Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus for printing on a substrate, such as a flexible packaging material, includes at least three inkjet heads including a first inkjet head, a second inkjet head, and at least one further inkjet head. At least one drying unit includes a first drying unit arranged opposite a first drying location which is located between the first and second inkjet location, the first drying unit being configured for physically removing liquid from ink applied by the first inkjet head. At least a first drum and a second drum, where the first and second inkjet locations as well as the first drying location are located on an outer surface of the first drum; and the at least one further inkjet location is located on an outer surface of the second drum.

Abstract: Packages having raised portions that provide improvements in displaying graphics, such as images and branding.

Abstract: Packages having raised portions that provide improvements in displaying graphics, such as images and branding.

Abstract: The folding roller includes a rotation axis and at least a gripping member extending longitudinally along the folding roller, controlled by at least a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator causes a pivoting movement of the gripping member about its pivoting axis parallel to the rotation axis of the folding roller.

Abstract: A precision positioning device of a unit-type die cutting & hot stamping machine includes a positioning element on an input end of a first imprinting element and a positioning element on an output end of each imprinting element. Two neighboring positioning elements accomplish the positioning between the two positioning elements together. Each positioning element is constituted by a positioning assembly installed symmetrically on each end of the imprinting element. The positioning assembly includes a positioning rod which can rotate against an installation shaft. Each positioning rod includes a positioning block which is provided with a reference surface. A rear side of the gripper is provided with a reference matching surface. By the positioning elements, the accuracy in the art of die cutting & hot stamping can be assured when the machine is performing a multiple-working-position procedure.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material from a transfer component onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some embodiments, the method may utilize a printer such as an inkjet printer. In some cases, the transfer material may be a UV curable ink and/or adhesive. When the transfer material is UV curable, the transfer component may be permeable to UV radiation to allow curing of the ink and/or adhesive therethrough. UV curable adhesives including thiol-acrylate and thiol-ene acrylate inkjet-able adhesives are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to corrugated-board machine with a print-web printing line, which comprises a print-web unrolling device for the unrolling of a print-web and a printing device for printing the print-web. Furthermore, the corrugated-board machine has a corrugated-board manufacturing line with a cover-web unrolling device for the unrolling of a cover-web, a material-web unrolling device for the unrolling of a material-web to be corrugated, a device for manufacturing a corrugated-board web laminated on one side from the cover-web and the material-web, a lamination-web unrolling device for the unrolling of a lamination-web and a gluing unit for applying glue to the corrugated-board web laminated on one side. The corrugated-board machine further comprises a print-web transfer arrangement for transferring the print-web to the corrugated-board manufacturing line and for the use of the same as a lamination-web.

Abstract: The printing machine (50) comprises a central impression drum (35) supporting a web substrate (S), several printing groups (51-55) arranged around an entry side (35a) and several printing groups (56-60) arranged around an exit side (35b) of the central impression drum for applying water-based inks or solvent-based inks on the web substrate (S), and at least one drying unit (61-69) arranged between each pair of adjacent printing groups. The first drying unit located in a larger space between the first printing group (51) and the subsequent printing group (53) and/or the last drying unit located in a larger space between the last printing group (60) and the preceding printing group (58) is an extensive drying unit (61, 69) providing an exposure time to a drying agent longer than the remaining drying units.

Abstract: A stamp face forming device, including: a stamp face forming unit that forms a stamp face on a stamp material while pressing the stamp material held on a stamp material holder; a conveying unit that causes the stamp material holder to move relative to the stamp face forming unit; and a support unit that supports the stamp material holder in order to prevent tilting of the stamp material holder with respect to a conveyance path for the stamp material holder of the stamp face forming unit, at least when the stamp face is being formed.

Abstract: A process of producing a member having a pattern. The process includes preparing a first mold having a pattern surface provided with a first uneven pattern at a surface of the first mold, and preparing a second mold having a pattern surface, provided with a second uneven pattern at a surface of the second mold, including a shape portion corresponding to an outer peripheral shape of the pattern surface provided with the first uneven pattern.

Abstract: A printing method includes a step of dividing the to-be-printed surface 10 of a to-be-printed object 100 into a plurality of small to-be-printed surfaces 1a, 1b, . . . (a, b, . . . will be omitted below) and dividing a picture 20 to be printed on the to-be-printed surface 10 into small pictures 2 to be printed on the small to-be-printed surfaces 1, a step of a creating small developed picture 3 by developing each of the small pictures 2 into a plane, a step of putting ink on small printing original plate 30 corresponding to the small to-be-printed surface 1 according to the small developed picture 2, a step of a pressing small printing blanket 40 corresponding to each of the small to-be-printed surfaces 1 against the corresponding small printing original plate 30 and transferring the ink, and a step of printing the picture 20 on the to-be-printed surface 1 by pressing the small printing blanket 30 grasped by the arm of a multi-axis robot against the small to-be-printed surface 1 to print the small picture 2.

Abstract: An automatic stamping apparatus includes a conveyor for conveying a stamping object, a stamper for stamping a pattern and two-dimensional bar code information on the stamping object, a reader for reading the pattern and the two-dimensional bar code information, and an information processor for determining a pattern and two-dimensional bar code information to be stamped on the stamping object, controlling the stamper based on the determined pattern and two-dimensional bar code information, receiving the stamped pattern and two-dimensional bar code information of the stamping object read by the reader, comparing the received stamped pattern and two-dimensional bar code information with a pattern and two-dimensional bar code information to be stamped on the stamping object, thus verifying the accuracy of the stamping.

Abstract: A method for printing an image onto fabric, preferably a dark fabric, comprises the steps of transferring an image to the fabric to provide a transferred image on the fabric; and, subsequently applying a highlight that is lighter in color than the dark color to at least a portion of the fabric surrounding the transferred image and/or a margin of the transferred image. A fabric such as a T-shirt comprising a sublimated image and white highlights is also provided.

Abstract: A tandem printing system for imaging a continuous web of material includes a first printer serially coupled to a second printer wherein the speed of the web can be adjusted to maintain image quality and to compensate for a change in a diameter of a driver drum. The change in the diameter of the driver drum can be derived from characteristics of the printing system including the amount of sag of the continuous web of material moving between the first printer and the second printer.

Abstract: In a printing system or method a first printing apparatus and a second printing apparatus are respectively selectively operable in simplex mode and duplex mode. Each of the printing apparatuses in simplex mode process print jobs independently of the respective other printing apparatus, and in duplex mode processing print jobs jointly by both of the printing apparatuses. The printing apparatuses are connected with one another for control at least in duplex mode. An activation operating unit is provided via which at least one of the two printing apparatuses is selectively activated for the simplex mode or both of the printing apparatuses are selectively activated for the duplex mode.

Abstract: A process for selectively and repeatedly printing at least two graphics onto a water soluble material to create a randomized print for unit dose products.

Abstract: A method of printing onto closed vial units. The vial units are formed in a series and the vial units have a drug therein. The method involves providing the series of vial units onto a conveyor belt; positioning the vial units adjacent cleats on the conveyor belt; engaging a first offset inking transfer device on a fist side of said vial units; engaging a first back-up roller against said vial units, said first back-up roller being placed opposite said first offset inking transfer device; capturing the vial units between said first back-up roller and said first offset inking transfer device; printing onto the vial units with said first offset inking transfer device; and curing the ink with a first ultra violet dryer.

Abstract: A system and method is described for providing an insert in a finished newspaper which is printed by a different process than the process by which the newspaper itself is printed, yet where the insert is not inserted after the newspaper is printed, but while the newspaper is printed.

Abstract: A sheet-fed offset printing press for printing multiple colors on both sides of sheets, preferably on sheets of paper, includes a first row of in-line printing units for printing a first side of the sheet, followed by a reversing device, followed by a second row of in-line printing units for printing the other side of the sheets, and followed by one or more varnishing units that are disposed in such a way, or include varnishing blanket cylinders that are disposed in such a way, that the front sides and the back sides of the passing sheets are varnished. A further reversing device is inserted between two varnishing units. A method of printing multiple colors on both sides of sheets is also provided.

Abstract: A printing unit (1, 2) in a web-fed rotary printing press for imprinting both sides of a printing stock web (7) with process colors cyan and/or magenta and/or yellow and/or black (CMYK), wherein at least one imprinting device (3) is arranged at the printing unit. The inking unit or inking units (9) of the imprinting device (3) is/are outfitted with an ink and/or an additive which are/is different than the process colors and which can be applied to the printing stock web (7).

Abstract: Firearm targets and methods for manufacturing firearm targets are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a target includes a substrate, a release layer on the substrate, and an ink layer on the release layer such that the release layer is positioned between the ink layer and the substrate. The ink layer at least partially defines a target image. The ink layer has a first section with a first color and a second section with a second color different than the first color.

Abstract: A method of printing an electronic circuit or components thereof uses a printing machine to print a conductive structure on the front printing side (back side of the sheet) of a printing substrate. The sheet is then reversed and a decorative printing motif is printed on the back side in one work step. Alternatively, the circuit or components of a circuit may be printed by having a printing machine for color printing preceded by a printing machine for printing on the back side of the printing substrate. A chip is applied to the printing substrate where the back side of the printing sheet with the printing motif is cooled to prevent any negative effect on the printing motif and/or the printing substrate.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has an intermediate transfer drum that rotates past a print head and a downstream transfixing station. The surface of the drum is coated with a release agent. The print head ejects ink droplets onto the coated drum surface to form images thereon. The images are identified for either simplex prints or duplex prints. The transfixing station has separate simplex and duplex operating modes. A movable transfixing roll at the transfixing station is moved into and out of contact with the drum to form a periodic transfixing nip. The nip is formed with separate timing relationships with the approach of the leading and trailing edge of a transported recording medium and the approach of the image on the drum surface, depending upon whether a simplex or duplex print is to be transfixed by the nip.

Abstract: A border can be added to an image using pixels of a graphic piece that can be copied into or around an image. The graphic piece can be repeatedly copied around an image to form a border. A mask file identifies pixels of a graphic piece to merge with pixels of the image. The pixels of the graphic piece are merged or combined with pixels of the image according to the mask so that the image is rendered with a border.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying unique composite indicia or markings to a succession of articles, in which each unique composite indicium comprises two or more indicia. At least part of each of the indicia may be co-located at a predetermined location on the article with such co-location being unique or distinct for each composite indicium for each article. The indicium may be overprinted with one or more images, logos or color-schemes. A code (e.g. an alphanumeric string) that is stored in a database may be derived from the composite indicium from one or more mathematical properties. The code may be later accessed for identifying or verifying the article with the indicium.

Abstract: A molded product for an operation panel 1 is produced by injection molding or the like. A set of characters 7 indicative of the type of each operation switch 17 is formed, by a screen printing process, at a location near to the subject switch opening portions 6. Next, another screen printing process is executed to form a set of Braille dots 12 indicative of each set of characters 7 at a location overlapping the subject set of characters 7. Accordingly, sticking spaces which are required in the case of sticking seals of the Braille dots 12 are unnecessary any more. The Braille dots 12 can be arranged freely in a narrow space. Even though the surface 3 of the operation panel 1 is curved, it is ensured that the Braille dots 12 be arranged in a secured layout, unlike the case of sticking a Braille tape on the surface 3.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing UV exposure to edges of a printing plate which occurs when the printing plate is subjected to UV illumination. The method involves a spray head comprising one or more spray nozzles for spraying edge masking material toward the printing plate and a controller connected to control relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate. The method comprises receiving, at the controller, information related to the locations of the edges of the printing plate. In response to the information received at the controller, the controller provides controlled relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate causes the spray nozzles to spray edge masking material onto the edges of the printing plate. The method may be performed by a variety of apparatus.

Abstract: Identification devices and methods of producing the identification devices are presented. Some embodiments of identification devices comprise a structure having a micro-optic image and a layer that is overprinted onto the surface of the structure. In some embodiments, the structure is a substantially planar structure, such as a cardstock sheet, and the micro-optic image is a hologram. A web-fed flexographic printing process is presented, in which the process comprises the steps of providing a web, determining a feed rate for the web, feeding the web at the determined feed rate, and overprinting onto a surface of the web. In some embodiments, the web has a micro-optic structure and an eye-mark. The micro-optic structure is located at a predefined position on the web, and the eye-mark is located at a fixed position with reference to the position of the micro-optic structure. The feed rate is determined using the eye-mark. In some embodiments, the micro-optic structure is a hologram.

Abstract: A gripper device in a sheet-processing machine includes a gripper, a gripper pad associated with the gripper and a first drive for moving the gripper out of an opened position thereof into a closed position thereof. The gripper is cooperatively engageable with the gripper pad for producing a clamping force for holding sheets being processed. A second drive is separately operable from the first drive during a production printing operation of the sheet-processing machine. The first and second drives are operable for positioning the gripper and/or the gripper pad so that clamping faces of one of the gripper and/or the gripper pad are movable by the second drive perpendicularly to clamping faces of the other of the gripper and/or the gripper pad.

