DEVICE FOR PRINTING ON A Spherical Object

Abstract

Device (100) for printing on a spherical object (114), comprising: a printhead (108), at least two wheels (102), each of the at least two wheels (102) rotating about a single axis, at least one ball holder (104) coupled to a mechanical arm (106), wherein the at least one ball holder (104) rotates 360 degrees and is positioned to secure the spherical object (114) to the at least two wheels (102), and a control (112) in communication with the printhead (108) and the at least two wheels (102) to guide the spherical object (114) via the at least two wheels (102) into a position for printing via the printhead (108), wherein the at least two wheels (102) each comprise a stack of two disks (208, 210), wherein an enclosure of each of the two disks (208, 210) comprises a plurality of cylindrical rollers (202) and a plurality of connecting pieces (204), wherein the plurality of cylindrical rollers (202) and the plurality of connecting pieces (204) are arranged in an alternating sequence of a cylindrical roller (202) and a connecting piece (204).

Description

[0001] Current printing devices allow printing on cylindrical objects such as bottles and cans. For example, a path of rollers can be used to rotate the cylindrical objects under a print head to print labels or text onto the cylindrical objects.

[0002] Spherical objects pose a challenge. Some printing devices allow printing on smaller spherical objects, such as golf balls, and use a suction arm, providing only a single axis of rotation. For example, the suction arm can rotate the golf ball around a single axis while printing an image or text onto the golf ball.

[0003] Another example of a printing press for spherical objects is a Heidelberg Jetmaster. However, these printing devices require six vector components to guide the print head around the spherical object. Having a large number of vector components results in many mechanical parts and drives that can fail, as well as additional complexity for the motion control, control scheme, and the like.

[0004] Document US 9 504 881 B2 relates to an apparatus and method for marking a spherical golf ball component, comprising: at least one rotation support; at least one spherical golf ball component having a center and an outer surface; each spherical golf ball component being mountable on the rotation support such that the spherical golf ball component is rotatable in any direction about its center; and at least one marking arm that marks the outer surface while the spherical golf ball component rotates.

[0005] According to aspects illustrated herein, an apparatus for printing on a spherical object is provided. A disclosed feature of embodiments is an apparatus including: a printhead, at least two wheels, each of the at least two wheels rotating about a single axis, at least one ball holder coupled to a mechanical arm, the at least one ball holder rotating 360 degrees and positioned to secure the spherical object to the at least two wheels, and a controller in communication with the printhead and the at least two wheels to guide the spherical object over the at least two wheels into a position for printing via the printhead.The at least two wheels each comprise a stack of two discs, wherein a perimeter of each of the two discs comprises a plurality of cylindrical rollers and a plurality of connecting pieces, wherein the plurality of cylindrical rollers and the plurality of connecting pieces are arranged in an alternating sequence of a cylindrical roller and a connecting piece.

[0006] The teachings of the present disclosure will be readily understood from consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary device of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 an exemplary wheel; Fig. 3 an exemplary block diagram of the axis of rotation of the wheels; Fig. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for printing on a spherical object, which is not part of the invention, and Fig. 5 is an exemplary high-level block diagram of a computer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein.

[0007] To facilitate understanding, identical reference symbols have been used, where possible, to identify identical elements common to all figures.

[0008] The present disclosure generally discloses an apparatus for printing on a spherical object. As discussed above, printing on spherical objects presents challenges. Some printing apparatuses allow printing on smaller spherical objects, such as golf balls, and utilize a suction arm, providing only a single axis of rotation. For example, the suction arm can rotate the golf ball about a single axis while printing an image or text on the golf ball.

[0009] Another example of a printing press for spherical objects is a Heidelberg Jetmaster. However, these printing devices require six vector components to guide the print head around the spherical object. Having a large number of vector components results in many mechanical parts and drives that can fail, as well as additional complexity for the motion control, control scheme, and the like.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device that uses multiple wheels that can guide the spherical object in all directions. In other words, the wheels can rotate or move the spherical object in all 360 degrees. The device can use a stationary print head while allowing the wheels to rotate the spherical object using two vector components.

[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary device 100 of the present disclosure. In the embodiment, the device 100 includes at least two wheels 102, one or two ball mounts 104 (also referred to as a spherical caster or spherical mount) coupled to a mechanical arm 106, a print head 108, and optionally a registration module 110. In one embodiment, the wheels 102 may be angled relative to each other and to opposite sides of a spherical object 114. The wheels 102 may each be coupled to an axle 120, which is then coupled to one or more drives 122.

[0012] In one embodiment, the ball holder 104 rotates 360 degrees on the mechanical arm 106. In one embodiment, the mechanical arm 106 may be spring-loaded to pull the ball holder 104 downward. As a result, when the spherical object 114 is placed on the wheels 102, the ball holder 104 may press downward against the spherical object 114 to hold the spherical object 114 in position on the wheels 102. As a result, the spherical object 114 is held in position by the ball holder 104 while the wheels 102 guide, move, or rotate the spherical object 114 during printing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the printhead 108 may deliver a printing fluid onto the spherical object 114. For example, the printing fluid may be an ink or other fluid for displaying text, an image, a design, or the like on the spherical object 114.

[0014] In one embodiment, the registration module 110 can be used to detect an origin of the spherical object 114. For example, to ensure that the image is correctly mapped onto the spherical object 114 and printed correctly, an origin or starting point may need to be identified. In one embodiment, the registration module 110 can include a video camera (e.g., a red-green-blue (RGB), black / white, infrared camera, and the like) to scan the spherical object 114 for a unique identifier. For example, the identifier can be a valve in a ball. In another embodiment, the spherical object 114 can be marked with a dot or other inconspicuous marking before being placed into the apparatus 100. The registration module 100 can detect the valve or marker and set this point as the origin.

[0015] In another embodiment, the register module 110 may be pressure-sensitive or mechanical. For example, a needle 118 may be inserted into the valve for detection by the register module 110 based on a physical connection to the needle 118. The needle 118 may be recognized as the origin for the spherical object 114.

[0016] In one embodiment, device 100 may also include a controller 112. Controller 112 may be deployed as a processor and as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executed by a processor. In one embodiment, controller 112 may receive an image of spherical object 114 and an image (e.g., text, design, graphic, logo, illustration, and the like) to be printed on spherical object 114.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller 112 may communicate with and control the operation of the drive 122, the mechanical arm 106, the print head 108, and the registration module 110. For example, after the controller 112 receives the image of the spherical object 114 and the image to be printed, the controller 112 may release the mechanical arm 106 so that the mechanical arm 106 is moved to an open position shown by dashed lines 126 (shown by an arrow 129). The mechanical arm 106 may be spring-loaded or mechanically driven. In another embodiment, the mechanical arm 106 may be manually guided by an operator. In one embodiment, the print head 108 may be moved vertically up and down to provide more clearance for placing the spherical object 114 on the wheels 102 in the apparatus 100.

[0018] The spherical object 114 may be placed on the wheels 102. In one example, the registration module 110 may also be used to detect when the spherical object 114 has been placed on the wheels 102. In another embodiment, an operator may provide input to the controller 112 that the spherical object 114 has been placed in the device 100 and on the wheels 102.

[0019] When the spherical object 114 is detected as being on the wheels 102, the controller 112 may engage the mechanical arm 106 so that the ball holder 104 presses against the spherical object 114. In another embodiment, an operator may guide the mechanical arm 106 into a closed position on the spherical object 114. The ball holder 104 at the end of the mechanical arm 104 may be used to hold the spherical object 114 in place during printing. Although in Fig. 1 illustrates two ball holders 104, it should be noted that any number of ball holders 104 (fewer or more) may be used in the device 100.

[0020] The controller 112 can then actuate the drive 122 to rotate one or more of the wheels 102. With the rotation of one or more of the wheels 102, the spherical object 114 can be rotated to allow the registration module 110 to locate the origin (e.g., a valve, a spot, a mark, the needle 118, or the like). Once the origin is detected, the controller 112 can then control the drive 122 and the printhead 108 to print the image onto the spherical object 114. For example, actuating the printhead 108 can include controlling when and how much printing fluid is dispensed.

[0021] The controller 112 may control the actuation of the wheels 102 to guide, rotate, or move the spherical object 114 into a position to receive the printing fluid from the print head 108. In one example, the print head 108 may be stationary along an x-axis and a y-axis, and the controller 112 may control the drive 122 to rotate one or more of the axle 120 and the wheels 102. However, as noted above, the print head 108 may be moved vertically up and down to allow the print head to move closer to or clear of the spherical object 114 as the spherical object 114 is placed on the wheels 102 inside the device 100.

