EP0572999B1 - Procédé et équipement pour imprimer une image sur un article - Google Patents

Procédé et équipement pour imprimer une image sur un article Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0572999B1
EP0572999B1 EP93108851A EP93108851A EP0572999B1 EP 0572999 B1 EP0572999 B1 EP 0572999B1 EP 93108851 A EP93108851 A EP 93108851A EP 93108851 A EP93108851 A EP 93108851A EP 0572999 B1 EP0572999 B1 EP 0572999B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ribbon
inked
face
image
article
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93108851A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0572999A1 (fr
Inventor
Giovanni Tabasso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eidos SpA
Original Assignee
Eidos SpA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eidos SpA filed Critical Eidos SpA
Publication of EP0572999A1 publication Critical patent/EP0572999A1/fr
Priority to US08/253,142 priority Critical patent/US5583555A/en
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Publication of EP0572999B1 publication Critical patent/EP0572999B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/382—Contact thermal transfer or sublimation processes
    • B41M5/38257—Contact thermal transfer or sublimation processes characterised by the use of an intermediate receptor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/025—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet
    • B41M5/0256—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet the transferable ink pattern being obtained by means of a computer driven printer, e.g. an ink jet or laser printer, or by electrographic means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method according to the introduction to Claim 1 of printing an image on an article such as a container or a wrapper for a product or a package.
  • image means, in a broad sense, a text, a drawing, a logo, a bar code, or any other two-dimensional graphic representation.
  • codes for example bar codes
  • images of various types to wrappers for products in order to indentify the product and/or to indicate, for example, its sale price and possibly other information is a widespread practice in industry and commerce.
  • Adhesive labels on which the codes and/or images have previously been printed are often used for this purpose.
  • thermal transfer devices with printing blocks for this purpose.
  • this solution involves the provision and organisation of a corresponding set of printing blocks, since it is not possible to modify a printing block in real time during production.
  • dot-line or dot-matrix printing heads which are typically made of ceramic material, and hence are rigid, when the packaged product is of irregular shape and/or consistency or when the surface which is to receive the print is quite rough.
  • EP-A-0 376 170, EP-A-0 566 161 (prior art under Art 54(3)(4)EPC) describe printing methods according to the introduction of appended Claim 1.
  • the image to be printed onto an article is formed on a ribbon and is subsequently transferred to the article with the use of a thermal transfer roller.
  • the thermal transfer roller is mounted rotatable at a circumferential speed which equals that of the image-carrying ribbon, and is vertically movable towards the ribbon so that the latter can be pressed down onto the surface of the article.
  • the thermal transfer device is constituted by a roller which at the same time generates heat and transfers heat to the image-carrying ribbon to cause the transfer of the image onto the article.
  • German patent DE-A-39 35 345 describes a printing method in which a positive image is formed (possibly as a mirror image) on a portion of an auxiliary flexible ribbon by the thermal transfer of some of the ink carried on one face of an inked ribbon, by means of a dot printing head.
  • the positive image thus formed is then transferred from the auxiliary ribbon to an article by means of a transfer device formed either by a simple vertically movable heating plate or by a heating roller which is horizontally slidable along a vertically displaceable guide rail.
  • the object of the present invention is to propose a printing method of the type specified above which avoids the disdvantages of the prior art described above.
  • Another subject of the invention is equipment for printing an image on articles by thermally transferring ink from a flexible inked ribbon, the characteristics of the equipment being defined in the appended claims.
  • a packaged article on which an image, for example, a bar code, is to be printed is indicated A.
  • the article is carried by a conveyor belt T which advances in steps or jerks, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.
  • a first embodiment of the invention uses a flexible ribbon R, which is inked on one face and the thickness of which has been shown enlarged for greater clarity.
  • the ribbon R is advanced (by means of known devices, not shown in Figure 1) along a path indicated by the arrows F1.
  • the inked ribbon R is deflected in correspondence with a guide roller R1, downstream of which there is a thermal printing head H, for example, of the dot-line type.
  • the inked ribbon R travels between the head and a counter-roller R20 with its non-inked face in contact with the printing head H.
  • An auxiliary, flexible, non-inked ribbon, indicated N constituted, for example, by a mylar or polyester film, is advanced along a path indicated by the arrows F2.
