Multipole printing system and method

Abstract

A printing system is provided that can include multiple stations for loading an object to be printed into the printing system, printing an indicia on the object, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, and / or removing the object from the printing system. The printing system can also include a transport assembly extending between the stations. The transport assembly can move the object between the stations independently and / or separately.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 438,086, filed January 10, 2023, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 406,206, filed January 7, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The subject matter described herein relates to systems and methods that can print indicia (e.g., text, images, etc.) on objects of various sizes by rotating or otherwise moving the objects about various poles or axes. [Background technology]

[0003] Some objects can be printed by rotating the object about an axis. For example, a golf ball can be printed by rotating it about a first axis, stopping the rotation at different times while a printing device (e.g., a stamp printer) applies ink to the surface of the golf ball, reorienting the golf ball, rotating it about a second axis different from the first axis, stopping the rotation at different times while the printing device applies ink to the surface of the golf ball, and so on. Optionally, the ink can be cured after one or more applications of ink. The golf ball can also be rotated about additional, different axes for additional printing.

[0004] Golf balls can be moved through these types of printing systems via a rotating table or surface. For example, a first orienting station can be at a first location along the perimeter of the table, a first printing station can be at a different second location along the perimeter of the table, a first curing station can be at a different third location along the perimeter of the table, a second orienting station can be at a different fourth location along the perimeter of the table, a second printing station can be at a different fifth location along the perimeter of the table, a second curing station can be at a different sixth location along the perimeter of the table, and so on.

[0005] Orientation stations can change the orientation of golf balls at those stations due to rotation along a different axis than the previous printing operation. Printing stations can print on the golf balls while they are rotating, and curing stations can apply energy (e.g., light and / or heat) to cure the ink. The stations can be stationary, and the golf balls can be coupled to or placed on a table. The table can rotate about a central axis between the various stations, similar to the center of a clock with the stations at different time positions along the circumference of the clock. This rotation allows the golf balls to move between and to different stations. For example, while a first golf ball is at a first orientation station, a second golf ball can be at a first printing station, a third golf ball can be at a first curing station, and so on. Once the orienting, printing, and curing operations at these stations are completed for each golf ball, the table may rotate to move a first golf ball from the first orienting station to the first printing station, a second golf ball from the first printing station to the first curing station, a third golf ball from the first curing station to the second orienting station, and so on. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One problem with these types of table-based printing systems and methods is that slow stations can reduce the overall output of the printing system. For example, a printing station may take longer to print on a golf ball at the printing station than it takes the curing station to complete the ink curing. An orientation station may take longer to reorient the golf ball than it takes to cure the ink in the curing station, but less time than it takes to print on the golf ball at the printing station. However, because the golf balls move simultaneously between stations due to the rotation of the table, golf balls downstream or subsequent to other slower stations (e.g., along the path between stations defined by the table rotation) may be forced to wait until the slower stations complete their processing. For example, a golf ball at a final curing station may be cured but may not be able to be removed from the table (for packaging, inspection, or other post-printing operations) until another golf ball at a slower upstream printing station has been printed.

[0007] There may be a need for a printing system and method that does not have these drawbacks.

[0008] In one example, a printing system is provided that can include multiple stations for loading an object to be printed into the printing system, printing an indicia on the object, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, and / or removing the object from the printing system. The printing system can also include a transport assembly extending between the stations. The transport assembly can move the object between the stations independently and / or separately.

[0009] A method of printing is also provided. The method may include two or more of loading an object to be printed into a printing system, printing indicia on the object, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, and / or removing the object from the printing system. The method may also include independently and / or separately moving the object between stations.

[0010] In another example, a printing system is provided that can include stations configured to do two or more of: loading an object to be printed into the printing system, printing indicia on the object while the object is rotating about different axes, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, or removing the object from the printing system. The printing system can also include a transport assembly extending between the stations. The transport assembly can include a shuttle that independently or separately moves the object between the stations so as to move the object between the stations at different distances, at different speeds, or both different distances and different speeds simultaneously.

[0011] The subject matter of the present invention can be understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a printing system.

[0013] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the printing system illustrated in FIG.

[0014] [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the printing system illustrated in FIG.

[0015] [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of an example method for printing on an object.

[0016] [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the loading station shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0017] [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the printing station shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the printing station shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0019] [Figure 8] FIG. 4 shows an example of the curing station shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0020] [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the inspection station shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0021] [Figure 10] FIG. 4 shows an example of the removal / reorientation station shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0022] [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the take-out station shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0023] [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example of a shuttle.

[0024] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the shuttle shown in FIG. 12.

[0025] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the shuttle shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0026] [Figure 15] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a station of a printing system having a counter support positioned to support the shuttle and counteract forces acting on the shuttle.

[0027] [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a counter support.

[0028] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the counter support shown in FIG. 16.

[0029] [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a manual loading device.

[0030] [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of one example of the gate shown in FIG. 18.

[0031] [Figure 20] 9 shows another example of the curing station shown in FIG. 8.

[0032] [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the printing system shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0033] [Figure 22] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a sorting station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] One or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein provide printing systems and methods that can avoid or reduce throughput delays experienced by some known printing systems and methods. In contrast to using a rotary table to simultaneously move objects to be printed between different stations, one or more embodiments of the inventive printing systems and methods can independently and / or separately move objects between different stations. For example, printing systems that rely on rotary tables are limited to simultaneously moving several objects between stations (as described above), which can result in constrained object movement, where one object cannot move between stations without other objects also moving between stations. This type of movement involves both a dependency on the movement of other objects (independent object movement is not possible) and the movement of groups of objects (rather than separate objects). The independent and / or separate movement of objects by the inventive printing systems and methods described herein can increase the throughput of objects through the system by allowing faster stations downstream of slower stations to continue processing the objects and moving them outward through the printing system.

[0035] Figure 1 shows an example of a printing system 100. The printing system 100 includes a transport assembly 102 that moves several shuttles (shown in Figures 2 and 3) around the printing system 100 between various stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 2200 (shown in Figure 22) for printing on objects (shown in Figures 2 and 3) at various locations.

[0036] The transport assembly 102 may correspond to one or more conveyors, tracks, etc. that move the shuttle and objects between the different stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 (e.g., under the control of motors or other actuators that are part of the transport assembly 102). Optionally, the shuttle may be self-propelled and move itself along the conveyor, track, path, etc. of the transport assembly 102. In the illustrated example, the transport assembly 102 forms a closed-loop oval racetrack shape. Alternatively, the transport assembly 102 may form another closed-loop shape, such as a circular, ellipsoidal, square, etc. In another example, the transport assembly 102 may be open and not form a closed loop, e.g., having a beginning end where objects are loaded into the shuttle and an opposite end where objects are removed from the printing system 100 after printing is completed. The number and / or arrangement of stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 114 may vary from the example shown in FIG. 1, and / or printing system 100 may not include stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and / or 114.

