US 12,337,607 B2
Printing apparatus for printing directly onto containers
Michael Seitel, Randolph, NJ (US)
Assigned to Norwalt Design, Inc., Randolph, NJ (US)
Filed by Norwalt Design, Inc., Randolph, NJ (US)
Filed on Mar. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/690,153.
Application 17/690,153 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/839,181, filed on Apr. 3, 2020, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2022/0219465 A1, Jul. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. B41J 3/407 (2006.01); B41J 2/01 (2006.01); B41M 5/00 (2006.01); B65G 47/84 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 3/40733 (2020.08) [B41J 2/01 (2013.01); B41M 5/0088 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for printing on a plurality of containers, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of print heads configured to print directly on a curved surface of each of the plurality of containers; and
a plurality of container holders for retraining the plurality of containers, each of the plurality of container holders configured to rotate a container retained therewithin and to move the container linearly relative to the plurality print heads in a continuous motion to maintain a print location on the curved surface of each of the plurality of containers at a substantially constant perpendicular distance from each of the plurality of print heads during a printing process, each of the plurality of container holders further includes an upper slide having an upper mandrel mounted thereon, a lower slide having a lower mandrel mounted thereon, a rotary actuator, and a linear actuator; and
wherein each of the plurality of container holders is configured to move linearly along a line that is perpendicular to the print head, allowing a consistent distance from the printing surface of the container to the print head, as the container rotates and moves continuously during the printing process.