Abstract: The invention relates to a process for aligning an object such as a hollow body in which the object is fed to an aligning and/or positioning device by means of a conveyor system such as a conveyor belt, wherein the actual orientation and actual position of the object is determined by means of an image acquisition system comprising a camera and software run on a computer for evaluating a camera picture of the object, and the orientation and/or positioning device is controlled in response to said evaluation in order to change the actual orientation and actual position of the object to a desired orientation and/or desired position. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out such a process.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating such as printing objects transports the objects through treatment stations along a transport path using at least one transport means. The transport means is in the form of an endless flexible belt which circulates in a vertical plane and which is provided at its outer surface with holding means for the objects to be decorated. The holding means are in the form of flexible portions of plastic material which are connected to the belt. The belt and the holding means are provided with at least one opening connectable to a reduced pressure source in such a way that the reduced pressure acts on an object in the respective holding means and fixes it in its position.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating such as printing objects transports the objects through treatment stations along a transport path using at least one transport means. The transport means is in the form of an endless flexible belt which circulates in a vertical plane and which is provided at its outer surface with holding means for the objects to be decorated. The holding means are in the form of flexible portions of plastic material which are connected to the belt. The belt and the holding means are provided with at least one opening connectable to a reduced pressure source in such a way that the reduced pressure acts on an object in the respective holding means and fixes it in its position.

Abstract: An apparatus for decorating objects which are carried by object carriers and are transported along a transport path through treatment stations of the apparatus includes an input station at which objects to be printed upon are introduced into the object carriers and a removal station at which the printed objects are removed from the respective object carriers. At spacings from the transport path are arranged at least one separating station at which the objects to be printed upon, which are stacked in a magazine, are individually removed, and at least one collecting station for the printed objects. The apparatus has a reciprocable first lift device arranged above the stack in the separating station and a first transport device for taking over the individual objects and transporting the separated objects towards the input station.

Abstract: Described is an arrangement for feeding and/or taking away magazines intended to receive individual articles, to and/or from an apparatus for treating and/or handling the articles, wherein the apparatus comprises a first transport element which receives a supply of magazines for feeding articles to be treated, and a second transport element which receives a supply of magazines for carrying away treated articles, with the transport elements being arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship and movable in a horizontal plane. A third transport element is operatively associated with the first and second transport elements and movable between a first position in which it is towards the first and second transport elements and at least one second position in which it is away from the first and second transport elements. The third transport element has at least one movable carrier for at least one magazine.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on dimensionally stable individual articles has a conveyor for conveying the articles, along which printing stations and other treatment stations are arranged. CDs are fed in a magazine in the form of a stack to a separating station, individually separated, and then each fitted into a respective receiver of the conveyor. The printed articles are removed in a removal station from the respective receivers and fed to a magazine in a collecting station. A conveyor belt conveys the magazines both through the separating stations and also through the collecting station, the conveyor belt conveying the empty magazines from the separating station into the collecting station. At least one stepwise circulating transfer arrangement forms a second conveyor path along which are arranged the separating station, the respective receivers disposed in the receiving station for the printed article, and the collecting station.

Abstract: Described is an arrangement for feeding and/or taking away magazines intended to receive individual articles, to and/or from an apparatus for treating and/or handling the articles, wherein the apparatus comprises a first transport element which receives a supply of magazines for feeding articles to be treated, and a second transport element which receives a supply of magazines for carrying away treated articles, with the transport elements being arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship and movable in a horizontal plane. A third transport element is operatively associated with the first and second transport elements and movable between a first position in which it is towards the first and second transport elements and at least one second position in which it is away from the first and second transport elements. The third transport element has at least one movable carrier for at least one magazine.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on dimensionally stable individual articles has a conveyor arrangement for conveying the articles, along which printing stations and other treatment stations are arranged. The articles such as CDs are fed in a magazine in the form of a stack to a separating station and individually separated and then each fitted into a respective receiving means of the conveyor arrangement. The printed articles are removed in a removal station from the respective receiving means and fed to a magazine in a collecting station. A conveyor belt conveys the magazines both through the separating stations and also through the collecting station, the conveyor belt conveying the empty magazines from the separating station into the collecting station. At least one stepwise circulating transfer arrangement forms a second conveyor path along which are arranged the separating station, the respective receiving means disposed in the receiving station for the printed article, and the collecting station.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for decorating a flat self-supporting article which is turned for decoration thereof on both sides, the article is firstly removed from a horizontal position in an article holder by being lifted by a first pivoting means and then pivoted into a vertical intermediate position from which the article is moved by a second pivoting means producing a pivoting movement of the article into a horizontal position with its previously upward surface facing downwardly. The article is then lowered into an article holder again.