EP2669088A1 - Closure device for print heads - Google Patents

Closure device for print heads Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2669088A1
EP2669088A1 EP13169292.3A EP13169292A EP2669088A1 EP 2669088 A1 EP2669088 A1 EP 2669088A1 EP 13169292 A EP13169292 A EP 13169292A EP 2669088 A1 EP2669088 A1 EP 2669088A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
opening
shutter cylinder
printing
closure device
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP13169292.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2669088B1 (en
Inventor
Volker Till
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Till GmbH
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Till GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP2669088A1 publication Critical patent/EP2669088A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2669088B1 publication Critical patent/EP2669088B1/en
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Classifications

    • 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
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
    • B41J11/00214—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation using UV radiation
    • 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
    • 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
    • B41J3/40733—Printing on cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical objects, e. g. on bottles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a closure device having at least one print head, in particular an ink jet print head, and at least one radiation source for generating electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV light, for a system for printing on containers, in particular hollow bodies such as transparent plastic or glass bottles the at least one container or, if appropriate, a plurality of containers is first printed by the at least one print head by injecting ink from nozzles of the print head onto the container (s), the printed image subsequently being treated, in particular hardened and / or, by emitted radiation from the radiation source is dried, and wherein the closure means shields the nozzles of the printhead during the treatment of the emitted radiation.
  • the invention relates to a system for printing on containers, such as, for example, transparent bottles, with a closure device according to the invention.
  • UV lamp offset For large-format surface printing is known to pass the print head very close to the substrate to be printed and at the same time offset a UV lamp offset, which hardens the ink after printing, so that it does not run. Basically, there is the problem that remain after printing ink residues or deposited ink aerosols in the area of the nozzles. If UV light hits the nozzles directly or due to scattering, the ink may harden, which adversely affects the printed image. In the worst case, due to clogging failure of the nozzle, whereby the printhead is unusable and must be replaced.
  • the close guidance of the printheads over the printing surface is usually sufficient in conjunction with the remote location of the UV radiation source to prevent the emitted radiation from reaching the surface of the printhead with the nozzles.
  • the electromagnetic radiation can be scattered and partially directed to the print head.
  • a direct illumination or irradiation of the nozzles of the print heads with UV light can also occur.
  • Even with a UV head opposite a printhead of the printhead can be directly illuminated with the nozzles through a transparent container. In principle, it is possible to move the container after printing in the printing station in a position in which there is no line of sight to the printheads.
  • FIG. 10 2010 034 780 A1 shows the DE 10 2010 034 780 A1 an apparatus for printing on containers, preferably by means of ink-jet technology, which has the necessary for printing on the containers print heads.
  • the printheads and possibly other required for pre- and post-treatment facilities are arranged substantially one above the other.
  • the containers may be vertically displaced along a predetermined path and positioned in front of the printheads or other devices.
  • the sprayed ink may run in during the transport time, which adversely affects the quality of the printed image.
  • the DE 697 12 622 T2 For example, an electrically operated nozzle flap or a nozzle closure, which is connected to the respective nozzle and includes a piston to the flap between a working position in which the passage of the nozzles is opened, and a closure position in which the nozzles of the UV light are shielded to move.
  • the problem is that the flap and the actuator connected to it takes up relatively much space and must be provided and controlled individually in each nozzle.
  • such a complex system is relatively expensive to manufacture and susceptible to interference during operation.
  • an ink jet printhead is described with a covering device for the nozzles to dry the nozzles through To prevent ambient air.
  • the nozzle closure is embodied here as a cover device attached directly to the individual nozzle and has a cover plate and an opening formed in the cover plate, wherein the cover plate is displaced or pivoted relative to the print head via a sliding or a lifting system in order to move the print head into release the working position and to cover in a closed position.
  • the guide of the cover plate via grooves or a parallel lifting device is relatively slow, fraught with friction and in terms of mechanics and control complex, even if a plurality of nozzles is provided.
  • a printhead having a plurality of printing nozzles arranged in an array is known.
  • a flexible, up-and-rolling cover is provided, which is pulled in front of the printing nozzles when not being printed. UV curing of the printed image after printing is not provided.
  • the closure device comprises a relative to the at least one print head and the at least one radiation source movable, in particular rotatable, shutter cylinder for receiving the container to be printed, wherein the shutter cylinder has a side wall which surrounds the at least one container and at least one opening for printing the arranged inside the shutter cylinder container through the opening and for irradiating the arranged inside the shutter cylinder container through the opening having.
  • the at least one opening can be arranged either in front of the print head or one of the plurality of print heads or in front of the radiation source or one of a plurality of radiation sources. This means that the one or more openings can not be placed in front of a printhead and / or a radiation source at the same time.
  • Arranging the opening (s) in front of the print head or radiation source can be effected in particular by rotating or moving the shutter cylinder relative to the print head or radiation source, wherein the shutter cylinder can easily be designed to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis and the print head and radiation source are fixed. With only one aperture in the shutter cylinder, it will be understood that this aperture may be located only in front of either one of the printhead or one of the radiation sources.
  • several openings can be provided in the shutter cylinder according to the invention, wherein at least one the first opening for printing and at least one second opening are provided for irradiation and wherein the at least one first opening and the at least one second opening are arranged distributed over the circumference of the shutter cylinder, that in a movement position or position, in particular in a rotational position of the Shutter cylinder relative to printhead and radiation source either the at least one first opening in front of the print head or the at least one second opening in front of the radiation source is arranged.
  • openings for printing these can also be arranged simultaneously in front of different printheads.
  • the openings are preferably distributed over the circumference such that in no movement position of the shutter cylinder at the same time an opening of the shutter cylinder in front of a printing station and another opening in front of a radiation source are arranged.
  • the distribution according to the invention proves to be advantageous because when the (first) openings are positioned in front of printheads, the radiation source passes through the wall of the printer Shutter cylinder is covered, so that no electromagnetic radiation to the nozzles, especially through a transparent container, can pass, because the processing space is not accessible within the shutter cylinder for the radiation source.
  • the (second) opening in front of the radiation source while the printhead or the container in front of the print head is covered by the wall of the shutter cylinder.
  • a simple closure device which covers the radiation source or the ink jet printheads by a simple movement, preferably a rotary one, relative to the printheads or the radiation source.
  • the printheads are covered during UV illumination while the UV light source (radiation source) is protected from ink aerosols during printing.
  • the shutter cylinder is dimensioned such that when the printhead is brought to the container for printing, the printhead is close to the shutter cylinder, thus preventing the incidence of scattered UV light from the sides.
  • a further embodiment of the invention provides for forming the shutter cylinder as a format part adapted to the container or containers to be treated in each case.
  • These so-called format parts are used to act as an adapter between the container and the system, depending on the container shape, a suitably designed format part is used.
  • the format part can then be easily replaced, for example, with different container diameters.
  • the cylinder may also have a shape other than a round shape, for example a polygonal outer shape, wherein a free space for receiving the container is preferably formed in the interior. This is also referred to as the shutter cylinder in the notation of the description.
  • the shutter cylinder may be formed as a thin-walled tube having a flange at at least one end.
  • This flange not only helps to stiffen the tube, but also serves as a support surface and fixing aid of the shutter cylinder.
  • a tube is inexpensive to manufacture.
