EP1164010A1 - Device for decorating articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The appliance incorporates a continuously circulating conveyor (14) conveying the objects (18) each carried by a holder (16) along a conveyor track. The track has at least one handling unit and at least two transfer units, one of which is a supply unit, and the other a discharge unit. The object during printing is rotated on its lengthwise axis in a first direction , and, after printing, is rotated back to its original position in the opposite direction on its lengthwise axis.

Description

The invention relates to a device for decorating dimensionally stable individual objects, e.g. B. for decorating bottles made of glass or plastic, using the screen printing process.

The use of modern inks that are free from environmentally harmful Ingredients and by means of, for example, UV rays are curable (see e.g. US Pat. No. 5,985,376) leads to a Demand for printing machines, especially screen printing machines with very high throughput.

Since light glass bottles will be used increasingly in the future all light glass bottles are used for drinks it is not always possible to form register marks on the bottles of recesses, especially in the floor or at the bottom edge to provide in which any register pins or the like. intervene to the object in the circumferential direction z. B. in inside of the holder carrying the object, in a certain way align. This alignment is particularly necessary if, as is common in multicolor printing, several partial print images in succession on an object are applied, which then form an overall printed image complete.

The invention has for its object a device for Decorating single objects, such as bottles, available to make, in which the object in a defined Angular position is brought in the bracket and this angular position maintained throughout the run so that a new one Registration or registration of the object is no longer necessary is. The movement of the bracket should also continue precisely controllable during the passage through the machine and thus also take place in a precisely definable manner can, so that a maximum, especially with multiple printing achievable in accuracy and thus in quality of the printed image is.

The solution to this problem can be summarized as follows that the object reciprocates about its longitudinal axis Performs rotary movements that are 360 °, possibly a little more, may be, the arrangement being such that the Rotational movement in a first direction during the printing process in which the object is on the screen printing stencil is passed on. After the printing process is finished Object around its longitudinal axis back to its starting position turned back, depending on the arrangement of the individual treatment stations along the transport path during this second rotational movement also the object Drying station, preferably a UV station can pass and at the same time the printing ink just applied is dried and solidified that another partial print image can be applied without affecting the quality of the first partial print image would be affected.

An embodiment has proven to be particularly expedient, in which the brackets or their receptacles for the objects on a pivoted, with the bracket movable toothed element is rotated, which engages with a gear wheel attached to the receptacle, this toothed element provided with a cam roller is that in a first curve attached to the machine frame intervenes, the course of which is selected so that during the movement the bracket along the transport path, along which also the curve runs, the rotations described above of the object about its longitudinal axis. Such Curves can be made with extremely high precision, where in the case of an endless curve in which the Cam roller always remains in engagement with the cam, even one Ensure the position of the bracket is maintained and thus the object fixed in the latter is given that definable and controllable at every point of the transport track is.

On the other hand, it allows using a curve with Cam rollers, in certain sections along the transport path not to rotate the object. This can be done without any special Effort can be achieved in that in the respective Sections of the curve essentially parallel to the transport path runs. This is e.g. B. in the areas of the transport track be useful in which the objects to be printed can be entered into the device or the printed objects be removed from the device. In both In such cases, such a transfer will then be easier to manage if the brackets do not rotate.

The reciprocating rotation of the objects is special advantageous for such objects with over their contours laterally projecting extensions or the like, z. B. handles or handles are provided, since these are only in one Direction of rotation require a space requirement that is absent in the majority of cases. In any case there is the possibility of the objects during the transport for example during transport on the belt or during transfer depending on the position of the handle or if one such is not available, for example also from the position a seam that is formed on the outer surface of the object is to align so that the objects when inserted into the respective bracket relative to this one defined Take angular position in the circumferential direction, which then during the Maintain the entire run through the treatment stations becomes.

The invention further relates to a device for printing of rigid individual objects with a continuous revolving transport device for the transport of objects each carried along a holder Transport track in which the transport device with a odd number of holders for the objects is provided and behind at least two printing stations in the transport direction a drying station is provided and at each Passage of the objects through the transport track with printing only in one of the at least two in front of the common one Drying station located printing stations and Printing stations in which an object is in circulation is printed, have a distance from each other, the one even multiple of the distance between two neighboring ones Shots in the direction of transport, and the distance between two printing stations in front of one in the transport direction common drying station are arranged, an odd Is a multiple of the distance between two adjacent recordings. The arrangement of the printing stations and the drying stations has the advantage of lower investment costs, since not every screen printing station is special Drying station needs to be connected. Further allows this device in terms of its applicability greater flexibility because it is possible, for example to provide an object with a multi-color print, the Number of colors corresponds to the number of printing stations, with which the device is provided. On the other hand, it is possible, the device for printing objects with each to use a print image which consists of partial print images exists, the number of z. B. half of the in the machine located printing stations corresponds. It would be opposite the first application twice the performance, based on the number of printed objects per unit of time.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Druckmaschine, wobei die dem Betrachter zugekehrten Handhabungs- und Behandlungsstationen zur Erzielung einer besseren Übersicht weggelassen sind,

