Abstract: An ink tank suitable for use in an ink-jet recording apparatus, comprises a closed ink bladder of a flexible material, the ink bladder being formed by assembling two double-folded sheets with each other or by folding a single sheet with the peripheral matched portions of the folded sheets or sheet adhered to each other, and the larger sheet or said single sheet includes a plug member sealingly attached thereto at a position adjacent to the folded portion of the larger sheet or adjacent to the corresponding portion of said single sheet, said plug member having an ink outlet port.

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

Abstract: A water fountain for a dampening unit of an offset rotary printing machine includes spaced front rear and side walls and a bottom. A pair of spaced inlet and outlet dams each include drainage holes and overflow apertures. Dampening fluid is fed to the fountain through an infeed pipe and unused fluid exits the fountain through a drainage tube. This drainage tube is in fluid communication with, but is separate from a funnel carried in an open end of a dampening fluid recirculation pipe. The water fountain is supported between side frames of the press. Since neither dampening fluid inlet line nor the dampening fluid recirculation pipe are connected to the fountain, it can be quickly and easily removed from the dampening unit for cleaning or service.

Abstract: An ink jet recorder comprises a first tank as an ink supply source, a second tank as an ink supply source for the first tank, and three switching means and a pump arranged in an ink supply path. By controlling open/close states of the switching means and operation condition of the pump, print mode, supply mode, pressure mode, circulation mode or store mode can be selectively established.

Abstract: An ink return system for an inking fountain assembly in a rotary printing machine is disclosed. An ink return conduit assembly, which is comprised of inner and outer rigid telescoping ink return conduits, is supported by the inking unit. An inner end of one of the rigid conduits underlies an outlet port of an ink collecting trough and an outer end of the other of the conduits is placed above an ink receiving tank. Excess ink from the inking unit, which is collected in the ink collecting trough, flows through the ink return conduit to the receiving tank.

Abstract: An arrangement for application of liquids, such as a coating unit for a printing press, with a liquid supply above the metering gap formed between a metering roller and an applicator roller interacting therewith, a partition designed to damp vibrations dividing the liquid supply along the length of the rollers in order to compensate for turbulence, resonance and irregular air occlusions as far as the metering gap and to prepare uniform quantities of liquid.

Abstract: An inker for a printing press in which an excess of ink is applied to the surface (45) of a resilient roller and the ink is metered by a metering member (10') to form a film of controlled thickness on the resilient roller surface. The metering member is a long strip including a polished metering surface and a polished support surface (26) which intersect to form a polished metering edge (25), the polished support surface (26) intersecting with a polished trailing surface (28a) to form a polished trailing edge (28b). The metering edge (25) and trailing edge (28b) are closely spaced such that the entire support surface is indented into the resilient roller surface for metering a film (130) of ink and for assuring that the ink will separate cleanly from the metering member at the trailing edge (28b).

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

Abstract: In an elongated fountain pan, for an elongated press dampening roll, having a liquid inlet, the improvement comprising, providing the liquid inlet in the form of an elongated liquid inlet means extending lengthwise of the pan and accordingly lengthwise of the roll, the inlet means having a plurality of liquid outlet apertures therein and spaced therealong and the inlet means having liquid supply line means connected thereto and in such manner liquid exiting from the supply line means into the inlet means subsequently exits via apertures adjacent the ends of the inlet means generally simultaneously whereby to maintain, during operation of the press, a uniform temperature of the liquid in the pan as measured along the length of the roll. Also disclosed, is a method of maintaining a uniform temperature throughout the liquid in the fountain pan of a printing press and a method of cleaning a fountain solution of a printing press.

Abstract: An ink cartridge 10 includes an ink level sensor 38 having a probe supporting structure, such as platform 174, which projects into a collapsible ink container 16 from an ink container support 18. First and second electrical probes 40, 41 are embedded within the structure, with tip portions 188, 190 of the probes 40, 41 being exposed to provide an electrically conductive path through the ink between the probes. Flat closure surface 176, 178 are provided between the exposed portions of the probes against which the container 16 collapses. When the ink container 16 collapses against these surfaces 176, 178, the resistance between the probes increases, is insensitive to ink conductivity, and indicates that volume of ink within the cartridge is low. The platform 174 is supported by tapered necks 180, 182 projecting into the ink container from the ink container support 18.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for washing elements of a printing press. In accordance with the method, the press and the ink supply pump are operated during the washing operation. Wash liquid is delivered to the press fountain and passed through the press in a cocurrent ink flow direction while effecting washing of those elements of the press normally contacted with ink. Wash liquid is also passed in a countercurrent ink flow direction through the ink supply line, and an ink filter if present, and introduced into the ink pump through its discharge line while it is being operated in order to wash the internal surfaces of the pump and ink supply line as well as the filter, if present. Wash liquid is also applied to the external surfaces of the pump. In all cases, the wash liquid is discharged after a single washing contact without recirculation.

Abstract: Printing apparatus for marking small articles in which a printing head (24) having a design roll (26) and a printing roll (30), mounted for rotation about parallel axes (28,32), is movable between an operative position in which the printing roll prints indicia on the articles and a dwell position in which the printing roll is spaced from the articles. The movement of the printing head between the operative and dwell position is pivotal about the design roll rotation axis.

Abstract: The ink supply container disclosed herein is adapted for use with a moving carriage printer and controls foaming of a liquid ink in the container by providing, at the top of the container, a well having a sloping floor. Foamed ink is communicated to the well where it is condensed and returns through an opening at the lower end of the floor.

Abstract: A simplified inking unit for use with a web-fed rotary printing machine is disclosed. A plate cylinder and inking roller, which uses thinly liquid ink, rotate at the same peripheral speed and have the same diameters. A screened ink metering cylinder and cooperating ink fountain roller have diameters smaller than those of the plate cylinder and inking roller and rotate at lesser peripheral speeds than the inking roller. These two smaller rollers also rotate at different speeds with respect to each other with the ink fountain roller having the slowest rotational speed.

Abstract: A roller cleaning device for a varnishing system in a printing press has liquid-supplying means pivotally arranged above the rollers conveying varnish. The spatial distribution of the liquid-supplying means differs over the length of the rollers. The liquid-supplying means are closer together in two edge zones than in the central zone; the liquid-supplying means in the central zone have nozzles that are spaced apart from one another at a relatively large interval. The liquid-supplying means come into operation at stopping and at the onset and cessation of printing. The liquid-supplying means in the edge zone operate, in accordance with format width, throughout printing.

Abstract: An ink level control for a printing press is disclosed having an ultrasonic ink level sensor to receive an echo signal representative of the level of the ink in the ink fountain. A control is provided whereby the ink level is maintained at a desired operating level and conditions of excessively low and high ink levels are also detected by the sensor. An echo loss detection network is provided to warn the operator and inhibit ink feeds. The control is designed to prevent overflow of the ink fountain.

Abstract: A non-rotating wedge-shaped ink agitator which reciprocates within an ink fountain along the length of an ink fountain roller. The ink agitator has a substantially flat bottom surface, side surfaces extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom surface and a top surface which slopes toward the end of the agitator adjacent the ink fountain roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for multi-color dyeing of a moving carpet with sharply defined specks forming no pattern from distribution of color, distribution of sizes, distribution of shapes, or attenuation of shapes of the specks. The specks are relatively high-viscosity colored segments in an aqueous immiscible gel mixture which is repeatedly mixed and distributed transversely of the direction of movement of the carpet and then spread into a thin layer by the upper surface of a Kuester roller and finally slid onto the moving carpet.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a foamed treating medium to a sheet-material workpiece has a chamber through the open top of which the foamed medium is introduced, and an open bottom through which the foamed medium is discharged towards the workpiece to be treated. To assure that the upper surface of the foamed medium in the chamber is always maintained at a constant level, an equalizing member extends across the open top of the interior of the chamber, and a drive is provided which reciprocates or otherwise moves the equalizing member relative to the open top so as to smooth out any portions of the foamed medium which extend upwardly beyond the desired level.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a treating medium to a screen has a container above the screen and a pipe which discharges foamed treating medium into the container from where an outlet leads to the screen. A foam generator supplies the foam and the pressure at which the foam enters the container can be regulated.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a foamed treating medium to the upper side of a substrate has a screen which confines a system of walls defining a chamber open at its underside adjacent to the screen and including a squeegee which serves to force the foamed medium from the interior of the chamber through the interstices of the screen and into the substrate. The chamber accommodates a reciprocable and/or rotary device for shifting the foamed medium therein so that the medium cannot age and change its color and/or other characteristics prior to application to the substrate.

