Abstract:
An apparatus for over the edge printing including a printing squeegee which forces ink through clear portions of a printing screen onto a workpiece. Excess ink which is forced through clear portions of the printing screen and which extend over the edge of the workpiece, are cleaned by a cleaning assembly which includes a cleaning belt. The cleaning belt is unrolled below the printing screen and an excess ink squeegee prints the excess ink onto the cleaning belt which is then cleaned and re-rolled and the apparatus is made ready for the next printing stroke.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a printing apparatus which includes a polygonal support frame, a plurality of spaced apart pallets movably mounted on the support frame, and a pallet drive assembly mounted to the support frame and connected to the pallets for indexing the pallets around the support frame to desired printing locations.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for the three-dimensional screen printing of images onto pallet-supported articles allow more than one layer of ink to be printed upon an article to form a three-dimensional design. A pallet having a compressible substrate is described; the substrate compresses to receive previously printed image masses during subsequent printing steps. A screen having baffles may cooperate with the substrate. A screen comprising dimples in its article-contacting surface is provided, whereby previously printed images may be protected from screen contact during a printing operation. Multiple printing steps may be performed without intermediate drying steps.
Abstract:
This disclosure is directed to a pallet type screen printing machine in which a pallet is indexed to a printing station when an article supported thereon is screen printed. A feed table with guides is cooperatively disposed relative to the pallet at a feed station to facilitate the accurate positioning of a work piece onto the pallet. The machine comprises an endless drive for effecting movement of one or more pallets to and from a printing station in an endless path whereby the face of the pallet is always maintained in a face up position. The pallet is formed to define a vacuum chamber which is operatively connected to a source for drawing a negative pressure thereon. A flexible coupling operatively connects the pallet to the endless drive to permit limited movement of the pallet so that the pallet may be brought into accurate registration with the printing head at the printing station. Registration of the pallet in the printing station is effected by a locating cam and a cooperatively associated cam follower, which when activated, will effect the required alignment and registration of the pallet with the printing head.
Abstract:
An adaptive quantiser holds a model of the output distribution the would be obtained by inputting an expected signal as a desired output distribution. The actual input signal is monitored and the quantisation steps modified in dependence thereon so that the desired output distribution is obtained. The adaptive quantiser has application in fields as diverse a speech processing and educational test grading.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a device, a system and a method for locating a printing screen at a selected starting position for printing operations and for resetting the screen to the starting position for its adjustment relative to an article. The device includes first and second centering plates disposed in overlapping relationship to one another. The plates are mounted to respective first and second moveable screen support members. At least one micro-adjuster is associated with each support member for effecting precise adjustment of the respective centering plates and, hence, the screen. A first micro-adjuster effects longitudinal movement of the first member and a second effects movement of the second member laterally. Thereby, planar movement of the screen and the associated centering plates is effected. The device also has an arm with an aperture for receiving and engaging a screen centering member. The member passes through the aperture and into engagement with a corresponding receptacle in the screen. Micro-adjusters associated with the support members are then manipulated so as to place the screen in precise registration with the article. A hole is made in each of the first and second plates at a location where the plates overlap. Upon passing a pin through the holes, the starting or reset position for screen adjustment is defined.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a flood bar and squeegee for printing apparatus. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the flood bar or squeegee comprises an elongated member having an ink engaging face. A plurality of spaced apart fins are arranged across the face. The fins are generally parallel to one another and each end of the member is bent inwardly so as to inhibit the flow of ink to the sides of the screen.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for effecting the transfer printing of discrete cut-pieces of goods on a continuously rotating, drum type, transfer printer. The method and apparatus includes a rotary drum printer in which the rotary drum is reciprocally moved toward and away from a feed station in which the discrete goods are fed onto a continuous web of material having a transfer print thereon. The arrangement is such that when the drum is moved away from the feed station, the web and cut pieces thereon are indexed a corresponding amount, and when the rotating drum is moved toward the feed station, the web is held relatively motionless, thereby permitting the feeding of discrete cut-pieces thereon, permitting the drum to continue rotating to effect the transfer printing of the cut pieces previously fed into the web.
Abstract:
In a multi-color, multi-station screen printer, a first assembly comprising a plurality of screens is mounted coaxially with a second assembly comprising a plurality of workpiece supporting pallets. In one embodiment, of the method of the present invention, where only a single operator is required, the plurality of pallets do not rotate but the plurality of screens are selectively displaced in unison and in one angular direction. In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, where three operators are utilized, the plurality of screens and the plurality of pallets rotate, each in unison, about a common, vertical axis in both angular directions. A combination of four screens and three pallets are described but other combinations are possible. Large and small articles may be printed in a single cycle.
Abstract:
In a screen printing machine having a plurality of workpiece supporting pallets that are driven along an oval path and which cooperate with a plurality of printing heads that are adapted for movement between an operative, printing position at each of a plurality of printing stations and an inoperative, non-printing position spaced from each of the printing stations, means are provided for selectively indexing the pallets either to an immediate printing station or to a succeeding printing station which is spaced downstream from the preceding printing station in the direction of movement of the pallets by at least one intermediate printing station. The apparatus disclosed herein replaced the hydraulic and electrical apparatus of the prior art with mechanical structure and requires only a single operator as compared with two or three operators with prior art structure. A cable is used in the present invention to replace the power linkage employed in the prior art for raising and lowering the flood bar.