Patent ID: 9090090
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising a plurality of printing units, wherein said apparatus is configured for managing stray ink that fails to reach a container during printing thereon and for suppressing turbulence that would alter the path of ink droplets as they traverse a gap between a print head and a container to be printed upon during movement of said plurality of printing units, said apparatus comprising at least the plurality of printing units, and a circumferentially drivable transport element for conveying said plurality of printing units on a closed path of movement between a container take-up and a container drop, wherein each printing unit from said plurality of printing units comprises a print head and an enclosure, wherein a container carried in said printing unit moves with said printing unit along said closed path of movement, wherein said print head is configured for applying an image onto a region to be printed upon on an external container surface of a container during relative movement between said external container surface and said print head, wherein said enclosure encloses said region while said container is provided at said printing unit, whereby said enclosure prevents ink from said print head from entering the environment, and wherein said enclosure suppresses turbulence in the vicinity of said print head during movement of said printing unit along said closed path of movement during the printing operation.