Apparatuses for Printing on Generally Cylindrical Objects and Related Methods

• US 20100295885A1
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: INX International Ink Company (Sakata INX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: INX International Ink Company (Sakata INX Corporation)
• Inventors: LaCaze, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,931,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/8
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/0021 using irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/00214 using UV radiation
• 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

Abstract

An ink jet printer for printing on an at least partially cylindrical objects comprises one or more printheads positioned above a line of travel and a carriage assembly configured to hold an at least partially cylindrical object axially aligned along the line of travel and to position said object relative to the printheads, and then rotate the object relative to said one or more printheads. The printer also includes a curing device located along the line of travel and configured to emit an energy suitable to cure the deposited fluid.

Claims

1. An ink jet printer for printing on an at least partially cylindrical objects comprising:

one or more printheads, each said printhead in communication with a fluid supply and positioned above the line of travel and controlled to selectively deposit fluid upon a surface of said object in accordance with a pre-determined image;

a carriage assembly configured to hold an at least partially cylindrical object axially aligned along a line of travel and to linearly convey said object along said line of travel, position said object relative to said one or more printheads, and to rotate said object relative to said one or more printheads; and

a curing device located along said line of travel and configured to emit energy suitable to cure fluid deposited upon the surface of said object.

2. The ink jet printer of claim 1, further comprising

a generally cylindrical mandrel having a free end dimensioned to be inserted into a hollow cylindrical object and supported by said carriage assembly such that it is axially aligned along said line of travel, said mandrel being coupled to a rotating drive shaft.

3. The ink jet printer of claim 2, wherein said mandrel further defines a chamber having an opening at said free end, said chamber in fluid communication with a conduit such that a substantial vacuum may be created within said chamber sufficient to draw said object against said free end.

4. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein said one or more printheads comprise a print tunnel including at least four printheads arranged in an arch above said line of travel.

5. The ink jet printer of claim 4, further comprising at least two print tunnels arrayed in tandem along said line of travel.

6. The ink jet printer of claim 4, further comprising a generally cylindrical mandrel having a free end dimensioned to be inserted into a hollow cylindrical object and supported by said carriage assembly such that it is axially aligned along said line of travel, said mandrel being coupled to a rotating drive shaft.

7. The ink jet printer of claim 6, wherein said mandrel further defines a chamber having an opening at said free end, said chamber in fluid communication with a conduit such that a substantial vacuum may be created within said chamber sufficient to draw said object against said free end.

8. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein said one or more printheads are arrayed in tandem along the line of travel.

9. The ink jet printer of claim 8, further comprising a generally cylindrical mandrel having a free end dimensioned to be inserted into a hollow cylindrical object and supported by said carriage assembly such that it is axially aligned along said line of travel, said mandrel being coupled to a rotating drive shaft.

10. The ink jet printer of claim 9, wherein said mandrel further defines a chamber having an opening at said free end, said chamber in fluid communication with a conduit such that a substantial vacuum may be created within said chamber sufficient to draw said object against said free end.

11. The ink jet printer of claim 1, wherein said carriage assembly further comprises opposing clamping and holding assemblies configured to hold a partially cylindrical object axially aligned with the line of travel, said holding assembly being coupled to a rotating drive shaft.

12. The ink jet printer of claim 11, wherein said carriage assembly further comprises a centering guide for maintaining lateral alignment of said object.

13. The ink jet printer of claim 11, wherein said one or more printheads comprise a print tunnel including at least four printheads arranged in an arch above said line of travel.

14. The ink jet printer of claim 11, further comprising at least two print tunnels arrayed in tandem along said line of travel.

15. The ink jet printer of claim 11, wherein said holding assembly comprises a tube terminating a holding plate for engaging one end of said cylindrical object, and wherein said tube defines a chamber having an opening in the surface of said holding plate, said chamber in fluid communication with a conduit such that a substantial vacuum may be created within said chamber sufficient to draw said object against said holding plate.

16. The ink jet printer of claim 15, wherein said carriage assembly further comprises a centering guide for maintaining lateral alignment of said object.

17. The ink jet printer of claim 16, wherein said one or more printheads comprise a print tunnel including at least four printheads arranged in an arch above said line of travel.

18. The ink jet printer of claim 17, further comprising at least two print tunnels arrayed in tandem along said line of travel.

19. A method for printing on an at least partially cylindrical object comprising the steps of:

holding an at least partially cylindrical object such that its axis is aligned with a line of travel;

conveying said object along said line of travel;

positioning said object underneath one or more printheads, said printheads oriented with respect to said line of travel;

causing said object to rotate relative to said one or more printheads;

depositing a fluid upon a surface of said object in accordance with a pre-determined image; and

positioning said object relative to a curing assembly along said line of travel; and

rotating said object relative to said curing assembly.