Apparatus for printing and handling hollow bodies

Claim 1

An automatic printer apparatus for imprinting indicia upon hollow bodies, such as cups, cans, or the like, including a printing mechanism, an inking device for said printing mechanism, a revolving carrier wheel having radially extending spokes arranged to support said hollow bodies in imprinting position on the ends thereof, means for feeding said hollow bodies to said carrier wheel into engangement with said spoke ends, and a control mechanism operatively associated with said printing meachanism, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a pressure roller located adjacent said carrier wheel and positioned relative to said spokes to firmly compress said hollow bodies onto said spokes in imprinting position, suction conveyor means located to engage said hollow bodies after imprinting for removal thereof from said spokes, stationary lifting flanks adjoining said revolving carrier wheel and arranged to have said carrier wheel rotate alongside thereof, said lifting flanks having a configuration operative to engage said hollow bodies and to lift said hollow bodies from said spokes thereby to facilitate removal of said hollow bodies from said spokes for engagement by said suction conveyor means, nozzle means operatively associated with said lifting flanks and directed to provide an air stream flowing in a direction for assisting in the removal of said hollow bodies from said spokes and to propel said hollow bodies toward said suction conveyor means, and a drying belt for accomodating said hollow bodies thereon, said drying belt being arranged between said suction conveyor means and said hollow body feeding means to receive thereon hollow bodies delivered thereto by said suction conveyor means, said suction conveyor means comprising a pair of continuously revolving conveyor belts, a suction box arranged to have said conveyor belts revolve thereabout, said suction box having defined therein an elongated slot extending lengthwise in the direction of rotation of said belts, said conveyor belts being laterally spaced apart on opposite sides of said elongated slot whereby suction from said suction box may be applied through said slot to engage and hold said hollow bodies upon said conveyor belts across the length of said slot to enable transfer by said conveyor belts of said hollow bodies from said carrier wheel to said drying belt.