Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotary printing assembly operative for directly printing a layer of radiation curable material onto the cylindrical surface of individual articles. The rotary printing assembly includes a rotationally supported belt defining an interior region, the belt having a planar portion for contact with the cylindrical surface of the articles for directly printing a layer of the radiation curable material thereon. At least one squeegee is arranged within the interior region of the belt having a portion engaging the belt for contacting the planar portion of the belt with the cylindrical surface of the article. The squeegee is moveable longitudinally within the interior region of the belt during the printing operation. A radiation emitting device can be positioned adjacent the rotary printing assembly for at least partially curing the layer of radiation curable material applied to the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decorating cylindrical articles using direct rotary screen printing of a UV radiation curable composition in various predetermined patterns and registrations. A rotary screen printing assembly is arranged in either a horizontal or vertical orientation to achieve production rates of about at least 250 articles per minute, and up to 1000 articles per minute. The UV radiation curable compositions are at least partially cured between a plurality of screen printing workstations using a UV radiation source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotary printing assembly operative for directly printing a layer of radiation curable material onto the cylindrical surface of individual articles. The rotary printing assembly includes a rotationally supported belt defining an interior region, the belt having a planar portion for contact with the cylindrical surface of the articles for directly printing a layer of the radiation curable material thereon. At least one squeegee is arranged within the interior region of the belt having a portion engaging the belt for contacting the planar portion of the belt with the cylindrical surface of the article. The squeegee is moveable longitudinally within the interior region of the belt during the printing operation. A radiation emitting device can be positioned adjacent the rotary printing assembly for at least partially curing the layer of radiation curable material applied to the articles.

Abstract: Articles such as glassware, ceramicware and hollowware are decorated with hot stamping foil along their exposed edge. The hot stamping foil is adhered to an underlying radiation curable adhesive ink which avoids the use of inks or frits having heavy metals such as lead which are leachable. The hot stamping foil may have a metallized noble metal decorative layer. The hot stamping process employs a polymer die having a hardness in the range of from about 50 to 80 durometer for adhering the hot stamping foil to the article under applied heat and pressure.

Abstract: Articles such as glassware, ceramicware and hollowware are decorated with hot stamping foil along their exposed edge. The hot stamping foil is adhered to an underlying radiation curable adhesive ink which avoids the use of inks or frits having heavy metals such as lead which are leachable. The hot stamping foil may have a metallized noble metal decorative layer. The hot stamping process employs a polymer die having a hardness in the range of from about 50 to 80 durometer for adhering the hot stamping foil to the article under applied heat and pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decorating cylindrical articles using direct rotary screen printing of a UV radiation curable composition in various predetermined patterns and registrations. A rotary screen printing assembly is arranged in either a horizontal or vertical orientation to achieve production rates of about at least 250 articles per minute, and up to 1000 articles per minute. The UV radiation curable compositions are at least partially cured between a plurality of screen printing workstations using a UV radiation source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decorating cylindrical articles using direct rotary screen printing of a UV radiation curable composition in various predetermined patterns and registrations. A rotary screen printing assembly is arranged in either a horizontal or vertical orientation to achieve production rates of about at least 250 articles per minute, and up to 1000 articles per minute. The UV radiation curable compositions are at least partially cured between a plurality of screen printing workstations using a UV radiation source.