US 3,933,091 AGranted

Apparatus for screen printing bottles

AssigneeNew Products, Inc.

InventorHenry Carl Von Saspe

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Abstract

Apparatus for printing on the exterior surface of a generally round container such as a plastic or glass bottle or the like includes several stations that perform or cooperate to print the container. The stations are in line with each other and preferably are in line with both the production fabricating and the production filling lines of the container as well. There are four basic sections, the first of which is the loading section that successively receives and transports the individual containers towards a printing station. Before reaching the printing station, the containers may be flame-treated. After being imprinted, the containers, which up until this time are in horizontal condition pass through a first drying section and then are automatically rotated 90.degree. to a vertical position prior to entering the production filling line. When necessary, a second drying station may be provided immediately downstream of the 90.degree. turn mechanism and just prior to entering the filling production line. While moving through the flame-treating station, the printing station and at least the first drying station, the containers are continuously rotated about their own longitudinal axis. Actuation of a squeegee device in the printing station is prevented when no container is present.

An in-line automatic and continuous container printer adapted to be positioned colinearly with and intermediate container production and container filling lines, said printer comprising:

a. a loading station including a first plurality of roller means, first endless belt means trained about said first roller means and first means for driving one of said first roller means for receiving and transporting a plurality of successive containers;
b. a printing station including a second plurality of roller means, a second pair of laterally spaced apart endless belt means trained thereabout and means for driving at least one of said second roller means for receiving successive containers from said loading station, said printing station further including stationary, arcuate screen means having an outer surface past which the containers are transported in tangential contact, a plurality of squeegees normally in tangential contact with the inner surface of said screen means for driving such squeegees over the inner surface of said screen means whereby a supply of ink passes through said screen means, said second roller means being positioned such that said second belt means are moved along a generally rectangular path, one of the longer legs of said rectangular path including an arcuate path portion, there being further included a shaft and additional roller means mounted on said shaft for maintaining the shape of said arcuate path portion, said arcuate screen means being coaxial with said arcuate path portion of said second belt means, there being still further included a plurality of arms extending radially from said shaft, one of said squeegees being mounted on the radially outer end of each said arm, said second means for receiving the successive containers comprising a plurality of pairs of nose cone assemblies and cup-shaped base member assemblies, each said nose cone assembly in said pair being coupled to one of said second belt means in said printing station, each said base assembly in said pair being secured to another one of said second belt means in said printing station and means for urging said nose cone assemblies toward said base member assemblies and into the open end of the containers;
c. means for rotating the containers about their own longitudinal axes during transport thereof past said screen means, said means for rotating the containers comprising a gear coaxial and integral with each said base member assembly and a cooperating, generally oblong rack that is at least partially congruent and coaxial with said second belt means in said printing station;
d. means for detecting the absence of a container in said printing station, said detecting means being positioned adjacent said screen means for preventing contact between selected ones of said squeegees and said screen means;
and
e. a drying station for receiving the containers after the printing thereof.

3 more elements

Abstract

Claims24