Abstract: Individual fibers of a material layer are pinched within adjacent coils of a spring in the present invention by a spring-like surface carried by a moving object such as a conveyor belt, rotating drum or rotating puck. The spring coils are slightly opened to accept the individual fibers. Next the spring coils are closed to carry and transport the web of fibers. At a deposition point, the coil springs, carried by a moving object such as a conveyor belt, rotating drum or rotating puck, are opened slightly, releasing fibers and depositing the web at a desired location.

Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a sheet processing unit that is moved to perform sheet processing on a sheet; a sheet-processing moving unit that moves the sheet processing unit; a drive-mode determining unit that determines a drive mode of the sheet-processing moving unit; and a drive control unit that drives the sheet-processing moving unit in accordance with the drive mode. The drive-mode determining unit determines the drive mode such that the sheet processing unit is moved at combination acceleration that is a combination of first acceleration and second acceleration with a shift of time that is determined based on the cycle of the natural vibration that occurs during acceleration of the sheet processing unit.

Abstract: Devices and methods to enable a sheet conveyance system within a printing device. According to an apparatus herein, a sheet supply device feeds substrates to a printing system. The apparatus includes an impression cylinder. A first gripper is positioned in a first location on a circumferential wall of the impression cylinder. A second gripper is positioned in a second location on the circumferential wall of the impression cylinder. The second location is angularly spaced apart from the first location around the circumferential wall. A cover selectively covers the second gripper. Responsive to the first gripper gripping an edge of a substrate of a first length supplied from the sheet supply device, the first length being greater than the length of the circumferential arc between the first gripper and the second gripper, the cover provides a smooth curved surface over the second gripper.

Abstract: A belt cleaning device includes a cleaning roller. The cleaning roller includes a roller having an outer peripheral surface. A sheet-like cleaning element is wound to the outer peripheral surface of the roller. One end part of the cleaning element is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the roller. Both side edge parts in the other end part of the cleaning element are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the roller. The both side edge parts in the other end part of the cleaning element are located on the outside of their region that is to face to possibly largest paper.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: A method of error correction in a printing system includes engaging a sheet of print media with a perfector arm and detecting a relative position of the perfecter arm with respect to the sheet of print media when the perfecter arm has engaged the sheet of print media, the detecting being performed using a homing sensor that is configured to sense the perfecter arm while the perfecter arm is engaged with the sheet of print media. The relative position of the perfecter arm with respect to the sheet of print media is compared with an expected relative position and any difference between the relative position and expected relative position is compensated for when feeding the sheet of print media with the perfector arm to a print engine.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of securing and tensioning a printing form in an apparatus having a rotatable drum includes securing a first portion of the printing form to a first means for receiving that is coupled to a surface of the drum, and securing a second portion of the printing form to a second means for receiving that is disposed on a rotatable member that extends over a portion of the drum. The rotatable member is rotated so that the circumferential distance between the first receiving means and the second receiving means is about the same as a length of the printing form. A rotary torque means is coupled to the rotatable member to apply a substantially constant torque on the member and tension the printing form about the surface of the drum. The rotary torque means adjusts torque on the member which adjusts tension on the printing form.

Abstract: A cap platen to securely hold headwear, such as caps, hats, and the like, so that graphics, including custom graphics, can be printed on the cap automatically. The platen has a vise plate to support the bill of a cap and a face plate attached to the vise plate to hold the crown of cap. Arms can be attached to the vise plate or the face plate to apply a biasing force against the sides of the cap pushed the sides of the cap outwardly away from the face plate.

Abstract: A device for retaining a print medium during printing according to various exemplary embodiments can include a print medium protector pocket having a front sheet, a back sheet, and an opening. The pocket may be adapted to receive therein through the opening a print medium. A plurality of retaining mechanisms may be cut into the back sheet for releasably attaching the print medium and holding the print medium relative to the back sheet during a printing operation. In various embodiments, a device for retaining a print medium during printing can include a reusable carrier assembly and an adhesive retaining mechanism. The adhesive retaining mechanism is temporarily attached to the carrier assembly to temporarily retain the print medium at any position on the carrier assembly during the printing operation.

