Apparatus and method for marking multiple colors on a contoured surface having a complex topography

• US 20010003871A1
• Filed: 02/13/2001
• Published: 06/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Patton, David L., Fredlund, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,578,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/18.1
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4073 Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects B41J3/283, B41J3/286 take precedence; building up a 3D object using individual droplets from jetting heads B29C64/112
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 13/00 Drawing instruments, or writing or drawing appliances or accessories not otherwise provided for stencils for surface decoration B44D

Abstract

Apparatus for marking a contoured surface having complex topography and preferably with multiple color marking. The apparatus comprises a movable marker for marking the surface and a sensor disposed in sensing relationship to the surface for sensing contour of the surface. A controller interconnecting the marker and the sensor is also provided for actuating the marker and for controllably moving the marker relative to the surface in response to the contour sensed by the sensor, so that the marker follows the contour of the surface at a predetermined distance therefrom and marks the surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for printing on a contoured surface having complex topography, comprising:

(a) a movable marker for marking the surface with a color pigment;

(b) a sensor disposed in sensing relationship to the surface for sensing locations of points on the surface; and

(c) a controller interconnecting said printhead and said sensor for actuating said sensor to determine locations of points on said surface and to generate adjusted image data in accordance with determination of locations of points, the controller controlling movement of the marker relative to the surface in response to the locations of points sensed by said sensor, so that said marker follows the contour of the surface and marks the surface according to the adjusted image data.

2. An apparatus for printing on a contoured surface having a complex topography, comprising:

(a) a plurality of movable markers for printing an image on the surface with inks of different colors;

(b) a sensor or sensors disposed in sensing relationship to the surface for sensing position information of the surface and generating signals relative to position information; and

(c) a controller responsive to the signals and controlling position of the markers by affecting complex movements of the markers through pivoting of the markers about a point or points.

3. In The apparatus of

claim 2

and wherein at least one of the markers is connected to a pivotable joint that supports the marker for complex movement through pivoting about a point.

4. The apparatus of

claim 3

and wherein a plurality of markers are simultaneously oriented at the same point or points in close proximity on the surface for printing at such point or points.

5. The apparatus of

claim 4

and wherein respective pivotable joints are each coupled to a device that constrains movement of the respective joint in a linear fashion to adjust position of the respective joint and the respective marker connected to the respective joint.

6. The apparatus of

claim 4

and wherein before printing of the image commences the controller is programmed to operate the sensor to determine information about the surface and to process multiple color data relating to the image in accordance with information determined about the surface.

7. The apparatus of

claim 3

and wherein before printing of the image commences the controller is programmed to operate the sensor to determine information about the surface and to process multiple color data relating to the image in accordance with information determined about the surface.

8. The apparatus of

claim 2

and wherein each of the markers are inkjet printheads and each printhead is connected to a respective pivotable coupling that supports the respective printhead for complex movement through pivoting about a point remote from a point of ejection of ink from the respective printhead and wherein the printheads are oriented at any one time to print at different locations on the surface for printing.

9. The apparatus of

claim 8

and wherein the respective couplings are each coupled to a device that constrains movement of the coupling in a linear fashion to adjust position of the coupling and the respective printhead connected to the coupling.

10. The apparatus of

claim 9

and wherein before printing of the image commences the controller is programmed to operate the sensor to determine information about points on the surface and to process multiple color data relating to the image in accordance with information determined about the surface.

11. The apparatus of

claim 3

and wherein the coupling is a ball-in-socket coupling.

12. The apparatus of

claim 2

and wherein each of the markers is connected to a pivotable coupling that supports the respective marker for complex movement through pivoting about a point remote from a point of marking by the respective marker and wherein the markers are oriented at any one time to print at different locations on the surface for printing.

13. A method of printing on a contoured surface having a complex topography, the method comprising:

sensing position information of the surface and generating signals relative to position information; and

in response to the signals adjusting positions of a plurality of movable markers by at least one pivotable movement of the markers so as to locate the markers at locations for printing an image on the surface with inks of different colors.

14. The method of

claim 13

and wherein a plurality of markers having inks of different colors are simultaneously oriented at the same point or points in close proximity on the surface for printing at such point or points.

15. The method of

claim 14

and wherein before printing commences information about points on the surface is determined and image data for plural colors used for printing is adjusted in response to the information about points of the surface.

16. The method of

claim 13

and wherein before printing commences information about location of at least some points of the surface is determined and image data for plural colors used for printing is adjusted in response to the information about the location of the points of the surface.

17. The method of

claim 13

and wherein a plurality of markers and having inks of different colors are simultaneously oriented at different points on the surface for printing at such points.

18. A method of printing on a contoured surface having a complex topography, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of printheads that are simultaneously oriented at the surface for printing on such surface with inks of different colors; and

adjusting positions of the plurality of movable inkjet printheads by movement of the printheads along a non-straight path so as to locate the printheads at locations spaced from the surface for printing an image on the surface with inks of different colors.

19. The method of

claim 18

and wherein the plurality of printheads are simultaneously oriented at the same point or points of close proximity on the surface for printing with inks of different colors at said point or points.

20. The method of

claim 19

and wherein the plurality of printheads are adjustable relative to the surface with five degrees of freedom.

21. The method of

claim 19

and wherein before printing commences information about locations of points on the surface are determined and image data for plural colors used for printing is adjusted in response to the information about points on the surface.

22. The method of

claim 18

and wherein the plurality of printheads are adjustable relative to the surface with five degrees of freedom.