[0037] The printing system 100 may include a controller 118 that controls the operation of the components of the printing system 100. Optionally, the printing system 100 may include several controllers 118 that control individual ones of the components of the printing system 100 or that control different sets or groups of the components of the printing system 100. The controller(s) 118 may control the operation of the shuttle 200, the stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 2200, etc. The controller(s) 118 may represent hardware circuitry that includes and / or is connected to one or more processors that are internal or external to the shuttle 200 and / or the stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 2200. The controller(s) 118 may be connected to the shuttle 200 and / or stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 2200 via wired and / or wireless connections for communicating control signals and / or receiving sensor or inspection signals.

[0038] Stations 104 (e.g., stations 104A-104D) may correspond to loading stations where objects are loaded into the shuttle. Objects may be manually loaded into the shuttle at loading stations 104 or automatically fed into the shuttle from a hopper or other device. Under command of control signals from controller(s) 118, transport assembly 102 may stop movement of the shuttle at one or more of or each loading station 104 to allow for placement of an object into or onto the shuttle. As shown in FIG. 1 , several loading stations 104 are present among other stations 106, 116 in printing system 100. This may allow objects to be loaded into printing system 100 at various positions or locations along the flow of objects through printing system 100. For example, in one example, an object may be loaded into printing system 100 and transported through all of stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 before being removed from printing system 100. In another example, an object may be loaded into printing system 100 and transported through some (but not all) of stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 before being removed from printing system 100.

[0039] Stations 106, 108 (e.g., stations 106A-106D and stations 108A-108D) may correspond to printing stations that print or otherwise apply indicia to objects. Printing stations 106, 108 may include stamps that apply ink and / or labels to objects by applying pressure and / or heat to form indicia on the objects, and may include inkjet printers, lasers, etc. that form or apply text, images, numbers, etc. After the shuttle holding the object leaves loading station 104, which is upstream of printing station 106, transport assembly 102 moves the shuttle to printing station 106, which is downstream of loading station 104 (e.g., from loading station 104A to printing station 106A, from loading station 104B to printing station 106B, etc.). Printing station 106 may apply indicia to the object. The object may have a non-planar surface on which printing is performed by printing stations 106, 108. For example, the object may be spherical, hemispherical (e.g., a golf ball), cylindrical (e.g., a syringe, can, container, etc.), etc. Optionally, the object may have one or more planar surfaces upon which printing occurs. In one example, printing station 106 may rotate the object about an axis during printing to impart indicia at several different locations around the object. This may be used, for example, to print repeating patterns, arrays, etc. of logos or other indicia on a golf ball or other object.

[0040] Following printing on the object at the print station 106, the transport assembly 102 can move the shuttle to the next downstream print station 108. The print station 108 may impart additional indicia to the object. The print station 108 may rotate the object about an axis during printing to impart indicia at several different locations around the object. The axis about which the object rotates during printing at the print stations 106, 108 may be the same or different. The print stations 106, 108 may print the same or different indicia on the same object, and / or the print stations 106, 108 may print the same or different color inks on the same object. For example, print station 106A may print a first logo or a first portion of a first logo in a first color, and print station 106B may print a different second logo or a different second portion of the first logo in the first color or a different second color. Alternatively, printing system 100 may not include printing station 106 or printing station 108 .

[0041] Following printing on the object at the printing stations 106, 108, the transport assembly 102 can move the shuttle to the next downstream station 110. Station 110 can correspond to a curing station that applies heat or light (e.g., UV light) to cure the indicia imparted on the object by the printing stations 106, 108. For example, after printing ink(s) on the object at printing stations 106C, 108C, curing station 110C can include UV lamps that generate UV light and / or heating elements that generate heat to cure the ink on the object. Optionally, the printing system 100 does not include one or more of the curing stations 110.

[0042] Following curing of the indicia at the curing station 110, the transport assembly 102 can move the shuttle to the next downstream station 112. The station 112 can correspond to an inspection station. The inspection station 112 can inspect the indicia printed and optionally cured on the object. For example, following curing, the shuttle can move the object to the downstream inspection station 112, where a camera, infrared sensor, or the like can inspect the indicia. This inspection can include checking the color, clarity, position, orientation, etc. of the indicia on the object to determine whether the indicia was properly and accurately printed on the object. If the indicia is not properly printed on the object, the inspection station 112 can generate a notification or alert for an operator to reinspect or remove the object, reject the object, instruct the transport assembly 102 to move the object 202 out of the printing system 100, or take another responsive action. The inspection station 112 can output an inspection signal to the controller(s) 118 indicating whether the object 202 is acceptable for proper and accurate printing, or unacceptable for improper or inaccurate printing.

[0043] Following inspection of the object at the inspection station 112, the transport assembly 102 can move the shuttle to the next downstream station 114. Station 114 can correspond to a reorientation station and / or an unloading station. The reorientation station 114 can change the position or orientation of the object. For example, the shuttle can hold the object so that it can be grasped and rotated about or about a first axis by the printing stations 106, 108. The reorientation station 114 can change the orientation of the object so that it can be held on the shuttle and rotated about or about a different second axis at the subsequent or downstream printing station(s) 106, 108.

[0044] Optionally, station 114 may additionally or alternatively correspond to an unloading station 114, where an object may be removed from printing system 100. For example, when printing on an object is completed by printing system 100, the object may be manually removed from the shuttle at station 114, the shuttle may discard or otherwise eject the object at station 114, etc. As another example, when inspection station 112 determines that indicia were not properly printed on the object, the object may be manually removed from the shuttle at station 114, the shuttle may discard or otherwise eject the object at station 114, etc. Optionally, the shuttle holding the object may continue from station 114 (or past station 114) to the next loading station 104, or continue past the next loading station 104 to the next printing station 106.

[0045] The object may be moved by the transport assembly 102 through the various stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 until printing on the object is completed during rotation of the object about or about several different axes. In one example, the object may pass through each of the stations and have operations performed at each during a single pass through the printing system 100. Alternatively, the object may pass through some, but not all, of the stations and have operations performed at those stations. For example, a first object may be loaded into printing system 100 at loading station 104A, printed at printing stations 106A and 108A, have the ink cured at curing station 110A, inspected at inspection station 110A, reoriented at reorientation station 112A, pass through loading station 104B, printed at printing stations 106B and 108B, have the ink cured at curing station 110B, inspected at inspection station 110B, and removed from printing system 100 at reorientation / removal station 112B. A second object may be loaded into printing system 100 at loading station 104C, printed at printing stations 106C and 108C, cured at curing station 110C, inspected at inspection station 110C, reoriented at reorientation station 112C, passed through loading station 104D, printed at printing stations 106D and 108D, cured at curing station 110D, inspected at inspection station 110D, and removed from printing system 100 at reorientation / removal station 112D. The loading, printing, curing, inspection, and / or reorientation of the first and second objects may occur during the same or overlapping time periods, allowing printing system 100 to print on multiple objects while simultaneously rotating the objects.