Abstract: A vessel for storing fluid and a device for detecting remaining fluid in the vessel is provided. The vessel is maintained at a pressure less than atmospheric, but in a range not sufficient to overcome the surface tension of fluid remaining in a nozzle. This prevents fluid from escaping out from the nozzle when the tank is maintained at a height equal to or higher than the nozzle orifice. The tank may be formed from an elastic material or may include a biasing member for maintaining the negative pressure. An ink jet printer including an ink tank maintained at a pressure less than atmospheric main include a device for detecting ink remaining in the tank. Opposing walls of the tank may be conductive and upon consumption of ink therein collapse causing a circuit to short for indicating lack of ink in the tank. Alternatively, the device for detecting the remaining ink may include a conductive member mounted on the periphery of the tank which is displaced as the tank collapses.

Abstract: Lateral escape of ink from between the end face (A) of a duct roller (1) and the side wall (3) retaining the duct roller is prevented by extending the length of the duct blade (11) beyond the axial extent of the duct roller and placing an end wall portion (4) in the end wall which is resiliently pressed against the end face (A) of the duct roller and, further, resiliently engaged with the top face of the duct blade (11) to form a tight seal and prevent escape of ink laterally from between the duct blade (11) and the duct roller (1). The resilient portion is plate-like, and the sealing strip preferably is a generally T-shaped element, in which the leg portion of the T is clamped to both the resilient portion (4) of the end wall and the fixed portion (3) thereof, while permitting relative movement of the two elements.

Abstract: A value printing device, such as a postage meter, is provided with a switch for automatically signaling when a new inking member unit has been inserted into the device. The switch has a piercing member that closes the switch when a membrane or cover over an opening in the inking member is overcome by the piercing member.

Abstract: A ductor roller and a doctor blade together define an inking gap in a printing machine. One or more ink-control screws can press against the doctor blade to locally reduce the width of the gap. Each screw carries an abutment arrangement which is engageable with respective opposite sides of the machine's ink trough, depending upon the direction of rotation of the screw, so as to define two specific end positions for the screw and thus a maximum and a minimum width of the ink gap.

Abstract: In a reservoir for use in treating a solution fed thereto, the improvement comprising: an overflow system, said system including: an overflow stand-pipe in the reservoir for use in skimming solution in the reservoir and removing the same therefrom; and a sensor in the reservoir for use in detecting the solution level in the reservoir and for controlling the introduction of further solution into the reservoir, thereby to control the amount of solution skimmed into the stand-pipe. In a proportioner for use in metering and dispensing specified proportions of additives, for example into a solution, the proportioner including conduit apparatus for receiving and mixing at least two solution feed supplies fed thereto, the improvement comprising: a metering pump connected to a selected one of said solution feed supplies, for metering the flow therefrom.

Abstract: A visual indication of low ink supply wherein a soluble-dye fluid is added to the ink supply and floats on the surface of the ink. The low ink supply is indicated by a change in color printed on the record media by reason of the indicating fluid having different characteristics from the printing ink.

