Method and apparatus of decorating a metallic container by digital printing to a transfer blanket
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying a decoration to an exterior surface of a metallic container, comprising:
- a first transfer blanket segment;
a digital print unit in a predetermined alignment with respect to the first transfer blanket segment, the digital print unit operable to convey a decorating material to the first transfer blanket segment to form a decoration on the first transfer blanket segment, wherein the digital print unit comprises one of an electrophotographic system and an inkjet print head;
a feed unit to move the metallic container into position for contact with the first transfer blanket segment to transfer the decoration from the first transfer blanket segment to the exterior surface of the metallic container, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a first distance from a second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the digital print unit, and wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a second distance from the second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the feed unit, the first distance being different than the second distance; and
a cleaning system positioned downstream from the feed unit to remove residual decorating material from the first and second transfer blanket segments, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a third distance from the second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the cleaning system, the third distance being different than the second distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.
154 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying a decoration to an exterior surface of a metallic container, comprising:
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a first transfer blanket segment; a digital print unit in a predetermined alignment with respect to the first transfer blanket segment, the digital print unit operable to convey a decorating material to the first transfer blanket segment to form a decoration on the first transfer blanket segment, wherein the digital print unit comprises one of an electrophotographic system and an inkjet print head; a feed unit to move the metallic container into position for contact with the first transfer blanket segment to transfer the decoration from the first transfer blanket segment to the exterior surface of the metallic container, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a first distance from a second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the digital print unit, and wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a second distance from the second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the feed unit, the first distance being different than the second distance; and a cleaning system positioned downstream from the feed unit to remove residual decorating material from the first and second transfer blanket segments, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a third distance from the second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the cleaning system, the third distance being different than the second distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of forming a decoration on an exterior surface portion of a cylindrical container, comprising:
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transferring a decorating material from a digital print unit to a first transfer blanket segment of a decorator such that the decorating material forms a decoration on the first transfer blanket segment, the digital print unit comprising at least one of an inkjet print head and an electrophotographic system and the decorating material comprising one of an ink and a toner material, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a first distance from a second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the digital print unit; providing the cylindrical container; positioning the cylindrical container in a feed unit of the decorator; altering a distance between the first transfer blanket segment and the second transfer blanket segment as the first and second transfer blanket segments move away from the digital print unit to the feed unit, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a second distance from the second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned proximate to the feed unit, the first distance being different than the second distance; moving the exterior surface portion of the cylindrical container into contact with the first transfer blanket segment, wherein the decoration is transferred from the first transfer blanket segment to the exterior surface portion of the cylindrical container; and altering the distance between the first transfer blanket segment and the second transfer blanket segment as the first and second transfer blanket segments move away from the feed unit, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a third distance from the second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to a cleaning system of the decorator, the third distance being different than the second distance. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for applying a decoration to an exterior surface of a metallic container, comprising:
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a first transfer blanket segment; a digital print unit in a predetermined alignment with respect to the first transfer blanket segment, the digital print unit operable to convey a decorating material to the first transfer blanket segment to form a decoration on the first transfer blanket segment, wherein the digital print unit comprises one of an electrophotographic system and an inkjet print head, and wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a first distance from a second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the digital print unit; a feed unit to move the metallic container into position for contact with the first transfer blanket segment to transfer the decoration from the first transfer blanket segment to the exterior surface of the metallic container; and a cleaning system positioned downstream from the feed unit to remove residual decorating material from the first and second transfer blanket segments, wherein the first transfer blanket segment is spaced a second distance from the second transfer blanket segment when the first transfer blanket segment is positioned adjacent to the cleaning system, the second distance being different than the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification