OBJECT HOLDER WITH PNEUMATIC CLAMPING FRAME FOR A DIRECT-TO-OBJECT PRINTER
First Claim
1. An object holder for retaining at least one object in a direct-to-object print system, the object holder comprising:
- a moving frame configured to traverse a support member positioned substantially parallel to a plane formed by at least one print head of the direct-to-object print system;
at least one collapsible membrane configured to be retained within the moving frame, wherein the at least one collapsible membrane is at least partially filled with a plurality of granules, and further wherein the at least one collapsible membrane is configured to collapse at least partially around the at least one object when a volume of air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane; and
at least one inflatable bladder associated with at least one interior surface of the moving frame, wherein the at least one inflatable bladder is configured to be inflated to retain the at least one collapsible membrane within the moving frame when air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes at least one print head configured to eject marking material onto a surface of the multi-dimensional object, a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the at least one print head, and an object holder. The object holder includes a moving frame configured to traverse the support member, at least one granule-filled collapsible membrane configured to be retained within the moving frame and at least partially collapsible around the multi-dimensional object when a volume of air is withdrawn therefrom, and at least one inflatable bladder associated with the moving frame and configured to be inflated to retain the at least one collapsible membrane within the moving frame when air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An object holder for retaining at least one object in a direct-to-object print system, the object holder comprising:
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a moving frame configured to traverse a support member positioned substantially parallel to a plane formed by at least one print head of the direct-to-object print system; at least one collapsible membrane configured to be retained within the moving frame, wherein the at least one collapsible membrane is at least partially filled with a plurality of granules, and further wherein the at least one collapsible membrane is configured to collapse at least partially around the at least one object when a volume of air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane; and at least one inflatable bladder associated with at least one interior surface of the moving frame, wherein the at least one inflatable bladder is configured to be inflated to retain the at least one collapsible membrane within the moving frame when air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A direct-to-object print system for printing on at least one surface of at least one multi-dimensional object, the direct-to-object print system comprising:
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at least one print head configured to eject marking material onto the at least one surface of the at least one multi-dimensional object; a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the at least one print head; an object holder comprising; a moving frame configured to traverse the support member; at least one collapsible membrane configured to be retained within the moving frame, wherein the at least one collapsible membrane is at least partially filled with a plurality of granules, and further wherein the at least one collapsible membrane is configured to collapse at least partially around the at least one multi-dimensional object when a volume of air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane; and at least one inflatable bladder associated with at least one interior surface of the moving frame, wherein the at least one inflatable bladder is configured to be inflated to retain the at least one collapsible membrane within the moving frame when air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane; and a removable base platen configured to temporarily interface with the moving frame, wherein the removable base platen provides initial support for the at least one multi-dimensional object prior to withdrawal of the volume of air from the at least one collapsible membrane. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for printing on at least one multi-dimensional object, the method comprising:
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providing an object holder, the object holder comprising a moving frame and at least one inflatable bladder associated with one or more surfaces of the moving frame; placing the at least one multi-dimensional object within the moving frame of the object holder; inserting at least one granule-filled collapsible membrane within the moving frame and at least partially around at least one surface of the at least one multi-dimensional object; applying a vacuum on the at least one granule-filled collapsible membrane; applying pressurized air to the at least one inflatable bladder to provide a clamping force on the at least one granule-filled collapsible membrane; transporting the object holder past at least one print head; and printing directly on at least one surface of the at least one multi-dimensional object held within the object holder. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification