System for printing passing objects

An apparatus for printing on objects, the apparatus comprising:

• a printing station
• a conveyor extending through and upstream from the printing station;
• loading means for orienting the objects on the conveyor in a longitudinally extending row in groups each having a predetermined number n of longitudinally aligned objects and a long longitudinal length equal to n times a predetermined step length and with the groups separated in the longitudinally extending row from one another by an empty gap having a short longitudinal length equal to n−1 times the predetermined step length;
• drive means connected to the conveyor for displacing the oriented objects with the conveyor through the printing station in alternating long steps having a length equal to n times the predetermined step length and short steps equal to n−1 times the predetermined step length such that with each long step one of the groups is positioned in the printing station;
• lifter means in the printing station taking the objects off the conveyor and returning them to the conveyor between the long steps;
• and
• printer means in the printing station for printing the objects while they are off the conveyor during the standstill after the succeeding short stop between the long steps.