Abstract: A hybrid stencil printing apparatus comprises: a stencil-making/printing unit configured to perforate a stencil sheet corresponding to a desired image, to wind the stencil sheet around an outer peripheral surface of a print drum, and to transfer a printing medium to the print drum with pressure and the printing medium is printed; an other-method image-formation unit configured to print the printing medium transferred on the same transfer passage as the stencil-making/printing unit according to a different printing method from the stencil-making/printing unit; and an image-formation unit selection-unit configured to input an original digital image, to determine a attributes of each image portion of the inputted original digital image, and to allocate each image portion selectively to the stencil-making/printing unit or the other-method image-formation unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and processing a plurality of articles includes a transport loop including a plurality of carrier bars and a plurality of pockets formed between adjacent ones of the carrier bars. The articles are laterally, longitudinally and rotationally positioned within the pockets at a predetermined position. The articles may be pharmaceutical tablets or capsules. The carrier bars may follow a curvilinear path including a non-linear path portion and a substantially linear path portion. The pockets between adjacent carrier bars are open and able to receive the articles when the adjacent carrier bars are at the non-linear path portion, and are closed and tightly grasp the articles when the adjacent carrier bars are at the substantially linear path portion. The apparatus can be used to manufacture shaped edible articles having a non-planar portion that receive serially registered component images from first and second printers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multicolored steel sheet having multiple colors, designs or patterns on its surface and a manufacturing system for carrying out the same are provided.

Abstract: A hybrid stencil printing apparatus comprises: a stencil-making/printing unit configured to perforate a stencil sheet corresponding to a desired image, to wind the stencil sheet around an outer peripheral surface of a print drum, and to transfer a printing medium to the print drum with pressure and the printing medium is printed; an other-method image-formation unit configured to print the printing medium transferred on the same transfer passage as the stencil-making/printing unit according to a different printing method from the stencil-making/printing unit; and an image-formation unit selection-unit configured to input an original digital image, to determine a attributes of each image portion of the inputted original digital image, and to allocate each image portion selectively to the stencil-making/printing unit or the other-method image-formation unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: A pearlescent honeycomb material and an apparatus and method for making expandable pearlescent honeycomb structures suitable for use as window coverings. In one embodiment, a pearlescent material is prepared and then folded into tubular strips. These folded tubular strips with adhesive lines applied to them are fed continuously through a cutter which cuts them into predetermined lengths. The cut strips are then accelerated to a stacker for further processing before the next cut strip arrives. In another embodiment, webs of material are fed continuously in a downstream direction, adhesive lines are applied, a middle web is slitted into strips, and the strips bonded along opposite edges to the outer webs. By choosing for the outer webs transparent or porous material, and for the middle web opaque material, a light or air controlling honeycomb structure results.

Abstract: A method of determining misalignment of color planes within an image forming apparatus. A first pattern is formed with a first color and comprises first and second sections. A second pattern is formed with a second color and positioned within the first and second sections of the first pattern. The alignment of the two color planes is determined by the difference in the amount of color within the first and second sections. The amount of misalignment may further be determined by the ratio of the difference in the amount of color within the sections and the sum of the amount of color within the sections. Perfect alignment of the two color planes results in equal color amounts in each section.

Abstract: A method of producing a nanofeature or a nanocircuit on a substrate, including soaking a stamp having a nanopattern thereon in an ink to allow the ink to absorb into the stamp and provide an inked stamp, and applying the inked stamp against a substrate to transfer an ink pattern onto the substrate, wherein the ink within the inked stamp replenishes the pattern in response to the transfer of the ink pattern.

Abstract: A parallel duplex paper path device is provided for feeding a recording medium along a feed direction from a first printing device to a second printing device, which are arranged in parallel. The paper path device comprises at least two turning stations that are each assigned to one of the first or second printer. The turning stations are configured symmetrically to allow for reversing the feed direction and to allow for a device which can be assembled using standardized sub-assemblies.

Abstract: Improved web printing and handling apparatus (10, 84, 88) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a bidrectionally 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, 84, 88) also has a downstream web cutting and handling assembly (14) with an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and image collection assembly (44). 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 individual images on the web (16). Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied and the individual images are laser cut and collected using assembly (44).

Abstract: A process of screen printing images on a substrate which effectively diminishes the Moire effect and other screen printing process distortions. The process utilizes specific screen angles for printing each process ink color, the application of UV light to set the ink on the substrate and the automated transfer of the substrate between printing and drying stations.

Abstract: Improved web printing and handling apparatus (10, 84, 88) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a bidrectionally 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, 84, 88) also has a downstream web cutting and handling assembly (14) with an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and image collection assembly (44). 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 individual images on the web (16). Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied and the individual images are laser cut and collected using assembly (44).

