A method of operating a sublimating device includes providing heat to a cavity of the sublimating device by increasing (i) a temperature of a heater to a predetermined target temperature and (ii) a temperature of a base heater to a predetermined standby temperature. The method further includes determining a difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature of the heater. The method also includes determining whether a workpiece is arranged in the cavity based on the difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature.

The present invention relates to a method for decorating a drinking or eating vessel, the method comprising: a. providing: i. a drinking or eating vessel, wherein the vessel comprises an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving a liquid or a solid food and an outer surface comprising a polymeric coating; and ii. a transfer sheet, wherein the transfer sheet comprises a printed decoration; and iii. a supporting means comprising a recess for receiving the vessel; and b. arranging the vessel within the recess of the supporting means thereby defining a lower portion of the outer surface of the vessel occluded from contact with the transfer sheet and an upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel for contacting the transfer sheet; and contacting the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel and the supporting means with the transfer sheet under at least a partial vacuum, wherein the printed decoration is transferred from the transfer sheet to the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel, and wherein the supporting means reduces stretching of the transfer sheet from the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel to the lower portion of the outer surface of the vessel. Also described are associated uses, an apparatus, and drinking or eating vessels obtainable by the methods of the invention.

A method of operating a sublimating device includes providing heat to a cavity of the sublimating device by increasing (i) a temperature of a heater to a predetermined target temperature and (ii) a temperature of a base heater to a predetermined standby temperature. The method further includes determining a difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature of the heater. The method also includes determining whether a workpiece is arranged in the cavity based on the difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature.

The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.

The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.

A method and a device for ink-jet printing onto containers is described, in which at least one container is rotated and/or transported along a curved path, and associated surface velocities of partially circumferential portions of a lateral container surface are measured, where the printing times and/or a rotational velocity of the containers associated with the partially circumferential and/or intermediately disposed portions are adapted to the surface velocities. Changes in the print advance rate caused by different surface velocities in front of print heads can thereby be compensated. This allows for uniform print resolution and seamless joining of partial prints.

The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.

The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.

Described is a decoration machine for decorating containers adapted to contain a pourable product. The machine includes: a rotary conveyor for conveying a plurality of containers along a decoration path using a rotary movement; a plurality of support members mounted on the conveyor for being advanced by the conveyor along the decoration path, each support member being integral with the rotary movement to support in advancement a respective container; a plurality of decorating units each configured to print or engrave a decoration on a respective container; wherein each decorating unit is mounted on the conveyor is integral with the rotary movement of the conveyor, and is arranged for decorating each container being supported and conveyed along decoration path by a respective support member, each decorating unit being associated with the respective support member, for printing or engraving a decoration on the respective container supported and conveyed thereon.

A method of operating a sublimating device includes providing heat to a cavity of the sublimating device by increasing (i) a temperature of a heater to a predetermined target temperature and (ii) a temperature of a base heater to a predetermined standby temperature. The method further includes determining a difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature of the heater. The method also includes determining whether a workpiece is arranged in the cavity based on the difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature.