Seal Printing System
AssigneeWalmart Apollo, LLC
InventorsAndrew B. Millhouse, John S. Meredith, Timothy J. Burleson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal printing system including a three-dimensional printer and a seal blank is described. The seal blank has a non-functioning structure. The non-functioning structure includes a first completed end and an uncompleted end incapable of interlocking with each other. The printer is configured to receive the seal blank having the non-functioning structure. The printer is configured to print a second completed end of the seal blank. The second completed end is connected to the uncompleted end such that the first and second completed ends are capable of interlocking.
Claims20
A seal printing system, comprising:
- a three-dimensional printer;
- and
- a seal blank having a non-functioning structure, the non-functioning structure including a first completed end and an uncompleted end incapable of interlocking with each other;
- wherein the three-dimensional printer is configured to receive the seal blank having the non-functioning structure, and
- wherein the three-dimensional printer is configured to print a second completed end of the seal blank, the second completed end connected to the uncompleted end such that the first and second completed ends are capable of interlocking.
A three-dimensional seal printer, comprising:
- an input for receiving a seal blank having a non-functioning structure, the non-functioning structure including a first completed end and an uncompleted end incapable of interlocking with each other;
- a jig configured to maintain the seal blank in a predetermined orientation and position;
- one or more sensors configured to detect one or more edges of the seal blank;
- and
- a printing section configured to print a second completed end of the seal blank, the second completed end connected to the uncompleted end such that the first and second completed ends are capable of interlocking.
A method of seal printing, comprising:
- introducing a blank seal into a three-dimensional printer, the seal blank having a non-functioning structure including a first completed end and an uncompleted end incapable of interlocking with each other;
- receiving input data corresponding to shipment information at a computing system having a user interface, the computing system in communication with the three-dimensional printer;
- receiving input confirmation of complete entry of the shipment information into the computing system;
- transmitting an indication of the confirmation from the computing system to the three-dimensional printer;
- and
- initiating printing of a second completed end of the seal blank based on the confirmation, the second completed end connected to the uncompleted end such that the first and second completed ends are capable of interlocking.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.