Abstract: The invention relates to a 2D printing method on a 3D printing support, consisting of forming a printing support comprised of a plurality of colored fibers that follow a printing pattern, which once joined and shaped into a block, can be transversally cut, thereby obtaining printed sheets according to said printing pattern. The invention further relates to the printing support, comprised of a block (1), wherein in one embodiment same is composed of a plurality of hollow tubes (2) having a cavity that can be filled with a coloring means and in another embodiment same is composed of solid tubes. After the coloring means hardens and the block (1) solidifies, the latter can be transversally cut parallel to the printing face (4) into a plurality of strips (5) that will depend on the required volume of advertising signs, posters or banners, among others.

Abstract: The inside of a housing of a printer device is cooled by the air from a ventilation port and, consequently, the temperature of solder SP on a mask surface supported by a mask holding frame inside the housing can be kept low. Moreover, provided is a mask cover for blocking the air flow from the ventilation port toward the mask, and the drying of the solder SP caused by the wind from the ventilation port is thereby inhibited as a result of the wind from the ventilation port not coming into contact with the solder SP on the mask surface. In this way, the solder SP is cooled while inhibiting the drying of the solder SP and, consequently, it is possible to appropriately inhibit the change in viscosity of the solder SP, and favorable printing can be realized.

Abstract: Packages are manufactured in a digitally controlled process. A digital printing machine (101) produces printed workpieces and a cutting machine (104) cuts packaging blanks (105) from them. A conveyor line (107) transfers the printed work-pieces automatically from the digital printing machine (101) to the cutting machine (104). A digital control system (109) exchanges digital control information with at least the digital printing machine (101) and the cutting machine (104).

Abstract: In order to mark a laboratory sample cassette (2), dye marks (40, 41) are printed by an inkjet printer head (7) onto a tape (1 1). Rollers (17) move the tape (1 1) from a first location (13) adjacent to the printer head (7) to a cassette receiving location (15). A cassette clamp marker (8) at the cassette receiving location (15) has a shaped member (10) arranged to fold the tape (1 1) when a laboratory sample cassette (2) is in the cassette receiving location (15) so that part of the tape (1 1) covers a marking surface (6) of the cassette (2) and another part of the tape (1 1) covers a side surface (4) of the cassette (2). The shaped member (10) also has heating pads (26, 29) and when an actuator (32) applies the shaped member (10) to the tape (1 1) in the cassette receiving location (15), the heating pads (26, 29) are heated so that dye of the dye marks (40, 41) on the tape (1 1) ingresses into the marking surface (6) and the side surface (4) of the cassette (2) to mark these surfaces.

Abstract: A relief print master is created by a printhead that jets droplets of a polymerisable liquid on a cylindrical sleeve. The droplets follow a spiral path on the cylindrical sleeve. In a multiple printhead unit, there are different spiral paths associated with the different constituting printheads. The distance between these spiral paths is not even in a prior art system. By rotating the printhead under a specific angle, the distance between these spiral paths becomes even. The invention can also be used for the creation of other types of print plates, such as for example offset print plates.

Abstract: A registration device for a mail processing system having wide print nozzle arrays that reduces problems associated with printing on variable thickness media. A thin wire, held by guides, is strung across the print nozzle openings in the registration plate to support and guide the top (print) surface of a mail piece and to prevent the mail piece from protruding into the openings. The guides are positioned such that the wire passes between zones where there are no print nozzles located. A tensioning device is provided to adjust the tension of the wire to ensure the wire maintains its position within the openings. The wire acts as a guide to maintain the optimal gap between the mail piece top surface and the print nozzles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of serialized or variable security holograms on labels, stamps, forms, packaging, etc., and the process by which they are obtained to prevent frauds, adulterations and counterfeits of official documents, securities, lottery tickets, certificates, tax stamps, diplomas, show tickets, all kinds of identifications, insurances, and in general all kinds of items or official papers, as well as for the efficient administration and control of applications and solutions.

Abstract: A method and system for applying a fractal image to a plurality of objects to act as an identification label is provided. The system includes a conveyance mechanism for positioning the plurality of objects in a predetermined position, and a printer for printing a fractal pattern to the plurality of objects. Such a fractal image is robust to printing and imaging difficulties and inconsistencies, and is difficult to copy, thus defending against counterfeiting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of and apparatus for graphically marking a series of portable objects, such as a card, each portable object being graphically marked on a respective zone by a respective marking device, wherein the marking devices are configured to perform the same marking operation simultaneously on a plurality of portable objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for decorating at least one bevel surface or other surface of a laminated flooring are described. The bevel surface can be decorated by non-transfer printing such as digital printing. The digital printer can be an ink jet printer such as a piezoelectric drop-on-demand (DOD) printer that allows a color and pattern to be placed on the bevel surface that matches the print design (décor pattern or face design) of the laminated flooring. Other devices are provided such as a device that takes a picture of or scans an image of the print design, and modifies the taken picture or the scanned image so that the edge pattern thereof matches with an edge pattern of the print design.

Abstract: Based on information recorded on and read out from a card, a card printer erasably writes information on the card or erases information recorded on the card. The card printer comprises transport means T for transporting card 70 along a passageway 5 having an inlet 4, reading means R provided in the vicinity of passageway 5 for reading out information recorded on a surface of card 70 transported along passageway 5, printing means P for recording information on and erasing information from the surface of card 70, and control means IC electrically connected to transport means T, reading means R and printing means P for determining whether to record information on or to erase information from surface of card 70 and for controlling operation of transport means T and printing means P depending on information forwarded from reading means R.

Abstract: A nail print apparatus, including a print head which performs printing on a fingernail of a user; a display unit; and a display control unit which displays a printing image on the display unit so that the user can distinguish between a printed region and a non-printed region in the printing image being printed on the nail.

Abstract: A patterned layer is intended to be used in an absorbent article, and has a pattern, for example in the form of a text or an image, which appears clearly legible or interpretable for an observer at a certain distance. The pattern can be formed by a number of dots which, when the layer is in a first state, have a first surface density which forms the legible or interpretable pattern and which, when the layer is in a second and then expanded state, have a second surface density which is lower than the first surface density in the first state, the pattern becoming in the second state essentially illegible or uninterpretable for the observer at the given distance on account of the lower surface density.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer marking is obtainable by a process that comprises applying a chiral liquid crystal precursor composition onto a substrate, heating the composition to a chiral liquid crystal state, applying to at least one area of the precursor composition a modifying composition, if necessary, heating the at least one area to bring same to a modified liquid crystal state, and subsequently curing and/or polymerizing the resultant product. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer marking is obtainable by a process that comprises applying a chiral liquid crystal precursor composition onto a substrate, heating the composition to a first chiral liquid crystal state, applying to at least one area of the precursor composition a chiral dopant composition, heating the at least one area to bring same to a second chiral liquid crystal state, and subsequently curing and/or polymerizing the resultant product. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polymer marking is obtainable by a process that comprises applying a chiral liquid crystal precursor composition onto a substrate, heating the composition to a bring same to a chiral liquid crystal state, locally applying at least one modifying agent to modify the chiral liquid crystal state, and curing and/or polymerization the resultant product. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a board-shaped product having a surface comprising a decoration, having at least one printing roller unit for printing a decoration onto a main body formed from a carrier board, wherein at least one digital print head for printing at least one decoration element onto one or more sub-regions of the main body such that the decoration printed by means of the at least one printing roller unit remains visible, at least in part, or surrounds the decoration element if the at least one decoration element is printed onto the main body by means of the at least one digital print head before the decoration.

Abstract: Provided is a stereo picture print having reduced crosstalk and ghost images. The printing sheet for printing a stereo picture comprises, in sequence: a light-transmissive image receiving layer; a linearly polarizing layer; and a retardation layer, wherein the retardation layer is formed by fixing in an aligned state a composition containing a compound having refractive index anisotropy and is patterned into a first domain and a second domain which have different in-plane slow axes or have different in-plane retardations.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for flat materials which are to be printed has a number of spacer pieces which lie axially parallel with respect to one another and are disposed at two ends of a bearing plate of a roller carrier between a first and a second shaped part plate. The bearing plate is equipped with a pull rod for the defined deflection of the roller carrier with corresponding loading of the bearing plate by a mechanical tensile stress which is exerted by the pull rod, and is also equipped with a stressing and setting device, by way of which the tensile stress can be set, which is transmitted through stressing device to the two ends of the bearing plate.

Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment a method of fabricating a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor. The method has a step of formulating a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticle ink. The method further has a step of depositing the PZT nanoparticle ink onto a substrate via an ink deposition process to form a PZT nanoparticle ink based piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus (10) for applying marking to perpendicular surfaces (15, 17) of an object (16) being conveyed along a line (11). A single marking head (12) is mounted on a positioning arm (14) which directs the marking head across the direction of the conveyor while applying marking to a first surface (15) of the object. The marking head is then rotated through 90° and held at one side of the conveyor so that a second, perpendicular, surface (17) of the object can be marked as the object is conveyed past the marking head. The invention uses the kinetic energy of the moving object to effect movement of the marking head.

Abstract: Providing rewritable or erasable printing or copying utilizing nanoparticle ink or toner is disclosed. A paper-like material is described using nanoparticles that are selectively controlled to show a substantially dark, gray, or white dot depending on an emitted signal or field in a printer or copier device. Also disclosed is a printer or copier device that erases and writes nanoparticles to a paper-like material depending on an emitted magnetic signal in a printer or copier device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for magnetically imprinting indicia into a layer on an article, the layer comprising a composition in which magnetic or magnetisable particles are suspended. The apparatus comprises: a soft magnetisable sheet, having an outer surface arranged to face the article in use, and an opposing interior surface; and a permanent magnet, shaped such that its magnetic field contains perturbations giving rise to indicia. The permanent magnet is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the soft magnetisable sheet. The soft magnetisable sheet enhances the perturbations of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet such that when the layer to be imprinted is located adjacent the outer surface of the soft magnetisable sheet, the magnetic or magnetisable particles are oriented by the magnetic field to display the indicia.

Abstract: A conveyance device has a roll rotating unit that rotates a roll of sheet medium forward and in reverse, and a conveyance path along which is an upstream roller and a downstream roller for conveying the medium and cooperate in a reverse and rewind operation. A control unit controls driving of the upstream roller, the downstream roller, and the roll rotating unit, such that, during the reverse and rewind operation, the control unit (i) drives the upstream roller and the roll rotating unit, (ii) stops driving the upstream roller while continuing to drive the roll rotating unit, first slack being created as a result of (i) or (ii), (iii) causes the medium to be nipped at the downstream roller, and (iv) drives the upstream roller while the medium is nipped at the downstream roller to create second slack.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a substrate and a flow path wall member provided on the substrate and having a wall defining a flow path connected to a discharge port for discharging liquid. The flow path wall member is provided with a cavity not connected to the flow path, when viewed in a direction from the discharge port toward the substrate, the cavity has a shape of a character, and the character corresponds to information regarding the liquid discharge head.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a window shade having a real natural material printed image coated thereon. A real natural material is scanned and the data of the image is stored in a computer which generates an image of the scanned real natural material. That image is duplicated a plurality of times by the use of the computer and the images are assembled in a predetermined arrangement to produce a composite image which is then enhanced using photo-enhancing software. The enhanced composite image is then printed by the use of a colored ink printing machine on material to form the window shade. Preferably, but not exclusively, the material is constituted by slats of a louvered blind or a fabric of a roller blind.

Abstract: An apparatus performs a pattern matching operation based on a template pattern size in the moving direction set according to information about the moving state of an object between acquisitions of first and second data, such as an encoder configured to acquire information about the moving state of the object.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for direct digital marking, wherein a surface charge contrast can be formed by oppositely addressing adjacent charge injection pixels of a bipolar imaging member and developed with enhanced image contrast at a reduced voltage of the transistors.

Abstract: Enhanced media transport systems and structures are provided for printing environments. Enhanced vacuum table structures and associated methods may also be implemented for a variety of printer systems. Enhanced rail systems and associated carriage structures may preferably be used within a variety of printing environments, such as for but not limited to grand scale printers. Water-based binary epoxy ink compositions and associated processes provide adhesion and material compatibility that exceeds that of currently available UV curable products, while providing ultra-low volatile organic carbon (VOCs), and no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). An integrated system and method for identification of consumables through a central database may also be implemented within different printing systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing rewritable or erasable printing or copying that utilizes nanoparticle ink or toner is disclosed. A paper-like material is described using nanoparticles that are selectively controlled to show a substantially dark, gray, or white dot depending on an emitted signal or field in a printer or copier device. Also disclosed is a printer or copier device that erases and writes nanoparticles to a paper-like material depending on an emitted magnetic signal in a printer or copier device.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for printing at least one printing substrate on a printing support, more particularly a printing table, by use of a digital printing unit. The method feeds the printing substrate onto the printing table, detects the position of the printing substrate on the printing table, and aligns a print image produced by the digital printing unit in accordance with the detected position of the printing substrate.

Abstract: A method for actuating at least one digital printing unit of a digital printing press, includes at least one driven transport device and an associated movement control device. The at least one digital printing unit is connected to the movement control device via a data connection. Values of variables characterizing the transport are transmitted digitally from the movement control device via the data connection to the at least one digital printing unit, so as to be used for controlling the printing process in the at least one digital printing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus (300) for printing conductive lines on a substrate includes a printing element (320) for printing a pattern of conductive material (204) on the substrate; and an imaging element (324) configured to sinter a first part of the pattern of conductive material.

Abstract: Method and system for marking a surface. A writing medium is positioned within a cavity defined in a body extending between a first end and a second end of a wand. The first end is coupleable to a robot. The second end is opposite the first end and has an opening defined therein in fluid communication with the cavity. The second end is positioned adjacent to the surface. A position of at least one of the writing medium and the second end is automatically maintained relative to the surface.

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

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic component includes: applying a liquid body onto an electronic component to perform marking, with the liquid body having a light-curing property and containing N-vinyl caprolactam within a range of 5 wt % or more; irradiating light on the liquid body applied onto the electronic component under a predetermined condition; and heating the liquid body after the irradiating of the light.

Abstract: A casing printing method and a printing apparatus using the same are disclosed. The printing method includes the following steps: providing an casing material to a printing apparatus, inputting data or information to a receiving module of the printing apparatus, detecting and adjusting a distance between a printing component of a printing module and the surface of the casing material real-timely via the printing module of the printing apparatus, and printing a pattern on the surface of the casing material correspondingly via the printing module of the printing apparatus according to the data or the information. The method can be applied to electronic device casings made of different materials, and it does not need to change the manufacture process and the casing can have diverse patterns or colors.

Abstract: An information recording system is provided. The information recording system comprises: a recording unit (5) for recording corresponding information on a recording medium (15); a medium information unit (3) for acquiring and/or modifying medium-condition information about the recording medium; a feeding unit (4) for feeding the recording medium through the medium information unit and the recording unit in turn; and a control unit (1) for controlling the operation of each part of the information recording system. A reusable recording medium can be reused many times in the information recording system. When the reusable recording medium is mixed with a non-reusable recording medium, the information recording system can distinguish between them, and then perform the subsequent processing operation. An information recording method is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for forming encoded microparticles is described. One embodiment includes a method for forming a microparticle, the method comprising providing a pattern, wherein the pattern defines a code element, printing the pattern on a substrate to form a first code element within a microparticle region, printing the pattern on the substrate to form at least one successive code element, such that the first code element and the at least one successive code element are within the same microparticle region, wherein a code is formed by the first code element and any successive code elements.

