# US 10,245,845 B2 · Object holder for a direct-to-object printer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,845 B2 - Document ID: US10245845B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/477,375 - Filed: 2017-04-03 - Published: 2018-10-04 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-03 - Assignees: Xerox Corporation - Applicants: XEROX Corporation - Inventors: Jonathan Ireland; Michael N. Soures; Bruce H. Smith; Donald E. Thresh; James D. Vanbortel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245845B2 ## CPC - B41J 3/4073: {Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects (B41J3/283, B41J3/286 take precedence; building up a 3D object using individual droplets from jetting heads B29C64/112)} - B41J 3/40731: {Holders for objects, e. g. holders specially adapted to the shape of the object to be printed or adapted to hold several objects} - G06K 7/10366: {the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications} - G06K 7/1413: {1D bar codes} - G06K 19/06028: {using bar codes} - G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject in onto a surface of an object. The mount has a plurality of receptacles, each has a shape for receiving a retainer in one of a plurality of orientations. A head of each retainer is shaped to retain an edge of the object on the mount. A base of each retainer is shaped such that, when the base is pressed into a receptacle, the head assumes a desired orientation. The removable retainers retain the object on the shuttle mount. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system, the object holder comprising: a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead of a direct-to-object print system; a plurality of multi-pointed star-shaped receptacles in the shuttle mount for receiving a retainer in one of a plurality of orientations relative to an edge of the shuttle mount; and a plurality of removable retainers for collectively retaining the object while it is being moved, each retainer having a head and a base, and each retainer is one head type in a set of two or more different head types with an edge head type shaped to retain a straight edge of the object on the shuttle mount, and a corner head type shaped to retain a corner in which two or more edges of the object meet on the shuttle mount, wherein a base portion of each retainer being shaped such that, when the base of the retainer is pressed into one of the multi-pointed star-shaped receptacles, the head of the retainer assumes a desired orientation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The object holder of claim 1, wherein the head of each retainer is movable along a spring-loaded shaft, the spring exerting a tension on the head of the retainer such that the head is pressed against the object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The object holder of claim 1, wherein the base of the each retainer is configured to snap securely into the multi-pointed star-shaped receptacle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The object holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of multi-pointed star-shaped receptacles are arrayed in a geometric pattern. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The object holder of claim 1, wherein the edge head type shaped to retain a straight edge of the object on the shuttle mount further includes two half-circular members with an opening therebetween that form a clamp along the straight edge of the object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The object holder of claim 1, wherein the corner head type shaped to retain a corner in which two or more edges of the object meet on the shuttle mount further includes two-circular members with a pie-shaped void, the two-circular members with an opening therebetween that form a clamp along the corner of the object. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The object holder of claim 6, wherein the corner head type shaped to retain a corner in which two or more edges of the object meet on the shuttle mount further includes two-circular members with a pie-shaped void, the two-circular members with an opening therebetween that form a clamp along the corner of the object. ### Claim 8 A direct-to-object print system for printing on a surface of an object, the direct-to-object print system comprising: at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object; a support member positioned to be parallel to a plane formed by the printhead; an object holder comprising: a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse the support member; and a plurality of multi-pointed star-shaped receptacles in the shuttle mount for receiving a retainer in one of a plurality of orientations relative to an edge of the shuttle mount; and a plurality of removable retainers for collectively retaining the object while it is being moved, each retainer having a head and a base, and each retainer is one head type in a set of two or more different head types with an edge head type shaped to retain a straight edge of the object on the shuttle mount, and a corner head type shaped to retain a corner in which two or more edges of the object meet on the shuttle mount, wherein a base portion of each retainer being shaped such that, when the base of the retainer is pressed into one of the multi-pointed star-shaped receptacles, the head of the retainer assumes a desired orientation; and a controller configured to cause the printhead to eject marking material onto the object held by the object holder as the object passes the printhead. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The direct-to-object print system of claim 8, wherein the support member is oriented to enable one end of the support member to be at a higher gravitational potential than another end of the support member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The direct-to-object print system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to operate a user interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The direct-to-object print system of claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises: a display, a user input device, and an annunciator for emitting an audible sound. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The direct-to-object print system of claim 8, wherein the head of each retainer is movable along a spring-loaded shaft, the spring exerting a tension on the head of the retainer such that the head is pressed against the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The direct-to-object print system of claim 8, wherein the base of each retainer is configured to snap securely into the multi-pointed star-shape receptacle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The direct-to-object print system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of multi-pointed star-shaped receptacles are arrayed in a geometric pattern. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The direct-to-object print system of claim 8, wherein the edge head type shaped to retain a straight edge of the object on the shuttle mount further includes two half-circular members with an opening therebetween that form a clamp along the straight edge of the object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The direct-to-object print system of claim 8, wherein the corner head type shaped to retain a corner in which two or more edges of the object meet on the shuttle mount further includes two-circular members with a pie-shaped void, the two-circular members with an opening therebetween that form a clamp along the corner of the object. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The direct-to-object print system of claim 16, wherein the corner head type shaped to retain a corner in which two or more edges of the object meet on the shuttle mount further includes two-circular members with a pie-shaped void, the two-circular members with an opening therebetween that form a clamp along the corner of the object.