DE102010034780A1 - Apparatus and method for printing on containers - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case of a device for printing on containers by means of inkjet printing on a rotating machine, several treatment stations 23 have the print heads 7, 8, 9 necessary for printing on the containers 1. The print heads 7, 8, 9 and possibly further devices 5, 6 required for the pre- and post-treatment of the containers 1 are arranged essentially one above the other in a path B which is preferably inclined at about 90 ° to the transport plane of the container 1. The machine 1 has transport elements 13 for moving the containers 1 along the inclined path.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for printing on containers, preferably by means of ink jet printing, on a preferably continuously rotating machine with treatment stations, which have the necessary for printing the container printheads.

Containers, such as bottles and packages, are usually labeled so that consumer information can be attached. It is also known to apply markers or other information to the package with ink jet printers to allow for customizations that label printing does not allow. Such printing systems work monochrome and are limited to a few printing dots per line.

To apply a multi-color printing by means of inkjet printers on containers, several monochrome printheads are successively and correspondingly offset so arranged that, depending on the number of colors, an always uniform distance between the individual pressure points is achieved. This is possible with an adjustment to a machine with several printheads arranged one after the other. The packaging material and the print heads are thereby joined together at a constant speed. The performance of such a machine is therefore dependent on the printing speed of a respective printhead. Although this is practicable for absorbent packaging materials, for other materials such as metals, glass or plastic, on the other hand, the ink must either be dried by heat or hardened by crosslinking by means of UV or electron beams. This procedure is to be used after the printing of each ink, which increases the length of such machines. If you want to increase the power, so either multiple printing systems to switch in parallel or it must be chosen a different arrangement.

When in the DE 10 2008 049 241 A1 described apparatus for applying a multi-color print image on a container a plurality of modules are connected in series, in which various treatment steps, such as pretreatment, printing, drying and inspection are performed. The containers are transferred from one module to the next, so that in each case a new positioning and adjustment is required. This affects the accuracy of the printed image and reduces the throughput speed.

From the WO 2004/009360 A1 a device is known in which the containers are each arranged on a mandrel serving as a container carrier during printing. With several printheads distributed around the mandrel, a colored print image consisting of several color sets is applied to the containers while rotating the mandrel. The domes are provided on a circumferentially driven transport element, with which the containers are moved during printing on a transport path formed between a container inlet and a container outlet.

The DE 10 2007 050 490 A1 describes an apparatus and a method for printing on containers with a plurality of printheads operating on the principle of ink-jet printing, for producing partial print images of the print image to be applied to the container outer surface. The containers are moved during printing by means of a transport element designed as a carousel, wherein the printing units arranged on the carousel are also moved. In order to apply the partial printing images with the individual printheads of a printing unit to the containers, the printheads for a printhead change are switched on and switched off such that a printhead located in a printing position on the respective container can be moved out of the printing position and another printhead can be moved into the printing position , The movement of the printheads takes place in the same horizontal plane in which the carousel rotates.

The industrial use of all previously discussed systems should be carried out at high capacities, for example in bottling plants with up to 36,000 bottles per hour. Here, the bottles and thus also the printhead are transported at a speed of about 1.5 m / s, so that the drops of paint are exposed to an air flow, which can affect the print quality.

Object of the present invention is therefore to achieve a high printing performance in the printing of containers on a rotating machine with reliable function and high print quality.

This object is achieved in a device of the type mentioned above with the present invention essentially in that the printheads and optionally further required for pre- and post-treatment of the devices substantially one above the other in a transport plane preferably to the container by about 90 ° inclined path are arranged, and that the machine has transport elements for moving the container along the inclined path.

Unlike the one from the DE 10 2008 049 241 A1 known plant is the multi-colored printing of the container in each case in a single treatment station, so that a transfer and recentering between each station is not required. In addition, the bottle always remains in its printing position and the angle of rotation is always known during the printing process. As a result, the printing precision can be increased significantly, especially with multi-color printing.

Unlike the one from the DE 10 2007 050 490 A1 known system, the containers are moved for printing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the rotating machine. Again, the assignment of container position and print head is much easier, since only the vertical displacement is taken into account. In addition, the printing units can be made narrower so that much more printing units can be arranged on the rotating machine and the throughput of the system can be increased.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the treatment stations in the various levels on printheads, means for crosslinking the ink by means of auxiliary power and / or a plasma torch or the like for the surface pre-treatment before printing on. Thus, the desired multicolor print image can be completely applied in a treatment station.

If the inlet and outlet of the treatment stations lie in one plane, the transfer between the individual treatment stations and the overall structure of the machine can be simplified.

In a further development of the invention, a turntable for receiving the containers and their rotation is provided within the treatment stations, which is driven in particular via a servo motor or a stepper motor. The arranged on the turntable container can be guided past the fixed print head, when the print image is applied over the entire or a partial circumference of the container.