  • the flange may have, preferably coaxially with the shutter cylinder, an opening for receiving the container or containers and / or a rotating device, for example a turntable, for the container or containers.
  • the object of the present invention is further achieved by a system for printing on containers, such as bottles made of glass or plastic, which has at least one of the closure devices according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 is designated by the reference numeral 1 of the invention Shutterzylinder.
  • This is in the basic form tubular and has a cylindrical central portion with a side or cylinder wall 2.
  • the shutter cylinder 1 At its lying in the direction of its longitudinal axis 3 ends, the shutter cylinder 1 has an upper flange 4 and a lower flange 5, the circumference of each is wider as the circumference of the side wall 2.
  • the tubular shutter cylinder 1 ends as shown Fig. 1 can be seen on the upper flange 4 in an upper opening 6.
  • a corresponding lower opening 7 is formed on the lower flange 5.
  • the side wall 2 shielding the container from the environment.
  • the side wall 2 has a plurality of first openings 8 distributed on its circumference.
  • the shutter cylinder 1 on the circumference of the side wall 2 and a second opening 9, which in the illustration according to Fig. 1 arranged on the back of the shutter cylinder 1 and therefore is not visible. Shown is the second opening 9, however, in the plan view XX of Fig. 1 in the FIGS. 2a and 2b ,
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b show the shutter cylinder 1 in plan view during operation.
  • a container to be printed in the form of a bottle 10 is arranged inside the shutter cylinder 1.
  • only one bottle 10 is arranged in the shutter cylinder 1.
  • a plurality of containers for example bottles 10 can be accommodated in the shutter cylinder.
  • the plurality of containers or bottles 10 are preferably distributed around the inner circumference of the shutter cylinder 1, wherein
  • Each bottle at least one opening 8,9, preferably each associated with at least a first opening 8 and a second opening 9 in the shutter cylinder.
  • the further explanations relate to only one received bottle 10 as containers. These apply when receiving several bottles 10 or container accordingly, as the skilled artisan readily recognizes.
  • the outer peripheral surface of the bottle 10 has areas to be printed, which are printed on printheads 11, wherein the bottle 10 rotates relative to the printheads 11. Furthermore, the show FIGS. 2a and 2b Also, the second opening 9, which serves to carry out the light emitted from a radiation source 12 designed as a UV light source 12 on the surface of the bottle 10 to cure the sprayed from the printheads 11 on the bottle 10 ink.
  • a radiation source 12 designed as a UV light source 12
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b show two operating positions and also processing phases of the printing process for the bottle 10.
  • the first openings 8 are positioned in front of the print heads 11 so that the bottle 10 can be printed by the print heads 11 through the first openings 8.
  • the second opening 9 is not arranged in front of the UV light source 12, but offset.
  • neither ink on the radiation source 12 nor light from the UV light or radiation source 12 can reach the nozzles of the printing heads 11, neither through the shutter cylinder, nor along its outer wall. Therefore, any ink residues in the print heads 11 can not be cured when the radiation source 12 is turned on in this rotational position of the shutter cylinder 1.
  • the side wall 2 which is arranged in front of the radiation source 12 that, for example, ink aerosols reach the radiation source 12, settle there, harden and reduce the efficiency of the radiation source 12, which is designed as a UV light source.
  • the shutter cylinder 1 is switched by being rotated relative to the printheads 11 and the radiation source 12, in the illustrated example rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the container longitudinal axis 3, which in the representation of Fig. 2a runs vertically through the center of the shutter cylinder 1.
  • the UV light source (radiation source) 12 Due to the new switching state of the shutter cylinder 1, the UV light source (radiation source) 12 has been released while the print heads 11 have been closed or concealed. The openings 8 and the side wall 2 thus act as a closure.
  • the second opening 9 is now arranged in front of the UV light source 12, while the first openings 8 have been added to the print heads 11, so that the side wall 2 covers the nozzles of the print heads 11. In this way, the nozzles of the print heads 11 are shielded from the radiation which passes from the UV light source 12 through the second opening 9 into the interior of the shutter cylinder 1.
  • the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the UV light source 12 cures the ink previously applied to the bottle 10 from the print heads 11.
  • a short movement of the shutter cylinder 1 is sufficient to switch the one closure device alternatively in front of the print heads 11 or in front of the UV light source 12.

