Multipath CD printing system

A method of printing different images on surfaces of discrete objects, the method comprising the steps of:

• loading objects onto an upstream end of a production path passing through a plurality of stations and taking the objects off a downstream end of the path;
• providing a plurality of generally parallel lanes at one of the stations and a respective printer in each of the lanes;
• at the one station
• splitting the objects up and feeding the objects to the lanes from the path,
• printing the different images on the objects in the lanes with the respective printers, and
• returning all the objects to the path after printing;
• and
• moving the objects single-file downstream along the path immediately upstream and downstream of the one station;
• assigning the different images to the different objects;
• monitoring position along the production path of each of the objects;
• and
• determining when an object is in a given printer and then operating that printer to print the respective image on the object.

A system for printing images on surfaces of discrete objects, the system comprising:

• a conveyor defining a production path having an upstream end and a downstream end and passing through a plurality of stations including one station at which the path is split into a plurality of generally parallel lanes;
• loading means for putting objects onto the path at the upstream end;
• unloading means for taking the objects off the path at the downstream end;
• means for moving the objects single-file along the path upstream and downstream of the one station;
• and
• a respective printer in each of the lanes;
• control means for
• monitoring availability of the printers,
• splitting the objects up and feeding the objects to the lanes from the path in accordance with the availability of the respective printers,
• operating the printers to print the images on the objects in the lanes, and
• returning all the objects to the path after printing.

A system for printing different images on surfaces of discrete and different objects, the system comprising:

• a conveyor defining a production path having an upstream end and a downstream end and passing through a plurality of stations including one station at which the path is split into a plurality of generally parallel lanes;
• loading means for putting objects onto the path at the upstream end;
• unloading means for taking the objects off the path at the downstream end;
• means for moving the objects single-file along the path upstream and downstream of the one station;
• and
• a respective printer in each of the lanes;
• control means for
• assigning the different images to the different objects,
• monitoring position along the production path of each of the objects,
• splitting the objects up and feeding the objects to the lanes from the path,
• determining when an object is in a given printer, and
• then operating the printers to print the different images on the objects in the lanes, and
• returning all the objects to the path after printing.