Abstract: The present invention relates to a refurbished cylinder roller and a process for refurbishing cylinder rollers for use in printing machines. More particularly, the present invention also relates to a process for refurbishing metallic gravure cylinder rollers by replacing the worn outer plating layers with an extruded and thermally cured electrically conductive polymer material, and thereafter electroplating new outer plating layers thereon, the new plating layers including a new printing image formed therein.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a printing plate, especially a gravure plate with cushion properties, which enables direct gravure printing on a hard printing target without using a blanket roll owing to being provided with cushion properties, effects a satisfactory gravure printing on a rough surface such as corrugated cardboard, and is suitable for color-printing a matrix image for forming a color filter on glass for liquid crystal panels or an image on a compact disk or the like. The gravure plate includes a hollow roll provided on the surface thereof with a cushion layer formed of rubber or resin with cushion properties, a copper-plated layer formed on the surface of the cushion layer and formed on the surface thereof with multiple gravure cells, a metal layer formed on the surface of the copper-plated layer, a metal carbide layer formed on the surface of the metal layer, and a diamond-like carbon film for covering the surface of the metal carbide layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a roller with microstructure, comprising the steps of: forming a protective metal layer on a roller; defining specific imprint patterns on an imprint stamp by processing the imprint stamp with a flexible mold; forming an etch mask on the embossed imprint stamp after the imprint stamp is released from the mold; wetting the imprint stamp and the etch mask thereof; adhering the etch mask onto the roller by rolling the roller on the imprint stamp; etching the roller at the portion thereof uncovered by the etch mask; and forming the roller with specific microstructure by removing the etch mask and the protective metal layer.

Abstract: A forme cylinder of a printing machine includes a plurality of sections in series in an axial direction of the cylinder surface. At least one printing forme is arranged in each one of these sections. The forme cylinder has at least one channel, also extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. That channel has an opening on the surface of the forme cylinder. At least one holding device for each of the sections is arranged in this channel. Each such holding device can be pneumatically actuated in sections. At least one recess, open to the cylinder surface, is formed outside of these sections. A device that is usable to distribute compressed air to the respective sections of the forme cylinder is provided in this at least one recess. The device for distributing the compressed air is configured as a plurality of valves. At least one control device is provided outside of the forme cylinder and is used to activate the plurality of valves in a non-contact manner.

Abstract: A proof press for the mounting of flexographic printing plates, comprising a printing cylinder, which is covered by a blanket for the mounting of at least one printing plate with double adhesive tape interposed, the printing cylinder being movable at right angles to its own axis in order to be placed in contact, along a generatrix, with a respective impression roller for performing proof prints, an optical system for collimating points of the impression roller with respective points of the printing plate by direct viewing, and a compression device for producing the forced adhesion of the printing plate to the double-adhesive tape and to the blanket.

Abstract: A flexible image transfer blanket is provided which has a non-extensible backing which is easy to mount onto conventional blanket cylinders, which requires no packing (but which can be used with packing), which does not need to be retensioned during operation, and which prints to the gap better than conventional fabric-reinforced blankets. The image transfer blanket is adapted to be mounted onto a blanket cylinder and includes first and second ends, with at least one of the first and second ends being adapted to be inserted into an axially-extending gap in the blanket cylinder. The blanket includes a image transfer surface layer, at least one woven fabric ply, and a non-extensible base layer. The at least one woven fabric ply includes both warp and weft fibers, with the weft fibers being oriented so that when the blanket is mounted on the blanket cylinder the weft fibers extend circumferentially about the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: The imprint printing system allows imprinter head changes on the run. A printing roller, either an offset or a flexo printing roller, has an axial channel in which one or more imprinter heads are disposed. The imprinter heads can be selectively raised out of the channel so that the print surface projects radially above the periphery of the printing roller. In a variation of the basic concept, the imprinter heads are also axially movable along the axial channel. The individual heads can thereby be brought into a printing section defined by the location at which the product is to be imprinted. The respective imprinter head is raised for printing only in the printing section, while the other heads are withdrawn into the channel.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for continuously embossing a moving web of material. More particularly, the present invention is a unitary saddle used to mount multiple embossing slugs to an emboss roll. The unitary saddle of the present invention improves slug alignment and thereby reduces the time the converting operation must be shut down for roll maintenance or the pattern changes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of embossing a sheet of material with a background pattern together with additional selectable indicia, wherein the method comprises the steps of removably securing an indicia-bearing element to a first one of embossing rollers and removably securing a yieldable element to a second one of embossing rollers, passing the sheet material through the nip of rigid embossing rollers while synchronously moving the embossing rollers so as to impart a background, embossed pattern to a first portion of the sheet material and secondly imparting additional indicia to second portions of the sheet material by repetitively bringing into opposing relationship at the nip the indicia-bearing element and the yieldable element.

