DE102006019994A1 - Filling and packing material e.g. liquid, packaging preparation method, involves printing packing material in printing station after pulling material from stockpile - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves printing the packing material (1.1) in a printing station (7) after pulling the material from a stockpile (5). The packing material is a neutral material without imprint (2) before printing. Completion of a printed impression, already present on the material, takes place by printing the packing material in multicolor. An independent claim is also included for a filling and packing material packaging preparation device.

Description

The The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of the patent claim 1 and to an apparatus for performing this method according to the preamble Claim 20.

Known are production or packaging lines with filling or packing stations for Packaging a filling in packaging, immediately before and / or during the introduction of the contents formed from a packaging station supplied packaging material become. The packaging material is for example a single or multi-layered Flat material, e.g. a laminated multilayer packaging material of cardboard, plastic and / or metal foil, from the in the filling or packaging station or in any station preceding that station, the respective one Packaging is formed, or the packaging material is a tubular packaging material, from which in the packing or filling station or in the preceding Station by closing and separating the respective example bag or pillow-like Packaging is formed.

Filling or Packaged goods in the sense of the invention are any products which can be packed in such packaging. Filling or packaged goods in Meaning of the invention are in particular also liquid, creamy or pasty products, for example, foods and drinks such as milk, juice, wine etc., but also not liquid or dry products, e.g. in powder or granular form etc.

Independent of the nature of the respective packaging and / or the filling or packaging material is to form the packaging so far an already printed packaging material used, the imprint or equipment u.a. product and / or brand related in graphic and / or graphic and / or color and / or content is very different. It is therefore so far et al required, when packaging the product associated with the respective Choose packaging material and when changing a packaging or production line from For one product to another product, the packaging material switch.

Known is still a printhead for printing on flat printing material is determined and with which a variety of pressure points in one Line close to each other or at a very small distance from each other, For example, at least one hundred and fifty pressure points per inch on a surface to be printed of the printed material can be generated through a variety of individually controllable individual nozzles. The active print width of this printhead, which is also known under the name "Tonejet" is only dependent from the capacity the billing performance of a computer controlling the printhead. So are printheads from 1.7-6.8 inches print width (corresponding to a 256 bit drive or a 1024 bit control). With this printhead is the printing of a two-dimensional imprint with sufficient greater area by relative movement between the surface to be printed and the printhead only possible in a single axial direction.

task The invention is to provide a method by which the formation from with a filling or Packed goods filled printed packaging in a rational way, even with different Equipment or with different imprint is possible. To the solution This object is a method according to the claim 1 formed. An apparatus for carrying out the method is the subject of claim 20.

A Particularity of the method according to the invention is that not only for the overall appearance of the respective packaging irrelevant Information, but at least an essential part of the imprint or the equipment of the packaging immediately before molding the Packaging and / or immediately before filling with the filling or Packaged goods in a printing unit on the packaging material, preferably applied to the still flat packaging material becomes. As a result, it is u.a. possible, using one and the same packaging material as the starting material solely by appropriate adjustment or conversion of the printing unit to change the equipment of the packaging.

at a preferred embodiment According to the invention, the printing unit is designed to handle the respective printed image on the packaging material depends on the control by an electronic control unit or a Computer generated, after an electronic or a record software formed and for example in a memory of the control device or the Calculator filed printmask. By changing this electronic Printmask is the hassle-free change the packaging equipment possible, in every respect, i. e. et al content, graphic, color, pictorial, but also in terms of size and shape of each Print.

The invention thus offers, inter alia, the possibility of easily changing and / or updating the respective packaging equipment if necessary, for example also depending on the particular product and / or depending on the respective brand, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the size of the Printed on the size of Verpa adapt or adapted to change or even during an ongoing process, the print or parts of the imprint or vary.

Consequently the invention also offers the possibility the expression produced from one produced unit to the next Unit, so to change, for example, from one container to the next container.

