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 printing press having a plurality of laterally spaced printing stations is provided with an interstation dryer system, interposed between the printing stations, for effectively drying liquid printing substances, such as inks, coatings, and the like, on a moving printed sheet. The dryer system includes a plurality of infrared elements which are adapted to transmit infrared radiation toward the moving printed sheet to effectuate drying of liquid printing substances thereon and bonding thereto. In order to effectively dry a complete spectrum of ink colors and other liquid printing substances, the infrared elements comprise an alternating and repetitive series of shortwave infrared lamps and mediumwave infrared lamps which generate relatively short wavelength infrared radiation and relatively medium wavelength infrared radiation, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing ceramic or glass flat substrate, wherein a fusible powder is applied to an image forming medium in order to form an image thereon which is transferred to an intermediate medium, and the powder image formed on the intermediate medium is brought into contact with the substrate in a contact zone, the ceramic or glass substrate being heated in a pre-heating device before the contact zone to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C., and wherein the intermediate medium in the contact zone is heated to a temperature of at least 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for coating and transfer printing sheet metal which is especially suited for manufacture into three-dimensional articles such as appliance panels and one-piece pictures and frames. The coatings may include a thin pigmented base coat and a clear, thin top coat. A decorative image is transfer printed in the clear top coat.

Abstract: A dryer unit which is integrated as a module into a printed material guide system of a printing machine in order to facilitate two-sided drying of printed material is provided. The printed material guide system includes a guide surface which has a plurality of openings and an air system which is selectively operable in positive or negative pressure modes to assist the guiding of the printed material. The dryer module is arranged in an opening in the guide surface such that it heats at least one side of the printed material. At least one outlet opening is associated with the dryer module. The outlet opening is open into the plane of the guide surface and is coupled to a cooling system which is operable to provide cooling air to the dryer module.

Abstract: A process and system for applying or treating a graphic image on a substrate by using heat and pressure. The system is comprised of a frame having a plurality of supporting members and a reciprocally mounted heated platen extending from a first member, and a reciprocally mounted support having a pair of raised bars thereon reciprocally mounted on a second member. The heated platen and the raised bars of the support are first sequentially moved, and then simultaneously brought into contact with a supporting pallet and substrate, so as to condition, emboss, fix, form, or shape a surface of the substrate, or an image on the substrate, to thereby improve the quality thereof, or of further graphic images applied thereto.

Abstract: A process for printing an image (I.sub.C) on a lenticular lens material (12) with a printing press (10). A separate film negative (B, C, Y, M) is prepared for each color used in printing the image. One of the negatives (B) is selected and each of the other negatives, and the lens material, is registered with the selected negative. Each of negatives is adjusted to the selected negative so all of the negatives and the lens material are in registry with each other. Separate printing plates (18) are prepared from each of the negatives. The plates are mounted on the press at respective printing stations and the lens material is run through the press with each of the plates being used to print on the material. The plates are adjusted, as necessary, to align the plates and register the color dot patterns printed by each plate to the color printed by the plate made from the selected negative.

Abstract: A process for enzymatic discharge printing of the surface of dyed fabric, especially cellulosic fabric such as denim, including an oxidoreductase and enhancing agent system.

Abstract: A process for thermal transfer printing on plastic films incorporating a coating composition is provided. The process includes providing plastic film having a coating composition including a binder of a polymer and/or copoylmer of carboxylic acid containing vinylic unsaturation, at least one finely divided particulate filler, and a surface active agent. A thermographic element such as a ribbon which includes a dye layer is then heated in the form of an image to be printed onto the plastic film, with the heating causing the dye layer to melt in the form of the image. The plastic film coated with the coating composition is contacted with the thermographic ribbon, and the dye layer is transferred from the ribbon to the plastic film. Such thermal transfer printing on coated plastic films provides for a multitude of uses such as plastic labels for outdoor use.

Abstract: A color filter for an AMLCD panel has a pattern of multi-color dots, each dot having red, green, and blue components in a black matrix. Each component is the cured product of a color pigment dispersed in a radiation-curable ink. The ink may be an ink curable by a cationic mechanism, a free-radical ink, or a hybrid, free-radical/cationic ink. The filter is produced by successively applying patterns of colored inks to a transfer roll, collecting the patterns on a collector roll to form an array of multi-color dots that is transferred to the substrate, and irradiating the array of dots to at least partially cure the inks.

