Abstract: A cylindrical ink roller rotates as a result of being in tangential line contact with an adjacent roller that is driven rotationally. The roller is suspended for rotation and axial oscillation on bearing cages including bushing for turning and sliding on the shaft. A plurality of springy curved steel wire ribs have corresponding one ends fastened to the bushing and the ribs extend axially for their corresponding opposite ends to fasten to a ring member which fits inside of the roller. The ribs flex or bend slightly to allow the roller to be forced into perfect parallelism with the adjacent roller. The open ribbed roller suspension cages afford free flow of air axially through the roller for cooling it. One or more fans can be installed in the roller. A mechanism for oscillating the roller axially is confined inside of the roller and so designed that cooling air can flow past it.

Abstract: A flexible type segment formed of elastomeric material and in an initially flat condition, and adapted for mounting on the cylindrical surface of a printing roll that engages the surface of an object to be marked, and prints indicia thereon. The segment has an elongated base with generally flat, parallel top and bottom surfaces and a raised print face formed on the top surface. The print face defines indicia to be inked and thereafter to apply an ink imprint to the respective surface to be marked. A plurality of recesses are formed in the bottom surface of the base, the recesses extending into the material a major portion of the depth of the base. The recesses reduce the section of the base so that flexing of the segment when it is mounted on the roll and force variations between the print face and the surface to be marked produce a minimum of distortion of the print face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poromeric article of manufacture comprising a felt sheet of fibers impregnated with microporous elastomer having a work surface, side surfaces joining the work surface and a support surface joining the side surfaces, wherein a majority of the fibers are oriented primarily transverse to the work surface such that the majority of fiber ends adjacent to the work surface form an angle of between about 45.degree. and about 135.degree. with respect to the work surface, and preferably, wherein the fibers have a uni-directional orientation substantially perpendicular to the work surface. The present invention also includes a plurality of such articles bonded together and oriented such that the work surfaces of adjacent articles are substantially coplanar to form a laminated article of manufacture. Further, processes for making the basic and laminated articles are set forth as other aspects of the invention.

Abstract: To relieve stresses within the rubber of a rubber blanket of a rotary offset printing machine, and prevent escape or squeeze-out of the rubber layer as the blanket rotates, the blanket is formed with interruptions or stress reliefs which, when the blanket is laid out flat, are located in zones corresponding to zones of the printed carrier which are free from printed subject matter, for example along fold lines of the carrier, surrounding pictures or non-printed subject matter, or the like. The interruptions or reliefs can be made by milling, for example longitudinal and transverse notches or grooves (2, 3) or by punching holes through the rubber layer (14), the holes being aligned in single or multiple rows along the zones free from printed subject matter. Stresses within the rubber layer, thus, can be relieved not only at the lateral edges, but also inwardly, and centrally, thereby improving overall register of printed subject matter.

Abstract: An improved compressible printing plate in which a liquid photocurable material is bonded directly to a compressible material during exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The compressible printing plate is free of any dimensionally stable material between the liquid photocurable material and the compressible material.

Abstract: A printing belt extends around a rotatable cylinder having independently rotatable belt drive sprockets at the opposite ends thereof. A torque-assist drive connected with the cylinder is selectively operable for imparting supplemental traction to the belt for preventing relative slippage between the belt and drive sprockets.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a rotatably driven transfer apparatus is adapted to receive a design configuration and a follower synchronously driven therewith for carrying and orienting an article to receive the design from the transfer apparatus into alignment therewith in nonslip rolling contact. The respective transfer apparatus and article share a respective center and apex as established by the follower. In another embodiment the transfer apparatus and article are forced into engagement via an elastic interface.

Abstract: Printing apparatus is disclosed comprising a rotatably mounted hub, a plurality of carriages circumferentially spaced around the hub, each carriage being adapted to support a printing blanket. Each carriage is movable with respect to the hub upon actuation to retract its respective blanket radially out of its operative printing position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing mechanism for printing bar codes on pressure-sensitive labels adhering to a carrier tape. The printing mechanism includes a print wheel on which a plurality of type rings rotatable about a common axis relatively to each other are mounted. The carrier tape with the pressure-sensitive labels adhering thereto is pressed with the aid of a pressure roller against the print wheel. To enable the bar codes to be printed to be read without error with electrooptical reading devices, high requirements are made of the printing quality of the bar codes as regards uniformity and contrast. To meet these requirements the type rings comprise a cylindrical peripheral surface on which bar code types of resilient material are formed with which an inking means is in contact; the pressure roller is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the axis of the type rings and consists of non-resilient material.