The Printing unit preferably has at least one print head, the preferred as a "Tonejet" printhead or as corresponding to such a "Tonejet" printhead Printhead is formed. Such a printhead has at a printing area, the opposite when printing the surface to be printed in a small Distance from this surface is arranged, a plurality of individual nozzles, which in a printhead longitudinal axis dense provided consecutively and in each case by a nozzle opening and from each nozzle opening associated Electrode are formed. The ink in the printhead occurs at each individual nozzle or from the associated Nozzle opening only then off, when activating a single nozzle, the associated electrode is subjected to an electrical voltage whose polarity and or Voltage potential of the polarity and / or the voltage potential of the printhead or the ink in the printhead, so that by electrostatic forces ejected a certain amount of ink from the nozzle opening of the activated individual nozzle or is applied. A printhead of this type will also be described below as "electrostatic Printhead ".

The Invention will be described below with reference to the figures of an embodiment explained in more detail. It demonstrate:

1 in a simplified representation of a packaging unit in the form of a cuboid cardboard packaging;

2 in a very schematic functional representation of a production plant for molding and filling the packaging units of 1 ;

3 in a schematic representation of the trained as electrostatic printheads print heads of a printing unit of the system 2 , together with the packaging material to be printed;

4 one of the printheads of the printing unit the 2 in side view.

In the figures is 1 one of a single or multi-layer packaging material 1.1 , For example, made of a laminated with at least one plastic and / or metal foil carton and with a liquid filling, for example with egg nem beverage (milk, milk product, juice, wine, etc.) filled packaging that is optically provided on its outer surface with an equipment is, at least in some areas of at least one imprint 2 is formed. This imprint can be carried out in various forms, including, inter alia, product and / or brand-related in visual and / or graphical and / or color and / or content terms.

The 2 shows in a very schematic representation of a production or bottling plant 3 for forming the packaging 1 from the initially flat packaging material 1.1 , for the subsequent filling of the packaging 1 with the liquid contents and for closing the filled packages 1 , Central functional unit of the production plant 3 is a station or unit 4 , the flat, web-shaped packaging material 1.1 from a supply 5 For example, in the form of a roll in the direction of arrow A is supplied and in the from the packaging material 1.1 the individual packaging 1 shaped, then filled with the liquid product and sealed. The filled and sealed packaging 1 are then according to the arrow B via a conveyor 6 the further use, for example, fed to a packing station, not shown, in which the packaging 1 For example, be assembled into larger containers.

In conveying or feed direction A of the packaging material 1.1 in front of the unit 4 is a printing station 7 provided on the packaging material 1.1 for applying the imprints 2 is moved past. A special feature of the production plant 3 is that the printing of the packaging material 1.1 only immediately prior to use of this material, ie immediately prior to molding the packaging 1 he follows. As a result, there is the possibility, inter alia, as packaging material 1.1 To use a neutral material, which only with the packaging for the packaging immediately before use 1 desired imprints 2 is provided, or a packaging material which is already partially printed and / or color, graphic, etc. designed and then immediately before use with the additional imprints 2 is provided to those for the packaging 1 to achieve desired equipment.

In detail there is the printing station 7 in the illustrated embodiment in the running or conveying direction A of the packaging material 1.1 consecutively from a preheating unit 8th , from one to the preheating unit 8th subsequent printing unit 9 and from one to the printing unit 9 subsequent unit 10 for drying the respective imprint 2 or the printed image, depending on the for the imprints 2 used printing ink by heating or heat treatment and / or by UV treatment, etc.

