Patent ID: 6913335

Claim:
In combination with a modified microprocessor-based printer that produces copies of computer data based on printing instructions received from a host computer, said printer being of a character having a carriage which carries at least one ink jet cartridge for movement along the length of a print zone of the printer within a first plane and means for controlling firing of a nozzle of the ink jet cartridge, the improvement comprising positioning means for holding within the printer at least two three-dimensional articles, each article having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis and a non-planar surface upon which the computer data is to be imprinted, said positioning means functioning to controllably position the three-dimensional articles within the printer in a manner such that the longitudinal axis of the articles is at all times during the printing operation maintained within a second plane that is parallel to and spaced-apart from the first plane, said positioning means comprising a multiple-article positioning assembly mounted within the modified microprocessor based printer, said multiple-article positioning assembly comprising: a first end portion including: first gripping means for gripping the first end of one three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a first holding cup connected to said first end portion; and rotating means for controllably rotating one three-dimensional article relative to the ink jet cartridge; a second end portion, including second gripping means for gripping a second end of a second three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a second holding cup connected to said second end portion; and an intermediate portion, including third gripping means for gripping a second end of said first three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a third holding cup connected to said second end of said first three-dimensional article.