Abstract: To increase the throughput capacity when decorating objects, an apparatus and method include at least two transport carriages which are respectively moved by a drive device and on each of which is mounted a respective holder for carrying at least one object. The apparatus has at least one decorating station. The holder of a transport carriage is mounted thereto, movable perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the transport carriage. The at least two transport carriages are guided in at least portion-wise manner on mutually separate carriage tracks.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for decorating an article, printing ink or electrostatic charges is or are applied in dependence on a digital program in dot form to the article carried by a holder, with individual dots going together to at least form a partial pattern or image. In the case of the latent pattern formed by electrostatic charges, it is then brought into contact with ink particles to form the decoration. In both cases the article is transported along a transportation path through at least one print station provided with an inkjet print head or an ionographic print head, the print head being controllable in dependence on the digital program. The individual nozzles or the electrodes of the respective print head are actuated in accordance with the digital program which is called up for example in dependence on the transportation movement of the article.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for decorating an article, printing ink or electrostatic charges is or are applied in dependence on a digital program in dot form to the article carried by a holder, with individual dots going together to at least form a partial pattern or image. In the case of the latent pattern formed by electrostatic charges, it is then brought into contact with ink particles to form the decoration. In both cases the article is transported along a transportation path through at least one print station provided with an inkjet print head or an ionographic print head, the print head being controllable in dependence on the digital program. The individual nozzles or the electrodes of the respective print head are actuated in accordance with the digital program which is called up for example in dependence on the transportation movement of the article.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for decorating an article, printing ink or electrostatic charges is or are applied in dependence on a digital program in dot form to the article carried by a holder, with individual dots going together to at least form a partial pattern or image. In the case of the latent pattern formed by electrostatic charges, it is then brought into contact with ink particles to form the decoration. In both cases the article is transported along a transportation path through at least one print station provided with an inkjet print head or an ionographic print head, the print head being controllable in dependence on the digital program. The individual nozzles or the electrodes of the respective print head are actuated in accordance with the digital program which is called up for example in dependence on the transportation movement of the article.

Abstract: In a method of printing on individual self-supporting articles, for example CDs, telephone cards or the like, using multi-color printing, the relative positions of the individual print images which make up a total print image on the article are set by a procedure whereby, after at least one individual print image has been printed on the article, the print image is detected by a camera system. The representation of the actual position of the individual print image relative to the article bearing it is compared in a computer to a representation of the reference position stored therein. In dependence on the result of the comparison, if the actual position deviates from the reference position, the position of the printing mechanism and/or the position of a following article is altered for the printing operation in accordance with the result of the comparison.

Abstract: An UV-radiating apparatus for irradiating printing ink on items such as individual articles or portions of material comprises a reflector housing divided into first and second parts in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the radiation source of the apparatus. The two parts are each mounted pivotably about a respective axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the radiation source between a first limit position in which the reflector housing is open at its side towards the item to be irradiated and a second limit position in which the parts of the reflector housing, with their regions towards the item, form between the radiation source and the path of transportation movement of the item a shield which shields the item from the radiation source. Upon stepwise transportation movement of individual items or a web of material the period of action of the rays on the respective item can be controlled by suitable actuation of the parts of the reflector housing.