate using dye-sublimation CMYK inks, and a second dye-sublimation printing step comprising the steps of heating an oven to a first temperature, placing a moldable orthotic substrate inside the oven, heating the moldable orthotic substrate to a second temperature, positioning the digital transfer paper substrate on the moldable orthotic substrate with the decorative design down and in contact with the moldable orthotic substrate, and sublimating the at least one color of dye-sublimation CMYK inks from the digital transfer paper substrate to the moldable orthotic substrate. A custom orthotic product may be manufactured by wrapping the dye-sublimation printed moldable orthotic substrate around an orthotic mold and applying a vacuum.

Abstract: A method for printing a package substrate prior to molding the package substrate into a desired shape. The present teachings include printing an aqueous ink onto a sacrificial carrier to form an ink pattern, and then drying the ink pattern on the carrier. The carrier and ink pattern are aligned with a package substrate and placed into a mold fixture. The ink pattern is transferred to the package substrate within the mold fixture during the molding of the package substrate into the desired shape. The ink pattern may be transferred from the sacrificial carrier to the package substrate using, for example, a dye sublimation (dye diffusion) process.

Abstract: A transfer film 316 which has a print pattern 340 comprising a first area 312A having an ink layer and a second area 312B having no ink layer and has no whole surface fixture layer formed thereon is prepared, an activating agent is applied onto the surface of the transfer film 316 to collect a surplus portion of the activating agent in a convex form in the second area by a repelling operation of the ink player 312I in the first area 312A and a collecting power of the activating agent 320, the convex collection portions 320C of the activating agent in the second area 312B have a concave-convex reversal made on the surface of the article 10 when the water pressure transfer is performed, and the convex collection portions of the activating agent are shrunk and protruded when the print layer is hardened whereby a three-dimensional unevenness is imparted onto the surface of the article.

Abstract: A device and method for transferring an image-forming layer from a transfer foil to a printing sheet is provided. The device includes an application unit for coating an image area of the printing sheet with an adhesive pattern that is colored and a coating module for transferring the image-forming layer from the transfer foil to the printing sheet. The image forming layer having a visual effect. The color of the adhesive pattern and the visual effect of the image-forming layer are configured such that the color of the adhesive pattern modifies the visual effect of the image forming layer when the image forming layer is applied to the printing sheet over the adhesive pattern.

Abstract: A transfer film 316 which has a print pattern 340 comprising a first area 312A having an ink layer and a second area 312B having no ink layer and has no whole surface fixture layer formed thereon is prepared, an activating agent is applied onto the surface of the transfer film 316 to collect a surplus portion of the activating agent in a convex form in the second area by a repelling operation of the ink player 312I in the first area 312A and a collecting power of the activating agent 320, the convex collection portions 320C of the activating agent in the second area 312B have a concave-convex reversal made on the surface of the article 10 when the water pressure transfer is performed, and the convex collection portions of the activating agent are shrunk and protruded when the print layer is hardened whereby a three-dimensional unevenness is imparted onto the surface of the article.

Abstract: A method of applying a surface decorative layer on a surface of an article by water pressure transfer in which transfer film 316 which has a print pattern 340 comprising a first area 312A having an ink layer and a second area 312B having no ink layer and has a whole outer surface formed thereon has an activating agent 320 applied onto the surface of the transfer film 316 to activate the ink and to collect a surplus portion of the activating agent in a convex form in the second area, whereby a three-dimensional unevenness is imparted onto the surface of the article.

Abstract: A method of printing foil images upon textiles is provided. Advantageously, a digital inkjet printer can be utilized to apply an adhesive for affixing a foil embellishment. The method of printing foil images upon textiles includes applying a pretreatment solution upon a textile. After the pretreatment solution has dried, a white underbase in the form of a fanciful design is printed upon the textile using a digital inkjet printer. A heavy color layer of color ink is then digitally inkjet printed upon the white underbase. Thereafter, the textile is removed from the inkjet printer and positioned upon a heat press table. Foil transfer paper is positioned upon the textile so as to cover the white underbase and heavy color layer. The heat press is activated so as to adhere the foil, but only to those regions where the white underbase and color ink has been printed. Once cool to the touch, the foil is slowly peeled from the textile so as to leave a fanciful foil design.

Abstract: Disclosed therein are a transfer solution for nail printing and a nail printing method using the same which can transfer and stick characters, figures, images or photographs printed on printing paper onto nail polish. The transfer solution for nail printing includes: i) an organic solvent for instantaneously separating ink from paper by deteriorating an adhesive force between ink and paper and for transferring the ink onto nail polish while keeping a printed form of the ink; and ii) a viscosity agent for sticking the ink separated from the paper onto the nail polish, thereby providing various nail printing effects because it can transfer various printed matters onto the nail polish while keeping their colors and shapes as they are.

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: An apparatus and method for preparing a sheeted substrate with a registered structured image in which a resin coated sheeted substrate is provided in the form of a series of spaced sheets with leading or trailing edges acting as reference positions along with a master web with structured images and registration marks. Reference positions of the series of spaced sheets are aligned with the registration mark on the master web and the master web is nipped to the coated sheeted substrate after which curing energy is applied through the master web to the resin coat while the master web and sheeted substrate are in contact. Then the master web is separated from the sheeted substrate to leave a structured image on the sheeted substrate. Registration between the sheeted substrate and the master web may be maintained by varying the relative speed of the master web and the sheeted substrate through stretching of the master web.

Abstract: A label assembly and method of using the same to label articles durably, yet removably. In one embodiment, the label assembly is used to label fabric articles, such as clothing, and comprises (a) an image forming laminate for forming an image on the fabric article, the image forming laminate comprising an ink layer, the ink layer being bondable to the fabric article; and (b) an image removing laminate for removing the image from the fabric article, the image removing laminate comprising a remover layer, the remover layer, upon being activated by heat and/or light, being bondable to the ink layer of the image forming laminate; (c) whereby, upon bonding of the image removing laminate to the ink layer, the bonding between the image removing laminate and the ink layer is stronger than the bonding between the ink layer and the fabric article.

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 present invention relates to improvement in printability of coated paper by adding composition comprising granular starch onto the paper, said composition being essentially free of mineral or synthetic pigment.

Abstract: A pattern and method for forming a pattern includes providing a substrate on which a plurality of unit panels and etching object layers on the respective unit panel areas are formed, dividing the substrate into at least two or more areas, providing a cliché on which multiple grooves are formed, filling resist in the grooves, applying the resist filled in the groove of the cliché onto the etching object layer of the substrate by the divided area unit.

Abstract: A label assembly and method of using the same to label articles durably, yet removably. In one embodiment, the label assembly is used to label fabric articles, such as clothing, and comprises (a) an image forming laminate for forming an image on the fabric article, the image forming laminate comprising an ink layer, the ink layer being bondable to the fabric article; and (b) an image removing laminate for removing the image from the fabric article, the image removing laminate comprising a remover layer, the remover layer, upon being activated by heat and/or light, being bondable to the ink layer of the image forming laminate; (c) whereby, upon bonding of the image removing laminate to the ink layer, the bonding between the image removing laminate and the ink layer is stronger than the bonding between the ink layer and the fabric article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative medical covering for the protective wrapping of a skin injury or an orthopedic injury. The decorative medical covering is produced by providing a strip of material of a predetermined length and a predetermined width. The material is composed of a plurality of fibers. An aesthetically pleasing image is stored onto a sublimation transferal medium. The image is transferred from the sublimation transfer medium onto the strip wherein the image is permanently incorporated into the plurality of fibers of the material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a printing assembly incorporating an improved double-sided image transfer station. The present disclosure also describes a product processing apparatus including a cross feed processing architecture. The single-pass double-sided image transfer station and cross feed processing architectures described herein provide numerous advantages over prior art product processing devices. In particular, the single-pass double-sided image transfer station provides for reduced print times, less shuttling of the product during printing, and a less complex, therefore, more reliable printing operation overall. The cross feed architecture provides an efficient processing path for the product through the device and facilitates processing modularization.

Abstract: A method and article involve calibrating a digital image for transfer to a hard surface for display thereon. A calibration table is created for calibrating a printer. A digital image, using the calibration settings is printed in mirror form onto a transfer sheet. The image is then transferred to the surface and polished to result in the article.

Abstract: A label assembly and method of using the same to label articles durably, yet removably. In one embodiment, the label assembly is used to label fabric articles, such as clothing, and comprises (a) an image forming laminate for forming an image on the fabric article, the image forming laminate comprising an ink layer, the ink layer being bondable to the fabric article; and (b) an image removing laminate for removing the image from the fabric article, the image removing laminate comprising a remover layer, the remover layer, upon being activated by heat and/or light, being bondable to the ink layer of the image forming laminate; (c) whereby, upon bonding of the image removing laminate to the ink layer, the bonding between the image removing laminate and the ink layer is stronger than the bonding between the ink layer and the fabric article.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying a decoration onto an object (50) use a chamber (22) that can be divided by a deformable foil (10) into a first space (24) and a second space (26). Said foil (10) comprises a carrier film (20), a decoration layer (16), and, at least, a varnish layer (18). The first and second spaces (24, 26) are evacuated simultaneously and, thereafter, a pressure gradient is generated to press the foil (10) against the object (50) to be decorated and to transfer at least the decoration layer (16) and the varnish layer (18) onto the object (50).

Abstract: A method of creating an ornamental representation of a natural flower or foliage, by digitally scanning one or more surfaces of one or more pieces of a natural flower or foliage and directly printing the scanned images on respective one or more surfaces of a medium. The printed pieces are then cut out of the medium, shaped to create the contour of a natural petal or foliage and composited to create an ornamental representation of the natural flower or foliage.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing on a print substrate by sequentially conducting a plurality of processing operations. The printing apparatus includes a pallet configured to receive the print substrate, and work station units each comprising a conveyer mechanism configured to convey the pallet and a work mechanism configured to conduct a predetermined processing operation to the print substrate on the pallet. A plurality of the work station units are aligned adjacent to each other, and the work station units are configured to be replaceable or rearrangeable to change the sequence of the plurality of processing operations.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for forming a glove tab with a custom logo, and attaching the glove tab to an existing glove. In a first embodiment, a computer-generated logo is printed onto matte media using an inkjet, laserjet or dot matrix printer, and then the matte media is laminated and cut to fit the shape of a glove tab that is subsequently fastened to an existing glove. In a second embodiment, a computer-generated logo is printed onto glossy media using an inkjet, laserjet or dot matrix printer, and then the glossy media is coated with a liquid adhesive and cut to fit the shape of a glove tab that is subsequently fastened to an existing glove.

Abstract: The present invention provides a customizable cubicle skin and a method of manufacture. A pre-selected image is digitized and manipulated by imaging software to create a template with the image and a border. The template is printed onto a canvas using known large format printing processes and the canvas adhered onto a planar core with the border portion wrapped around the edges, and onto the back of, the core. Attachment means are affixed to the back of the core, the canvas is coated with a protectant, and the skin is mounted onto a cubicle frame.

Abstract: The invention refers to a printed substrate comprising a substrate with an oleophilic surface having a Gurley-Hill permeance value bigger than 5000 s/100 ml, the ink printed on the substrate having an IGT ink set-off value bigger than 0.60 print density units at 30 s delay time. The invention also refers to a printing method performed in at least one printing unit under use of following substrate/ink combination: the substrate has an oleophilic surface and is non-porous, i.e. has a Gurley-Hill permenace value bigger than 5000 s/100 ml, the pigment carrier/ink has an IGT ink set-off value larger than 0.60 print density units at 30 s delay time.