Abstract: A patterned layer over a wafer is produced by depositing a print-patterned mask structure. Energized particles of a target material are deposited over the wafer and the print-patterned mask such that particles of said target material incident on the mask structure enter the mask structure body and minimally accumulate, if at all, on the surface of the mask structure, and otherwise the particles of target material accumulate as a generally uniform layer over the wafer. The print-patterned mask structure, including particles of target material therein, is removed leaving the generally uniform layer of target material as a patterned layer over the wafer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to credential processing devices and methods of feeding credential substrates in a credential processing device. One exemplary embodiment of the credential processing device includes a processing path, a print head, a transport mechanism, a first motor, a substrate input and an input feed mechanism. The print head is configured to print to a surface of a credential substrate that is fed along the processing path. The transport mechanism comprises one or more transport feed rollers that are configured to feed individual credential substrates along the processing path. The first motor is configured to drive the one or more transport feed rollers. The substrate input comprises an input feed roller configured to feed individual substrates from a supply to the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A print head assembly that includes a print head carriage and multiple, replaceable print heads that are configured to be removably retained in receptacles of the print head carriage.

Abstract: An interactive card or the like employs a piezoelectric charge generator (piezo-strip) for temporarily driving an indicator. The piezo-strip may be displaced (bent) in order to generate charge to drive the indicator. Printed electronic processes are utilized to produce the indicator and/or the piezoelectric charge generator The need for a printed battery or supplemental power source is obviated. The card may carry printed indicia which corresponds to the states of the indicator (e.g., indication of a test answer selection). Multiple display elements and selector switches may provide multiple indicator states. Multiple piezo-strips may provide a selection function as well as a rest function. Applications include business cards, greeting cards and novelty items, toys and games, advertising and promotions, testing and education, sensors, and so forth.

Abstract: A system and method of providing and validating a bar-code on a lottery ticket to allow secure verification of tickets is described. Lottery ticket information comprising unique identifying information uniquely identifying the lottery ticket and validation information for use in determining a prize value associated with the lottery ticket is generated. First redundancy information is generated using the validation information and a portion of the unique identifying information. The first redundancy information used for checking the integrity of subsequently received validation information. The validation information is encrypted and second redundancy information is generated using the unique identifying information and the encrypted validation information. A first bar-code is constructed using the unique identifying information, the encrypted validation information and the second redundancy information.

Abstract: A printing method includes preprocessing a substrate by irradiating the substrate in a heated state with an activation light beam, and printing, after the preprocessing, a predetermined pattern on the substrate by ejecting a droplet to the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing controller for controlling a line head having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a non-linear shape, the image processing controller including: a plurality of memory regions which stores raster data; an acquiring section which acquires the raster data; a writing control section which sequentially distributes the acquired raster data to the plurality of memory regions so as to be stored therein; and a reading control section which reads each raster data from the plurality of memory regions and sends the read raster data to the line head so as to control a light emitting state of the light emitting elements, wherein the writing control section determines an address on the memory region storing each raster data in accordance with a resolution in the sub-scanning direction and an arrangement pattern of the light emitting elements arranged in the line head.

Abstract: An image forming device is provided. The image forming device includes: a forming component that forms an index, at a formation position, on a recording medium that is conveyed in a first direction and passes the formation position; an acquiring component that acquires measurement results, from a measuring component, of a width, along a second direction that intersects the first direction, of the recording medium; and a formation control component that carries out control that causes the index to be formed by the forming component at a position that is at one end portion side, along the second direction, of the recording medium, and that is apart, along the second direction and by a distance corresponding to the width acquired by the acquiring component, from a formation reference position that is set at another end portion side, along the second direction, of the recording medium, is provided.

Abstract: A method for color regulation of reproduction copies of a printing press prints a substrate, which appears dark in a standardized color measurement, with at least one printing ink which is lighter than the substrate. At least one color value of the printing ink is determined from a measured variable, and the color value of the at least one printing ink is regulated with the aid of a fixed reference value of a color locus in the color space which is lighter than the printing ink.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a device configured to detect an event, a marker configured to mark a surface that is separate from the portable electronic device, and at least one actuator arranged to configure the marker to apply the mark in response to the event.

Abstract: A method for depositing a substance on a real surface of a real object comprises tracking position of an output device on the real surface as the output device is being moved over the real surface. The output device includes a substance-depositing device. The method further comprises using a computer-generated representation of the real surface and extruded surfaces normal to the representation surface at locations where the substance should be deposited; indicating a corresponding tracked position of the output device on the representation surface; and commanding the output device to deposit a substance on the real surface whenever the tracked position on the representation surface crosses an extruded surface.