Abstract: A steel ink metering roller for use in lithographic printing having an engraved surface that has been nitride hardened followed by an oxidizing process that results in a surface with a composition of mainly Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4.

Abstract: Printing-press roller traversed by a temperature-regulating medium and having jacket-like partitions in the interior thereof surrounded by an outer circumferential wall, includes at least one heat-insulating element disposed in a middle region of the circumferential roller wall, the element forming an impediment to a transfer of heat on the surface of the circumferential roller wall in longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A cylindrical ink roller sleeve is mounted on a fixed shaft for sliding axially on and rotating on the shaft. First and second helical elements are fixed internally of the sleeve coaxially with each other and concentric to the shaft. The convolutions of the helixes have different pitches and twist in opposite directions. A device having helix followers at opposite ends is supported from the shaft. Rotation of the sleeve while one helix is engaged by a follower drives the sleeve axially in one direction at one speed until a limit is reached whereupon the one follower is disengaged from one helix and the other follower is engaged with the other helix to drive the ink roller sleeve in the opposite direction at a different axial speed.

Abstract: A rotary business form printing press wherein a differential gear for controlling the velocity of the roller is provided between a feed roller in a sheet feed mechanism and the drive mechanism, an adjustment device for the impression cylinder for adjusting the wheel base between an impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder is provided in the impression cylinder, motors for adjusting the positions are provided on wheels in a punching unit and in processing heads in a slitter and a vertical perforation unit, rotational angle detecting devices are provided on respective revolving shafts of a plate cylinder, wheels in the punching unit, a perforation cylinder and crank discs in a zig-zag folding unit, and differential gears for adjusting the vertical register are provided between these revolving shafts and the drive mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed printing apparatus composed essentially of molded plastics material which has relatively few parts, is easy to manufacture and maintain, and is lightweight and portable. The apparatus is illustrated as being of the table top type which can print both standard type tags and labels, string tags and pin tickets. The apparatus has a print head operable in conjunction with an impression control device, a feed finger assembly with a registration adjustment, a simple drive arrangement operated by a cam with a single cam path, and a reel positionable at different attitudes, and the construction of the apparatus is readily adaptable to both manually operated and motorized versions.

Abstract: There is disclosed printing apparatus composed essentially of molded plastics material which has relatively few parts, is easy to manufacture and maintain, and is lightweight and portable. The apparatus is illustrated as being of the table top type which can print both standard type tags and labels, string tags and pin tickets. The apparatus has a print head operable in conjunction with an impression control device, a feed finger assembly with a registration adjustment, a simple drive arrangement operated by a cam with a single cam path, and a reel positionable at different attitudes, and the construction of the apparatus is readily adaptable to both manually operated and motorized versions.

Abstract: Each individual, freely rotatable ring of a spiral-type ductor is mounted on an eccentric which is supported for rotation on a multi-eccentric shaft is angularly offset relative to its adjacent eccentric portion by at least an amount corresponding to the number of rings. The multi-eccentric shaft is connected to the drive of an inking system directly while the eccentric is connected thereto through a pinion, a pinion shaft, a gear and a separate sequential transmission with an integral speed ratio. In consequence, the center of the ring describes a curve which is flattened in the zone where the ring is in contact with an inking roller. The contact duration is thereby extended without varying the speed.

Abstract: A rigid plastic tube supports an ink applying sleeve of resilient micro-porous ink retaining material, and a pair of end journal and closure members are pressed into opposite ends of the tube. An ink retaining unit confined within the support tube between the end closure members and includes axially spaced thin plastic discs which define therebetween ink retaining capillary chambers for receiving a supply of ink. A series of axially spaced holes are formed in the support tube and control the outward radial flow of ink from the capillary chambers into the micro-porous sleeve. In one form, the thin plastic discs are separately formed of molded and include axially projecting hub portions which interfit and provide for pressing a stack of the discs together to form the ink retaining unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed printing apparatus composed essentially of molded plastics material which has relatively few parts, is easy to manufacture and maintain, and is lightweight and portable. The apparatus is illustrated as being of the table top type which can print both standard type tags and labels, string tags and pin tickets. The apparatus has a print head operable in conjunction with an impression control device, a feed finger assembly with a registration adjustment, a simple drive arrangement operated by a cam with a single cam path, and a reel positionable at different attitudes, and the construction of the apparatus is readily adaptable to both manually operated and motorized versions. There is also disclosed an improved ink roller with a one-piece elongate molded plastics tube having a generally central flange which resists the tendency of the elongate tube to warp.

Abstract: A disposable inking cartridge in combination with a housing for transferring ink to a secondary surface, including a housing having a pair of sidewalls, each of the sidewalls having a locating guide, wherein the locating guide includes at its trailing end a leg forming an acute or perpendicular angle therewith, an applicator roller rotatably mounted in the housing for transferring ink to a secondary surface, and a disposable inking cartridge lockingly mountable in the sidewalls of the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler having a feed wheel for advancing a label-carrying web. The feed wheel is driven through a pawl and ratchet mechanism. The pawl and ratchet mechanism includes a pawl member and a ratchet wheel. The pawl member is slidably mounted for axial movement relative to the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel and the feed wheel are clutched for rotation as a unit during use, but they can be unclutched to effect relative adjustment of the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel. When the clutch is unclutched an additional clutch clutches the pawl member and the ratchet wheel to prevent movement of the ratchet wheel in either direction while the position of the feed wheel is adjusted.

Abstract: There is disclosed printing apparatus composed essentially of molded plastics material which has relatively few parts, is easy to manufacture and maintain, and is lightweight and portable. The apparatus is illustrated as being of the table top type which can print both standard type tags and labels, string tags and pin tickets. The apparatus has a print head operable in conjunction with an impression control device, a feed finger assembly with a registration adjustment, a simple drive arrangement operated by a cam with a single cam path, and a reel positionable at different attitudes, and the construction of the apparatus is readily adaptable to both manually operated and motorized versions.

Abstract: Device for axially reciprocating an inking-unit roller of a rotary printing machine having a fixed shaft and a frictionally driven roller shell including a pair of rings formed with opposing circular roller tracks disposed within the inking-unit roller and repectively secured to the shaft and the roller shell, one of the rings being skewed in axial direction with respect to the other of the rings, and a ball rollably received in both of the roller tracks and actuatable for effecting a step-down in speed of the axial reciprocatory motion of the inking-unit roller.

Abstract: A rigid plastic tube supports an ink applying sleeve of resilient micro-porous ink retaining material, and a pair of end journal and closure members are pressed into opposite ends of the tube. An ink retaining unit confined within the support tube between the end closure members and includes axially spaced thin plastic discs which define therebetween ink retaining capillary chambers for receiving a supply of ink. A series of axially spaced holes are formed in the support tube and control the outward radial flow of ink from the capillary chambers into the micro-porous sleeve. In one form, the thin plastic discs are separately formed or molded and include axially projecting hub portions which interfit and provide for pressing a stack of the discs together to form the ink retaining unit.

Abstract: An ink applying sleeve of resilient micro-porous ink retaining material is confined between a pair of circular flanges mounted on a connecting support hub. A cylindrical ink retaining unit is also mounted on the center hub and is confined between the flanges to support the sleeve. The unit includes a stack of thin plastic discs which define concentric annular ink retaining capillary passages or chambers for receiving a supply of ink. The concentric chambers are interconnected by a series of radially extending passages which control the outward radial flow of ink from the concentric chambers into the micro-porous sleeve. In one form, the thin plastic discs are heat-formed from thin sheet plastics material and have a center hole for receiving the support hub.

Abstract: A label applicator for self-adhesive labels is disclosed.The applicator includes cam tracks which control the orientation of two pivotal print-heads during motion from a rest position to a printing position. The print-heads are mounted on levers pivoted in the casing so that motion of the print-heads takes place about two pivot centers. A rotary inking roller is positioned along the path of the operative facets of each print-head and inking takes place during movement of the corresponding print-head to ensure contact during one part of the cycle and avoids such contact during the return. The roller acts as a part of the cam track. The inking action is such that the roller is rotated by the operative facets. At the instant printing takes place, a part of the cam track serves to prevent later motion of those print facets.The invention can be applied to label applicators (or dispensers) wherever there is a need for high quality printing on labels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for operating a printing press in which the dampening fluid is water or an alcohol water mixture and alternately and selectively switching from water to said alcohol-water mixture. The device supplies dampening fluid to the plate cylinder and is separate from the inking assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing ink indicia on objects such as fruit and the like, which includes a conveyor to successively deliver the objects to a printing station where the indicia are applied to the respective objects by inked printing dies carried by a printing roller, the objects then being preferably discharged by the conveyor onto an appropriate receiver for collection or for moving them to a further processing station. In order to permit a rapid selection and interchange of inks having different characteristics, a plurality of inking rolls respectively charged with the different inks are carried by a turret assembly which is rotatable to engage a selected inking roll with the printing roller. The inking rolls are arranged to be axially reciprocated relative to the die roll, and are also adjustable to vary the engagement pressure between each of the inking rolls and the die roll.

