Patent ID: 8931864
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink jet printer for printing on an object having at least a portion that is cylindrical, said cylindrical portion having a surface defined by points at a fixed radius from an axis, said printer comprising: one or more printheads, each said printhead in communication with a fluid supply and fixedly positioned above a line of travel and controlled to selectively deposit fluid upon a surface of said object in accordance with a pre-determined image; 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 mounted to a linear actuator, said linear actuator configured to move said carriage assembly linearly along said line of travel, said carriage assembly configured to hold said object such that said axis is aligned axially along said line of travel and to rotate said object about said axis, and wherein said linear actuator moves said carriage assembly to position said object relative to said one or more printheads, and said carriage assembly rotates said object relative to said one or more printheads, and wherein said linear actuator moves said carriage assembly to position said object relative to said curing device, and said carriage assembly rotates said object about said axis relative to said curing device.