Abstract: A hollow plastic container having a closed lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the closed base, and an upper portion having a dispensing opening therein extending upwardly from the sidewall. The container also includes a digitally printed base coat on the sidewall having a thickness of from 1 to 200 microns, and preferably includes printed areas over at least portions of the base coat to provide a distinctive appearance.

Abstract: A method for printing on an article having a non-planar surface in an embodiment includes obtaining coordinates or a geometry for a non-planar surface of an article; determining a tangent orientation for a print head in three dimensions; and using the tangent orientation and positioning the print head relative to the non-planar surface of the article. Embodiments of apparatus for printing on articles having non-planar surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for customizable printing a multi-pack of articles includes providing data from a database; electronically generating variable data based on the data from the database; printing variable data on a plurality of articles; and combining the plurality of similar articles to form a multi-pack of articles.

Abstract: A method of printing including providing an ink delivery system including a print head in fluid communication between a first tank and a second tank; and providing a pressure differential across the print head to cause ink to flow from the print head. With embodiments of the method, ink can be controllably dispensed from the print head at substantially the same velocity irrespective of the orientation of the print head with respect to the direction of the force of gravity.

Abstract: An ink delivery system includes a first tank including a fill sensor; a second tank including a fill sensor; a pump configured to pump ink from the first tank to the second tank; a third tank including a fill sensor; a print head in fluid communication with the second tank and the third tank. In an embodiment, the third tank is in fluid communication with the first tank and may be configured to provide a closed loop system, the second tank is in fluid communication with the third tank, and a pressure differential across the print head causes ink to flow through the print head. For some embodiments, pumps may be provided to control pressure differentials and print heads may print at one or more angles.

Abstract: An ink delivery system includes a first tank including a fill sensor; a second tank including a fill sensor; a pump configured to pump ink from the first tank to the second tank; a third tank including a fill sensor; a print head in fluid communication with the second tank and the third tank. In an embodiment, the third tank is in fluid communication with the first tank and may be configured to provide a closed loop system, the second tank is in fluid communication with the third tank, and a pressure differential across the print head causes ink to flow through the print head. For some embodiments, pumps may be provided to control pressure differentials and print heads may print at one or more angles.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and system for printing is disclosed. The print apparatus includes a print head, an ink reservoir, and at least one conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head. In an embodiment, the ink reservoir is operatively connected to the print head such that the vertical movement of the ink reservoir substantially coincides with a similar vertical movement of the print head.

Abstract: A system for digitally printing directly on a plurality of containers is provided. In an embodiment, the system includes a device configured to determine an initial position or orientation of an individual container; a plurality of print heads configured to print directly on said containers; and a plurality of container holders configured hold or retain an individual container, to rotate the individual container, and to maintain a rotational position of the individual container relative to at least one print head while printing occurs; and one or more curing devices. The system may be configured such that the plurality of container holders are configured to move along a linear or curved path, and the plurality of container holders may be configured to controllably rotate about a container axis.

Abstract: A recyclable article having an external surface with an image printed thereon by droplets of ink is provided. The droplets of ink comprise a composition that includes a hydrophilic component. In embodiments, the hydrophilic component can facilitate the separation or loosening of the image from the external surface of the container when the image is exposed to a liquid-based solution at an elevated temperature. Methods for facilitating recycling of recyclable articles having printed images are also disclosed.

Abstract: A one-piece, unitary molded plastic container includes a neck portion; a base portion; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base portion toward the neck portion. The sidewall includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The lower body portion is substantially cylindrical, extends from the base portion toward the upper body portion, and has a height that is from about 0.10 to about 0.60 of the total height of the container. The upper body portion is substantially non-cylindrical, extends upwardly from the lower body portion toward the neck portion, and has a height that is from about 0.30 to about 0.80 of the total height of the container; and includes a curved label-receiving portion. In embodiments, a label—e.g., a directly-applied ink label or separately applied composite label—is applied to the label-receiving portion.

Abstract: A plastic container having curved surfaces and digital printing is disclosed. An embodiment of the container provides a hollow plastic container including a multiple color, single-cured digital image on a first curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature, and a second curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature that is spaced from the first curved surface, such that the first and second curved surfaces are on opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A method of printing including providing an ink delivery system including a print head in fluid communication between a first tank and a second tank; and providing a pressure differential across the print head to cause ink to flow from the print head. With embodiments of the method, ink can be controllably dispensed from the print head at substantially the same velocity irrespective of the orientation of the print head with respect to the direction of the force of gravity.

Abstract: An ink delivery system includes a first tank including a fill sensor; a second tank including a fill sensor; a pump configured to pump ink from the first tank to the second tank; a third tank including a fill sensor; a print head in fluid communication with the second tank and the third tank. In an embodiment, the third tank is in fluid communication with the first tank and may be configured to provide a closed loop system, the second tank is in fluid communication with the third tank, and a pressure differential across the print head causes ink to flow through the print head. For some embodiments, pumps may be provided to control pressure differentials and print heads may print at one or more angles.

Abstract: A plastic container having curved surfaces and digital printing is disclosed. An embodiment of the container provides a hollow plastic container including a multiple color, single-cured digital image on a first curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature, and a second curved surface having a non-constant radius of curvature that is spaced from the first curved surface, such that the first and second curved surfaces are on opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A method for printing digital images on plastic containers having curved surfaces, including providing a series of hollow plastic containers, moving the containers along a track past first and second digital printing locations, and printing first and second digital images on the curved container surfaces while maintaining the container being printed under internal pressure and while firmly holding the container being printed at spaced locations thereon.

Abstract: A container having an external surface with a digital image printed thereon by droplets of ink is provided. The digital image includes a base coat and a secondary coat that is applied to the base coat. In an embodiment, the digital image adheres to the container with an acceptable or sufficient adhesion score and the image is removable using conventional recycling processes. Methods for digitally printing containers and facilitating recycling are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hollow plastic container having a curved external surface and a digital image printed thereon by ink droplets is provided. The ink droplets may vary in diameter from about 10 to about 200 microns and the droplets may range from about 200 to about 1200 drops per inch. Methods for digital printing plastic containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for printing on an article having a non-planar surface in an embodiment includes obtaining coordinates or a geometry for a non-planar surface of an article; determining a tangent orientation for a print head in three dimensions; and using the tangent orientation and positioning the print head relative to the non-planar surface of the article. Embodiments of apparatus for printing on articles having non-planar surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container having a non-planar external surface and a digital image printed thereon by ink droplets is provided. The ink droplets may vary in diameter from about 10 to about 200 microns and the droplets may range from about 200 to about 1200 drops per inch. Methods for digital printing plastic containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container having a non-planar external surface and a digital image printed thereon by ink droplets is provided. The ink droplets may vary in diameter from about 10 to about 200 microns and the droplets may range from about 200 to about 1200 drops per inch. Methods for digital printing plastic containers are also disclosed.