Fig. 2A

eine Draufsicht der Transporteinrichtung der Druckmaschine für die zu behandelnden Objekte in einer ersten Position der Steuerungseinrichtung für die Halterungen,

Fig. 2B

eine der Fig. 2A entsprechende Darstellung, in welcher die Steuerungseinrichtung für die Halterungen eine andere Position einnimmt,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht einer Halterung mit darin befindlichem Objekt etwa in Richtung der Pfeile III-III der Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht der Halterung etwa in Richtung des Pfeiles IV der Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht der die Rotation der Objekte bewirkenden Kurve,

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht etwa in Richtung des Pfeiles VI der Fig. 2A, wobei in Fig. 6 Teile weggelassen sind,

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht, die etwa der Fig. 6 entspricht, wobei weitere Teile weggelassen sind.

In the drawing, an apparatus for printing on glass bottles is shown in the diagram as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a perspective view of a printing press, the handling and treatment stations facing the viewer being omitted for a better overview,

Figure 2A

2 shows a plan view of the transport device of the printing press for the objects to be treated in a first position of the control device for the holders,

Figure 2B

2A, in which the control device for the brackets occupies a different position,

Fig. 3

2 shows a view of a holder with an object located approximately in the direction of arrows III-III in FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

a view of the bracket approximately in the direction of arrow IV of FIG. 3,

Fig. 5

a plan view of the curve causing the rotation of the objects,

Fig. 6

2 shows a view approximately in the direction of arrow VI in FIG. 2A, parts being omitted in FIG. 6,

Fig. 7

a plan view, which corresponds approximately to Fig. 6, with further parts omitted.

The printing press 10 has one in the direction of the arrow 12 continuously rotating washer 14 on which in Brackets 16 spaced regularly around the circumference for the objects to be decorated 18 are attached. Along the circumference of the washer 14 are for handling and Treatment of objects necessary facilities, for example Transfer stations with the transfer devices 22 or 30, screen printing stations I to VI and drying stations A arranged to C. In Fig. 1 of the drawing are transfer stations as well as the screen printing stations I and II to achieve not shown for better clarity.

2A in particular shows that in the direction of rotation 12, the direction of transport of the objects 18 in the printing press corresponds, after two printing stations I and II, III and IV or V and VI arranged a drying station A or B or C. is. It follows that if the printing ink the object must be dried after each printing process in each case only in one of the two in the transport direction 12 screen printing station located in a drying station becomes. In this case, when passing through an object by the device this only in three of the screen printing stations are printed with the result that for the Applying a print image that contains six colors two passes of the object are required. Let it go the printing stations are divided into two groups, the Printing stations of the first group on the first pass of the Apply a printed image to the object. To this Group belong to that shown in the drawing Embodiment the printing stations I, IV and V. The printing stations II, III and VI, in which under the condition mentioned a partial print image only on the second pass applied belong to the second group. Out of it results in that when printing on the objects during the first Pass through printing stations II, III and VI of the second group be passed without printing. The same applies to the printing stations of the first group during the second pass through the objects. From Fig. 2 results that the distance between the printing stations I and IV, in those in the first pass the first two consecutive Printings are carried out, the distance of ten Brackets 16 corresponds. The distance between the printing station IV and the printing station V, in which the third printing done during the first pass corresponds to that Distance from four brackets 16 in radians. The distance between the printing station V and the printing station II, in which in the case of two passes of the objects, the fourth printing process takes place, corresponds to the distance from sixteen holders 16. The distance of printing station III, in which the fifth printing is carried out, corresponds to the printing station II the distance from four brackets. Finally, the Distance between printing station III and printing station VI, in which the last printing is carried out, the distance of ten brackets.

Due to the fact that an odd number of shots, namely, for example twenty-seven, is provided the printing stations of the two aforementioned groups in Circumferential direction, ie in the transport direction 12, so against each other staggered that the distance between the printing stations one group from the printing stations of the other Group each an odd multiple of the distance between two neighboring recordings. In particular, the 2A and 2B of the drawing.

