Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a microfluidic surface processing device including a microfluidic probe head with at least one aperture, on a face, including at least an outlet aperture; and a surface processing structure extending outward and perpendicular with respect to the face, the processing structure being further dimensioned and located with respect to the outlet aperture such that it can intercept a flowpath of liquid dispensed via the outlet aperture. The present invention is further directed to related apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: An article and method of manufacture of a composite material. The method includes providing a starting scaffold with interfacial porosity, performing an infiltration step to fill the porosity and form a bond to the scaffold with an interface layer and forming an overlayer integrally coupled to the interface layer.

Abstract: A recording medium includes a base and an ink receiving layer. The ink receiving layer contains inorganic particles. The surface of the recording medium has an arithmetic mean roughness of 0.8 ?m or more in accordance with JIS B 0601:2001. The surface of the recording medium includes openings having a width of 30 ?m or less and a length of 500 ?m or less. The number of the openings is 5 or more and 30 or less per 1 mm2 of the surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: A contrast target tool for locating and marking a desired location on a surface of an object. The contrast tool can have a target flange with a plurality of contrast targets thereon and a marker that is rigidly attached to and extending from the target flange. The marker can have a marker end that is operable to produce a mark on the three-dimensional object and the target flange with the marker can be operable to be viewed by a digital imaging system. In this manner, a present location of the marker end can be determined and tracked in real time to allow the operator to locate and place the marker end at the desired or precise location on the object surface and produce a mark thereon.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes ejecting droplets of an aqueous ink composition on an ink-non-absorbent or ink-low-absorbent recording medium from an ink jet recording apparatus, and drying the aqueous ink composition on the recording medium by heating the recording medium to 40° C. or more. The aqueous ink composition used in the method contains a pigment, a first solvent and a second solvent, but does not contain glycerol. The first solvent content W‘is in the range of 3% to 6% by mass, and the ratio W2/W1 of the second solvent content W2 to the first solvent content W1 is 2 or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition (e.g., a texture composition) comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of calcium carbonate and superabsorbent polymer that can absorb at least about 50 times its mass and having a particle size of about 250 microns or less, wherein the composition is substantially free of a setting-type cementitious material. In some embodiments, cellulosic thickener content is reduced or eliminated from the texture composition. Also disclosed is a method of finishing a substrate comprising applying to the surface a wet composition comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of calcium carbonate and superabsorbent polymer that can absorb at least about 50 times its mass and having a particle size of about 250 microns or less, wherein the composition is substantially free of a setting-type cementitious material, and drying the composition on the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate has a surface printed with an ink or coating composition with excellent adhesion and dry rub resistance, and very good oil and saline rub resistance (crock) properties using a multi-functional carbodiimide as a crosslinker for nonwoven substrates. The rub performance of the ink or coating printed on a nonwoven substrate has been found to be superior to that of a first Sun benchmark ink including pigments for four color printing. In another embodiment, a carbodiimide crosslinker such as multifunctional Carbodilite SV-02 is added to the compositions to further improve rub resistance (crock) and retain liquid characteristics post inoculation when compared to compositions using aziridine as a crosslinker. In a further embodiment, a thin polyolefin film exemplifying a backsheet of a hygiene product was printed with the same crosslinked ink or coating composition and compared with a second Sun benchmark set of inks.

Abstract: A coated fiber for a composite article may include a fiber body and a matrix layer. The fiber body may have at least one fiber surface. The matrix layer may at least partially coat the fiber surface and may be applied during formation of the fiber body.

Abstract: An information recording medium (100) of the present invention includes a substrate (1) and a recording layer provided on the substrate (1) and having optical properties that can be changed by irradiation with a laser beam. The recording layer is formed of a plurality of arrayed minute recording regions (e.g., phase-change particles (2)). A part or all of the recording region is made of a recording material containing Te and O. The recording region has a length of 30 nm or less in an information recording direction. Preferably, the recording material further contains an element M, where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Pd, Au, and Pt.

Abstract: A solvent composition comprising an organic solvent; dispersed nanoparticles; and a non-volatile electrolyte is provided. A method of forming a liquid composite composition is provided.

Abstract: Label (1) intended to be placed around a container (13) for a product, and this label (1) is strip-shaped and provided with a weakening that forms the dividing line (9) between two parts (2, 3), i.e. a first (2) part and a second part (3) that are in line with one another, whereby the second part (3) is provided with at least one window (10), characterised in that the second part (3) is narrower than the first part (2) and the first part (2) is provided with a thickening (6) that is outside the geometric extension (8) of the second part (3) in the direction of the first part (2).

Abstract: A method of protecting a biologically active substance against denaturation, wherein a liquid (14) containing the active substance and a matrix-forming substance are deposited on a target surface (18) and dried so as to form a solid amorphous matrix (26) with the molecules of the active substance embedded therein, wherein an ink jet printer (10) is used for depositing the liquid (14) on the target surface (16) in the form of droplets (12) having a volume small enough to cause the liquid to dry when it impinges on the target surface (16) and to be held on the target surface through adhesion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a prepreg which contains reinforcing fibers and a matrix resin composition with the weight per square meter of the reinforcing fibers being 250-2,000 g/m2. The production method comprises the following steps (1)-(3): (1) a matrix resin composition blending step for obtaining a matrix resin composition by mixing an epoxy resin, a radically polymerizable unsaturated compound, an epoxy resin curing agent and a polymerization initiator that generates radicals, in said step the content of the radically polymerizable unsaturated compound relative to 100% by mass of the total of the epoxy resin and the radically polymerizable unsaturated compound being 10-25% by mass; (2) a matrix resin composition impregnating step; and (3) a surface viscosity increasing step.

Abstract: “FORMULATION FOR PRODUCING A WRITING ARTICLE, PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A WRITING ARTICLE AND A WRITING ARTICLE”, wherein the formulation of said writing article can optionally comprise the following components (with a variation of ±2.5%): ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene, 37-50%), SAN (Styrene-Acrylonitrile, 14%), Graphite (35-42%), Calcium Stearate (5-10%), Stearin (8%), Talc (5-23%), Mineral Oil (2-3%), Polyethylene (1%), Bentonite (5-15%), Calcium Carbonate (1%). Said article (1) is defined as a single-piece object (2), which has an integral tip (3) that is produced by sharpening; the body of said single-piece object (2) is configured according to a profile standard, and may include multiple sides (4) giving said single-piece object an hexagonal appearance, or even only one encircling side (5), which gives said single-piece object a cylindrical appearance.

Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. and is the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a water-dispersible release agent and a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.

Abstract: A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. as the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 ?m and up to and including 5 ?m. It comprises a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % of the total dry image receiving layer weight and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing includes providing a downwardly inclined slide surface and a carrier liquid dispensing channel that includes an outlet opening on the slide surface. A carrier liquid source is pressurized causing carrier liquid to flow continuously through the outlet opening of the carrier liquid dispensing channel and down the slide surface. A liquid dispenser array structure is provided and includes functional liquid dispensers located on a substrate that is common to the functional liquid dispensers. The functional liquid dispensers include a functional liquid supply channel, a functional liquid source that provides functional liquid, and a drop formation device associated with an interface of the functional liquid supply channel and the slide surface. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the carrier liquid flowing down the slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A near-infrared absorptive liquid dispersion, which contains a near-infrared absorptive compound represented by formula (1) that is dispersed in a form of fine particles in a dispersing medium: wherein R1a and R1b may be the same or different, and each independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a heteroaryl group; R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and at least one of R2 and R3 is an electron withdrawing group; R2 may be bonded to R3 to form a ring; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a substituted boron, or a metal atom, and R4 may be covalently bonded or coordinately bonded to at least one among R1a, R1b and R3.

Abstract: An embossing device, such as a cylinder or a sleeve, includes on an outer peripheral surface an embossing raised and recessed pattern, to be reproduced on a deformable planar substrate. The cylinder or sleeve bears a photopolymer coating the outer surface which has the raised embossing pattern.

Abstract: Curable, phase-change compositions and inks used for printing three-dimensional objects including a curable monomer, a photoinitiator, a wax and a gellant, where the composition of the cured formulation has a room temperature modulus of from about 0.01 to about 5 Gpa. The curable monomer includes acrylic monomer, polybutadiene adducted with maleic anhydride, aliphatic urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, 3-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, or acryloxypropyl t-structured siloxane.

Abstract: The invention relates to low-viscosity formulations of radiation-curable compounds, to processes for preparing them, to their use, and to inks, printing-inks, and print varnishes that comprise them.

Abstract: A device for forming a microstructured coating on a substrate. The device includes a microstructured band that can be moved by rolling without slipping on the substrate and going around main pressure application elements assembled on a chassis, and secondary pressure application elements assembled on the chassis so as to be in contact with an inner face of the band in a zone of a strand of the band delimited by said main pressure application elements, this zone being exposed to the action of a curing apparatus that accelerates curing of a curable material designed to form said coating. A method for forming a microstructured coating using the above-mentioned device.

Abstract: In one example, an encoding station of a printing system forms a pattern of non-printed features onto flowing print media. The non-printed features are detected, and timing signals generated from the detected features. The timing signals cause the media to be printed at a desired resolution in the direction of the flow.

Abstract: A method of protecting a component, in particular a turbine blade, from the effects of hot corrosion includes the steps of applying a chromium diffusion coating to the component and applying a coating of a ceramic material to one or more selected regions of the chromium diffusion coating. The selected regions are regions which, in subsequent use of the component, are subjected to temperatures lower than a predetermined temperature. The ceramic material preferably includes a binder combined with a metal oxide. In a preferred embodiment, a turbine blade is coated over the whole of its internal and external surfaces with the chromium diffusion coating; an aluminum diffusion coating is then applied, through a mask, to the aerofoil surfaces and the internal surfaces of the blade; the mask is removed and the ceramic material is applied as an overlay to the chromium diffusion coating in a region between the platform and the root of the blade.

Abstract: A method of termite proofing a building structure (1, 101), the building structure (1, 101) has a foundation (3) located below an adjacent finished ground level (5) and an external wall (2, 102) formed on the foundation (3) and defining an exterior surface (4, 104) of the building structure (1, 101). The exterior surface (4, 104) is defined at least in part by a cementitious material. The method comprises applying a curable composition (9) to the cementitious material throughout a lower region (8, 108) of the exterior surface (4, 104) extending from the foundation (3) to a predetermined height above the finished ground level (5), such that the composition (9) penetrates into and is retained within the cementitious material. The composition is allowed to cure within the cementitious material throughout the lower region (8). The said composition (9) cures within the cementitious material, thereby protecting the cementitious material against intrusion by termites.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heating paint coating method for steering wheel and a steering wheel made by the same. The heating paint coating method uniformly form a heating paint layer on an object having a waved surface like in a steering wheel, and also facilely control a thickness of the heat-patterns. In addition, since it is possible to facilely control a position forming the heating paint layer, and a shape and thickness of the heating paint layer, the resistance division by regions is facilitated, and the loss of the heating paint is reduced, and also the processing cost is reduced.

Abstract: A polymer reinforced wooden hive can comprise a wooden hive box built with joints and having an exterior surface, and interior surface, and at least one rim for receiving a hive top or a hive bottom. A continuous polymeric coating applied to the exterior surface and the rim, but not to the interior surface. The continuous polymeric coating can provide mechanical reinforcement to the joints, strengthening the wooden hive box. Hive tops and hive bottoms can also be included as part of the polymer reinforced wooden hives, and can likewise be coated with a continuous polymeric coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a decorative coating having at least one layer of two-component paint and one protective resin surface layer. The resin is translucent or transparent and the two-component paint has at least one first component of prepolymer type based on bisphenol and epichlorohydrin and at least one second component of polyamine type. Another subject of the invention is the use of such a coating for covering surfaces such as a floor or a worktop or a sink or sanitary ware of wash basin, shower cubicle, etc. type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording ink set containing a black ink, a cyan ink, a magenta ink, and a yellow ink, each of which contains water, a water-insoluble color material, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a surfactant, wherein the black ink and at least one of the inks other than the black ink respectively contain a different water-soluble organic solvent; and the surface tension of the water-soluble organic solvent(s) used only for the inks other than the black ink is higher than that of the water-soluble organic solvent used only for the black ink; and the present invention also provides a recording method using the recording ink set.

Abstract: Imprint lithography may comprise generating a fluid map, generating a fluid drop pattern, and applying a fluid to a substrate according to the fluid drop pattern. The fluid drop pattern may be generated using a stochastic process such as a Monte Carlo or structured experiment over the expected range of process variability for drop locations and drop volumes. Thus, variability in drop placement, volume, or both may be compensated for, resulting in surface features being substantially filled with the fluid during imprint.

Abstract: A nonpolar or solid (or phase change) ink composition that includes a carrier and at least one nanoscale fluorescent pigment particle composition and/or a fluorescent organic nanoparticle composition. The fluorescent organic nanoparticle composition includes a polymeric matrix obtained by modified EA latex process and/or emulsion polymerization and one or more fluorescent dyes and the nanoscale fluorescent pigment particle composition includes pigment molecules with at least one functional moiety, and a sterically bulky stabilizer compound including at least one functional group, the functional moiety of the pigment associates non-covalently with the functional group of the stabilizer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing electrical and/or optical components, wherein a hot melt composition including an alkane based wax and an amorphous material as a masking material is used. The hot melt composition has a melting point of between 40° C. and 85° C. and a viscosity of between 5 and 20 mPa·s at not less than one temperature within the range of between 50° C. and 140° C. A hot melt composition includes between 40 weight % and 89.9 weight % of an alkane based wax; between 10 weight % and 50 weight % of an amorphous material; and between 0.1 weight % and 10 weight % of a phosphonium based ionic liquid. A system and a method for manufacturing electronic and/or optical components is provided, wherein after the etch processes and/or plating processes, the hot melt composition is removed from the substrate with the aid of hot water.

