Abstract: A transfer pad printing systems, pad printing plates and methods therefor including forming a metal plate having a Rockwell C scale hardness not less than approximately 55 and a thickness between approximately 0.015 inches and approximately 0.020 inches, preferably from a cold rolled strip steel, etching an image on the metal plate and mounting the metal plate on a base plate prior to transferring images therefrom with a transfer pad.

Abstract: A method for imaging a product with a pattern commences by forming a film of a wet or tacking marking material on a cliché. A negative of the pattern is ablatively imaged into the film on the cliché. The negative image then is pressure transferred from the cliché onto a marking pad. Finally, the negative image is pressure transferred from the marking pad onto the product. Preferably, the cliché where the film is formed contains recesses. The apparatus, which images the product, has a moveable cliché having a recessed pocket. An ink reservoir transfers ink into the recessed pocket. A laser imaging system images a pattern into ink contained in the recessed pocket. A stamp pad is moveable from a home position to contact the imaged pattern for pressure transferring the pattern onto the stamp pad, and moveable to a printing station to pressure transfer the pattern onto a product.

Abstract: Holding arrangement for a chip which includes a support having a first end for supporting the chip. A vacuum chamber is arranged in the support. An annular seal is arranged at the first end. A vacuum source evacuates the chamber. A method of holding a chip in the holding arrangement includes placing the chip into the holding arrangement, pad printing the chip, and removing the chip from the holding arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for transferring a conductive picture (12) to an irregular surface of a mobile phone casing (4) for shielding the mobile phone casing from electromagnetic radiation. It also relates to the printing color used for the conductive picture and tampon pads (5) used for the transferring of the conductive printing color to the phone casing (4). Conductive partial pictures (7) are printed on the irregular surface of the casing (4) step by step by means of tampon pads until the complete conductive picture (12) is achieved. The tampon pad has a shape corresponding to the surface of the phone casing. The printing color has a composition, which facilitates the adhering on the tampon pad. The invention also describes a method for printing an electric circuit pattern on a phone casing (4) by using the above mentioned tampon pads and printing color.

Abstract: Method for pad-printing a substantially cylindrical chip having opposing faces and a side, the method comprising forming a first decoration, including a section for at least a portion of the side of the chip, radially deforming the section to form a second decoration, providing an ink plate with the second decoration, moving a pad coaxially into contact with the ink plate such that the second decoration transfers to the pad and moving the pad coaxially into contact with the chip such that the second decoration transfers to the side to print the section on the side, wherein a contraction coefficient of the radially deforming is determined, for a given straight-sided chip and a given pad, by marking a chip model using a positioning ink plate centered on an axis of the chip, the positioning ink plate bearing a pattern comprising closely-spaced concentric circles.

Abstract: A method for finishing a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a golf ball having a three-dimensional dimpled surface; preparing the surface for receiving at least one indicia; providing a digital image having at least one color; providing a multi-layered pad-printing substrate having at least one layer; etching the image into the at least one layer of the substrate with a laser; distributing a layer of ink over the etched substrate; providing at least one pad for transferring the ink from the substrate to the three-dimensional surface; and transferring the image from the substrate to the dimpled surface of the golf ball.

Abstract: A printing machine includes an endless conveyor carrying a plurality of spaced object supports, at least one screenprinting station vertically aligned with the path of movement of the object supports and at least one digital inkjet printing station adapted to operate on demand. Applications include printing compact discs.

Abstract: In the marking apparatus in which the marking tool is vibrated by piezoelectric body vibrator and characters are engraved onto the objective material, the detection means detects the amplitude of piezoelectric body vibrator as the DC signal, and the drive control means adjusts the frequency of the drive signal so that the level of the DC signal detected by detection means is within a predetermined range, and drives piezoelectric body vibrator, and by appropriately adjusting the frequency to drive piezoelectric body vibrator, drives piezoelectric body vibrator with a predetermined amplitude. Accordingly, because the amplitude of piezoelectric body vibrator can be kept within a constant range, the stable resonance can be conducted. Further, the resonance can be conducted without being influenced by the resonance frequency of the tool.

Abstract: A machine for printing a plurality of colored patterns on the surface of a contact lens has a plurality of parallel oriented print stations each of which has an image die and an ink cup for applying ink into the image in the die. A slide is moveable between the plurality of the print stations such that a contact lens on the slide can receive printing at each of the stations. The slide also carries a vertically moveable print pad for applying printing to a lens and an indexing cleaning tape for cleaning the print pad. Each of the print stations has a separate control for independently setting a dwell time for the print pad before applying ink to the contact lens.

Abstract: A method of coding a high-speed object having a lateral travel path with a multi-digit production series number is disclosed. A first marking member and a second marking member are provided, with the second marking member positioned vertically adjacent the first marking member. A plurality of marking locations are defined and a group of marks are applied along each of the plurality of marking locations. The quantity of marks in each group represents a respective digit of the multi-digit series number.

Abstract: A crackle finish for a wall or other object is obtained by utilizing a pad that has a number of small ribs on one side. The ribs terminate along a common plane, and will be made of a material that can receive paint, ink or other printable substances. The pad ribs are oriented so that each time the pad is pressed against the surface in a printing or stamping operation, it will leave an image that can be mated with the next image using the same or different pads to provide an overall finish that represents a crackle paint surface.

Abstract: A rotary marking device for use in a multi-spindle screw machine to mark a rotating work piece. The marking device has a rotating marking wheel with marking indicia on a portion of its circumfrence. When the marking device is in marking position adjacent the rotating work piece a rack and pinion operates to initiate the rotation of the marking wheel in its rotating marking direction.

Abstract: A process for printing a 4 color image directly onto a fishing lure. The process involves preparing the fishing lure to receive the ink if the fishing lure is soft bait, printing a 4 color image on one side of the fishing lure employing a 4 color pad printing machine, and optionally, turning the lure over and printing another 4 color image onto the other side of the lure with the 4 color pad printing machine. A clear topcoat may optionally be applied to the lure.

Abstract: A tampon printing machine has at least one printing plate for having an engraving, an inking device that inks the engraving with printing ink and a printing pad that lifts the ink out of the engraving and transfers it to an object to be printed, wherein a laser engraving device is connected in-line before the inking device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for printing of a conductive coating on an electronic unit (22) by means of tampon printing. During the tampon printing phase a tampon pad (1,15) is moving in small movements in one or more directions in relation to the electronic unit. The movements are made at the same time as the tampon pad (1,15) is in contact with the surface to be printed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for applying information onto an object, the surface to be printed is roughened by means of a laser before the printing of the object with ink by means of a pad printing machine.

Abstract: This invention provides a support for a carton which supports said carton during printing comprising a flat portion which is inserted into said carton. This invention further provides a method of printing on a carton comprising the steps of supporting said carton with a support comprising a flat portion; and printing on said carton.

Abstract: A method for etching a pad-printing cliché and printing an image therefrom on a golf ball comprising providing a film positive of an image; placing the film positive on a pad-printing cliché having a variable relief photocurable pre-polymer surface; curing the pre-polymer that is not blocked by the film positive; removing the film positive from the polymer surface; washing the pad-printing cliché for a first predetermined time sufficient to remove any uncured pre-polymer, such that the pad-printing cliché has the image etched into the pre-polymer surface, the etched image having a substantially homogeneous bottom surface that is free of protrusions formed by screens, normally required for variable relief material, heating the pre-polymer for a second predetermined time sufficient to fully dry the pre-polymer; further curing the pre-polymer exposed by the washing step; providing a golf ball having a dimpled surface; distributing a layer of ink over the etched image in the pad-printi

Abstract: This invention provides a support for a carton which supports said carton during printing comprising a flat portion which is inserted into said carton. This invention further provides a method of printing on a carton comprising the steps of supporting said carton with a support comprising a flat portion; and printing on said carton.

Abstract: The dry printing apparatus comprises a housing defining a handle portion, a dry printing unit mounted to an open lower end of the housing, an air convection passage, and a guide member. The air convection passage extends through a space between the dry printing unit and side walls of the housing as well as through openings in a top wall of this housing. Convection air flows through the air convection passage to prevent the handle portion from being heated by the dry printing unit. The guide member is telescopically mounted in the open lower end of the housing between extended and retracted positions and is spring-biased toward the extended position. In operation, the guide member is applied to the surface to be dry printed and pressure is manually applied to the handle portion to telescopically move the housing and dry printing unit about the guide member until the dry printing unit reaches the surface to be dry printed.

Abstract: A pad printing system for applying high quality multicolor images to curved objects is provided. The pad printing system includes a substantially flat release substrate having an ink receiving surface and a digital printer having a plurality of print heads. The print heads of the digital printer are arranged to discharge ink in a plurality of colors onto the ink receiving surface of the release media substrate. The print heads and release substrate are movable relative to each other such that the discharge of ink from the print heads prints a multicolor ink image on the ink receiving surface of the release substrate. The pad printing system further includes a deformable ink transfer pad which is movable into pressure contact with the release substrate for receiving a multicolor ink image therefrom and movable into pressure contact with a curved object to be printed for transferring a multicolor ink image from the transfer pad to the curved object.

Abstract: A stamping device, simple in application and construction, is disclosed for transferring an image to an irregularly surfaced object. The stamping device includes a frame having an upper region capable of receiving a surface of an object to be printed and a transfer medium mounted across the upper region of the frame for receiving an image from a stamp and transferring the image to the surface of the object. The design of the stamping device enables users to transfer an image from a stamp block to an irregularly surfaced object with increased precision and without complex procedures and machinery. Furthermore, the stamping device enjoys a simplistic and collapsible design, which promotes compact transport and storage of the device.

Abstract: Tamp printing of at least one picture (4) occurs by means of at least one tamp pad (1, 18, 24, 34) on a piece (3), which has boundary surfaces (5, 13) forming angles relative to each other, the tamp pad first printing in one direction (10) against a boundary surface (13, 43) and thereafter, after further compression of the tamp pad (1) against said boundary surface (13) due to its deformation, prints in another direction (45) than the direction (10) against another boundary surface or other boundary surfaces (5, 43), whereby the picture is transferred to said boundary surfaces.

Abstract: Tamp printing of at least one picture (4) occurs by means of at least one tamp pad (1, 18, 24, 34) on a piece (3), which has boundary surfaces (5, 13) forming angles relative to each other, the tamp pad first printing in one direction (10) against a boundary surface (13, 43) and thereafter, after further compression of the tamp pad (1) against said boundary surface (13) due to its deformation, prints in another direction (45) than the direction (10) against another boundary surface or other boundary surfaces (5, 43), whereby the picture is transferred to said boundary surfaces.

Abstract: A method for marking a side of a straight-sided chip with a decoration by pad printing. The method comprises providing an ink plate with an image defined by radially deformed representation of the decoration of the straight side of the chip in a ring-shaped zone, moving a pad coaxially into contact with the ink plate such that the image transfers to the pad, and moving the pad coaxially into contact with the chip such that the image transfers to the side of the chip.

Abstract: The doctor portion of the ink cup of a pad printing machine is formed of a polymeric composite which has high compressive strength and high resistance to chemicals, notably to printing inks. The polymeric doctoring portion is tapered and defines a narrow distal end surface which circumscribes the open end of the cup for doctoring engagement with an opposed plastic gravure surface. The doctoring portion may be a separate ring element suitably mounted at the open end of the cup body or it may be a unitary part of the cup.

Abstract: A golf ball accessory is provided which affixes a personalized visual indicia to the outer surface of a golf ball for the purposes of identification. The accessory can be conveniently stored in a golf bag compartment normally used for storing golf balls. The accessory includes a generally golf-ball shaped casing having an ink stamp and a printing surface housed therewithin. The generally spherical accessory is comprised of two separable hemispherical halves. The halves snap together in mating engagement. When the halves are separated, a stamp portion presents a concave outer surface with a radial curvature substantially equal to that of a golf ball. A complementary convex ink pad housed within the opposing half of the accessory provides ink for the stamp. A golf ball is placed against the stamp portion and an ink image of indicia embossed thereon is transferred to the surface of the golf ball.

Abstract: A machine for printing a plurality of colored patterns on the surface of a contact lens has a plurality of parallel oriented print stations each of which has an image die and an ink cup for applying ink into the image in the die. A slide is moveable between a plurality of the print stations such that a contact lens on the slide can receive printing at each of the stations. The slide also carries a vertically moveable print pad for applying printing to a lens and an indexing cleaning tape for cleaning the print pad.

Abstract: Print rolls having subtle identifying markings impressed in the side thereof at a depth sufficient for detection at 45.degree. angle or less. The print rolls can be prepared in a print roll press fitted with a platen containing the desired image raised above the surface of said platen. The printing press can be one used in the manufacture of the print roll.

Abstract: A hand operated self-contained machine made out of molded plastic for applying an image on a nail of a person's digit or a golf ball, consisting of a base frame including side rails. An element is provided to establish a reference point. An image creating holder is integrally molded to the side rails. A wheel having projections holding a plate containing a plurality of images is supported on the holder and can be indexed to any one of a plurality of positions by the interaction of the projections and the holder. An image composed of an image defining coating material is created at one image position on the plate. A positioning member receives and adjustably positions a person's digit or object in an appropriate orientation relative to the reference point. A transfer member is mounted on the side rails and a manually operable drive member drives the transfer member, and a method wherein the support of the image plate is indexed to present a new image.

Abstract: Transferring a sublimation ink image to the surface of an object by forming a plurality of conically shaped objects from a master cast. Coating the objects with an organic polymer. Casting a heat transfer block to match a portion of the exterior surface of then object. Printing an image with a sublimation ink onto a release paper. Manipulating the image to accommodate the configuration of the objects. Placing the image on one the objects and introducing heat and pressure to the image and the release paper through said block to effect the transfer of the image to the object.

Abstract: A system for registering a work support pallet on an arm of a printing machine with a screen frame of the machine has spaced-apart rods pivotally mounted on a pallet tool and on an arm of the machine for accurate shuttle movement of the pallet tool and a work support pallet thereon into proximity with the screen frame.

Abstract: An ink dabber printing press including a printing device, an ink dabber mounted to the printing device, and structure for changing the printing position so that different size objects to be printed can be accommodated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for pad printing inked images onto injection-molded pieces, while they are still in the mold, using a robotics device and an ink transfer mechanism.

Abstract: This invention is to improve cam structure that can maintain precise moving time between a printing plate and a printing pad in a pad printer. Cam disk moving horizontally during the printing process and other cam disk moving vertically along the printing pad were combined to the double side of one cam in this pad printer of the invention. Therefore, the structure was simplified and miniaturized.

Abstract: In order to create a wipe blade device for tampon printing machines, having a wipe blade 39 which moves back and forth relative to a printing block 41, which is distinguished by its simple construction and low number of easily produced individual components as well as its compact configuration of the guiding elements, a double scissors 13 is provided for which is pivotably borne on one side on the wipe blade mount 12 and on its other side in an approximately stationary fashion with respect to the printing block 41. The intermediately disposed free ends of the double scissors 13, 16, 21 are pivotably connected to each other, the arms of which 15, 20 are in mutually toothed engagement 19, 24 at least at one side.

Abstract: In order to fashion a print head lifting device of a tampon printing machine with as simple components as possible which is without play and of low maintenance, a crank link 3, 4, 6 is provided for having a driven crank 3 and a link 5 borne on a machine frame 1, wherein the connecting rod 4 is connected to a lifting lever 11 via a connecting lever 15 pivotably hinged at both sides, the one end of which is disposed on the machine frame 1 and the other end of which is pivotably connected to the longitudinally displaceable print head lifting rod 8.

Abstract: A half-finished folded soft cloth product, which is formed in an almost box shape by folding the soft cloth product such as a shirt, a handkerchief, a towel, etc., is put in a square frame on a lower die interposing a hard rubber plate thereunder, and thereafter is compressed between the lower die and an upper die to form a solid cloth product, which is convenient for carrying.

Abstract: A print pad socket assembly for transfer printing is provided. The print pad socket assembly includes a socket member having a side wall and a central post member. A print pad is hand-installed into the socket and includes a seat region for securing the central post of the socket. The outer wall of the socket and central post provides peripheral and internal support, respectively, for the print pad to improve overall wear life. The socket is fastened to a printing machine armature plate a single time and when a print pad wears out, only the print pad itself is replaced which saves time and expense during operation.

Abstract: A doctoring cup particularly suited for inking non-flat plates includes a plate contacting edge with an "Ease of Flex" parameter greater than about 0.020 lb.sup.-1. Ease of Flex is defined as 1/(Mt.sup.2), where t is the thickness of the plate contacting edge and M is the flexural modulus of the material from which the cup wall defining the edge is formed. By non-flat plates is meant plates out of flat by greater than 0.0002 inches/inch. The doctoring cup can be used to ink both flat and non-flat printing plates using a doctoring pressure of less than about 300 psi.

Abstract: The printing apparatus has a holding cylinder in which communication holes for communicating an external portion and an internal portion are made and a transfer pad which covers the outer surface of the holding cylinder at ordinary times in a detachable manner, expands upon pressure being applied via the above communication holes when the interior of the holding cylinder is pressurized, and contracts and returns to its original state when the pressure is released. Ink is adhered to the outer surface of the expandable/contractable transfer pad. The transfer pad is inserted in the contracted state into a cylindrical hole of an object to be printed. Pressure is applied from the inside of the transfer pad to cause it to expand and cause the outer surface of the transfer pad to press against the inner surface of the cylindrical hole and thereby transfer the ink adhered to the outer surface of the pad to the inner surface of the cylindrical hole.

