The present invention relates to a marking machine for marking articles, this machine comprising: a marking head including a support and at least one punch fitted with a flat pattern plate; and a positioning system configured to position the article with respect to the punch. The marking machine is characterized in that the punch has rotational mobility about an axis of rotation that is fixed with respect to the support. The invention also relates to a method of operating such a marking machine.

A pad printing machine (1) to print an object (8) in at least two stages, said machine comprising at least one printing pad (6) to print said object and at least two printing plate zones (10) within each of which a printing plate (14) may be moved into the desired position, the pad printing machine furthermore comprising an image recorder (44) generating an image of at least a partial area of at least one printing plate zone (10), and a comparator (46) to compare the image generated by said recorder (44) with reference data.

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 printing pad machine that can print a 360 degree image on a cylindrical object. That objective is achieved by modifying a conventional printing pad machine having a support member—interconnected to an overhead gantry—and an adjustable and moveable actuator system and power source.

A mounting device for holding a hollow cylindrical object, particularly a screw cap, in a printing system, comprises a support member, and a mandrel for receiving a hollow cylindrical object arranged at the support member, and a heating device for heating the hollow cylindrical object mounted at the mandrel. A printing system for printing on hollow cylindrical objects, preferably screw caps, comprises at least one mounting device, and at least one printhead configured to print on surfaces of cylindrical objects, preferably screw caps.

An apparatus is disclosed for printing images on generally cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises an impression station that includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image; and a transport mechanism for advancing the objects through the impression station, comprising a drive member rotatably connected to a plurality of rotatable mandrels, each for mounting a respective one of the objects, the transport mechanism being configured to cause each object to rotate during passage through the impression station such that, within a nip region of the impression station, the surface of the object makes rolling contact with the imaging surface, thereby causing the ink image to be impressed on the object. An impression platen is provided opposite the imaging surface within the nip region, the impression platen being configured to apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the objects to ensure rolling contact between the objects and the imaging surface.

A cable marker strip includes two rows of cable markers which are arranged behind one another in a cable direction. The cable marker strip includes a labeling track which has one labeling surface for each cable marker, wherein one fastening structure is provided for each cable marker on a fastening surface of the labeling track. The fastening surface lies opposite the labeling surface and has a connecting track and two holding limbs which are connected to the connecting track, which lie opposite one another, and together define a cable receptacle. Starting from the connecting track, spacing the holding limbs from one another decreases in the region of the cable receptacle so that the cable receptacle tapers. A printer for printing the cable marker strip and a method for printing the cable marker strip by way of the printer are also provided. The printer includes a print head which is arranged above pressure bars for the rows of cable markers.

A cable marker strip includes two rows of cable markers which are arranged behind one another in a cable direction. The cable marker strip includes a labeling track which has one labeling surface for each cable marker, wherein one fastening structure is provided for each cable marker on a fastening surface of the labeling track. The fastening surface lies opposite the labeling surface and has a connecting track and two holding limbs which are connected to the connecting track, which lie opposite one another, and together define a cable receptacle. Starting from the connecting track, spacing the holding limbs from one another decreases in the region of the cable receptacle so that the cable receptacle tapers. A printer for printing the cable marker strip and a method for printing the cable marker strip by way of the printer are also provided. The printer includes a print head which is arranged above pressure bars for the rows of cable markers.

A cutting station for the automatic cutting to a specific length of cable elements and has a magazine which extends in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and has several holders for one cable element each. The cable elements are held next to each other in a horizontal magazine plane. A processing head extends in a longitudinal direction, which is movable in a transverse direction relative to the stationary magazine and is designed for gripping, pulling off and cutting to a specific length a respective currently selected cable element from the magazine. Each holder has two fixing elements spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction for holding the cable element. For machining by the processing head, a respective holder with a respective cable element is lifted in a preferred configuration from the magazine plane into the working plane.

A liquid electrophotographic (LEP) printing device that includes a photo-imaging plate (PIP) to receive a liquid printing fluid, the liquid printing fluid including a pigment incorporated into a resin, a charge conductor, and a carrier liquid, and a transfer roller to transfer the liquid printing fluid from the PIP to a fabric substrate while wet.