Abstract: Images are printed on surfaces of discrete objects that are loaded onto an upstream end of a production path passing through a plurality of treatment stations and taken off a downstream end the path. The path passes through a plurality of treatment stations and is split at least one of the stations into a plurality of generally parallel lanes each having a respective treatment device or printer. At the one treatment station the objects are split up and fed to the lanes from the path, the images are printed on the objects in the lanes with the respective printers, and all the objects are returned to the path after printing. The objects move single-file downstream along the path upstream and downstream of the one station. Instead of printers, each lane can have some other type of treatment machine and the operations performed by these treatment machines in the lanes can be the same or different.

Abstract: Objects to be printed are loaded one-by-one onto a conveyor extending through and upstream from a printing station in a longitudinally extending row in groups each having a predetermined number n of longitudinally aligned objects and a longitudinal length equal to n times a predetermined step length and with the groups separated in the row from one another by an empty gap having a short length equal to n?1 times the predetermined step length. The thus oriented objects are moved by the conveyor through the printing station in alternating long steps having a long length equal to n times the predetermined step length and short steps equal to n?1 times the predetermined step length such that with each long step one of the groups is positioned in the printing station. In the printing station the objects are taken off the conveyor, printed, and returned to the conveyor between the long steps.

Abstract: A conveyor system has an elongated guide defining a closed transport path extending through a plurality of treatment stations and a plurality of carriers movable on the guide along the path and each capable of holding a respective workpiece. At least one magnet is provided on each carrier, and an annular row of individually energizeable electromagnets extends along the path and is capable of exerting force on the magnets of the carriers so as to displace the respective carriers along the path. A plurality of sensors spaced along the path detect the carriers and generate outputs indicating positions and movement of the carriers along the path. At least some of the electromagnets at least intermittently form some of the sensors.

Abstract: A conveyor system has an elongated guide defining a closed transport path extending through a plurality of treatment stations and a plurality of carriers movable on the guide along the path and each capable of holding a respective workpiece. At least one magnet is provided on each carrier, and an annular row of individually energizeable electromagnets extends along the path and is capable of exerting force on the magnets of the carriers so as to displace the respective carriers along the path. A plurality of sensors spaced along the path detect the carriers and generate outputs indicating positions and movement of the carriers along the path. At least some of the electromagnets at least intermittently form some of the sensors.

Abstract: Images are printed on surfaces of discrete objects that are loaded onto an upstream end of a production path passing through a plurality of treatment stations and taken off a downstream end the path. The path passes through a plurality of treatment stations and is split at least one of the stations into a plurality of generally parallel lanes each having a respective treatment device or printer. At the one treatment station the objects are split up and fed to the lanes from the path, the images are printed on the objects in the lanes with the respective printers, and all the objects are returned to the path after printing. The objects move single-file downstream along the path upstream and downstream of the one station. Instead of printers, each lane can have some other type of treatment machine and the operations performed by these treatment machines in the lanes can be the same or different.

Abstract: Objects to be printed are loaded one-by-one onto a conveyor extending through and upstream from a printing station in a longitudinally extending row in groups each having a predetermined number n of longitudinally aligned objects and a longitudinal length equal to n times a predetermined step length and with the groups separated in the row from one another by an empty gap having a short length equal to n?1 times the predetermined step length. The thus oriented objects are moved by the conveyor through the printing station in alternating long steps having a long length equal to n times the predetermined step length and short steps equal to n?1 times the predetermined step length such that with each long step one of the groups is positioned in the printing station. In the printing station the objects are taken off the conveyor, printed, and returned to the conveyor between the long steps.