Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating printed products, wherein the products are initially printed in at least one printing process and are provided with a layer that covers the printing ink on the printed product immediately thereafter in at least one coating process. According to the invention, a corona treatment device is arranged between the final printing station and a device for coating the printing products for subjecting the printing ink on the printing product to a corona treatment immediately after the printing process such that UV varnish can be directly applied onto the printing inks without the requirement of additional printing processes.

Abstract: Temperature control of the coating medium is performed to influence the processability of coating media in an applicator system. In order to operate without losing efficiency, devices acting directly from the inside or the outside for heat supply or dissipation are connected to the elements guiding the coating medium. The temperature of the coating medium is influenced by measuring the temperature within the coating medium and, if necessary, at the elements guiding the coating medium.

Abstract: A cylinder, such as a forme or transfer cylinder of a printing machine has at least one clamping conduit in an outer cylinder body. This clamping conduit extends axially in the cylinder body and has a radial depth. A tempering medium can flow through the cylinder. The cylinder outer body has an inner surface which is generally circular and which cooperates with the tempering medium.

Abstract: An ink cooling system for printing presses is disclosed. The ink cooling system is arranged to cool ink at locations within a printing press at the locations in which the ink properties are most likely to be adversely impacted, and which locations are or may be physically remote from the centralized ink supply or ink tanks. The disclosed system thus counteracts localized heating that commonly occurs in printing presses, thus minimizing or eliminating printing problems caused by heated ink.

Abstract: A method of tempering a printing press with a circulating tempering medium includes regulating a temperature of the tempering medium. The temperature at a first measurement location is measured for purposes of control during production printing by the printing press. The temperature at a second measurement location is measured during a tempering phase of the printing press preceding production printing.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing of pre-inkable rubber stamps from micro porous thermo-plastic material (6) by use of thermal head (1), where material is compressed by not less than 0.5 mm and the controller switches on and off the heating elements (2) of the thermal head (1) in accordance with a pattern received from the computer, creating by melting the surface of the said material ink non-permeable elements, characterized in that the surface with the heating elements of the said thermal head has appropriate configuration that the stretching out of melted surface layer (5) of the said material under the elastic tension of the material (6) releasing from the compression by the thermal head (1) is avoided.

Abstract: A printable absorbent surface is disclosed. The printable absorbent surface includes a permanent image of colors having half tones. The surface also includes a disappearing image of disappearing inks. The disappearing image disappears from the surface during a heat application. The surface also includes a slurry mix having a color. The surface also includes an application mix having a portion of the slurry mix and a portion of clear base. The application mix is applied to the disappearing image and placed on the surface.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an air guide system having various actuators, in a sheet-fed printing machine, includes the method steps of providing characteristic curves containing conveying parameters which are critical for sheet conveyance, plotted against a printing machine-specific parameter, and which are optimal for sheet-specific parameters; storing the characteristic curves in a memory; feeding the actual sheet-specific and printing machine-specific data of a print job to a CPU; accessing by the CPU the characteristic curve which is optimal for the actual data from the memory; outputting the appropriate commands to the individual actuators; and, if necessary, providing operator intervention; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: There are provided a method of forming an image on a card and an apparatus therefor, which are capable of properly carrying out printing of an image on a card and protection of the printed image in a simplified manner without changing the size of the card. A card is used which has an ink-fixing layer laminated on a surface of a substrate layer and an ink image-receiving layer peelably laminated on a surface of the ink-fixing layer. An image is printed on the card, while feeding the card, by an ink jet printing method using a sublimable dye ink. The card printed with the image is conveyed to a heating source, and subjected to heat treatment by the heating source to cause diffusion of the sublimable dye ink held in the ink image-receiving layer in the ink-fixing layer, and color development to form an image. The ink image-receiving layer is peeled off the card after the heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of print bearer surfaces during printing in rotary printing machines. The print bearers are fastened in exchangeable fashion on the circumferential surface of print form cylinders. The surfaces of the print bearers are inked by inking form rollers. The temperature of the color-separation-guiding surfaces of the print bearers is controlled in such a way that narrower/broader printing and/or shorter/longer printing arising during the passage of the printed material through the printing unit is compensated per individual printing unit.

Abstract: A method of successively and automatically transfer printing an integral design on the leaves of a blind with one round of processing includes steps of conveying both the leaves of a blind and a transfer printing paper roll automatically and press them together in a thermo-transfer printing device. Thus, the designs of the transfer printing paper roll can be automatically transferred and printed on the leaves of a blind, which has an integral design after combined together.

Abstract: A method of tempering a printing press with a circulating tempering medium includes regulating a temperature of the tempering medium. The temperature at a first measurement location is measured for purposes of control during production printing by the printing press. The temperature at a second measurement location is measured during a tempering phase of the printing press preceding production printing.

Abstract: A method for controlling a chill roll system in a web printing press includes calculating, based on a web inlet temperature of a web entering a first chill roll of the chill roll system, a dew point temperature of an ink solvent vapor of ink printed on the web is calculated. The inlet coolant temperature of coolant entering the first chill roll is set to temperature value near the calculated dew point temperature. Using a heat transfer model, the flow rate of the coolant through the first chill roll needed to maintain a temperature rise of the coolant through the first chill roll below a predetermined value is determined. The method prevents post-chill marking by sufficiently cooling the web, and sets chill roll temperature profiles to avoid solvent condensation on chill roll surfaces and thereby avoid condensate marking.

Abstract: A printer has a web handling unit that includes a web conditioning device for providing fixed control of the moisture within the web being fed, a skew correction device for adjusting the traveling position of the web which has passed through the web conditioning device, and a tension assigning device for assigning fixed tension to the web. The printer also includes an image forming device that forms an image on the web transported from the web handling unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for zone controlling the temperature of a rotating roll. The apparatus includes a roll having a surface at a first temperature and a belt disposed adjacent at least a portion of the surface of the roll. The belt contacts the roll surface in a contact region and has a second temperature that is different from the first temperature of the roll such that the belt affects a temperature change in at least a portion of the surface of the roll in the contact region as the roll is rotated.

Abstract: A method of generating a graphic on fabric includes providing a sheet of heat settable adhesive, preferably a clear urethane heat transfer adhesive, having first and second oppositely facing surfaces. The second surface is supported on a sheet of backing material. Ink forming a graphic is applied to the first surface of the adhesive. Unused adhesive, if any, adjacent to the graphic is removed if necessary or desired. The adhesive carrying the graphic is placed into contact with the fabric, and the adhesive carrying the graphic is heated above a setting temperature of the adhesive while in contact with the fabric so as to permanently affix the graphic to the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling material to be printed and printing machine elements at sheet-fed rotary printing machines by means of cooled compressed air. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which requires little space, is able to cool effectively the material to be printed as well as the machine elements, which are undesirably heated by the dryers. Pursuant to the present invention, this objective is accomplished by providing an apparatus wherein cooled, compressed air is supplied over one or more sheet-guiding devices for guiding the sheets pneumatically along the sheet-guiding path, and a cooling device is disposed in the cross section of flow of the compressed air or the sheet-guiding device.

Abstract: An ink cooling system for printing presses is disclosed. The ink cooling system is arranged to cool ink at locations within a printing press at the locations in which the ink properties are most likely to be adversely impacted, and which locations are or may be physically remote from the centralized ink supply or ink tanks. The disclosed system thus counteracts localized heating that commonly occurs in printing presses, thus minimizing or eliminating printing problems caused by heated ink.

Abstract: A cooling system for a sheet-fed printing unit, including at least one fan and a cooling element such as a chilled water coil. The printing unit includes a plurality of ink cylinders, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, and one or more transfer cylinders. A source directs radiant energy onto substrate being printed to cure ink thereon. The radiant energy may be directed at substrates on the impression or transfer cylinders. In response to the radiant energy, the impression or transfer cylinders become heated and transfer heat to the substrate, which distorts as a result. The fan generates an airflow toward an impression or transfer cylinder. The airflow is within a predetermined temperature range and of a sufficient magnitude to maintain the impression or transfer cylinder within a critical temperature range to prevent or minimize substrate distortion.

Abstract: A tire, for example, is nipped by a pair of bead portion support members and filled with an internal pressure. Logo marks printed on a transfer film are positioned in front of the tire at a transfer position at which the logo marks are to be transferred or printed to the tire. The transfer film is pressed by thermal plates onto the side portions of the tire so that the logo marks are transferred onto the side portions thereof. In short, the present invention provides a printing device and a printing method capable of effectively printing clear indications on the side portions of a toroidal-shaped body such as a tire.

Abstract: A method of printing on composite substrates particularly composite substrates of the type having a matrix impregnated with a resin such as an epoxy. The method is particularly applicable to carbon fiber substrates known as “pregs” or “pre-pregs.” The substrate is maintained in a cooled condition, is sheeted and provided with a carrier. The surface is top coated with a UV curing ink. After curing, an image is applied using UV curable inks. After printing, the substrates are maintained in a cold condition for subsequent processing into items such as tubes, rods or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is a puff heat transfer, a puff transfer composition, and a method of applying a puff heat transfer. The puff transfer composition, i.e., ink, is actually loaded with the color. In particular, the transfer composition comprises a puff base material and at least one pigment concentrate. The puff base material is preferably included in an amount of at least about 85% by weight. On the other hand, the pigment concentrate is preferably in a total amount of about 15% by weight or less. The transfer composition is deposited on a transfer sheet to make the heat transfer. The transfer sheet is a substrate that is preferably treated with quillon. By using a substrate sheet that is treated with quillon, the puff of the present invention has an improved, velvet-like feel when the transfer sheet is removed.

Abstract: A printer includes a printer carrier having a surface for receiving ink for transfer printing onto a carrier material, such as paper. Areas of the surface print carrier are ink attracting and others are made ink repelling. The ink repelling areas are formed by providing the surface with a layer of a substance in a solid phase, such as water in the form of ice. The ice layer repels the ink as it is applied so that the ink is only held on the surface of the print carrier at the areas that are ice free. The ice layer is formed by cooling the surface using a cooling mechanism to form a coating of frost due to condensation. A surface tension reducer for water is coated on the surface prior to cooling the surface. A laser or other radiation emitter structures the ice layer to form the print image.

Abstract: An apparatus for remoistening a product web includes at least one applicator for applying a remoistening agent to a printed and at least partly dried product web. A device increases the temperature of the remoistening agent so that contaminants are removed by vaporization from the remoistening agent. A combination of the apparatus with a dryer and a cooling device and a method for remoistening the product web are also provided.

Abstract: A device for cooling a material web in a web-fed rotary printing machine, includes a heating device for producing waste heat for evaporative cooling of a cooling medium, and a cooling configuration through which the cooling medium is directable for web cooling. A first quantity of the cooling medium is evaporated and a second quantity is cooled by removal of heat of evaporation. A vapor generator produces vapor at least partly by the waste heat from the heating device. At least one vapor-jet vacuum nozzle is operatable by the vapor for producing a negative pressure. The cooling medium is to be subjected to negative pressure in a negative-pressure chamber for at least partial evaporation and for cooling. A dryer including the cooling device, a printing machine including the cooling device or the dryer and a cooling method are also provided.

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface of a solid substrate includes modifying the surface with at least one oxidizing flame and modifying the surface with at least one silicatising flame. The process is particularly beneficial in preparing glass and other surfaces for printing thereon.

Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature of a rotary machine having a hollow roller chain with ink vibratory rollers and a plate cylinders such as used in a printing head, the system comprising a heat transfer fluid, a device for cooling the heat transfer fluid, a closed loop conduit, a device for passing the heat transfer fluid through the ink vibratory rollers, a solenoid valve mounted on the conduit, the solenoid valve being either fully opened or fully closed, temperature sensors to sense the temperature of the ink vibratory rollers, and a reservoir for the heat transfer fluid. The solenoid valves being either fully opened or fully closed allows for quick and precise temperature adjustments in real-time within a very narrow range.

Abstract: This invention relates to an offset printing method in which the picture to be printed id formed on a plate-holder-cylinder (3), the said picture is transferred onto a blanket (4) carried by a blanket-holder-cylinder (5), then transferred onto a paper compressed between the blanket (4) and a back pressure cylinder (7). The temperature T3 of the blanket-holder-cylinder (5) is regulated. The invention also relates to an offset printing device comprising an inking unit (1), a plate-holder-cylinder (3), a blanket-holder-cylinder (5), a backpressure cylinder (7). It comprises means (8) for regulating the temperature T3 of the blanket-holder-cylinder (5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adjusting the temperature of a printing press, which can effectively adjust the temperature of plate cylinders and rollers in each inking arrangement in a press for multicolor printing on cylindrical bodies and make it possible to conduct the printing, without the appearance of scumming even in waterless offset printing presses. A first system conduit 25 for adjusting the temperature of rollers with an ink feed function in each inking arrangement and a second system conduit 26 for adjusting the temperature of rollers with an ink distribution function are provided, the temperature can be adjusted separately in the first system conduit and second system conduit, and plate cylinders 2 are cooled by blowing cooling air whose temperature is set to a prescribed temperature from axially extending portion of the plate cylinders in the axial direction of the plate cylinders.

Abstract: Improved label printing and applying apparatus (10) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a rotatable impression drum (18) presenting an outer surface (20), as well as at least one digital print head (22) adjacent the drum outer surface (20). The overall apparatus (10) also includes a downstream label cutting and application assembly (14) having an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and a label applying device (96). In use, a web (16) traverses the drum (18) with essentially no relative movement between the web (16) and drum surface (20), and the print head(s) (22) are actuated to form images on the web (16), which may be identical or varied. Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied, the individual images are laser cut, and the labels are thereupon applied to products (54).

Abstract: A system and process for placing printed color images on a series of objects including: generating digital data representing a plurality of different color images; providing a print medium composed of a substrate carrying a releasable coating which is formulated to retain printing inks; supplying the generated digital data to a digitally controlled color printer having a plurality of print heads; feeding the print medium through the printer while operating the print heads under control of the generated data; and placing a portion of the printed coating in contact with an objects and transferring the image to the object. The printed medium may be incorporated into a mold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety device for a manual cure unit for use during screen printing. The present safety device includes a proximity sensor, a timer, and a voltage reduction mechanism. A programmable logic controller is used to control the device. The safety device is constructed and designed so that the power supply to the radiation source of the manual cure unit is automatically reduced when an object is detected in the scorch zone of the cure unit for a pre-selected duration of time.

Abstract: A regenerable stencil printing plate is provided, which can be repeatedly used in master making and printing. The stencil printing plate comprises a film made of a polymeric material that shrinks in response to a stimulus selected from heat and light, and numerous fine apertures are formed in the film in cross sectional direction thereof. Preferably, the polymeric material is mainly composed of a polymer selected from acrylamide based polymers, vinyl ether based polymers, and oxide based polymers. Stencil printing is performed by providing the film, giving the above stimulus to the film in such a manner that a desired image is traced on the film to expand said apertures selectively at sites to which said stimulus is given, and allowing an image forming material to pass through the thus expanded apertures to transfer the image forming material to a recording medium.