[0022] It is noteworthy that all 360 degrees of the spherical object 114 can be printed with the print head 108 using only two vector components. For example, a first wheel 102 can rotate in one direction, and a second wheel 102 can rotate in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of the first wheel 102. As a result, even if the print head 108 is in a fixed position, the spherical object 114 can be guided by the wheels 102 such that any surface of the spherical object 114 is printed in all directions over 360 degrees.

[0023] In one embodiment, the design of the wheels 102 may allow the spherical object 114 to be guided for two-dimensional printing. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a more detailed view of the wheels 102.

[0024] In the embodiment, each wheel 102 has a stack of two discs 208 and 210. Each disc 208 and 210 may include an opening 212 that is coupled to an axle, rod, or the like, which is then coupled to the drive 122.

[0025] In one embodiment, each wheel 102 includes a casing consisting of a plurality of cylindrical rollers 202 and a plurality of connectors 204. In one embodiment, the connectors 204 may be made of a metal and may be metal connectors. In one embodiment, the cylindrical rollers 202 may be made of plastic with a urethane coating. In another embodiment, the cylindrical rollers 202 may be made of a rubber material.

[0026] In one embodiment, the perimeter, outer rim, or circumference of each wheel 102 may include an alternating sequence of cylindrical rollers 202 and connectors 204. In other words, the outer ring of each wheel 102 may be made from a cylindrical roller 202 connected to a metal connector 204, which in turn is connected to another cylindrical roller 202, which in turn is connected to another metal connector 204, and so on, until the outer ring is complete.

[0027] In one embodiment, the disks 208 and 210 may be stacked such that the corresponding peripheries of the disks 208 and 210 are offset from one another. In other words, each cylindrical roller 202 of the disk 208 would be adjacent to a connector 204 of the disk 210. Furthermore, each connector 204 of the disk 208 would be adjacent to a cylindrical roller 202 of the disk 210. In other words, the disks 208 and 210 may be stacked in any staggered arrangement, as long as the cylindrical rollers 202 of the disks 208 and 210 are not aligned and the connectors 204 of the disks 208 and 210 are not aligned. The staggered position of the disks 208 and 210 may ensure that at least one of the cylindrical rollers 202 is always in contact with the spherical object 114.

[0028] In one embodiment, the cylindrical rollers 202 may be constructed to "grip" the spherical object 114 when the wheel 102 rotates. Furthermore, the cylindrical rollers 202 may be constructed to rotate in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the opposing wheel 102 when the corresponding wheel 102 is stationary. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an example of this relationship.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of two wheels 1021 and 1022. In one embodiment, wheel 1021 can rotate about a single rotation axis 302, and wheel 1022 can rotate about a single rotation axis 306. Using these two rotation axes 302 and 306, the spherical object 114 can be rotated, moved, or guided to any position over 360 degrees.

[0030] In one embodiment, the cylindrical rollers 202 may be constructed such that a cylindrical roller 202 in contact with the spherical object 114 rotates about an axis perpendicular to the rotational axis 302 or 306 of the corresponding wheel 1021 or 1022. For example, the rotational axis of the cylindrical roller 2021 of the disc 210 of the wheel 1021 would extend into the document page and be perpendicular to the rotational axis 302. Similarly, the rotational axis of the cylindrical roller 2021 of the disc 210 of the wheel 1022 would extend into the document page and be perpendicular to the rotational axis 306.

[0031] In other words, the cylindrical roller 2021 of the disc 210 of the wheel 1021, which is in contact with the spherical object 114, can rotate in a direction 304 perpendicular to the rotation axis 306 of the wheel 1022. Similarly, the cylindrical roller 2021 of the disc 210 of the wheel 1022, which is in contact with the spherical object 114, can rotate in a direction 308 perpendicular to the rotation axis 302 of the wheel 1021.

[0032] In still other words, the cylindrical roller 2021 of the disc 210 of the wheel 1021, which is in contact with the spherical object 114, can rotate in a direction 304 parallel to the rotation axis 302 of the wheel 1021. Similarly, the cylindrical roller 2021 of the disc 210 of the wheel 1022, which is in contact with the spherical object 114, can rotate in a direction 308 parallel to the rotation axis 306 of the wheel 1022. Consequently, the design of the wheels 1021 and 1022 allows the spherical object 114 to be guided in any direction over 360 degrees.

[0033] It should be noted that Fig. 3 illustrates a single example of the positioning of wheels 1021 and 1022. However, wheels 1021 and 1022 may be positioned anywhere around spherical object 114, as long as wheels 1021 and 1022 can support spherical object 114 and maintain the relationships to each other described above.