Abstract: An assembly for journaling and sealing the shaft of a reciprocated roller in a printing press. Mounted on the shaft adjacent the roller is an anti-friction bearing which reciprocates with the shaft. A supporting sleeve is secured to the outer race of the bearing interposed between the bearing and the wall of the opening in the frame and telescoped over the projecting portion of the shaft, the sleeve being keyed to the frame to prevent relative rotation of the sleeve while permitting reciprocation of the sleeve with the shaft. A sealing ring has a collar which is recessed in the telescoping portion of the sleeve. The collar mounts on an annular lip of impervious resilient material extending therefrom cantilever-fashion and shaped to produce a narrow ring of contact with the projecting portion of the shaft, the lip being encircled by a garter spring so that sealing force is applied radially inwardly around the entire ring of contact.

Abstract: An inking pad assembly includes a support spindle on which a cylindrical inking pad is mounted. The inking pad is mounted on a sleeve which is a free rotating fit on the spindle apart from a central location where the clearance is relatively small. This central location enables limited pivotal movement of the ink pad about axes transverse to the axes of the rotation of the pad.The ink pad assembly has a knob by which it can be locked into a wall of apparatus in which the pad is incorporated.

Abstract: An improved printing roller and method of making same, wherein a soft, loose, long nap fabric having a backing is bonded onto a roller shaft. The fabric is impregnated with a resilient elastomeric binder to form a homogeneous roller medium from the shaft to the roller surface. The homogeneous roller medium is grinded to raise a soft, loose nap on the roller surface.

Abstract: Device for axially reciprocating a printing-unit roller having a stationary shaft and a roller jacket rotatably driven by friction drive, the device being disposed within the printing-unit roller and being driven by rotational movement of the printing-unit roller, including drive means for effecting axial reciprocation of the printing-unit roller at a speed reduced with respect to the rotational speed of the printing-unit roller including two roller bearings disposed within the printing-unit roller between the roller jacket and the shaft, a first bushing revolving as a cage associated with the roller bearings and being formed with a first groove, a second bushing fixed in the roller jacket and formed with a second groove, one of the grooves being of elliptic form, and a ball being received simultaneously in both of the grooves and being rollable therein.

Abstract: An ink supply device for inking the types of a hand labeler device, usually including at least two inking rollers which are rotatable over the type surfaces of a printing head; these ink rollers are removably held in an ink roller assembly which is, in turn, removably held in a movable holder; guide grooves in the side walls of the hand labeler frame guide the ink rollers over the type surfaces; roller cartridge frames are attached removably to the ink roller assembly for holding the ink rollers; retaining projections formed on at least one of the cartridge frames retain it in the holder and the projections act as knobs for attachment and removal of the corresponding cartridge frame, thus facilitating replacement of the ink rollers.

Abstract: A labeler for dispensing labels from a carrier strip having labels stuck onto the strip. The labeler has a case in which is a carrier strip feeding mechanism driven by an actuating mechanism for advancing the carrier strip so as to turn it around a turnback member for separating the label from the carrier strip. A printing apparatus is provided which moves toward the turnback member for printing a label which is passing thereover on the carrier strip. The printing apparatus is mounted on the operating part of the actuating mechanism so that it can rock in a direction transverse to its plane of movement so that it can adjust to the level of the turnback member. The labeler also has a guide member for guiding the carrier strip over a feed drum which can be pivoted out of the way to thread a carrier strip into the labeler. An ink applying device is provided having a resilient guide engaged with the ink applying roller so that it can be moved out of the way to remove the roller.

Abstract: A fluid metering or anilox roller whose surface is generally covered by spaced fluid retention cells and channels connecting serially adjacent cells in staggered adjacent series of cells extending around the roller, the channels being narrower than the cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved anilox roll for metering inks or like fluids and to the method of making the same. In accordance with the invention, a cylindrical metal roll is provided with a multiplicity of indented receiver cells in its periphery, the cells being of a selected configuration calculated to optimize the distribution of fluid therefrom, and may be of concentrations up to about 550 cells per linear inch in each direction. A ceramic coating is applied over the surface of the roll by plasma flame spray or other thermal coating techniques, known per se, the coating being formed from oxide particles having an average size of about 5 microns or less, the coating being maintained at a thickness in the order of about 0.0015" or less. The configuration of the underlying cells is, as a result of such practice, substantially maintained and the volumetric capacity of the cells defined in the coating is at least about 60% or more of the original cell volume.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an attaching mechanism for attaching and detaching the inking device of a portable label printing machine, or the like. The attaching mechanism includes a supporting device which is attached to the machine body of the label printing machine. An ink applicator having an inking roller is detachably secured to the supporting device. Stoppers are formed on the supporting device. The stoppers are each comprised of a guide section for guiding emplacing motion of the ink applicator, a stopper section for determining the extent of ink applicator insertion and a retaining section for supporting a portion of the ink applicator and for preventing its leaving the supporting device. The ink applicator is brought into engagement with the supporting device.

Abstract: An inker wheel comprising a pair of axially mateable plastic molded discs defining a centrally apertured hub and a concentric annular channel mounting a flexible annular inking ring. One disc carries plural concentric rim pairs arranged to define the mounting channel when the discs are assembled. One rim of each pair is narrow to fix the channel width at one dimension to accommodate one width ring, the narrow rim being selectively removed if a second wider ring is to be accommodated. The pair of discs being selectively machinable to remove an outer portion thereof so that an inner pair of rims define the mounting channel for an inking ring of lesser, yet predetermined diameter can be accommodated. Grommet-plunger fasteners are provided to effect a releasable coupling. Thus a pair of molded members are provided for making at least four differently dimensioned inking wheels.

Abstract: A hand held portable labeler includes a housing enclosing a movable print head, and the housing has a pivotal cover section which covers the print head. A molded plastic frame is pivotally supported by the cover section and has spaced U-shaped bearing surfaces for receiving the end journals of an ink roller positioned to apply ink to the selected printing characters of the print head. The journals are confined in the bearing surfaces by spaced arms of a molded plastic retainer pivotally supported by the frame and releasably secured by a finger depressable positive latch so that the ink roller may be quickly and conveniently replaced without contacting the ink applying surface of the roller.

Abstract: A printing roller is provided wherein such roller comprises an inner layer and a concentric ink applying tubular outer layer made of a microporous rubber material having cavities interconnected by passages defining a first ink flow control means. The inner layer is made of a sintered mass of material having a reticulated open pore structure which is harder than the outer layer, and acts as a second ink flow control means to provide uniform inking. The layers cooperate to define a substantially rigid roller having a soft ink applying layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are three embodiments of a hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels. All the embodiments are disclosed as having a housing, a rigid, metal, frame plate mounted by the housing, a platen and a cooperating print head, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the web of supporting material on which the labels are carried, an applicator for applying the printed labels, a feed wheel having teeth for engaging and advancing the web, a manually operable actuator drivingly connected to the feed wheel and the print head, a brake, and an ink roll for inking the print head. The apparatus also includes a feed wheel assembly having a feed wheel driven by a pawl and ratchet mechanism. The pawl and ratchet mechanism is adjustably connected to the feed wheel and a rolling contact type one-way clutch prevents loss of tension in the web between the brake and the feed wheel.

Abstract: Printing apparatus utilizing flexible metal sleeves for ink transfer comprises means for mounting the sleeves in cylindrical configuration on a structure which enables the cylindrical configuration to be maintained by air pressure. The sleeves are of the type which is made by electrodepositing metal in a form that is very thin, readily collapsible and imperforate.The sleeve of the apparatus is provided on its exterior with a coating of flexible, microcrystalline, wholly inorganic photoconductive material such as sputtered ultrapure cadmium sulfide.The sleeve is mounted in a press having means to cooperate with the sleeve for maintaining its pressure and for stopping the press if the pressure should drop below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cartridge type supply device for use with a portable, one-hand-operable labeling machine of the type including a printing mechanism with printing types arranged for imprinting inscriptions on each of a series of labels traveling along a predetermined path through the machine toward a dispensing opening of the machine. The ink supply device comprises a cartridge holder pivotally supported at one end thereof within the labeling machine in a readily detachable manner and a replaceable inking roller cartridge supported detachably by the other end of said cartridge holder said cartridge including a rotatable inking roller. The cartridge holder is spring-biased to urge the inking roller onto surfaces of the printing types of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine. When the inking roller cartridge is used up, the cartridge holder can be taken out of the machine together with the used cartridge. A cartridge box for housing spare inking roller cartridges is provided.

Abstract: An ink supply device for inking the types of a hand labeler device, usually including at least two inking rollers which are rotatable over the type surfaces of a printing head; these ink rollers are removably held in an ink roller assembly which is, in turn, removably held in a movable holder; guide grooves in the side walls of the hand labeler frame guide the ink rollers over the type surfaces; roller cartridge frames are attached removably to the ink roller assembly for holding the ink rollers; retaining projections formed on at least one of the cartridge frames retain it in the holder and the projections act as knobs for attachment and removal of the corresponding cartridge frame, thus facilitating replacement of the ink rollers.

Abstract: A method of making a resilient expandible inking ring by forming a ring of elastomeric ink-absorbent material of generally rectangular cross-section, seating the ring in a thin wall U-shaped shell of unvulcanized rubber leaving the outer portion of the ring outwardly to extend from the shell introducing a bonding material formed of an uncured rubber slurry between the shell and the ring and vulcanizing the assembly. The ring may be formed by end to end bonding of a strip of said ink-absorbent elastomeric material.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink roller adapted to be used in a printing apparatus. The ink roller includes a hub having a roll-mounting section, a flange section, a first stub shaft adjacent the first flange section and a second stub shaft disposed opposite the first stub shaft and joined to the roll-mounting section. A second flange section telescopically receives and is axially aligned with the roll-mounting section. The second flange section is joined to the hub preferably by ultrasonic welding. There is also disclosed method of making the ink roller.

Abstract: An inking wheel having a ring formed of firm inking material, said ring being mounted upon a hub by means of a concentric, radially yieldable support comprising a concentrically disposed coil spring, said concentric spring having a pair of outer coils supporting the ring and an inner lesser diameter coil adapted to be frictionally seated on the hub, the inner and outer coils joined integrally by a pair of bridging coils at opposite ends of the inner coil with the resilience being provided thereby.

Abstract: A substantially non-misting inking roll having a plurality of interconnecting microporous cavities which have disposed therein an ink formulation containing a plastisol resin as a thickening substance. The roll is formed by shaping an elastomeric material containing a leachable hydrated soluble salt therein into a sleeve about a cylindrical support, curing the elastomer, leaching out the salt to form the interconnecting micropores and disposing in the micropores an ink formulation containing a plastisol resin as a thickening substance in the micropores of the sleeve.

Abstract: An ink roller for a printing press having a cylindrical outer shell presenting a roller surface and having a control fluid-displacing core, a hollow cylindrical partition being interposed between the shell and the core to define inner and outer annular passageways connected in series having respective inlet and outlet openings. A source of cooling fluid is connected to the inlet opening so that a feed stream of cooling fluid flows longitudinally through the inner passage and turns around to form a cooling stream flowing in counterflow relation through the outer passage. The cylindrical partition is formed of conductive material so that heat absorbed at a given region of the roller surface by the cooling stream flows radially inwardly for absorption by the feed stream at substantially the same rate, so that the cooling stream has only minimum net gain or loss of heat; this tends to equalize the temperature along the length of the cooling stream and hence along the length of the roller surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing, feeding and severing method and apparatus for carrying out the method. The apparatus includes a print head assembly and a platen assembly movable relatively toward and away from each other into and out of printing cooperation, mechanism for inking the print head assembly, mechanism for feeding a web of record members to between the print head assembly and the platen assembly, the web being in roll form and there being means to assist the gradual unwinding of the roll with gradual paying out of web material from the roll to the feeding mechanism, an idler contacting the web and disposed at a slight angle to the direction of feed of the web to cause the web to follow a feed edge, record severing means disposed downstream of the print head assembly and the platen assembly, and a modular support assembly of a print head of the print head assembly.

Abstract: A new use for the liquid reaction product of a polyurethane and an amine or alkanol amine at an elevated temperature as a plasticizer for acrylonitrile rubbers in combination with certain ester plasticizers which make the otherwise incompatible reaction products compatible with the acrylonitrile elastomer, and a printing roller composition incorporating the reaction product as a plasticizer.

Abstract: An inking ring and wheel for code daters, the ring being formed as an elongate length of ink absorbent strip material of generally rectangular cross-section arranged secured end to end to define a ring, said ring being seated in a thin wall U-shaped shell whereby the outer portion of the ring extends radially from the shell so that a portion thereof is disposed outward of the shell. Preferably, the strip is formed of foam rubber and the shell is formed of uncured rubber. A slurry of a solvent and uncured rubber is used as an adhesive for joining the ends of the strip, as well as the strip to the shell. The assembly is vulcanized to effect permanent securement. The thus formed inking ring is mounted upon a cylindrical hub and a pair of side plates retained thereon on both sides of the inking ring to define an inking wheel.

