Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto one or more surfaces of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. The apparatuses and methods may include providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the one or more surfaces of the article.

Digital printing machine for printing workpieces, including a print head carrier to which a print head for dispensing ink droplets in a printing direction and a drying unit for curing the ink droplets are attached, wherein the print head and the drying unit define a working space in which an application of a print image to an outer surface of a workpiece with the print head and a drying of the print image on the workpiece with the drying unit is provided, wherein the drying unit provides electromagnetic waves for a photochemical polymerization of the ink droplets, wherein the drying unit includes a radiation source to provide electromagnetic waves with an intensity maximum at a wavelength from the group of: 395 nanometers, 385 nanometers, 365 nanometers.

Digital printing machine for printing workpieces, including a print head carrier to which a print head for dispensing ink droplets in a printing direction and a drying unit for curing the ink droplets are attached, wherein the print head and the drying unit define a working space in which an application of a print image to an outer surface of a workpiece with the print head and a drying of the print image on the workpiece with the drying unit is provided, wherein the drying unit provides electromagnetic waves for a photochemical polymerization of the ink droplets, wherein the drying unit includes a radiation source to provide electromagnetic waves with an intensity maximum at a wavelength from the group of: 395 nanometers, 385 nanometers, 365 nanometers.

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. The modifications include using a single angled print pad having a contact wall having a first height, a lower wall having a second height that is less than the first height, an angled surface interconnecting the contact wall's distal end and the lower wall's distal end, and a base wall (a) interconnecting the contact wall's proximal end and the lower wall's proximal end and (b) connectable to a base. Another modification includes a flexion-extension hinge positioned between (a) the support member and the base or (b) the support member and the overhead gantry and controlled by the adjustable and moveable actuator system and power source. That objective can be accomplished with the conventional printing pad machine using the single angled print pad. Both objectives can also be accomplished by adding ridges to the single angled print pad.

The present invention relates to a method for marking a container comprising at least a transparent wall comprising the following steps: a) applying at least one spot of ink on an outer surface of said transparent wall, b) heating said transparent wall, c) engraving a data matrix in the spot of ink of said transparent wall. The invention also relates to a marked container and to a method for identifying such a marked container.

The present invention relates to a method for marking a container comprising at least a transparent wall comprising the following steps: a) applying at least one spot of ink on an outer surface of said transparent wall, b) heating said transparent wall, c) engraving a data matrix in the spot of ink of said transparent wall. The invention also relates to a marked container and to a method for identifying such a marked container.

A method and system for printing multiple-color at multiple positions on a golf ball is disclosed herein. A printing station of the system and method is capable of printing as many as twenty different colors in a single cycle. The printing station preferably has a four stamping stations, four curing stations and four reorientation stations.

A method and system for printing multiple-color at multiple positions on a golf ball is disclosed herein. A printing station of the system and method is capable of printing as many as twenty different colors in a single cycle. The printing station preferably has a four stamping stations, four curing stations and four reorientation stations.

A method for safely differentiating a three dimensional object subsequent to its creation and varnish protection by means of applying and sealing a decoration and/or data between the original and a final varnish layers. The three dimensional object may be decorated and/or contain data from its original manufacturing process but it may also be protected by a varnish prior to utilizing this process. The method enables the addition of decoration and data at any time or location subsequent to the original manufacturing process. The process takes place on top of the original varnish and may be subsequently sealed by applying another varnish layer.

A method for safely differentiating a three dimensional object subsequent to its creation and varnish protection by means of applying and sealing a decoration and/or data between the original and a final varnish layers. The three dimensional object may be decorated and/or contain data from its original manufacturing process but it may also be protected by a varnish prior to utilizing this process. The method enables the addition of decoration and data at any time or location subsequent to the original manufacturing process. The process takes place on top of the original varnish and may be subsequently sealed by applying another varnish layer.