US 11,707,800 B2
Marking system for decorating workpieces
Michael Lane Polk, Mint Hill, NC (US); and David Lynn Hall, Fort Mill, SC (US)
Assigned to Shutterfly, L.L.C, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Shutterfly, LLC, Redwood City, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/51,241.
Application 18/051,241 is a continuation of application No. 16/445,639, filed on Jun. 19, 2019, granted, now 11,524,360.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/695,928, filed on Jul. 10, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0158603 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. B23K 26/03 (2006.01); B41M 5/26 (2006.01); B23K 26/04 (2014.01); B44B 3/00 (2006.01); B23K 26/08 (2014.01); B23K 26/06 (2014.01); B41J 3/407 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 26/032 (2013.01) [B23K 26/043 (2013.01); B23K 26/0665 (2013.01); B23K 26/0861 (2013.01); B41J 3/4073 (2013.01); B41M 5/262 (2013.01); B44B 3/009 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for decorating a workpiece, comprising:
providing a plurality of marking stations configured to mark product images on blank workpieces to produce product workpieces, at least some of which have different sizes, shapes, materials, or a combination thereof;
selecting one of the plurality of marking stations using a control system, wherein the control system includes data storage for storing product images and blank workpiece identification codes;
sending product image data to the selected one of the plurality of marking stations;
transporting a blank workpiece to the selected one of the plurality of marking stations with a robotic manipulator; and
marking a product image on the blank workpiece based on the product image data which produces a product workpiece.