MÉTODO DE IMPRESSÃO DIGITAL EM UM ARTIGO POLIMÉRICO

Abstract

A method of printing on a polymeric article includes applying a decoration-forming deposit on a transfer blanket. The method further includes transferring the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article to provide a decoration on the polymeric article.

Description

1 / 19 “DIGITAL PRINTING METHOD ON A POLYMERIC ARTICLE” PRIORITY CLAIM

[001] This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to the Application of Provisional Patent No. US 63 / 453,610, filed on March 21, 2023, is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND

[002] This disclosure relates to printing, and particularly to printing on plastic materials. More specifically, this disclosure relates to inkjet printing on plastic materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[003] According to the present disclosure, a digital printing system is configured to provide decorations on polymeric articles by means of a digital printing process. The digital printing system includes a rotating support, a printing unit, and a thermal control unit. The printing unit includes a support wheel and a plurality of transfer units coupled to the support wheel for rotation around a geometric axis with the support wheel. The rotating support rotates continuously around the geometric axis to move each transfer unit past the printing unit and the thermal control unit during the digital printing process.

[004] In illustrative embodiments, the digital printing process includes diluting an ink solution and injecting the ink solution into the transfer unit using an inkjet printer head. The digital printing process may additionally include at least partial cooling of the decoration-forming deposit after the step of applying the decoration-forming deposit to the transfer unit. The decoration-forming deposit may then be transferred from each transfer unit to a polymeric article to decorate the polymeric article. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 75 / 104 2 / 19

[005] Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art by consideration of illustrative embodiments that exemplify the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as currently perceived. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] The detailed description refers particularly to the attached figures in which: Figure 1 is a flowchart of a process for digital printing on a polymeric article, according to the present disclosure, showing that the process includes the steps of preparing an ink solution, heating the ink solution, applying a decoration-forming deposit in a transfer unit, cooling the decoration-forming deposit, and transferring the cooled decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article to produce a decorated article that can be packaged and transported; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a digital printing system configured to produce the decorated article of Figure 1 by digital printing; and Figure 3 is a flowchart of another process for digital printing on a polymeric article according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[007] A printing system 10 according to the present disclosure is configured to form a decoration 12 on a polymeric article 14 by means of a digital printing process 100, as shown in Figure 1. The printing system 10 includes a rotating support 16, a printing unit 18 and a thermal control unit 20, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rotating support 16 is configured to rotate about a geometric axis 22 relative to the printing unit 18 and the thermal control unit 20. The printing unit 18 is configured to inject an ink solution 24I from an inkjet printer head 25 to provide a decoration-forming deposit 24 on the rotating support 16 for transfer to the polymeric article 14 subsequently. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 76 / 104 3 / 19 in process 100. The thermal control unit 20 is configured to control properties of the ink solution 24I, such as temperature and viscosity, before and after the application of the ink solution 24I to the rotating support 16 to provide the decoration-forming deposit 24 with properties that allow the decoration-forming deposit 24 to be transferred to the polymeric article 14. The decoration-forming deposit 24 is transferred to the polymeric article 14 to form the decoration 12 on the polymeric article 14 with high resolution and clarity, at least in part, as a result of the temperature control provided by the thermal control unit 20.

[008] The printing unit 18 is, illustratively, a digital printing unit that applies the ink solution 24I to the transfer unit 28 by inkjet printing, for example.Thus, the printing system 10 provides non-blurred or high-resolution decorations 12 on a plurality of polymeric articles 14 at a higher output rate than other digital printing systems and with shorter setup, disassembly, and conversion times compared to other printing systems, such as dry offset printers or offset lithographic printers, for example. The thermal control unit 20 is configured to alter the thermal properties of the ink solution 24I to cause the ink solution 24I to decrease in viscosity before deposition on the rotating support 16 and then increase in viscosity before application to the polymeric article 14. This allows the ink solution 24I to be applied to the transfer unit 28 by inkjet printing and then transferred to the polymeric articles 14 via the transfer unit 28, instead of inkjet printing directly onto the polymeric articles 14.

[009] The rotary conveyor 16 includes a support wheel 26 and a plurality of transfer units 28 (also called transfer blankets) coupled to a radially external surface 30 of the support wheel 26 with respect to the geometric axis 22, as shown in Figure 2. The support wheel 26 is a cylindrical roller configured to transport each of the transfer units 28 continuously through 360 degrees of rotation around the axis. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 77 / 104 4 / 19 geometric 22. Each transfer unit 28 of the plurality of transfer units 28 may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), urethane, or another type of polymeric material. Each transfer unit 28 is illustratively formed in the shape of an arched plate to conform to the outer surface 30 of the support wheel 26, and each transfer unit 28 is circumferentially spaced from each neighboring transfer unit 28 with respect to the geometric axis 22. Individual applications of the paint solution 24I are applied to each transfer unit 28 to provide the decoration-forming deposits 24. Each transfer unit 28 is configured to transfer the decoration-forming deposits 24 to a corresponding polymeric article 14 and provide decoration 12 on the corresponding polymeric article 14 for each rotation of the rotary conveyor 16.In some embodiments, the radially outer surface 30 of the support wheel 26 can be used as a single transfer unit 28 in which a plurality of decoration-forming deposits 24 are applied to provide decoration 12 on a plurality of polymeric articles 14.

[010] The digital printing process 100 begins with a step 102 of preparing an ink solution 24I for deposition in the transfer unit 28, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Step 102 may include preheating the ink solution 24I in a storage container 27 in a location away from the rotary conveyor 16. Preheating the ink solution 24I is configured to decrease the viscosity of the ink solution 24I, or to dilute the ink solution 24I, before deposition in the transfer unit 28 to form decoration-forming deposits 24. Step 102 of preparing the ink solution 24I may also include adding one or more additives to a base ink to alter one or more characteristics of the ink, including pigment, viscosity, or both.

[011] The storage vessel 27 may be a storage container, a conduit, a tank, a cartridge or any other suitable container that can store fluid. The preheating step 102 may be carried out by conductive, convective, radiant heating or combinations thereof. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 78 / 104 5 / 19 same, using one or more heating units 29 positioned on, around or inside the storage container 27. The heating units 29 may include one or more of a metal heating element, a ceramic or semiconductor heating element, a thick film heating element, a PTC polymer heating element, a composite heating element, a combined heating element system, hot air, hot liquid(s), combinations thereof or any other suitable heating device.

[012] In the illustrative embodiment, the 24I ink solution used in process 100 includes or consists of a flexographic-type ink that is comparatively used in offset printing applications and not in digital inkjet printing. In particular, the 24I ink solution includes or consists of an oligomeric ink containing monomers and oligomers. Other inkjet inks may be monomeric inks containing only monomers and which are less viscous than flexographic inks. Process 100 involves using a high-viscosity 24I flexographic ink solution, typically unsuitable for use with inkjet printheads, but which has been pre-treated during step 102 for application in a 100 digital printing process. An example of a flexographic ink suitable for use with process 100 is product ID RH1773455, also called LED OPAQUE WHITE, manufactured by Zeller Gmelin Corporation, located at 4801 Audubon Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23231, USA.Another example of a flexographic ink suitable for use with Process 100 is product ID RH3271719, also called IDF PC BLACK BW8, manufactured by Zeller Gmelin Corporation, located at 4801 Audubon Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23231, USA. An example of an inkjet ink unsuitable for use with Process 100 is product code USJET7029, manufactured by Sun Chemical Corporation North American Inks, located at 135 West Lake Street, Northlake, IL 60164. Some or all inkjet inks may be unsuitable for use with Process 100 because they are less viscous than flexographic inks and tend to smudge or form mud when used with a 16-point rotary support. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 79 / 104 6 / 19 decorating large volumes of items.

[013] One or more pumps 31 and / or conduits 33 are configured to transfer the preheated ink solution 24I from the storage container 27 to the transfer unit(s) 28 of the rotary conveyor 16 after the ink preparation step 102, as suggested in Figures 1 and 2. The heating units 29 may be coupled to the conduit(s) 33 to heat the ink solution passing through them during step 102. The conduit(s) 33 connect(s) the storage container 27 and a print head 25 that injects the ink solution 24I towards the transfer unit 28 to apply the decoration forming deposit 24 to the transfer unit 28.

[014] Process 100 may additionally include a heating step 104 of the ink solution 24I using the printhead 25 before applying the decoration-forming deposit 24 to the transfer unit 28, as shown in Figure 1. The printhead 25 may include or be coupled to a heating unit 35 that is separate from the heating unit(s) 29. The inclusion of two heating steps 102, 104 may increase the efficiency and / or yield of the system 10 as a whole by accelerating the heating of the ink solution 24I to allow faster application of the decoration-forming deposits 24 to the transfer unit 28. In some embodiments, a transfer fluid may be applied to the transfer unit 28 and the ink solution 24I may be applied to the transfer fluid.An example of a process using a transfer fluid is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0314677, filed March 31, 2022, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[015] Steps 102, 104 of preheating the 24I ink solution and heating the 24I ink solution can decrease the viscosity (i.e., thin) of the 24I ink solution in combination with each other or individually. In one example, one or both steps 102, 104 reduce the viscosity of the solution. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pages 80 / 104 7 / 19 24I ink to less than 100 cP, heating the 24I ink solution to a temperature of at least 75 °C.

[016] The digital printing process 100 completes several steps at various angular positions relative to the geometric axis 22, as the support wheel 26 rotates around the geometric axis 22, as suggested in Figures 1 and 2. The digital printing process 100 includes a step 106 of applying the heated ink solution 24I to the transfer unit 28. The step 106 of applying the heated ink solution 24I may include applying the heated ink solution 24I with an inkjet printhead 25 (e.g., a digital inkjet printhead) or by inkjet printing of the heated ink solution 24I onto the transfer unit 28. The heated ink solution 24I forms a decoration-forming deposit 24 when applied to the transfer unit 28 and is a mirror image of the decoration 12 that is transferred to the polymeric article 14 in one or more subsequent steps.The decoration-forming tank 24 may include any arrangement or pattern of inks that form the decoration 12. The digital printing process 100 may include a plurality of sub-steps of application of the heated ink solution(s) 24I, for example, if different inks are applied to the transfer unit 28 at different angular positions relative to the geometric axis 22.

[017] The digital printing process 100 includes a step 108 of rotating the rotating support 16 with the transfer unit layer 28 and the decoration-forming deposit 24 from a first angular position 36 to a second angular position 38, as shown in Figure 1. In the second angular position 38, the digital printing process 100 includes a step 110 of cooling the decoration-forming deposit 24 to provide a thickened decoration-forming deposit 40. The decoration-forming deposit 24 is cooled in step 110, in the illustrative embodiment, to increase the tackiness and / or viscosity of the decoration-forming deposit 24 to block wetting, tack and / or mixing of the decoration-forming deposit 24 with the transfer unit 28 and to Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 81 / 104 8 / 19 block excessive spreading of the decoration forming deposit 24 through the transfer unit 28.

[018] In the illustrative embodiment, at least one of the rotary conveyors and the transfer unit 28 is made from or consists of a conductive material that provides a heat sink to remove heat from the decoration-forming deposit 24 in step 110 and provides the thickened decoration-forming deposit 40 in the second angled position 38. In the illustrative embodiment, the transfer unit 28 includes aluminum-loaded silicone to allow heat transfer from the decoration-forming deposit 24 to the transfer unit 28. Other comparable rotary printing machines may include thermally insulating materials for their transfer unit, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile rubber, or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or similar.In some embodiments, step 110 may occur as a result of exposure of the decoration-forming deposit to the environment and the passage of time, such as the time it takes for the decoration-forming deposit to move into the polymeric article 14. In some embodiments, the cooling step 110 of the decoration-forming deposit 24 may include active cooling of the decoration-forming deposit 24 by one or more fans blowing air towards the decoration-forming deposit 24 between the first and second angular positions 36, 38. The decoration-forming deposit 24 may partially cure during the cooling step 110. The decoration-forming deposit 24 is not cured by any ultraviolet light source during process 100 in some embodiments.