Abstract: A print block cassette for franking machine print drums comprises a support having a block support side, longitudinal guide and support members perpendicular to the block support side and engaged in bosses on the support and a plurality of separate print blocks each mounted interchangeably on at least one longitudinal guide and support member.

Abstract: A rotary stamp mechanism includes a drive wheel with a curved stamp holding housing held thereon by a sheet metal band to enable replacement and adjustment of the stamp housing. A stamping sequence is selected by a machine operator and the leading edge of the next succeeding copy sheet triggers rotation of the drive wheel and during one complete revolution of the drive wheel the copy sheet is stamped with a desired logo. A pawl on the drive wheel is lifted by the copy sheet for stamping purposes and gravity returns the pawl to its home position which in turn stops the drive wheel in its initial position for succeeding stamping.

Abstract: A print drum for a postage meter has a drum structure provided with a plurality of recesses in its periphery. One of these recesses accommodates a print wheel assembly and at least some of the other recesses are provided with axially extending means whereby imprinting dies can be slid in and out. The movement in and out of the recesses is in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the print drum.

Abstract: A code wheel for imprinting legends on packages traveling along a conveyor line has a U-shaped slot therein through which the code wheel is coaxially positioned on a drive sleeve rotatable with the line and drive pins engage the sleeve to index the code wheel thereon as resiliently held thereagainst by a releasable collar. Print type carried on the outer surface of the code wheel are independently secured by individual spring detents. A roller having an outer resilient cover is pivotally supported on the conveyor line and spring biased toward the code wheel for establishing the printing pressure on the packages.

Abstract: An exchangeable print head hot ink roll marker providing for adjustment of an inking roll and a backing roller relative to print heads of different diameters. Additionally there are provided a novel arrangement for releasably securing the print head to its driving shaft, an improved arrangement for adjusting the backing roll relative to the print head, novel type holder arrangements, and novel type holder latching or magnetic retaining structures.

Abstract: The machine comprises a table for guiding paper to be printed which table is bordered by two vertical side walls supporting a rotary drum. A part of the outer surface of the drum includes ribs for hooking elastic printing forms carrying portions in relief. The table also includes a transverse slot for receiving a colored litho chalk against which chalk the reliefs press the paper so that the pattern of these reliefs are printed thereon and the paper is driven along.

Abstract: Dating wheel with a tracer symbol unit which can be manually inserted on or removed from the wheel. To change the tracer symbol, the operator simply uses thumb and forefinger to grasp the unit and extract same and then replace with an identical unit having a different symbol. This can be done without slowing or stopping the cases or other medium being printed. There is no machine down-time.

Abstract: Guide for electrodes in a metal paper printer comprising a multipart arrangement of a guide portion, with parallel grooves for the electrodes, and of a cover portion assembled to the guide portion. The cover portion has a recess extending transversely of the electrodes and retains an elastic, nonconductive, and deformable tube frictionally restraining the electrodes, yet allowing electrode advancement as required.

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: A printing device is provided having one portion which is a magnetic retainer to receive and hold a plate having indicia stamped thereon and another portion which is grooved to receive printing type.