METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC LOADING OF A ARTICLE ONTO A PRINTING MACHINE

摘要

A new apparatus and methods for automatically loading an article (20) onto a printing surface of a printing machine (50), and preferably provide a completely reproducible placement of the textile on the printing machine. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus includes a first support structure (11) having a surface (12) including a first area (13) and a second area (14), and adapted to support at least one textile thereon. A second support structure (15) is also provided proximate the second area (14) of the first support structure (11) having a textile lifting mechanism (10) and a textile transfer mechanism (17). The textile lifting mechanism includes at least one adjustable pick-and-place mechanism (24, 25). Similarly, the textile transfer mechanism includes at least one adjustable pick-and-place mechanism.