Transfer Or Offset Patents (Class 101/492)
  • Patent number: 7406915
    Abstract: A method for forming black matrixes of a liquid crystal display device is provided that includes preparing a transparent substrate, printing first black matrixes on the substrate, and printing second black matrixes on the first black matrixes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong-Suk Yoo
  • Publication number: 20080173194
    Abstract: An offset lithography printing press and method wherein dampening structure applies a thin moisture layer directly to a blanket cylinder to facilitate separation between the blanket cylinder and paper or other printable sheet material when passing through a nip between the blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Julius Domotor
  • Publication number: 20080156208
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing in a web-fed printing press is disclosed. A printing unit has several printing couples, where each printing couple includes a transfer cylinder, an inking system, and a dampening system, if applicable. Each printing couple includes a plate cylinder unit featuring at least two plate cylinders, where, when a plate cylinder of the plate cylinder unit is engaged on the transfer cylinder of the respective printing couple during a printing operation, the, or each, other plate cylinder of the corresponding plate cylinder unit is disengaged from the transfer cylinder of the respective printing couple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Thomas GSELL, Rudolf STROH
  • Publication number: 20080141879
    Abstract: A printing press includes gear driven rollers, such as, for example, a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder, and a pivotable gear train adapted to synchronize rotation of the cylinders, and is able to accommodate a range of cylinder sizes. Changing cylinder sizes may be accomplished without the need for changing any gears in the gear train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: GOSS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thaddeus A. Niemiro, Dan Machaj
  • Patent number: 7387070
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying printing of indicia and logo to golf balls held and indexed by magnetic indexing devices connected to a conveyor. The device includes a stationary base portion and a rotating cup portion which are magnetically coupled to each other. Each portion has recesses for housing magnets to create a magnetic field of attraction which firmly locks the two portions together. When rotation of the cup portion to the base portion is required, the rotation is substantially friction-free because of a thrust bearing ring set in the base portion. The cup portion is caused to rotate 45° or 90° upon being biasly urged by station locks located on the conveyor. The cup portion has an open bridge section wherein cam surfaces of the station locks can engage and cause the cup portion to rotate, which is necessary for each new procedure, whether it be inspection of the ball, pad printing of indicia and logo, or curing the printed ink with ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Mydlack, Edmund T. Maher, Michael F. Vieira, Thomas N. Schermerhorn
  • Patent number: 7373878
    Abstract: A digitally controlled can decorating apparatus (40) including digitally controlled print heads (50) arrayed around the blanket cylinder (20) of an offset type decorating apparatus for delivering ink in a selected pattern from each print head (50) to each blanket section (17) of the blanket cylinder (20), and the blanket cylinder sections (17) thereafter transferring the ink to the cans (22) being decorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joseph Finan
  • Patent number: 7337722
    Abstract: Method for printing objects (2) whereby printing ink (5) or the like is provided on a carrier (3) which consists of a flexible, mainly flat material layer on the one hand, and whereby the printing ink (5) is transferred to the object (2) to be printed by bringing the above-mentioned carrier (3) and the object (2) into contact with one another, characterized in that additional means are implemented which promote the reproducibility during printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel Coatings International B.V.
    Inventor: Marc Maria Leo Jan LaFaille
  • Publication number: 20080041250
    Abstract: A rotary pad printing system comprises a compressible pad wheel (105), one or more inkjet or other image applicator heads (400), optional treatment stations (500), a shaft encoder (535), a control unit (540), and an image source (565). The image applicator heads apply an image to the wheel and the treatment stations can supply treatments such as heat, gas, light, overcoats, and undercoats. The image is then transferred to a receiving surface (532). An optional cleaning station (510) cleans the rotary pad prior to application of the next or a continuous image. Each image can be different and can be applied to a moving surface. Since the rotary pad can continuously receive updated image information, the area printed can range from a single pixel to an image of indefinite length. In an alternative embodiment, a domed pad is used. In another alternative embodiment, a flexible belt (1000) is used instead of a rotary wheel. In another alternative embodiment, a segmented pad (2205) is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Lloyd Douglas Clark, Brian A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080022871
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a transfer foil for transferring a transfer layer onto a printing material in a transfer unit. In order to avoid the adhesion, and simultaneously retain the flexibility of the transfer cylinder, it is proposed that the transfer unit has at least one material application device for applying friction-reducing material onto the transfer cylinder and/or the carrier foil reverse side. Furthermore, a transfer foil is proposed, the carrier foil of which has a rear-side coating of friction-reducing material. The friction-reducing material may be a fluid or powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Alexander Weber, Rudi Sauer
  • Publication number: 20080017060
    Abstract: A method of transferring processing parameters of a print medium includes the steps of reading values of processing parameters from a portable data carrier into a control unit of the processing machine or from a control unit of the processing machine into a portable data carrier and causing the portable data carrier, together with the pile of sheet-shaped copies of the print medium, to interact with the processing machine in such a way that an automated data transfer into the control unit or from the control unit of the processing machine can take place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Malte Seidler, Albert Maul, Thomas Schmid
  • Patent number: 7287470
    Abstract: An offset lithographic printing press combined with a gapped or seamed cylindrical offset printing blanket having pre-made blanket material mounted on a cylindrical sleeve is disclosed, wherein conventional, manufactured blanket material in flat form is adhered to a cylindrical sleeve to economically produce a cylindrical sleeved blanket. The leading and trailing ends of the flat blanket material are joined in close proximity such that a small gap is formed. A seam may be made with a filler material that fills the remaining gap resulting in a seamed sleeved blanket. In use, the blanket's printing surface, which excludes the gap or seam, is aligned with the printing plate's image-bearing surface. Consequently, no loss of print length results from the gap or seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: MLP U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Byers, Leslie Scott Hix, Timothy F. Badowaki, Michael F. Stock
  • Patent number: 7224490
    Abstract: A method of producing a printing plate on a cylindrical printing-plate carrier includes subdividing the printing-plate carrier by computation in terms of its width and axial length into at least two circumferential subareas. Then an actual transfer characteristic curve for each subarea is determined and compared by computation with a predetermined desired printing characteristic curve for each subarea to find a deviation. The method further includes calculating a correction to compensate for each deviation; receiving a digital image data in a first data format using a raster image processor; converting the digital image data into machine-specific image data including the position and the tonal value in the form of a bitmap; applying the correction for a predetermined desired printing characteristic curve for the edition print to the machine-specific image data using the raster image processor; and supplying the corrected machine-specific image data to an imagesetting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Josef Schneider, Armin Weichmann
  • Patent number: 7168365
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a medium in sheet form that can be used for the sublimation transfer of an ink onto an imprintable medium; the medium in sheet form comprises at least one supporting layer, at least one adhesive coating and a plurality of granular or elongated elements designed to be applied to the adhesive coating; the method comprising the steps of preparing the granular or elongated elements so as to render them sensitive to the action of an electromagnetic field and applying the granular or elongated elements to the adhesive coating with the interposition of the electromagnetic field having lines of force f that are substantially perpendicular to the supporting layer, so as to arrange a monolayer of granular or elongated elements according to a predefined distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Paradigma S.R.L.