[0046] In another example, an object is loaded into printing system 100 at loading station 104A, printed at printing stations 106A and 108A, cured at curing station 110A, inspected at inspection station 110A, reoriented at reorientation station 112A, passed through loading station 104B, printed at printing stations 106B and 108B, cured at curing station 110B, inspected at inspection station 110B, and reoriented at reorientation station 112B. The object may be rotated, passed through loading station 104C, printed at printing stations 106C, 108C, cured at curing station 110C, inspected at inspection station 110C, reoriented at reorientation station 112C, passed through loading station 104D, printed at printing stations 106D, 108D, cured at curing station 110D, inspected at inspection station 110D, and removed from printing system 100 at reorientation / removal station 112D. This may allow printing on an object while it is rotated about or around more axes.

[0047] 2 and 3 illustrate additional examples of the printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1. As mentioned above, the transport assembly 102 can include several shuttles 200 that carry, convey, or otherwise move objects 202 through the printing system 100 between the different stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 114. While only a single object 202 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each shuttle 200 may carry a single or multiple objects 202. The shuttles 200 may move along one or more paths 204 defined by tracks, rails, etc. extending between the different stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 2200. As mentioned above, the paths 204 can be closed-loop paths (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) or open-type paths (where the beginning and end of the paths 204 are different).

[0048] Shuttle 200 may include propulsion devices 206 that move shuttle 200 along path 204. Propulsion devices 206 may include electric motors, magnets, etc. that are powered by moving shuttle 200. Propulsion devices 206 and stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 may also include or correspond to communication devices that communicate with each other to coordinate the movement of shuttle 200. For example, shuttle 200 and stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 may include transceivers that wirelessly communicate with each other to command when and where shuttle 200 should move between stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114. Alternatively, shuttle 200 may be pulled or pushed along path 204 by one or more of stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 2200, or by chains, pulleys, cables, etc. controlled by a controller (one or more processors, e.g., microprocessors, integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, etc.) that controls motor(s) that pull and / or push the chains, pulleys, cables, etc.

[0049] The shuttles 200 can move independently and / or separately from one another within the printing system 100. For example, each shuttle 200 can move from one station 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 to another station 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 at a different time, a different speed, or both a different time and a different speed than another shuttle 200 or all other shuttles 200. This allows each shuttle 200 to leave a station 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 in response to the loading, printing, inspection, or reorientation of the object 202 carried by that shuttle 200 being completed at that station 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114. In contrast, some known printing systems that use rotary tables do not allow objects to be moved from one station to another until the process or operation performed at each station is complete.

[0050] For example, Figure 2 shows several shuttles 200A-200Q in different positions within the printing system 100 at a first time. The first shuttle 200A is located at the first loading station 104A to receive a first object 202. The second shuttle 200B is located at the first printing station 106A to print a first indicia on the second object 202 carried by the second shuttle 200B (e.g., printed at a different position on the second object 202 while rotating the second object 202 to a different position about a first axis). The third shuttle 200C is located at the first curing station 110A to cure a first indicia previously printed on the third object 202 carried by the third shuttle 200C. The fourth shuttle 200D is at the first inspection station 112A to inspect a first indicia previously printed on a fourth object 202 and cured at the first curing station 110A. The fifth shuttle 200E is at the second loading station 104B to receive the fifth object 202 or to wait for an operation to be completed on the object 202 held by shuttles 200F-200Q ahead of the fifth shuttle 200E. The sixth shuttle 200F is at the printing station 106B to print a second or third indicia on the sixth object 202 carried by the sixth shuttle 200F. The sixth object 202 may have a first indicia printed on it at the printing station 106A, a second indicia printed on it at the printing station 108A, and a third indicia printed on it at the printing station 106B.

[0051] The seventh shuttle 200G is at the curing station 110B to cure indicia printed on the object 202 transported by the seventh shuttle 200G at the printing stations 106B and / or 108B. The eighth shuttle 200H is at the inspection station 112B to inspect indicia printed on the object 202 transported by the seventh shuttle 200G at the printing stations 106B and / or 108B. The ninth shuttle 200i may move the ninth object 202 from the reorientation / removal station 114B to the printing station 106C. The ninth object 202 may have been reoriented at the reorientation / removal station 114B (as described above) for printing about or during rotation around a different axis at the printing stations 106C and / or 108D. Alternatively, the ninth shuttle 200i may move the ninth object 202 from the reorientation / removal station 114B to the printing station 106C. The ninth object 202 may be reoriented at the reorientation / removal station 114B (as described above) for printing during rotation about or about a different axis at the printing stations 106C and / or 108D. Alternatively, the ninth shuttle 200i may remove one object 202 at the removal station 114B and receive another object 202 at the loading station 104C.

[0052] A tenth shuttle 200J is positioned at print station 106C to print indicia on a tenth object 202. This tenth object 202 may be being printed on at print stations 106A, 108A, 106B, and / or 108B, or may be loaded onto shuttle 200J at loading station 104C and not being printed on by printing system 100. An eleventh shuttle 200K is positioned at print station 108C to print indicia on an eleventh object 202. This eleventh object 202 may be being printed on at print stations 106A, 108A, 106B, 108B, and / or 106C, or may be loaded onto shuttle 200K at loading station 104C and not being printed on by print stations 106A, 108A, 106B, 108B. Additional shuttles 200 and objects 202 may be at other stations, as shown in FIG.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows shuttles 200A-200Q in different positions within printing system 100 at a second, later point in time. As illustrated by a comparison between FIGS. 2 and 3, different shuttles 200 may have moved different distances due to their independent and / or separate movements within printing system 100. For example, shuttle 200Q may have moved from redirection / removal station 114D (where the object 202 carried by shuttle 200Q has been removed or reoriented) to a position upstream of loading station 104A (where another object 202 can be loaded onto shuttle 200Q). Shuttle 200D may have moved to removal / reorientation station 114A, shuttle 200H may have moved from inspection station 110B to removal / reorientation station 114B, and so on. However, shuttle 200A may still be at loading station 104A, shuttle 200B may still be at printing station 106A, shuttle 200C may still be at curing station 110A, and so on.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of one example method 400 for printing on an object. Method 400 may correspond to operations performed by one or more embodiments of printing system 100 described herein. At 402, an object is loaded onto or into a shuttle, which transports the object between different stations in the printing system. At 404, the shuttle independently and / or separately transports or moves the object to different stations in the printing system. At 406, processing is performed on the object at the stations. For example, the object may be loaded onto the shuttle at a loading station, printed on the object by a printing station, the printed indicia on the object may be cured at a curing station, the printed and cured indicia may be inspected, the object may be reoriented, and / or the object may be removed from the printing system at a different station. Flow of method 400 may return to 404, where the shuttle again independently and / or separately moves the object to a different station. Method 400 may continue as objects are removed from the printing system and / or as additional objects are loaded into the printing system. Alternatively, the method 400 may end.

