Abstract: A pellet marking device which includes a ramp-type carrier system for receiving pellet-shaped articles to be imprinted from a feed hopper of improved efficiency, and for conveying the received pellet-shaped articles to a printing device which is combined with the carrier system and which is appropriate for applying desired indicia to the particular product which is to be handled. This may include the more traditional contact-type printing systems which are useful in conjunction with the majority of pellet-shaped articles to be handled, as well as non-contacting ink-jet systems for applying indicia to pellet-shaped articles which do not lend themselves to contact-type printing procedures. An improved feed hopper is provided which not only contributes to the foregoing, but which also operates to significantly improve the efficiency of the system by ensuring that the pellet-receiving pockets of the pellet-conveying system are filled to the greatest extent possible while maintaining an effective production rate.

Abstract: Registration of compact discs for the silk-screen printing thereof is accomplished by a single registration pin located below the transport member at the loading point for a disc. The registration pin is raised upwardly and intrudes into the center hole of the disc as the disc is placed into the disc fixture. The registration pin is retracted with application of vacuum.

Abstract: A printer for printing predetermined patterns of letters, figures, marks and the like on surfaces of solid articles such as tablets or capsule articles which includes a horizontal carrier for carrying the regularly arranged solid articles in a horizontal direction, an ink pattern transfer device for transferring the patterns on the surfaces of the solid articles, a print quality judging device for judging the quality of the printed ink patterns and an inferior article remover for automatically removing articles of inferior print quality from the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for printing the side edges of sheet stacks, such as books, catalogs, and the like, wherein after the stack side edge has been trimmed and cut the stack sheets are maintained in relationship under slight compression within a belt conveyor using upper and lower belts. As the retained stack is translated through the printer a sensor senses the location of the stack leading edge initiating a timing circuit which controls a rotary printing head engageable with the stack side edge to print indicia upon the side edge at the desired location. The movement of the stack rotates the printing head and a dense high quality image is produced. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of printing heads are mounted upon the conveyor apparatus to print the stack edge, sequentially, with a plurality of colored ink.

Abstract: A manually set bar code generating device is easily attachable to a mail container such as an envelope. A housing rotatably mounts a series of concentric circular rings which are imprinted with bar code characters on one side and with alphanumeric characters on a diametrically opposite side. The housing includes diametrically opposed windows that expose a bar code character on one side while exposing its alphanumeric counterpart on the other side. Each single ring thus sets up a single character of a bar code sequence. The series of rings sets up the desired sequence of bar code characters in one window as the desired sequence of alphanumeric characters is dialed into place in the opposite window. The side-by-side rings are independently rotatable about a central axis of the housing. Rotation of the individual rings is accomplished by inserting a pointed instrument into one of a series of depressions in the ring.

Abstract: A blowbag manufacturing method for manufacturing blowbags made of thermoplastic material and which are used for containing pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, cosmetics and the like. The blowbag manufacturing method of the present invention, blowmolds a blowbag having a body portion (1) with opposing walls which are flat in section and an opening portion (2) connected to the body portion (1), supports the flat surfaces of the blowmolded blowbag body portion (1) by a pressing surface (8) of a pressing jig (6) having an area smaller than the flat surfaces and so that those flat surfaces are in close contact, and prints required items to an upper surface of those opposing wall surfaces of the body portion (1) in close contact.

Abstract: A device to permit the individual striping and indication by means of color coding wires is provided, such that a guide tube receives a wire therethrough, with a guide housing mounted to the guide tube and the guide housing having a first end arranged in surrounding relationship relative to an opening in the guide tube to permit a felt tip marker tip portion to project through the opening and permit striping of a wire directed through the guide tube.

