Apparatus for printing a curved surface of an object

US9266354B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG · DE

Inventors

• Markus Moehringer · Weinheim, DE
• Alexander Matern · Neulußheim, DE
• Alexander Weber · Weinheim, DE
• Stefan Maier · Schwieberdingen, DE
• Helge Grandt · Reilingen, DE
• Matthias Noell · Weiterstadt, DE
• Tobias Mueller · Gelnhausen, DE
• Bernhard Mechler · Heidelberg, DE
• Martin Schnaiter · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 2015
• Grant date: Feb 23, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 27, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J11/00216
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for printing a curved surface of an object, for example a ball includes a stationary printing unit for printing the object, the printing unit including an inkjet print head producing a print on the object surface in an active region of the print head, a curing unit for curing the print, the curing unit including a radiant heater curing the print in an active region of the radiant heater, a movable holding unit for receiving the object in a receiving region, moving the object from the receiving region into the active region of the print head, moving the object in the active region of the print head during production of the print and moving the object into the active region of the curing unit, and a control unit for controlling the movements of the holding unit, the production of the print and the curing of the print.