OBJECT HOLDER FOR A DIRECT-TO-OBJECT PRINTER

    公开(公告)号:US20180281465A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-10-04

    申请号:US15477631

    申请日:2017-04-03

    申请人: Xerox Corporation

    IPC分类号: B41J3/407 B41J11/02 B25J15/00

    CPC分类号: B41J3/4073 B25J15/0023

    摘要: What is disclosed is an object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the printhead. At least one collapsible membrane is attached to the shuttle mount. The membrane forms an airtight sack filled with granules. The membrane collapses at least partially around an object when a volume of air is withdrawn from the membrane by a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump withdrawing a volume of air from the membrane causes the membrane to collapse and tightly pack the granules inside the membrane. The vacuum-packed granules cause the membrane to conform to the shape of the object thereby securing the object to the shuttle mount.