Abstract: A method and apparatus for screen printing facilitate the application of colors, patterns, and other indicia onto a curved printing substrate, such as a concave glass surface of an appliance. The apparatus includes a print head assembly that is typically supported by a frame and is movable relative to the frame and the printing substrate. The print head assembly includes biasing elements with movable end portions that support a wiper and apply varying levels of pressure to the wiper as it is moved along the curved surface or surfaces of the substrate during a printing process. The print head assembly and associated screen printing equipment may be automated or computer controlled so as to independently vary the pressure of the biasing elements and, thus, the pressure of different areas of the wiper along the substrate, to accommodate simple or complex curves in the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screen printing facilitate the application of colors, patterns, and other indicia onto a curved printing substrate, such as a concave glass surface of an appliance. The apparatus includes a print head assembly that is typically supported by a frame and is movable relative to the frame and the printing substrate. The print head assembly includes biasing elements with movable end portions that support a wiper and apply varying levels of pressure to the wiper as it is moved along the curved surface or surfaces of the substrate during a printing process. The print head assembly and associated screen printing equipment may be automated or computer controlled so as to independently vary the pressure of the biasing elements and, thus, the pressure of different areas of the wiper along the substrate, to accommodate simple or complex curves in the substrate surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for curing ink, paint and coatings on containers and articles which includes a rotatably mounted assembly that includes a plurality of workstations disposed about the periphery thereof, an emitter disposed next to the periphery of the rotatably mounted assembly, and apparatus sequentially positioning respective workstations in front of the emitter. In some forms of the invention the emitter is an ultraviolet radiation emitter and the apparatus for sequentially positioning includes apparatus for causing the workstations to dwell next to the emitter. Some forms of the invention include apparatus for selectively rotating at least some of the workstations when that workstation is in front of the emitter. Some forms of the invention include an apparatus for holding an associated work piece on at least some of the workstations.

Abstract: A detented safety coupling assembly for use with an indexing apparatus for advancing a workpiece through a series of workstations is disclosed. The indexing apparatus may include a plurality of workstations arranged in spaced relationship, at least one pallet which supports the workpiece as it passes through the workstations and a drive assembly for moving the pallet through the workstations. The safety coupling assembly releasably couples the drive assembly and the pallet such that movement of the drive assembly causes corresponding movement of the pallet when the forces acting on the coupling assembly do not exceed a predetermined value. The coupling assembly ceases to couple the drive assembly and the pallet, without breakage, when the forces acting on the coupling assembly exceed a predetermined value.

Abstract: A conveying system for a multicolor screen printer line having a work station for each color has a plurality of work platens which are moved successively through the work stations. Vacuum plenums are provided for holding the work in position on the platens both in the stationary position in the work stations and while the platens are moving and being indexed between stations. This is accomplished by having two sets of vacuum connectors for the platens with these two sets applying the vacuum at different times in the cycle. In one embodiment, there are fixed vacuum connectors at each work station and movable vacuum connectors that reciprocate back-and-forth between work stations. In a second embodiment, there are two sets of movable vacuum connectors with the two sets moving simultaneously in opposite directions.

Abstract: An arrangement of shutter segments each having longitudinally opposed ends, front and back edges, and top and bottom solid surfaces, wherein each segment is adjacent to at least one other segment. The segments are arranged with the front and back edges of each segment in parallel along a first direction, and with one of the front or back edge of each segment overlapping one of the top or bottom surfaces of an adjacent segment. A drive hub is rigidly connected to each segment, respectively. A drive train engages all of the drive hubs, for simultaneously reciprocating the hubs and connected shutter segments rotatively through an actuation angle of no more than approximately 90 degrees (preferably 45 degrees) around respective axes of rotation which are parallel and coplanar along the first direction.

Abstract: A rotary indexing table has a table defining a flat table surface. A dial having an upper surface and a lower surface is positioned over and generally parallel to the table surface. The dial further defines a circular inner edge and an outer edge. First bearings mounted to the table surface engage the inner edge of the dial to radially support the dial on the table. Second bearings axially support the lower surface on the table surface for rotation. The second bearings comprise circular grooves in the lower surface of the dial and concentric with the inner edge. Ball bearings are in the grooves and in contact with the flat table surface. A drive assembly comprising a belt engaging the outer edge and driven by a motor indexes the rotation of the dial.