Abstract: A system for printing indicia onto a surface of a container includes an elongate web having indicia thereon; a web drum for moving the elongate web; a continuous container transfer station having a container holder for releasably securing a container. The continuous container transfer station configured for moving the container from an infeed container station to a web-container contact location. The container holder includes a motor system for moving the container into contact with the web and for moving the container away from contract with the web and includes at least one additional motor for rotating the container. Upon contact of the container to the web, the indicia is transferred from the web to the container. The at least one additional motor rotates the container whereby a tangential velocity of the container is substantially equal to a surface velocity of the web at a point of the web-container contact location.

Abstract: A system for applying foil indicia onto a surface of a container includes an elongate foil film having a metalized layer; a foil drum for moving the elongate foil; a continuous container transfer station having a container holder for releasably securing a container. The continuous container transfer station being configured for moving the container from an infeed container station to a foil-container contact location. The container holder includes a motor system for moving the container into contact with the foil and for moving the container away from contract with the foil and includes at least one additional motor for rotating the container. Upon contact of the container to the foil, the foil indicia is transferred from the foil to the container. The tangential velocity of the container is controlled to be substantially equal to a surface velocity of the foil at a point of the foil-container contact location.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on a plurality of containers includes a plurality of print heads configured to print directly on a curved surface of each of the plurality of containers. At least one of the print heads is configured to rotate about at least one of the containers. A plurality of container holders is included for retaining the plurality of containers, each of the plurality of container holders configured to move a container linearly towards and linearly away from a print head in a continuous motion to maintain a print location on the curved surface of the container during a printing process while the print head rotates about the container. The plurality of containers are configured to move in a continuous printing direction different from the linearly towards and linearly away moving directions generally traverse to the plurality of print heads.

Abstract: A system for direct printing on a three dimensional article includes a plurality of print stations, each print station comprising a print head for delivering ink; a mover having a holder for securing a three dimensional article and at least one magnet; and a plurality of tiles each comprising energizable coils for producing an electrical field for effecting the at least one magnet in the mover to controllably float the mover about the plurality of tiles; where the plurality of print stations are proximal to at least some of the tiles in the plurality of tiles; and where the mover is configured to have six degrees of motion relative to the plurality of tiles to position a portion of the surface of the three dimensional article proximally normal to the print head. The system may further include curing stations, vision or inspection stations, and/or pre-treatment stations.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of print heads configured to print directly on a curved surface of each of the plurality of containers and a plurality of container holders for retraining each of the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of container holders is configured to rotate a container retained therewithin and to move the container linearly relative to the plurality print heads in a continuous motion to maintain a print location on the curved surface of each of the plurality of containers at a substantially constant perpendicular distance from each of the plurality of print heads during a printing process. The apparatus may also provide for movement of the print heads during the printing process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of print heads configured to print directly on a curved surface of each of the plurality of containers and a plurality of container holders for retraining each of the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of container holders is configured to rotate a container retained therewithin and to move the container linearly relative to the plurality print heads in a continuous motion to maintain a print location on the curved surface of each of the plurality of containers at a substantially constant perpendicular distance from each of the plurality of print heads during a printing process. The apparatus may also provide for movement of the print heads during the printing process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of print heads configured to print directly on a curved surface of each of the plurality of containers and a plurality of container holders for retraining each of the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of container holders is configured to rotate a container retained therewithin and to move the container linearly relative to the plurality print heads in a continuous motion to maintain a print location on the curved surface of each of the plurality of containers at a substantially constant perpendicular distance from each of the plurality of print heads during a printing process. The apparatus may also provide for movement of the print heads during the printing process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of print heads configured to print directly on a curved surface of each of the plurality of containers and a plurality of container holders for retraining each of the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of container holders is configured to rotate a container retained therewithin and to move the container linearly relative to the plurality print heads in a continuous motion to maintain a print location on the curved surface of each of the plurality of containers at a substantially constant perpendicular distance from each of the plurality of print heads during a printing process.

Abstract: An unjamming system is used in connection with mass-produced parts fed through a process by a rotating bowl feeder. The bowl feeder has a bowl with an axis of rotation and an outer wall. The parts are disposed against the outer wall by centrifugal force. The unjamming system includes a jamming region adjacent the bowl, wherein unjamming is carried out. A sensor adjacent the jamming region detects a jam. A pneumatic cylinder actuator and an air blow jet adjacent the jamming region removes the parts from the jam. The parts are returned to the bowl by the air blow jet.

Abstract: An unjamming system is used in connection with mass-produced parts fed through a process by a rotating bowl feeder. The bowl feeder has a bowl with an axis of rotation and an outer wall. The parts are disposed against the outer wall by centrifugal force. The unjamming system includes a jamming region adjacent the bowl, wherein unjamming is carried out. A sensor adjacent the jamming region detects a jam. A pneumatic cylinder actuator and an air blow jet adjacent the jamming region removes the parts from the jam. The parts are returned to the bowl by the air blow jet.

Abstract: An unjamming system is used in connection with mass-produced parts fed through a process by a rotating bowl feeder. The bowl feeder has a bowl with an axis of rotation and an outer wall. The parts are disposed against the outer wall by centrifugal force. The unjamming system includes a jamming region adjacent the bowl, wherein unjamming is carried out. A sensor adjacent the jamming region detects a jam. A pneumatic cylinder actuator and an air blow jet adjacent the jamming region removes the parts from the jam. The parts are returned to the bowl by the air blow jet.

Abstract: An unjamming system is used in connection with mass-produced parts fed through a process by a rotating bowl feeder. The bowl feeder has a bowl with an axis of rotation and an outer wall. The parts are disposed against the outer wall by centrifugal force. The unjamming system includes a jamming region adjacent the bowl, wherein unjamming is carried out. A sensor adjacent the jamming region detects a jam. A pneumatic cylinder actuator and an air blow jet adjacent the jamming region removes the parts from the jam. The parts are returned to the bowl by the air blow jet.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a pivotally closable cap with a base connected to a cover by a foldable hinge during a closure operation. The fixture includes a U-shaped slide member having a back wall and a pair of side walls extending therefrom for accommodating the cap with the base and cover in an open condition. The side walls have distal extents, which extend beyond a transverse mid-line of the cover and prevent angular movement of the cover within the slide member.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a pivotally closable cap with a base connected to a cover by a foldable hinge during a closure operation. The fixture includes a U-shaped slide member having a back wall and a pair of side walls extending therefrom for accommodating the cap with the base and cover in an open condition. The side walls have distal extents, which extend beyond a transverse mid-line of the cover and prevent angular movement of the cover within the slide member.