Abstract: The invention aims to correctly apply a distinctive mark at a given position of a harness and simplify a construction of a harness producing apparatus. A cable path length adjusting mechanism 100 sets a cable path length from a cutting position of a cutter 141 to a center position of marking tools 220 to be the same as a length of an electrical cable 50 to be cut. A cable feeding mechanism 110 locates the cable 50 with respect to the cutter 141 and marking head 221a and 221b only by a feed of the cable. It is possible to correctly apply the distinctive mark on a given area of the harness without changing a relative distance between the cutting position of the cable 50 and the applying position of the distinctive mark. Further, a marking mechanism 200 is disposed on an upper stream with respect to the cable feeding mechanism 110 and is not disposed in the cable end treating unit in which devices are complicatedly arranged, thereby simplifying the construction of the apparatus.

Abstract: An offset printing method wherein, by using a screen stencil, ink is once printed on a transfer sheet whose top most layer is made of silicone rubber, and thereafter, the ink is transferred from said transfer sheet onto a substrate to be printed on, or by the use of an ink containing at least an organic solvent and a thermoplastic resin, the ink is transferred from said transfer sheet onto a substrate for printing through heating said substrate for printing or said transfer sheet, and an offset printing machine to be employed in said offset printing method which comprises, at least, a screen stencil movable in the horizontal direction, a rotatable cylindrical roller with a transfer sheet whose top most layer is made of silicone rubber being wound thereon, and a squeeze movable up and down.

Abstract: Direct contact printing methods and apparatuses are disclosed for applying screen elements to cathode ray tube (CRT) faceplates. A black-surround, or grille, is first applied to the faceplate, followed by deposition of light-emissive phosphors thereon. Means for repeatable positioning of the screen elements on the faceplate, means for registration of the screen elements with each other, and means for maintaining screen element shape and size are also disclosed. Effective pivot axes for the collector are arranged to lie in the plane of the printing substrates.

Abstract: A stencil arranging apparatus for spray painting numbers on the surface of parking lots or floors providing a pair of stencil wheels when rotated provide two digit numbers masked by the stencil wheels and a cutout platform with an overspray guard mounted to a L frame on wheels that can allow apparatus to lie flat on the surface for painting or by tipping L frame back can mobilize apparatus for moving to next area to be numbered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for printing individual metal body blanks, from which three piece container bodies are formed, in a multi-colored image on an individual body blank basis. Individual body blanks are cut from a sheet and fed in two parallel streams to the rotating impression cylinder of a multi-color off-set litho press. The body blanks are secured to the impression cylinder using mechanical clamps and magnets and are rotated sequentially past a number of inking unit/ultraviolet lamp pairs. As each color ink is applied by an inking unit, it is immediately cured by an adjacent ultraviolet lamp before the body blank is transported to the next inking unit.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatic transport of compact discs one-at-a-time from a loading station in a horizontally disposed, circular defined path through various work stations e.g., silk-screen printing and UV-curing, to an off-loading station. The compact discs are automatically loaded by loading apparatus onto the transport apparatus one-at-a-time in a predetermined location from apparatus automatically supplying compact discs to the loading apparatus for loading onto the transport apparatus in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks, each stack providing a plurality of discs horizontally disposed and superposed one above the other. Subsequent to printing and curing of the printing ink, the printed compact discs are off-loaded from the annular-shaped transport apparatus one-at-a-time by unloading apparatus and provided in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks of compact discs, each stack containing a plurality of horizontally disposed printed discs superposed one above the other.

Abstract: A compact disc identification kit includes a base portion supporting an alignment post and a soft material surrounding the alignment post for the purpose of supporting and protecting a compact disc. A stamp pad support has a bore fittable over the alignment post to enable centering of the stamp pad, in this case an annular stamp ring, with respect to the compact disc. A stamp accommodation depression enables the mounting of the stamp pad support in the kit and about the alignment post when the kit is not in use.