Abstract: A process temperature control system for a rotary processing machine involving one or more process fluids by using an external liquid coolant from a central source of heating and cooling applied to one, or more transmission train of rollers for the process fluids of the rotary machine to effectively control the process temperature of those process fluids in real time and to use these process fluids themselves as the means to achieve process temperature control for the whole rotary machine. One such rotary processing machine is a rotary printing press equipped with conventional lithography printing plates or waterless printing plates by using its hollowed ink roller train to receive internal coolant to effectively control the temperature of the ink to optimize its own process characteristics and to use this fluid (ink) itself as it moves through the lithographic process as a direct cooling/heating media to control other important lithographic process temperatures in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a web of material by applying a liquid material to the web, heating the web, cooling the web and moistening the web is provided with an applicator that applies the liquid material to the web, a drying apparatus that heats the web to an initial temperature of greater than about 250° F. and causes the web to have a moisture content of no greater than about 1.5%, a first cooling apparatus that causes the initial temperature of the web to be reduced to a second temperature no greater than about 210° F. and no less than about 100° F., a moistening apparatus that causes the moisture content of the web to be increased to at least about 2.5%, and a second cooling apparatus that causes the web to be cooled to a temperature not greater than about 100° F.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention increases the operating envelope for large format thermal ink jet printing via a directed fluid flow from specially-designed orifices which promote fluid flow on a printed surface adjacent a printing zone in a large format ink jet printer where in addition to the optimized fluid flow one or more heating elements are inserted directly into the fluid flow to thereby promote drying of said printed surface. In one embodiment, a single dual-duct plennum spans the width of a roll-fed large format ink jet print engine and a first duct distributes heated air downward (in the direction of media web movement) and a second duct evacuates a printing space so that any potentially harmful ink vapors or other air-borne contaminant is appropriately fluidly coupled to either a remote exhaust vent or vapor capture vessel.

Abstract: The invention is of an improved method and process for printing plastic tag blanks for producing plastic identifier tags (such as cattle ear tags). By printing images on tag blanks using conventional ink jet printer technology and thereafter “welding” the image to be plastic of the printed tag blank, a durable image is provided all the tag without the need for undertaking conventional hot stamp printing with its associated costs, inconveniences, and even safety hazards as associated with the heated metallic print blocks of such conventional method.

Abstract: To effectively cool the inking unit of a rotary printing machine during a machine stop, the inking unit can be driven during the machine stop by at least one motor, with the rubber-covered ink transport rollers having contact with the temperature-modified ink transport rollers.

Abstract: The method of printing an integral design on the leaves of a blind with one round of processing includes setting up printing plates for designs expected to be printed, and then the designs on these printing plates are compressed by a printing roller and printed on the leaves at the same time. Next, these leaves with printed designs on them are dried, collected and tied up, possible to produce by a large number with one round of processing, to lower processing cost and greatly beautify leaves of a blind.

Abstract: A fluid material application system is provided with an application deck for applying a fluid material that includes printing ink, adhesive or coating, a source of fluid material, a source of heat transfer liquid, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a tube-in-hose ink heat exchange element having a fluid material carrying seamless tube located within a hose. The hose is adapted to be connected to a heat transfer fluid source so that a heat transfer fluid flows around the fluid material carrying tube to control and maintain the temperature of the fluid material in the tube at a generally constant temperature. The elongated heat exchange element may possess a winding type of configuration (e.g., it may be coiled or helically wound or may be laid out in a serpentine path) to define a winding flow path for the fluid material and the heat transfer fluid, and may be located within an enclosing structure to define an overall compact heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a moving web of material is provided with an applicator that applies a liquid material to the moving web, a drying apparatus that heats the web to an initial temperature, a first cooling apparatus that causes the web to be cooled to a second temperature that is at least about 20° F. lower than the initial temperature, and a second cooling apparatus disposed after the first cooling apparatus that causes the web to be cooled to a third temperature that is at least about 20° F. lower than the second temperature. The first cooling apparatus includes a generator adapted to generate a directed electrostatic field through which the web passes and a sprayer adapted to spray liquid through the electrostatic field and onto the web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a metering roll having a composite sleeve or a metal core with a ceramic coating involves the use of a laser. The roll's ceramic coating is covered with a matrix of cells that can get plugged with a polymeric contaminant, such as dried ink. The laser is uniquely focused to provide a beam intensity profile that matches multiple curved surfaces of the cells. The laser applies heat to each cell at a temperature that destroys the contaminant, yet leaves the ceramic coating intact. The heat is rapidly delivered and rapidly removed from the roll to minimize the amount of heat conducted to the roll's metal core. In addition, a special pneumatic guide bearing makes it possible to clean the metering roll while it is still in the printing press.

