Abstract: An electronic franking machine comprises a franking head, a mail item storage and feed module and a conveyor for feeding individual mail items from the storage and feed module to the franking head. The machine is in two parts comprising a lower part forming a base having a first closing edge and an upper part hinged to the lower part and having a second closing edge. The upper part is adapted to be closed onto the lower part to form a tunnel when the first and second closing edges are in contact extending longitudinally from the storage and feed module to the franking head. The upper part carries a first drive system. The lower part carries a second drive system cooperating with the first drive system to feed a mail item along the tunnel. The drive system constitutes the conveyor. The upper part or the lower part carries the franking head.

Abstract: To securely attach a printing cylinder sleeve (3, 16, 28, 38, 38') over a cylinder core structure (2, 15, 27, 37), the core structure has grooves (4, 23, 29) located in the vicinity of axially remote end regions, which grooves are closed off by expansion rings (12, 25, 35, 38, 38'), which can be expanded by applying a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure medium, such as grease, or compressed air, between the core structure and the expansion ring. Connecting ducts, filled with grease, or connectable to a source of air pressure, are formed in the cylinder, connecting with the grooves therein.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a bearing structure (2), a slidably movable print head (6) guided in said bearing structure, a dragging unit (22, 23) adapted to move a sheet (7) to be printed under the print head and exhibiting dragging members (22) directly acting on the sheet, a plate-like body (4) provided with a write surface (5) located under the print head and representing a rest surface for the sheet, the bearing surface being oscillatable relative to the plate-like body between an operating position in which the bearing surface and plate-like body are substantially in mutual contact and a raised position for putting the sheet in place, in which the dragging members directly acting on the sheet are located in the plate-like body substantially below the write surface.

Abstract: In an assembly device for replacing the block sleeve on the roller core of a printing roller unit a support device with a gripper is provided, which so secures the unit immediately adjacent to one end of the roller core in the vicinity of two adjacent tilting moment support points, that from said single holding zone both ends of the unit project freely without any further support and are therefore readily accessible. On a printing press it is possible to provide for each printing mechanism an assembly device of this type, in which the particular printing roller unit can be directly inserted by an inserting device from the press or machine mount.

Abstract: A plate winding apparatus, includes a winding rod which is rotatably received in a first groove, bearing plates, plate holding springs, levers, and plate winding springs. The bearing plates have axial holes each having a diameter larger than that of each of both end portions of the winding rod and pivotally support the winding rod and movably support the winding rod in a direction to increase a distance between the winding rod and a inner wall surface of the first groove. The plate holding springs are fitted in holes formed in a circumferential surface of the winding rod in an axial direction thereof and bias the winding rod against the inner wall surface of the first groove. The levers are fixed on the both end portions of the winding rod.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for use in screen printing operations. The clamping apparatus has an angle iron having an upright back, a lower lip bound to the upright back, and an upper lip bound to the upright back. At least one clamp slide assembly is slidably disposed on and along the upper lip of the angle iron. The clamping apparatus is pivotally secured to a silkscreen table in order for readily engaging a silkscreen frame. A method for positioning a printing screen over a screen table which includes clamping with a pair of clamp slide assemblies a silkscreen frame of a printing screen against the lower lip of the angle iron. The silkscreen frame may be easily elevated as desired.

Abstract: In a mimeographic printing machine, a stencil discharge apparatus comprises a device for peeling a stencil from the outer circumferential surface of a rotary cylindrical drum, a rotary unit rotatably located near the peeling device, the rotary unit having a receiving portion opening backwardly with respect to the rotating direction of the rotary unit, and a disposal unit located near the rotary unit. The disposal unit has an introducing plate which is operable in response to the rotation of the rotary unit for compressing the stencil to discard.

Abstract: A replaceable ink cartridge provides a means for replacing an ink roller on an imprinting device without soiling ones hands or clothes. The replaceable ink cartridge includes an ink roller which is received within and contained by a molded containment member prior to its insertion on an imprinting device. In addition, an imprinting device utilizing the replaceable ink cartridge and a method for replacing a replaceable ink cartridge without soiling ones hands or clothing are also provided.

Abstract: To permit access to accessory apparatus, such as inkers or dampers, or parts thereof, through an opening in the side wall of the printing machine which is so small, for reasons of printing machine stability, that normal access thereto is impaired, at least part of the accessory apparatus is located on a slide carriage (27) which is supported similar to a suspension slide on a carriage support rail (28). The carriage support rail (28) is secured to one side wall with a pivot hinge, so that it can be pivoted laterally, horizontally, to remove the part of the accessory apparatus by sliding it outwardly on the slide carriage. A holder extension (39) slidable on the support (38) is secured to the other side wall (1) of the printing machine supports the carriage support rail and provides an end stop for the accessory apparatus when the carriage support rail is swung outwardly.