Masonite Corporation

Usg Corporation

Lyn R Daunheimer

Mark A Ruggie

Apparatus and method for belt transfer printing of nonflat surfaces of porous articles wherein the printing of the article by a first region of the belt is carried out substantially simultaneously with the inking of a second region of the belt. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises an endless belt with a screen printing device disposed along a first run of the belt and a vacuum workpiece support box disposed along a second run of the belt with an opposed sealing frame. A workpiece is loaded in the vacuum box, a vacuum is created through the workpiece to draw a pattern carrying region into printing contact with the workpiece surface while another pattern is being inked onto a second region of the belt. The workpiece is replaced with a second workpiece and the second region of the belt is advanced into registration with the second workpiece.

Belt transfer printing of nonplanar articles

Apparatus and method for rotary buffing or wiping of workpieces having uneven surfaces in which the workpiece generally linearly advances relative to one or more buffing rolls which are spinning about spin axes disposed in a plane generally parallel to the workpiece surface and simultaneously rotating about an axis generally perpendicuar to the workpiece surface. In a preferred embodiment, the buffing rolls are supported in a rotating carriage with their spin axes in coparallel relationship.

Apparatus and method for rotary buffing

A method and apparatus for decorating embossed panels by removing liquid colorant from portions of the surface. The apparatus includes at least one driven support roll underlying the panels for moving the panels along a work path and at least one wiping roll supported on an axis above the work path having a cylindrical resilient wiping surface driven at a speed for wipingly engaging an upper surface of the panels passing under the wiping roll on the work path. The wiping roll is supported and biased for movement toward and away from the work path to provide selectively adjustable wiping pressure against the surface of the moving panels and a doctor blade angularly engages the wiping surface of the wiping roll along a line spaced away from the area of wiping contact between the panels and the wiping roll for removing liquid colorant from the wiping surface of the roll. A removable trough system adjacent opposite ends of the doctor blade is provided for receiving the liquid colorant removed from the wiping surface of said wiping roll. The support roll is positioned to rotate with a lower portion of the roll in a liquid containing pan so that the roll is continuously wetted and the underside of the panels are thus wetted as they are driven along the work path. The lower support rolls are also provided with doctor blades to remove excess moisture. A push bar actuated safety shut-off system is provided at opposite ends of the apparatus for emergency stoppage of the rolls.

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Batavia, IL, United States of America

Lyn R Daunheimer