Method and apparatus for spin printing indicia on pellet shaped articles
US6481347B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41F17/36
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus orient, position and spin print indicia on pellet shaped articles, such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like. More specifically, the method and apparatus use a rotating pick-up drum that receives and transports the pellet shaped articles to a rotating positioning drum that is synchronized with the pick-up drum. The positioning drum receives the pellet shaped articles from the pick-up drum and properly aligns the pellet shaped articles so that they may be transferred to a rotating printing drum which is also synchronized with the positioning drum. The printing drum contains a vacuum source that maintains the pellet shaped articles within pockets as the pellet shaped articles are passed through a printing station. The printing station contains a movable printing roller capable of being moved toward and away from the printing drum such that the printing roller accurately spin prints indicia onto the pellet shaped articles. A servo controller unit is connected to the apparatus and is configured to control the length of a band of the indicia by adjusting at least one of the (a) a distance from the printing roller to the printing drum, (b) a contact force betwee…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.