Abstract: A printing plate for printing a linear bar symbol code includes a body portion which is adhesively bonded to a mylar mounting sheet that is secured to a typical printing cylinder core. Integral with the body portion of the printing plate is a substantially rectangular frame member having opposed side members and end members which enclose a central channel. Disposed within the channel and integral with and connecting the opposed side members are a plurality of spaced bar members which define the linear bars of a symbol code. One of the side members includes a plurality of recesses having the configuration of numbers disposed in relief. The machine-readable linear bars correspond to the human-readable numbers of a symbol code. The frame member which constitutes a majority of the printing contact surface of the plate is raised the same distance from the body portion as the linear bar members such that the contact surface of the frame is flush with the contact surfaces of the bar members.

Abstract: An endorser for document processing machines is provided with means for controlling the application of an endorsement in a manner which reduces the deleterious effects of impaction previously encountered when printing endorsements and at the same time affords certain other advantages. The system employs camming means operating through lever means to control the impact in a manner which converts a point load to a shear load while reducing power requirements to a driving motor and making it possible to cope with documents of varied thicknesses. The system makes it possible to convert some of the energy otherwise wasted in the system to accelerate the platen and thus reduce motor power requirements.

Abstract: A compressible printing roller and method of making the same are provided wherein such roller comprises a central support, a tubular inner layer carried by the support and made of a microporous rubber material having cavities interconnected by passages, and a tubular outer layer disposed around the inner layer and made of a nonporous polymeric material with the layers cooperating to assure the roller provides optimum contact between the roller and material being coated thereby at comparatively small nip pressures.

Abstract: Embossing apparatus employing a grooved, finned, deformable outer element for defining a nip with an embossing roll, the deformable outer element having a durometer in the range of about 40 to about 80 shore "A".

Abstract: An improved print roller for applying dye to a textile material in a predetermined pattern is provided wherein the core of the roller, which is operatively supported in a rotatable position by a shaft, is encapsulated with a cover formed of a substantially impervious elastomeric material. Dye applicators are then bonded to the cover.

Abstract: A printing wheel or cylinder is formed by a plurality of discs stacked one over another with resilient spacers between them to provide spaces at the outer edges to receive the backing ribs of printing type. The discs are squeezed together to securely grasp the backing ribs and are loosened to remove or replace the printing type.

Abstract: An electrophotographic developing apparatus comprises a developing roller and a refreshing roller. The developing roller applies liquid developer to an electrostatic latent image carrier moving in a predetermined direction. The refreshing roller comes into contact with the developing roller and rotates at the same peripheral speed as that of the carrier and in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the carrier. The rotational motion of the refreshing roller causes the developing roller to rotate so as to effect developing the electrostatic latent image on the carrier.

Abstract: An imprinting wheel which comprises a plurality of annular disc members coaxial with a shaft and axially spaced therealong to define radially outwardly facing spaces therebetween and connected for rotation in unison. Printing type elements of rubber-like material have a printing portion terminating in a printing face and a base portion provided with an inner circumferential surface and joining ears which extend laterally of the printing portion. Adjacent pairs of disc members have first coaxially aligned annular shoulders forming first annular steps in the disc member which respectively engage the ears of a type element with the base portion extending across the space and the printing portion extending radially outwardly in the space and beyond the peripheral edges of the disc members, the first shoulders preventing radial outward movement of the type element. Annular resilient members have inner and outer circumferential surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing on compressible material providing cushioning means to prevent the compression or distortion of the compressible material while imparting thereto a clear printing impression. The apparatus comprises an image transfer station including a plate cylinder which is rotatably mounted and adapted to releasably mount thereon a printing plate. This image transfer station includes pressure means in the form of a cylinder which is coactive with the plate cylinder. A printing blanket is provided which travels between the plate cylinder and the pressure cylinder for receiving the image from the printing plate. The plate cylinder and the pressure cylinder have hard non-compressible surfaces.

Abstract: Lithographic masters for improved image quality in direct printing process are provided. The masters are formed with a relatively soft elastomeric or resilient layer on a suitable supporting master substrate. An image layer of up to 2.5 microns is supported by the resilient layer. A resilient blanket supports the printing master or receiver sheet.