Abstract: A mold release agent of polybenzoxazine is used in an imprinting process. With the novel mold release agent used, a surface energy of a template is greatly reduced, so that an excel lent imprinted image is obtained. Besides, the mold release agent is totally resolved in a solution with no pollution produced. In short, the present invention has a high stability and a low cost with easy-obtained source materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-curable ink formulations, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a family of radiation-curable ink formulations specifically for flexographic and screen printing applications. The inventive ink formulations are based on multifunctional acrylate resins formed by the reaction of acrylate monomers and oligomers with ?-keto esters (e.g., acetoacetates), ?-diketones (e.g., 2,4-pentanedione), ?-keto amides (e.g., acetoacetanilide, acetoacetamide), and/or other ?-dicarbonyl compounds that can participate in Michael addition reactions.

Abstract: A method of economically dye transfer printing small batches of webbing with custom designs includes printing N longitudinally adjacent identical design strips of approximate length L/N with a desired custom design. The design is printed on continuous roll paper with dye transfer ink using a dye transfer printer controlled by a personal computer. The adjacent design strips are simultaneously cut apart using a slitting cutter with parallel disc blades. The slitting cutter is preferably a modified leather slitting cutter with variable speed control and additional alignment guides for precise cutting. The separated design strips of approximate length L/N are assembled into a continuous transfer strip of approximate length L and rolled onto a core. The transfer strip is fed through an aligner with blank webbing and into a heat transfer web rolling machine where heat and pressure are applied to transfer print the design from the transfer strip to the webbing and produce final printed webbing of length L.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a radiation flood source by printing a radioactive solution, and a radioactive printing solution used in this method. The present invention also relates to a flood source for quality testing and assurance of radiation detecting devices obtained by said process.

Abstract: A process for the production of image cards including printing of a sheet so as to obtain a printed sheet with a plurality of images disposed in a plurality of windows, overprinting of decorations on said image windows, deposition of a protective layer on said decorations so as to fix them and avoid removal of the material from the decorations and punching of said printed sheet so as to obtain a punched sheet with microperforations along the perimeter of said windows containing the image.

Abstract: A ceramic decal assembly containing a ceramic substrate, a layer of adhesive contiguous with the substrate, and a ceramic decal contiguous with the layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A printing system includes a support arrangement. A print cartridge receiving arrangement is mounted on the support arrangement to engage a print cartridge. A drive mechanism delivers print media from the print cartridge. A print engine is mounted on the support arrangement downstream of the print cartridge and has a pair of opposed printhead assemblies that are configured to perform double-sided printing on print media fed from the print cartridge between the printhead assemblies. A slitter is mounted on the support arrangement downstream of the print engine and is configured to separate the print media into sheets.

Abstract: Process for the production of variously decorated artefacts, comprising the steps of: preliminary preparation of the surfaces of the artefact, possible application of preliminary painting cycles or other surface treatments; covering or tight-wrapping up of the artefact with a transfer support bearing the decorations desired, realized from gas-tight thermoformable plastic material such as polyvinyl alcohol; creation of a vacuum between said transfer support and the artefact covered by the same, so that the support adheres to the shape of the artefact; and heating for the transfer of the decoration and the polymerization of the colors.

Abstract: A method of printing design seamlessly on clothing, and clothing obtained thereby are provided. The method includes steps of placing a cylindrical cover around a print cylinder, placing a print medium, on which a design is printed, around the cylindrical cover, placing a cloth around print medium, and heating the print medium so that the print medium and the cloth are heated and the design is transferred from the print medium to the cloth. The transfer of the design is done by sublimation of dye, which forms the design, induced by the step of heating. The cloth is subsequently cooled and flipped.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball marking method of marking the surface of a golf ball with a character, pattern or the like by a direct or indirect printing technique, comprising applying a marking layer onto the ball surface for marking, the marking layer being of a two-layer structure consisting of a lower layer of a composition containing a color pigment in a lower layer ink medium and an upper layer which is formed on the lower layer from a composition containing a metal powder in an upper layer ink medium and which is transparent or translucent and has brilliance, and adjusting the content of the metal powder and the thickness of the upper layer such that the relation of the content (wt %) of the metal powder relative to the upper layer ink medium solids to the thickness (?m) of the upper layer may satisfy the inequality: 1?[metal powder content (wt %)]×[upper layer thickness (?m)]?10.