[0055] This independent and / or separate movement of the shuttle 200 and the objects 202 through the printing system 100 can avoid or reduce throughput delays experienced by other printing systems and methods. In contrast to using a rotary table to simultaneously move the objects to be printed between different stations, the printing system 100 can independently and / or separately move the objects 202 between the different stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114. The independent and / or separate movement of the objects 202 through the printing system 100 can increase the throughput of the objects 200 through the printing system 100, with faster stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 downstream from slower stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 to further process the objects 202 and continue to move the objects 202 outward through the printing system 100. For example, if the time required for the printing stations 106, 108 to complete printing on the object 202 is longer than the time required to cure the indicia at the curing station 110, the time required to inspect the indicia at the inspection station 112, and / or the time required to remove / reorient the object 202 at the removal / reorientation station 114, the shuttle 200 downstream of the slower printing stations 106, 108 may continue to move the object 202 to and through the faster stations 110, 112, 114. This prevents a situation in which an object 202 that has completed printing, curing, and inspection must wait to be removed from the printing system 100 while other objects 202 are being printed on or otherwise processed. This may increase the throughput of the printing system 100 compared to other known printing systems described herein by increasing the rate at which objects 202 can be input and output by the printing system 100.

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates one example of the loading station 104 shown in FIGS. 1-3 . The loading station 104 may include a first or angled chute or conduit 500 that receives a supply of objects 202. For example, a group of objects 202 may be loaded into the chute or conduit 500. The chute or conduit 500 is angled so that the objects 202 move toward a second or vertical chute or conduit 502. A holding area 504 is at the end of the vertical chute or conduit 502, such that one of the objects 202 is placed in the holding area 504 while additional objects 202 are in the vertical chute or conduit 502 and, optionally, the angled chute or conduit 500. A retractable protrusion 506 may be raised to hold the objects 202 in the holding area 506 and may be retracted to release the objects 202 in the holding area 506 into the shuttle or carriage 200.

[0057] The protrusion 506 may be moved by a motor 508 controlled by a controller 510. The controller 510 may represent hardware circuitry including and / or coupled to one or more processors (e.g., integrated circuits, microprocessors, field programmable arrays, etc.) that control the operation of the motor 508, the loading station 104, and / or one or more additional stations. Once an object 202 in the holding area 506 is released into the carriage or shuttle 200, the next object 202 in the vertical chute or conduit 504 may move (e.g., drop) into the holding area 504. The carriage or shuttle 200 may move to a position at or near the location of this protrusion 506 to receive the object 202 before moving to the next station.

[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates one example of the print station 106 shown in FIGS. 1-3. A shuttle or carriage 200 holding an object 202 can move the object 202 into a loading zone 600. A motorized arm 602 can engage a rotatable wheel 618 having an end 620 shaped to engage the object 202. For example, the end 620 can have a shape complementary to the object 202. If the object 202 is a ball or sphere (e.g., a golf ball), the end 620 can have a spherical, concave shape. The motorized arm 602 can extend to engage the wheel 618 to move (e.g., push) the object 202 from the loading zone 600 into a print zone 604, where the object 202 is held by the arm 602 against a rotatable body or working portion 606. The arm 602 is coupled to a motor 608 that can rotate the arm 602 and the object 202. The motor 608 may be under the control of the controller 510 or another controller. A print carousel 610 may hold several print pads 612 that hold ink (or labels). The print pads 612 may press against plates 622 on another motorized carousel 624. Each plate 622 may hold a different color of ink, or two or more plates 622 may hold the same color. A motorized arm 626 holds an ink cup and may move back and forth across the plates 622 to apply ink from the ink cup to the plates 622 in a pad printing process. The pads 612 may press against the plates 622 to pick up ink, which is then transferred to the object 202 in the pad printing process. While five pads 612 and five plates 622 are shown, fewer or more pads 612 and / or plates 622 may alternatively be provided. For example, six pads 612 and six plates 622 may be used to apply up to six different colored inks (as shown in FIG. 7) onto the object 202. The carousel 610 can rotate on or about a print axis 614 to print different ones of the pads 612 above the object 202.

[0059] The motor 608 rotates the arm 602, thereby rotating the wheel 618, which can rotate the object 202 about or around a different axis of rotation 616. The motor 608 can stop the rotation of the object 202, and the pad 612 currently over the object 202 can lower to transfer ink or label onto the surface of the object 202. The motor 608 then rotates the arm 602 again, which can rotate the object 202 to a different position about or around the axis of rotation 616. The carousel 610 may rotate to move another pad 612 into position above the object 202. This pad 612 now over the object 202 can lower to transfer ink or label onto the surface of the object 202, and this process can be repeated until printing on the object 202 by this station 106 is complete. The arm 602 can then retract from the position shown in FIG. 6, returning the object 202 to the carriage or shuttle 200 for movement to the next station.

[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates one example of the print station 108 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The print station 108 may include a holding receptacle 700 that holds the object 202 as it is transferred from the carriage or shuttle 200. Alternatively, the object 202 may remain held within the carriage or shuttle 200 while the print station 108 prints on the object 202. The print station 108 includes a laterally and vertically movable print pad 612 that can move in opposing lateral directions 702, 704 and opposing vertical directions 706, 708. The pad 612 may move under the control of one or more motors and a controller that may be the same as or different from the controller 510. During printing, the pad 612 may move laterally to be positioned above the object 202, and then move downward toward the object 202 to apply ink or a label thereon. The pad 612 may then be moved vertically away from the object 202 and / or moved laterally away from the object 202. The object 202 may then be taken to another station by the carriage or shuttle 200.

[0061] FIG. 8 illustrates one example of the curing station 110 shown in FIGS. 1-3 . The curing station 110 can include a curing zone 800 into which a shuttle or carriage 200 moves with an object 202. Alternatively, the object 202 can be transferred from the shuttle or carriage 200 into the curing zone 800. An energy source 802 (e.g., a lamp that generates UV light, a resistive element that generates heat, etc.) can direct energy into the curing zone 800 and onto the object 202 to cure the ink or label on the object 202. The curing zone 800 can be at least partially surrounded by a wall 804 to protect personnel, equipment, etc. outside the curing zone 800 from the energy generated by the energy source 802. Alternatively, the wall 804 can completely surround the object 202 and the energy source 802 to prevent energy from the energy source 802 from escaping the station 110. For example, FIG. 20 shows another example of a curing station 110 in which the walls 804 are larger to completely enclose the curing region 800 and prevent energy from being directed outside the curing station 110. There are no gaps (within manufacturing tolerances) around the walls 804 to prevent energy leakage outside the curing region or volume 800. For example, the curing station 110 shown in FIG. 8 has gaps 806 on the outside of opposing sides 808, 810 of the walls 804. In contrast, the curing station 110 shown in FIG. 20 does not include these gaps 806. After curing is complete, the object 202 may be reloaded into the shuttle or carriage 200, which can then move the object 202 to the next station.

[0062] 9 illustrates one example of the inspection station 112 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The inspection station 112 can receive an object 202 from a shuttle or carriage 200 into an inspection region 900. A motorized arm 902 can move and / or hold the object 202 relative to a rotatable body or working portion 904. The arm 902 is coupled to a motor 906 that can rotate the arm 902 and object 902 (e.g., about or around axis 616). The motor 906 can be under the control of the controller 510 or a separate controller.

[0063] An inspection device 908 can visually inspect the indicia on the object 202. This inspection device 908 may include a camera, infrared sensors, etc. A motor 906 can rotate the arm 902 to rotate the object 202 about or around axis 616 while the inspection device 908 checks the indicia. A controller can compare the output (e.g., image, infrared levels, etc.) from the inspection device 908 to a template or desired indicia image to ensure that the printed indicia is acceptable, as described above. The arm 902 can then retract from the position shown in FIG. 9 to return the object 202 to the carriage or shuttle 200 for movement to the next station.

[0064] FIG. 10 illustrates one example of the pick / reorient station 114 shown in FIGS. 1-3. A shuttle or carriage 200 holding an object 202 can be moved into a receiving area 1000 of the pick / reorient station 114. A motorized arm 1002 can move the object 202 from the shuttle or carriage 200 along axis 616 to a position where a rotating arm 1004 can lower and engage the object 202. The rotating arm 1004 can include or be fluidly coupled to a vacuum source that generates a vacuum or suction at the end of the rotating arm 1004. This vacuum or suction can engage the object 202 while the motorized arm 1002 retracts from or releases the object 202.

[0065] A motor coupled to the rotating arm 1002 can rotate the object 202 about or about the reorientation axis 1010, thereby reorienting the object 202 for additional printing by another print station 106 and / or 108. For example, before the rotating arm 1002 moves the object 202, the rotation axis 616 that the object 202 previously rotated about or about during printing by the print station 106 can be oriented along the same direction that the arm 1002 moved the object 202. The rotating arm 1004 can rotate the object 202 such that the previous rotation axis 616 is no longer in the same direction or oriented along the direction that the arm 1002 moved the object 202. This can define a new, different rotation axis 616 that is along the same direction that the arm 1002 moved the object 202, but that is different from the previous rotation axis 616. The object 202 is then placed back into the shuttle or carriage 200 and moved to another station so that the object 202 can be rotated on or about this new axis of rotation 616 for printing.

[0066] Optionally, the pick / reorientation station 114 may include a pick arm 1006. The pick arm 1006 may be connected to the same or a different controller that controls the one or more motors. The pick arm 1006 may be controlled to lower to grasp the object 202 in the shuttle or carriage 200 and lift the object 202 up to an output chute or conduit 1008. The output chute or conduit 1008 may be angled to direct the object 202 out of the station 114 and the printing system 100.

[0067] Figure 11 shows another example of the unload station 114 shown in Figures 1-3. In contrast to the station 114 shown in Figure 10, the station 114 shown in Figure 11 may not include a rotating arm 1004 to change the axis of rotation about which the object 202 subsequently rotates during printing. Instead, the unload station 114 shown in Figure 11 may include an unload arm 1006 that descends to grasp the object 202 in the shuttle or carriage 200 and lift the object 202 up to an output chute or conduit 1008. The output chute or conduit 1008 may be angled to direct the object 202 out of the station 114 and the printing system 100.

[0068] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of another example of shuttle 1200. Figure 13 shows a plan view of shuttle 1200 shown in Figure 12. Figure 14 shows another perspective view of shuttle 1200 shown in Figures 12 and 13. Shuttle 1200 may correspond to one or more of shuttles 200 described and illustrated herein. Although some surfaces and components of shuttle 1200 are labeled in Figures 12-14 and not in others, the labeled surfaces and components in Figures 12-14 are also included in shuttle 200 (with the exception of any voids or cutouts described herein).

[0069] One difference between the shuttles 200, 1200 is that the shuttle 200 may be formed from a solid block or body, while the shuttle 1200 may include a void or cutout 1202 within the body of the shuttle 1200. For example, the shuttle 200, 1200 may extend laterally 1201 from one side or plane 1204 to the opposite side or plane 1206. The shuttle 200, 1200 may extend longitudinally 1203 from an outward-facing surface 1208 to an opposite inward-facing surface 1210. The outward-facing surface 1208 may not face the path 204 and other shuttles 200, 1200 while moving along the path 204. The inward-facing surface 1208 may face the path 204 and / or other shuttles 200, 1200 while moving along the path 204.

[0070] The shuttle 200, 1200 may extend along a vertical direction 1205 from a bottom surface or bottom side 1212 to a top surface or top side 1214. The lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions may be perpendicular to one another. The working portion 904 may be coupled to an outward-facing surface 1208 of the shuttle 200, 1200. The wheel 618 and end portion 620 (or terminal end) may be connected to one another by a shaft (not visible in FIG. 12 ) that extends from the inward-facing surface 1210 through the shuttle 200, 1200. The wheel 618 and end portion 620 are on opposite sides of the inward-facing surface 1210 of the shuttle 200, 1200.

[0071] Shuttle 200 may be heavier than shuttle 1200 because shuttle 200 has more mass or material than shuttle 1200. The cutouts or voids 1202 in shuttle 1200 can reduce the mass of shuttle 1200 compared to a shuttle 200 of the same size without the cutouts or voids 1202. This allows shuttle 1200 to move more quickly or at a higher speed than shuttle 200 when the same force is generated by a motor to move shuttle 200, 1200. However, cutouts or voids 1202 may need to be located within a certain space in shuttle 1200 to ensure the stability and structural integrity of shuttle 1200. For example, cutouts or voids 1202 may be formed as a rectangular parallelepiped space that is open along each of side surfaces 1204, 1206, bottom surface 1212, and outward-facing surface 1208. This allows the existence of the body of the shuttle 1200 to be maintained in the lateral, vertical, and longitudinal directions, which may be in the same direction (or parallel to the same direction) as the force applied to the shuttle 1200 by the printing system.

