Abstract: In a varnish coater for a printed product, a blanket cylinder and a form roller are respectively supported by eccentric bearings to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the form roller and an impression cylinder and throw on/off the form roller with respect to the blanket cylinder, and rollers provided in the eccentric bearings of the form roller are brought by biasing means into tight contact with the cam surfaces of cams pivoted by pivot means so as to simplify adjustment of a contact pressure of the form roller with respect to the blanket cylinder at the throw-on and -off positions of the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A continuous tag printing apparatus is disclosed wherein a strip of tags is not wasted, and cut tags are easily aligned. The continuous tag printing apparatus has a feed mechanism for feeding the strip, a printing mechanism for printing desired information on the strip, and a mark applying mechanism for applying a mark on a side surface of a portion of the strip, which portion corresponds to a partition tag which indicates a change in printing contents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for dispensing ink to a silk screen for printing thereby. A squeegee is reciprocated relative to the silk screen and each cycle of movement provides an air pulse to a counter. The counted pulses are compared with a preset number of pulses based on the actual amount of ink which is used during the printing operations. When the counted pulses are counted up to the preset number, a control signal is fed to a valve to operate a piston and cylinder assembly which is coupled to a piston to force a measured quantity of ink from a cylinder. The cylinder is fed with a supply of ink from an ink pot. A check valve in the bottom of the cylinder opens only when the ink in the cylinder is pressurized by the piston. The measured quantity of ink dispensed from the cylinder is delivered by a conduit to the silk screen.

Abstract: A roller cleaning device for a varnishing system in a printing press has liquid-supplying means pivotally arranged above the rollers conveying varnish. The spatial distribution of the liquid-supplying means differs over the length of the rollers. The liquid-supplying means are closer together in two edge zones than in the central zone; the liquid-supplying means in the central zone have nozzles that are spaced apart from one another at a relatively large interval. The liquid-supplying means come into operation at stopping and at the onset and cessation of printing. The liquid-supplying means in the edge zone operate, in accordance with format width, throughout printing.

Abstract: A device for application of lacquer or the like to a sheet in a printing press. The lacquer is applied by an applicator cylinder having an associated applicator roller. Lacquer is fed from a fountain having a fountain roller which is slowly driven, the lacquer being transferred from the fountain roller to the applicator roller either directly or through intermediate rollers to form a nip in which the lacquer tends to build up. The amount of lacquer transferred by the fountain roller per unit time is determined by a metering roller which engages the fountain roller. A sensing device located at the nip senses the level of lacquer buildup and produces an output signal upon departure of the building from an optimum level. In one embodiment of the invention the output signal is utilized to bring about a corrective adjustment in the position of the metering roller so that the buildup at the nip tends to be restored to optimum level.

Abstract: Variegated composite designs (11) are printed on a surface of a length of fabric (12) by a two-stage printing process in which first, sharp, unmodulated color background portions (14) of the design are first applied by a conventional contact printer (13) such as a rotary screen printer in one example. Next, the partially printed fabric is advanced to an airbrush printing station located downstream from the final stage of the contact printer, where a plurality of airbrushes (21) are selectively operated to apply variable color tone portions or features (22) to the fabric adjacent to the background portions previously printed, in either the same or contrasting color or colors so as to produce a variegated composite design including the airbrushed portions superimposed on and embellishing the background sharp color portions previously printed. Operation of the airbrushes and contact printer is synchronized (FIGS. 1, 2-24, 27; FIGS.

Abstract: A thermo-engraving machine has safety, energy conserving and convenience features. The thermo-engraving machine receives a freshly printed sheet, passes it through a device for depositing powder. It heats the powder to cause the powder to melt, then cools the sheet to create raised printed material. The deposition device in one case is a tank with a vertical partition that provides separate containers for powders of different types. The other deposition device is a cyclone type that is pivotal to allow easy cleaning and has toothed wheels in its suction manifold to retain the sheets. The oven has sidewalls that will laterally move to vary the width of the oven. Heater elements in the oven can be selectively turned off for smaller widths. The oven is held by a latch that releases the oven to spring upward should electricity be cut off to the solenoid that holds the latch in position.

