Abstract: A drying apparatus can include, in some aspects, an ultrasonic transducer and an infrared heater positioned proximate to the ultrasonic transducer and configured to emit infrared light. The drying apparatus can include a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The drying apparatus can include a delivery enclosure defining a bottom wall, the bottom wall defining a plurality of air outlets; the ultrasonic transducer mounted to the delivery enclosure; and the drying apparatus can include an air mover mounted to the delivery enclosure.

Abstract: An example of a print system including a dryer to dry a sheet of paper. The print system includes a media feeder to feed the sheet of paper into the dryer and a controller to vary a speed of the media feeder. The print system includes a communication interface to receive data associated with an image to print on the sheet of paper and a processor. The processor is coupled to the controller and the communication interface. The processor is to determine a first density index for a first portion of the image and to determine a second density index for a second portion of the image. The processor is to adjust the speed of the media feeder via the controller based on the first density index and the second density index.

Abstract: A printer includes a drying unit that has a vacuum plenum and a drying belt with an exterior surface along which the media is transported through the drying unit. The drying belt has a plurality of holes extending through the drying belt, each hole in the plurality of holes having a diameter that is less than 300 microns. The drying unit further includes a heater configured to heat the media transported through the drying unit and a vacuum blower operably connected to the vacuum plenum. The vacuum blower is configured to generate a negative pressure in the vacuum plenum that holds the media on the exterior surface of the drying belt by the negative pressure acting through the plurality of holes without producing temperature differentials in the media on the belt that result in noticeable image quality defects.

Abstract: A direct-to-object printer includes an ultraviolet (UV) curing verification subsystem. The verification subsystem includes a ribbon that frictionally engages an image on an object that contains UV curable material. An imaging device generates image data of the ribbon that engaged the image and the image data is processed to determine whether any uncured UV material is present on the ribbon.

Abstract: A card processing system that includes a card transport mechanism having at least first and second separate card transports that separately transport first and second cards in the card processing system. Each of the first and second card transports can be actuated between a common card pick-up location and common card discharge position. At least one card processing mechanism that can perform a card processing operation is located between the common card pick-up location and the common card discharge location, with each of the first and second card transports transporting respective cards to the card processing mechanism to perform the card processing operation and transporting the cards from the card processing mechanism after processing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a water-based emulsion of silicone fluid to a printed web required to be cooled, such that evaporative cooling of the web is promoted in addition to coating of said web with a silicone material. Water evaporated following the application of the silicone fluid to the web is recovered by condensation on the applicator(s) and reapplied to the web, thus economizing the amount of silicone fluid mixture necessary to provide both cooling and enhanced slip characteristics necessary for further handling and processing of the web. The condensation step is effected by containing the evaporated water from the web within a compact enclosure enveloping both the applicator(s) and the web, and optionally chilling said applicator(s) with a cooling medium, preferably water, by means of said cooling medium flowing through at least one of the applicators.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing leather including an ink acceptor applicator that applies ink directly onto a surface of the leather; an ink applicator that applies ink to the ink acceptor and/or the leather surface; an additive applicator that applies additive onto the ink acceptor, the ink and/or the leather surface; a barrier having a surface configured to contact the acceptor, ink and additive on the leather surface; and a heater that heats the surface of the barrier to a predetermined temperature or a temperature within a selected temperature range such that the barrier, which is substantially impervious to the ink and has a melting point higher than the select temperature range, contacts at least the acceptor ink and additive on the surface directly to liquefy the acceptor ink and additive into the leather and the acceptor, ink and additive fuses and penetrates into the leather.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dispersing a liquid coolant in a radiant dryer. The system comprises a dryer of a printing system. The dryer includes a heating element within an interior of the dryer that is able to heat a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior. The dryer also includes a liquid dispersal unit within the interior that is able to project liquid droplets of coolant onto the web as the web travels through the interior, in order to control the temperature of the web.