The objects 18 to be printed become the printing press 10 via a conveyor belt 20 (Fig. 2A, 2B), on which the objects are arranged upright. The transfer of the printable Objects 18 from the conveyor belt 20 in one of the holders 16 of the printing press takes place in the feed station Use of a first transfer device 22, the one around a vertical axis in the direction of arrow 23 continuously has rotating plate 24, which with three over its Circumference at equal intervals near its bottom the circumferentially attached grippers 26 (Fig. 6, 7) is provided. Each gripper 26 detects that in the transport direction 28 of the conveyor belt 20 each first object to be printed 18 and leads it in the course of the continuous rotary movement of the plate 24 in the area of each in the feed station of the printing press 10 located bracket 16.

In the conveying direction 28 of the substantially tangential to the Transport device of the printing press 10 representing the annular disc 14 extending conveyor belt 20 behind the first Transfer device 22 is at a short distance from the same a second transfer device 30 is provided, which in is designed in the same way as the first transfer device 22 and in the transport direction 12 of the transport device 14 is arranged in front of this and serves the finished printed Bottles of the one passing through the removal station Take bracket 16. The bottles are removed also placed on the conveyor belt 20, which therefore also serves to remove the printed bottles.

When the objects pass through the machine twice only every second object arriving at the removal station provided a complete print image, so that accordingly only every second object, namely that completely, for example object printed with all colors, by means of the Transfer device removed from the respective holder 16 becomes. As a result, only every second Holder 16, which passes the feed station, is empty and consequently only in every second holder by the transfer device 22 an object to be printed is introduced can. In the embodiment shown in the drawing are accordingly the two transfer devices 22, 30 only provided with only three grippers 26, which in uniform Distances of 120 ° in radians around the circumference the respective transfer device are arranged. It lies on hand that whenever an object 18 '(Fig. 6, 7) after the first run, the two transfer devices 22 and 30 for the execution of the second round happens, that peripheral area of the respective transfer device 22 or 30 the removal station or feed station passes through to which no gripper is attached or a such, if present, is not operated.

If the objects are only in one of the two aforementioned Groups of printing stations printed and thus after one Pass out of the machine are the Transfer devices 22, 30 provided with six grippers that then a distance of 60 ° in radians from each other since each object arriving at the removal station removed by the transfer device 30 and thus in the Feed station into each of these passing holders the transfer devices 22 an object must be entered.

Instead of the plate 24 shown in the drawing can the transfer devices 22, 30 also with other rotating ones Facilities, e.g. B. chain conveyors, the course of which circular transport path of the transport device 14 adapted can be, or be provided with other means.

The printing machine 10 shown in the drawing is as already mentioned, with twenty-seven brackets 16, so provided an odd number of brackets, their design results in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4. Each Bracket 16 has a lower bracket part 32 in the form of a Recording and an upper bracket part 34, which at the embodiment shown in the drawing thorny is trained and in its effective position, for example into the opening on the neck of a bottle-like object 18 engages. This upper bracket 34 can in customarily tapered towards its free end be trained. It is guided on two vertical rods 36 from a base attached to the washer 14 38 are worn. The upper bracket part 34 is one Carriage 40 carried, one around a horizontal axis rotatable cam roller 42 is attached, which in the Fig. 3 shown position of the bracket 16 with a curve section 44 is engaged, part of a circular, is the first curve 46 attached to the machine frame.

The approximately plate-shaped lower mounting part 32 is carried by a coaxial shaft 48, on the recording 32 opposite end of a gear 50 is attached. With the latter is a toothed segment 52 in engagement, which on the Washer 14 rotatably supported about a vertical axis 54 is.

A cam roller is located on an extension 56 of the toothed segment 52 58 attached, which engages in a second curve 60. Latter is stationary on the machine frame below the transport device representing washer 14 attached. The history the defined along the entire by the washer 14 endless conveyor track extending curve 60 is chosen so that by a during the transport movement the bracket 16 pivoting the cam roller 58th and thus the tooth segment 52 around the axis 54 a rotation of the gear 50 and thus of the receptacle 32 is effected in such a way that the object carried by the mounting parts 32, 34 18 depending on that in certain treatment stations angular positions to be taken with respect to its circumference its longitudinal axis is rotated. The top one won't driven bracket 34 taken from the object 18.

The course of curve 60 along the transport path for the Objects, the back and forth pivoting of the tooth segment 52 causes can be seen in particular in Fig. 5.

As long as the respective holder 16 in an area of Curve 46 is in which the associated with the bracket Cam roller 42 the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing takes and the upper bracket against the in the Pressing 32 seated object, the latter is in the holder 16 fixed so that it is opposite the two bracket parts can't move. For this purpose, it is appropriate that the upper mounting part 34 in the usual manner around the longitudinal axis of the object 18 rotatably attached to its carriage 40 is. To remove a printed object from the Holder 16 and for inserting an object to be printed the holder must be opened in the same. This will be upper bracket part 34 moved vertically. This will be in the Area of the removal station and the feed station by a Corresponding course of curve 46 causes this in the area of the latter two stations with a stationary one Section 62 is provided, which is opposite the main section curve 46 is offset upwards by a distance, which is sufficient to in the area of a first transition section 64 between the main section and the upper curve section 62 the cam roller 42 and thus the carriage 40 so to raise far that the upper bracket member 34 is disengaged comes with the object in the holder. It is the order made so that at the moment the Release of the object 18 by the second shifted upwards Bracket part 34 of one of the grippers 26 of the second Transfer station 30 detected and held by this gripper is immediately followed by an upward movement executes to lift the object out of the receptacle 32 and in the course of the further rotation of the plate 24 into one position bring above the belt 20 and then by means of a Downward movement to place on the belt 20 on which the object is then transported on. The object thus keeps during of the transport through the belt 20, during the run through the treatment stations and during removal on the Volume 20 after printing and in the transfer stations its standing position unchanged.

During the further transport of the now empty holder along the area in which the upper curve section 62 is located, the bracket remains open, so that in the short subsequent feed station a new one to be printed Object by a gripper 26 of the first transfer device 22 brought into the area of the open holder 16 and through a downward movement of the gripper into the receptacle 32 of the holder is introduced. The vertical motion component each gripper 26, which the insertion of the to be printed Object in the receptacle 32 or the lifting of the printed Object from this causes an eye design the holder 16, in which the receptacles 32 are not vertical Needs to perform movement.

The process of inserting the object 18 into the holder 16 must be completed when the bracket is in the course of their Transport movement in the direction of arrow 12 the second transition section 66 between upper curve 62 and the main curve section 46 reached. In this second transition section the second mounting part 34 is replaced by a corresponding one Lowering the cam roller 42 down into its effective position moves, in which the curve role is back on the level of the main curve section 46, and then in further course of the transport movement in the latter until it is back in the area of the first transition section 64 arrives.

When the two transition sections 64 are arranged in a stationary manner and 66 in the position shown in FIG. 1 would each Bracket 16 in each revolution, first in the first transition area 64 opened and until passing the second transition section 62 remain open. Such an arrangement is not possible if the objects 18 are more than make a round trip in the press before going out the respective holder of the transport device removed become. To enable the objects to be treated at who does this more than one round is with the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing along the upper curve section 62 one below it located second curve section 44 is also provided is arranged stationary. Furthermore, is below each Transition section 64 or 66 is a linear transition section 68, 70 provided, each with an inclined Transition section 64 or 66 and a linear transition section 68, 70 attached to a common support 72 and 74, respectively are who have the function of a switch. In particular Fig. 1 of the drawing shows that by appropriate Vertical displacement of the two carriers 72 and 74 a Curve shape set according to requirements can be.

Since in the embodiment shown in the drawing two printing stations each have a common drying station subordinate would, as already explained, be sixfold Printing of every object this the transport path of the Go through printing machine 10 almost twice and one through the Transfer device 22 introduced into the printing press 10 Object are first printed in the printing station I, whereupon the printed image applied there in the drying station A is dried before the second in the printing station IV Print image is applied to the same object. This second Print image is dried in drying station B, whereupon then the object in the following after the drying station B. Printing station V is provided with the third imprint, which in the drying station C is dried. The latter is located in front of the removal station, which is the second transfer device 30 is assigned.

Because the one with three printed images at that time Object in stations II, III and VI still with a total three more print images is to be provided, it will be after this first pass not taken out of the press. Rather, the two carriers 72, 74 are shifted upwards in the position shown in Figure 1, in which the horizontal Connection sections 68, 70 the connection between the lower curve section 44 and curve main section 46 produce. Since the curve section 44 runs at the same height like the curve main section 46, experiences the curve roll 42 of the upper bracket part 34 no change in them Altitude, so that the support member 34 for the second pass remains in engagement with the object 18 '(Fig. 6). At the end of the second run are when the removal station is reached the two carriers 72, 74 in the in Fig. 1 of the drawing position shown shifted with the result that the Cam roller 42 of the next bracket reaching the carrier 72 16 is shifted upwards and the second bracket part 34 disengages from the object 18 so that the latter in the manner already described from the printing press 10 by a gripper of the second transfer device 30 can be removed.

With the above-described sixfold printing of each object every second object reaching the removal station is removed its holder of the transport device 14. As a result, only every second is in the feed station incoming holder empty and with an object to be printed to provide. Thus, the carriers 72, 74 are after each pass to adjust an object. As a result, in the section of the transport path between the two beams 72, 74 the cam rollers 42 of those passing through this area Brackets 16 alternately in the lower curve section 44 and are guided in the upper curve section 62 because of two immediately successive brackets 16 one opened and the other is closed.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing each of the two carriers 72, 74 is provided with an extension 76, on which a cam roller 78 is attached. This participates a circumferential curve 80 together. Both curves will be 80 rotates via a common toothed belt 82. Point of time the displacement of the respective carrier 72, 74 results in a certain rotational speed of the respective curve 80 from the course of the same. Of course it is also possible deviating from the representation in the drawing (Fig. 1) for to provide each carrier with a separate drive. In this Case, both carriers 72, 74 independently of one another, for. B. timed, operated.

5 in particular leaves the course of the second curve 60 recognize in which the cam rollers 58 of the toothed segments 52, 5, all of which are shown by way of example in FIG Brackets 16 are guided. The course is in detail the curve 60 chosen so that in each printing station I to VI the curve 60 in the transport direction 12 a rising section 84a, which begins just before the point at which the object 18 in contact with the screen printing stencil comes, and ends shortly after the point at which the printing process ends. At this rising curve section 84a is followed by a falling curve section 85a which extends up to at the beginning of the next, again rising section of the curve 84b extends. "Rising" curve section here means that curve 60 in the direction of transport 12 is an increase in diameter experiences while "falling" curve section means that curve 60 in this section in transport direction 12 undergoes a reduction in diameter. In every rising Curve section is a pivoting movement on the toothed segment 52 transmitted through the gear 50 to a rotation the bottle 18 held by the receptacle 32 by up to 360 ° and possibly also beyond. The rising section is assigned to a printing station, so that the rotation of the object 18 takes place in a first direction, in which it rolls on the screen printing stencil.

2A of the drawing shows in connection with the printing station I the position of the toothed segment 52, the one in FIG. 2A Not shown bracket in the course of the transport movement in Direction of arrow 12 straight in the direction of transport front area of the ascending assigned to the printing station I. Section 84a of curve 60 has entered and thus the first rotation in a clockwise direction with the associated bracket the bottle has started around its longitudinal axis. At this time the screen printing stencil 89 is in contact with the object to be decorated. This is generally done through a corresponding positioning of the squeegee 90 is achieved by which the screen printing stencil 89 against the one to be printed Surface of the object is pressed. In the further course of the The object is rolled off on the template 89, where squeegee 90 has a corresponding synchronous shift experiences in the end position 90 ', in which the printing process is ended. 2B shows that in this position 52 ' the tooth segment has almost completed its rotational movement. This also corresponds to the position 58 'of the cam roller 58 near the transition 86 (FIG. 5) from the rising portion 84a in the falling section 85a. The vertical axis of rotation of the toothed segment, which is in contrast to the cam roller 58 moved in a circular path, takes the position 54 ' on.

The stencil becomes approximately with a squeegee in position 90 ' 89 during the printing process with the squeegee experience a slight pivoting about the vertical axis 91 has brought out of contact with the object by the squeegee 90 is withdrawn somewhat from the object, with the result that due to the elasticity of the printing stencil, it is out of contact comes with the object.

The above-mentioned elasticity of the printing template can lead to a certain distortion, that is, a deformation of the template. However, since all of those that occur during the printing process Movements run in only one direction at a time - the objects rotate clockwise during the printing process around its longitudinal axis, which inevitably results in the Direction of movement of the doctor blade in the transport direction 12 results in - Stencil warpage also occurs in all printing stations same direction, so that the location of each Partial print images applied to printing stations visually to one another is not changed.

Passing the following falling curve section 85a (Fig. 5) the toothed segment 52 after it is in the transition area 86 had stopped, again by the same Swiveled back angle of at least 360 ° into its starting position with the result that the object also returns to its Starting position is turned back. After reaching the position 90 ', the squeegee 90 is moved back into its starting position. This also applies to the template 89, if this during the printing process had been postponed.

The movements of the brackets described above and thus the Objects are made in connection with the passing of everyone Printing station and immediately after the printing process, so that with reaching the printing station II assigned again increasing curve section 84b (Fig. 5) another rotational movement of the object in the first Direction. This is followed by a falling one Curve section 85b. When passing it, the Counterclockwise bottle back to its original position turned back. The screen printing template of station II remains out of contact with the object that was previously in Station I was printed and Station II only on the way to the one located in the direction of transport 12 behind it Drying station A happens. The drying process can already passing the falling portion 85b of the curve Start at 60 and increase until the beginning of the following Extend section 84c, which is assigned to the printing station III is. Drying takes place in drying station A. of the printed image applied in the printing station I. After this Drying process, the object passes the next printing station III without printing. Also remains here thus the template in the printing station III out of contact with the object 18. While passing the printing station III also takes place in accordance with the rising section 84c a rotation of the object in the first direction and afterwards corresponding to the subsequent falling section 85c Rotation back to the starting position, which is the object occupies when the cam roller 58 in the inner transition area 86 of curve 60 between the falling curve section 85c and the subsequent rising curve section 84d, which is assigned to the printing station IV. In the latter takes place after the object has previously been in the drying station A had undergone the first drying process, the application of the second printed image, the object while passing curve portion 84d in the already described way in the first direction around his Longitudinal axis is rotated. While passing the subsequent The curve section 85c brings the object into the area the drying station B, in which the in the station IV applied printing ink is dried. Because the object its circumferential angular position that it is after the completion of the Printing process takes place in station IV, again for the in the station V printing process to its starting position must be turned back, the entire peripheral surface at least as far as they provide a printed image the exposure to radiation in the drying station B exposed so that adequate drying is guaranteed is.

The same applies to the other drying stations A and C. The course of curve 60 is chosen so that during printing and irradiation the object at constant speed rotates about its longitudinal axis.

After passing the drying station B, the cam roller arrives 58 of the toothed segment 52 in that of the next printing station V assigned rising curve section 84e with the result that the object to be printed in the printing direction, i.e. the first Direction, is rotated, in the printing station V at the first The third printed image is applied continuously. So here the template of the printing station with the object brought into contact. When passing the following falling The curve section 85e is reversed again of the object about its longitudinal axis in the starting position. The Object that had been printed in station V happens station VI without contacting the printing template get. The printing station VI is also increasing Assigned curve section 84f to which a falling section 85f connects. When passing the latter arrives the object in the area of the drying station C, in which the ink applied in the printing station V is dried.

The in the transport direction 12 behind the drying station C The area of curve 60 located essentially runs coaxial to the axis of rotation 88 of the conveyor 14, since in the area the transfer stations 30 and 22 no rotation of the objects around its longitudinal axis so as to simplify the transfer.

In the course of the previous run through the printing stations I to VI, the object was only in three printing stations, namely the stations I, IV and V have been printed. If the object also printed in the other printing stations II, III and VI is to be run through the Machine required. This requires that the bracket 16th while passing the feed station and the removal station closed, so the upper post 34 in his remains lower position, which is shown for example in Fig. 3 is. Therefore it is necessary to support 72 so set that the connecting section running in the horizontal plane 72 the connection between the main curve section 76 and the lower curve section 44 in the range of Feeding and removal station manufactures, so that the cam roller 42 maintains its lower position and the bracket remains closed and passes through the feed and removal station and after passing the appropriately set second one Carrier 74 continues its second pass.

Since the bottle in the holder is already in the Station I had been printed in the first run, remains Bottle when passing station I out of contact with the Screen printing stencil of the same, but they are already in the Relation to the rotary movements described in the first pass due to the guidance of the cam roller 58 in the cam 60 executes. This also applies when passing the printing station II, but here the bottle receives its fourth printing. The bottle then passes through again for drying the drying station A. In the course of the further movement in Transport direction 12 is the bottle with another Print image in stations III, and after drying in the Drying station B, provided in station VI. That in the Station VI applied print image is in the drying station C dried before the now with z. B. six different Colors of the printed bottle in the removal station is led out of the printing press.

Since the holder 16 must be open for this purpose, it is necessary immediately before the holder 16 arrives in the removal station to position the first carrier 72 so that the first Transition section 64, which is inclined to the horizontal runs into its effective position in which it Connection between the main curve section 46 and the same produces stationary upper curve section 62, so that the bracket 16 when passing the first transition section 64 is opened. Since in this area the bracket none Executes rotary movement, it is easily possible to the extraction station the bottle from the open holder to take and when passing through the feed station one to be printed Insert the bottle into this empty holder. When the second carrier 74 is reached, it must be in accordance with the representation of Fig. 1 so that again the connection between the upper curve section 62 and the in the transport direction 12 adjoining main curve section 46 is made. When passing the second transition section 66 the holder is closed so that the gripper of the transfer device, which up to the bottle held there, can be opened.