Abstract: Lithographic masters for improved image quality in direct printing process are provided. The masters are formed with a relatively soft elastomeric or resilient layer on a suitable supporting master substrate. An image layer of up to 2.5 microns is supported by the resilient layer. A resilient blanket supports the printing master or receiver sheet.

Abstract: A supporting cover for a porous rubber ink roll used, for example, on a printing machine. The cover is formed of first and second sections or halves which are joined together by an integrally-formed hinge which enables the cover to be formed of a one-piece construction from polypropylene plastic. The cover incorporates locking features to prevent the cover from being readily opened when the ink roll is stored and shipped therein. Each of the halves of the cover has a portion which is removed therefrom to enable the ink roll to be exposed from the cover when the ink roll and cover are installed on a utilization device such as a printing machine. The cover has projections on a side thereof which coact with the printer to prevent the cover from being rotated while it is installed on the printer.

Abstract: A printing mechanism including a carrier shiftable into and out of a limiting position toward and short of a surface to be printed, an inertia member carrying printing type and being carried by the carrier for movement therewith and inertial movement beyond the carrier into printing position, and resilient means operative to yieldably resist inertial movement of the inertia member and instantaneously return the latter on printing engagement.

Abstract: An endorser assembly comprising inking, ink transfer and endorser rolls resiliently mounted within a modular type supporting frame to enable removal and replacement of the entire endorser assembly from paper handling apparatus. The endorser and ink rolls are adapted to be easily removed from and replaced in the supporting frame. The endorser roll is adapted to print variable and semi-permanent graphic data on sheets processed by the document count handling device and may be selectively moved between an engaged and disengaged position without being removed from the proper handling apparatus. The data-bearing surfaces are resilient and raised relative to the endorser roll surface. A backing platen cooperative with the endorser roll is provided with grooves aligned with the data-bearing surfaces to prevent "back printing" of the processed sheets being endorsed.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing indicia on corrugated board in particular is provided. The apparatus includes a printing plate made of a polymer material which has a number of advantages over conventional printing plate materials. However, because the polymer material is somewhat resilient and exhibits a degree of yieldability, and dimensionally-stable sheet is provided, which is either on the back of the material or molded into the material near the back. The printing plate is adhered to a mounting sheet which is also dimensionally stable and is mounted on a printing plate cylinder. A resilient or compressible layer or pad is affixed to the back of the mounting sheet, between the mounting sheet and the printing cylinder, and is of a size at least equal to that of the printing plate.

Abstract: A rotary printer comprising a wheel having a generally cylindrical surface, and a pair of relatively thin cylindrical ring members slidably positioned side-by-side on the wheel for carrying a series of type members. A clamping member is provided on the wheel for clamping the ring members with the type members therebetween against an abutment on the wheel thereby locking the ring members to the wheel and the type members to the ring members.

Abstract: There is disclosed a print wheel and method of making same. The print wheel is comprised of an annular base, a flexible printing band molded flat and brought at least partially around the base, and adhered to the base.

Abstract: An endorser drum for printing variable data on paper sheets for use in document handling and counting devices. The drum is provided with a plurality of splined pins positioned at spaced intervals adjacent the periphery of the drum. Each splined pin is provided with a gear-like periphery comprised of a plurality of tapered projections extending radially outward from the periphery of the splined pin. An annular-shaped resilient print wheel, having an interior surface whose configuration is substantially complementary to that of each splined pin, is fitted upon the splined pin. The exterior surface of the print wheel is provided with a plurality of raised characters each aligned with an associated one of the grooves provided along the interior surface of the print wheel. Each splined pin is secured to the print drum so as to experience no rotational movement. Each print wheel may be incrementally indexed, i.e.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a wheel having at least two spaced parallel sides. A type-supporting member is slidably mounted between said sides for radial movement, the wheel being open radially outwardly from this supporting member to receive a segment of rubber type. A spring of resilient, rubber-like material, in columnar form extends radially of the wheel between the sides, being secured at its radially outer end to the supporting member and at its inner end to the central portion of the wheel. Radially inward movement of the supporting member causes flexure of said spring which reacts with a corresponding force. A type segment mounted on said type-supporting member will be impressed against a surface to be imprinted depending upon the reactionary force exerted by the flexed spring.