B41M5/0088

Module for a three-dimensional (3D) object printer to prepare 3D objects for surface printing
11142014 · 2021-10-12 · ·

A surface treatment module is positioned within a printing system to treat the surface of three-dimensional objects prior to printing of the objects. The surface treatment module includes an actuator operatively connected to an applicator so operation of the actuator presses a portion of a cleaning membrane against the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects to remove material from the object surfaces and retracts the applicator and cleaning membrane from the object surface before the objects pass by an array of printheads in the printing system for printing.

METHOD FOR PRINTING ON A SURFACE OF A NON-ABSORBENT SUBSTRATE WITH AN INK TO BE APPLIED BY AN INKJET PRINTING DEVICE, AND DIGITAL PRINTING PRESS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD

A method is provided for printing a surface of a non-absorbent substrate with an ink to be applied by an inkjet printing device. An ink that contains water as a solvent is used for printing the substrate. An ink having a water content of at least 70% is used. The substrate to be printed is supported by a workpiece support and is moved relative to the inkjet printing device. During this relative movement, ink is applied by the inkjet printing device to the surface of the substrate to be printed. The ink that is applied to the surface of the substrate is heated to a temperature that is above the temperature of the air surrounding the substrate and that is below the boiling point of the solvent contained in the ink. Above a liquid phase of the ink, a vapor layer, consisting of the solvent that is contained in the ink, is formed. The vapor layer that is formed above the liquid phase of the ink is transported away by an air flow emitted by at least one blower nozzle unit. The air output by the respective blower nozzle unit is heated or is dehumidified beforehand. A digital printing press is provided for carrying out this method.

Electronic gaming machine having a reel assembly and method of making reel strips
11183032 · 2021-11-23 · ·

A gaming system including a housing and a reel assembly supported by the housing, the reel assembly including reel having a reel strip manufactured using an inkjet printing process and having one or move designated symbols that can be revealed or hidden depending on the lighting of the reel strip.

Bent substrate provided with print layer, and method for manufacturing same
11097978 · 2021-08-24 · ·

A method for manufacturing a bent substrate, having a masking step of forming a masking member (M) on a bent substrate (10) and forming a predetermined pattern, and a printing step of forming a print layer (P) on a surface to be printed of the bent substrate (10) including the masking member (M). It is thereby possible to perform printing on a bent substrate having a curved surface part in a productive manner and at a high printing accuracy.

Method and apparatus of decorating a metallic container by digital printing to a transfer blanket
11099502 · 2021-08-24 · ·

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

Metal poster with relief printed frame
11094231 · 2021-08-17 · ·

A metal poster is formed with an integral frame which is relief printed on the obverse face of a sheet metal plate with layers of UV curable inks. Image indicia imprinted on the plate is surrounded by the relief printed frame. The ink layers extend into selvage areas of the plate. The selvage areas are folded over to the rear face of the sheet metal plate to provide the frame with relief printed rounded peripheral edges.

Durable ornamental indicia carrier

The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

IMAGE FORMING METHOD, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM
20230398801 · 2023-12-14 ·

An image forming method for forming an image on a cloth with a sublimation coloring material, the image forming method including: pretreatment liquid applying that is applying a pretreatment liquid to the cloth; drying that is drying the cloth after the pretreatment liquid applying; and sublimation coloring material applying that is applying the sublimation coloring material to the cloth after the drying. The pretreatment liquid contains an organic compound, and a heat source and the cloth are not in contact with each other in the drying.

CAN BODY MANUFACTURING SYSTEM

While deterioration in processing efficiency caused by printing devices with slow printing speed is suppressed, facilities necessary to manufacture can bodies are able to be shared. A can body manufacturing system includes: a can body conveyance route, by which can bodies are conveyed, provided to branch halfway and thereafter merge again, the can body conveyance route at least including a first branching conveyance route and a second branching conveyance route; a first printing device performing printing on can bodies conveyed by the first branching conveyance route; and a second printing device performing printing on can bodies conveyed by the second branching conveyance route, the number of can bodies on which printing is performed by the second printing device per unit time being different from the number of can bodies on which printing is performed by the first printing device per unit time.

Lumber stack marking machine and methods of applying markings to lumber stacks
11110732 · 2021-09-07 · ·

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide lumber stack marking machines and methods of applying marking sets to lumber stacks.