[019] The digital printing process 100 includes a step 112 of rotating the rotating support 16 and the cured decoration-forming deposit 40 to a third angular position 42, as shown in Figure 1. In the third angular position 42, the digital printing process 100 includes a step 114 of transferring the cured decoration-forming deposit 40 to a polymeric article 14. In step 114, the polymeric article 14 is placed in contact with the cured decoration-forming deposit 40, so that the cured decoration-forming deposit 40 is transferred to the Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 82 / 104 9 / 19 polymeric article 14. Only the decoration-forming deposit 40 is transferred to the polymeric article 14 and the transfer unit 28 remains in the transfer unit 28 for reuse in receiving additional decoration-forming deposits 24 and in transferring these decoration-forming deposits 24 to other polymeric articles 14 as the process steps 100 are repeated.

[020] Illustratively, the polymeric article 14 is a container having a cylindrical or conical sidewall (i.e., a sidewall with a variable diameter from an upper end to a lower end of the article 14), as shown in Figure 1. Digital printing on an article 14 with a conical sidewall can cause residual decoration-forming deposits 24 to smudge or become blurred, resulting in a blurred decoration 12 formed on the article 14. The digital printing process provided by the digital printing system 10 reduces or eliminates smudging or blurring of the decoration-forming deposit 24 when printing on articles 14 with a conical sidewall. In some embodiments, approximately 50% of the decoration-forming deposit 24 is transferred to a polymeric article with each rotation around the geometric axis 22.In some embodiments, the digital printing process 100 results in the transfer of all or substantially all of the decoration-forming deposits 24 onto the article 14 from the transfer unit 28 in step 114, so that no smudging and / or smearing occurs. In some embodiments, the support wheel 26 and / or the transfer units 28 may have an inclined outer surface that is angled to coincide with the conical sidewall of the polymeric article 14 to reduce or eliminate smudging and smearing.

[021] The container rotates in a direction 50 opposite to a direction 52 of rotation of the rotating conveyor 16, so that the decoration 12 is provided around a circumference of the container's sidewall or partially around the circumference of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the polymeric article may include a sheet or other polymeric article with a flat surface, such as a closure, cap or lid, on which the decoration 12 is provided. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 83-104 10 / 19

[022] The digital printing process 100 may include a post-transfer processing step 116 of the polymeric article 14 with the decoration 12 applied thereto, as shown in Figure 1. The post-transfer processing step 116 may include a curing step of the decoration-forming deposit 40 to provide the decoration 12 onto the polymeric article 14. If the decoration-forming deposit 24 has not been previously cured at least partially before the transfer step 114, the decoration-forming deposit 24 may be cured in the post-transfer processing step 116. In some embodiments, the polymeric article 14 having the decoration 12 formed thereon may be laminated, rolled, formed or otherwise converted during the post-transfer processing step 116 to provide a finished article 44 ready for use. After the post-transfer processing step 116, the finished article 44 may be packaged 118 for storage or transport.

[023] Before being coated or decorated with the decoration forming deposit 24, 40, the polymeric articles 14 are formed in a step 120. Step 120 can be included in the digital printing process or can be separated from the digital printing process 100. The polymeric article 14 can be formed by using any suitable forming method, such as, for example, spin thermoforming, deep drawing thermoforming, blow molding, injection molding, casting, molding on a mold belt, flat table thermoforming, etc. Once formed, the polymeric article 14 can be pre-treated before receiving the decoration-forming deposit 24, 40 in step 114. The pre-treatment of the polymeric article 14 may include increasing the surface tension of at least the portion(s) of the polymeric article 14 that receives the decoration-forming deposit 24, 40 in step 114.In one example, the surface tension of the polymeric article 14 is increased from less than 40 dyne / cm to more than 40 dyne / cm. In some embodiments, the surface tension of the polymeric article 14 is increased from about 20 dyne / cm to greater than or equal to 40 dyne / cm. In some embodiments, a varnish is applied to the polymeric article 14 before step 114. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 84 / 104 11 / 19

[024] In some embodiments, any decoration-forming deposit 24 remaining in the transfer unit 28 after the transfer step 114 can be cleaned from the transfer unit 28, as shown in Figure 2. In such an embodiment, a cleaning system 46, such as a squeegee, scraper or fluid jet, for example, is included in the digital printing unit 10 to clean any decoration-forming deposit 24 remaining in the transfer unit 28 after the transfer step 114. However, the cleaning system 46 may not be necessary with the digital printing unit 10 because the transfer unit 28 and the decoration-forming deposit 24 are selected based on their fluid properties relative to each other, so that the transfer and formation of the decoration 12 on the polymeric article 14 are carried out by means of the digital printing process 100.Thus, the polymeric articles 14 are decorated by means of digital printing, which provides a higher production rate than other digital printing processes. In the illustrative embodiment, the printing system 10 provides decoration 12 on polymeric articles 14 at a rate of approximately 500 parts per minute using the digital printing process 100.

[025] Another digital printing process 200 is shown in Figure 4. The digital printing process 200 is similar to the digital printing process 100. Consequently, similar reference numbers in the 200 series are used to indicate similar characteristics between the digital printing process 200 and the digital printing process 100. The disclosure of the digital printing process 100 is incorporated herein by way of reference for the digital printing process 200, except for the differences described below.

[026] A digital printing unit 210 is configured to form the decoration 212 on a polymeric article 214 by means of the digital printing process 200, as shown in Figure 4. The digital printing unit 210 does not include a rotating support and instead includes a support 16 that advances a plurality of transfer units 228 linearly between steps, for example. The digital printing process 200 completes several steps at various positions in Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pages 85 / 104 12 / 19 relating to a substrate 216, including a substrate 226 and a transfer unit 228 coupled to an upper surface 230 of the substrate 226. The digital printing process 200 includes ink preparation and heating steps 202, 204 similar to those described previously in process 100.

[027] Instead of rotating the transfer units 28 around a geometric axis, the digital printing process 200 includes a step 204 of advancing the substrate 216, including the transfer unit 228, along a conveyor from a first position 236 to a second position 238, as shown in Figure 4. At the second position 238, the digital printing process 200 includes a step 206 of applying ink solution 224I to the transfer unit 28 using an inkjet printhead 225 to form a decoration-forming deposit 224 on the transfer unit 228. The ink solution 224I may be heated or diluted before application to the transfer unit 228 by one or more heating elements 229 in or around the storage container 227 and / or by one or more heating elements 235 on the inkjet printhead 225.

[028] In the second position 238 or between the first and second positions 236, 238, the digital printing process 200 includes a cooling step 210 of the decoration-forming deposit 24 in a manner similar to the cooling step 110 described in process 100. The digital printing process 200 includes a step 212 of advancing the substrate 216, including the transfer unit 228 and the cooled decoration-forming deposit 240 to a third position 242, as shown in Figure 4. At the third position 242, the digital printing process 200 includes a step 214 of transferring the cooled decoration-forming deposit 240 to a polymeric article 14. In some embodiments, the cooling step is not performed.

[029] The digital printing process 200 may include a post-transfer processing step 216 of the polymeric article 14 with the cured decoration-forming deposit 224 applied over it, as shown in Figure 4. After the Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 86-104 13 / 19 step 216 of post-transfer processing, the finished item 44 can be packaged 218 for storage or transport. Before being coated or decorated with the decoration forming deposit 224, 240, the polymeric articles 14 are formed in a step 220.

[030] The following numbered clauses include options that are contemplated and not limited: Clause 1. A method of fingerprinting on a polymeric article. Clause 2. The method of clause 1, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the supply of a rotating conveyor including a support wheel and a transfer unit coupled to the support wheel for rotation around an axis with the support wheel. Clause 3. The method of clause 2, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the supply of an ink solution in a storage container. Clause 4. The method of clause 3, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including preheating the ink solution in the storage container to provide a preheated ink solution. Clause 5. The method of clause 4, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the transfer of the pre-heated ink solution from the storage container to an inkjet printhead. Clause 6. The method of clause 5, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including heating the pre-heated ink solution in the inkjet printhead to provide a fully heated ink solution. Clause 7. The method of clause 6, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the discharge of the fully heated ink solution into the transfer unit to provide a forming deposit. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 87 / 104 14 / 19 decoration in a first angular position around the geometric axis. Clause 8. The method of clause 7, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the rotation of the rotary conveyor, the transfer unit and the decoration forming hopper around the geometric axis from the first angular position to a second angular position. Clause 9. The method of clause 10, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the cooling, at least partial, of the decoration-forming deposit after the step of applying the decoration-forming deposit to the transfer unit. Clause 10. The method of clause 9, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the transfer of the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article when the transfer unit is in the second angular position to provide a decorated article. Clause 11. The method of clause 10, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, where the ink solution includes a flexographic ink. Clause 12. The method of clause 11, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink having monomers and oligomers. Clause 13. The method of clause 11, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the flexographic ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the heating step and the heating step is set to reduce the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP. Clause 14. The method of clause 13, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the flexographic ink heating step includes heating the flexographic ink to at least 75 °C. Clause 15. The method of clause 10, or any other appropriate clause. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 88 / 104 15 / 19 or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the transfer unit includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor. Clause 16. The method of clause 15, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the conductive material forming the transfer unit includes silicon charged with aluminum. Clause 17. The method of clause 10, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the cooling step includes actively cooling the decoration-forming deposit by blowing air over the decoration-forming deposit. Clause 18. The method of clause 17, any other suitable clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the transfer unit includes a conductive material and the cooling step additionally includes extracting heat from the decoration forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor using the transfer unit. Clause 19. The method of clause 10, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink having monomers and oligomers. Clause 20. The method of clause 19, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the oligomeric ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the heating step and the heating step is configured to reduce the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP. Clause 21. The method of clause 20, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the heating step of the oligomeric ink includes heating the oligomeric ink to at least 75 °C. Clause 22. The method of clause 21, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, where the transfer unit Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 89 / 104 16 / 19 includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, by providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration-forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor to increase the viscosity of the decoration-forming deposit above 100 cP before the decoration-forming deposit is transferred to the polymeric article. Clause 23. The method of clause 22, any other suitable clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, which further comprises a step of returning the transfer unit to the first angular position and applying a second dose of fully heated ink solution to the transfer unit after transferring the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article. Clause 24. A method of digital printing on a polymeric article, wherein the method comprises providing a carrier and a transfer unit coupled to the carrier. Clause 25. The method of clause 24, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the supply of an ink solution in a storage container. Clause 26. The method of clause 25, any other suitable clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, including decreasing the viscosity of the paint solution in the storage container to provide a diluted paint solution. Clause 27. The method of clause 26, any other suitable clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, including the transfer of the diluted ink solution from the storage container to an inkjet printhead. Clause 28. The method of clause 27, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the discharge of the diluted paint solution into the transfer unit to provide a decoration-forming deposit in the transfer unit. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 90-104 17 / 19 Clause 29. The method of clause 28, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including moving the carrier, the transfer unit and the decoration forming depot from a first position to a second position. Clause 30. The method of clause 29, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the cooling, at least partial, of the decoration-forming deposit after the step of applying the decoration-forming deposit to the transfer unit. Clause 31. The method of clause 30, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including the transfer of the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article when the transfer unit is in the second position. Clause 32. The method of clause 31, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, where the ink solution includes a flexographic ink. Clause 33. The method of clause 32, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink having monomers and oligomers. Clause 34. The method of clause 32, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the flexographic ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the ink solution viscosity reduction step and the ink solution viscosity reduction step is configured to reduce the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP. Clause 35. The method of clause 34, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the step of reducing the viscosity of the flexographic ink includes heating the flexographic ink to at least 75 °C. Clause 36. The method of clause 31, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, where the transfer unit Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 91-104 18 / 19 includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration-forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor. Clause 37. The method of clause 31, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the cooling step includes actively cooling the decoration-forming deposit by blowing air over the decoration-forming deposit. Clause 38. The method of clause 31, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink having monomers and oligomers. Clause 39. The method of clause 38, any other suitable clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the oligomeric ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the ink solution viscosity reduction step, and the ink solution viscosity reduction step is configured to reduce the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP. Clause 40. The method of clause 39, any other suitable clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the step of decreasing the viscosity of the oligomeric ink solution includes heating the oligomeric ink to at least 75 °C. Clause 41. The method of clause 40, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the transfer unit includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, by providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration-forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor to increase the viscosity of the decoration-forming deposit above 100 cP before the decoration-forming deposit is transferred to the polymeric article. Clause 42. The method of clause 41, any other suitable clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, which additionally comprises a step of returning the transfer unit to the first position and applying Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 92-104 19 / 19 a second dose of diluted ink solution in the transfer unit after transferring the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 93 / 104

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. A method of digital printing on a polymeric article, the method being characterized by comprising the steps of: providing a rotating conveyor including a support wheel and a transfer unit coupled to the support wheel for rotation around a geometric axis with the support wheel, providing an ink solution in a storage container, preheating the ink solution in the storage container to provide a preheated ink solution, transferring the preheated ink solution from the storage container to an inkjet printhead, heating the preheated ink solution in the inkjet printhead to provide a fully heated ink solution, discharging the fully heated ink solution into the transfer unit to provide a decoration-forming deposit in a first angular position around the geometric axis, rotating the rotating conveyor,The transfer unit and the decoration-forming deposit rotate around the geometric axis from the first angular position to a second angular position, cool the decoration-forming deposit at least partially after the step of applying the decoration-forming deposit to the transfer unit, and transfer the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article when the transfer unit is in the second angular position to provide a decorated article.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink solution includes a flexographic ink.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink that has monomers and oligomers. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 94 / 104 2 / 5 4. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexographic ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the heating step and in that the heating step is configured to reduce the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the flexographic ink heating step includes heating the flexographic ink to at least 75 °C.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer unit includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the conductive material forming the transfer unit includes silicon charged with aluminum.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling step includes actively cooling the decoration-forming deposit by blowing air onto the decoration-forming deposit.

9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the transfer unit includes a conductive material and the cooling step additionally includes extracting heat from the decoration-forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor using the transfer unit.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink having monomers and oligomers, wherein the oligomeric ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the heating step and the heating step is configured to decrease the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP, wherein the heating step of the oligomeric ink includes heating the oligomeric ink to at least 75 °C, and wherein the transfer unit includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration-forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor to increase the viscosity of the decoration-forming deposit above 100 cP before the decoration-forming deposit is transferred to the polymeric article.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized by further comprising a step of returning the transfer unit to the first angular position and applying a second dose of fully heated ink solution to the transfer unit after transferring the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article.

12. A digital printing method on a polymeric article, the method being characterized by comprising the steps of providing a carrier and a transfer unit coupled to the carrier, providing an ink solution in a storage container, decreasing the viscosity of the ink solution in the storage container to provide a diluted ink solution, transferring the diluted ink solution from the storage container to an inkjet print head, discharging the diluted ink solution into the transfer unit to provide a decoration-forming deposit in the transfer unit, moving the carrier, the transfer unit and the decoration-forming deposit from a first position to a second position, cooling, at least partially, the decoration-forming deposit after the step of applying the decoration-forming deposit in the transfer unit,and transfer the decoration forming tank from the transfer unit to the polymeric article when the transfer unit is in the second position.

13. Method, according to claim 12, characterized by Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 96 / 104 4 / 5 ink solution including a flexographic ink.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink having monomers and oligomers.

15. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the flexographic ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the viscosity reduction step of the ink solution, and the viscosity reduction step of the ink solution is configured to reduce the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of decreasing the viscosity of the flexographic ink includes heating the flexographic ink to at least 75 °C.

17. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the transfer unit includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor.

18. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the cooling step includes actively cooling the decoration-forming deposit by blowing air onto the decoration-forming deposit.

19. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the ink solution includes an oligomeric ink having monomers and oligomers, wherein the oligomeric ink has a viscosity above 100 cP before the ink solution viscosity decrease step and the ink solution viscosity decrease step is configured to decrease the viscosity of the flexographic ink to below 100 cP, wherein the oligomeric ink solution viscosity decrease step includes heating the oligomeric ink to at least 75 °C, and wherein the transfer unit includes a conductive material to cause the cooling step, providing a heat sink that extracts heat from the decoration-forming deposit towards the rotating conveyor to increase Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p.97 / 104 5 / 5 the viscosity of the decoration-forming deposit above 100 cP before the decoration-forming deposit is transferred to the polymeric article.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized by further comprising a step of returning the transfer unit to the first position and applying a second dose of diluted ink solution to the transfer unit after transferring the decoration-forming deposit from the transfer unit to the polymeric article. Petition 870250084189, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 98 / 104

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