Abstract: A device for scraping the ink film including lint and debris from an ink fountain roller consisting of a relatively thin, relatively narrow, flexible blade positioned in contact with the surface of the ink fountain roller, the blade being reciprocated along the length of the roller so as to remove ink, lint and debris from the surface of the roller to thereby prevent clogging of the ink metering nip.

Abstract: A system for controlling the viscosity of flexographic and gravure printing ink. The system includes a variable weight hydrometer which monitors the density of circulating printing ink. The hydrometer is in cooperative relationship with a supply of solvent. When the density goes above a predetermined level solvent is fed to the ink until the predetermined level is reached.

Abstract: To permit removal of an ink trough holding ink from an inking structure, the structure is formed with separable upper (2) and lower (3) portions, the upper portion being formed with an outlet (4) which, in cross section, is essentially funnel-shaped; a closure element (9), for example in form of a ball or a cylinder (4') fitting into the funnel-shaped opening (4) is positioned in the upper portion which has a lower inclined surface (13) leading, essentially tangentially, towards an ink transfer or ductor roller (6). A doctor blade (5) is positioned between the upper and lower portions adjacent the outlet (4) from the trough so that, upon moving the closure element (4') into the funnel-shaped opening, and separating the portions, for example by loosening of a bolt (7), the upper portion can be removed for cleaning or exchange of ink without disturbing the doctor blade and its adjustment.

Abstract: A printing press liquid circulation system including an anti-foaming device, the system being of the type wherein flow of liquid from a fountain pan to a reservoir is induced or suctioned through a return conduit by connecting the return conduit to a suction inlet of an aspirator. In order to reduce or eliminate the tendency of the aspirator to draw or suction air through the return conduit and, thus reduce or eliminate foaming in the system, the suction pressure in the return conduit is controlled to eliminate the suctioning of air through the return conduit.

Abstract: Ink is picked up by an ink roller which has a surface characterized as consisting of a foamed plastic with pores open at the outer circumference but not interconnected. The ink roller dips into ink within an ink trough. The ink being applied to the ink roller is controlled by stripping elements formed as rollers which are pressed with controllable force against the surface of the ink pick-up roller; the force can be controlled, for example, by pneumatic or hydraulic fluid means, such as pressure piston-cylinder arrangements, blow-up pillows, or fluid pressure being applied against the roller mechanism directly; or by mechanical means, such as by a spring suspension in which the attachment points of the springs are selectively positionable. Preferably, the stripping rollers are about 1/15 or less of the diameter of the ink pick-up roller, and driven at a circumferential speed which is slow with respect to that of the ink pick-up roller.

Abstract: A device for ink printing equipment in office, data or telex machines and the like, for controlling the supply from ink reservoir to the printing head of the machine in which the ink reservoir is movable from a normal position in which ink may be supplied to the machine, to an inoperative position in which supply of ink to the machine is cut off.

Abstract: An ink supply cartridge, for use with an insignia applying device having a chassis, a movable insignia element mounted within the chassis and a support member mounted to the chassis and the movable insignia element and pivotally movable into and out of the path of travel of the movable insignia element, includes a housing containing an ink supply portion and having an ink applying member and a retainer member for attaching the ink supply cartridge to the support member. The ink supply portion is adapted to receive an ink reservoir member which is adjustable to control the flow of ink to the ink applying member and the insignia element as desired. The attached ink supply cartridge is positioned to be engageable with the insignia element to ink the insignia element when the element is within the housing in the at rest position.

Abstract: Method of reducing air entrapment in rotary inking systems of the type wherein an inking cylinder rotates through an inking reservoir, including defining a plurality of curvate baffles transversely within said reservoir and tangentially with respect to the path of the inking cylinder, so as to squeeze entrapped air out of the ink; venting excess air from the reservoir and scraping the surface of the rotating cylinder after inking. A suggested diffusion structure includes a plurality of transverse rods positioned in the reservoir in an arcuate array tangential to the path of rotation of the inking cylinder, such that ink is "squeezed" between each rod and the rotating inking cylinder surface to force out entrapped air bubbles.

Abstract: A removable ink supply container for automatic ink writing systems consisting of a housing member defining a well with an ink chamber located in the well. The ink chamber has a flexible top closure and a bottom discharge opening blocked by a pierceable seal. A pressure applying member is positioned above the flexible top for applying pressure to the ink. The housing is easily detachable from a writing carriage adjacent the writing head to supply ink to the writing head.

Abstract: Inker apparatus constructed primarily for the application of high viscosity paste-type ink includes an anilox fountain roll which partially defines an ink trough. The latter is also partially defined by a scraper blade disposed downstream of a wiper blade which forces ink into the cells of the anilox roll. The free edge of the scraper blade is disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of the anilox roll to meter the quantity of ink which is removed from the trough by the anilox roll. Two distributor rolls are used to transfer ink from the anilox roll to a plate cylinder. One of the distributor rolls engages the image plate on the plate cylinder and the other distributor roll engages the anilox roll. The latter distributor roll is oscillated axially so that the cellular pattern of the anilox roll will not be transferred to the first mentioned distributor roll.

Abstract: The basic press structure includes a printing couple consisting of a lower printing cylinder, having a single work area, and a large printing cylinder, having an effective diameter which is a whole multiple, greater than one, of the effective diameter of the lower printing cylinder, and has a number (equal to the whole multiple) of work areas, in each of which one of a variety of the especially constructed removable and interchangeable segments may be mounted. One of a variety of different printing surfaces may be carried in each of the various work areas on the cylinders of the printing couple, in a wide range of combinations. The printing couple is mounted in a frame structure constructed so as to provide a plurality of module mounting positions, at each of which one of a variety of printing modules may be mounted in cooperative relationship with the large printing cylinder.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the supply of printing liquid in the reservoir of an ink-operated printer and the like, in which two monitoring electrodes are disposed in and wetted by the printing liquid, with circuit means being connected to the electrodes for monitoring the electrical resistance therebetween, which resistance varies in response to changes in the amount of ink in the reservoir. Means are provided, responsive to predetermined resistance values, for actuating at least one display element, and/or effecting disconnection of an associated printer. Additional circuit means may also be connected to the monitoring means for actuating a preliminary warning device prior to actual triggering of a display element indicating the exhaustion of the printing liquid supply. Means also may be provided for monitoring the supply of a data carrier, i.e.

Abstract: The ink return circuit of a flexographic printing machine, for receiving ink from the ends of the gutter formed by a stereo transfer roller and a pressure regulating roller, comprises, at each end of the rollers, a vertical deflecting spout for receiving ink from the gutter, each spout having three doctor blades comprising a first blade extending substantially along the line of centers of the rollers and inclined to form an overflow and two lateral blades extending perpendicular to the first blade and to the end faces of the rollers. The spouts are biased against the end faces of the rollers and form part of a set of interchangeable spouts.

Abstract: A baffle for use in rotary newspaper printing press ink reservoirs. In such ink reservoirs the inking cylinder, while rotating at high speed contacts ink within the reservoir. Conventionally, the high speed rotation of the inking cylinder creates vibrations and turbulence in the ink, such that air is forced between the rotating surface of the inking cylinder and the printing ink, causing bubbles and non-uniform inking of the ink cylinder. The present system includes a series of baffles positioned within the ink reservoir so as to inhibit turbulence and enhance the flow of ink onto the surface of the rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A device for controlling and monitoring the level of a washing liquid in a washing unit of a printing machine which includes a wash tank having a washing liquid therein and a pickup roller mounted in the tank and rotatable in the washing liquid to lift the liquid on the surface of the roller and transfer it to a rubber blanket roller to be cleaned, comprises a control tank which is connected to the wash tank and arranged at substantially the same level as the control tank. A supply tank for the washing liquid is located above the control tank and supplies liquid into the control tank under the regulation of an electromagnetically controlled valve. The valve is switched in order to provide for flow from the supply tank into the control tank in accordance with the level in the control tank. The level of the control tank therefore maintains a level in the wash tank by virtue of the flow between the control tank to the wash tank.