  • the auxiliary ribbon N travels in contact with the inked ribbon R, particularly in the region in which the thermal printing head H is disposed opposite the counter-roller R20.
  • the head is activated, under the control of a programmable computerized control system of known type, so as to form on the inked face of the ribbon R successive positive images for transfer further downstream onto individual articles A supplied in sequence by the conveyor T.
  • Each positive image is formed by the selective heating of the individual spaced dots of the head H so as to transfer onto the auxiliary ribbon the portions of the ink of the inked ribbon R which correspond to the negative of the image to be printed on the articles A.
  • the same printing head H may also transfer onto the auxiliary ribbon the ink of the inked ribbon which is disposed between two successive positive images formed thereon.
  • each positive image formed on the inked face of the ribbon R is shown as including three successive black portions or lines spaced at regular intervals along the ribbon.
  • the path of the ribbon R extends above the path of the articles A.
  • the movement of the ribbon R and of the products A is controlled by synchronizing means of known type, not shown, so that, for each step of the conveyor T, a positive image formed on the ribbon R is disposed above an article A near a thermal transfer device, generally indicated P, with a heating pad.
  • This device presses against the article A and heats the portion of the ribbon R which bears the positive image to be printed so as to transfer it onto the article.
  • thermal transfer device with a heating pad enables the printing to be carried out even on articles of irregular shape and/or consistency and/or with uneven surfaces, in particular, even on "soft" packages, such as plastics bags and the like.
  • dot-line (or possibly dot-matrix) thermal printing head thus enables the direct, on-line modification of the characteristics of the images or codes to be printed on the articles.
  • FIG 2 shows schematically a different embodiment of the method of the invention.
  • parts and elements already described with reference to Figure 1 have again been given the same alpha-numeric references.
  • each individual positive image is formed on a portion of the non-inked face of the ribbon R by transferring the portions of the ink of a portion of the inked face which correspond to the positive image to a portion of that face.
  • the inked ribbon R passes firstly near to the printing head H, then follows a loop-like path defined by the guide rollers R30-R33, and then passes between the head H and the counter-roller R20 again, beneath and in contact with another portion of the same ribbon. Two superposed portions R' and R'' of the same ribbon R thus pass between the head H and the counter-roller R20.
  • the head H transfers the portions of the ink which correspond to the positive of the images to be printed from the inked face of the portion R' to the non-inked face of R''.
  • the individual positive image to be printed on an article A is formed on a portion of the inked face of the inked ribbon R by transferring the portions of the ink which correspond to the negative of the image and to the spaces between adjacent images onto a portion of the other face of the same ribbon R.
  • the inked ribbon R comes from an unwinding roller or reel (not shown) to the guide roller R1 and then passes near the printing head H, continues along a substantially loop-like path defined by guide rollers R30-R33, and then passes between the head H and the counter-roller R20 again, beneath and in contact with another portion of the same ribbon.
  • the head H is piloted so as to transfer the ink portions which correspond to the negatives of the images to be printed (and any spaces between successive images) from the inked face of the portion R' to the non-inked face of R''.
  • the images formed on the portion R' of the inked ribbon R are transferred onto the articles A by means of the pad device P.
  • Figure 4 shows equipment usable to carry out the thermal transfer printing method according to Figure 1.
  • the equipment comprises a control console C with a video display D and a control keypad K.
  • the equipment also comprises a stationary portion, generally indicated G, comprising a support framework with two uprights L to which a structure M is connected, the printing units and the devices for supplying and moving the inked ribbon and the auxiliary ribbon being mounted therein.
  • the framework G is positioned adjacent a conveyor T which carries the articles A in sequence with a stepped or jerky forward movement.
  • Figure 5 shows the equipment of devices carried by the support structure M for carrying out the printing method described above with reference to Figure 1.
  • the structure contains a roller or reel 1 for unwinding the inked ribbon R and an associated motor-driven roller or reel 2 for rewinding the ribbon.
  • the inked ribbon R follows a path indicated by the arrows F1 and is deflected by a first guide roller R1 and then passes between a further guide roller R2 and the thermal dot-line printing head H Downstream of the printing head, the inked ribbon R is deflected again by a roller R6 and then enters an arm F connected to the support structure M. Within the arm F, the ribbon R is caused, by deflecting and guide rollers R7-R11, to pass in front of the active surface S of a thermal transfer device P with a heating pad, carried by the arm.
