Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on an outer surface of a tubular object is provided. The printing system comprises at least one printing station for printing on the outer surface of the tubular object (100); and at least one holding device for holding the tubular object during a printing process. The holding device comprises: a substantially annular gripper ring (200) adapted to be partially inserted into a tubular object. The gripper ring comprises a radially compressible portion (201) configured to securely engage with an inner surface of the tubular object. The radially compressible portion exerts a radially outward mechanical restoring force when compressed.

Abstract: A system for transmitting rotational motion between a driving element and a driven element comprises a driving element that is coupled to a torque input that causes the driving element to rotate about a drive axis. The driving element comprises a first magnetic element. A driven element is configured to rotate about a driven axis. The driven element comprises a second magnetic element. Both the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are susceptible to a magnetic field, and at least one of the first and second magnetic element produces a magnetic field. A magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element couples the rotational motion of the driving element and the rotational motion of the driven element. The driving and driven elements are coupled at a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for transmitting rotational motion between a driving element and a driven element. The system comprises a driving element that is coupled to a torque input that causes the driving element to rotate about a drive axis. The driving element comprises a first magnetic element. A driven element is configured to rotate about a driven axis. The driven element comprises a second magnetic element. Both the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are susceptible to a magnetic field, and at least one of the first and second magnetic element produces a magnetic field. A magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element couples the rotational motion of the driving element and the rotational motion of the driven element. The driving and driven elements are coupled at a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on an outer surface of a tubular object is provided. The printing system comprises at least one printing station for printing on the outer surface of the tubular object (100); and at least one holding device for holding the tubular object during a printing process. The holding device comprises: a substantially annular gripper ring (200) adapted to be partially inserted into a tubular object. The gripper ring comprises a radially compressible portion (201) configured to securely engage with an inner surface of the tubular object. The radially compressible portion exerts a radially outward mechanical restoring force when compressed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing onto objects is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of carrying devices (104) for carrying objects (108) to be printed on, the carrying devices (104) each comprising a rotatable handling device configured to hold and rotate an object. A track (102) defines a path along which each of the plurality of carrying devices can be moved. A plurality of processing stations (106A-106F) are arranged along the track and comprising at least one printing station (106C). A controller (110) is configured to independently control the position and speed of each of the carrying devices (104) with respect to the track. The handling device is arranged to rotate an object at at least one of the plurality of processing stations by coupling to a driving device (610) disposed at the at least one processing station such that torque is transmitted from the driving device to the handling device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on cylindrical objects (31) comprises a plurality of printheads (32); and at least one holding device movable relative to the printheads (32) such that, in use, the holding device moves the object between the printheads. The path of the at least one holding device comprises a plurality of vertical sections (34) which are horizontally offset from one another. Each vertical section (34) comprises at least two identically orientated printheads (32) arranged such that they are vertically displaced from one another, with one directly above the others. The at least one holding device moves the object (31) between the at least two printheads (32) such that part or all of its path between the printheads is vertical.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an electrostatic printhead which has one or more ejection tips from which, in use, ink is ejected, the method comprising: stopping a prior flow of ink to a region around the ejection tip(s) for, in use, printing; causing a pressure differential to occur at the tip region thereby causing the ink meniscus to retreat from the tip; and passing a rinse into the tip region to clean the tip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row, the printhead having a row of ejection channels and each ejection channel having associated ejection electrodes to which voltages are applied in use. During printing, in order to cause volumes of fluid to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the printhead for printing, voltage pulses having values of predetermined amplitude and duration as determined by respective image pixel bit values generated by a raster image processor are applied, at a given pulse period, to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on cylindrical objects (31) comprises a plurality of printheads (32); and at least one holding device movable relative to the printheads (32) such that, in use, the holding device moves the object between the printheads. The path of the at least one holding device comprises a plurality of vertical sections (34) which are horizontally offset from one another. Each vertical section (34) comprises at least two identically orientated printheads (32) arranged such that they are vertically displaced from one another, with one directly above the others. The at least one holding device moves the object (31) between the at least two printheads (32) such that part or all of its path between the printheads is vertical.

Abstract: A method of reducing and/or preventing the accumulation of concentrated ink at an ejection point of a printhead of an electrostatic inkjet printer when ink is not being ejected at the ejection point, the method comprising reversing the electric field at the ejection point of the printhead during a non-printing phase of operation to reduce the concentration of ink at the ejection point.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a printhead, for printing two-dimensional bit-mapped images having a number of pixels per row, is disclosed for printheads (1) having a row of printing channels (5). During printing, in order to cause volumes of charged particulate concentrations of one of a number of predetermined volume sizes to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the printhead to form printed pixels, control pulse values of respective predetermined amplitude and duration, as determined by respective image pixel bit values, are applied to the selected printing channels. The calibration method comprises providing an image (50) that causes each channel of the printhead to be driven with the same pulse value, and printing one or more test prints of the image.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an electrostatic printhead which has one or more ejection tips from which, in use, ink is ejected, the method comprising: stopping a prior flow of ink to a region around the ejection tip(s) for, in use, printing; causing a pressure differential to occur at the tip region thereby causing the ink meniscus to retreat from the tip; and passing a rinse into the tip region to clean the tip.

Abstract: A method of reducing and/or preventing the accumulation of concentrated ink at an ejection point of a printhead of an electrostatic inkjet printer when ink is not being ejected at the ejection point, the method comprising reversing the electric field at the ejection point of the printhead during a non-printing phase of operation to reduce the concentration of ink at the ejection point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row, the printhead having a row of ejection channels and each ejection channel having associated ejection electrodes to which voltages are applied in use. During printing, in order to cause volumes of fluid to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the printhead for printing, voltage pulses having values of predetermined amplitude and duration as determined by respective image pixel bit values generated by a raster image processor are applied, at a given pulse period, to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a printhead, for printing two-dimensional bit-mapped images having a number of pixels per row, is disclosed for printheads (1) having a row of printing channels (5). During printing, in order to cause volumes of charged particulate concentrations of one of a number of predetermined volume sizes to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the printhead to form printed pixels, control pulse values of respective predetermined amplitude and duration, as determined by respective image pixel bit values, are applied to the selected printing channels. The calibration method comprises providing an image (50) that causes each channel of the printhead to be driven with the same pulse value, and printing one or more test prints of the image.

Abstract: An ink management system for supplying or receiving liquid at a controlled pressure, comprising: a closed reservoir; a weir disposed in the reservoir, configured to separate the reservoir into a first and a second chamber; the first chamber having an inlet for receiving liquid from a first remote location; and the weir being disposed such that the level of liquid in the first chamber can be maintained at a constant height; wherein the reservoir is sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and the system further comprises a pumped outlet disposed in the second chamber and arranged to remove liquid and gas contained within the reservoir.

Abstract: An ink management system for supplying or receiving liquid at a controlled pressure, comprising: a closed reservoir; a weir disposed in the reservoir, configured to separate the reservoir into a first and a second chamber; the first chamber having an inlet for receiving liquid from a first remote location; and the weir being disposed such that the level of liquid in the first chamber can be maintained at a constant height; wherein the reservoir is sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and the system further comprises a pumped outlet disposed in the second chamber and arranged to remove liquid and gas contained within the reservoir.