# US 2014/0190627 A1 · Modular Decorating Machine For Conical Products > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190627 A1 - Document ID: US20140190627A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/203,259 - Filed: 2014-03-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-23 - Assignees: The Beckwood Corporation, Inc. - Applicants: The Beckwood Corporation, Inc. - Inventors: David L. Poeling; Jeffrey E. Debus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190627A1 ## CPC - B65C 9/045: {adapted for accommodating articles of different diameters, e.g. for adapting the program of rotation to the diameter of the articles} - B41F 16/0026: {with means for applying print under heat and pressure, e.g. using heat activable adhesive} - B41F 17/002: {Supports of workpieces in machines for printing on hollow articles} - B41F 17/28: for printing on curved surfaces of conical or frusto-conical articles - B65C 3/163: {where the label is of the wrap-around type} - B41P 2217/61: internally, e.g. for mugs or goblets - B65C: LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES (nailing or stapling in general B25C, B27F; applying labels for packaging purposes B65B; labels, name-plates G09F ){(series-printing machines B41L; containers for the storage or transport of packages B65D)} - B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L) - B41P: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS ## Abstract A decorating machine applies artwork to a product having a central axis and a frustoconical surface around its central axis. The decorating machine includes a film with artwork, a moveable deck, and a roller. The moveable deck includes a rotating mount on which the product is rotatably mounted. The product undergoes a pendulum-like movement on the deck while the product rotates relative to the moveable deck. The roller has a frustoconical shape that generally corresponds to the frustoconical surface of the product. The film is located between the roller and the product. The roller provides heat and pressure to the film such that the artwork attaches to the frustoconical surface of the product. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-9. (canceled) ### Claim 10 A decorating machine for applying artwork to a product having a frustoconical surface, comprising: a user interface for inputting dimensions of the product; a film that includes the artwork; a moveable deck including a rotating mount on which the product is rotatably mounted, the product undergoing a pendulum-like movement on the deck based on the inputted dimensions, the pendulum-like movement occurring while the product rotates relative to the moveable deck; and a roller having a frustoconical shape that generally matches the frustoconical surface of the product, the film being located between the roller and the product, the roller providing heat and pressure to the film such that the artwork attaches to the frustoconical surface of the product. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The decorating machine of claim 10, wherein the artwork remains substantially stationary while the product rotates and undergoes the pendulum-like movement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The decorating machine of claim 11, wherein the artwork has a curved shape and the pendulum-like movement causes the product to move in a manner that substantially corresponds to the curved shape of the artwork. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The decorating machine of claim 10, further including a first motor for providing rotation to the rotating mount and a second motor for changing a pitch angle of the deck as the product undergoes the pendulum-like movement. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The decorating machine of claim 13, further including a third motor for moving the deck in a direct generally parallel to a length dimension of the film. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The decorating machine of claim 14, further including a track located below the deck, the third motor moving the deck along the track. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The decorating machine of claim 14, further including a fourth motor for moving the deck in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the length dimension of the film. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The decorating machine of claim 10, wherein the deck advances horizontally along a track, the horizontal position of the deck along the track and the inputted dimensions dictate (i) a certain horizontal speed of the deck, (ii) a certain vertical location of the deck, and (iii) a pitch angle for the deck ### Claim 18 A method using a machine to apply artwork to a selected one of a plurality of products that have different frustoconical surfaces, comprising: inputting, via an input device on the machine, information related to dimensions of the selected product; while artwork remains substantially stationary, moving the product along a curved path such that the product contacts the artwork, the curved path being determined by the inputted information for the selected product; rotating the product while the product is moving along the curved path; and applying heat and pressure to the artwork as the product rotates so as to cause the artwork to be attached to the product. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the moving of the product along a curved path includes maintaining a central axis of the product in line with an imaginary point outside of the product so that the product moves in a pendulum-like manner. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the product is rotatably mounted on a deck, and wherein the moving the product along the curved path includes moving the deck in a plurality of directions with motors.