Abstract: An automatic printing apparatus is used to print indentifying words on a packing case that is carried on a conveyer belt unit and includes a sensor, a lower support unit, a lengthwise-position adjustment device, an upper support unit, a height adjustment device, a feeding hydraulic cylinder, a printer support unit, a contact switch, a printing hydraulic cylinder and a printer member. The printer member is carried on the printer support unit. The printer support unit is carried on the upper support unit. The upper support unit is carried on the lower support unit. The lengthwise-position adjustment device can be actuated to adjust the position of the lower support unit along the length of the conveyer belt unit. The height adjustment device can be actuated to adjust the vertical position of the upper support unit relative to the lower support unit.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatic transport of compact discs one-at-a-time from a loading station in a horizontally disposed, circular defined path through various work stations e.g., silk-screen printing and UV-curing, to an off-loading station. The compact discs are automatically loaded by loading apparatus onto the transport apparatus one-at-a-time in a predetermined location from apparatus automatically supplying compact discs to the loading apparatus for loading onto the transport apparatus in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks, each stack providing a plurality of discs horizontally disposed and superposed one above the other. Subsequent to printing and curing of the printing ink, the printed compact discs are off-loaded from the annular-shaped transport apparatus one-at-a-time by unloading apparatus and provided in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks of compact discs, each stack containing a plurality of horizontally disposed printed discs superposed one above the other.

Abstract: A method of applying printing ink to cylindrical objects includes coating the external surfaces of cylindrical objects with migration-preventing plastic material which has an affinity for ink, and advancing the coated objects continuously, in series, one after the other, through an ink application zone wherein printing inks are transferred from a flexible carrier onto the coated surfaces of the objects. The ink sublimes in the heat, and the carrier is under tension during contact with selected portions of coated surfaces of the cylindrical objects which roll along the carrier during passage through an ink application zone. At least the carrier is heated above the sublimation temperature of the printing ink, and a temperature gradient is established in the plastic coats from the inside to the outside prior to, or not later than upon, entry of objects into the ink application zone. To this end, the ink application zone immediately adjoints a production line for the objects.

Abstract: Mechanism for guiding a continuous length elongated member, such as an insulated wire, past a non-contact print head includes pairs of guide rollers operative to guide the elongated member in a generally constant orientation past the print head without smudging indicia printed at periodic positions along the member. In one embodiment, pairs of guide rollers are disposed upstream and downstream from the print head and include one-way bearings to prevent rearward movement of the elongated member without contacting the printed indicia. In another embodiment, a pair of cylindrical rollers are disposed downstream of the print head and urge the elongated member against a reference plate so as to maintain the member in desired orientation as it passes the print head without smudging the printed indicia.

Abstract: A process for applying a pattern in a contrasting color to textile articles such as socks consists of entering the textile article onto an expandable article support (29), bringing a perforated pattern (38) over the article on the support, causing the support (29) to expand to press the textile article against the interior of the pattern (38), and applying typically by spraying a coloring agent onto the article through the pattern. The support (29) is subsequently contracted and the pattern (38) and then the textile article which a corresponding design has been printed, removed. Apparatus for applying a single color or multicolor pattern to articles such as socks has a carousel (23) carrying a multiple number of article supports (29). The carousel (23) rotates with a stepped movement between printing stations (54).

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing an identification display such as schema numerals, symbols or the like for a wire material on the outer peripheral surface of the wire materials such as an electric wire cord is disclosed. The printing apparatus for the wire material is provided with a selection and drive unit for feeding, respectively, plural kinds of wire materials and selecting a wire material corresponding to a wire material to be printed and with a movable printing unit to be moved to a position corresponding to the wire material fed from the selection and drive unit to perform the printing operation.

Abstract: A method and marking device for imprinting indicia on the surface of an article, in which a holding strip is adhesively secured onto the surface of the article by an adhesive coating on the strip, the strip supporting, on its opposite surface, marking elements which are separate and distinct from the strip. The marking elements have a thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the strip and project from the strip so that under application of external pressure to the marking elements, the marking elements will be pressed into the surface of the article to leave an imprint of the marking elements therein. The strip with its marking elements is adhesively affixed to the article in the course of a production step in the manufacture and treatment of the article thereby avoiding the need for separate application of pressure to the marking elements.

