Patent ID: 6918641
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: B41J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A printing apparatus for printing indicia on a plurality of three-dimensional articles each having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis and a curved surface upon which the indicia is to be imprinted, the apparatus comprising: (a) a supporting frame; (b) a modified microprocessor-based printer assembly connected to said supporting frame for printing indicia based on printing instructions received from a microprocessor, said printer assembly including a carriage which carries at least one ink jet cartridge for movement with said supporting frame and means for controlling firing of the nozzle of the ink jet cartridge; and (c) positioning means connected to said supporting frame for positioning a selected one of the plurality of three-dimensional articles relative to said printing assembly in a manner such that the longitudinal axis of the selected one of the plurality of three-dimensional articles is maintained within a plane that is substantially parallel to and spaced-apart from said carriage of said printing assembly, said positioning means comprising an article positioning assembly comprising: