Methods and apparatus for image transfer to multiple articles having non-planar surfaces

1. In combination with a modified microprocessor-based printer that produces copies of computer data based on printing instructions received from a host computer, said printer being of a character having a carriage which carries at least one ink jet cartridge for movement along the length of a print zone of the printer within a first plane and means for controlling firing of a nozzle of the ink jet cartridge, the improvement comprising positioning means for holding within the printer at least two three-dimensional articles, each article having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis and a non-planar surface upon which the computer data is to be imprinted, said positioning means functioning to controllably position the three-dimensional articles within the printer in a manner such that the longitudinal axis of the articles is at all times during the printing operation maintained within a second plane that is parallel to and spaced-apart from the first plane, said positioning means comprising a multiple-article positioning assembly mounted within the modified microprocessor based printer, said multiple-article positioning assembly comprising:

a first end portion including:

first gripping means for gripping the first end of one three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a first holding cup connected to said first end portion; and

rotating means for controllably rotating one three-dimensional article relative to the ink jet cartridge;

a second end portion, including second gripping means for gripping a second end of a second three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a second holding cup connected to said second end portion; and

an intermediate portion, including third gripping means for gripping a second end of said first three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a third holding cup connected to said second end of said first three-dimensional article.

2. The combination of claim 1 , wherein said intermediate portion further includes fourth gripping means for gripping a first end of said second three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a fourth holding cup connected to said first end of said second three-dimensional article.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

said holding cups are further defined by a substantially concave inner surface; and

said gripping means comprise at least one ridge protruding from said inner surfaces of said holding cups.

4. The combination of claim 3 , further comprising:

a guide in a plane that is in spaced relation and substantially parallel to said first plane;

a first carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said first end portion extending from said first carriage; and

a first adjustment block assembly said first adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, and a biasing device extending between said block and said first carriage.

5. The combination of claim 4 , further comprising:

a second carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said intermediate portion extending from said second carriage; and

a second adjustment block assembly, said second adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, and a aligning peg extending therefrom and in sliding engagement with said second carriage.

6. The combination of claim 3 , further comprising:

a guide in a plane that is in spaced relation and substantially parallel to said first plane;

a first carriage slidingly attached to said guide and further defined by a biasing device, said first end portion extending from said first carriage; and

a first adjustment block assembly said first adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, said biasing device extending between said block and said first carriage.

7. The combination of claim 6 , further comprising:

a second carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said intermediate portion extending from said second carriage, said second carriage further defined by an aligning peg extending therefrom; and

a second adjustment block assembly, said second adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, said aligning peg in sliding engagement with said second adjustment block assembly.

8. A device for printing an image on a pair of three-dimensional articles, said printing device reproducing computer-based data in response to printing instructions received from a host computer, comprising:

a base;

a print head carriage assembly extending from said base, said print head carriage assembly comprising:

a print head for printing an image in a printing plane; and

a print zone disposed on said printing plane;

a positioning assembly for positioning at least two three-dimensional articles, said positioning assembly comprising:

a guide attached to said base in parallel and spaced-apart relation to said printing plane;

a first end assembly comprising:

first gripping means for gripping the first end of one three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a first holding cup connected to said first end assembly; and

rotating means for controllably rotating said first holding cup relative to said print head;

a second end assembly, comprising second gripping means for gripping a second end of a second three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a second holding cup connected to said second end assembly; and

an intermediate portion, comprising third gripping means for gripping a second end of said first three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a third holding cup connected to said second end assembly of said first three-dimensional article.

9. The device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a guide in a plane that is in spaced relation and substantially parallel to said first plane;

a first carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said first end portion extending from said first carriage; and

a first adjustment block assembly said first adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, and a biasing device extending between said block and said first carriage.

10. The device of claim 9 , further comprising:

a guide in a plane that is in spaced relation and substantially parallel to said first plane;

a first carriage slidingly attached to said guide and further defined by a biasing device, said first end portion extending from said first carriage; and

a first adjustment block assembly said first adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, said biasing device extending between said block and said first carriage.

11. The device of claim 10 , further comprising:

a second carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said intermediate portion extending from said second carriage, said second carriage further defined by an aligning peg extending therefrom; and

a second adjustment block assembly, said second adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, said aligning peg in sliding engagement with said second adjustment block assembly.

12. The device of claim 9 , further comprising:

a second carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said intermediate portion extending from said second carriage; and

a second adjustment block assembly, said second adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, and a aligning peg extending therefrom and in sliding engagement with said second carriage.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein said intermediate assembly further includes fourth gripping means for gripping a first end of said second three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a fourth holding cup connected to said first end of said second three-dimensional article.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein:

said holding cups are further defined by a substantially concave inner surface; and

said gripping means comprise a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from said inner surfaces of said holding cups.

15. A method for imprinting images on a portion of the surfaces of a pair of three-dimensional articles by using a modified microprocessor-based printer that includes control circuitry that functions to cause the printer to produce a copy of computer data based on printing instructions received from a host computer, the printer being of a character having a carriage which carries at least one ink jet cartridge having a nozzle for movement along the length of a print zone of the printer within a first plane and means for controlling the firing of a nozzle of the ink jet cartridge, the modified microprocessor-based printer comprising an article positioning assembly for holding the three-dimensional articles within the printer in a manner such that the longitudinal axis of the three-dimensional articles is at all times during the printing operation maintained within a second plane that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane, said method comprising the steps of:

analyzing the three-dimensional articles to determine the configuration of the portion of the surfaces thereon that is to be imprinted;

positioning the three-dimensional articles within the article positioning assembly;

rotating the three-dimensional articles about their longitudinal axes;

producing a non-distorted image;

distorting said non-distorted image in a manner to produce a distorted image that corresponds with the surfaces of the three-dimensional articles that are to be imprinted; and

using the host computer, transmitting the printer instructions to the printer instructing the printer to fire the nozzle of the ink jet cartridge in a manner to print said distorted image on the rotating three-dimensional articles.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said positioning and rotating steps further comprise positioning and rotating said pair of three-dimensional articles with positioning means comprising:

a first end portion comprising:

first gripping means for gripping the first end of one three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a first holding cup connected to said first end portion; and

rotating means for controllably rotating one three-dimensional article relative to the ink jet cartridge;

a second end portion, including second gripping means for gripping a second end of a second three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a second holding cup connected to said second end portion; and

an intermediate portion, including third gripping means for gripping a second end of said first three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a third holding cup connected to said second end of said first three-dimensional article.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said positioning and rotating steps further comprise positioning and rotating said pair of three-dimensional articles with positioning means having said intermediate portion further comprising fourth gripping means for gripping a first end of said second three-dimensional article, said gripping means comprising a fourth holding cup connected to said first end of said second three-dimensional article.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said positioning and rotating steps further comprise positioning and rotating said pair of three-dimensional articles with said positioning means further comprising:

a guide in a plane that is in spaced relation and substantially parallel to said first plane;

a first carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said first end portion extending from said first carriage; and

a first adjustment block assembly said first adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, and a biasing device extending between said block and said first carriage.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said positioning and rotating steps further comprise positioning and rotating said pair of three-dimensional articles with said positioning means further comprising:

a second carriage slidingly attached to said guide, said intermediate portion extending from said second carriage; and

a second adjustment block assembly, said second adjustment block assembly comprising a block slidingly attached to said guide, and a aligning peg extending therefrom and in sliding engagement with said second carriage.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said positioning and rotating steps further comprise positioning and rotating said pair of three-dimensional articles with said positioning means further comprising:

said holding cups further defined by a substantially concave inner surface; and

said gripping means further comprise a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from said inner surfaces of said holding cups.