Patent ID: 9156281
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing machine for printing objects substantially having shapes of revolution, the machine comprising: a transporter for transporting objects to be printed between at least one loading station for loading objects on the transporter and an unloading station for unloading the objects from the transporter; at least one printing station arranged between the loading station and the unloading station, the printing station including at least four printing units arranged to project ink on the objects to be printed so as to print the objects, each printing unit projecting ink of a different color so as to make up a four-color process; a transfer device for transferring an object to be printed from the transporter to a single mandrel of the printing station and from the single mandrel of the printing station to the transporter; and a calibration ring comprising a central opening coaxial to the axis of rotation of the mandrel, the calibration ring being arranged between the transfer device and the printing unit so that the object to be printed passes through the central opening before being printed by the printing station, the printing station including the single mandrel for maintaining one of the objects to be printed, the mandrel being rotatably movable around an axis so that the printing units project ink onto the object maintained by the mandrel, the printing station being arranged to print only the objects maintained by the mandrel, wherein the axis of rotation of the mandrel is always stationary relative to the at least four printing units of the printing station, the printing units of the printing station being arranged on an arc of circle centered on the axis of rotation of the corresponding mandrel, wherein the object to be printed must pass through the central opening when the object is loaded on the mandrel by the transfer device.