  • the inked ribbon R Downstream of the guide roller R11, the inked ribbon R continues as far as a return roller R12 carried by the arm F and then emerges from the arm and continues towards the rewinding roller 2, passing over deflecting rollers R13 and R14.
  • the arm F extends above the conveyor T a short distance from the upper surfaces of the articles A and the active surface S of the pad transfer device P faces downwardly.
  • the arm F is articulated on the support structure M so that it can pivot about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and extends between the return rollers R12 and R7.
  • One end of a rod 50 is connected to the end of the arm and its other end is articulated on the rod 51 of a pneumatic (or hydraulic) cylinder 52 which is fixed to the support structure M.
  • the operation of the cylinder moves the arm F between a raised position (not shown) and a lowered position (shown in Figure 5) in order to print on an article A a corresponding positive image formed on the ribbon R.
  • the operation of the cylinder 52 is controlled (in known manner) by control devices included in the console C.
  • the arm F may be pivoted by known devices of other types, for example, by electromagnetically-operated actuators.
  • the support structure M also contains an unwinding roller or reel 4 for the auxiliary ribbon N and an associated motor-driven rewinding roller-or reel 5.
  • the auxiliary ribbon N follows a path indicated by the arrows F2.
  • the auxiliary ribbon N is also deflected in correspondence with the guide roller R1 and then passes, together with the inked ribbon R, between the roller R2 and the thermal printing head H. Downstream of the roller R2, the ribbon N is deflected again in correspondence with a roller R15 and then reaches the motor-driven rewinding roller 5.
  • the motor-driven rewinding rollers 2 and 5 for the inked ribbon and for the auxiliary ribbon, respectively, are synchronized in known manner so that the ribbons R and N pass between the printing head H and the counter-roller R20 at the same speed.
  • the control console C comprises electronic circuits for supplying and piloting the devices for driving the ribbons R and N, the cylinder 52 and the printing devices H and P carried by the support structure M.
  • These circuits may comprise a control unit formed, for example, with the use of a '286 type microprocessor for controlling the functions of the setting and storage of the data as well as the printing functions.
  • the console may be equipped with a floppy-disc drive, an external keyboard of the type used for personal computers, possibly with a "mouse" incorporated for facilitating data-entry operations.
  • the console C may be equipped with a serial interface device, for example of the RS232 type, for connection to an external processor, if required.
  • the console C conveniently has an opto-isolated digital input/output interface.
  • the microprocessor control unit of the console C may be programmed by known techniques so as to enable texts, bar codes, drawings and logos for printing to be set, stored and modified, possibly with guidance for the operator, with an immediate display in clear on the screen D of what is to be printed.
  • thermal pad transfer device P this may conveniently be formed in the manner which will now be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.
  • This device comprises essentially a body 10 made of a metallic material which is a good conductor of heat, such as aluminium or alloys thereof, associated with a resistive electric heating device 11 and a temperature sensor 12 constituted, for example, by a thermocouple.
  • a membrane 13 of resilient material which covers the lower end face 10a of the body 10 is anchored to the side walls of the body 10.
  • the membrane may be made, for example, of a silicone material and is thin, for example 2 mm thick.
  • the membrane is conveniently anchored to the body 10 with the interposition of a layer of a glue 14, for example, a silicone glue.
  • the membrane 13 may be anchored to the body 10 by other known methods, for example, by a fixing band or ring.
  • the metal body 10 has an axial duct 15 with at least one opening 15a in its end face 10a which faces the membrane 13.
  • a tube 16 (Figure 5), which extends within the arm F and from there into the support structure M, connects the duct 15 in the body 10 to an electro-pneumatic operating unit, indicated 20 in Figure 5, carried by the support framework G.
  • This unit is controlled by the control unit included in the control console C and, in particular, can apply a pressure and a vacuum alternately to the duct 15 of the pad transfer device P.
  • the membrane 13 When a vacuum is applied to the duct 15 in the body 10, the membrane 13 is in close contact with the outer surface of the body. In this condition, the body 10, which is heated by the device 11 to a temperature, for example, of 150 o C, transfers heat to the membrane 13.
  • the arm F In order to print an image from the ribbon R on an article A, the arm F is brought to its lowered position by the operation of the cylinder 52. In this position, the membrane 13, which is still adhering to the metal body 10, is a short distance from, or even in contact with, an underlying article A. Compressed air is then supplied to the duct 15 in the body 10 to move the membrane 13 away from the body so as to heat the ribbon R and at the same time to press it against the underlying article A as shown in Figure 7.
  • a vacuum is again applied to the duct 15 in the body 10 so as to bring the membrane 13 back into contact with the end face 10a of the body.
  • the arm F is also returned to its raised position.
  • the thermal pad transfer device P may comprise a metal body which is associated with one or more electric heaters and to which a membrane is fixed.
  • a mass of a fluid or pasty material which is a good conductor of heat is interposed between the lower surface or face of the metal body and the membrane.
  • Figures 8 to 10 show a first variant of the thermal pad transfer device P.
  • the device comprises a pad HP of soft material carried below a support 60 which can be moved vertically relative to the structure M between a raised rest position ( Figure 8) and a lowered, printing position ( Figure 9) by means of an actuator (not shown) controlled by the unit C.
  • the pad HP may comprise a block 61 of soft, thermally-insulating silicone material covered by a membrane 62 of relatively hard, thermally-conductive silicone material.
  • a heater 63 connected for pivoting on the support structure M includes, for example, a heating resistor and a temperature sensor (not shown), which are connected to the control unit C.
  • the heating device 63 is kept constantly hot in use. In particular, it can assume a working position ( Figure 8) in which it is disposed in contact with the lower face of the pad HP in its raised position in order to exchange heat therewith.
  • the heating device 63 can be moved, by means of an actuator, not shown, controlled by the unit C, to a waiting position ( Figure 9) in which it allows the pad HP to move between its raised and lowered positions in order to transfer an image previously formed on the ribbon R in one of the ways described above onto an underlaying article A.
  • the heating device 63 is returned to the working position ( Figure 8) in order to supply heat to the membrane 62 of the pad HP for the thermal-transfer printing of a new image.
  • FIGS 11 and 12 show a further variant of the heat-transfer device P.
  • the device comprises a unit 70 which is movable vertically relative to the support structure M.
  • This unit comprises a plate 71 which is slidable on vertical guides 72 and carries two idle pulleys 73, 74, an upper pulley and a lower pulley, respectively, connected by a belt 75.
  • a roller pad RP is fixed for rotation with the lower pulley 74 and comprises, for example, a core of thermally-insulating material covered by a layer of thermally-conductive silicone material.
  • the plate 71 carries a further idle roller HR, the surface of which touches the roller pad RP along a generatrix.
  • the roller HR is heated, for example, by means of resistors incorporated therein (and not shown).
  • An electric motor, indicated EM, is supported in a fixed position in the structure M.
  • the shaft of the motor carries a wheel 76 which extends above the pulley 73.
  • the unit 70 can assume a raised, waiting position ( Figure 11) and a lowered, printing position ( Figure 12).
  • the belt 75 is pinched between the wheel 76 and the pulley 73.
  • the rotation of the shaft of the motor EM rotates the roller pad RP, by means of the belt 75 and the pulleys 73 and 74, and the roller pad RP in turn rotates the heating roller HR.
  • the roller HR consequently keeps the surface of the roller pad RP hot at a predetermined mean temperature.
  • the unit C moves the unit 70 downwards ( Figure 12) (by means of an actuator, not shown); this disconnects the unit from the motor EM.
  • the roller pad presses the ribbon R onto the underlying article A
  • the ribbon R rotates the roller RP by friction. An image is thus transferred thermally from the ribbon R to the article, under pressure.
  • the unit including the motor EM, the pulley 76, the guides 72, the plate 71 and the devices associated therewith may be made movable in a controlled manner relative to the stationary support structure in directions perpendicular to the plane defined by the axes of the rollers HR and RP, that is, in the directions indicted by the broken double arrow F10 in Figure 11.
