Apparatus for printing on conical objects

Abstract

A printing apparatus is disclosed for printing on an outer surface of conical objects. The apparatus employs an offset printing process in which an ink image is deposited onto the outer release surface of an intermediate transfer member (ITM) (30) having the form of a flexible endless belt. After drying of the ink image on the ITM (30), the ITM (30) transports the dried ink image to an impressionstation having a nip at which the ink image is transferred onto the surface of the objects. An object transport system (14) transports the conical objects to the impression station and rotates each conical object about its own longitudinal axis during passage through the impression station. In order to permit printing on conical objects, the ITM (30) is elastically deformable at least in the direction of movement of the ITM (30), and is guided in such a manner as to be elongated during passage through the impression station, the extent of elongation varying across the width of the ITM (30) soas to match the surface velocity of the ITM (30) to that of the object over the entire area of contact between the ITM (30) and the object at the nip.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device for printing on three-dimensional (3D) objects. In particular the device is suitable for printing onto the outer surface of conical objects of circular cross-section but tapering diameter, such as conical cups. Background technique [0002] It is often desirable to provide printed material on three-dimensional items. While this can be accomplished by adhering a pre-printed label or shrinking a pre-printed sleeve on or around the target item, it is often preferred to print directly onto the outer surface of the item. [0003] This process is common in the packaging industry for a variety of containers, from relatively rigid cans made of metal or plastic materials (such as beverage cans, aerosol cans, cigar tubes, wine bottle caps, caulk tubes, etc. ) to relatively flexible containers (such as toothpaste tubes, yogurt cups, margarine tubs, drinking glasses, etc.), and lids for these containers. [0004] Metal cans are...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0017] However, indexing systems have two major disadvantages

The first downside is processing speed

Indexed container decorating systems are limited, as a practical matter, to approximately 600 containers per minute due to the high accelerations and decelerations required to index the mandrel at high speeds

A second disadvantage is that, regardless of the defined throughput speed, the printing process itself must run at disproportionately high linear speeds

This sliding contact during the transfer process not only blurs the image, resulting in poor print quality, but also wears down the surface of the blanket, shortening its lifespan

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