Abstract: A doctor assembly for a pad printing system includes a body and a doctor blade. The body has an outer surface and an opposite inner surface that defines a passageway through the body. The inner surface engages a removable pre-filled ink cup to secure the ink cup to the body. The inner surface directs ink from the ink cup through the passageway toward an ink-receiving surface of a cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body and engages the cliché device. The doctor blade wipes the ink along the cliché device as the body laterally moves relative to the cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body such that the doctor blade is laterally spaced apart from the inner surface of the body.

Abstract: A doctor assembly for a pad printing system includes a body and a doctor blade. The body has an outer surface and an opposite inner surface that defines a passageway through the body. The inner surface engages a removable pre-filled ink cup to secure the ink cup to the body. The inner surface directs ink from the ink cup through the passageway toward an ink-receiving surface of a cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body and engages the cliché device. The doctor blade wipes the ink along the cliché device as the body laterally moves relative to the cliché device. The doctor blade is coupled with the body such that the doctor blade is laterally spaced apart from the inner surface of the body.

Abstract: A pad printing system includes a doctor assembly comprising a cliché, an ink cup, and a variable hold down force system configured to apply a variable force to the ink cup and doctor assembly responsive to a direction of travel.

Abstract: A pad printing system includes a doctor blade and an ink liner frame removably attached to the doctor blade. The ink liner frame is removably attachable to an ink liner. A pad printing system includes a doctor blade, an ink liner, and an ink liner frame removably attached to the doctor blade, wherein the ink liner frame is removably attachable to the ink liner.

Abstract: A pad printing system includes a doctor assembly, a first force applicator, and a second force applicator. The doctor assembly further includes a first set of opposing contact points and a second set of opposing contact points, wherein the first set is offset from the second set. The first force applicator is operable to apply force at the first set of contact points and the second force applicator is operable to apply a force to the second set of contact points.

Abstract: A method for operating a pad printing system includes receiving a removable pre-filled ink cup on a doctor assembly, orienting the removable pre-filled ink filled cup on the doctor assembly, and dispensing ink from the oriented removable pre-filled ink cup. A removable pre-filled ink cup is provided for a pad printing system including an ink retention portion pre-filled with ink, and a doctor assembly orientation portion formed on an outer portion of the retention portion, wherein the removable pre-filled ink cup is configured to deposit ink on a cliché device via a doctor assembly mated with the doctor assembly orientation portion.

Abstract: A pad printing system for applying an image to a print object includes a cliché device capable of presenting a raised ink image and a conveyer belt. A plurality of pads attached to the conveyer belt. The conveyer belt is operable to move the pads into contact with the cliché device to pick up the raised ink image, and then to move the pads into contact with the print object to transfer the image to the print object.

Abstract: A pad for use in pad printing includes an inner core including a first set of physical characteristics. In addition, the pad includes an outer contact pad disposed on the inner core, the outer contact pad including an ink contact surface, the outer contact pad including a second set of physical characteristics, wherein the first set of characteristics is different than the second set of characteristics.