[0034] It should be noted that the characteristics of the Fig. 1-3 are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, some features, such as the wheels 102, may be drawn larger to illustrate the details of the wheels 102. For example, the wheels 102 may be one-half to one-third smaller relative to the spherical object 114.

[0035] Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 for printing on a spherical object, which is not part of the invention. Here, one or more steps or operations of the method 400 may be performed by the device 100 (e.g., the controller 112) and / or by a computer, as shown in Fig. 5 and described below.

[0036] At block 402, method 400 begins. At block 404, method 400 receives an image to be printed on a spherical object. For example, a graphic illustration tool, a computer-assisted drafting (CAD) tool, and the like may be used to design an image (e.g., text, a graphic, a design, a logo, a representation, and the like) to be printed two-dimensionally on the spherical object. The image may be received from a controller of the device used to print on the spherical object.

[0037] An image of the spherical object can also be received. The image can be mapped based on an origin or starting point on the spherical object. The spherical object can be scanned to detect the origin, allowing the image to be aligned on the spherical object according to the image.

[0038] At block 406, method 400 releases at least one mechanical arm with a ball holder that rotates 360 degrees. For example, the mechanical arm can be moved to an open position so that the mechanical arm is out of the way. The print head can also be moved vertically upward to provide more clearance, depending on the size of the spherical object.

[0039] In block 408, method 400 detects that the spherical object is positioned on at least two wheels. For example, an operator may place the spherical object on the at least two wheels. A sensor (e.g., the registration module described above) may detect that the spherical object has been positioned on the at least two wheels. The detection may be based on input received from the operator. For example, a button may be pressed, sending a signal to the controller that the spherical object is in position and ready for printing.

[0040] In block 410, method 400 engages the at least one mechanical arm with the ball retainer to secure the spherical object to the at least two wheels. For example, the mechanical arm may be spring-loaded or have a mechanical actuator controlled by the controller. The mechanical arm may be moved to a closed position so that the ball retainer at the end of the mechanical arm rests against the spherical object. The force of the spring-loaded arm or the mechanical actuator may press the spherical object against the two wheels with sufficient force or pressure to ensure that the spherical object is secured during printing.

[0041] The use of a spring-loaded mechanical arm or a mechanical drive allows for the printing of a variety of spherical objects of different sizes. For example, the movement of the mechanical arm can be flexible enough to adapt to a spherical object of any size.

[0042] At block 412, the method 400 rotates the at least two wheels to guide the spherical object so that a stationary print head can print the image onto the spherical object. Once the spherical object is secured, the controller may control the at least two wheels via a drive coupled to the wheels. For example, the controller may rotate one or more of the wheels to rotate, guide, or move the spherical object into many different positions to print the image onto the spherical object.

[0043] The spherical object can be guided such that the at least two wheels and the ball holder do not touch any recently printed ink to prevent smearing. For example, the controller can know which images were recently printed and the location of the spherical object's positioning on the wheels based on the identified origin. A condition can be set so that the wheels do not roll over a recently printed image until a certain time, t, has elapsed (e.g., in seconds).

[0044] After printing is complete, the mechanical arm can be released and the spherical object can be removed. The spherical object can be left inside the device for a specified time (e.g., 1 minute, 1 hour, etc.) to allow the printing fluid to dry before the spherical object is transported to prevent smearing. Method 400 ends at block 414.

[0045] It should be noted that, although not explicitly stated, one or more steps, one or more functions, or one or more operations of the method 400 described above may include a storage, display, and / or output step, as required for a specific application. In other words, all data, records, fields, and / or intermediate results explained in the methods may be stored, displayed, and / or output to another device, as required for a specific application. Furthermore, steps, functions, or operations in Fig. 4, which involve a determination process or a decision, do not necessarily require that both branches of the determination process be executed. In other words, one of the branches of the determination process can be considered an optional step.

[0046] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a high-level block diagram of a computer that can be converted into a machine designed to perform the functions described herein. Consequently, embodiments of the present disclosure enhance the operation and function of the computer to improve traffic shaping in a LAN as disclosed herein.