  • the inked ribbon R and the auxiliary ribbon N may reach the printing head H from a single unwinding roller or reel onto which both ribbons are wound.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
  • Printing Methods (AREA)
  • Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
  • Manufacture Or Reproduction Of Printing Formes (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Claims (22)

  1. Procédé pour imprimer une image sur un article (A), comprenant une première étape de formation de l'image sur un ruban (R) par transfert thermique sélectif d'une encre thermofusible, d'un ruban encré souple (R) sur une face d'un ruban support souple (N, R), à l'aide d'une tête d'impression thermique à points (H), et une deuxième étape dans laquelle l'image positive est transférée sur l'article (A) à l'aide d'un tampon chauffé (P) comportant un élément chauffant (10; 63; HR);
       caractérisé en ce que, pour le transfert de l'image sur l'article (A), un élément de transfert de chaleur (13; HP; RP), distinct de l'élément chauffant (10; 63; HR) et réalisé en un matériau tendre, est amené dans une relation d'échange de chaleur avec ledit élément chauffant (10; 63; HR) et est ensuite déplacé vers et repoussé contre le ruban (R) portant l'image formée, de façon à provoquer le transfert de l'image sur l'article (A) sous pression.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, au cours de la première étape, l'image positive est formée sur une face du ruban encré (R) et, au cours de la deuxième étape, l'image positive est transférée de la face du ruban encré (R) sur l'article (A).
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'image positive est formée sur une partie du ruban encré (R) par un transfert thermique sur un ruban auxiliaire (N), de la partie de l'encre sur la partie du ruban encré (R) qui correspond au négatif de l'image, et par un transfert thermique, effectué ensuite, de l'image positive sur l'article (A) depuis la partie du ruban encré (R).
  4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'image positive est formée sur une partie de la face encrée du ruban encré (R) par un transfert de la partie de l'encre, qui correspond au négatif de l'image, sur une partie de l'autre face du ruban (R).
  5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'image positive est formée sur une partie de la face non encrée du ruban encré (R) par un transfert sur une partie de la face non encrée, de la partie de l'encre qui, sur une partie de la face encrée, correspond à l'image positive.
  6. Equipement pour l'impression d'une image sur des articles (A), comprenant:
    une structure de support (G, L, M) qui est destinée à être disposée à proximité immédiate du trajet des articles (A) et qui contient:
    des moyens d'amenée guidée (1, 2, R1 à R14) pour faire avancer un ruban encré (R) et un ruban support souple (N, R) le long de trajets prédéterminés respectifs (F1) qui sont adjacents l'un à l'autre, au moins dans une région prédéterminée,
    une tête d'impression thermique à points (H) disposée dans la région prédéterminée,
    des moyens de commande (C) pour piloter la tête d'impression (H) en vue d'un transfert sélectif d'encre, du ruban encré (R) sur une face du ruban support souple (N, R), dans la région de transfert,
    un dispositif de transfert thermique (P) comportant un élément chauffant (10; 63; HR) et une surface active mobile (13; HP; RP) placée dans une position faisant face, en fonctionnement, au trajet des articles (A), et
    des moyens d'actionnement (20) pour déplacer la surface active (13; HP; RP) du dispositif de transfert thermique (P) vers un article (A), en vue d'un transfert thermique d'encre, sous pression, d'un ruban encré (R) sur l'article (A),
       caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif de transfert thermique (P) comporte un élément de transfert de chaleur (13; HP; RP) réalisé en un matériau tendre et définissant ladite surface active; ledit élément de transfert de chaleur (13; HP; RP) étant distinct dudit élément chauffant (10; 63; HR) et étant apte à être amené dans une relation d'échange de chaleur avec ledit élément chauffant (10; 63; HR) et à être ensuite déplacé vers et repoussé contre le ruban (R) portant l'image, afin de provoquer le transfert sous pression de l'image sur l'article (A).
  7. Equipement selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les moyens de commande (C) sont conçus pour piloter la tête d'impression (H) d'une manière telle, que l'image positive devant être imprimée sur l'article (A) soit formée sur une face du ruban encré (R), et en ce que les moyens d'amenée guidée (1, 2; R1 à R14) peuvent définir, pour le ruban encré (R), un trajet dont une partie s'étend entre la surface active du dispositif de transfert thermique à tampon (P) et le trajet des articles (A), en aval de la tête d'impression (H).