Another essential feature of the production line 3 is that the printing unit 9 according to the 3 and 4 from several printheads 11 consists, each transverse or perpendicular to the direction A of the packaging material 1.1 at a slight distance above that in the illustrated embodiment in the region of the printing station 7 horizontally or approximately horizontally guided packaging material 1.1 or above the packaging material 1.1 formed printing plane are arranged. The printheads 11 extend in each case over the entire width of the flat packaging material 1.1 ,

To achieve the highest possible printing performance (number of imprints 2 per unit time) to achieve the best possible print quality, are the printheads 11 formed in this embodiment as electrostatic printheads. For multi-color printing, there are three print heads each 11 each of which is for printing a color set of multi-color printing. The printheads 11 thus contain in the color different printing inks, such as red, blue and yellow. Basically, there is also the option of more printheads 11 at the printing unit 9 provide, for example, a fourth printhead 11 for black printing ink.

As the 3 and 4 show each printhead exists 11 essentially from a housing 12 , which includes a closed interior 13 forms for receiving the liquid or viscous ink. Every case 12 is designed so that the interior 13 to a lower housing section 12.1 narrowed funnel or wedge-shaped. In this housing section 12.1 that extends over the entire length of each printhead 11 or of the housing 12 extends and is oriented parallel to a housing or print head longitudinal axis DL and thus also parallel to the printing plane and perpendicular or transverse to the conveying direction A, is a plurality of individually controllable individual nozzles 14 for the controlled application of the printing ink, in at least one row in the direction of the print head axis DL successively and in a tight arrangement, so that, for example, one hundred and fifty individual nozzles 14 per inch or more on the housing section 12.1 are formed. With the the individual nozzles 14 having housing section 12.1 is every printhead 11 in the mentioned, predetermined small distance above the packaging material to be printed 1.1 or the printing plane arranged.

The packaging material 1 When printing in the direction A is continuous or clocked at the respective printhead 11 moved past. Due to the mentioned orientation of the printheads 11 is the feed or running direction A across, but preferably oriented perpendicular to the print head longitudinal axis DL. In the illustrated Ausfüh tion form the printheads 11 further arranged with their printhead longitudinal axes DL parallel to each other, preferably in a common horizontal plane.

Every single nozzle 14 consists of an opening 15 and an acicular electrode associated with said opening 16 that is coaxial with the axis of the opening 15 is arranged and at a small distance from this opening within the housing interior 13 ends. Every printhead 11 is further designed so that at least during the printing process, the inside of the housing 13 absorbed ink with a certain hydrostatic pressure against the openings 15 the individual nozzles 14 pending. The cross section of the openings 15 but is chosen taking into account the viscosity and / or the surface tension of the ink so that when not activated individual nozzle 14 despite the hydrostatic pressure, ink from the openings 15 does not exit.

The electrodes 16 and therefore also the individual nozzles 14 are via a control device 17 individually controllable, in such a way that when not activated individual nozzle 14 the corresponding electrode 16 is at the same electrostatic potential as the ink in the housing interior 13 , When activating an electrode 16 is the voltage potential by appropriate control of the controller 17 changed briefly or impulsively, so over the opening 15 Printing ink for creating a pressure point 18 on the packaging material 1.1 is applied.

Because the printheads 11 with its printhead longitudinal axis DL transversely or perpendicular to the feed or running direction A of the packaging material 1.1 are arranged, the print job is carried out on this material in each case in rows which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal extent or running direction A over the entire width of the area to be printed, and progressively in the advancing or running direction A. The printed area extends for example over the full width or almost the entire width of the packaging material 1.1 so in the printing station 7 all pages of the later packaging 1 be printed, whereby by appropriate control of the individual nozzles 14 For example, the print is made so that each side of the finished package 1 then has a visually self-contained imprint and, for example, content and / or infor mative components of the imprint do not over edges of the packaging material 1.1 extend packaging formed. Other ways of designing the imprints are by appropriate control of the printheads or the individual nozzles 14 possible.

For printing is only a single relative movement of the packaging material 1.1 and the respective printhead 11 required, namely the feed movement of the packaging material. For these reasons, a high printing performance is achievable. The respective print image is in the control device 17 purely digital for the corresponding control of the individual nozzles 14 generated and is in the control device 17 or stored in a local memory, for example, as a digital record.

