Patent ID: 7124681
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: B41F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for printing onto vials, and wherein said vials are connected in a series, the vials having an open end and a closed end, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor belt for moving the vials, said conveyor having a mandrel for receiving the open end of the vials, said mandrel containing a plurality of receiving posts, for receiving the vials, wherein said receiving post comprise an oblong cross-sectional area and wherein a base portion of each receiving post has a greater cross-sectional area than a head portion of each receiving post; a vial depressor for depressing the vials onto the receiving posts of the mandrel, wherein the vial depressor comprises: a first wheel rotatably connected to a second wheel, and wherein a top portion of the vials will abut a space created between the first wheel and the second wheel; a first offset inking transfer device for printing a first ink pattern onto the vials; a first ultra violet dryer positioned to receive the vials from the first offset inking transfer device and provide for drying of the ink pattern from the first offset inking transfer device; a second offset inking transfer device for printing a second ink pattern onto the vials; a second ultra violet dryer positioned to receive the vials and provide for drying of the ink pattern from the second offset ink transfer device.