Abstract: Provided is a quality inspection apparatus including: gripper units provided to each delivery chain, each gripper unit configured to hold an end portion of a sheet; an arc-shaped track portion provided in a part of a movement track of the gripper units and formed by the movement track; an inspection unit installed at an opposite side of the arc-shaped track portion from an arc center of the arc-shaped track portion; and a vacuum cylinder installed at the same side of the arc-shaped track portion as the arc center. In the apparatus, while running along the arc-shaped track portion, the sheet is inspected by the inspection unit under a guidance of the vacuum cylinder.

Abstract: In a delivery of a sheet-processing machine, in particular a printing press, provision is made for chain gripper systems for holding the sheets to be transported at the leading and trailing edges thereof. The holding devices are configured such that they can be displaced relative to one another for the purpose of format adjustment. The chain gripper system has a sprocket drive shaft and a sprocket deflection shaft for the chains of the chain gripper system. Here, provision is made for both the sprocket drive shaft and the sprocket deflection shaft to have a clutch.

Abstract: A process for adhering a decorative pattern to a flat or multi-dimensional solid involves a heat transfer powder that is sprayed or brushed onto the surface to which the image is to be applied. A design in sublimate ink is placed on a transfer film. The ink particles convert directly to gas without passing through a liquid state. The gas converts directly to a solid upon cooling filling in the gaps or pores in the heat transfer polymer. A rigid fixture is provided which has a top, front and sides onto to which solid to be decorated are snugly fit by the fixture. A solid cap which may have a soft felt-type material on the inside, which is designed to push the film in tight and level contact with the solid surface to which the design is to be imprinted may be used.

Abstract: A printer (10) for groups of products (101) supported on a table structure (100) comprising a housing (11) for receiving a plurality of tables (100) placed one on another, means for orienting (12) the tables (100) in the housing (11) as regard to the printer (10), means for supplying (13) of a single table (100) at a time from the housing (11) to an advancing plane (14) towards a printing head (15) and means for moving (16) the single table (100) on the advancing plane (14), in which the means for supplying (13) of a single table at a time from the housing to the advancing plane towards the printing head comprise leafing devices (13) placed laterally and in a lower portion of the housing (11), the leafing devices (13) being mobile between a first position in which they maintain lifted the pile of tables (100) from the advancing plane (14) and a second position in which a single table (100) drops from the housing (11) on the advancing plane (14).

Abstract: A gripping device that grips a plate member provided with a long plate body, a first recess formed along a shorter length of the plate body, and a second recess formed at a position spaced apart from the first recess along a longer length of the plate body, the gripping device including: a first movable member entering the first recess; a second movable member entering the second recess; and opposing members opposed to the first and second movable members along the shorter length of the plate body and serving to grip the plate member in cooperation with the first and second movable members, wherein the gripping device grips the plate member by causing the second movable member to press against at least two positions of the second recess as well as the first movable member to press against a bottom of the first recess.

Abstract: The invention describes a device for gripping and transporting at least one ink-attracting cylinder of a printing machine, the device including support elements that can enter into contact with the pins of the cylinder in order to be able to raise the cylinder. Each support element includes at least two tong-like gripper arms with which a pin of the cylinder can be at least partially gripped.

Abstract: A device such as a row of wheels, a row of pressurized air blasts, or guide fingers is attached directly to a UV LED lamp that is mounted into a sheet-fed printing press for curing UV inks and coatings. The device will enable the UV LED lamp to be placed closer to the sheet than previously possible by preventing the trailing edge of the sheet from dragging across the UV LED lamp as the sheet passes by the lamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic handling and transportation device for a printer housing. The device comprises a basic mobile unit movable on a first route and at least one handling unit mounted on the basic mobile unit. The handling unit includes a support for guiding and supporting housings born on a second route parallel to a housing-bearing assembly on a printing machine, able to be aligned with the same and an grasping/holding device, adapted to hold a housing and move it on the second route between a transferral position in which the grasping/holding device interacts with the housing installed on the housing-bearing assembly, and a transportation position in which the housing, held by the grasping/holding device is on the support, and vice-versa.

Abstract: A removal system for removing an interleaf sheet that is interposed between plate sheets in an imaging system, wherein said removal system contains a substantially horizontal member, at least two roller assemblies, a disposal roller assembly, a rail assembly, and at least one springing roller.