Printing the packaging material 1.1 with the printing unit 9 For example, in such a way that the respective imprint and / or the graphic and / or color design and / or equipment of the packaging material 1.1 completely through the printing unit 9 on the neutral packaging material 1.1 is generated or with the printing unit 9 one already on the packaging material 1.1 existing imprint supplemented in a desired manner, for example, provided with a linguistic, color and / or graphic addition.

By printing the packaging material 1.1 just before the use of this material to form the packaging 1 as well as by controlling the printing unit 9 or the printheads there 11 from the electronic control unit 17 using digitally or data stored printing forms or print masks, there are various advantageous possibilities, ie the possibility of a rapid conversion of the production line 3 on different products, an adjustment and / or adjustment of the size of the imprints 2 to the size of the packaging 1 etc. Furthermore, a trouble-free conversion of the imprints 2 solely by a new programming and / or a program change of the electronic control device 17 possible. In particular, it is also possible during an ongoing process, the imprints 2 and to change the equipment of the packaging, for example, the printed image for each packaging 1 redesign, especially in such a way that each printed image is composed of a constant or constant component and of variable content and / or information. The changing printing components are then, for example, numeric or alphanumeric information, for example information on the date of manufacture and / or best-before date and / or information in the form of a numerical code, etc.

It is understood that the feed rate of the packaging material 1.1 at least in the area of the printheads 11 by the electronic control device 17 is controlled, in synchronism with the control of the printheads 11 so as to achieve a clear print image with high quality. It is further understood that in the field of printheads 11 Centering and guiding means for the packaging material 1.1 are provided to this material with respect to the Druckköp fe 11 optimally align, but especially by the given distance between the printheads 11 and the packaging material 1.1 to comply exactly.

In the printing unit 9 or the printheads there 11 preceding preheating unit 8th becomes the packaging material 1.1 so preheated that the ink of the individual printheads 11 produced printing and / or color sets at least as far as hardens, or sets, that an undesired mixing of the individual printing inks or printing and / or color sets is avoided. The preheating device 8th For example, in order to improve the printing in terms of contrast and / or sharpness, it is also possible for other elements, for example a corona element (not shown), to be used with which the packaging material 1.1 is electrostatically charged at least on its surface to be printed before printing.

In the feed or running direction A on the printing unit 9 following unit 10 drying or setting of the printing ink takes place by heating or in another suitable way, for example by curing under UV light, etc.

The The invention has been described above with reference to an exemplary embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible, without thereby the inventive idea underlying the invention will leave.

So it was assumed above that the packaging material 1.1 is a flat material from which then by separating and folding the individual packages 1 be formed. Basically, the packaging material 1.1 also be a tubular material from which are formed by appropriate separation and sealing of the individual packages.

Furthermore, it was assumed above that only one printing unit 9 is provided. Of course, several printing units may be used, in particular offset in the direction A and / or transversely to the direction A against each other.

1

packaging

1.1

packing material

2

imprint

3

production line

4

unit

5

Stock of packaging material 1.1

6

carrier

7

printing station

8th

preheating

9

printing unit

10

unit to dry the ink

11

printhead

12

casing

12.1

housing section

13

Housing interior

14

single nozzle

15

opening

16

electrode

17

control device

18

pressure point

A

Feed or running direction of the packaging material 1.1

B

transport direction

Claims (34)