Abstract: A photofinishing system comprising: a) a digital processor, a printer and means for feeding print media to the printer; the digital processor being arranged to receive digitised data that is representative of a photographic image and to process the data in a manner to generate a printer drive signal that is representative of the photographic image, and the printer being coupled to the digital processor and being arranged to process the drive signal and effect printing of the photographic image on the print media, and provided as an integrated portion of the photofinishing system, b) means for effecting controlled chemical development and subsequent printing of exposed photographic film.

Abstract: A printing device for seamless printing on a cloth is provided. A design is transferred from a print medium to the cloth. The device includes a print cylinder and a heater heating the print cylinder. The print medium is wrapped around the print cylinder, and the cloth is wrapped around the print medium. The heating of the print cylinder transfers the design to the cloth. The cloth is also seamless. The transfer of the design is done by sublimation of dye, which forms the design, induced by heating of the print cylinder. The print medium is a sublimation paper. An optional cylindrical cover is also provided. The cylindrical cover is placed around the print cylinder, and the print medium and the cloth are wrapped around the cylindrical cover.

Abstract: A method of using an overlay (310) to verify or form folding, embossing, or rule die (320) comprising the steps of: forming an overlay consisting of the steps of: creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) having an image (210), a first thermal print layer (224), and a support layer (145); laminating a plastic sheet (260) with the imaged receiver sheet thereby encapsulating the image; removing the support layer forming an overlay with an electrostatic charge; and using the overlay to verify or form a folding, embossing, or rule die.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for producing an image on one or more surfaces of a wood or wood composite substrate by applying a receptor coat to at least the one or more surfaces of the substrate, transferring the image to the receptor coat using a variety of image transfer processes and applying a topcoat to the image and receptor coat. The system implements the above method using a series of stations and includes a series of platens connected together by a chain and a set of rollers that allow the substrate to travel through the stations on the platens. The resulting wood or wood composite product includes a substrate, a receptor coat disposed on one or more surfaces of the substrate, an image disposed on or within the one or more surfaces of the receptor coat and a top coat disposed on the image and receptor coat.

Abstract: The present invention involves a single layered printed fabric for applying a printed fabric pattern to an object. The printed fabric has a predetermined shape corresponding to the printed fabric pattern. The printed fabric includes first and second portions disposed adjacent each other, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The third portion is printed on the first and second portions, wherein the third portion represents a simulated stitch attaching the first portion to the second portion. The fourth portion is printed on the first portion, wherein the fourth portion represents a simulated stitch hole to simulate an appearance of a hole through which the stitch disposes to simulate an appearance that the first portion is a top layer stitched onto the second portion which is a bottom layer.

Abstract: Method for high definition printing to be dip transferred to a three-dimensional article comprises four color process printing a digital image from a digital image file onto a water soluble polymer film with solvent based ink to form a printed water soluble film and dip transfer printing the solvent based ink image through transcription on the surface of the article. The method is suitable for printing three-dimensional articles of a variety of shapes with high definition, photographic-quality images. The method is particularly suitable for decorating articles with complex images such as camouflage patterns.

Abstract: A method of forming an overlay (310) to form a rule die (320) comprising the steps of: forming an overlay using a method consisting of the steps of: creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) having an image (210), a first thermal print layer (224), and first support layer (150); laminating an imageless receiver sheet (160) having a second thermal print layer (228) and a second support layer (170) with the imaged receiver sheet, thereby encapsulating the image; removing the first support layer; and removing the second support layer. The overlay has an electrostatic charge to verify or form the rule die.