Abstract: In the case of a sheet-transporting gripper configuration in a sheet-processing machine, e.g. printing machine, it is provided that a low-mass gripper housing contains thin side walls enclosing a gripper shaft such that imaginary extensions of leaf springs provided intersect at a point on a straight line which passes through gripper tips and a gripper-shaft axis. The point of intersection is located on the far side of the gripper-shaft axis, as seen from the gripper tips.

Abstract: A mechanism includes, an impression member having an impression surface and impression media covering a portion of the impression surface. In one embodiment, the impression media includes one or more apertures. In one embodiment, the impression media is held by an impression media holding mechanism.

Abstract: A gripping device that grips a plate member provided with a long plate body, a first recess formed along a shorter length of the plate body, and a second recess formed at a position spaced apart from the first recess along a longer length of the plate body, the gripping device including: a first movable member entering the first recess; a second movable member entering the second recess; and opposing members opposed to the first and second movable members along the shorter length of the plate body and serving to grip the plate member in cooperation with the first and second movable members, wherein the gripping device grips the plate member by causing the second movable member to press against at least two positions of the second recess as well as the first movable member to press against a bottom of the first recess.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine, in particular a rotary press, has a first gripper system for transporting sheets onto a sheet stack and a second gripper system following the former for accepting selected sheets from the first gripper system. The second gripper system is oriented substantially vertically and it has a drive that can be actuated separately and independently from the first gripper system.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a pattern of minute surface structures, using a pair of press members which are located opposingly for movements toward and away from each other. One press member is adapted to support thereon a mold having on a transfer surface a master pattern of minute structures to be transferred, while the other press member is adapted to support thereon an annular substrate plate having a curable resin layer coated thereon and to press the resin layer against the transfer surface of the mold to transfer said minute structures to the resin layer. The mod is provided with a circular center hole defining at least three small-diameter segments and three large-diameter segments alternately and at uniform angular intervals along an inner periphery of the mold. The annular substrate plate has an inside diameter exactly matching with the small-diameter segments at the inner periphery of the mold.

Abstract: A device for transferring print products comprises a circulating conveying element that includes clamps. A conveyor moves approximately in the same direction and synchronously below the conveying element, which includes grippers. A guide arrangement is provided in a transfer segment where the print products are transferred from the circulating conveying element to the conveyor. The guide arrangement includes spiral rotors having spiral sections respectively extending from opposite sides into spaces between the print products and which are effective in the conveying direction to stably position the print products. Activation devices operatively are arranged to open the clamps and close the grippers to effect the transfer of the print products from one of the clamps on the circulating conveying element to one of the grippers on the conveyor.

Abstract: A device and method for transport of flexible, two dimensional products and performance of associated production processing of those products, by which the flexible, two-dimensional products are serially conveyed to a workstation and are conveyed away from the workstation again by the same gripper transporter, which enables the workstation to be selectively removed from the production process being performed along the transport path of the printed products, and to be selectively re-introduced again the transport path, in a flexible manner.

Abstract: In a sheet gripper, a dimensionally stable base material and an elastic clamping surface material are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. The elastic clamping surface material functions as a clamping surface of the sheet gripper. This forms a sheet gripper having a long service life and is easy manufacture.

Abstract: A printing press includes an assembly and a cam mechanism for moving at least one part of the assembly. A cam of the cam mechanism has a curvature course with points, in particular bends or jumps, which are not constantly differentiable within a movement region of the cam. The cam mechanism can include an actuator for the temporal displacement of jolts which are induced by the points that are not constantly differentiable to the at least one part of the assembly. An adaptation of the movement which is produced to the operating state of the printing press is possible, with the result that a considerable reduction can be achieved in vibrations for all printing speeds.

Abstract: A printer device having a detachable thermal head, the thermal head being precisely positioned relative to a platen, whereby the printer device is capable of printing characters or the like, of a stable quality, on printing paper having different thickness'. A head module of the printer an attachment member detachably attached to a main frame; a movable support member movable relative to the attachment member; and a thermal head fixedly supported by the movable support member. The movable support member is connected to the attachment member via a plurality of head springs, and has a head positioning protruding portion configured to engage with a head positioning recess portion of the attachment member. The recess portion is formed as a groove which is generally straight, whereby the movable support member and the thermal head 44 may be straightly displaced relative to the attachment member only in the extending direction of the groove.