Abstract: Heat transfers are provided that have a symbol image which can be of a numeric, alphabetic or alpha-numeric shape and have a body width onto which another image is placed. The image thus placed can be of an individual or scene, for example, the image of a sport personality. The result is a composite image, and this composite image is imparted to a heat transfer support or substrate having heat transfer capabilities, such as by a printing technique. The resultant composite image heat transfer then is available for application onto products such as soft goods or other merchandise.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing the temperature of print heads of a printer in a multi-printer environment. The system comprises a receiving printer operable to receive a web of print media heated by an upstream dryer. The system further comprises an airflow generator located immediately before the heated web enters the receiving printer, the airflow generator operable to project impinging air that deflects warm air proximate to the heated web.

Abstract: A printing material web processing machine, in particular a web-fed rotary offset press, has at least one press cylinder for printing the web, a dryer disposed downstream of the press cylinder, which guides the web along a path, and at least a first pull roll disposed downstream of the dryer to convey the web along the path with a given tensile stress. The web processing machine further has a first apparatus disposed downstream of the press cylinder and upstream of the dryer for separating the web from the press cylinder, and a second apparatus for driving the first pull roll, which drives the first pull roll at a rotational speed that is reduced as compared with the rotational speed of the press cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printer which can facilitate temperature control of a machine-plate cylinder section, can allow simple setup, and can facilitate maintenance of printing quality in continuous printing. In the printer, a machine plate is mounted on the outer circumference of a machine-plate cylinder section 12 fixedly provided on a machine-plate drive shaft 1. A fluid whose temperature is regulated is circulated in the machine-plate cylinder section 12.

Abstract: There is described a method for controlling the orientation and/or position of sheets (1) processed on a printing machine, each sheet being provided with at least one marking (12; 15) embedded in the sheet, which marking is embedded in the sheet during manufacturing thereof, prior to processing of the sheet on a printing machine. The marking (12; 15) is disposed in a selected location of the sheet and defines a unique orientation and/or position of the sheet. The method comprises the steps of: —checking for the presence or absence of the marking at the selected location on the sheet and/or of characteristic features of the said marking; and —issuing a warning signal if the marking is not detected at the selected location or if the characteristic features of the marking are not detected at the said selected location. The invention advantageously makes use of features already embedded in the sheets (such as metallic and/or magnetic strips or threads, watermarks, etc.

Abstract: A device for supplying radiant energy onto a printing substrate (14), including at least one radiant energy source (10) whose light (12) impinges on the printing substrate (14) on the path (16) of the printing substrate (14) through a printing press at a position (116) downstream of at least one printing nip (18) in a printing unit. The radiant energy source (10) emits light (12) having a peak-to-valley homogeneity of less than 15% in a direction transverse to the direction of the path (16) of the printing substrate (14).

Abstract: A method for coating sheets with a film in a printing press includes, in a first step, creating the film in a liquid state on a first cylinder, in a second step, pressing a web of foil onto the film, thus forming a surface of the film, and simultaneously curing the film by irradiation and, in a third step, using the first cylinder to roll the film in a cured state onto a sheet that is transported by a second cylinder during the process.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including: a rotatable belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface partially coming into contact with a sheet; a plurality of rollers being arranged in a direction of movement of the sheet and including a first roller and a second roller adjacent to each other, the plurality of rollers being pressed against the outer surface and the moving sheet being nipped between the plurality of rollers and the outer surface; a blowing mechanism configured to blow hot air from between the first roller and the second roller toward the sheet; and a heating unit including a heater and a contact surface coming into contact with the inner surface, the heating unit being configured to be able to set the contact surface thereof to have a predetermined non-uniform temperature distribution.

Abstract: A thermal indicator using indicia formed by opaque ink applied to a thermal imaging material element is described. The ink is substantially the same color as the imaging element background and remains substantially hidden until the imaging element background changes color when heated. Time-temperature exposure indicating labels can be prepared using a printer with direct thermal type and ink jet type print heads.