Abstract: A pad printing apparatus is provided with a sealed ink cup for the printing of long images having a length greater than the diameter of the ink cup. The ink cup is caused to move lengthwise of the image and the movement of the image transfer pad is in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the image.

Abstract: A printing machine including a turntable causes object supports to pass at least one printing station. According to the invention, a guard is mounted mobile with respect to the printing station, and under the control of a control device driven by a control unit accessible to the operator, can move from a retracted position, in which it leaves the turntable readily accessible, to an extended position, in which it overlaps the turntable. Application, in particular, to printing machines with screen print heads.

Abstract: A photo film cassette has a spool about which photo film is wound. A data disk is disposed near to an axial end of a core of the spool. To record a bar code on the data disk in manufacturing the photo film cassette, a hot stamping apparatus includes at least one spool holder for holding the spool in a slidable manner while the core is erect and the data disk is oriented upwards. A disk support supports the data disk. A slider shifts the disk support between a retracted position away from the spool holder and an advanced position close to the spool holder. The disk support in the advanced position is adapted to lift the data disk by contact with a bottom of the data disk. A hot stamping head is pressed against a top of the data disk, and records a bar code thereto. Cushion springs are biasing the disk support up toward the hot stamping head.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for a cassette accommodating a recording medium such as a tape-shaped recording medium or the like or a cassette accommodating case includes a cylindrical member and a cylindrical pad. The cylindrical member is supplied with an ink which contains an inorganic filler having a comparatively large particle size. The ink is added with a titanate coupling agent or an aluminate coupling agent. The cylindrical member has the concave printing plate formed on its peripheral surface and is supported rotatable. The ink on the concave printing plate is transferred to the cylindrical pad. The cylindrical pad is supported rotatably. The cylindrical pad is brought in contact with the concave printing plate and the surface of the conveyed cassette accommodating the recording medium or the conveyed cassette accommodating case.

Abstract: A flexographic apparatus including a plate having a relief pattern for printing on a substrate to be printed is provided with a temperature control, preferably embedded within a stage for supporting the substrate to be printed. The substrate to be printed may be controlled at a temperature above 30.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) including a support structure (104), a flexible stamp (106) having a stamping surface (110) including a predetermined pattern disposed opposite the support structure (104), a pressure controlled chamber (112) disposed above the support structure (104), and a mechanical attachment (114) affixed to the flexible stamp (106).

Abstract: The doctor portion of the ink cup of a pad printing machine is formed of a polymeric composite which has high compressive strength and high resistance to chemicals, notably to printing inks. The polymeric doctoring portion is tapered and defines a narrow distal end surface which circumscribes the open end of the cup for doctoring engagement with an opposed plastic gravure surface. The doctoring portion may be a separate ring element suitably mounted at the open end of the cup body or it may be a unitary part of the cup. In a preferred embodiment, this doctoring portion is a ring formed of a polymer composite reinforced by carbon fibers and which is permeated by lubricant particles or granules of graphite.

Abstract: A pad printing machine includes: a cliche plate; a pad disposed above the cliche plate; and a transmission mechanism operatively connected to the cliche plate and to the pad. The transmission mechanism includes a main shaft; a main arm connected to the cliche plate and pivotably mounted on the main shaft; a pivot arrangement connected to the main arm; a lever pivotably mounted on the pivot arrangement and being connected to the pad; and an arrangement for controlling a pivoting motion of the main arm and the lever including: a first cam operatively coupled to the main arm; a groove disposed in one of the first cam and the main arm for controlling a pivoting motion of the main arm in response to a rotation of the first cam; and a second cam operatively coupled to the lever such that a rotation of the second cam controls a pivoting motion of the lever. The transmission mechanism further includes a drive for actuating the transmission mechanism to move the cliche plate and the pad.

Abstract: A transfer-pad printing composition comprising either a latex or solution coating composition comprising a coating vehicle and a monomeric or polymeric hydroxylated and/or carboxylated surface active wetting agent that is coating compatible with the pad surface such that the coating composition, provided in the shape of a pattern, is precisely imprinted on its surface and the pad can precisely transfer the design to another surface that is receptive to the coating. The process of transfer-pad printing with the composition. Also, articles made by such transfer printing.