Method for providing packaging ( 1 ) when packaging a filling or packaging good, the packaging ( 1 ) in a filling and packaging plant ( 4 ) are formed from a supplied packaging material immediately before and / or during filling with the filling or packaging material, characterized in that the printing of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) in at least one printing station ( 7 ) occurs when feeding this material. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the printing of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) in the at least one printing station ( 7 ) after removing this material from a supply ( 5 ) he follows. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the packaging material ( 1.1 ) before printing is a neutral material without imprint. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is a partially preprinted material prior to printing and that printing of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) a supplement of an already existing on this material print image is done. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) multicolored. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) using at least one printing station ( 7 ) or a printing unit ( 9 ), which determines the pressure or the print image as a function of an electronic control ( 17 ) generated. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the printing station ( 7 ) or printing unit ( 9 ) the printed image as a function of in the control device ( 17 ) generated electronically or software-based print masks. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the printed image during a production process at least partially changed or varied. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material ( 1.1 ) transversely to a packaging material longitudinal direction or transversely to the feed direction (A) of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is printed, for example over the entire width or a large part of the width of the packaging material ( 1.1 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing under relative movement between the packaging material ( 1.1 ) and the printing unit ( 9 ) or at least one print head ( 11 ) of the printing unit ( 9 ) he follows. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the packaging material ( 1.1 ) relative to the printing unit ( 9 ) or to the at least one print head ( 11 ) is moved. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one printing unit ( 9 ) at least one electrostatic printhead ( 11 ) with a large number of individually controllable individual nozzles ( 14 ) for the controlled release of printing ink, and that the individual nozzles ( 14 ) are arranged in at least one row consecutively in a print head longitudinal axis (DL). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the relative movement between the at least one print head ( 11 ) and the film material ( 1.1 ) takes place transversely or perpendicular to the print head longitudinal axis (DL). Method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is oriented horizontally or substantially horizontally when printing. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one print head ( 11 ) above the packaging material to be printed ( 1.1 ) is arranged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two, preferably at least three print heads ( 11 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to produce a multicolor print with each print head ( 11 ) a color set of this imprint is generated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing ink after application to the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is dried or hardened by the action of energy, for example by heating and / or UV light. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is heated and / or statically charged prior to printing. Device for providing packaging ( 1 ) when packaging a filling or packaging good, the packaging ( 1 ) in a filling and packaging plant ( 4 ) from one of a supply ( 5 ) are formed before and / or during filling with the filling or packaging material, characterized in that between the stock ( 5 ) and a station ( 4 ) to form the packaging ( 1 ) at least one printing unit ( 9 ) for printing the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is provided. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the at least one printing unit ( 9 ) for a multicolor printing of the packaging material ( 5.1 ) is trained. Apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the at least one printing unit ( 9 ) the printed image in dependence on an electrical control device ( 17 ) generated. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the at least one printing unit ( 9 ) the printed image as a function of in the control device ( 17 ) generated electronically or software-based print masks. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing unit ( 9 ) or at least one print head ( 11 ) of this unit the packaging material ( 1.1 ) printed line by line across its longitudinal direction, for example over the entire width or a large part of this width. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means for generating the relative movement between the packaging material ( 1.1 ) and the at least one printing unit ( 9 ) or at least one print head ( 11 ) of this printing unit ( 9 ) during printing. Apparatus according to claim 25, characterized by feed means with which the packaging material ( 1.1 ) relative to the at least one printing unit ( 9 ) or to the at least one print head ( 11 ) is moved. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one printing unit ( 9 ) at least one electrostatic printhead ( 11 ) with a large number of individually controllable individual nozzles ( 14 ) for the controlled release of printing ink, and that the individual nozzles ( 14 ) are arranged in at least one row consecutively in a print head longitudinal axis (DL). Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the at least one print head ( 11 ) with a print head longitudinal axis (DL) transversely or perpendicular to the feed movement (B) of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally when printing. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one print head ( 11 ) above the packaging material ( 1.1 ) is arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two, preferably by at least three print heads ( 11 ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to produce a multi-color imprint each printhead ( 11 ) is associated with a color set of the imprint. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means ( 10 ) to dry the ink after application the packaging material ( 1.1 ) by the action of energy, for example by heating and / or by UV light. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means ( 8th ) for heating and / or for the electrostatic charging of the packaging material ( 1.1 ) before printing.