Abstract: In a method for regulating a web tension and/or a register of a processing machine used to process a material web (101), in particular a shaftless printing press (100), the material web (101) is processed in at least one processing unit (111-114, 121-124, 131-134); the elasticity module of the material of the material web (101) is changed by moisture entering the material, and/or by moisture leaving the material, a quantity that represents the addition of moisture to the material and/or the loss of moisture from the material being taken into account in the regulation.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal indicator using indicia formed by opaque ink applied to a thermal imaging material element is described. The ink is substantially the same color as the imaging element background and remains substantially hidden until the imaging element background changes color when heated. Time-temperature exposure indicating labels can be prepared using a printer with direct thermal type and ink jet type print heads.

Abstract: A method for drying printing ink containing an inactive active substance enclosed before drying in a reaction-inhibited form in a transport substance, for accelerating the drying of the printing ink on a print medium, includes applying the printing ink to a print medium being dried at a reaction site by supplying energy to the printing ink, and releasing the active substance by an energy supply from the transport substance at the reaction site for activation. A printing ink includes an active substance enclosed before drying in a reaction-inhibited form in a transport substance, for accelerating the drying of the printing ink on a print medium. The active substance is releasable during the drying by an energy supply from the transport substance at the reaction site.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method of printing a diffraction grating. In particular, the present invention relates to diffraction gratings applied to a substrate, such as a hologram.

Abstract: A printing press has at least one first printing tower with at least one first printing unit that has several offset printing couples which are usable to print on one or on both sides of a first web which runs through the first printing unit substantially from the bottom to the top. The web is printed in multiple colors in the first printing tower. A dryer is arranged downstream of the first printing unit and along the conveying path of the first web. A former structure, with at least one former through which the web runs, is located downstream of the dryer. At least one nipping roller is located downstream of the dryer and upstream of the former. A spreading device is provided between the dryer and the at least one nipping roller that is located upstream of the former and along the conveying path of the first web.

Abstract: There are provided a printing method for a printing press that includes: printing an image on a sheet of paper fed using an ultraviolet curable paint; and irradiating the ultraviolet curable paint on the printed sheet fed by selectively causing a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at predetermined intervals across a lateral direction of the sheet to turn on in accordance with the location and size of a predetermined area of the sheet, thereby irradiating the predetermined area with ultraviolet light therefrom and curing the predetermined area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing transfer papers, to the transfer papers produced by the method, and to transfer printing methods.

Abstract: A printing press is comprised of at least one dry offset printing unit. At least two different webs can be fed through the dry offset printing unit. In a first production mode “C” of the printing press, a first web is fed through the dry offset printing unit without a subsequent drying process. In a second production mode “H” of the printing press, a second web is fed through the dry offset printing unit and through an active dryer. In both the first and second production modes “C”, “H”, an inking unit of the printing unit is filled with the same ink.

Abstract: A method and system for drying printed ink on the face of a substrate material such as a mailpiece. The method comprising the steps of (i) providing a dryer having at least one variable output element for producing a plurality of dryer configurations, (ii) developing data correlating each of the dryer configurations with at least one print characteristic, (iii) storing the developed data in a memory storage device, (iv) obtaining the print characteristic associated with a particular print job and comparing the print characteristic with the developed data to define a desired dryer configuration, (v) adapting the dryer to assume the desired dryer configuration based upon the print characteristic, and (vi) drying the ink printed on the face of the substrate material. The system may include a taggant introduced into the ink and a means for identifying the taggant to determine the type of ink and the desired dryer configuration.

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 printing press and a method of drying printed or varnished sheets in a printing press include heating printed and/or varnished sheets, before the sheets enter a dryer, to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature, through the use of a heatable impression cylinder in the last printing and/or varnishing unit upstream of the thermal dryer device.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: An imprint (18) that represents a predefined pattern on an article. Article (10) comprises a body (12) made of a first material with a first thermal expansion coefficient (C1). The method comprises a step of incorporating a piece (22) in body (12) made of a second material with a second thermal expansion coefficient (C2), lower than the first coefficient, a step of heating article (10) to a predefined temperature to induce expansion of the materials, and then a step of cooling article (10) to induce shrinkage of the materials, generating a mechanicals stress that deforms article (10). Piece (22) is shaped so that the deformation generated corresponds to predefined pattern (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides a convenient and cost effective method of imprinting both text and images on certain filter materials such as those used in automatic coffee makers or as envelopes for the steeping of tea. The imprint must therefore be indelible, water resistant, non-toxic, temperature-resistant within the parameters of the application and the image reproduction must be crisp and permanent. Although the above-mentioned application is specific, it must be understood that the technology described herein includes, but is not limited to, the imprinting of filter paper and may be applied wherever indelible marking of certain appropriate substrates may be desired. The following describes both a method and system for indelibly marking a fabric, paper or any other fibrous material without the use of a pigmented liquid or thin-film transfer.

Abstract: An industrial printer includes a frame; a cabinet defining a media path; a pagewidth printhead arranged on the frame for printing images on blank web media; pilot guides for guiding the blank web media fed from cartridges via the media path past the pagewidth printhead to facilitate printing; a dryer module configured to operatively dry the printed web media; and a cutter module for cutting the printed web media before the printed web media is fed into a container for storing the web media in a roll. The cutter module includes a frame having end plates, and a pair of entry rollers and a pair of exit rollers serving as a transport mechanism for the web media through the module. The cutter module further includes a slitter gang composed of a plurality of slitters each having a plurality of blades, the slitter gang being located between the end plates. The dryer module includes a plenum defined vertically downward through the cabinet for supplying air received from a top of the plenum to the media path.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method of printing a diffraction grating. In particular, the present invention relates to diffraction gratings applied to a substrate (1), such as a hologram.

Abstract: A printing/coating method includes the steps of transferring highly reactive ink/varnish which cures with a low light energy onto a transfer object, and irradiating the transfer object, onto which the highly reactive ink/varnish is transferred, with light in the wavelength range, in which no ozone is generated, to cure the highly reactive ink/varnish on the transfer object. A printing/coating apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing press, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing press, includes at least one control device, a plurality of printing units, one or more varnishing units, and one or more dryers. Variables determining a dryness of the printing material are determined and used to optimize the drying process. For that purpose, the important material streams influencing the drying process are determined at least for the region of the printing press that contains the drying device(s).

Abstract: A printing device and method for printing a latex ink on a printing medium is disclosed. The printing device comprises a heating stage for heating the medium at least during printing the latex ink on said medium, a further heating stage for curing the latex ink on the medium and a controller arrangement for individually controlling the heating stage and the further heating stage, whereby the controller arrangement is arranged to reduce the heat output of the heating stage during a non-printing mode of the printing device and to reduce the heat output of the further heating stage during a non-curing mode of the printing device.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure; a method of processing a substrate media having an image injected thereon is provided and includes the step of passing the substrate media through a nip defined between a heated fuser drum and a pressure roll. A fixer subsystem, for use in a system for printing on a substrate media, where the subsystem includes a rotatable, heatable fuser drum defining an axis of rotation; and a rotatable pressure roll operatively associated with the fuser drum and defining an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the fuser drum. The pressure roll is rotatable about the axis of rotation of the fuser drum to vary a length of contact of substrate media and image with fuser drum.

Abstract: A print media preheating system and method of preheating print media that includes an upper heating plate that is arranged to heat a pre-printed side of the print media with a pressure of the upper heating plate on the print media being relieved by lifting the upper heating plate away from the print media so as to reduce smudging of ink printed on the pre-printed side of the print media.