    Inventor: Tito Trevisan
  • Patent number: 7140296
    Abstract: A method for forming a pattern of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes providing a cliché having at least a first groove structure having a first width and a second groove structure having a second width equal to at least a multiple of the first width and an interval, filling a resist material into the first and second groove structures of the cliché, and applying the resist material filled into the first and second groove structures of the cliché onto an etching object layer of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myoung-Kee Baek, Kwon-Shik Park
  • Patent number: 7131375
    Abstract: An offset lithographic printing press combined with a gapped or seamed cylindrical offset printing blanket having pre-made blanket material mounted on a cylindrical sleeve is disclosed, wherein conventional, manufactured blanket material in flat form is adhered to a cylindrical sleeve to economically produce a cylindrical sleeved blanket. The leading and trailing ends of the flat blanket material are joined in close proximity such that a small gap is formed. A seam may be made with a filler material that fills the remaining gap resulting in a seamed sleeved blanket. In use, the seam is aligned with the non-print area on the adjacent printing plate, or the adjacent plate cylinder gap of the printing press. Being narrower than the plate cylinder gap, no loss of print length results from the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: MLP U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Byers, Leslie Scott Hix, Timothy F. Badowski, Michael F. Stock
  • Patent number: 7040230
    Abstract: A method of reducing the paper or paperboard costs to the owners of a press in the printing of ink on paper or paperboard substrates. The method including providing a press with one or more printing stations. Before feeding the substrates involved to an ink printing station on said press there is applied to said substrates a pore-sealing material to substantially eliminate any porosity thereof to enhance the print quality and gloss of a glossy water-based overprint coating. When on is applied thereto. Where a glossy coating is to be applied, it is applied after the substrates have been printed with ink by said press, and in a manner preferably to achieve 80–92 gloss. If a glossy coating is to be applied over portions of the inked substrates, a dull coating can be applied by the press over other portions of the substrates after all the ink has been applied and before the glossy coating is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Myer (Mike) Hecht
  • Patent number: 6994765
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for image formation, that can yield thermally transferred images which are excellent in various fastness properties even under severe service conditions, and an intermediate transfer recording medium for use in the method for image formation. The method for image formation comprises the steps of: providing an intermediate transfer recording medium comprising a substrate film and a transfer portion provided separably on the substrate film; forming an image on the intermediate transfer recording medium in its transfer portion; transferring the transfer portion onto an object; and, thereafter, again transferring the intermediate transfer recording medium in its next transfer portion once or more onto the object with the image formed thereon. In this case, in the intermediate transfer recording medium, a hologram image is set every at least second image plane, and an image can be formed on the transfer portion having the hologram image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Oshima, Kozo Odamura, Takayuki Imai, Tadahiro Ishida, Etsuo Takasaki
  • Patent number: 6990904
    Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: International Imaging Materials, Inc
    Inventors: Jim Ibarra, Rick Wallace, Karen A. Walsh-Clemens, Barry L. Marginean, Mike Tato, Pamela A. Geddes, Joel D. Neri, Robert P. Wilbert, Barry Briggs
  • Patent number: 6983688
    Abstract: A custom decoration for bags, cases, portfolios and other business accessories (the “item”) that can be printed at an appropriate location directly on the otherwise-finished item is provided. The decoration comprises a single or multi-colored ink image transferred from a lithographic plate using a transfer pad. The underlying tag or “substrate” for the decoration is a smooth-surfaced soft polyvinylchloride or rubberized material with appropriate ink-receptive or attractive characteristic—such as a matte or semi-gloss surface finish. The item is placed on a supporting surface in a pad printing device so that the substrate is restrained within a registration jig; an inked image on a plate is contacted with a printing pad and the pad is moved to contact the substrate, thereby applying the custom decoration thereto. In one embodiment, the substrate is secured by cords to a side of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: The Gem Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Papa, Agnes Csilla Domotor, Joshua B. Lederer, Maryann Ivers
  • Patent number: 6983697
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer member is disengaged from an impression drum. Color layers are applied to the intermediate transfer member. A sheet media is transported between the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum while the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum are disengaged. The intermediate transfer member is engaged with the impression drum. Another sheet media is transported between the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum. The color layers are transferred from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig Hopper, Robert W. Jewell, Jeffrey C. Madsen, Alfred D. Kirby
  • Patent number: 6982735
    Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are described. In one aspect, an ink layer having an electrorheological fluid composition including a suspension of colorant particles dispersed in an electrically insulating carrier fluid is formed on a surface. A charge image is projected onto the ink layer to selectively form charge-stiffened regions adhering to the electrically insulating layer and representing respective regions of the projected charge image. Non-charge-stiffened ink layer components are physically separated from the charge-stiffened regions. Portions of the ink layer are electrostatically transferred to a receptor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Moore, John F. Cooper, Richard A. Fotland
  • Patent number: 6981444
    Abstract: A gapped or seamed cylindrical offset printing blanket having pre-made blanket material mounted on a cylindrical sleeve, and a method for making same, are disclosed, wherein conventional, manufactured blanket material in flat form made by methods known in the art is adhered to a cylindrical sleeve to economically produce a blanket. The leading and trailing ends of the flat blanket material are joined in close proximity such that a small gap is formed. A seam may be made with a filler material that fills the remaining gap resulting in a seamed sleeved blanket. In use, the seam is aligned with non-print area on the adjacent printing plate, or the adjacent plate cylinder gap of the printing press. Being narrower than the plate cylinder gap, no loss of print length results from the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: MLP U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Byers, Leslie Scott Hix, Timothy F. Badowski, Michael F. Stock
  • Patent number: 6966997
    Abstract: In a method for patterning a polymer film forming a coating on a material surface, a thin film of polymer is deposited on the surface and the patterning takes place by applying to the material surface a stamp made of an elastomeric material in conformal contact with the surface of the thin film, such that portions thereof contacting one or more protruding elements of the elastomeric stamp formed by one or more indentations thereof, are attached to the protruding element or elements and removed from the material surface with the stamp. In a method for transferring a patterned polymer film onto a material surface, a thin film polymer is deposited on a stamp surface and the stamp is applied in conformal contact with the material surface, such that thin film of polymer is transferred thereto from one or more protruding elements of the elastomeric stamp formed by at least one indentation thereof, thus leaving a patterned thin film of polymer on the material surface when removing the stamp therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Thin Film Electronics ASA
    Inventors: Olle Inganäs, Tobias Nyberg, Tomas Granlund
  • Patent number: 6918338
    Abstract: A printing system has an imaging subsystem, an application subsystem, and a decoupler separating the imaging subsystem from the application subsystem. A method of imaging is also provided. In a placing action, an image is placed on a transfer roll in a first environment. In a moving action, the transfer roll is moved to a second environment. In a transferring action, the image is transferred to a media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt E. Thiessen, Antoni Murcia
  • Patent number: 6918665
    Abstract: A compact motorized transfer roller for a printer is disclosed. The roller has a cylindrical body with an outer surface and an interior space. A motor is located in the interior space and rotates the body. The rotating body advances and prints on a sheet of media. In some embodiments, the motor is a stepper motor and uses a gear assembly in which worm gear carried by an output shaft of the motor cooperates with one or more reduction gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 6905755
    Abstract: A security document or other device including a substrate (2), a smooth highly reflective layer (1) applied thereto and having a reflectivity of at least 60 gloss units, and a raised printed image (3) applied to said reflective layer by a printing process such as the gravure process, the raised printed image having a height of at least 10 microns and being printed using a translucent ink having a large value of 85 to 95 as measured on an XL 211 Hazegard haze measuring instrument, which render it substantially transparent or translucent while causing scattering of the light reflectance and transmittance in at least a partially specular manner. A method of producing a document is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Note Printing Australia Limited
    Inventor: Joshua Robert Nemeth
  • Patent number: 6899420
    Abstract: Disclosed is a print engine having a page-width printhead assembly and a motorized transfer roller located adjacent to the printhead. The transfer roller is also adjacent to the sheet media path of the device which uses the engine. The printhead is oriented to print directly onto the transfer roller. The engine has a second roller closely adjacent to the transfer roller and on an opposite side of the path for pressing the sheet onto the transfer roller. In some embodiments, the printhead has a surface adjacent to the transfer roller that carries capping seals on either side of the ink ejecting area. The printhead is held off of the transfer roller by a solenoid but parked against the transfer roller when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 6874421
    Abstract: A method is provided for imparting images created with an inkjet printer to substrates. In accordance with the method, an image is imparted to an image receiving layer releasably disposed on a carrier sheet. An article can be provided, which is equipped with an adhesive patch on its surface. The image receiving layer is then brought into contact with the adhesive patch and, the carrier sheet is removed, thereby imparting an image to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Kitchin, Joseph Clark Carls, Dwight Lamar Evans, Steven Richard Austin
