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US 6,769,357 B1Granted
Digital can decorating apparatus
AssigneeSequa Can Machinery, Inc.
InventorJoseph Finan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A digitally controlled can printing apparatus for printing on circular two-piece cans, the apparatus including digital print-heads for printing an image on the cans and drives for transporting and rotating the cans in front of the print-heads in registered alignment.
Claims24
A digital can printing apparatus for printing on circular objects, each having a periphery the apparatus comprising:
- a printer for digitally controlled printing of an image on the objects;
- and
- an object transporter for transporting the objects in front of the printer and in registered alignment between each object and the printer and for rotating the individual objects in front of the printer, the transporter supporting each object at a location not on the periphery of the object enabling the entire periphery of the object to be printed by rotation of the individual objects.
A digital can printing apparatus for printing on circular objects, comprising:
- a printer for digitally controlled printing of an image on the objects;
- and
- an object transporter for transporting the objects in front of the printer and in registered alignment between each object and the printer and for rotating the individual objects in front of the printer,
- wherein the printer includes a plurality of spaced apart digitally controlled print-heads and the transporter is operable for moving the objects to selected ones of the print-heads, for then halting movement of the objects at the selected print-heads, for then rotating the objects while the objects are halted at the selected print-heads, wherein the print-heads are operable for digitally controlled printing of the object then at each of the print-heads.
1 more element
A method of decorating circular objects in a decorating apparatus, comprising:
- supplying the circular objects to the apparatus, transporting the objects through the apparatus at selected intervals of travel of the objects through the apparatus and halting the transport after each interval;
- at the halting of the transport of the objects through the apparatus, rotating the objects and while rotating the objects, digitally printing the rotating objects;
- after having the digital printing, moving the objects another interval of travel and selectively halting the objects and digitally printing the objects again at the next location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.