Abstract: A reimageable printing member such as for use in flexography, includes a layer having a multiplicity of holes, wherein the holes include therein a dimension change material and a printing material upon the dimension change material. Thus, the holes house vertically expandable units, the top portion of which is capable of protruding out of an opening of the hole at a top surface of the layer. Each of the holes may be individually addressed to provide a stimulus that initiates a change in dimension in the dimension change material. In this manner, selected ones of the units may be made to print a corresponding portion of an image on an image receiving substrate brought into contact with the printing member.

Abstract: A digital cliché pad printing system includes a conveyor for conveying a substantially non-elastic support medium, a material deposition jetting device for depositing a curable material onto the support in a desired pattern, the desired pattern having at least one void space, means for curing the material in the desired pattern, the cured material defining a cliché having a top surface, an ink delivery system for depositing ink in the at least one void space and for wiping ink from the top surface and a pad configured to contact the cliché to transfer ink from the void space to the pad the pad also configured to move into contact with an object to which the ink is transferred. A digital cliché media and method are also disclosed.

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: One embodiment of this invention discloses a silk screening device which includes an integrated quartz flash unit. The invention improves upon prior art systems and relates to a system whereby both a silk screen squeegee unit and a quartz flash unit are slidably mounted on a common set of rails, in order to allow each to be easily placed and removed from the silk screening platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printed substrate comprising a substrate and a printing ink and is characterized in that at least one side of the substrate has a surface with a porosity of below 0.07 ml/g determined by the mercury porosimetry method, and it comprises an printing ink formulated as heat-set offset printing ink with reduced tack comprising at least one pigment and a mixture of at least two solvents boiling in the range of from 200° C. to 270° C.

Abstract: A sheet transfer assembly for use above an ultraviolet curing unit in a flexographic printing press used for printing corrugated sheets includes a vacuum plate with heat sinks. The vacuum plate includes openings for rollers that extend through the vacuum plate to drive printed sheets across the bottom of the transfer assembly. Heat sinks are formed on the top surface of the vacuum plate between rollers to remove heat from the vacuum plate. Heat from the UV curing unit is effectively dissipated from the vacuum plate into the air used to hold printed substrates against the rollers in the transfer assembly.

Abstract: A printing and drying method comprising laying a support sheet 20 elongated in the long direction so as to bridge both a printing zone 42 and a drying zone 44, in the printing zone 42, giving the support sheet 20 a first tension F1, in that state, printing the support sheet 20 with predetermined patterns, then feeding the support sheet 20 toward the drying zone 44, in the drying zone 44, giving the support sheet 20 on which the predetermined patterns were printed a second tension F2, and in that state, drying it in a drying chamber 62. The first tension F1 and the second tension F2 are given by separate tension giving means, and the second tension F2 is tension given along the support sheet 20 in the long direction and able to prevent shrinkage of the support sheet 20 in the long direction while passing through the drying zone 44.

Abstract: A method for registering patterns on a web to provide independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions is provided. The method includes routing the web over a first roller; routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web; applying a pattern to the web using process hardware; measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal; controlling lateral position error using the error signal; controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal. The method provides independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Independent scale control avoids non-linear distortions otherwise imposed by attempting to accomplish both corrections by stretching the web in both directions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating a blanket for a printing roll for is provided. The apparatus includes a container to receive and drop printing roll blanket material for patterning an LCD substrates, a preheating part below the container to preheat dropped printing roll blanket material and a curing part below the preheating part to cure preheated printing roll blanket material. The method includes dropping printing roll blanket material for patterning an LCD substrate from a container, preheating the dropped printing roll blanket material and curing the preheated printing roll blanket material.

Abstract: A web-fed press includes at least two printing units and at least one drier for drying at least one printing-material web which is moved through the at least two printing units and printed on at least one side with at least one offset printing ink at each of the printing units. The printing-material web is dried at least after the first printing unit and before the second printing unit.