Inflatable balloon color printing process and apparatus
US6050182A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41F15/0863
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A balloon printing apparatus for printing an image on the outer surface of a number of inflatable elastic balloons of the type defining a main body and a neck opening allowing access into the main body. The apparatus comprises: a conveyor device movable in a closed path in an intermittent manner; a plurality of nozzles spacedly carried by the conveyor device, insertable into a balloon neck opening and for inflating a balloon; as many balloon supporting frames as air nozzles, carried by the conveyor device, each nozzle adjacent to a corresponding frame, each frame sized to partly surround and support the main body of an inflated balloon installed on the adjacent nozzle with a portion of the inflated balloon protruding from the frame. The body remains in a stable position relative to the conveyor device while the inflated balloon is transported by the nozzle and frame through the closed path. A number of stations are located along the conveyor device and comprises a balloon installing station for successively installing the balloons on the nozzles. At least one balloon inflating station is provided wherein the nozzles inflate the balloons which fit inside their respective frames, and…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.