Abstract: A system for printing an image on a printing media, comprising: a) an impression roller; b) a gripper which receives the printing media when said gripper is open, closes to hold the printing media to the impression roller while the image is printed, and opens to release the printing media from the impression roller; and c) at least one sensor which senses whether the gripper is open or closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying sheets through a printing machine allows continuous monitoring of the position of a sheet with regard to a guide element over a long time period. There is provided a circulating conveyor element with grippers in which the sheet is held at a leading edge. A device for setting the position of the sheet can adjust the position with regard to a desired position. A measuring configuration measures the position and the presence of the sheet. A control device is connected to the device for setting the position and to the measuring configuration. The measuring configuration is mounted so as to circulate with the conveyor element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clamping printing plates on a plate cylinder is disclosed. A clamping element is integrated into a lockup slot of a plate cylinder with an actuating element. The clamping element is transferred by the actuating element between a first position, where the clamping element clamps the leading end and/or the trailing end of the printing plate, and a second position, where the clamping element releases the leading end and/or the trailing end of the printing plate. The clamping element can be adjusted exclusively in the radial direction of the plate cylinder and the actuating element exclusively in the axial direction of the plate cylinder such that, depending upon the relative axial position of the actuating element with respect to the clamping element, the clamping element is displaced either radially outwardly for clamping the printing plate or is displaced radially inwardly for releasing the printing plate.

Abstract: In a sheet-fed rotary printing press, a gripper device includes a gripper pad, a gripper, a plurality of projections, and a non-attaching layer. The gripper pad includes a first gripping surface. The gripper includes a second gripping surface and cooperates with the gripper pad to grip a sheet. The plurality of projections are formed at least on one of the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface. The non-attaching layer is formed at least on a region among the projections. A method of manufacturing the gripper device is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a device for the transport of sheets in a sheet-processing machine, preferably a printing press, provision is made to transport the sheets on chain-guided gripper bars. The gripper bars are fixed respectively to two chain links arranged indirectly beside each other. The forces acting on the gripper bars are more evenly distributed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for adapting the pressing force of a control roller on a control can in a sheet-processing machine by a torsion spring, the apparatus either changes the effective spring length or the spring stiffness as a function of the rotational speed of the sheet-processing machine. The spring can be a torsion spring rod with an actuator setting the spring force by changing the prestress. A stiffening element can be connected to the torsion spring rod and set the spring force by changing the spring stiffness of the torsion spring rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting a PCB substrate during printing. The apparatus includes first and second fixing units that cooperate to edge-clamp the substrate. The first fixing unit includes a first movable plate, a first actuator, and a first stopper that limits outward movement of the first movable plate. The second fixing unit includes a second movable plate, a second actuator, and a second stopper that limits outward movement of the second movable plate. When printing the substrate from the first edge to the second edge, the first and second fixing units operate so that the second actuator moves the second movable plate outwardly to contact the second stopper, and the first actuator moves the first movable plate inwardly to press the substrate toward the second movable plate. When printing the substrate from the second edge to the first edge the first and second fixing units operate oppositely.

Abstract: Sheets are conveyed through a rotary press with linear travel grippers. The novel conveying apparatus prevents collisions between the grippers and printing unit cylinders. The grippers are fixed to circulating links to convey a sheet through a nip between two cylinders that interact during printing. The links and the cylinders are coupled to drives that can be activated separately. In each case a collision disk is mounted on a shaft journal of at least one cylinder. A slip clutch is provided between the collision disk and the cylinder. A braking element is coupled to the grippers which, in the event of non-synchronous running with the cylinder, runs onto the collision disk and prevents the collision disk from moving.

Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press for selective recto printing and recto and verso printing includes a three-drum reversing device having three cylinders cooperatively disposed behind one another between respective impression cylinders of two adjacent printing units. The three cylinders include one at least double-size transfer cylinder, one at least double-size storage drum, and one at least single-size reversing drum. Grippers prescribe a circular periphery of the transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder has an outer contour smaller than the circular periphery prescribed by the grippers of the transfer cylinder. Other grippers prescribe a circular periphery of the reversing drum. The reversing drum has an outer contour smaller than the circular periphery prescribed by the grippers of the reversing drum. A method of operating the three-drum reversing device is also provided.

Abstract: A machine for processing sheets of printing material has a cylinder for transporting the sheets and sheet supports which are mounted such that they can be rotated about a sheet support axis of rotation and in each case contain supporting segments for pressing the sheets onto the cylinder. The supporting segments are mounted such that they can be pivoted as desired into an active position and into a passive position about pivot axes that are skewed relative to the sheet support axis of rotation or about rotary joints determining the pivot axes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a digital printing machine for sheet printing with a digital printing mechanism with free format in the peripheral direction, an intermediate cylinder which is connected downstream of the digital printing mechanism and is at least partially coated with an elastic material, and a counterpressure cylinder which is connected downstream of the intermediate cylinder, wherein the counterpressure cylinder has grippers holding the sheet and the intermediate cylinder periphery is provided with recesses for receiving the grippers.

Abstract: A gripper system for a machine that processes printing material sheets has a gripper with a first clamping surface and a gripper pad, for cooperating with the gripper, with a second clamping surface. One of the two clamping surfaces is formed with a surface relief. The clamping surface which has the surface relief is placed in such a way that, when a narrow printing material sheet is gripped, the clamping surface is covered by the sheet only within a subregion of the clamping surface and, when it grips a broad printing material sheet, it is covered by the latter beyond the subregion. The surface relief is structured differently within the subregion than outside the subregion, in that it is provided within the subregion with an antideformation structure which protects the narrow printing material sheet from excessive clamping deformation.

Abstract: A machine for sheet-fed rotary printing or sheet coating has a sheet gripper system, an upstream feed system, and an upstream feeder. A surface refinement station for the sheet is disposed downstream of the feeder and upstream of a transfer of the sheet to the sheet gripper system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods that remove an interleaf sheet interposed between plate sheets from a material stack used, for example, in a computer-to-plate imaging system and/or environment. Embodiments of the system and method can also remove plate sheets from an interleaf sheet, and transport the plate sheet for subsequent imaging.

Abstract: In a gripper system having grippers disposed in a row and interspaces between the grippers and hold-downs for holding down in each case a free edge of a printing material sheet gripped by the grippers, the hold-downs being disposed to project into the interspaces and being mounted such that they can be displaced together with the grippers when gripping the printing material sheet.

Abstract: A quality control device includes a suction box, at least one gripper which can be displaced along a suction surface of the suction box, and a CCD camera. A belt, which can be displaced in a sheet transport direction, is disposed on the suction surface of the suction box.

Abstract: The invention relates to a quality control device (06), comprising a suction box (07), at least one gripper (22) displaced along a suction surface (19) of the suction box and used to draw the sheet (21) across the suction box, and a CCD camera (08).

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing press comprises a running transport chain, gripper devices supported by the transport chain and each having a gripper and a gripper pad for gripping a sheet, an inspection device for inspecting the sheet gripped and transported by the gripper devices, and a suction table having a guide surface for guiding the sheet at a position of inspection, and suction holes for spreading the sheet along the guide surface. Suction taper plates each having an inclined surface, which gradually decreases the distance between the gripper pads and the guide surface from an upstream side toward a downstream side of the guide surface in the sheet transport direction, are provided on the downstream side of the guide surface at predetermined intervals in the sheet width direction. Grooves, through which the grippers pass, are interposed among the suction taper plates.

Abstract: In a gripper system having grippers disposed in a row and interspaces between the grippers and hold-downs for holding down in each case a free edge of a printing material sheet gripped by the grippers, the hold-downs being disposed to project into the interspaces and being mounted such that they can be displaced together with the grippers when gripping the printing material sheet.

Abstract: In each case at least two objects arriving in a lamellar flow (14) are grasped from the side by a conveyor clamp (22) and conveyed further while maintaining their mutual position. The at least two objects forming a section are held by a single conveyor clamp in a clamping area (30) where the objects (14) overlap.

Abstract: A gripper device in a sheet-processing machine includes a gripper, a gripper pad associated with the gripper and a first drive for moving the gripper out of an opened position thereof into a closed position thereof. The gripper is cooperatively engageable with the gripper pad for producing a clamping force for holding sheets being processed. A second drive is separately operable from the first drive during a production printing operation of the sheet-processing machine. The first and second drives are operable for positioning the gripper and/or the gripper pad so that clamping faces of one of the gripper and/or the gripper pad are movable by the second drive perpendicularly to clamping faces of the other of the gripper and/or the gripper pad.