Patent ID: 8926047
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink jet printer for printing on an at least partially cylindrical object, said object having a cylindrical portion including a surface defined by points at a fixed radius from an axis, said printer comprising: a plurality of printheads in communication with a fluid supply and positioned with respect to a line of travel aligned with said axis along which an at least partially cylindrical object is to be conveyed, each of said plurality of printheads being controlled to selectively deposit fluid upon a surface of said object in accordance with a pre-determined image, and wherein a first printhead is axially displaced with respect to a second printhead; a curing device located along said line of travel and configured to emit energy suitable to cure fluid deposited upon the surface of said object; and a carriage assembly configured to hold said object such that said axis is aligned axially along said line of travel and to axially convey said object bi-directionally along said line of travel, position said object relative to said plurality of printheads, and to rotate said object relative to said plurality of printheads, and to position said object relative to said curing device; and wherein said plurality of printheads is controlled to selectively deposit fluid upon said surface of said object when said object is conveyed in either direction.