Abstract: A self driven mobile assembly including an ink agitator is supported on the ink fountain of a printing machine by a beam which is adapted to be mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ink fountain so as to provide a guide track for supporting the mobile assembly for linear displacement along the ink fountain with the ink agitator projecting into the ink. The beam has a rack extending parallel to said ink fountain axis, and the mobile assembly includes a reversible motor and drive means connecting the motor both to rotate the agitator and to linearly displace the assembly along the beam by driving a pinion meshing with the rack. The beam also has an exposed bus electrically insulated from the beam and lying parallel to the rack, and the mobile assembly has a pair of members, one mounted for sliding electrical contact along the bus and the other mounted for sliding electrical contact along a portion of the beam separate from the bus for supplying electrical power to the assembly.

Abstract: An ink package comprising a disposable container is provided for supplying ink to an ink fountain of a lithographic duplicating machine and includes a self-contained, sealed package provided with specially configured nozzle means for dispensing ink from the container directly into an ink fountain. The ink used in the container is designed to be within the higher ranges of flowability for lithographic ink, and hence, due to special design of the nozzle aperture or apertures, is able to flow sluggishly from the container by gravity, whenever the nozzle means is exposed to the atmosphere, to spread longitudinally of the fountain roller, and to form an elongate bead of ink which increases in size until it blocks exposure of the nozzle means to the atmosphere and thereby shuts off flow from the nozzle means. Thus, a substantially constant volume of ink is maintained in the ink fountain as long as any ink remains in the container.

Abstract: An ink fountain for printing presses including a fountain roller and fountain assembly cooperating with said roller and having doctoring means forming a metering gap with said roller, said fountain assembly having a bottom surface forming an angle of at least 60.degree. with a tangent of said roller at the metering gap.

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 spray-type dampening apparatus for lighographic printing presses comprises a resilient surfaced, fluid supply roller that is partially immersed in a reservoir of dampening fluid and a coacting, hard surfaced feed roller having generally longitudinally disposed grooves in the peripheral surface thereof and forming a nip with the supply roller. The supply roller is rotated at a surface speed sufficient to advance and maintain a supply of dampening fluid from the reservoir to the said nip whereas the feed roller is rotated at a high surface speed relative to the supply roller to thereby generate and project a fine mist of the dampening fluid from the nip toward an adjacent transfer roller.

Abstract: Device for controlling the doctor roller of a printing press includes a control gear segment rotatably mounted on a reciprocating control lever, a transmission gear segment mounted on a journal pin for the doctor roller and couplable in one direction, and a control disc member formed of an adjustable guide cam and a cam follower mounted on the control gear segment and guidably movable in the guide cam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the relative position between a doctor blade and a printing cylinder in a rotogravure printing process in which the thickness of the layer of residual ink which is allowed to pass by the doctor blade is used as a control valve. The thickness of the residual ink is determined by determining the amount of the attenuation caused by the residual ink to a beam of light. In one embodiment a laser beam is impinged upon the residual ink on the printing cylinder and the portion of the laser beam which is reflected, absorbed, and scattered by the residual ink and the printing cylinder is detected. The thus detected light can be compared to a reference value for determining the attenuation due to the residual ink layer and hence determining the thickness of the ink layer. The thickness of the ink layer can in turn be used as a control value for adjusting the position of the doctor blade with respect to the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A stencil printer has a base mounting an ink container and yieldable guides adapted to be traversed by a stencil carrier and a card carrier. The ink container has curved bottom and end walls and is spanned by a removable flexible plastic sheet confined by removable bearing blocks which journal the ends of roller shafts. The stencil holder releasably anchors a stencil in a manner convenient for removal and in proper printing position. The card carrier includes a card anchor spring urged to anchoring position and releasable incident to movement of the carrier to a releasing position. The device includes cushioning bumpers to deaden noise incident to operating movement of the device.