Abstract: Method of influencing ink-trapping behavior of ink-conducting components of a printing unit in a rotary printing press includes disconnecting at a clutch location an inking-unit drive coming from printing-unit cylinders, directly imaging a printing form on a printing-form cylinder within the rotary printing press, and reestablishing the drive connection between the inking unit and the printing-unit cylinders at the clutch location after completing the direct imaging of the printing form; and device for performing the method.

Abstract: A fixing roller and a pressure roller form a nip therebetween to fix a recorded image onto a recording sheet provided into the nip. A coil provides alternating magnetic field with respect to the fixing roller to inductively heat the fixing roller. The coil includes a plurality of coil segments arranged in an axial direction of the fixing roller. The coil segments are connected in a manner of either forward connection or alternate connection. A controller determines either the forward connection or the alternate connection such that an heating efficiency due to the induction heating has a larger value.

Abstract: Images are impressed on the surface of plastic tiles by a sublimation process. A tile having top and bottom surfaces is placed in a heating press having top and bottom platens. A transfer medium with a printed image thereon is placed in contact with the top surface of the tile. The tile is heated to a temperature sufficient to sublimate the dye and transfer the image onto the top surface of the tile. Heat is applied from both the top and bottom of the tile to prevent warping of the tile. The heat applied to the bottom of the tile is preferably slightly greater than the heat applied to the top of the tile.

Abstract: A printer includes a printer carrier having a surface for receiving ink for transfer printing onto a carrier material, such as paper. Areas of the surface print carrier are ink attracting and others are made ink repelling. The ink repelling areas are formed by providing the surface with a layer of a substance in a solid phase, such as water in the form of ice. The ice layer repels the ink as it is applied so that the ink is only held on the surface of the print carrier at the areas that are ice free. The ice layer is formed by cooling the surface using a cooling mechanism to form a coating of frost due to condensation. A surface tension reducer for water is coated on the surface prior to cooling the surface. A laser or other radiation emitter structures the ice layer to form the print image.

Abstract: A printing press liquid circulation system including a cooling pan having a dedicated power return drain having a power drain orifice and optional cooling capacity located on and as part of the pan. The system induces or suctions flow of liquid from the pan, having a pan supply orifice, to a reservoir through a return conduit by connecting the return conduit to a power return drain. Proper design of the power drain orifice and the pan supply orifice allows for a matched pan supply and return system for an open hydraulic circuit, free of foam and flooding with no adjustments required.

Abstract: A printing composition that is adapted for printing on computer printers and the like. The printing composition includes a backing sheet and a printing sheet. The printing sheet includes an electret which is reversibly bound to the backing sheet. In one embodiment of the invention, the printing sheet is coated with an ink absorbing coating. The electret can be constructed from materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene that have been subjected to electrostatic fields.

Abstract: A printing machine includes at least one object support rotatably mounted on a conveyor which advances stepwise, at least one radiation type drying oven in vertical alignment with the path of movement of the object support and a drive system for driving a rotation cycle of the object support in line with the drying oven when the conveyor is stopped. The drive system modulates the rotation speed of the object support during the rotation cycle as a function of its angular orientation.