Abstract: An end effector is provided that includes a first valve operably connected to a first motor housing, the first valve being moveable along at least four axes, a second valve operably connected to a second motor housing, the second valve being moveable along at least four axes, and a proximity adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a horizontal distance between the first valve and the second valve. An associated conformal coating machine and method are also provided.

Abstract: A machine arrangement, for sequentially processing sheet-type substrates, includes a plurality of different processing stations, one of which includes a non-impact printing device that prints the substrates. The processing station, including the non-impact printing device, also includes a printing cylinder, on the circumference of which, the non-impact printing device that prints the substrates is arranged. On the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder, four substrates are or can be placed behind each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the substrates that are to be conveyed are retained in one of a force-locking and a form-fitting manner on the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder by at least one retaining element.

Abstract: A method and device for dispensing granules in a pattern on a moving sheet, the device having: a granule source; a pattern roll, the pattern roll having a hollow interior and cylindrical outer surface comprising: a granule transfer zone; and an opening to the hollow interior, the method comprising: providing a flow of granules from a granule source directed toward the cylindrical outer surface of the pattern roll; rotating the pattern roll about a longitudinal axis through a granule transfer cycle comprising: a receipt portion wherein the granule transfer zone receives granules from the granule source; a retention portion wherein granules are retained in the transfer zone while the pattern roll rotates; and a release portion wherein granules dispensed onto the moving sheet; capturing a bypass flow of granules that flow through the opening into the hollow interior; and recycling the bypass flow of granules.

Abstract: A powdering device for a printing press includes a metering roller and a manifold. A plurality of injectors are provided downstream of the manifold in a conveying direction of the powder. The powdering device is operable in accordance with a method in which a total powder stream is subdivided into partial powder streams that are subsequently separately mixed with compressed air to create powder/air streams.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a heated drum within a continuous web printer includes operating an actuator to rotate a drum that is heated to a first temperature. The drum rotates in a process direction of a media web contacting the drum and heats the media web as the media web moves over a portion of the drum. The method also includes stopping movement of the media web, heating the drum to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature, and operating the actuator to rotate the drum against a portion of the stopped media web to transfer ink from the drum to the portion of the stopped media web.

Abstract: A powdering device for a printing press includes a metering roller and a manifold. A plurality of injectors are provided downstream of the manifold in a conveying direction of the powder. The powdering device is operable in accordance with a method in which a total powder stream is subdivided into partial powder streams that are subsequently separately mixed with compressed air to create powder/air streams.

Abstract: An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a release agent supply device to supply release agent to a release agent applicator. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a release agent metering device configured to control an amount of release agent applied to a roller configured to apply release agent to the first surface of the substrate. The roller is configured to accommodate the substrate under a tension over at least a portion of a circumference of the roller such that a pressure is exerted between the roller and the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket comprised of fluoropolymer to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, the anti-marking device removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is installed on the transfer cylinder between the anti-marking device and the transfer cylinder.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; and a foam application unit configured to apply foam generated by foaming a liquid and/or a gel onto the recording medium. The foam application unit includes an application part configured to apply the foam onto the recording medium, a supply opening configured to supply the foam to the application part, and a spreading part configured to spread the foam on the application part. The spreading part is disposed at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the application part; and the supply opening is disposed near the most upstream portion of the spreading part with respect to the movement direction of the application part.

Abstract: The invention discloses a varnish coating device that utilizes an ordinary conventional digital stencil printing apparatus, such that anyone can easily apply a uniform film of a viscous coating onto a predetermined area of, for instance, covers and surfaces of printed products. The invention functions as a varnish coating device, in place of a drum unit, when a varnish coating unit is mounted on a mounting section of a printing apparatus main body. The varnish coating unit has: a coating roller that coats the surface of printed paper with a transparent varnish liquid and feeds out the paper; a supply device having a doctor roller that forms a liquid pool on the coating roller and that supplies varnish liquid to form a coating in a predetermined thickness over a predetermined area of the surface of the coating roller; a cradle that detachably supports a varnish container; and a pumping device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powder sprayer having a fan jet nozzle configuration in a printing press, includes controlling the fan jet nozzle configuration as a function of operating parameters of the printing press. A printing press having a powder sprayer is also provided.

Abstract: To print and coat a medium (111), an image is printed on the medium (111), the printed medium (112) is inline dried, and the dried printed medium is inline coated. Both the drying and coating processes operate in synchronism with the printing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid applying apparatus and an ink jet printing apparatus which, when supplying a liquid to and/or collecting the liquid from a liquid holding member holding an application liquid in a space formed by a roller being abutted, can suppress the leakage of the liquid from the liquid holding member. A pump is provided in a collecting path between a storage tank and a liquid collecting port formed in the liquid holding member that is liquid-tight. The pump is driven to circulate the application liquid between the storage tank and the liquid holding member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a spray nozzle for a powder duster for dusting freshly printed products with a connection for a tube for supplying a powder-air mixture, a distribution chamber and at least two nozzle channels which branch off from the distribution chamber like a fan, wherein the opening angle of the outer nozzle channels limiting the fan subtends an angular range of 5° to 20°, in particular an angular range of 8° to 15°, and preferably 12°. The invention also concerns a spray bar with spray nozzles of this type, a powder duster comprising spray nozzles of this type, and a method for dusting freshly printed products.

Abstract: A device for producing a coating on printed products from a printing press is provided. The coating device can be actuated digitally via printing image data thereby allowing the coating motif to be designed in a variable manner The coating device can include an inkjet printer in the form of an inkjet head array or an inkjet head bar acting as a varnishing unit that operates line-by-line on large-format printing material. The coating device can also be integrated in a rotary press having a varnishing unit for coating a printing material that has been processed in the printing press. The coating device can also be integrated with a dryer. The printing material can be passed under the outlet openings of the inkjet heads and the dryer can be arranged directly after the inkjet printer in the transport direction of the printing material in order to dry the liquid coating material on the printing material after the application.

Abstract: A powdering unit for spraying printed products with powder has two box-shaped guiding elements following each other in the product-conveying direction. These guiding elements delimit, with mutually opposite parallel guiding sides, a guiding shaft leading to the product-conveying plane and intended for a powder gas curtain and delimit, with guiding sides running substantially parallel to the product-conveying surface, together with one side of the product, a powder gas guiding shaft running parallel to the product surface.

Abstract: A coating liquid application apparatus is capable of automatically and properly applying to a printed surface of a print medium a coating liquid, such as coating materials that improve weatherability of the printed surface. For that purpose, the apparatus includes a pair of rollers in rotating contact with both surfaces of the print medium, one of the rollers in contact with a printed surface of the print medium being used as an application roller, and a coating liquid supply member to supply the coating liquid stored in a coating liquid reservoir to the application roller.

Abstract: A dust collection apparatus of a printing press comprises: delivery chains equipped with gripper devices for holding a printed sheet; spray nozzles for spraying a powder toward a printed surface of the sheet being transported by the delivery chains; a blowing device, provided downstream of the spray nozzles in a sheet transport direction, for blowing air nearly parallel to the printed surface of the sheet being transported and toward an upstream side in the sheet transport direction; and a suction duct, provided upstream of the blowing device in the sheet transport direction, for sucking the powder along with air blown by the blowing device.

Abstract: A sheet-processing rotary printing press includes a sheet guiding device over which sheets are to be pulled in a processing direction. The guiding device has a stationary first guide surface and a withdrawable second guide surface. The withdrawable second guide surface follows the stationary first guide surface in the processing direction, and forms a pocket with the first guide surface. The guiding device further includes a molded part received in the pocket and forming a third guide surface for bridging over the pocket.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reducing toner rub-off from a copy made by an electrophotographic process wherein printers' anti-offset powder (e.g. finely-powdered starch) is sprayed onto the copy after the toner image has been fused to the copy. If a release oil is present on the copy, the powder is sprayed directly onto the release oil on the copy. To apply the powder, an applicator is positioned within the finishing section of the electrophotographic apparatus and sprays the copy with the powder as the copy exits the fuser section of the apparatus.

Abstract: A combined lithographic/flexographic printing process having a plurality of successive printing stations for printing color images on a substrate in a continuous in-line process. One of the stations prints a first color image using the flexographic process and at least one of the successive printing stations prints a second color image over the first color image using an offset lithographic process in the continuous in-line process.

Abstract: A powder apparatus for a printing press includes delivery chains or a transfer cylinder, spray nozzles, and a circular columnar rotary member or transfer cylinder. The delivery chains or transfer cylinder has gripper units or grippers for holding and moving in a sheet convey direction a sheet having a printing surface. The spray nozzles spray a powder toward the printing surface of the sheet which is being conveyed by the delivery chains or transfer cylinder. The rotary member or transfer cylinder is provided downstream of the spray nozzles in the sheet convey direction and is supported rotatably. The rotary member or transfer cylinder has at least one notch that opposes the gripper units or grippers, during rotation, which move along with sheet convey operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for spot coating on printing substrates in large size printing machines producing printed images by application of an ink layer on the printing substrates. The invention provides a method and apparatus for spot coating of printing substrates also applicable in large size printing presses. The present invention uses a universally applicable offset plate to coat substantially the entire area of a printed image, wherein the coating reacts with ink layers of at least two ink systems thereby changing the printed image so that areas of varying gloss degrees are created. The present invention uses a conventional printing press comprising at least two printing units for printing at least two ink systems, an optional dryer allocated to the printing units, and a coating unit for application of the final coating layer succeeding the printing units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing varying degrees of gloss on printed matter in printing machines producing printed images on printed matter by application of an ink layer. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing varying degrees of gloss on printed matter with only one coating tower which comprises only one coating unit and no especially manufactured coating plate. The method according to the present invention comprises applying an ink layer from at least two ink systems on a substrate to be printed to produce a printed image. The printed image is subsequently coated with a coating, whereby each ink system changes degree of gloss in reaction with the coating layer.

Abstract: A powder apparatus for a printing press includes delivery chains or a transfer cylinder, spray nozzles, and a circular columnar rotary member or transfer cylinder. The delivery chains or transfer cylinder has gripper units or grippers for holding and moving in a sheet convey direction a sheet having a printing surface. The spray nozzles spray a powder toward the printing surface of the sheet which is being conveyed by the delivery chains or transfer cylinder. The rotary member or transfer cylinder is provided downstream of the spray nozzles in the sheet convey direction and is supported rotatably. The rotary member or transfer cylinder has at least one notch that opposes the gripper units or grippers, during rotation, which move along with sheet convey operation.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a process for forming a translucent first image onto a transparent media 34 and forming a translucent mirror image of the first image onto a second transparent media 36 whereupon the first image and the second mirror image are placed face to face or back to back and positioned between opposing layers 42, 44 of transparent material where application of ambient light will produce a luminous effect on the dual image. Enhancement of a part or entire images is further achieved by centrally placing a thin layer of tissue paper 46, cut into the desired shape and sized between the two layers 34, 36 of transparent media holding the images. The tissue paper 46 serves to diffuse light imparting a luminous quality to the coplanar images, in either frontal 16 or backlighting 18 conditions.

Abstract: A method and device for powdering the printed sheets of paper. Powder is periodically introduced into the airflow by a dosing element.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) to aid in fixing dye to fabric having housing (15) having a portion (20) to receive and support a printer (25) to apply dye to the fabric (40) as it passes a predetermined location (50). A first set of rollers to provide for movement of the fabric (40) through the housing (15) so as to pass the location (50), a steamer (55) within the housing (15) and through which the fabric (40) passes after the location (50), the steamer (55) being adapted to aid in fixing the dye to the fabric (40); means (75) to deliver steam to the space; and wherein the apparatus (10) further includes: a second set of rollers to provide for the passage of the fabric (40) from the predetermined location (50) to the steamer (55).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for powdering printed paper sheets. According to the invention, the performance of the air-pressure generator which generates the air stream for the powder-air mixture can be adjusted in line with the machine speed or the speed of transportation of the paper sheets.

Abstract: A device for transversely sizing printed products that uses individual application devices such as nozzles that are provided on a roller. The method includes moving individual application devices in at least one sizing position where the relative speed between the application device and printed product is held at essentially zero.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for applying powder on sections of printing sheets (2). The invention includes a powder airflow (8) enclosed in a protective airflow (13) such that the powder airflow is steady and protected against the action of possible disturbances until it reaches the sections of printing sheets (2).

Abstract: A sheet coating apparatus including a storage tank in which a coating liquid having charged coating particles dispersed therein is contained, a development roller rotatably installed to be immersed in the coating liquid, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the development roller, a coating roller rotatably installed in a state in which it is partially immersed in the coating liquid while maintaining a predetermined development gap relative to the development roller, and a compression roller for pressing a sheet passing between the compression roller and the coating roller toward the coating roller while securely rotating with respect to the coating roller. The coating particles adhere to the surface of the coating roller at the development gap due to an electric force to then be coated on the sheet passing between the coating roller and the compression roller.

Abstract: A wax coating device for a wet type electrophotographic color printer is capable of preventing the coating operation when printed matter is not supposed to be wax-coated. The wax coating device includes: a coating roller rotatably disposed so as to be partially immersed in the wax of a wax tank; a pressing roller disposed so as to be in tight contact with the coating roller for pressing the printed matter passing between the pressing and coating rollers against the coating roller; a pressing roller spacer for permitting the printed matter to pass between the pressing and coating rollers by spacing the pressing roller apart from the coating roller; and a coating prevention section for preventing contact of printed matter with the coating roller when the printed matter passes between the spaced pressing and coating rollers by being selectively advanced between and withdrawn from the pressing and coating rollers in accordance with the operation of the pressing roller spacer.

Abstract: A device for transversely sizing printed products that uses individual application devices such as nozzles that are provided on a roller. The method includes moving individual application devices in at least one sizing position where the relative speed between the application device and printed product is held at essentially zero.

Abstract: A powder sprayer unit which provides improved spraying of powder onto printed sheets of material produced in printing presses. The powder sprayer includes a source of pressurized fluid, a source of powder, a mixer and a distributor. The mixer includes at least one fluid inlet positioned to receive fluid from the fluid source, and at least one powder inlet positioned to receive powder from the source of powder to mix the fluid and the powder forming a fluid/powder mixture. The distributor-includes a disperser positioned to disperse the mixture as it flows to a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are positioned to spray the dispersed mixture onto specified areas of printed sheets of material having passed through the printing press.

Abstract: A combined lithographic/flexographic printing process having a plurality of successive printing stations for printing color images on a substrate in a continuous in-line process. One of the stations prints a first color image using the flexographic process and at least one of the successive printing stations prints a second color image over the first color image using an offset lithographic process in the continuous in-line process.