  • Patent number: 6865988
    Abstract: A transfer foil for golf balls which achieves transfer printing at a temperature below 130° C. and provides a printed pattern having a superior durability. The transfer foil comprises a base film, and an ink layer carrying a pattern on one surface of the base film, the ink layer comprising a polyurethane resin having a hydroxyl value of less than 0.2 and a weight-average molecular weight of 20,000 to 60,000. The present invention also provides a golf ball, a method of printing a pattern, and a method of manufacturing a golf ball, which are all based on the use of the transfer foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6854388
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Karen S. Herhold, Leo Warner
  • Patent number: 6854390
    Abstract: A device in flexographic machines, for making an adjustment between an inner shaft and an extractable jacket, with the double purpose of supporting the jacket along the entire length of the shaft, and of increasing the stiffness of the jacket. The adapter comprises at each of its end portions a rigid ring, and these end rings are internally connected the one another by a first rigid cylindrical member which is thin and capable of expansion and is intended to rest against the shaft, and they are externally connected the one another by a second rigid cylindrical member intended to receive the jacket; expansion means are provided in order to secure said end rings to the shaft, and openings are provided in said second external member in order to allow blowing compressed air intended to make easier the insertion and the extraction of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Rotomec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Renzo Melotti
  • Patent number: 6848364
    Abstract: A gapped or seamed cylindrical offset printing blanket having pre-made blanket material mounted on a cylindrical sleeve, and a method for making same, are disclosed, wherein conventional, manufactured blanket material in flat form made by methods known in the art is adhered to a cylindrical sleeve to economically produce a blanket. The leading and trailing ends of the flat blanket material are joined in close proximity such that a small gap is formed. A seam may be made with a filler material that fills the remaining gap resulting in a seamed sleeved blanket. In use, the seam is aligned with non-print area on the adjacent printing plate, or the adjacent plate cylinder gap of the printing press. Being narrower than the plate cylinder gap, no loss of print length results from the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: MLP U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Byers, Leslie Scott Hix, Timothy F. Badowski, Michael F. Stock
  • Patent number: 6829991
    Abstract: A printing unit of an offset printing press includes a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder for selectively contacting the first plate cylinder, a first inker for inking the first plate cylinder, a second plate cylinder, a second blanket cylinder for selectively contacting the second plate cylinder, and a second inker for inking the second plate cylinder. A first inker drive gear connects to the first inker for driving the first inker, and a motor uniquely associated with the printing unit is configured to drive the first inker drive gear. In addition, a gear train engaging the first inker drive gear is driven by the first inker drive gear so as to drive the first plate cylinder, the first blanket cylinder, the second blanket cylinder, the second plate cylinder and the second inker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: Jared Paul Eaton
  • Patent number: 6823795
    Abstract: Multicolor registered images, formed from at least two component images, are printed on the surfaces of shaped edible pieces. Registration of the component images is maintained by applying the component images to a single image transfer surface from plural image application surfaces. The registered image is applied to a shaped edible piece from the image transfer surface in a single contact step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mars, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil A. Willcocks, James M. Suttle, Thomas M. Collins, Arun Shastry
  • Patent number: 6820555
    Abstract: A process and a plant for applying of one or more compounds, such as inks or coatings, to a substrate. In each station of the plant at least one compound is applied by a process that requires applying an essentially liquid mixture containing the compound to be applied to a transfer medium, heating the tranfer medium to obtain coagulation of the portion of the mixture which is in contact with the transfer medium, and placing the transfer placed in contact with the substrate so that the coagulated portion of the mixture is applied to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Lechler S.p.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Grasselli
  • Patent number: 6817293
    Abstract: A patterning method for micro-contact printing involves the steps of: applying a resin on a master having projected patterns, hardening the resin and thereafter removing the hardened resin from the master to make a stamp of the resin; applying a molecular ink including hydrophobic molecules dispersed in a solvent on the stamp; forming micro-contact printed patterns of the hydrophobic molecular layer on a substrate by means of the stamp on which the molecular ink is applied; dipping the substrate with micro-contact printed patterns in a hydrophilic molecule solution dispersed in a solvent to give chemical modification to the areas of the surface of the substrate around the micro-contact printed patterns, the solution including hydrophilic molecules having a chain length shorter than the chain length of hydrophobic molecules included in the molecular ink is used as the hydrophilic molecule solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Dainippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamichi Fujihira, Uichi Akiba, Hiroki Okui, Shintaro Fujii, Masaaki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 6796647
