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System and method for producing an image on an article

  • US 10,710,377 B2
  • Filed: 12/14/2018
  • Issued: 07/14/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system for printing images on an object, the system comprising:

  • a housing;

    a rod driven by a first motor;

    an object rotating subsystem positioned about the rod and arranged for reciprocal movement, the object rotating subsystem comprising;

    a spindle; and

    ,a second motor operatively connected to the spindle, the second motor being configured to rotate the object in a first rotational direction and/or a second rotational direction;

    a vacuum source operatively connected to the spindle;

    a plurality of printheads configured to eject solid ink drops;

    a forced air heater having a heating element and a positive air source;

    a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor being configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the surface of the object; and

    ,an electrical power source;

    a first variable switch operatively connected between the electrical power source and the heating element;

    a second variable switch operatively connected between the electrical power source and the positive air source;

    a controller operatively connected to the plurality of printheads, the first motor, the second motor, the temperature sensor, and the forced air heater, the controller being configured to operate the first motor to move the object rotating subsystem to and from a position opposite the plurality of printheads, to operate the second motor to rotate an object on the spindle at the position opposite the plurality of printheads, to operate the forced air heater to direct heated air onto the surface of the object as the object rotates at the position opposite the plurality of printheads and to operate the first variable switch and the second variable switch using the signal generated by the temperature sensor to regulate the operation of the forced air heater, and to operate the plurality of printheads to eject a first marking material onto the heated surface of the object as the object rotates in the first and/or second rotational direction.

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