In a further development of this inventive concept, it is provided that the turntable with the container standing thereon can be displaced along the inclined path, for example by means of a linear motor. Thus, the container only needs to be positioned and aligned once on the turntable.

For this purpose, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a centering is provided which fixes the container when lifting immovable in its position. The centering is preferably placed on the container and is held on this by its own weight. This simple design ensures accurate alignment of the container with the printheads throughout the printing process.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a cover is provided within which the processing stations arranged in the different treatment levels are arranged, wherein the centering with the container is preferably guided and displaceable within the cover along the inclined path. This prevents the wind during rotation of the machine impairs the printing process and the application of the drops of paint on the container.

The invention also extends to methods for printing on containers, preferably by means of ink-jet printing, during the rotation of the preferably continuously rotating machine, in particular using the device described above. According to the invention, treatment stations are provided on the rotating machine which essentially have one above the other the printing heads necessary for printing and optionally further facilities required for pre- and post-treatment of the containers in a path preferably inclined by about 90 ° to the transport plane of the containers, the containers being displaced along the inclined path to different treatment stations are performed.

Preferably, after being guided to one of the treatment stations, the containers remain there for treatment and are moved to the next position only after completion of the treatment. This simplifies the assignment and control of the print heads, since during the printing process only the rotation of the containers induced via the turntable has to be taken into account. There is enough time during the rotation of the rotating machine to complete the treatment of the containers at the various treatment stations.

The position to be approached by the container is given electronically depending on the container design and design of the surface to be printed and is thus individually and flexibly adjustable.

To increase the pixel density of the printing within a plane intermediate positions are approached in the invention. The printing process is then offset a second time in the same plane and, if appropriate, carried out with a modified or correspondingly adapted image.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawing. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their combination in the claims or their dependency.

Show it:

1 schematically a top view of a device according to the invention,

2A - 2F schematically the container to be printed at different positions of a treatment station.

In the 1 illustrated apparatus for printing on containers has a carousel 21 on, which preferably circulates continuously and the over an inlet star 20 the containers to be printed are supplied. On a rotary base, not shown, of the carousel 21 is a variety of, for example, fifty treatment stations 23 arranged side by side.

The treatment stations 23 rotate at the same speed as the carousel 21 , After a rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow R rotation direction, the container via an outlet star 22 back from the carousel 21 removed and fed to further processing. Of course, it is possible over the circumference of the carousel 21 several associated input and output stars 20 . 22 provide, as far as between them a sufficient distance to perform all printing and treatment steps in the treatment stations 23 given is.

As in 2 is shown, a container 1 , in particular a bottle, in the treatment stations 23 on a turntable 2 arranged, via a drive unit 3 , in particular a servomotor or a stepping motor, can be rotated. The turntable 2 comes with the container standing on it 1 for example via a linear motor 13 along a direction of transport R of the carousel 21 inclined, in 2 shifted by a corresponding arrow indicated path B. Usually, and so also in the illustrated embodiment, this web B is at 90 ° to the transport direction R of the carousel 21 offset, leaving the container 1 opposite the carousel rotating in the horizontal direction 21 be moved vertically. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the web B also at a different angle to the direction of rotation R of the carousel 21 is inclined, for example, by 45 or 60 °, as long as that in the individual treatment stations 23 provided, explained in more detail below devices are arranged substantially one above the other.

The container 1 gets on the turntable 2 using a centering 10 kept the container 1 fixed immovably at its position when lifting. The centering 10 is on the container 1 attachable and lies on this by its own weight.

The turntable 2 is with his drive unit 3 over a fortification 12 on a transport element, in particular a linear motor 13 attached and so can with the container placed on it 1 moved vertically up and down and fed to the superimposed pressure and treatment positions. The drive system provides electronic feedback to the plant controller, allowing for accurate positioning of the containers 1 at the treatment facilities 5 to 9 is allowed. Here, the position to be approached by the shape of the container 1 and the design of the printable area 4 determined and specified by the plant control accordingly. The print image can be flexibly changed during operation, so that, for example, on each container 1 another picture can be printed.

During vertical movement, the container becomes 1 on the turntable 2 about the centering 10 automatically centered, with the centering 10 solely by its own weight on the container 1 rests. The vertical movement of the container 1 and the centering arranged on it 10 is a non-illustrated longitudinal guide within a example as a protective cylinder 14 trained cover 14 guided. The through the rotating container 1 with driven rotatable centering 10 is about a pivot bearing 11 connected to the longitudinal guide, not shown. The cover 14 protects the printing process against the wind, which occurs during the rotation of the carousel 21 is generated, and is open in the area of the container change, so that the container 1 just in the treatment station 23 can be inserted and removed from this.