  8. Equipement selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'amenée guidée (1, 2, R1 à R14) comprennent:
    une première bobine dérouleuse (1) et une deuxième bobine ré-enrouleuse (2) entraînée par un moteur, qui sont disposées respectivement au départ et à l'arrivée du trajet prédéterminé (F1) du ruban encré (R), une partie du trajet (F1) s'étendant à proximité immédiate de la surface active (13) du dispositif de transfert thermique à tampon (P),
    une deuxième bobine dérouleuse (4) et une deuxième bobine ré-enrouleuse associée (5), qui sont disposées respectivement au départ et à l'arrivée du trajet (F2) d'un ruban auxiliaire (N) constituant le ruban support souple.
  9. Equipement selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que:
    les moyens d'amenée guidée comprennent une bobine dérouleuse et une bobine ré-enrouleuse pour le ruban encré (R), et
    des moyens de guidage (R30 à R33; figure 3; figure 4) pour guider le ruban encré (R) le long d'un trajet sensiblement en forme de boucle, en aval de la bobine dérouleuse, afin que, en service, une première partie (R') et une deuxième partie (R'') du ruban encré (R) passent simultanément devant la tête d'impression thermique (H) et soient superposées de telle manière que la face encrée de la première partie (R') soit tournée vers la face non encrée de la deuxième partie (R'').
  10. Equipement selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de commande (C) sont conçus pour piloter la tête d'impression (H) d'une manière telle qu'elle forme l'image positive sur la face encrée du ruban encré (R), et en ce que les moyens d'amenée guidée peuvent définir, pour le ruban encré (R), un trajet qui comprenne une partie dans laquelle la face du ruban encré (R), qui a été encrée au départ, soit tournée vers les articles (A), en aval de la tête d'impression (H).
  11. Equipement selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de commande (C) sont concus pour piloter la tête d'impression (H) d'une manière telle qu'elle forme l'image positive sur la face non encrée (au départ) du ruban encré (R) et en ce que les moyens d'amenée guidée peuvent définir, pour le ruban encré (R), un trajet qui comprenne une partie dans laquelle la face du ruban encré (R), qui n'a pas été encrée au départ, soit tournée vers les articles (A) en aval de la tête d'impression (H).
  12. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 11, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert thermique (P) est porté par un bras (F) qui peut pivoter par rapport à la structure de support (G, L, M), et en ce que les moyens d'actionnement comprennent des moyens (51 à 53) pour faire se déplacer le bras (F) entre une position de repos, relevée, et une position abaissée pour l'impression des images sur les articles (A).
  13. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 12, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert thermique (P) comprend un corps (10) fait d'un matériau thermiquement conducteur, associé à des moyens de chauffage commandés (11) et présentant une face principale (10a) associée à une membrane (13) faite d'un matériau élastique, qui est destinée à être amenée en contact avec le ruban encré (R) qui porte l'image devant être transférée sur l'article (A); la membrane (13) étant fixée au corps (10) d'une manière telle qu'elle puisse adopter, par rapport à la face principale (10a) du corps (10):
    une première position (figure 6) dans laquelle elle adhère à la face principale (10a) et peut être chauffée par le corps (10), et
    une deuxième position (figure 7) dans laquelle elle est éloignée de la face (10a) du corps conducteur (10) et peut venir en contact avec le ruban souple (N, R) afin de transférer thermiquement l'image sur un article (A); des moyens de commande d'entraînement (20) étant prévus pour déplacer la membrane (13) de sa première position à sa deuxième position, et inversement.
  14. Equipement selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que le corps conducteur (10) comporte au moins un conduit (15) qui débouche sur la face principale (10a), et en ce que les moyens de commande d'entraînement comportent des moyens (20) pour fournir sélectivement au conduit (15) un fluide sous pression, afin de déplacer la membrane (13) de sa première position à sa deuxième position.
  15. Equipement selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour appliquer un vide dans le conduit (15), afin de déplacer la membrane (13) de sa deuxième position à sa première position.
  16. Equipement selon l'une des revendications 13 à 15, caractérisé en ce que la membrane (13) est réalisée en un matériau silicone thermiquement conducteur.
  17. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 16, caractérisé en ce que le corps conducteur (10) est réalisé en aluminium ou en un alliage à base d'aluminium.
  18. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 11, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert thermique (P) comprend:
    un tampon (HP) porté par un élément de support (60) qui est déplaçable par rapport à la structure (M), entre une position reculée de repos et une position avancée d'impression,
    un dispositif de chauffage (63) qui est supporté, en étant déplaçable, dans la structure (M) et qui peut adopter une position de travail, dans laquelle il peut être disposé pour échanger de la chaleur avec une surface active du campon (HP) quand le tampon est dans sa position reculée, et une position de repos dans laquelle il permet au tampon (HP) de se déplacer entre ses positions reculée et avancée.
  19. Equipement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 11, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert thermique (P) comprend:
    un rouleau-tampon (RP) qui peut être entraîné en rotation et être déplacé par rapport à la structure (M) et qui comporte un revêtement fait d'un matériau thermiquement conducteur,
    un dispositif de chauffage (HR) qui peut échanger de la chaleur avec la surface du rouleau-tampon (RP),
    des premiers moyens (EM, 73 à 76) qui peuvent entraîner le rouleau-tampon (RP) en rotation au contact du dispositif de chauffage (HR), et
    des seconds moyens (71, 72) qui peuvent déplacer le rouleau-tampon (RP) entre une position relevée d'attente et une position abaissée d'impression.
  20. Equipement selon la revendication 19, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de chauffage (HR) comprend un rouleau chauffant (HR) qui peut tourner en étant en contact avec la surface du rouleau-tampon (RP).
  21. Equipement selon la revendication 19 ou la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de transfert thermique à tampon (P) peut se déplacer, dans une direction sensiblement horizontale, par rapport à la structure de support (G, L, M).
  22. Utilisation de l'équipement selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 6 à 21 pour la mise en oeuvre d'un procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5.
EP93108851A 1992-06-04 1993-06-02 Procédé et équipement pour imprimer une image sur un article Expired - Lifetime EP0572999B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/253,142 US5583555A (en) 1993-06-02 1994-06-02 Equipment for printing an image on an article

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO920478A IT1256837B (it) 1992-06-04 1992-06-04 Procedimento ed apparecchiatura per la stampa di un'immagine su un articolo
ITTO920478 1992-06-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0572999A1 EP0572999A1 (fr) 1993-12-08
EP0572999B1 true EP0572999B1 (fr) 1997-02-19

Family

ID=11410514

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93108851A Expired - Lifetime EP0572999B1 (fr) 1992-06-04 1993-06-02 Procédé et équipement pour imprimer une image sur un article

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0572999B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE149023T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69308171T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2099316T3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1256837B (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19706295C2 (de) * 1997-02-18 2000-12-21 Tampoflex Gmbh Verfahren zum Drucken von Mustern
ITTO20020356A1 (it) 2002-04-24 2003-10-24 Eidos Spa Macchina per la stampa di immagini su articoli.
ES2238131B1 (es) * 2003-01-27 2007-02-16 I.T.W. España, S.A. Dispositivo de accionamiento para la cinta de tinta de transferencia termica en maquinas impresoras.
FR2940626A1 (fr) * 2008-12-31 2010-07-02 Afkar Changriha Procede d'impression haussant la resolution par la reduction d'echelle.
EP2962856B1 (fr) * 2014-07-04 2020-12-23 Sebastian Meyer Dispositif et procédé d'impression thermique d'une cible
IT201600083067A1 (it) * 2016-08-05 2018-02-05 Eidos S R L Macchina per la stampa a trasferimento termico di immagini su articoli mediante un tampone riscaldato, in particolare per la stampa in incavi o recessi.

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4860025A (en) * 1987-12-28 1989-08-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Thermal transfer printing process
DE3935345A1 (de) * 1989-10-24 1991-04-25 Ancker Joergensen As Verfahren und vorrichtung zum bedrucken eines aufzeichnungstraegers
EP0467141B1 (fr) * 1990-07-04 1995-06-28 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Procédé d'impression à transfert thermique et feuilles intermédiaires pour cela

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0572999A1 (fr) 1993-12-08
ES2099316T3 (es) 1997-05-16
ITTO920478A1 (it) 1993-12-04
IT1256837B (it) 1995-12-21
DE69308171T2 (de) 1997-06-12
ATE149023T1 (de) 1997-03-15
DE69308171D1 (de) 1997-03-27
ITTO920478A0 (it) 1992-06-04

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