Abstract: A web-offset printing press is provided with a first rotatable printing cylinder adapted to print a first image on a web by applying a heat-settable ink to the web, a second rotatable printing cylinder adapted to print a second image on the web, the second image being printed on the web subsequent to the first image being printed on the web by applying a heat-settable ink to the web, a drying station for drying the heat-settable ink applied to the web by the first and second rotatable printing cylinders by heating the web to an initial temperature, and a cooling station disposed adjacent the drying station, the cooling station receiving the web after the web has been heated by the drying station, the cooling station causing the initial temperature of the web to be reduced by at least about 20.degree. F.

Abstract: Prints are produced by the offset heatset process using a printing ink based on mineral oil and additionally using an agent for increasing the abrasion resistance of the prints, where the agent for increasing the abrasion resistance is an oxidized olefin polymer which has a melt viscosity of from 100 to 15,000 mm.sup.2 /s, measured in accordance with DGF M-III 8 (75), and an acid number of from 5 to 50 mg of KOH/g of polymer, measured in accordance with DGF M-IV 2 (57).

Abstract: A method for impression microengravings, which reproduce holograms, kinetic holograms, or diffraction patterns, directly on paper through an embossing process. Paper is subjected to a humidification step to give it a degree of humidity between 60 and 80% of relative humidity. The humidified paper is then passed through an embossing group, consisting of an embossing cylinder carrying the microengravings and a counterthrust cylinder, at a temperature and a pressure on the paper within the ranges of 90-220.degree. C. and 20-120 kg/mm.sup.2, respectively.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus for performing a printing operation on both obverse and reverse surfaces of a continuous web paper with an ink jet printing machine, there is a construction having a first printing unit for printing on one surface of the continuous web paper and a second printing unit for printing on the other surface of the continuous web paper, in which the first printing unit and the second printing unit are arranged at an identical position in respective paths of travel of a first portion and a second portion of the continuous web paper as oriented in parallel to each other, as facing downwards and as shifted to each other in the direction perpendicular to directions in which the first portion and the second portion of the continuous web paper are traveling, and the path of travel of the first portion of the continuous web paper which is printed by the first printing unit and the path of travel of the second portion of the continuous web paper which is printed by the second printing unit are made c

Abstract: A process of converting and printing on paper webs includes converting the running web by coating and/or calendering the web. Printing of the web occurs directly after the converting step. Thus, the converted web is not wound into a roll between the converting step and the printing step. A facility for converting the web of paper is placed in front of the entrance to a printing machine. The pass-through speed of the converting facility matches that of the printing machine.

Abstract: The web of fabric (9) passes over an input roll (10) arranged substantially at the level of the upper portion of the heating drum (1), around at least half the circumference of which it winds after coming into contact with a web of transfer paper (14). The drum and the pressing roll (2) between which the webs pass are received inside one and the same closed housing (3) swept by air that becomes laden with the vapors of the transport agent, the laden air being delivered to a tank of cold water (22). The apparatus finds use in the printing of fabrics made of vegetable fibers, in particular cotton.

Abstract: A printer and a method for printing hot melt ink in which an ink jet is surrounded by an enclosure and including a heater for heating the air within the enclosure. The enclosure has an opening so that the heated air can be directed towards a medium for heating the medium prior to ejecting droplets of hot melt ink onto the medium. The ink droplets cool and solidify into a shape having a low contact angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of printed pages from a web that is moved continuously in the transport direction in rotary offset printing and printed on one or both sides, is heat set and then, by being transferred to at least a first cooling roller, is cooled in a first curvature direction with a first curvature radius, the web then being separated into the printed pages optionally after folding. The web is inverted, before being transferred to at least the first cooling roller, with a second curvature radius to obtain smooth, unrippled pages.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for offset presses, and includes an air-IR drying box, through which ready printed sheets are caused to be conveyed with the aid of a sheet gripping shaft, for the purpose of drying pigment deposited on the sheets. The box has top and bottom sections separated at each lateral side by a gap between the sections. Brushes along the gaps delimit the box laterally. The brush at each lateral side comprises brush material covering the respective gap and extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction for preventing the spread of heat radiation and hot air from the IR lamps in the box to different machine parts of the press. The gripping shaft is of a length to extend through the gaps and to deflect the brush material as the shaft passes along the gap.

Abstract: A wide printed paper web is longitudinally separated into at least two partial paper webs after the last printing unit of a printing press and before being dried. The plural partial paper webs are dried in a drying device on separate or the same level. The partial paper webs are dried in a smudge-free manner and are free of longitudinal creases or folds.

