System for the printing of small flat objects using direct rotary printing apparatus
US5951239A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/121
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for the flexographic printing of compact discs is provided in which the transport member for the compact discs travels in an oval-shaped path. The transport member is made up of individual segments connected together so that each end can be pivoted on a vertical axis. These individual segments are provided with top and bottom rollers that are engaged by a sprocket drive. A support member for a compact disc tooling fixture is attached to each of the individual segments. The flexographic print heads are caused to move at the same rate as the transport member for the compact discs by rack segments that are provided on each of the individual segments of the transport member and which mesh with a toothed gear on the print heads. The flexographic print heads can be moved laterally and radially to provide registration of the decoration to be printed on the compact disc supported by a particular tooling fixture for the compact disc. A vacuum manifold is provided that is mounted to, and moves with, the transport member that supplies vacuum to each of the compact disc tooling fixtures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.