A printing technique is presented for efficiently printing (i.e. with production lines rates at high resolution and high accuracy) on outer surfaces of a plurality of objects passing in an optimized stream through a printing route/zone. According to this technique, at least one array of printing head units is provided being configured to define at least one printing route along a printing axis, where the at least one printing route is a substantially linear segment of a closed loop lane along which the objects are progressing.

A method and equipment to form a digital print by applying dry colourants on a surface of a panel, bonding a part of the colourants with a binder and removing the non-bonded colourants from the surface. The method of forming a digital print on a surface of a panel includes displacing the panel under a digital drop application head, applying a liquid binder with the digital drop application head on the surface; applying colourants on the liquid binder and the surface; bonding a part of the colourants to the surface with the liquid binder; removing non-bonded colourants from the surface such that a digital print is formed by the bonded colourants; and applying heat and pressure on the panel, the surface and the bonded colorants such that the colourants are permanently bonded to the surface.

A method and equipment to form a digital print by applying dry colourants on a surface of a panel, bonding a part of the colourants with a binder and removing the non-bonded colourants from the surface. The method of forming a digital print on a surface of a panel includes displacing the panel under a digital drop application head, applying a liquid binder with the digital drop application head on the surface; applying colourants on the liquid binder and the surface; bonding a part of the colourants to the surface with the liquid binder; removing non-bonded colourants from the surface such that a digital print is formed by the bonded colourants; and applying heat and pressure on the panel, the surface and the bonded colorants such that the colourants are permanently bonded to the surface.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

A decorator assembly includes a cup holder assembly, a cup transfer assembly, and a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The cup holder assembly is structured to hold a number of cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration. The cup transfer assembly is structured to move cups from said cup holder assembly to a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The decorator mandrel turret assembly is structured to rotatably support a number of cups.

An apparatus (200) and method for preparing a cylindrical object having a protective surface coating, such as a necked can (100), for decorating thereon using a printing technique. According to the method, a primer is applied onto the surface coating, and the primer is then dried to form a surface for decorating the object. The apparatus comprises a priming station (260) for applying a primer onto said surface coating, and a drying station (270) for drying the primer.

This invention relates to a functional textile manufacturing system. This system uses weaving equipment, dyeing and finishing equipment, shaping equipment, evaporation equipment, lamination equipment, roll adhesion equipment and printing equipment for production. Weaving equipment, dyeing and finishing equipment and shaping equipment are used for weaving, dyeing, washing and shaping to process low-cost polyester fibers into shaped fabric. Then, the evaporation equipment is used to evaporate a metal onto a plane release film to form a metal evaporation release film, and the lamination equipment, roll adhesion equipment and printing equipment are used to laminate the shaped fabric and the metal evaporation release film and to adhere a printed layer on the functional thin film. Such a manufacturing system can produce laundry resistant unconventional material antimicrobial protective fabric that features special temperature control, antimicrobial, waterproof, breathable, scratch resistant properties, as well as comfortable feeling.

A pad printing device for printing a window of a display device includes a pad to transfer ink to the window. The pad includes a printing portion to transfer the ink to the window by being pressed against the window and a body portion disposed on the printing portion and to apply a pressure to the printing portion. A hardness of the printing portion is less than a hardness of the body portion, and a sidewall of a portion of the pad where the printing portion contacts the body portion is substantially perpendicular to the window.

An apparel printing system for printing on regions of tubular fabrics with repeating patterns includes a textile printer having a print head and a tubular platen that includes features on the platen surface to retain and register the tubular fabric on the platen surface during printing.

A heat press docking station base (52) comprises a nest portion (75) and one or more legs (58). The nest portion (52) includes a body shell (60, 62) and a perforated floor (54). The body shell (60, 62) includes a lower surface (63). The perforated floor (54) is connected to the body shell (60, 62). The one or more legs (58) extend from a lower surface (63) of the body shell (60, 62).