Abstract: A vertical screening apparatus in which the board to be screened is reciprocally shuttled into and out of the print zone before and after vertical reciprocation of the flood blades and print squeegees. A mechanism is provided to horizontally locate each board and to jog each board between successive sequences of flood and print strokes. Means are provided for tilting the print squeegee between successive print strokes.

Abstract: A shock absorber pad for absorbing shock caused by separation of a perforated sheet mask from a surface on which a pattern of a screened medium has been formed by forcing a viscous material through the mask which includes a plurality of protuberant features which have a separation determined in accordance with a nominal viscosity of the screened medium and a transverse feature dimension based on characteristic stand-off spacing or mask feature size increases pattern quality and extends mask life. Hollow pattern features also improve pattern quality by reducing pad contact area with the mask during separation while allowing the pad features to span mask features. Methodology of shock absorber pad design and adjustment of screened medium viscosity to pad feature spacing are included.

Abstract: A sublimation transfer device for mugs that consists of a cuff lined with multiple layers of material designed to improve the uniformity of the pressure and temperature distributions over the transfer surface. The cuff comprises a metallic support band with two ends that are wrapped around the mug and pushed toward each other to tighten the cuff's grip and increase the pressure exerted on the outside surface of the mug. The tightening of the band is effected by a double-source tensioning force that increases the uniformity of the pressure and temperature distributions. The interior surface of the cuff is first lined with a layer of variable-density foam, having heavier foam at the edges and lighter foam at the center, which under pressure conforms more precisely to the surface of the mug than uniform-density foam. A high-temperature electrical-heater tape is then attached to the inside surface of the foam and is lined with a heat-distributing metallic foil coated with Teflon.RTM. similar nonstick material.

Abstract: The ink jet wire marking system is provided with a pretreatment station which employs ultraviolet light to clean and condition a travelling wire. Thereafter, the wire passes through an ink jet printing station for the printing of graphics thereon using UV curable inks. Thereafter, the wire passes through a curing station which employs ultraviolet light to cure the ink on the wire. The wire can then be cut into segments or wound up in a continuous mode.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus provides for the automated marking, inspecting and handling of a variety of singulated integrated circuit devices. The apparatus includes a computerized high speed vision system with operator touchscreen interface control of a novel series of electrical and mechanical operations to automatically receive integrated circuit devices from a suitable bulk input supply and sequentially inspect, align, mark, inspect, accept or reject, cure and discharge into a suitable bulk output supply, a high volume of properly marked integrated circuit devices, packaged and ready for shipment.

Abstract: Printing onto a cable jacket in which while the cable moves along a passline in "in-line" production, a longitudinally extending band of the jacket is treated with an oxidizing gas flame to provide an oxidized surface and a jet printer prints a legend onto the surface. The method is of particular use when the jacket is formed from materials, e.g. polyethylene to which ink does not normally adhere readily.

Abstract: A heater for curing an ink design applied to the front surface of a cap comprises an infrared heating unit shaped to generally conform to the horizontal curvature and vertical inclination of the cap front surface. The cap is placed on a tray which is pushed into a heating zone. At the end of a prescribed heating period, the tray is automatically displaced out of the heating zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying printed matter onto objects (10) has a conveyor (11) on which objects (36) are carried under one or more printing heads (16). The conveyor (11) is formed by multiple rotatable conveyor bodies (12) and is driven by a drive roller (18). The printing head (16) is also connected to the drive roller (18) by way of a linkage (14) which permits driving of the printing heads in a reciprocating manner. An accelerator device (13) is also drivably connected to the drive roller (18) and acts to rotate the conveyor bodies (12) which form the conveyor. In use, objects (36) on the conveyor (11) are rotated by the rotation of the conveyor bodies (12) under the action of the accelerator device (13), the rate of this rotation being matched to the rate of reciprocation of the printing heads (16) whereby a stationary surface on the object (36) is presented for printing.

Abstract: Objects (11) for example canned goods are carried by a conveyor (1) towards a support device which is formed by spaced runs of two drive belts (2, 3). The objects (11) are deflected off the conveyor (1) by an oblique section (7) of the run of one belt (2) and are gripped between the runs (12, 14) of the two belts (2, 3). When the belts (2, 3) are driven the objects (11) are transported over a printing head (5) which applies matter to the underside. The objects (11) are directed back onto the conveyor (1) by a deflector rail (6) and a further oblique section (8) of the one belt (2).

Abstract: A clamping apparatus (10) for use in screen printing of curved articles comprising a housing (12) having mounted thereon a holding device (14). In a preferred embodiment the holding device (14) in its operative position is supported by an arm (34) and a post (78). A cable (236) is used to move the post (78) pivotally so as to move the holding device (14) to an inoperative position through an overcenter position. The holding device (14) can be restored to its operative position manually.

Abstract: A rotor supports a plurality of marking devices in spaced relation around the arcuate surface of an object to be marked which is fixed relative to the rotor. The rotor is mounted for rotation about an axis which is coaxial with an axis of the object to be marked. The rotor is also linearly movable on the axis. Each marking device includes a single impact pin positioned to extend and retract relative to the object to impress an identification mark, such as a dot, on the arcuate surface of the object. The impact pins are remotely controlled by a computer to inscribe on the object an array of dots in parallel rows to form desired programmed characters on the object. The impact pins are moved in a raster pattern by rotational and linear movement of the rotor in a preselected direction relative to the object. The impact pins are actuated to impress dots on the surface of the object in a first arcuate row.

Abstract: Printed elastic bands are made by piercing, evacuating and flattening an elastic tubing and washing and scrubbing and drying the upper surface of the tubing, aligning a tubing on a conveyor and moving the tubing upward toward a printing head and quickly downward away from the printing head while maintaining the tubing flattened. The printing is devolatilized and cured while the tubing continues to move to the cutoff point. Nip rollers drive a tubing onto a cutoff platen, a final roller near the edge of the platen has a higher surface speed than the nip rollers to flatten the tubing. Printing on the tubing is sensed and rotating knives are sensed and the speed of the nip rollers is controlled to cut the tubing between the printed areas. Severed printed bands are removed by vacuum and are discharged from a cyclone separator.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatic transport of compact discs one-at-a-time from a loading station in a horizontally disposed, circular defined path through various work stations e.g., silk-screen printing and UV-curing, to an off-loading station. The compact discs are automatically loaded by loading apparatus onto the transport apparatus one-at-a-time in a predetermined location from apparatus automatically supplying compact discs to the loading apparatus for loading onto the transport apparatus in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks, each stack providing a plurality of discs horizontally disposed and superposed one above the other. Subsequent to printing and curing of the printing ink, the printed compact discs are off-loaded from the annular-shaped transport apparatus one-at-a-time by unloading apparatus and provided in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks of compact discs, each stack containing a plurality of horizontally disposed printed discs superposed one above the other.

Abstract: An ink jet printing machine for elongate cylindrical articles such as tubes or straws for biological fluids, includes an automatically controlled ink-jet printing station. The printing station includes a printing head, handling apparatus for the straws or tubes comprising an admission passage for receiving, guiding and feeding straws or tubes, a wall panel, a suction port disposed in the wall panel at a downstream end of the admission passage and connected to a source of vacuum, a transfer plunger mounted for reciprocating along the wall panel between the suction port and a conveyor, the leading straw or tubes being transferred from the suction port to the conveyor by displacement of the transfer plunger toward the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for printing at desired positions on four sides of a box shaped object of an arbitrary size, automatically, quickly, without complicating a configuration of the apparatus excessively. In the apparatus, carrier rollers are rotated in a normal direction in order to place the box shaped object at a predetermined printing position on the carrier passage; one corner of the box shaped object at a predetermined printing position on the carrier passage is held by a holding mechanism; desired printing patterns are printed on one side of the box shaped object facing toward the printer by printer; the carrier rollers are forcefully stopped while the printer prints on one side of the box shaped object facing toward the printer; the carrier rollers are rotated in a reverse direction such that the box shaped object is rotated by 90.degree.