    Abstract: There are provided a method of forming an image on a card and an apparatus therefor, which are capable of properly carrying out printing of an image on a card and protection of the printed image in a simplified manner without changing the size of the card. A card is used which has an ink-fixing layer laminated on a surface of a substrate layer and an ink image-receiving layer peelably laminated on a surface of the ink-fixing layer. An image is printed on the card, while feeding the card, by an ink jet printing method using a sublimable dye ink. The card printed with the image is conveyed to a heating source, and subjected to heat treatment by the heating source to cause diffusion of the sublimable dye ink held in the ink image-receiving layer in the ink-fixing layer, and color development to form an image. The ink image-receiving layer is peeled off the card after the heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Zenta Kosaka, Kazuaki Morozumi, Kunihiko Matsuhashi, Yoshiki Minowa
  • Patent number: 6796229
    Abstract: A gear train for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes a coupling for separating and closing the gear train. The gear train further includes rotating elements having toothing systems which, in a closed state of the gear train, are in mutual engagement and, in a separated state of the gear train, are out of engagement. A multiplicity of the rotating elements are combined into pairs. The toothing systems of one of the pairs of rotating elements has a tooth pitch differing from the toothing systems of a respective other of the pairs of rotating elements. A machine, including the gear train, for processing flat printing materials, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Christian Görbing, Ivo Richter
  • Patent number: 6796241
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for distributing mass copies of text and/or images on a novel medium, namely eggs, by using the eggshell of the egg as an advertising or message-bearing medium. Mass quantities of eggs are imprinted with a promotional image prior to distributing said eggs to consumers. The promotional image can be, for indicative of a modification to the egg's content, or consist of warnings or instructions pertaining to security or emergency matters. The shells of the eggs are imprinted by a method comprising the steps of (1) repeatedly transferring one row of eggs at a time from a carton having M rows of N eggs to N empty egg-receiving cradles until all the eggs in the carton has been transferred, moving the cradles through a number of imprinting stations, imprinting N eggs at each such station with N tampons, and transferring N imprinted eggs at a time into each of the M rows in the cartons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Jose Luis Catalan, Ricardo Vazquez
  • Patent number: 6789475
    Abstract: A satellite printing machine for printing sheets includes a single central common counter-pressure cylinder and at least four satellite printing groups arranged in a peripherally distributed manner about the counter-pressure cylinder in a rotational direction thereof from a feed cylinder to an output cylinder. The counter-pressure cylinder is provided in the form of a rubber blanket cylinder. At least one additional satellite printing group cooperates with the counter-pressure cylinder for at least single-color back side printing, and is disposed in the rotational direction of the counter-pressure cylinder before the feed system and after the output cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Ebe Hesterman
  • Patent number: 6776100
    Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, transferring an image to a substrate. At least one printed, flexible membrane is located adjacent at least one forming fixture having a complementary shape to the substrate surface. The membrane is urged into image transferring contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas V. Cutcher
  • Publication number: 20040149155
    Abstract: A printing system has an imaging subsystem, an application subsystem, and a decoupler separating the imaging subsystem from the application subsystem. A method of imaging is also provided. In a placing action, an image is placed on a transfer roll in a first environment. In a moving action, the transfer roll is moved to a second environment. In a transferring action, the image is transferred to a media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Kurt E. Thiessen, Antoni Murcia
  • Patent number: 6749996
    Abstract: The present invention is a puff heat transfer, a puff transfer composition, and a method of making a puff transfer composition. The puff transfer composition, i.e., ink, is actually loaded with the color. In particular, the transfer composition comprises effective amounts of a transfer base material, at least one pigment concentrate, and a puff base material. The transfer base material and the pigment concentrate may be mixed together and then loaded into the puff base material to form the transfer composition. The transfer composition may be deposited on a transfer sheet to make the heat transfer. The transfer sheet may be a substrate that is treated with QUILLON™. By using a substrate sheet that is treated with QUILLON™, the puff of the present invention has an improved, velvet-like feel when the transfer sheet is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Impulse Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Roberts, Lawrence Levine
  • Patent number: 6745684
