US 4,048,914 A · Apparatus for screen printing images on objects

Abstract

A screen printing apparatus includes a stencil and a doctor blade or a squeegee cooperating with the printing screen or stencil to print images on objects. A transportation arrangement is provided for transporting the objects on which the images are to be printed in a given path and direction, part of the path leading past the stencil. The transportation arrangement includes a plurality of pairs of support members which are respectively mounted on carrier elements extending laterally of the path. The carrier elements are mounted on elongated rails for movement longitudinally thereof by a distance corresponding to the spacing of the pairs of support members from one another in said direction, the carrier elements reciprocating in said direction and in an opposite direction relative to the rails. Flexible carrier components may be adjustably connected to the carrier elements, and an arrangement may be provided for flexing the flexible carrier components in direction toward and away from the printing screen or stencil. The rails are mounted for movement toward and away from each other so that the support members may engage and disengage a respective object to be printed between them. At least one intermediate support may be arranged along the path, being operative for temporarily resting an object thereon. The intermediate support may be either stationary or movable in the direction of movement of the objects or opposite thereto.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An apparatus for printing images on objects, comprising at least one printing stencil;

at least one doctor associated with said stencil;
means for moving said stencil and doctor relative to one another;
means for transporting the objects in a predetermined path and direction past said stencil, including a carrier extending along said path and mounted for reciprocation in said direction and opposite thereto by a given distance and at least two pairs of support members connected to said carrier to share the reciprocatory movement thereof and being spaced from one another by said distance, each of said pairs having a common axis transverse to said path and being operative for coaxially supporting a respective object, said carrier including at least one carrier component which is flexible in a plane extending parallel to said direction and substantially normal to said stencil, said support members being mounted on said flexible carrier component;
means for flexing said carrier component in said plane and including a guide member in engagement with said carrier component and having a configuration which is dependent on the shape of the object transported thereby, and a plurality of rollers engaging said carrier component opposite said guide member;
and at least one intermediate support along said path for temporarily supporting the objects.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for screen printing images on objects

Life of this patent

Apparatus for screen printing images on objects

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29