Continuously Updatable Rotary Pad Printing Apparatus and Method

• US 20080041250A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian A. Brown, Lloyd Douglas Clark
• Original Assignee: Brian A. Brown, Lloyd Douglas Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Lloyd Douglas, Brown, Brian A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,800,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 101/217
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 17/001 Pad printing apparatus or machines
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0057 where an intermediate transfer member receives the ink before transferring it on the printing material

Abstract

A rotary pad printing system comprises a compressible pad wheel (105), one or more inkjet or other image applicator heads (400), optional treatment stations (500), a shaft encoder (535), a control unit (540), and an image source (565). The image applicator heads apply an image to the wheel and the treatment stations can supply treatments such as heat, gas, light, overcoats, and undercoats. The image is then transferred to a receiving surface (532). An optional cleaning station (510) cleans the rotary pad prior to application of the next or a continuous image. Each image can be different and can be applied to a moving surface. Since the rotary pad can continuously receive updated image information, the area printed can range from a single pixel to an image of indefinite length. In an alternative embodiment, a domed pad is used. In another alternative embodiment, a flexible belt (1000) is used instead of a rotary wheel. In another alternative embodiment, a segmented pad (2205) is used.

Claims

1. A pad printing system, comprising:

a compressible pad having a surface and capable of rotating,

an ink source containing ink of at least one color,

an image source,

an ink applicator connected to said image source and capable of printing an image containing said ink from said ink source onto said surface of said pad, and

a receiving surface for receiving said ink in said image from said pad,

whereby said image can be printed onto said compressible pad while said pad rotates, and then said pad can be used to transfer said image onto said receiving surface.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said pad is selected from the group consisting of continuous pads, segmented pads, and belts.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the surface of said pad is selected from the group consisting of smooth, matte, grained, and striated surfaces.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said ink is selected from the group consisting of water based, wax-based, solvent-based, oil-based, and multi-component inks.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said ink is selected from the group consisting of frit, particle, metallic, magnetic, dye, pigment-containing, ultra-violet curable, infrared-curable, light-curable, heat-curable, cold-curable, catalyst-curable, microwave-curable, and evaporating inks.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said applicator is selected from the group consisting of offset, dye transfer, wax transfer, inkjet, spray, and electrostatic applicators.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said pad is selected from the group consisting of gelatin, caoutchouc, latex rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone rubber, and plastic materials.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the surface of said pad is selected from the group consisting of smooth and textured surfaces.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the material comprising said pad is selected from the group consisting of insulative and conductive materials.

10. The system of claim 1, further including at least one source of electrical potential connected between said pad and one or more of said ink applicators.

11. The system of claim 1, further including a plurality of applicators selected from the group consisting of coating and treatment applicators.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said plurality of applicators are arranged to apply at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of liquid sprays, powder sprays, vapors, sonic energy, heat, light including ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays, magnetic fields, electrostatic fields, and plasma discharges.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiving surface is selected from the group consisting of flat, curved, cylindrical, and irregular surfaces.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said pad is formed on a single shaft.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said pad is supported by at least two shafts and is free to rotate around both of said shafts.

16. A method for pad printing, comprising:

providing a flexible pad that rotates,

providing a source of ink,

providing an image source,

providing an ink applicator connected to said image source and capable of printing an image containing said ink from said ink source onto the surface of said pad,

providing a receiving surface for receiving said ink in said image from said pad,

causing said applicator to print an image from said image source onto said pad, and

causing said pad to come into contact with said receiving surface,

whereby said image is printed onto said pad and then transferred to said receiving surface.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the surface of said pad is selected from the group consisting of smooth, matte, grained, and striated surfaces.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said ink is selected from the group consisting of water based, wax-based, solvent-based, oil-based, and multi-component inks.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said applicator is selected from the group consisting of offset, dye transfer, wax transfer, inkjet, spray, and electrostatic applicators.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said pad is selected from the group consisting of gelatin, caoutchouc, latex rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone rubber, and plastic materials.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the surface of said pad is selected from the group consisting of smooth and textured surfaces.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the material comprising said pad is selected from the group consisting of insulative and conductive materials.

23. The method of claim 16, further including at least one source of electrical potential connected between said pad and one or more of said ink applicators.

24. The method of claim 16, further including a plurality of applicators selected from the group consisting of coating and treatment applicators.

26. The method of claim 16 wherein said receiving surface is selected from the group consisting of flat, curved, and irregular surfaces.

27. The method of claim 16 wherein said pad is formed on a single shaft.

25. The method of claim 25 wherein said plurality of applicators are arranged to apply at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of liquid sprays, powder sprays, vapors, sonic energy, heat, light including ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays, magnetic fields, electrostatic fields, and plasma discharges.

28. A pad printing system, comprising:

a compressible pad capable of rotating,

an ink source containing ink of at least one color,

an image source,

ink applicator means connected to said image source and capable of printing an image containing said ink from said ink source onto the surface of said pad,

a receiving surface for receiving said ink in said image from said pad,

whereby said image can be printed onto said pad while said pad rotates, and then said pad can be used to transfer said image onto said receiving surface.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said ink applicator means is selected from the group consisting of offset, dye transfer, wax transfer, inkjet, spray, and electrostatic applicators.