    Abstract: A printing method using at least one transfer roller, whose roller surface is charged with a coating material, for example a toner. The coating material is directly or indirectly transferred from the transfer roller to a support surface of a transfer element, before being transferred at least partially from the transfer element to a workpiece to be coated. According to this invention, the transfer element has a stretching element which forms the support surface and the support surface is stretched in the direction of the surface by a stretching device. This ensures that this method can also be used to easily coat 3-dimensional surfaces which are curved in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Zimmer, Bernd Schultheis
  • Patent number: 6739263
    Abstract: An artificial chamois leather type product is provided with a colour printed decoration on at least one face thereof, that face having material such as polyester chamois material (12) and the cover layer (10, 11), typically of a latex material is highly moisture permeable yet provides wear resistance to the product; the cover material is characterized by being devoid of colouring material which would deleteriously affect a colour printed image (13) printed onto the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Investment Marketing Consortium Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Allan Conen
  • Patent number: 6732645
    Abstract: In a first printing process in Steps S1 through S6, ink supply is controlled so that a measured printed density (Vn) is approximately equal to a first target density (V1). This provides a uniform amount of ink remaining on ink rollers after the first printing process. Thereafter, in a second printing process in Steps S7 through S11, printing is performed using a second target density (V2) lower than the first target density (V1). This provides a slightly reduced, uniform amount of ink remaining on the ink rollers. Thus, a novel method of presetting ink is provided which facilitates the formation of a distribution of the new amount of ink at the beginning of the next printing operation and which stabilizes the early start of printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen MFG., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Yamamoto, Shigeo Murakami, Nobuhito Kohara, Kuniharu Okuda
  • Patent number: 6730150
    Abstract: Phase change ink carrier compositions comprising an admixture of (1) at least one urethane resin; and/or (2) at least one mixed urethane/urea resin; and/or (3) at least one mono-amide; and/or (4) at least one polyethylene wax are provided. In addition, a phase change colored ink of such carrier compositions comprising a phase change ink compatible colorant are also provided. Embodiments of the present invention also include methods for producing a layer of the above phase change colored ink on the surface of a substrate by either direct or indirect printing. Such methods also encompassing using a polyethylene wax as an overcoat layer above such a phase change ink layer on a printed substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Titterington, Jeffrey H. Banning
  • Patent number: 6723409
    Abstract: Sheets of rubber-coated fabric are mounted on the cylinders of offset printing presses. An under-packing formed from the combination of an optional flexible supporting sheet and a plurality of flexible packing sheets is interposed between the cylinder surface and the rubber-coated fabric to obtain a predetermined total thickness which varies for different types of printing presses. The thickness of the under-packing is equal to a predetermined maximum thickness. The thickness of the sheets of the under-packing is chosen such that by removing one or more packing sheets from the under-packing, the desired thickness for any specific case can be approximated. A face of each packing sheet which faces inwards, with the exception of the face of the innermost sheet or the supporting sheet if the supporting sheet is the innermost sheet, is treated with an adhesive which, while maintaining the sheets united, enables them to be separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Printgraph Waterless S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Levi Acobas
  • Patent number: 6718880
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for image formation, that can yield thermally transferred images which are excellent in various fastness properties even under severe service conditions, and an intermediate transfer recording medium for use in the method for image formation. The method for image formation comprises the steps of: providing an intermediate transfer recording medium comprising a substrate film and a transfer portion provided separably on the substrate film; forming an image on the intermediate transfer recording medium in its transfer portion; transferring the transfer portion onto an object; and, thereafter, again transferring the intermediate transfer recording medium in its next transfer portion once or more onto the object with the image formed thereon. In this case, in the intermediate transfer recording medium, a hologram image is set every at least second image plane, and an image can be formed on the transfer portion having the hologram image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Oshima, Kozo Odamura, Takayuki Imai, Tadahiro Ishida, Etsuo Takasaki
  • Patent number: 6701847
    Abstract: A method of varying the ink density of the full tone in printing within a rotary printing machine with an ink application system which can provide a constant quantity of ink which, in spite of constant ink supply from the inking unit, permits control of the full-tone density or adaptation of the raster tonal values in the print. The method includes setting the binary image on a printing plate. A basic raster of raster points, which determines the area coverage of the binary image, is produced on the printing plate for the variable-area image information. The basic raster is then superimposed on a fine microraster in such way that the area coverage of the basic raster is reduced by a percentage which can be set between 0% and 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Armin Weichmann