Patent ID: 9266354
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: B41J

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for printing a curved surface of an object, the apparatus comprising: a stationary printing unit for printing the object, said printing unit including a plurality of inkjet print heads having active regions and nozzle rows, said print heads being disposed substantially along a horizontally oriented circle and spaced apart from one another with said nozzle rows of said print heads being oriented substantially radially with respect to said circle, said print heads producing a print on the surface of the object in said active regions of said print heads; a curing unit for curing the print, said curing unit including a radiant heating or curing device having an active region, and said radiant heating or curing device curing the print in said active region of said radiant heating or curing device; a movable holding unit for receiving the object in a receiving region, for moving the object from said receiving region into said active region of said print head, for moving the object in said active region of said print head during the production of the print and for moving the object into said active region of said radiant heating or curing device; said holding unit having a first movement unit being disposed substantially on a vertical axis and substantially perpendicularly below the center point of said circle and permitting a vertically linear movement of the object; said holding unit having a second movement unit disposed on said first movement unit and disposed substantially on said vertical axis and permitting a rotational movement of the object about said vertical axis; said holding unit having a third movement unit disposed on said second movement unit and permitting a rotational movement of the object about a radial axis; and at least one control unit for controlling the movements of said holding unit, the production of the print and the curing of the print.