Abstract: An inking wheel having an outer ring of firm inking material, the outer ring being mounted upon a radially yieldable support assembly, said support assembly formed of a pair of relatively rigid concentric cylindrical sleeves and a resilient cushioning material disposed between said sleeves. The inking wheel can be mounted upon a shaft, a hub or mounting spindle. Axial disks can be provided to restrain axial movement of the ring and the support assembly.

Abstract: An ink roller device for use with a printing head of a hand labeler, or the like: an ink roller holder including a mounting assembly having a clip adapted to be removably mounted to the hand labeler; a pair of arms extend from the mounting assembly; each of the arms has a round notch at its free end; this notch has an entrance cut which is made narrower than the inside diameter of the notch; spring means bias the arms so that their free ends may be brought close to the type characters of the printing head; an ink roller assembly is removably supported on the ink roller holder; the ink roller assembly includes an ink roller body and a pair of split shafts which project from both ends of the roller body; each split shaft comprises a plurality of axially split elements which are made of a flexible material and which are sized and positioned so that they may be snap fitted snugly into the round notches of the arms through their cuts.

Abstract: There is disclosed a labeler having a frame and a subframe, with a print head movably mounted on the subframe for cooperation with a platen. A label hold-down member is disposed in overlying relation to the platen. The subframe carries a label roll composed of labels releasably secured by pressure sensitive adhesive to a web of supporting material, and the subframe defines a path for the web. The label roll is mounted on improved mounting structure. A manually operable actuator drives a gear which in turn effects movement of the print head. The gear carries a pivotal pawl which drives a ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel and a toothed feed wheel mounted in the subframe are adjustable with respect to each other. A die roller cooperable with the toothed wheel is spring-urged against the toothed wheel. The frame includes a movable frame section mounted on a pivot to facilitate easy replacement of an ink roller. The pivot also mounts an applicator roll and a leaf spring of the inking mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabric covered ink roll and method of making same. The ink roll has side washers with peripheral lips clinching the fabric cover into the roll. The method disclosed can be performed semi-automatically using a collapsible mandrel which permits the roll to be covered with fabric and the fabric clinched to the roll.

Abstract: A wiping cylinder is coated with a synthetic resin plastic composition by rotating the cylinder downwardly past a straight-edge blade on which the plastic composition is supplied so that a thin uniform layer is spread onto the cylinder. The blade is progressively retracted from the cylinder so that successive layers are applied to provide the desired total thickness. Provision is made for first heating and then cooling a layer after it has been applied.

Abstract: An ink roller cartridge having an ink roller rotatably mounted therewithin is formed with an opening through which the ink roller is engageable with a printing type drum when the cartridge is mounted on a printer body. The cartridge is provided with a lid to close the opening. A knob is provided on the outer periphery of the ink roller cartridge to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of the cartridge.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing apparatus having a print head and an inking mechanism for inking the print head. The inking mechanism comprises an ink roller, an inker body or carrier for the ink roller and structure for movably mounting the inker body. The ink roller is rotatably mounted to the inker body by mounting means including a pair of mounting members. The inker body has a pair of undercut slots and the mounting members have respective flanges received in the slots. Each mounting member is shown to have a resilient member or finger engageable with a respective shoulder on the inker body to lock the mounting member to the inker body. The inking mechanism has means for preventing its disconnection from the printing apparatus while the inking mechanism is in cooperation with the print head, but the inking mechanism can be removed and replaced with a new inking mechanism having a new ink roller while the inking mechanism is out of cooperation with the print head.

Abstract: A machine for printing letters, numbers, symbols and the like on banding or other flexible material of extended length includes a drive wheel and a printing wheel, as well as pressure rollers for pressing the banding against the two wheels. The drive wheel is driven by the banding as the banding is drawn through the machine, and the printing wheel is connected to the drive wheel through a belt such that the two wheels have the same peripheral velocity. Thus, the printing wheel, which has raised characters around its periphery, rotates as the banding passes over it. The raised characters of the printing wheel further pass over the periphery of an ink transfer wheel, all but a small segment of which is contained within a sealed case of an inking unit. The surface of the ink transfer wheel is pitted, and where that wheel emerges from the case, seals are provided to form a vapor barrier which isolates the interior of the case from the surrounding atmosphere.