Ammunition having surface indicia and method of manufacture
OwnerWilliam (Bill) Morton, Jay Menefee +1inventors
InventorsWilliam (Bill) Morton, Jay Menefee, Andrew (Andy) Resko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Ammunition, such as shotshells used in waterfowl hunting, have indicia applied to substantially all of the external surface to reduce glare normally a problem in conventional ammunition. The indicia, such as a camouflage pattern, is applied either through the use of inkjet printing directly on the shotshell surface or through the application of a heat transfer sleeve to which the indicia has been previously applied. The process of applying the camouflage pattern may be incorporated into the manufacture of the ammunition or may be operable as a standalone process used for pre-manufactured ammunition.
Claims23
Apparatus for printing indicia on an external surface of cylindrical shotshells having a case and a hull attached thereto and having an axis, comprising:
- a plurality of inkjet print heads for spraying preprogrammed indicia on the shotshells;
- a conveyor having a plurality of rotatable spindles projecting therefrom for insertion into and engagement of an open end of the shotshell case for rotatable conveyance thereof and for rotating the cylindrical shotshells about the shotshell's axis while traversing the plurality of inkjet print heads for printing the preprogrammed indicia thereabout;
- means for orienting each shotshell to present the open end of the case to the spindle for engagement thereon;
- and
- a controller for causing the pre-programmed indica to be sprayed on the shotshells as the shotshells are rotated.
A method of applying indicia about an external surface of cylindrical ammunition comprising:
- providing a plurality of ammunition;
- orienting the ammunition for application of the indicia thereon;
- applying the indicia to a substantial portion of an entire outer surface of the ammunition;
- rotating the ammunition about an axis while applying the indicia;
- and
- controlling one or more ink jet print heads for applying the indicia to the substantial portion of the entire outer surface of the ammunition.
A camouflaged ammunition comprising a substantially cylindrical outer surface,
- wherein indicia comprising at least a camouflage pattern is applied to substantially the entire outer surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.