Abstract: A transfer rolling process and device for producing banners is disclosed. In the above process, stencil letters or figures made of a transfer sheet are attached to a longitudinal transfer sheet. A banner with a white background is produced by attaching the stencil letters or figures to a white transfer sheet, while a banner with a color background is produced by attaching the stencil letters or figures to a transfer sheet of the same color as the background of the banner. The longitudinal transfer sheet is wound onto a torsionless pipe. Thereafter, paper and cloth from respective rolls pass over a heating drum at a speed of 1-3 m/min while overlapping the transfer sheet from the torsionless pipe. The heating drum in the above state is heated to a temperature of 220.degree.-240.degree. C., thus heating and melting the coloring agent of the stencil letters or figures and transferring the letters or figures onto the cloth.

Abstract: A liquid ink is produced for practicing a method of printing the liquid ink onto a medium for subsequent thermal transfer to a substrate. Insoluble heat activated dyes, such as sublimation or dye diffusion dyes, are heated to above their melting temperature to the same phase as the solvent, which is usually water. Additives and/or stabilizers are added to form micelle particles upon cooling of the material, without separation of the insoluble components, to produce the liquid ink.

Abstract: A method and a device for the drying of a plastic foil sheet printed in the offset method which is directed through several printing stations is revealed, whereby the plastic foil is flame dried behind the last printing station in the direction of advance of the plastic foil.

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: Printing methods and apparatus for thermal transferring dye from a dye donor to a dye receiver wherein electromagnetic radiation such as a laser beam is applied through the dye receiver to effect dye transfer. Either or both of the dye donor and the dye receiver used with such printing methods and apparatus can be in the form of individual sheets or continuous ribbons and may be either stationary or moving. In various embodiments, the dye receiver is held between a convex surface of a rigid support plate and the dye donor during thermal transfer of dye. A variety of methods and devices for providing electromagnetic radiation and for transporting dye donors and dye receivers during printing are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product having raised thermographic print and a method for making the same. The product relates to a raised thermographic product having raised thermographic print greater than about 0.01 inches.

Abstract: A method of transferring a pigmented image, comprising the steps of:providing a donor element bearing an inkjet printed image containing one or more heat transferable pigments selected from the group consisting ofA. 2-(N-methylcarbamyl)-4-(4-N,N-di-ethylamino-phenylimino)-1,4-naphthoquinon e;B. 2-(N-methylcarbamyl)-4-(4-N,N-di-ethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-1,4-napht hoquinone;C. 1-phenyl-3-N,N-dimethylamino-4-(4-N,N-diethylaminobenzylidene)-pyrazoline- 5-one;D. N-ethyl-N-benzyl-3-acetamido-4-(3-methyl-4-cyanoisothiazol-5-ylazo)-anilin e;E. N-(2-((2,6-dicyano-4-methylphenyl)azo)-5-(diethylamino)phenyl}methanesulfo namide;F. N-(2-((2,6-dicyano-4-methylphenyl)azo)-5-(dipropylamino)phenyl}methanesulf onamide; andcontacting the donor element with an image receiving element; andtransferring the heat transferable image to the image receiving element by applying heat to the donor element.

Abstract: Reprintable impression cylinder for a printing press, the impression cylinder having an outer cylindrical surface wettable, during printing, with a heated printing ink which is transferrable to printing material or stock, includes two superimposed layers formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the impression cylinder, including an outer layer of relatively lower heat capacity and an inner layer of relatively higher heat capacity.

Abstract: An image is permanently transferred to a substrate having a cotton component, or other component which is absorbent or porous, from a medium printed with the image by a thermal printer using heat activated ink. A polymer surface preparation material and the ink are transferred by the thermal printer to the medium from a ribbon containing the ink and the surface preparation material, without activating the ink or the surface preparation material. The image is transferred from the medium to the substrate by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to activate and transfer the ink and the surface preparation material, with the surface preparation material bonding the ink to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying ink deposited upon cut sheet of paper. The apparatus includes a microwave generating member to generate microwave energy for the ink and an applying member connected to said microwave generating member to apply resonating traveling microwaves to the paper. The applicator member includes a serpentine applicator for drying the ink and includes input slots and output slots for moving cut sheet of paper through the serpentine applicator. A transport member transports ink printed cut sheet paper stock from the input slot to the output slot by a belt running through the center of the applicator.

