DETECTION SEGMENT AS WELL AS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRINTING CONTAINERS
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Accused Products
Abstract
A detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers includes an image-capturing device that optically detects a container feature and a sensor interface that interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on a retaining-and-centering unit that holds a container to determine a rotational position of that container. A computer connects to the image-capturing device and the sensor unit. The computer determines an alignment variable based on the code and the detected container feature and then forwards this alignment variable to a printer segment on a printer module.
24 Citations
38 Claims
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1-18. -18. (canceled)
- 19. An apparatus comprising a detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers, said device comprising a printing module, said detection segment comprising an image-capturing device, a sensor interface, a computer, a communication interface, said detection segment configured for holding and releasing a retaining-and-centering unit that rotates a container about a vertical axis thereof when said container is retained at said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said image-capturing device is configured to optically detect a container feature of a container, wherein said sensor interface interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on said retaining-and-centering unit to determine a rotational position of said container when said container is retained by said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said computer connects to said image-capturing device and said sensor unit, wherein said computer is configured for determining an alignment variable based on said code and said detected container feature, and wherein said communication interface is configured to forward said alignment variable to a printer segment on said printer module.
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38. A method comprising printing on a container, wherein printing on said container comprises optically detecting a container feature on said container, based on a code on a retaining-and-centering unit that holds said container, determining a rotational position of said container feature, determining an alignment variable based on said code and said container feature, forwarding said alignment variable and said container to a printing segment, and printing on said container at a location that is based on said alignment variable.
Specification