Abstract: An apparatus for varnishing a sheet being fed from a sheet fed printing press into a delivery unit, the sheet being conveyed by an endless loop conveyor made up of a pair of laterally spaced conveyor chains. Cross members extend between the chains at regular intervals carrying grippers for the leading edge of successive sheets. The chains are guided to form a delivery run and a return run spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. An applicator cylinder is journalled between the runs having an axial length which is shorter than the lateral spacing between the chains. A plate cylinder journalled in the frame outside of the return run is in rolling engagement with the applicator cylinder for supplying a varnish film thereto. A backing cylinder journalled in the frame outside of the delivery run is in rolling engagement with the applicator cylinder. The circumference of the cylinders equals the spacing between successive cross members and grippers.

Abstract: A varnishing unit for applying varnish in a strip of selected width on a sheet carried on the impression cylinder of a printing press distinguished by use of a plurality of adjustable varnish blocking rollers arranged adjacent a fountain roller between a varnish trough and a metering nip formed between a metering roller and the fountain roller. The blocking rollers are hard surfaced and of relatively small diameter, and are secured to the frame by arms located at the respective ends of each roller. Each blocking roller is individually adjustable between (a) a position in which it forcibly indents the surface of the fountain roller so as to substantially cut off the flow of varnish to the metering nip, in the region of width controlled by the blocking roller and (b) a position withdrawn from the surface of the fountain roller to permit passage of a strip of varnish in the controlled region to the metering nip and thence via intermediate rollers to the varnishing cylinder.

Abstract: A varnishing assembly in a printing press for applying a layer of varnish to a sheet on a press cylinder. The assembly includes a varnish fountain made up of a tray and fountain roller with an applicator roller interposed between the fountain roller and the cylinder. Storage tanks are respectively provided for varnish, fresh detergent and used detergent. The tray is equipped with an outlet line and an inlet line for drainage and filling. The outlet line has a two-position shut-off valve and the inlet line has a pump and pump drive motor. A two-position, three-connection drain valve is provided having an inlet connected to the outlet line of the tray end outlets connected to the varnish tank and the used detergent tank. The system also includes a two-position, three-connection fill valve having inlets connected to the varnish tank and the fresh detergent tank and an outlet connected to the tray inlet line.

Abstract: An improvement in a device for tipping an embossed workpiece, such as a credit card, the device being of the type having a frame supporting a stationary bed for receiving the workpiece and a heated platen reciprocally driven through a cycle toward and away from the bed in response to insertion of the workpiece. The improvement comprises a removably mounted holder containing a ribbon having a treated surface thereon, the ribbon extends unsupported a distance between a supply spool and a driven takeup spool mounted within the holder. Only the unsupported portion of the ribbon is positioned intermediate the platen and stationary bed when the holder is in place and is forced into engagement with the workpiece during movement of the platen toward the stationary bed.

Abstract: A mandrel wheel assembly is disclosed for use with an apparatus for the continuous decoration of containers such as cylindrical cans, and comprises a circular mandrel wheel having a plurality of regularly spaced mandrel assemblies mounted transversely about its circumferential periphery. The mandrel assemblies have cam roller ends that communicate with a guiding stationary box cam, and oppositely extending container receiving mandrels. The mandrel wheel assembly is mounted along a stationary central shaft. A secondary mandrel support is provided adjacent the mandrels comprising a stationary planar support member also mounted on the central shaft with one or more planar support cams that extend radially from the secondary support member and are adapted to cammingly engage the mandrel assemblies. The support cams are juxtaposed to the coating stations and reduce unwanted deflection of the mandrels during coating operations.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved methods and apparatus for printing, including equipment for adapting an offset press so that it may be operated flexographically, either to coat stock or print on it, without impairing the function of the press as an offset press. In addition, the equipment improves the application of two-part inks or catalyst set inks and permits simultaneous printing and coating of stock. The equipment includes a pair of rollers and an ink pan, as well as drive means for the rollers, and mounting means for bringing one of the rollers into ink transfer contact with the blanket roll of an offset press. The mounting means includes quick-release collars for easy removal of the rollers from the press when they are not needed, and for maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for attachment to the down-stream end of a conventional offset lithographic printing press for in-line coating of the printed work issuing from the press, with water-based polymer coatings, to protect the printing ink as the printed matter sets and hardens. The apparatus includes a pick-up roller which picks up liquid coating composition from a reservoir structure, a cylindrical applicator roller to which the coating composition is transferred, the apparatus being mounted on the frame of the press so that the applicator roller of the apparatus can bear against the blanket roll of the printing press and transfer the coating composition to the blanket roll as the press operates. The apparatus is releasably mounted to the press, and can be pivoted about a lower axis to bring the applicator roll into and out of contact with the blanket roll of the press.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing an indicium on objects, fruits and the like with an ink which may or may not be water soluble, but which is preferably of a type which may be readily consumed by humans without damaging effect, the fruit being successively pre-oriented and delivered by a conveyor to a printing station where inked printing dies carried by a printing roller are utilized to apply the indicia, after which the fruit is then discharged from the conveyor in a free-fall trajectory path onto a receiver, an air-brush type nozzle being utilized to jet-spray the indicium with a quick drying sealant coating as the fruit is moved through the trajectory path. The spray nozzle is directed towards a collecting opening having a connection with a suction source. Also, a selector valve is provided to permit disconnection of the coating material supply to the nozzle, and connection of the nozzle to a supply of cleaning solvent.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a credit card printer apparatus which includes inkless fingerprinting directly on a medium, such as a check or credit card slip. The printer can include a housing or bed having one or more replaceable cartridges with a pair of reservoir resilient foam cell pads having a semi-sealed surface. A platen roller is movable across the bed to both print the information from a credit card and to deposit fluid from the pads for a subsequent fingerprint development. Generally, the pads can be resiliently mounted to the bed to permit a pressure contact of the respective pads with the surface of the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a plurality of sequential operations upon each of a series of articles. In the exemplary embodiment, such apparatus is arranged to perform a two stage coating and printing operation on the outer surface of cylindrical tubes. A rotatable turret includes a first and second series of carriers angularly spaced in first and second arrays around the circumference thereof. Means are provided to index the turret to bring the tubes held in the carriers of the first array to a first operational station for coating, and the tubes held in the second array of carriers to a second operational station for printing.

Abstract: Continuous ink-supply method for duplicating machines such as typewriters to alleviate the necessity for using and replacing conventional ribbons. Method employs a thin film strip or band which has an affinity for liquid ribbon ink, and an inking means for continuously supplying a thin continuous layer of liquid ink to the surface of said film.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for inkless fingerprinting directly on a medium, such as a check. The apparatus can include a stamp housing having a replaceable cartridge with a pair of reservoir resilient foam cell pads having a semi-sealed surface. One of the pads will contain a liquid developer solution, for example, a water soluble inorganic compound; while the other pad will contain a liquid reagent solution, for example, a water soluble inorganic compound which can react with the liquid developer solution to deposit a non-soluble colorant precipitate. Advantageously, the liquid developer solution will include a carrier solvent that is relatively non-evaporative over the life of the applicator, and has a viscosity value that permits the liquid developer solution to be deposited on a porous medium surface and maintain a coating having only sufficient thickness above the medium surface to contact and adhere to substantially only the ridge pattern of a finger.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for continuous manufacture of insulated conductors and includes an extruder and an elongated chamber having a first curing section immediately following the extruder and a second cooling section following the first section. Both sections are substantially filled with a same liquid medium which remains liquid under both curing and cooling conditions. Means are provided for continuously advancing an electric conductor through the extruder wherein a coat of a curable insulating material is applied thereon and then into and through the chamber filled with the liquid medium. The apparatus further includes means for maintaining the liquid medium in the chamber under sufficient pressure to produce void free insulation, and means for maintaining the liquid medium in the first section of the chamber at a temperature at which the insulating material is cured, and in the second section of the chamber at a cooler temperature to cool the cured insulating material.