Abstract: A thermography machine to be subject in use to periods of waiting for supplies of sheets to be processed is provided with a control system whereby at any time the conditions of a normal "run" mode of operation can be switched to or from operations in a "standby" mode, with retention of a high heating chamber temperature in readiness for processing sheets yet with important reductions of heat losses from the heating chamber, so reduced infusion of heat into the ambient workshop air, and decreases of power consumption and of wear and deterioration in the driving of the conveyors and several other components of the machine. Heating chamber temperature and wattage output of the heaters are controlled over a wide range of A.C. supply line voltages in both modes of operation by supplying current to the heaters from a thermocouple heat control coupled with a proportional voltage control.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the printing of foil webs in web offset printing are proposed in which strongly oxidatively drying inks are used, the printed foil webs are subjected to a heat-air drying, the printed foil webs are furthermore conducted over at least one cooling roll before they are wound up, and the tension of the web upon the winding is reduced as the diameter of the roll increases.

Abstract: An image is printed on a medium by means of a computer driven printer using an ink composition comprising heat activated dye solids, without activating the dye solids during the process of printing onto the medium. The image is transferred from the medium to the object on which the image is to permanently appear by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to activate the dye and transfer the image to the object. The liquid form of the ink composition uses a liquid carrier and an emulsifying enforcing agent which has an affinity for the dye. The emulsifying enforcing agent shields the heat activated dye both prior to, and during, the printing process.

Abstract: An image is printed on a medium by means of an electrographic device using an ink composition comprising heat activated inks, without substantial activation of the inks during the process of printing the image onto the medium. A molecular sieve added to the ink composition assists activation control. The image is transferred from the medium to the object on which the image is to permanently appear by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to activate and permanently transfer the inks from the medium to an object.

Abstract: An adaptation of a commercially-available printer designed for use with cellulose-based print media is described which transforms the commercially-available printer into a printer that can print on silica-based print media. The printer has an increased heat differential between fuser rollers which are lined with a substantially non-porous elastomeric material to increase release characteristics. The fuser oil assembly is also adapted so as to substantially increase an amount of oil deposited onto the fuser rollers, thereby further increasing release characteristics of the fuser rollers and decreasing adhesion to the silica-based print media.

Abstract: Method of controlling a rotary printing machine having a thermal dryer to which a combustion system is post-connected, includes determining changes in temperature of exhaust gas in the combustion system and, in accordance therewith, varying the speed of operation of the rotary printing machine; and device for performing the method.

Abstract: An image is printed on a medium by means of an electrographic device using an ink composition comprising heat activated inks, without substantial activation of the inks during the process of printing the image onto the medium. A molecular sieve added to the ink composition assists activation control. The image is transferred from the medium to the object on which the image is to permanently appear by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to activate and permanently transfer the inks from the medium to an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus useful for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A multicolored ink pattern is deposited to a substrate while in a deformable state, flattened during the deposition process, and the deformed, more uniform shape of the printed dot is thereafter retained, preferably by curing during deposition. The transfer layer is preferably formed on a collector roll. A plurality of colored ink patterns is then transferred to the collector roll, preferably from a single pattern roll having multiple patterns thereon, to form the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: An infra-red dryer utilizes high velocity air jets which scrub and break up the moist air layer which clings to the surface of a freshly printed and/or coated sheet. The high velocity air jets are directed through multiple air flow apertures across an array of infra-red lamps onto the freshly printed and/or coated sheets. An extractor exhausts the moisture-laden air from an exposure zone while short wave infra-red radiation heats the ink and/or protective coating. The effective exposure to pressurized air is increased by the air jets which produce a balanced pressure air blanket along the sheet travel path. The moist air layer is displaced from the printed and/or coated sheet and is extracted from the press as the sheet moves through the exposure zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a multi-color ink pattern on a substrate surface which comprises arranging a series of patterned surfaces with each patterned surface having a pattern that is unique to one of the colors and that corresponds to the pattern of that color in the multi-color pattern, supplying to each patterned surface a radiation-curable ink formulation, having an appropriate colorant to form an ink pattern thereon, transferring individually the color pattern from each patterned surface to a collector roll, increasing the cohesiveness of the ink sufficiently to permit complete transfer of the pattern, forming a composite of the color patterns on a collector roll, and transferring the composite pattern in its entirety to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A low basis weight substrate is printed by a folded substrate, dual-sided printing process. The substrate is folded to present two printing surfaces. The folded substrate is then passed through a printing station to have an ink pattern printed on one surface, and then is reversed to have a second pattern printed on the second printing surface. Any ink striking through one of the surfaces is collected by the other surface of the printed substrate.

Abstract: An image is permanently transferred to a substrate having a cotton component, or other component which is absorbent or porous, from a medium printed with the image by a thermal printer using heat activated ink. A polymer surface preparation material and the ink are transferred by the thermal printer to the medium from a ribbon containing the ink and the surface preparation material, without activating the ink or the surface preparation material. The image is transferred from the medium to the substrate by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to activate and transfer the ink and the surface preparation material, with the surface preparation material bonding the ink to the substrate.

Abstract: Method of controlling a start-up of paper travel and printing, respectively, in a printing press having an electrically operated dryer for printing products printed with ink curable by drying, the dryer being preheatable over a limited time period, includes switching-on a drive for effecting paper travel and printing, respectively, after the dryer, which has been switched on beforehand, has reached a limit value representing optimum operating conditions.

Abstract: Fabric-handling equipment which removes a fabric web from a stack of such webs or from a supporting surface, dries ink printed on a fabric, and removes a porous fabric held onto a surface by a vacuum. To remove a fabric web from a surface, like a stack of such webs, a device places needles partially into the web. Since the needles extend into the fabric less than about nine tenths of the fabric's thickness, they can only attach to the upper surface of a single web. The needles, after insertion into the web, separate from each other to effectuate a firm connection. When the device raises, it can only lift a single web. When a fabric web receives printing, touching it with a heated block having a Teflon surface cures the ink. This permits its subsequent printing or collecting and stacking. A fabric web may adhere to a supporting surface through suction.

Abstract: An image is printed on a medium by means of an ink jet printer using an ink composition comprising heat activated ink solids, without activating the ink solids during the process of printing onto the medium. The image is transferred from the medium to the object on which the image is to permanently appear by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to activate and transfer the ink to the object.

Abstract: A high density graphics image can be printed without smearing by contact with a second page, without any unnecessary reduction of throughput. Throughput enhancement logic is inhibited during the printing of the second page for a variable delay related to the image density of the first page. The variable delay is calculated as a linear function of both the density (relative to a predetermined grid size) and the location if the densest portion of the first page, using coefficients which are different for different print modes. In one preferred embodiment, a maximum density is calculated by counting drops of ink in each of several overlapping grids, and the magnitude and location of the maximum density grid on a prior page is used to limit the throughput of a next page until a sufficient delay has elapsed to ensure that ink on the prior page will not be smeared when it comes into contact with the next page.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the temperature of a printing press component includes a pump for circulating a fluid to the printing press component at one of a plurality of non-zero, steady-state flow rates, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the fluid, and a controller responsive to the temperature sensor for controlling the pump.

Abstract: Printing-unit assembly of a web-fed printing press, the printing-unit assembly having a smear-preventing device and being assembled of at least two satellite printing unit sub-assemblies, respectively, including a satellite cylinder, one of the satellite printing unit sub-assemblies being actuatable for printing on one side of web stock, and the other of the satellite printing unit sub-assemblies being actuatable for printing thereafter on the other side of the web stock, the smear-preventing device being associated with the satellite cylinder of the other satellite printing unit assembly for preventing smearing of printing ink, and includes a device for cooling an outer cylindrical surface of the satellite cylinder of the other satellite printing unit sub-assembly to a temperature below the dew point; and method of cooling.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer having improved print quality and full color printing capability on plain paper media. To accommodate placement of both input and output media trays on the same side of the printer housing for operator convenience, a paper path with a direction reversal is employed. A low cost radiant print heater with a reflector cavity heats the medium at the print area to increase the ink carrier evaporation rate. The printer provides improved medium control at the print area through an arrangement of small diameter drive and tension shafts and shortened handoff distance between the rollers. The heater is disposed between the drive and tension rollers. To minimize the handoff distance, portions of the drive rollers extend into the reflector cavity. The resulting media advancement mechanism has low inertia, with improved media positioning accuracy.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer incorporates a copy speed feed control for reducing peak power requirements. Printing data supplied to the printer is scanned to determine image density or power consumption to dry ink in a dryer is determined. The speed of the sheet transport system is controlled in accordance with the image density so that, at high image densities, the speed of the sheet at the printer and/or at the dryer is reduced. A controller controls the speed of a drive motor driving the transport system in accordance with a determination of the density of the printed image from image print data or energy required for ink drying. A printer employing on-demand workstations having potentially high peak power usages can be made compatible with conventionally provided power supply systems.