After the delivery of the container 1 from the inlet star 20 in the in 2A shown container change position A is the container 1 first by means of the linear motor 13 vertically to a position B ( 2 B ) in which by means of one or more plasma torches (s) 5 activation and cleaning of the container surface in the area to be printed 4 he follows. The container 1 is here by means of the turntable 2 rotated at least once around its axis, leaving the entire circumference of the container 1 can be treated. The position of the plasma torch 5 depends on the container shape and the image to be printed and is electronically adjusted by suitable software based on the image information.

After the surface treatment in position B the container becomes 1 to the position D ( 2D ) in, in turn, during during at least one rotation of the container 1 , one or two colors via corresponding inkjet printheads 7 be applied.

Subsequently, the container 2 to the position C ( 2C ), in which by means of a UV treatment 6 or other suitable auxiliary energy curing and crosslinking of the printing inks is achieved.

If a print with other colors is desired, then the container 1 if necessary to the position E ( 2E ), in which by means of the print heads 8th two more colors on the print area 4 be applied. After printing, curing of the printing inks by UV irradiation takes place at position C in the device 6 , If more colors are needed, the container will 1 then by means of the linear motor 13 into the position F ( 2F ) method in which by means of printheads 9 two more colors are applied. Subsequently, a UV curing takes place again in the device 6 ,

The printhead stations 7 . 8th and 9 are each sealed by a cover, not shown, resulting in the movement of the turntable 2 opens into the appropriate print position. This will cause unwanted curing of the ink on the printheads 7 - 9 prevented by the UV irradiation, as in the activation of the UV treatment 6 at position C all printheads 7 - 9 are shielded.

By a slight shift of the turntable 2 with the help of the linear motor 13 and reprinting using the printheads 7 The pixel density at positions D, E and / or F can be increased in a targeted manner.

From the above description it follows that adjacent stations do not necessarily have to be approached in succession and not all treatment stations. Rather, the order can be specified by the system control as needed.

Finally, the turntable 2 with the container 1 returned to the container exchange position A and can after a circulation around the carousel 21 over the outlet star 22 be removed from the machine.

When lowering the container 1 in the container exchange position A, the container 1 automatically from the centering 10 released and can through the outlet star 22 be removed. The container exchange position A is in the same plane for the inlet and the outlet.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

container

2

turntable

3

drive unit

4

pressure range

5

plasma torch

6

UV irradiation unit

7

printhead

8th

printhead

9

printhead

10

centering

11

pivot bearing

12

attachment

13

linear motor

14

protective cover

20

feed star

21

carousel

22

outlet star

23

treatment unit

R

Direction of rotation of the device

B

Path of the treatment unit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008049241 A1 [0004, 0010]
• WO 2004/009360 A1 [0005]
• DE 102007050490 A1 [0006, 0011]

Claims (13)

Device for printing on containers ( 1 ), preferably by ink jet printing, on a rotating machine with treatment stations ( 23 ), which are used to print the containers ( 1 ) necessary print heads ( 7 - 9 ), characterized in that the print heads ( 7 - 9 ) and possibly further for pre- and post-treatment of the containers ( 1 ) required facilities ( 5 . 6 ) substantially one above the other in a transport plane to the container ( 1 ) are preferably arranged at approximately 90 degrees inclined track (B), and that the machine transport elements for moving the container ( 1 ) along the inclined track (B). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment stations ( 23 ) in the different layers printheads ( 7 - 9 ), Facilities ( 6 ) for crosslinking the paint by means of auxiliary energy and / or a plasma torch ( 5 ) or the like for surface pretreatment before printing. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inlet and outlet of the treatment stations ( 23 ) lies in one plane. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a with a drive unit ( 3 ), in particular a servomotor or a stepper motor, provided turntable ( 2 ) for receiving the containers ( 1 ) and their rotation within the treatment stations ( 23 ). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the turntable ( 2 ) with the container ( 3 ), for example by means of a linear motor ( 13 ) is slidable along the inclined track (B). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a centering ( 10 ), the container ( 1 ) fixed in position during lifting. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the centering ( 10 ) on the container ( 1 ) Can be placed and this fixed by its own weight in its position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cover ( 14 ), which arrange the treatment stations arranged in the different treatment levels ( 23 ) covers. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the centering ( 10 ) with the container ( 1 ) within the cover ( 14 ) is slidable along the inclined track (B). Method for printing on containers, preferably by means of ink jet printing, during the rotation of a preferably continuously rotating machine, characterized in that on the rotating machine treatment stations are arranged, which essentially one above the other necessary for printing printheads and possibly further for pre- and post-treatment the container required facilities in a transport plane to the container preferably inclined by about 90 degrees, and that the containers are guided by moving along the inclined path to different treatment stations. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the containers, after they have been led to one of the treatment stations, stay there for treatment and are moved only after completion of the treatment to the next position. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the position to be approached is specified electronically depending on the container design and design of the surface to be printed. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that to increase the pixel density of the printing within a plane intermediate positions are approached and the printing process in the same plane a second time offset with possibly changed or appropriately adjusted image is performed.

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