Vibratory sieve providing electrostatic field - for printing flocked fibres with pattern effect

摘要

Method of printing with an electrostatic field using flocked fibres or other particulate material employs a vibratory sieve with compartments comprising a series of tubular elements of a non-conducting material, each of which is independent and detachable from the body of the sieve. The lower grid of the sieve is connected to a high tension generator. Patterning effects are achieved by masking part of the sieve and confining the feed of the particulate material to the unmasked areas. A continuous process for applying electrostatically charged material to a substrate and the over-printing of a pattern in relief uses the same apparatus without the need to resort to fixing the material at an intermediary stage. Flocking unit may be introduced into a silk-screen printing system without disturbing its function and avoiding any blockage of the printing frames with the dispersed electrostatically charged material.