[0047] As in Fig.5, the computer 500 includes one or more hardware processing elements 502 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or a multi-core processor), a memory 504, e.g., random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM), a module 505 for printing on a spherical object, and various input / output devices 506 (e.g., storage devices including, but not limited to, a tape drive, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, or CD drive), a receiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, a speech synthesizer, an output port, an input port, and a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a microphone, and the like). Although only one processing element is shown, it should be noted that the computer may employ a plurality of processing elements.Furthermore, although only one computer is shown in the figure, if the method(s) discussed above for a specific illustrative example are implemented in a distributed or parallel manner, i.e., the steps of the above method(s) or the entire method(s) are implemented on multiple or parallel computers, then the computer of this figure is intended to represent each of such multiple computers. Furthermore, one or more hardware processors may be used in supporting a virtualized or shared computing environment. The virtualized computing environment may support one or more virtual machines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualized machines, hardware components such as hardware processors and computer-readable storage devices may be virtualized or logically represented.

[0048] It should be noted that the present disclosure may be implemented in software and / or in a combination of software and hardware, e.g., using application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a programmable logic array (PLA), including a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a state machine deployed on a hardware device, a computer, or other hardware equivalents, e.g., computer-readable instructions relating to the method(s) discussed above are used to configure a hardware processor to perform the steps, functions, and / or acts of the methods disclosed above. In one embodiment, instructions and data for the present module or process 505 may be used for printing on a spherical object (e.g.,A hardware processor (e.g., a software program comprising computer-executable instructions) may be loaded into memory 504 and executed by hardware processor element 502 to implement the steps, functions, and operations as discussed above in connection with example method 400. Furthermore, when a hardware processor executes instructions to perform "operations," this may include the hardware processor directly performing the operations and / or causing, directing, or cooperating with another hardware device or component (e.g., a coprocessor or the like) to perform the operations.

[0049] The processor that executes the computer-readable or software instructions related to the method(s) described above may be considered a programmed processor or a specialized processor. Thus, the present module 505 for printing on a spherical object (including the associated data structures) of the present disclosure may be stored on a tangible or physical (generally non-transitory) computer-readable storage device or medium, such as volatile memory, non-volatile memory, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic or optical drive, magnetic or optical device, or floppy disk, and the like.More specifically, the computer-readable storage device may include any physical device that provides the ability to store information, such as data and / or instructions, that is to be accessed by a processor or computing device, such as a computer or application server.

[0050] It will be understood that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereto, may be combined to form many other systems or applications. Various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements thereto, not currently foreseeable or anticipated, may later be made by those skilled in the art and are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Apparatus (100) for printing on a spherical object (114), comprising: a print head (108), at least two wheels (102), each of the at least two wheels (102) rotating about a single axis, at least one ball holder (104) coupled to a mechanical arm (106), wherein the at least one ball holder (104) rotates 360 degrees and is positioned to secure the spherical object (114) to the at least two wheels (102), and a controller (112) in communication with the print head (108) and the at least two wheels (102) to guide the spherical object (114) over the at least two wheels (102) into a position for printing over the print head (108), wherein the at least two wheels (102) each comprise a stack of two discs (208, 210), wherein a perimeter of each of the two discs (208, 210) comprises a plurality of cylindrical rollers (202) and a plurality of connecting pieces (204), wherein the plurality of cylindrical rollers (202) and the plurality of connecting pieces (204) are arranged in an alternating sequence of a cylindrical roller (202) and a connecting piece (204). [2] The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the print head (108) is located at a fixed position along an x-axis and a y-axis. [3] The device (100) of claim 1, wherein the single axis of each of the two wheels (102) is positioned at a different angle. [4] The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least two wheels (102) are rotatable to rotate any surface of the spherical object (114) toward the print head (108) to receive a printing fluid. [5] Apparatus (100) for printing on a spherical object (114) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of cylindrical rollers (202) of a first disc (208) of the stack is adjacent to the plurality of connecting pieces (204) of a second disc (210) of the stack of two discs (208, 210), and the plurality of connecting pieces (204) of the first disc (208) of the stack of two discs (208, 210) is adjacent to the plurality of cylindrical rollers (202) of the second disc (210) of the stack of two discs (208, 210), and the mechanical arm (106) is positioned above the at least two wheels (102), wherein the device (100) further comprises a drive (122) coupled to the at least two wheels (102), and the controller (112) moves the spherical object (114) into a position for printing an image on the spherical object (114) by the print head (108), wherein the spherical object (108) is moved by actuating the at least one drive (122) with the at least two wheels (102). [6] The device (100) of claim 5, further comprising: a registration module (110) that scans the spherical object (114) to detect an origin for imaging the spherical object (114).

Images