[0072] Alternatively, the cutout or void 1202 may not be open at one or more (or any) of these surfaces 1204, 1206, 1208, 1212. For example, the cutout or void 1202 may be an enclosed, open interior space within the body of the shuttle 1200. Locating the cutout or void 1202 in this location may help maintain the structural integrity and rigidity of the shuttle 1200 compared to having the cutout or void 1202 in other locations, such as within the working portion 904 or within the portion of the shuttle 1200 between the wheel 618 and the end 620. In another example, the body of the shuttle 1200 may be additively manufactured to have smaller internal voids, channels, or open spaces throughout the body to reduce the mass of the shuttle 1200.

[0073] Additional cutouts or voids 1202 may be present in the wheel 618. For example, the voids or cutouts 1202 may extend into the wheel 618 from the side of the wheel 618 facing the inward-facing surface 1210 of the shuttle 1200. The cutouts or voids 1202 may extend into the wheel 618 from this side without extending completely through the entire thickness or axial distance of the wheel 618. Locating the cutouts or voids 1202 in these locations may help prevent the arms 602 from getting caught in the cutouts or voids 1202 while reducing the mass of the shuttle 1200 compared to the shuttle 200. Alternatively, the cutouts or voids 1202 may extend completely through the axial thickness of the wheel 618. Optionally, the wheels 618 may be additively manufactured to have smaller internal voids, channels, or open spaces throughout the wheels 618 to reduce the mass of the shuttle 1200.

[0074] Certain operations, such as loading an object, moving the shuttle 200, 1200, printing on the object 202, scanning the printed object 202, etc., can involve applying forces to the shuttle 200, 1200. For example, loading the object 202 into the shuttle 200, 1200 can include applying a force in a direction opposite the longitudinal direction 1203. Printing on the object 202 can impart a downward force to the object 202 and shuttle 202, 1200 in a direction opposite the vertical direction 1205. These forces can cause misalignment between the shuttle 200, 1200, the object 202, and various stations within the printing system 100. These misalignments can result in indicia being printed in an incorrect location, misaligned printing, misalignment of the shuttle 200, 1200 along the path 104 (which can interfere with or prevent the continued movement of the shuttle 200, 1200), etc.

[0075] To prevent or mitigate these problems, the printing system 100 can include counter-supports that support and counteract these forces. FIG. 15 shows an example of a station 1500 of the printing system 100 having counter-supports 1502, 1504 positioned to support a shuttle 1506 and counteract forces acting on the shuttle 1506. The station 1500 can correspond to one of the stations 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 114 shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the station 1500 can correspond to the reorientation station 114. The shuttle 1506 can correspond to one of the shuttles 200 and 1200. As described above, the shuttle 1506 can be self-propelled or can be propelled along the path 104 to the station 1500.

[0076] During operation, the object 202 may be pressed downward by a component 1508 of the station 1500. This component 1508 may be the print pad 612 of the print station 106, the rotating arm 1004 of the reorientation station 114, or the like. In the illustrated example, the counter support 1502 (sometimes referred to as the vertical counter support 1502) may be below the path 104 such that the path 104 is between the vertical counter support 1502 and the shuttle 1506. Alternatively, the vertical counter support 1502 may be between the path 104 and the shuttle 1506. The vertical counter support 1502 may be fixed in place; that is, the vertical counter support 1502 may remain stationary and not move with the shuttle 1506 while the shuttle 1506 moves between the stations.

[0077] The vertical counter support 1502 may be a body capable of resisting the downward force exerted by the component 1508 of the station 1500. The downward movement of the component 1508 and contact with the object 202 may exert a downward force in a direction opposite to the vertical direction 1205. The vertical counter support 1502 may be a body that is more rigid than the shuttle 1506 and / or the object 202, or may be an elastic body that absorbs the downward force. The vertical counter support 1502 can support the shuttle 1506 from below by counteracting this downward force. This prevents the shuttle 1506 from moving too far downward relative to the path 104 and the station 1500 and becoming misaligned.

[0078] The object 202 may be pushed laterally by another component 1510 of the station 1500. This component 1510 may be the motorized arm 602 of the printing station 106, the motorized arm 902 of the inspection station 112, the rotating arm 1002 of the reorientation station 114, etc. In the illustrated example, a counter support 1504 (sometimes referred to as the horizontal or longitudinal counter support 1504) may be between the shuttle 1506 and the station 1500 (e.g., such that the shuttle 1506 is between the horizontal counter support 1504 and the component 1510). The horizontal counter support 1504 may be fixed in place; that is, the horizontal counter support 1504 may remain stationary and not move with the shuttle 1506 while the shuttle 1506 moves between the stations.

[0079] The horizontal counter support 1504 may be a body capable of resisting lateral forces exerted by the component 1508 of the station 1500. Lateral movement of the component 1508 and contact with the object 202 via the shuttle 1506 may exert a longitudinal force along the longitudinal direction 1203. The horizontal counter support 1504 may be a body that is more rigid than the shuttle 1506 and / or the object 202, or may be an elastic body that absorbs the longitudinal force. The horizontal counter support 1504 can support the shuttle 1506 from the side by counteracting this longitudinal force. This prevents the shuttle 1506 from moving too far inward from the component 1510 relative to the path 104 and the station 1500, causing it to become misaligned.

[0080] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of one example of a counter support 1600. Figure 17 shows another perspective view of the counter support 1600 shown in Figure 16. This counter support 1600 may correspond to one or more of the vertical counter support 1502 and / or vertical counter support 1504 shown in Figure 15. The counter support 1600 may comprise an annular body 1602 and a mounting body 1604. Alternatively, the counter support 1600 may be formed from a single body or three or more bodies.

[0081] The annular body 1602 extends around and frames an open space 1606 within which one or more rollers 1608 are disposed. Although two rollers 1608 are shown, the counter support 1600 may alternatively include a single roller 1608 or three or more rollers 1608. The rollers 1608 may rotate about shafts 1610 that extend through the annular body 1602 and the open space 1606. The shafts 1610 may be parallel to one another.

