# US 12,214,966 B2 · Glass printing machine with continuous transport system for the glass > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,966 B2 - Document ID: US12214966B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/999,269 - Filed: 2021-05-18 - Published: 2023-06-15 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-20 - Assignees: Tecglass Sl - Applicants: Tecglass Sl - Inventors: Juan Javier Fernández Vázquez; José Manuel Barros López - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214966B2 ## CPC - B41J 3/28: for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes {, envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers} - B65G 35/06: comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path (effecting drive at two or more points spaced along the length of an endless conveyor B65G23/32) - B41J 3/407: for marking on special material - B41M 5/007: {on glass, ceramic, tiles, concrete, stones, etc.} - B65G 49/064: {in a horizontal position (B65G49/066 takes precedence)} - B65G 2249/04: Arrangements of vacuum systems or suction cups - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P) ## Abstract Provided herein is a glass printing machine that comprises a loading station in which the glass to be printed is received, then a viewing or mechanical positioning system followed by a printing system, and finally an unloading station, with carriages running between an upper level along the above elements and returning to the starting point via a lower level. In some embodiments, the machine provided herein has a precision of less than 0.1 mm and allows the handling of large loads. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A glass printing machine with continuous glass transport, wherein the machine comprises: a loading station receiving the glass panes to be printed a viewing means or a mechanical positioning system downstream of a charging station; and a printing bridge preferably arranged downstream of the viewing means or mechanical positioning system, an unloading station allowing the unloading of the printed glass panes wherein the machine comprises an upper level arranged above a lower level, with a series of carriages running continuously driven by linear motors travelling in one direction on the upper level and in the opposite direction on the lower level; to achieve this change of direction, a first vertical drive in the loading station raises the carriages from the lower level to the upper level and a second vertical drive in the unloading station lowers the carriages from the upper level to the lower level, and wherein each carriage is slotted, to be integrated and coupled with a loading or unloading belt system to transfer the glass smoothly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The glass printing machine with continuous glass transport according to claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical drives can be pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic, or driven by linear motors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The glass printing machine with continuous glass transport according to claim 1, wherein the carriages return to the starting point of the machine, once they have been lowered, driven by a system of belts, racks, spindles, pneumatics, totally independent of the linear movement of the upper level. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The glass printing machine with continuous glass transport according to claim 1, wherein the number of carriages and linear motors that drive the panes will depend on the maximum length of the glass panes to be processed and the cycle times required. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The glass printing machine with continuous glass transport according to claim 1, wherein at the time of printing the carriages are transported with a drive that has an optical linear encoder with a resolution of less than 4 microns. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The glass printing machine with continuous glass transport according to claim 1, wherein on the lower level there is a cleaning station consisting of several rollers, such when each carriage passes through said cleaning station it is subjected to a cleaning process to remove any traces of paint that may have fallen on the carriage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The glass printing machine with continuous glass transport according to claim 1, wherein on the lower level there are supports with quick coupling that prevent the glass from touching the table. ### Claim 8 A glass printing machine with continuous glass transport, wherein the machine comprises: a loading station receiving the glass panes to be printed a viewing means or a mechanical positioning system downstream of a charging station; and a printing bridge preferably arranged downstream of the viewing means or mechanical positioning system, an unloading station allowing the unloading of the printed glass panes wherein the machine comprises an upper level arranged above a lower level, with a series of carriages running continuously driven by linear motors travelling in one direction on the upper level and in the opposite direction on the lower level; to achieve this change of direction, a first vertical drive in the loading station raises the carriages from the lower level to the upper level and a second vertical drive in the unloading station lowers the carriages from the upper level to the lower level; each carriage is slotted, to be integrated and coupled with a loading or unloading belt system to transfer the glass smoothly; the time of printing the carriages are transported with a drive that has an optical linear encoder with a resolution of less than 4 microns; and, on the lower level there is a cleaning station consisting of several rollers, such when each carriage passes through said cleaning station it is subjected to a cleaning process to remove any traces of paint that may have fallen on the carriage.