The present invention discloses beer barrel printing equipment, including a stand, a first matrix and a second matrix, a locating component, a first beer barrel printing device, and a second beer barrel printing device; a plurality of first matrix mounting positions and second matrix mounting positions are respectively arranged on the first beer barrel printing device and the second beer barrel printing device; the first beer barrel printing device and the second beer barrel printing device respectively control one of the first matrix mounting positions and one of the second matrix mounting positions to move; in a state that the locating member of the locating component is inserted into a tooth slot of the locating gear, the first beer barrel printing device is unable to control the first matrix mounting positions to move and/or the second printing device is unable to control the second matrix mounting positions to move.

A sling is provided herein for supporting mugs during sublimation printing. The sling includes an elongated base with first and second stanchions mounted thereto. First and second arms extend between, and are pivotally mounted to, the first and second stanchions. At least one silicone wrap is secured to the first and second arms so as to be suspended therebetween. The first and second arms are movable between an open state, where the first and second arms are spaced a first distance to allow a mug to pass therebetween into resting engagement with the at least one silicone wrap, and a closed state, where the first and second arms are spaced a second distance less than the first distance. Advantageously, the sling of the subject invention provides a fixture for supporting one or more mugs for sublimation printing for use in an oven without need for individually mounting silicone wraps.

The present invention discloses beer barrel printing equipment, including a stand, a first matrix and a second matrix, a locating component, a first beer barrel printing device, and a second beer barrel printing device; a plurality of first matrix mounting positions and second matrix mounting positions are respectively arranged on the first beer barrel printing device and the second beer barrel printing device; the first beer barrel printing device and the second beer barrel printing device respectively control one of the first matrix mounting positions and one of the second matrix mounting positions to move; in a state that the locating member of the locating component is inserted into a tooth slot of the locating gear, the first beer barrel printing device is unable to control the first matrix mounting positions to move and/or the second printing device is unable to control the second matrix mounting positions to move.

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.

A device for printing on hollow articles comprises a segmented wheel and an apparatus for sequentially supplying the hollow articles to the periphery of the segmented wheel. The apparatus comprises at least a conveyor wheel and a mandrel wheel, arranged in the transport direction of the hollow articles, with first the conveyor wheel, then the mandrel wheel and thereafter the segmented wheel being arranged. A plurality of driver elements are on the periphery of the conveyor wheel, and a plurality of retaining apparatuses are arranged on the periphery of the mandrel wheel. Each retaining apparatus is provided for receiving a hollow article, which is to be printed on in cooperation with the segmented wheel. The conveyor wheel has a suction apparatus for suctioning each hollow article to be supplied to the segmented wheel. The suction apparatus has a suction pump which is switched on or off in dependence on an angular position of the conveyor wheel. When the suction pump is switched on, it produces a negative pressure. A hollow article, which is to be conveyed to the mandrel wheel by the conveyor wheel and which is arranged on one of the driver elements of the conveyor wheel, is retained on the particular driver element of the conveyor wheel by the negative pressure, in an angular range of the rotating conveyor wheel.

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 device for printing on hollow articles comprises a segmented wheel and an apparatus for sequentially supplying the hollow articles to the periphery of the segmented wheel. The apparatus comprises at least a conveyor wheel and a mandrel wheel, arranged in the transport direction of the hollow articles, with first the conveyor wheel, then the mandrel wheel and thereafter the segmented wheel being arranged. A plurality of driver elements are on the periphery of the conveyor wheel, and a plurality of retaining apparatuses are arranged on the periphery of the mandrel wheel. Each retaining apparatus is provided for receiving a hollow article, which is to be printed on in cooperation with the segmented wheel. The conveyor wheel has a suction apparatus for suctioning each hollow article to be supplied to the segmented wheel. The suction apparatus has a suction pump which is switched on or off in dependence on an angular position of the conveyor wheel. When the suction pump is switched on, it produces a negative pressure. A hollow article, which is to be conveyed to the mandrel wheel by the conveyor wheel and which is arranged on one of the driver elements of the conveyor wheel, is retained on the particular driver element of the conveyor wheel by the negative pressure, in an angular range of the rotating conveyor wheel.

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 is provided for printing on hollow bodies in which the hollow bodies are printed on in a decorator having a rotating segment wheel. Printing ink provided by multiple different plate cylinders and inking units are each collected on printing blankets arranged one after another on the circumference of the segment wheel. The plate cylinders and inking units involved in the printing are arranged and set in such a way that, when printing on the hollow body, an iris print is, or at least can be implemented.

A method is provided for printing on hollow bodies in which the hollow bodies are printed on in a decorator having a rotating segment wheel. Printing ink provided by multiple different plate cylinders and inking units are each collected on printing blankets arranged one after another on the circumference of the segment wheel. The plate cylinders and inking units involved in the printing are arranged and set in such a way that, when printing on the hollow body, an iris print is, or at least can be implemented.