[0082] The mounting body 1604 can include fastener holes 1700 through which fasteners can extend to couple with the annular body 1602 and / or the printing system 100. These fasteners can hold the counter-support 1600 in place relative to the station. The counter-support 1600 can be fastened to the station 1500 or the printing system 100 with the rollers 1608 facing the shuttle 1506 as the shuttle 1506 enters or exits the station 1500. The rollers 1608 can reduce friction between the shuttle 1506 and the counter-support 1600. This can allow the counter-support 1600 to counteract applied forces (as described above) while allowing the shuttle 1506 to move easily past the counter-support 1600.

[0083] Alternatively, the counter support 1600 may not include the open space 1606 and / or the rollers 1608. The counter support 1600 may be formed from a low-friction material or may include a low-friction coating that allows the shuttle 1506 to slide easily on the counter support 1600. This type of low-friction material may be, for example, a polymer such as high-density polyethylene.

[0084] 18 shows a perspective view of one example of a manual loader 1800. The manual loader 1800 can be added to the loading station 104 to allow one or more objects 202 to be manually loaded into the printing system 100. For example, the manual loader 1800 can be coupled to the vertical conduit 502 of the loading station 104 at a location below the angled chute or conduit 500 shown in FIG.

[0085] The manual loading device 1800 includes a downward angled or pitched chute or conduit 1802 that is connected to the vertical conduit 502. A pivotable gate 1804 is coupled to the conduit 1802 upstream of the intersection between the conduit 1802 and the vertical conduit 502. The gate 1804 includes a counterweight 1806 at one end, and the other end of the gate 1804 is disposed within the conduit 1802.

[0086] Continuing with reference to the manual loading device 1800 shown in FIG. 18 , FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of one example of the gate 1804 shown in FIG. 18 . The gate 1804 may be formed from a planar body 1900 that is bent or otherwise formed to provide multiple sections 1902, 1904, 1906. The outer sections 1902, 1906 may be parallel to one another. A central section 1904 may connect the outer sections 1902, 1906. The outer section 1902 may be positioned outside the conduit 1802 with a counterweight 1806 attached to the end of the outer section 1902. The central section 1904 and the other outer section 1906 may be positioned inside the conduit 1802.

[0087] The outer section 1902 may include a first set 1908 of fastener holes 1910 that are connected by fasteners to the counterweight 1806. A second set 1912 of fastener holes 1910 in the outer section 1902 may be connected to a pivot shaft 1808 that is attached to the outside of the conduit 1802. The gate 1804 may pivot or rotate about or around this pivot shaft 1808.

[0088] In operation, the gate 1804 can be in an unbiased state in which the gate 1804 is oriented vertically to allow objects 202 in the vertical conduit 502 to travel down the vertical conduit 502, past the gate 1804, and to the shuttle below. The gate 1804 can be in this unbiased state because the pivot shaft 1808 is connected to the gate 1804 at a location that is off-center and closer to the outer section 1902 than the outer section 1906.

[0089] When an object 202 is loaded into the conduit 1802, the object 202 may move (e.g., roll) down the conduit 1802 and come into contact with the center section 1904 and outer section 1906 of the gate 1804. The object 202 may cause the gate 1804 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction. The counterweight 1806 may assist the object 202 in pivoting the gate 1804 in this direction if the object 202 does not have enough mass or force to pivot the gate 1804 without the counterweight 1806. Additionally, the angle of the outer section 1906 of the gate 1804 and the counterweight 1806 may assist in pivoting the gate 1804 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 18 to help or prevent the object 202 from becoming wedged or otherwise jammed between the end of the outer section 1906 and the end of the conduit 1802. For example, if the outer section 1906 did not have an angle, the object 202 could roll into a position between the end or edge 1914 of the outer section 1906 and the end 1810 of the conduit 1802 and become stuck in that position. When the gate 1804 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 18 , the object 202 can move past the gate 1804 and out of the conduit 1802 into the lower vertical conduit 502. The object 202 can then proceed down to the shuttle or carriage 200.

[0090] The use of the manual loader 1800 can assist a user of the printing system 100 in printing on individual objects 202 rather than several objects 202 at once, thereby allowing the user to test different settings of the printing system 100, different inks, different indicia, etc.

[0091] Figure 21 shows another example of the printing system 100 shown in Figures 1-3. Figure 22 shows an example of a sorting station 2200. The sorting station may be an additional example of one of the stations shown in Figures 1 and 2. For example, sorting station 2200 may replace one or more of the stations or may be included in addition to the stations shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0092] The printing system 100 shown in FIG. 21 has a wall 2100 that encloses most of the equipment or components of the printing system 100. The sorting station 2200 may include a take-out arm 1006, similar to the take-out / reorientation station 114, that picks up the objects 202 from the shuttle or carriage 200 and places the objects 202 into an output chute or conduit 1008. The output chute or conduit 1008 may extend outside the printing system 100, as shown in FIG. 21 . Because the printing system 100 may include several sorting stations 2200, several output chutes or conduits 1008 are shown. The arm 1006 of the sorting station 2200 may be controlled by the controller(s) 118 to move the objects 202 into the output chute or conduit 1008 in response to an inspection signal indicating that the objects 202 were properly and accurately printed. Alternatively, the arm 1006 of the sorting station 2200 may be controlled by the controller(s) 118 to move the object 202 to a reject chute or conduit 2202 in response to the inspection signal indicating that the object 202 was not properly or accurately printed. The chute or conduit 1008, 2202 may direct the object 202 from the printing system 100 to a respective location, such as a location for packaging and shipping the correctly printed objects 202, or to another location for the incorrectly printed objects 202.

[0093] The sorting station 2200 may include a switching output chute or conduit 2108, which may be an alternative path for the objects 202 to travel along or through instead of the output chute or conduit 1008. The switching output chute or conduit 2108 may be used to manually inspect the objects 202 loaded using the manual loader 1800 shown in FIG. 18 . For example, after the objects 202 are loaded, printed, and cured via the manual loader 1800 (as described above), the unloading / reorientation station 114 may pick and place the objects 202 into the switching output chute or conduit 2108 rather than into one of the output chutes or conduits 1008, 2202. The switching output chute or conduit 2108 may direct the object(s) 202 to another location.

[0094] For example, the switching discharge chute or conduit 2108 may direct the object 202 to a location closer to the printing system 100, such as a storage container 2102 that receives the object 202. This allows an operator to manually load the object 202 into the printing system 100, have the printing system 100 print ink on the object 202, cure the ink, and then remove the object 202 and place it in the storage container 2102 for manual inspection or other use of the object 202. This prevents the object 202 from being included with or commingled with other objects 202, such as objects 202 that are not being used to test various settings of the printing system 100.

[0095] In one example, a printing system is provided that can include multiple stations for loading an object to be printed into the printing system, printing an indicia on the object, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, and / or removing the object from the printing system. The printing system can also include a transport assembly extending between the stations. The transport assembly can move the object between the stations independently and / or separately.

[0096] The transport assembly may simultaneously move objects between the stations by different distances. The transport assembly may simultaneously move objects between the stations at different speeds. The transport assembly may comprise a self-propelled shuttle that moves objects between the stations.

[0097] The transport assembly may move the object between the same stations at different speeds, for different times, or for both different speeds and different times. The stations may include a first printing station that prints indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a first axis to different positions. The stations may include a second printing station that prints indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a second axis different from the first axis.

[0098] A method of printing is also provided. The method may include two or more of loading an object to be printed into a printing system, printing indicia on the object, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, and / or removing the object from the printing system. The method may also include independently and / or separately moving the object between stations.

[0099] Objects may be moved simultaneously between stations over different distances. Objects may be moved simultaneously between stations at different speeds. Objects may be moved by self-propelled shuttles. Objects may be moved between the same stations at different speeds, at different times, or at both different speeds and different times.

[0100] The method may include printing indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a first axis to different positions. The method may include printing indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a second axis different from the first axis.

[0101] In another example, a printing system is provided that can include stations configured to do two or more of: loading an object to be printed into the printing system, printing indicia on the object while the object is rotating about different axes, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, or removing the object from the printing system. The printing system can also include a transport assembly extending between the stations. The transport assembly can include a shuttle that independently or separately moves the object between the stations so as to move the object between the stations at different distances, at different speeds, or both different distances and different speeds simultaneously.

[0102] The shuttle may be self-propelled. The stations may include a first printing station that prints indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or around a first axis to different positions. The stations may include a second printing station that prints indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or around a second axis different from the first axis. The object may include a golf ball. The transport assembly may include a closed-loop path along which the shuttle moves the object.

[0103] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description may include cases where the event occurs and cases where it does not occur. As used throughout this specification and claims, approximation language may be applied to modify any quantitative expression that is subject to variation without causing a change in the basic function to which it may relate. Thus, values ​​modified by singular or plural terms such as "about," "substantially," and "approximately" may not be limited to the exact value specified. In at least some cases, approximation language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout this specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchangeable, and unless context or language dictates otherwise, such ranges include all subranges specified and encompassed therein.

[0104] This written description uses examples to disclose embodiments and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and practicing any incorporated methods. The claims define the patentable scope of the disclosure and include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they have equivalent structural elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A printing system comprising: a plurality of stations configured to perform two or more of the following: loading an object to be printed into the printing system, printing an indicia on the object, curing the indicia printed on the object, inspecting the indicia printed on the object, reorienting the object, or removing the object from the printing system; a transport assembly extending between the stations, the transport assembly configured to do one or more of the following: move the objects between the stations independently or separately; and A printing system comprising:

2. The printing system of claim 1 , wherein the transport assembly is configured to simultaneously move the objects at different distances or different speeds between the stations, or both.

3. The printing system of claim 1 , wherein the transport assembly comprises a self-propelled shuttle that moves the object between the stations.

4. 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the stations include a first printing station and a second printing station, the first printing station configured to print the indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a first axis to different positions, and the second printing station configured to print the indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a second axis different from the first axis.

5. 10. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the transport assembly comprises a shuttle for individually moving individual ones of the objects between the stations, the shuttle comprising cutouts or voids that reduce mass within a body of the shuttle.

6. the transport assembly includes a shuttle for individually moving individual ones of the objects between the stations; 2. The printing system of claim 1, further comprising a counter-support disposed at one or more of the stations, the counter-support configured to engage the shuttle with the one or more of the stations to counteract forces exerted on the shuttle by the stations.

7. 7. The printing system of claim 6, wherein the counter-supports include one or more horizontal counter-supports and one or more vertical counter-supports, the one or more horizontal counter-supports positioned to counteract forces exerted on the shuttle in a horizontal direction by the station, and the one or more vertical counter-supports positioned to counteract forces exerted on the shuttle in a vertical direction by the station.

8. The printing system of claim 7 , wherein the counter support comprises an annular body having one or more rollers disposed therein.

9. 10. The printing system of claim 1, further comprising: a manual loader configured to receive one or more of the objects manually loaded into the printing system, the manual loader comprising a pivoting gate having a counterweight, the pivoting gate and the counterweight configured to switch between allowing the automatically loaded ones of the objects to enter the transport assembly and allowing the one or more manually loaded ones of the objects to enter the transport assembly.

10. 10. The printing system of claim 9, wherein the pivot gate comprises a downwardly angled outer portion disposed at an end of a conduit, the outer portion angled downwardly to prevent the one or more of the objects from becoming jammed between an end of the pivot gate and an end of the conduit.

11. 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the stations comprises an energy source configured to direct energy toward the object to cure the indicia printed on the object, and wherein the at least one of the stations having the energy source also comprises a wall that completely encloses the object within the at least one of the stations while the energy source directs the energy toward the object, the wall preventing the energy from escaping from the at least one of the stations.

12. 10. The printing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the stations includes a printing station configured to print the indicia on the object, the printing station configured to print the indicia during rotation of the object about or around an axis, and the printing station configured to print the indicia using pad printing with at least five different colored inks.

13. Furthermore, an exit chute configured to direct the object out of the printing system once printing, curing, and inspection of the indicia on the object is complete; a diverter chute configured to direct at least one of the objects from the printing system into a storage container for manual inspection of the at least one of the objects; The printing system of claim 1 further comprising:

14. 1. A method comprising: The following: Loading an object to be printed into a pad printing system having multiple stations; printing indicia on the object at a first one of the stations; curing the indicia printed on the object at a second one of the stations; inspecting the indicia printed on the object at a third of the stations; reorienting the object at a fourth of the stations; or removing the object from the pad printing system at the fourth one of the stations; Two or more of the following: independently or separately moving the objects between the stations; A method comprising:

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the object is moved simultaneously between the stations by different distances.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the objects are moved simultaneously between the stations at different speeds.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the object is moved by a self-propelled shuttle.

18. 1. A printing system comprising: a station configured to do two or more of the following: load an object to be printed into the printing system; print indicia on the object while rotating the object about different axes; cure the indicia printed on the object; inspect the indicia printed on the object; reorient the object; or remove the object from the printing system; a transport assembly extending between the stations, the transport assembly comprising a shuttle configured to one or more of independently or separately move the object between the stations to move the object at different distances, at different speeds, or at both different distances and at different speeds simultaneously; A printing system comprising:

19. 20. The printing system of claim 18, wherein the stations include a first printing station configured to print the indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a first axis to different positions, and the stations include a second printing station configured to print the indicia on the object during rotation of the object about or about a second axis different from the first axis.

20. The printing system of claim 18 , wherein the object comprises a golf ball.

Images