Abstract: A method for providing indications for conditioning ink flow valves of at least one inking unit of a printing press. The printing area of the inking unit is divided into a multiplicity of inking zones each supplied by one ink flow valve in order to prescribe a predetermined rate of ink flow for each ink zone in said at least one inking unit. The method includes determining by calculating, from a digital image being processed for printing, a representative ink density value for each ink zone and for each color separation and furnishing the ink flow valves respectively with the values for regulating the flow in the ink zones.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and processing a plurality of articles includes a transport loop including a plurality of carrier bars and a plurality of pockets formed between adjacent ones of the carrier bars. The articles are laterally, longitudinally and rotationally positioned within the pockets at a predetermined position, and at least a first processing station at a first position along the transport loop performs a first operation on the articles while within the pocket in the predetermined position. The articles may be pharmaceutical tablets or capsules and the first processing station may be a drill that drills a series of holes on the pharmaceuticals to create a mechanical time-release mechanism. A second processing station coordinated with the first processing station may perform a second operation on the articles. The first and second processing stations may be first and second printers that print first and second component images in registration with another to form a composite image.

Abstract: A hidden image game piece and a method by which a hidden image game piece is produced. A first pattern of colored ink is deposited on a transparent or highly translucent substrate at 110-180 density, forming the image which is to be hidden. Then a second pattern of colored ink, of a different color than first pattern's ink, is deposited upon the substrate on top of the first pattern, at 90-170 density. When the game piece is flooded with additive light of the same color as the second pattern's ink, the previously concealed image, composed of the first pattern's ink, becomes perceptible. Because a transparent or highly translucent substrate is used for the game piece, and because the density of the ink application is controlled within specific ranges, this game piece may be used with a computer monitor, or with other low-intensity sources of additive light.

Abstract: A multi-ply promotional label having a detachable game piece according to the present invention includes peripheral and perforation geometry that reduces the likelihood of intentional or inadvertent premature viewing of game indicia on the detachable piece. The label, moreover, may include multiple detachable game pieces. Deleterious effects of increased tensile stress along perforations due to the presence of multiple detachable game pieces or other factors are overcome by applying an adhesive to removably couple a preselected region of a downwardly facing aspect of a detachable game piece to an underlying base ply. The upward face of the same base ply may be printed to increase the available printable area in order, for example, to further instruct players on game procedures.

Abstract: A method for mounting a substrate having a first image printed thereon on a digital printer to be used to print a second image in a desired alignment with the first image, wherein the first image is printed on the substrate using a nondigital process. The first image is related to a second image to form a composite image. First, registration holes in a template are placed over registration pins on the digital printer, thereby mounting the template on the printer. The second image is printed on the template using the digital printer, and the template is then removed from the digital printer. Registration holes of substrate leaders and the registration holes of the template are placed over registration pins extending from a work surface. The substrate is then positioned with respect to the substrate leaders and the template at a desired location where the first image on the substrate aligns with the second image on the template. The substrate leader is then secured to the substrate at the desired location.

Abstract: A paper substrate is laminated with a metalized layer forming a mirrored surface. A partially transparent black diffraction grating is applied by stochastic screening to the mirrored surface. The diffraction grating forms a random pattern from selected geometric shapes. Information, such as alphanumeric indicia or graphics, is printed on the stochastic screen to thus form a reflective diffraction device which is printable in a conventional manner while inhibiting reproduction of the printed information by conventional techniques, including black and white and color photo-reproduction and facsimile machines. The partially transparent black stochastic screen forms a diffraction grating on the metalized layer so that when illuminated from the light source of either a specular or diffuse illumination-type photocopier, random interference patterns of light occur at the interface of the metalized surface and the stochastic screen.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional feature on a surface using the technique of drop ejection to deposit droplets of deposition material. The method comprises depositing a plurality of droplets on the surface to form a feature comprising multiple discrete portions, adjoining portions being formed from different deposition material. Examples of such a feature include a Braille character and a multi-layer optical device.

Abstract: A method of printing on a web of paper includes the steps of providing the web, adjusting a tension on the web and sequentially printing each of a plurality of different indicia on defined sequential longitudinally spaced printing fields of the web. Information is then printed in each of the defined printing fields on the web. Preferably, the method is used for printing bingo game booklets in which each sheet of the booklet is identified by a different color or border than is each other sheet in the booklet. The apparatus includes a roll stand from which the web is fed and an indicia printing unit. The indicia printing unit includes a plurality of indicium rolls supported by and spaced around a frame and an endless printing belt supported by the rolls, the printing belt having a plurality of sequentially longitudinally spaced print areas.

Abstract: A recording material having a compression modulus of elasticity of 650 kgf/cm.sup.2 or less in the direction of the thickness thereof and exhibiting a maximum strain of 0.08 or more generated under pressure of 40 kgf/cm.sup.2 in the thickness direction of the recording material, can record thereon electro-coagulated ink images with high clarity and color density by electro-coagulation printing.

Abstract: A method for customizing a book using a printer conveyor system which provide 100% non-contact print coverage on any portion of both covers of a book being conveyed thereon while maintaining custody and precisely registering each book prior to non-contact printing.