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AssigneeLanda Labs (2012) Ltd.
InventorBenzion Landa
Estimating the term…
An apparatus is disclosed for printing images on generally cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises an impression station that includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image; and a transport mechanism for advancing the objects through the impression station, comprising a drive member rotatably connected to a plurality of rotatable mandrels, each for mounting a respective one of the objects, the transport mechanism being configured to cause each object to rotate during passage through the impression station such that, within a nip region of the impression station, the surface of the object makes rolling contact with the imaging surface, thereby causing the ink image to be impressed on the object. An impression platen is provided opposite the imaging surface within the nip region, the impression platen being configured to apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the objects to ensure rolling contact between the objects and the imaging surface.
An apparatus for printing on three-dimensional objects, the apparatus including a printing station and a conveyor for transporting objects through the printing station, wherein the printing station includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image and the conveyor comprises mandrels mounted on one of a turret, a chain and a toothed belt, a loading station at which objects are mounted onto the mandrels prior to passage through the printing station and an unloading station for removing objects from the mandrels after passage through the printing station, wherein during continuous passage of the imaging surface through the printing station, printing is periodically inhibited during no-print periods and a device is provided in the loading station, operative during continuous operation of the conveyor, to prevent loading of objects onto mandrels that will pass through the printing station during the no-print periods.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.