Abstract: A method including placing a body defining an undifferentiated lumen therein over a portion of a fixture coupled to a building structure, the body having at least one opening that can be expanded from a contracted state and that is biased toward the contracted state, the placing including applying an expansion force to the opening; conforming the body to a shape of the fixture at a contact portion where the fixture contacts the structure by releasing the expansion force; and treating the structure.

Abstract: A method for discharging a liquid body includes: discharging the liquid body to a discharged region from a plurality of nozzles while a plurality of droplet discharge heads having a nozzle line having the plurality of nozzles that discharge the liquid body as droplets and are arranged in a linear manner, and a substrate including a plurality of discharged regions having a nearly rectangular shape are relatively moved in a main scan direction that is nearly orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the droplet discharge heads. In the method, the plurality of discharged regions are composed of a first discharged region and a second discharged region. The first discharged region is disposed on the substrate to set a long side thereof along a certain direction, and the second discharged region has a smaller area than the first discharged region and is disposed to set a long side thereof nearly orthogonal to the long side of the first discharged region.

Abstract: A method for processing a surface involves depositing at least one class of enzymes (2) onto the surface (1); introducing at least a reactant (3) into an environment of the surface (1), and causing interaction between the enzymes (2) and the reactant (3), thereby to cause processing of a region of the surface (1), the processed region of the surface (1) being defined with respect to a region thereof that is proximate (4) to where the enzymes (3) have been deposited.

Abstract: An ink for inkjet recording containing water, water-soluble organic solvent, water-dispersible resin, fluorochemical surfactant or derivative thereof, and coloring agent containing pigment, where the ink has a surface tension of 20-35 mN/m and viscosity of ?5 mPa·s at 25° C., total amount of the water-dispersible resin and the coloring agent in the ink is 5-40% by mass, and mass ratio A/B of the water-dispersible resin A to the coloring agent B is 0.5-4, where the ink is applied to a recording medium containing a support containing cellulose pulp, and one or more barrier layers disposed on a face of the support, and where the barrier layer contains ?30% by mass of inorganic pigment having refractive index of ?1.5, excluding aluminum hydrate, and ?10% by mass of inorganic pigment having a refractive index of <1.5.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for using a stamp to enhance selectivity between surface layers of a substrate, and to facilitate functionalizing selected layers. An array of flat stamps may be used to concurrently stamp multiple regions of a substrate to transfer one or more substances to the topmost layer or layers of the substrate. If desired, the affected regions of the substrate may be isolated from each other through the use of a reactor plate that, when clamped to the substrate's surface, forms reaction wells in the area of stamping. The stamp area can, if desired, be configured for stamping the substrate after the reactor plate has been fitted, with the individual stamps sized and arranged in a manner that permits stamping within each reaction well.

Abstract: The invention provides a water-based ink composition including: a water-based medium, a colored particle containing a pigment and a water-insoluble polymer dispersant, and a self-dispersing polymer particle including a hydrophilic constituent unit, and a hydrophobic constituent unit derived from alicyclic (meth)acrylate, as well as an ink set comprising the water-based ink composition, and an image forming method using the aqueaous ink composition or the ink set.

Abstract: A printing table arrangement includes at least one printing device for printing of substrates, at least one printing table, a first transport device to transport the substrates being printed in a first plane, and a lifting device to move the first transport device with the first plane between a printing plane assigned to the printing device and a transport plane lying underneath. The printing table has a second transport device to transport substrates in a second plane beneath the first plane, in which the fixed spacing between the first plane and the second plane corresponds to the spacing between the printing plane and transport plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for transporting a substrate media sheet along a process path through a marking zone. The apparatus includes a marking zone, an air bearing support rail and a media cart. The marking zone marks the substrate media sheet. The air bearing support rail extends from a first location upstream of the marking zone to a second location downstream of the marking zone. The media cart conveys the sheet along the process path. The media cart includes a platen for holding the sheet thereon as the media cart translates through the marking zone. The media cart is supported along the process path between the first and second locations by the air bearing support rail. The air bearing support rail includes a gaseous layer providing a non-contact bearing support between an outer surface of the air bearing support rail and a non-contact support surface of the media cart.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a random graft PS-r-PEO copolymer and its use as a neutral wetting layer in the fabrication of sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of elements including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.

Abstract: A substrate holder and method for using it to move a substrate. The holder comprises a frame having an inner periphery defining a first opening for receiving the substrate, and a shoulder projecting laterally inward from the inner periphery of the frame for supporting the substrate in the first frame opening. The shoulder has an inner periphery defining a second opening smaller than the first opening for receiving a substrate support. The holder and a substrate therein is moved to a position above the substrate support and then lowered to a position in which the shoulder of the holder is positioned below a top surface of the substrate support and the substrate is deposited on the top surface of the substrate support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coated medical device, such as a medical guide wire, including at least applying a first colored coating to at least a first portion of an outer surface of a medical guide wire, securing a first end of the medical guide wire, and for each a designated quantity of turns, turn a second end of the medical guide wire upon a longitudinal axis of the medical guide wire. The method of manufacturing also includes securing the second end of the medical guide wire, blocking at least a first portion of the coated surface of the medical guide wire, applying a second contrasting colored coating to at least a second, unblocked portion of the outer surface of the medical guide wire and releasing the first end and the second end of the medical guide wire to display at least one spiral marking formed along a length of the medical guide wire.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a stretch composite is disclosed. The process comprises providing a polyolefin based substrate, providing a letterpress adhesive application system comprising a pattern roll and an applicator roll, and depositing a molten, non-adhesive, elastomeric composition onto the applicator roll. The process further comprises transferring only a portion of the elastomeric composition that is on the applicator roll, from the applicator roll to the pattern roll, by contacting the pattern roll with the elastomeric composition that is on the applicator roll, and transferring substantially all of the elastomeric composition from the pattern roll to the substrate, by contacting the substrate with the elastomeric composition that is on the pattern roll, without damaging the substrate.

Abstract: A method for assembling colloidal particles onto a substrate surface through fluid transport. The method comprises placing a first fluid placed adjacent to the substrate surface, applying a colloidal dispersion on top of the first fluid layer and removal of the first fluid layer. The method is extremely versatile, and is especially useful in depositing colloidal materials in high aspect ratio channels and vias without the need for prior treatment of the surface.

Abstract: A system for coating a target surface employs a bottle for containing the texture material and a spray pump assembly. A resilient member is supported by a pump housing to define an outlet opening. A collar member is supported by the pump housing. The resilient member is normally in an undeformed configuration in which the outlet opening defines a first cross-sectional area. Moving the collar member relative to the pump housing causes the collar member to act on the resilient member to deform the resilient member from the undeformed configuration to a deformed configuration in which the outlet opening defines a second cross-sectional area, where the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A linear liner machine includes a base. A plurality of fluid dispensing apparatus such as, for example, sealant guns, are fixed in a stationary position in a linear configuration on the base. A conveying assembly such as, for example, a conveyor belt, conveys container closures to the sealant guns. A manipulation mechanism such as, for example, a number of motors and at least one wheel member, manipulate (e.g., rotate or spin) each of the container closures with respect to a corresponding one of the sealant guns as it dispenses a sealant to line the container closures. Accordingly, the liner comprises a plurality of independent lining stations, wherein operation of a number of said independent lining stations can be stopped while the remaining independent lining stations continue to operate to line the container closures. An associated method of lining container closures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of metal parts by layered manufacturing starting from wire raw material comprising of the steps of; descaling of the wire; creating and maintaining a melt pool of the metal in a melt chamber; expelling controlled amounts of melt from the melt chamber in predetermined layer patterns, which solidify to form a desired object; managing the solidification parameters to achieve the deposit cross sections desired and depositing a removable support material to assist in maintaining the geometry of the desired metal deposit. Said apparatus is capable of higher production rate than other metal layered manufacturing systems available commercially and can be used for any metal alloy or non-metal material that can be supplied in wire form and that is within the melt capacity of this invention.

Abstract: One embodiment of a wrapping film comprises a polymer film having, on at least one surface thereof, at least one sealing area comprising at least one varnished area; and a plurality of individual unvarnished areas; wherein, within the sealing area, the area ratio of the unvarnished areas to the varnished area (PV:V) is ?1; and wherein, within the sealing area, the largest individual unvarnished area is ?30 mm2. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A cap platen to securely hold headwear, such as caps, hats, and the like, so that graphics, including custom graphics, can be printed on the cap automatically. The platen has a vise plate to support the bill of a cap and a face plate attached to the vise plate to hold the crown of cap. Arms can be attached to the vise plate or the face plate to apply a biasing force against the sides of the cap pushed the sides of the cap outwardly away from the face plate.