The bottle then runs through in the manner described Printing machine, taking a total path of almost 720 ° before it is removed from the machine. It is necessary to carry the carriers 64 and 66 after they have passed each bracket to adjust, as it is in the alternately arriving bottles at the removal station are those that are already printed and out of the machine are to be brought out, and around (18 'in Fig. 6), the purpose Applying the second series of printed images a second Require pass through the press.

Deviates from the procedure described above it is also possible in cases where the objects only are to be provided with three printed images, for example to produce a three-color printed image, the objects out of the machine after just one pass, with a group of objects in the printing stations I, IV and V and the other, equally large group of objects in printing stations II, III and VI are printed. You can provide the objects of both groups with the same printed images his. But it is also possible to use the two groups of objects to be provided with different print images.

In any case, there is an exact alignment of the objects in the circumferential direction guaranteed because after the respective bracket 16 is finally closed, the object relative to Bracket maintains its position and changes the position of the Object, especially its angular position in the circumferential direction, inevitably depending on the course of the second Curve 60 take place and only in dependence on the course of this Curve are possible.

It had already been mentioned that triple printing and Use of all printing stations the throughput of the Machine based on the number of objects per unit of time is twice as large as with sixfold printing. As a result must also have twice as many objects in the removal station removed from the machine and twice as many objects in the feeding station of the machine. Since therefore per Unit of time to handle twice the number of objects, must also the two transfer facilities 22 and 30 same speed of rotation of the transfer devices and the washer 14 may be adapted accordingly. At the in the embodiment shown in the drawing (see FIG. 2) the transfer stations are designed so that the respective Plate 24 provided with six grippers 26 near its circumference can be. This number of grippers is required if the second of the operating options described above is used, in which the objects after each Pass and triple printing led out of the press become. In the other case, i.e. with sixfold printing and accordingly half throughput, everyone would Plate 24 only be equipped with three grippers, the Circulation speed of the plate 24 is the same in both cases is.

With only one pass through the objects, the two are Carrier according to the representation of FIG. 1 set in the long run that the upper bracket 34 controlling each Cam roller 42 always the upper curve section 62 between passes through the two carriers 72, 74 since each bracket is in front the removal station opened and closed after the feed station must become.

2A and 2B show that the toothed segments 52nd of the individual brackets 16 are dimensioned so that the Paths of movement of the toothed segments 52 of two immediately adjacent ones Brackets 16 overlap each other. For this reason it may be necessary to move the tooth segments 52 closer together Arrange brackets offset in height in order to so to achieve mobility of the tooth segments by the presence of adjacent tooth segments is not restricted is.

The gear 50 for the transmission of the movement to the respective Tooth segment 52 can be independent of the diameter of the printing area of the respective object the same Have diameter so that there is no need to Replace gears 50 of the brackets if at one Change from one lot of objects to be printed to another Lot another object diameter is given. Change in the Diameters of the objects can remain unchanged Diameter of the gear 50 can be compensated for in that during the printing process the screen printing template either in the direction of movement of the object in the direction of transport 12 or be compensated for in the opposite direction, whereby this Movement of the template essentially tangential to the circular transport path can take place through the washer 14 is determined.

Due to the fact that the object is also during the Printing on a circular path, it can be necessary during printing the position of the screen printing stencil 89 to adapt to that of the object. So it can Angular position of the substantially extending in the vertical plane Stencil at the position of the print object to be adjusted, such as in the US-PS 4,798,135. The disclosure content of this publication is included in the disclosure content of this application involved. Another option is to use the screen printing stencil during printing to the center of the machine pivot to move so the changing distance of the surface of the object to be printed on the tangential to compensate for the screen printing stencil arranged to the transport path. But there is also the possibility of a slightly curved To use template, the template is approximately coaxial to the transport path along which the objects are moved, is arranged. Otherwise, there is the possibility already mentioned by means of a certain elastic deformation of the Template by appropriate positioning of the associated Squeegee the stencil in contact and out of contact with the bring to the object to be printed and so the printing process and influence the relative position of the squeegee to the object and to control.

The two transfer devices 22 and 30 are, as already mentioned, provided with several gripper systems designed in this way are that when entering or removing the object a match of the positions of the gripper on the one hand and the holder on the continuously rotating ring disc on the other hand. This can be achieved that each gripper 24 additional to the plate carrying it Moves to have the time on the one hand around the object vertically in the respective holder into it or by a vertical movement out of it to highlight. However, as already mentioned in the introduction, other transfer devices can be used to transfer the objects enter into the holders 16 or take them out of these.

If above an embodiment with twenty seven Recordings, six printing stations and three drying stations is not intended to imply any restriction. Rather, it is easily possible to use the printing press for example four printing stations and two drying stations to be provided, which are then arranged in a corresponding manner are a drying station in the direction of transport behind two printing stations, the odd number of Recordings, for example, can be twenty-one.

Claims (16)

Device for printing dimensionally stable individual objects (18), the device being provided with a continuously rotating transport device (14) for transporting the objects (18) carried by a respective holder (16) along a transport path, which has at least one treatment station (I, II, III, IV, V, VI; A, B, C) and at least two transfer stations (22, 30) are assigned, one of which is designed as a feed station in which the objects to be printed are located on the transport device (14) Brackets are attached or introduced, and the other is designed as a removal station, in which the printed objects are removed from the brackets (16) of the transport device, characterized in that the object (18) during the printing process about its longitudinal axis in one by the printing process and the transport direction determined first direction is rotated and after completion of the printing process by a Ro tation is rotated back about its longitudinal axis in the opposite, second direction to its starting position. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the objects (18) in the transfer stations (22, 30) do not experience any rotation about their longitudinal axis. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the objects (18) in the holder (16) assume a position in which their longitudinal axis runs essentially vertically. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holders (16) for the objects to be decorated are formed in two parts on the transport device (14) such that the object (18) is inserted at its lower end in a holder part (32) designed as a receptacle and is held at its upper end by a holding part (34) which between a position in which it engages with the object and holds it in position in the holder (18) and a position in which it with the Object is disengaged, can be moved back and forth. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the lower receptacle (32) of the holder for the objects is connected to a gearwheel (50) which is coaxial with its longitudinal axis and which can be driven by a rotatably mounted element (52) provided with corresponding teeth which in turn is provided with a cam roller (58) which is arranged at a distance from its axis of rotation (54) and which engages with a cam (60) attached to the machine frame, and the rotational movement of the lower receiving part (32) through the course of this cam (60) is determined. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the curve (60) is endless. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the curve (60) at least in the region of the transfer stations (22, 30) runs essentially parallel to the transport path. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the diameter of the gear wheel (50) is independent of the diameter of the objects to be printed (18) and the relative adaptation of the peripheral speed of the surface of the object to be printed to the transport speed by appropriate adjustment of the speed at which the screen printing stencil (89) is moved. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that in each transfer station (22, 30) a transport element (24) is provided which rotates continuously in the horizontal plane and carries grippers (26) by means of which the objects (18) to be printed are placed in the respective holder (16) introduced or the printed objects are removed from the respective holder. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the grippers (26) are attached to the respective transport element (24) such that they can be moved up and down and the objects to be printed on by means of a downward movement of the respective gripper (26) into the receptacle (32) of the holder (16 ) are used and the printed object is removed from the receptacle (32) by means of an upward movement of the respective gripper (26). Device in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device (14) is provided with an odd number of holders (16) for the objects (18) and in the transport direction (12) in each case behind at least two printing stations (I, II; III, IV; V, VI) a drying station (A, B, C) is provided and each time the objects (18) pass through the transport path, printing takes place only in one of the at least two screen printing stations located in front of the common drying station and the printing stations in which an object is printed during a revolution, have a distance from each other that is an even multiple of the distance between two adjacent receptacles (32) in the transport direction, and the distance between two printing stations that are provided in front of a common drying station in the transport direction is an odd multiple of the Distance between two adjacent recordings (32). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the object (18) makes as many passes through the transport path (18) as there are printing stations (I - VI) between two drying stations (A, B, C) and with each pass in a different one of these Printing station is printed. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the object (18) is only printed in one of the screen printing stations (I - VI) upstream of a common drying station (A - C) and is led out of the device after one pass. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that a total of six screen printing stations (I - VI) are arranged along the transport path and the object (18) for carrying out six printing processes carried out successively on the same object is guided a total of twice past the screen printing stations and only in one the two screen printing station arranged in front of a common drying station (A, B, C) is printed. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper back and forth movable holder part (34) is provided with an extension which engages with a curve (46) provided on the machine frame and along the position of the holder part (34) during transport the transport path depends on the course of the curve (46). Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that two curve sections (44, 62) are provided in the area of the transfer stations for the positioning of the upper holder part (34), one of which (44) the closed position of the upper holder part (34) and the other (62) causes its open position and both curve sections (44, 62) are alternatively effective or ineffective depending on whether the printed object (18) approaching the removal station in the transport path is removed by the transfer device in the removal station or only after at least one further one Pass along the transport path is removed.

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