Abstract: An interior lower wall surface (S) of a container (C) can be marked in accordance with the present invention by insertion of a slidably mounted, elongated rod (14) having a marking device (88) arranged at a lower end (14) into the container (C) through an access opening (O) against which a handle (12) slidably supporting the rod (14) is abutted and giving a downward force to the elongated rod (14). When not in use, the printing apparatus (10) according to the invention can be kept in an inked and ready-to-use mode by insertion into a holder (20) provided with an inked-pad (106) containing receptacle (104).

Abstract: Accordingly, an apparatus has been provided for printing identifying indicia on a work product. The apparatus includes a print mechanism and a transport for imparting relative motion between the work product and the print mechanism. The work product and the print mechanism are positioned in close proximity to one another. A control is provided for causing the print mechanism to print predetermined identifying information on the work product when the work product and the print mechanism reach a desired location as they move with respect to each other. In the preferred embodiment the print mechanism has a fixed print electrode with a moving resistive ribbon associated therewith. A track is provided for supporting the work product on air bearings. A moving vacuum belt moves the work product along the track and thereby moves the work product with respect to both the print electrode and the ribbon.

Abstract: An application device for marking wires and cables. The application device includes a foil storage for a printing foil ribbon and a protective foil ribbon. The device also has a printer for imprinting the printing foil ribbon. The printing foil ribbon and the protective foil ribbon which is pressed against the printing foil ribbon after the printing foil ribbon has been imprinted are cut to a marked length in a foil and cutting receiving member and, after the wire to be marked has been sheated with the ribbon to form a closed sleeve, the printing foil ribbon and the protective foil ribbon are welded together.This makes possible a subsequent marking of wire without having to disconnect already connected wires. The marking is protected against ambient influences by the protective foil and can be made at the location where the wire is installed.

Abstract: A ribbon-type multi-conductor cable is fed beneath a source of ink drops while maintaining a predetermined orientation of the cable. Ink drops from the source are positioned along the moving cable so that a series of characters is printed on the broad side of the cable closer to one edge of the cable than the other edge. This off-center positioning allows each individual conductor in the cable to be identified by its position relative to the marking. In a second embodiment, the ink drops are positioned in the central area of a composite of two side-by-side connected ribbon-type cables so that two series of characters are simultaneously printed, one series on each of the two component cables parallel to each other but with opposite orientation. The composite cable is then cut lengthwise between the two series of characters resulting in two separately marked cables.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system are described wherein dot matrix characters are formed by an array of ink spray nozzles within a marker head assembly upon the inside surface of a pipe or other curved surface. The marker head is moved by a traversing arrangement including a carriage in a manner wherein full character pixels are formed during movement of the marker head along locii parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pipe being marked. This achieves full messages marking with a minimized number of required marker head movements along the inside surface. An indexing mechanism engages the outer surface of the pipe to index it from one marking locus to a next. A translational mechanism moves the marker head traversing mechanism from off-line to on-line positions at the production path during the course of operation of the system.

Abstract: Printed elastic bands are made by piercing, evacuating and flattening an elastic tubing and washing and scrubbing and drying the upper surface of the tubing, aligning a tubing on a conveyor and moving the tubing upward toward a printing head and quickly downward away from the printing head while maintaining the tubing flattened. The printing is devolatilized and cured while the tubing continues to move to the cutoff point. Nip rollers drive a tubing onto a cutoff platen, a final roller near the edge of the platen has a higher surface speed than the nip rollers to flatten the tubing. Printing on the tubing is sensed and rotating knives are sensed and the speed of the nip rollers is controlled to cut the tubing between the printed areas. Severed printed bands are removed by vacuum and are discharged from a cyclone separator.

Abstract: A pocket printer attachment for use in combination with the printing platen of a conventional screen printing press includes a pocket platen which is mounted onto and vertically spaced above the printing platen. The pocket printer attachment includes a mounting bracket integrally formed with the pocket platen for positioning the pocket printer platen in printing alignment with a printing screen.

Abstract: A filter and method for applying differential levels of active ingredient materials to specific areas of filters, such as the filter paper used to make disposable vacuum cleaner bags, so as to cause the effluent such as air which has passed through such filters to sustainably act as a dispersing agent for such filter-impregnated active ingredients as may condition the effluent which has passed through the filter in ways that are desirable to the user of the filter. The active ingredients are unevenly distributed on the filter substrate in a pattern determined by predicted changing flow rate patterns through the area of the substrate during intervals of increasing accumulation of particulate matter against the filter and effective to maximally sustain dispersion of active ingredient during such intervals.

Abstract: A marking apparatus, system and method is described wherein metal products such as steel billets, blooms, and slabs are marked for identification essentially as they issue from the throat of a casting system and are at elevated temperatures. The apparatus includes a cutter having abrasive cutting components which forms a groove in the rough cut end surface of the metal components, the formation of which immediately is followed by the movement of a driven pin indentation type marking apparatus along the thus-formed slot. Positioning of the metal component is provided by a clamp structure which initially functions to decelerate the component as it moves along a casting table and then to clamp it into position for marking. The apparatus is designed to carry out the entire marking procedure within the short window of available time typically encountered in a continuous casting process.

Abstract: The process for applying print matter to a flexible portion of a shoe, the process comprising providing a mandrel having a contact element provided with a substantially flat surface adapted to underlie and support the flexible portion under tension, positioning the shoe on the mandrel with the portion contacting under tension the surface and lying substantially flat thereon, and applying printing ink to the outer surface of the tensioned portion to leave printed matter thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing adjustment along three perpendicular axes such that a marking head can be properly and precisely positioned for applying identifying markings to boxes or containers of various sizes, the positioning being accomplished without the use of tools or special mechanical skills.

Abstract: A cap printing device for printing various logos on the surface of billed caps comprises a lower support structure, with one end of this structure connected to a flat platen. The platen is connected to a guide mechanism which contains a slot, for mounting the cap bill, and a framing bar, for flattening the front panel of a cap and holding it on the platen. The platen is curved so as to alleviate stresses which arise upon flattening. An upper support arm supports a silk screen carrier with removable silk screen frames. The arm is movably connected at the opposite end of the support structure.

Abstract: A device for facilitating sublistatic printing which includes an elastic member for covering an arcuate article surface to be imprinted in a stretched condition, holding a sublistatic transfer sheet against the article surface, and exerting a uniform pressure against the transfer sheet and article surface to achieve intimate contact therebetween; and an installing apparatus, one form of which includes a frame, band receiving means supported by the frame, two operating arms rotatably mounted to the frame, an article receiving member carried by the frame, and means associated with the arms to hold the elastic member. The arms are selectively movable from an elastic member receiving position to a transfer sheet receiving position to an article surface covering position. The elastic member is stretched prior to placement around the article surface to be imprinted and is provided with appropriate means to be releasably secured around the article.

Abstract: A fabric printing implement has a U-shaped, flexible support which carries at the ends of the "U" a printing head and an anvil. The printing head is formed of a recessed printing surface, and the anvil is formed of a tapered surface. The combination of the tapered surface of the anvil and the recess of the printing head operates such that the cloth or fabric being imprinted is stretched to remove wrinkles and present a flat surface so that the printing can be clear and legible. The arms of the "U" are formed of such size that cloth can be gathered between the arms to present almost any desired location on the cloth for imprinting between the anvil and the printing head.