US 11,745,517 B2
Container decoration apparatus and method
Adam P. S. Stowitts, Arvada, CO (US); and Dean C. Ellefson, Lakewood, CO (US)
Assigned to BALL COPORATION, Westminster, CO (US)
Filed by Ball Corporation, Westminster, CO (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/686,704.
Application 17/686,704 is a continuation of application No. 16/648,880, granted, now 11,279,146, previously published as PCT/US2018/051719, filed on Sep. 19, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/579,236, filed on Oct. 31, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/560,354, filed on Sep. 19, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0194097 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. B41J 3/407 (2006.01); B41J 2/005 (2006.01); B65B 43/50 (2006.01); B65B 61/02 (2006.01); B41F 17/22 (2006.01); B41J 2/01 (2006.01); B41J 11/00 (2006.01); B41J 3/44 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 3/4073 (2013.01) [B41F 17/22 (2013.01); B41J 2/0057 (2013.01); B41J 2/01 (2013.01); B41J 3/40731 (2020.08); B41J 3/40733 (2020.08); B41J 3/445 (2013.01); B41J 11/0085 (2013.01); B65B 43/50 (2013.01); B65B 61/025 (2013.01); B41J 2002/012 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A container body decorator (10) comprising;
a controller (300) having a software routine stored on memory;
a segmented image transfer blanket having a plurality of blanket segments (118) affixed to a rigid carousel (120), each blanket segment (118) having a printing surface opposite an inner surface, and each blanket segment (118) separated from an adjacent blanket segment (118) by a gap (121);
a plurality of ink-jet printing heads (108) mounted along a circumference of the segmented image transfer blanket (116) and configured to deposit an ink pattern onto each printing surface of the segmented image transfer blanket (116), the plurality of ink-jet printing heads (108) responsive to a signal received from the controller (300) corresponding to a desired shape and color the ink pattern;
an impression roll (204) located opposite the carousel (120) such that each blanket segment (118) of the segmented image transfer blanket (116) passes therebetween defining a printing site (124); and
a container body handling module (200) comprising a rotational indexer (212) configured to sequentially transport a plurality of container bodies to and from the printing site (124).