Abstract

The unit has a shutter cylinder (1) i.e. thin walled pipe, for retaining a container and comprising a side wall (2) that surrounds the container. The side wall comprises a printing aperture (8) and an irradiating aperture for printing the container through the apertures and for irradiating the container arranged within the cylinder through the apertures. The apertures are arrangeable in front of a print head or a radiation source. The unit shields nozzles of the print head during treatment of an emitted electromagnetic radiation. An end of the cylinder comprises top and bottom flanges (4, 5).

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Verschlusseinrichtung mit mindestens einem Druckkopf, insbesondere einem Tintenstrahldruckkopf, und mindestens einer Strahlungsquelle zum Erzeugen elektromagnetischer Strahlung, insbesondere UV-Licht, für eine Anlage zum Bedrucken von Behältern, insbesondere Hohlkörpern wie bspw. transparenten Flaschen aus Kunststoff oder Glas, wobei der mindestens eine Behälter oder ggf. mehrere Behälter zunächst durch den wenigstens einen Druckkopf bedruckt wird, indem Tinte aus Düsen des Druckkopfes auf den oder die Behältern gespritzt wird, wobei das erzeugte Druckbild anschließend durch emittierte Strahlung aus der Strahlungsquelle behandelt, insbesondere gehärtet und/oder getrocknet, wird und wobei die Verschlusseinrichtung die Düsen des Druckkopfs während der Behandlung von der emittierten Strahlung abschirmt.The present invention relates to a closure device having at least one print head, in particular an ink jet print head, and at least one radiation source for generating electromagnetic radiation, in particular UV light, for a system for printing on containers, in particular hollow bodies such as transparent plastic or glass bottles the at least one container or, if appropriate, a plurality of containers is first printed by the at least one print head by injecting ink from nozzles of the print head onto the container (s), the printed image subsequently being treated, in particular hardened and / or, by emitted radiation from the radiation source is dried, and wherein the closure means shields the nozzles of the printhead during the treatment of the emitted radiation.

Darüber hinaus betrifft die Erfindung eine Anlage zum Bedrucken von Behältern, wie bspw. transparenten Flaschen, mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusseinrichtung.In addition, the invention relates to a system for printing on containers, such as, for example, transparent bottles, with a closure device according to the invention.

Es zählt zum Stand der Technik, Behälter wie Flaschen oder sonstige Verpackungen mit Tintenstrahldruckanlagen zu beschriften. Entsprechende Anlagen sehen unter anderem vor, den zu bedruckenden Behälter zu einer Druckstation zu verbringen, wo dieser auf einem Drehteller abgestellt und um seine Längsachse rotiert wird. Die zu bedruckende Oberfläche des Behälters wird an Druckköpfen, die bspw. kreis- bzw. ringförmig um den Behälter angeordnet sind, vorbeigeführt. Dabei wird die Oberfläche des Behälters von den Druckköpfen bedruckt, indem diese durch UV-Licht härtbare Tinte aus ihren Düsen auf die Oberfläche des Behälters spritzen. Da übliche wässrige oder lösemittelhaltige Tinten verlaufen und kein scharfes Druckbild ergeben, wird die Tinte nach dem Ausspritzen mittels elektromagnetischer Strahlung, insbesondere mittels UV-Licht (ultraviolettem Licht) behandelt, wodurch die Tinte aushärtet und nicht mehr verlaufen kann.It is state of the art to label containers such as bottles or other packaging with inkjet printing systems. Corresponding systems provide, inter alia, to spend the container to be printed to a printing station, where this is parked on a turntable and rotated about its longitudinal axis. The surface to be printed on the container is guided past printheads, which are, for example, arranged in a circle or ring around the container. In this case, the surface of the container is printed by the printheads by injecting these UV curable ink from their nozzles onto the surface of the container. As usual aqueous or solvent-containing Run ink and give no sharp image, the ink after spraying by electromagnetic radiation, in particular by means of UV light (ultraviolet light) treated, whereby the ink hardens and can no longer run.

Bei großformatigen Flächendrucken ist bekannt, den Druckkopf sehr eng an dem zu bedruckenden Substrat vorbeizuführen und gleichzeitig eine UV-Lampe versetzt nachzuführen, die die Tinte nach dem Druck aushärtet, damit diese nicht verläuft. Grundsätzlich besteht die Problematik, dass nach dem Druck Tintenrückstände oder sich ablagernde Tintenaerosole im Bereich der Düsen zurückbleiben. Trifft UV-Licht direkt oder durch Streuung auf die Düsen, kann die Tinte aushärten, was das Druckbild negativ beeinträchtigt. Im schlimmsten Fall kommt es aufgrund von Verstopfungen zum Ausfall der Düse, wodurch der Druckkopf unbrauchbar wird und getauscht werden muss.For large-format surface printing is known to pass the print head very close to the substrate to be printed and at the same time offset a UV lamp offset, which hardens the ink after printing, so that it does not run. Basically, there is the problem that remain after printing ink residues or deposited ink aerosols in the area of the nozzles. If UV light hits the nozzles directly or due to scattering, the ink may harden, which adversely affects the printed image. In the worst case, due to clogging failure of the nozzle, whereby the printhead is unusable and must be replaced.

Bei Flächendrucken reicht in der Regel die enge Führung der Druckköpfe über der Druckoberfläche in Verbindung mit der räumlich entfernten Anordnung der UV-Strahlungsquelle aus, um zu verhindern, dass die emittierte Strahlung auch die Oberfläche des Druckkopfes mit den Düsen erreicht.For surface printing, the close guidance of the printheads over the printing surface is usually sufficient in conjunction with the remote location of the UV radiation source to prevent the emitted radiation from reaching the surface of the printhead with the nozzles.

Beim Bedrucken von dreidimensionalen Körpern, wie insbesondere Flaschen, besteht ein Problem darin, dass durch die Krümmung der Oberfläche die elektromagnetische Strahlung gestreut und teilweise auf den Druckkopf gerichtet werden kann. Je nach Krümmung der Oberfläche und Anordnung der UV-Strahlungsquellen kann auch eine direkte Beleuchtung bzw. Bestrahlung der Düsen der Druckköpfe mit UV-Licht auftreten. Auch bei einem einer UV-Strahlungsquelle gegenüberliegenden Druckkopf kann der Druckkopf mit den Düsen durch einen transparenten Behälter hindurch direkt beleuchtet werden. Grundsätzlich besteht zwar die Möglichkeit, den Behälter nach dem Bedrucken in der Druckstation in eine Position zu verfahren, in der keine Sichtverbindung zu den Druckköpfen mehr besteht. So zeigt bspw. die DE 10 2010 034 780 A1 eine Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern, vorzugsweise mittels Tintenstrahltechnik, welche die zum Bedrucken der Behälter notwendigen Druckköpfe aufweist. Die Druckköpfe und ggf. weitere zur Vor- und Nachbehandlung erforderliche Einrichtungen sind im Wesentlichen übereinander angeordnet. Die Behälter können entlang einer vorgegebenen Bahn in der Höhe verschoben und vor die Druckköpfe oder anderen Einrichtungen positioniert werden. Allerdings kann die aufgespritzte Tinte in der während der Transportzeit verlaufen, was die Qualität des Druckbildes negativ beeinflusst.When printing on three-dimensional bodies, in particular bottles, there is a problem that due to the curvature of the surface, the electromagnetic radiation can be scattered and partially directed to the print head. Depending on the curvature of the surface and arrangement of the UV radiation sources, a direct illumination or irradiation of the nozzles of the print heads with UV light can also occur. Even with a UV head opposite a printhead of the printhead can be directly illuminated with the nozzles through a transparent container. In principle, it is possible to move the container after printing in the printing station in a position in which there is no line of sight to the printheads. For example, shows the DE 10 2010 034 780 A1 an apparatus for printing on containers, preferably by means of ink-jet technology, which has the necessary for printing on the containers print heads. The printheads and possibly other required for pre- and post-treatment facilities are arranged substantially one above the other. The containers may be vertically displaced along a predetermined path and positioned in front of the printheads or other devices. However, the sprayed ink may run in during the transport time, which adversely affects the quality of the printed image.

Es empfiehlt sich daher, den Druck und die Behandlung eines Behälters in einem integrierten Batchprozess vorzunehmen, bei dem der Behälter in der Druckstation bedruckt und mit Strahlung behandelt wird, bevor der bedruckte Behälter aus der Druckstation entnommen wird.It is therefore advisable to carry out the printing and the treatment of a container in an integrated batch process in which the container in the printing station is printed and treated with radiation before the printed container is removed from the printing station.

Um zu verhindern, dass ultraviolettes Licht in die Düse eines Tintenstrahldruckkopfes gelangt, schlägt die DE 697 12 622 T2 bspw. eine elektrisch betriebene Düsenklappe bzw. einen Düsenverschluss vor, der mit der jeweiligen Düse verbunden ist und einen Kolben umfasst, um die Klappe zwischen einer Arbeitsposition, in welcher der Durchlass der Düsen geöffnet ist, und einer Verschlussposition, in welcher die Düsen von dem UV-Licht abgeschirmt sind, zu bewegen. Problematisch ist, dass die Klappe und die mit ihr verbundene Aktuatorik verhältnismäßig viel Platz in Anspruch nimmt und in jeder Düse einzeln vorgesehen und angesteuert werden muss. Zudem ist ein solch aufwendiges System vergleichsweise teuer in der Herstellung und im Betrieb störanfällig.To prevent ultraviolet light from entering the nozzle of an ink jet printhead, the DE 697 12 622 T2 For example, an electrically operated nozzle flap or a nozzle closure, which is connected to the respective nozzle and includes a piston to the flap between a working position in which the passage of the nozzles is opened, and a closure position in which the nozzles of the UV light are shielded to move. The problem is that the flap and the actuator connected to it takes up relatively much space and must be provided and controlled individually in each nozzle. In addition, such a complex system is relatively expensive to manufacture and susceptible to interference during operation.

In der DE 10 2006 004 477 A1 ist ein Tintenstrahldruckkopf mit einer Abdeckeinrichtung für die Düsen beschrieben, um ein Austrocknen der Düsen durch Umgebungsluft zu verhindern. Der Düsenverschluss ist hier als unmittelbar an der einzelnen Düse angebrachte Abdeckeinrichtung ausgebildet und weist eine Abdeckplatte und eine in der Abdeckplatte ausgebildete Öffnung auf, wobei die Abdeckplatte relativ zum Druckkopf über ein Schiebe- bzw. ein Hubsystem verschoben bzw. verschwenkt wird, um den Druckkopf in der Arbeitsposition freizugeben und in einer Verschlussposition zu überdecken. Die Führung der Abdeckplatte über Nuten bzw. eine Parallelhebevorrichtung ist vergleichsweise langsam, mit Reibung behaftet und hinsichtlich der Mechanik und Ansteuerung komplex, gerade wenn eine Vielzahl von Düsen vorgesehen ist.In the DE 10 2006 004 477 A1 an ink jet printhead is described with a covering device for the nozzles to dry the nozzles through To prevent ambient air. The nozzle closure is embodied here as a cover device attached directly to the individual nozzle and has a cover plate and an opening formed in the cover plate, wherein the cover plate is displaced or pivoted relative to the print head via a sliding or a lifting system in order to move the print head into release the working position and to cover in a closed position. The guide of the cover plate via grooves or a parallel lifting device is relatively slow, fraught with friction and in terms of mechanics and control complex, even if a plurality of nozzles is provided.

Aus der US 5,572,245 ist ein Druckkopf mit einer Vielzahl von in einem Array angeordneten Druckdüsen bekannt. Außen an dem Druckkopf ist eine flexible, sich auf- und abrollende Abdeckung vorgesehen, die vor die Druckdüsen gezogen wird, wenn gerade nicht gedruckt wird. Eine UV-Härtung des Druckbildes im Anschluss an das Drucken ist nicht vorgesehen.From the US 5,572,245 For example, a printhead having a plurality of printing nozzles arranged in an array is known. On the outside of the printhead is a flexible, up-and-rolling cover is provided, which is pulled in front of the printing nozzles when not being printed. UV curing of the printed image after printing is not provided.

Es ist Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, eine Verschlusseinrichtung vorzuschlagen, die bei einem einfachen mechanischen Aufbau eine effektive Abschottung bzw. Abtrennung der Druckköpfe von der UV-Strahlungsquelle während der Behandlung bei einer kurzen, d.h. schnellen, Verschlusszeit ermöglicht und geringe Kosten verursacht.It is an object of the present invention to provide a closure device which, with a simple mechanical construction, effectively separates the printheads from the UV radiation source during treatment for a short, e.g. fast, shutter speed allows and low cost.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, dass die Verschlusseinrichtung einen relativ zu dem mindestens einen Druckkopf und der mindestens einen Strahlungsquelle bewegbaren, insbesondere verdrehbaren, Shutterzylinder zur Aufnahme des zu bedruckenden Behältnisses umfasst, wobei der Shutterzylinder eine Seitenwand aufweist, die den mindestens einen Behälter umgibt und wenigstens eine Öffnung zum Bedrucken des innerhalb des Shutterzylinders angeordneten Behältnisses durch die Öffnung und zum Bestrahlen des innerhalb des Shutterzylinders angeordneten Behältnisses durch die Öffnung aufweist. Dafür ist die mindestens eine Öffnung entweder vor dem Druckkopf oder einem der mehreren Druckköpfe oder vor der Strahlungsquelle oder einer von mehreren Strahlungsquellen anordenbar. Dies bedeutet, dass die eine Öffnung oder mehrere Öffnungen nicht gleichzeitig vor einem Druckkopf und oder einer Strahlungsquelle angeordnet werden kann bzw. werden können. Das Anordnen der Öffnung(en) vor Druckkopf oder Strahlungsquelle kann insbesondere durch ein Verdrehen oder Bewegen des Shutterzylinders relativ zu Druckkopf oder Strahlungsquelle erfolgen, wobei einfacher Weise der Shutterzylinder um seine Längsachse drehbar ausgebildet sein kann und Druckkopf und Strahlungsquelle feststehen. Bei nur einer Öffnung im Shutterzylinder ist selbstverständlich, dass diese Öffnung nur entweder vor einem/dem Druckkopf oder einer/der Strahlungsquelle angeordnet sein kann.This object is achieved in that the closure device comprises a relative to the at least one print head and the at least one radiation source movable, in particular rotatable, shutter cylinder for receiving the container to be printed, wherein the shutter cylinder has a side wall which surrounds the at least one container and at least one opening for printing the arranged inside the shutter cylinder container through the opening and for irradiating the arranged inside the shutter cylinder container through the opening having. For this, the at least one opening can be arranged either in front of the print head or one of the plurality of print heads or in front of the radiation source or one of a plurality of radiation sources. This means that the one or more openings can not be placed in front of a printhead and / or a radiation source at the same time. Arranging the opening (s) in front of the print head or radiation source can be effected in particular by rotating or moving the shutter cylinder relative to the print head or radiation source, wherein the shutter cylinder can easily be designed to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis and the print head and radiation source are fixed. With only one aperture in the shutter cylinder, it will be understood that this aperture may be located only in front of either one of the printhead or one of the radiation sources.

Um gerade bei mehreren Druckköpfen das Bedrucken des einen Behälters oder der mehreren in dem Shutterzylinder angeordneten Behälter zu beschleunigen und den Verstellweg kurz, insbesondere den Drehwinkel bei einer Verdrehung klein, zu halten, können erfindungsgemäß auch mehrere Öffnungen in dem Shutterzylinder vorgesehen sein, wobei wenigstens eine erste Öffnung zum Bedrucken und wenigstens eine zweite Öffnung zum Bestrahlen vorgesehen sind und wobei die wenigstens eine erste Öffnung und die wenigstens eine zweite Öffnung derart über den Umfang des Shutterzylinders verteilt angeordnet sind, dass in einer Bewegungsstellung bzw. Position, insbesondere in einer Drehstellung, des Shutterzylinders relativ zu Druckkopf und Strahlungsquelle entweder die wenigstens eine erste Öffnung vor dem Druckkopf oder die wenigstens eine zweite Öffnung vor der Strahlungsquelle angeordnet ist. Bei mehreren Öffnungen zum Bedrucken können diese auch gleichzeitig vor verschiedenen Druckköpfen angeordnet sein. Die Öffnungen sind aber vorzugsweise derart über den Umfang verteilt, dass in keiner Bewegungsstellung des Shutterzylinders gleichzeitig eine Öffnung des Shutterzylinders vor einer Druckstation und eine andere Öffnung vor einer Strahlungsquelle angeordnet sind.In order to accelerate the printing of the one or more containers arranged in the shutter cylinder precisely in the case of several print heads and to keep the adjustment path short, in particular the rotation angle at a rotation, several openings can be provided in the shutter cylinder according to the invention, wherein at least one the first opening for printing and at least one second opening are provided for irradiation and wherein the at least one first opening and the at least one second opening are arranged distributed over the circumference of the shutter cylinder, that in a movement position or position, in particular in a rotational position of the Shutter cylinder relative to printhead and radiation source either the at least one first opening in front of the print head or the at least one second opening in front of the radiation source is arranged. With several openings for printing, these can also be arranged simultaneously in front of different printheads. However, the openings are preferably distributed over the circumference such that in no movement position of the shutter cylinder at the same time an opening of the shutter cylinder in front of a printing station and another opening in front of a radiation source are arranged.

Insbesondere bei Druckstationen, bei denen der oder die Behälter auf einem Drehteller relativ zu den Druckköpfen rotiert wird/werden, erweist sich die erfindungsgemäße Verteilung als vorteilhaft, weil dann, wenn die (ersten) Öffnungen vor Druckköpfen positioniert sind, die Strahlungsquelle durch die Wand des Shutterzylinders verdeckt wird, so dass keine elektromagnetische Strahlung zu den Düsen, insbesondere durch einen transparenten Behälter hindurch, gelangen kann, weil der Bearbeitungsraum innerhalb des Shutterzylinders für die Strahlungsquelle nicht zugänglich ist. Im umgedrehten Fall, also während der Behandlung der aufgespritzten Tinte durch UV-Licht, ist die (zweite) Öffnung vor der Strahlungsquelle, während der Druckkopf bzw. der Behälter vor dem Druckkopf durch die Wand des Shutterzylinders verdeckt wird. Auf diese Weise wird eine einfache Verschlusseinrichtung geschaffen, die durch eine einfache Bewegung, vorzugsweise eine rotatorische, relativ zu den Druckköpfen oder der Strahlungsquelle die Strahlungsquelle oder die Tintenstrahldruckköpfe abdeckt. Auf diese Weise werden die Druckköpfe während der UV-Beleuchtung abgedeckt, während die UV-Lichtquelle (Strahlungsquelle) während des Druckvorgangs vor Tintenaerosolen geschützt ist. Idealerweise ist der Shutterzylinder derart bemessen, dass wenn der Druckkopf zum Bedrucken an den Behälter herangeführt wird, der Druckkopf nah am Shutterzylinder liegt, so dass der Einfall von gestreutem UV-Licht von den Seiten verhindert wird.Particularly at printing stations where the container (s) are rotated on a turntable relative to the printheads, the distribution according to the invention proves to be advantageous because when the (first) openings are positioned in front of printheads, the radiation source passes through the wall of the printer Shutter cylinder is covered, so that no electromagnetic radiation to the nozzles, especially through a transparent container, can pass, because the processing space is not accessible within the shutter cylinder for the radiation source. In the reverse case, that is, during the treatment of the sprayed ink by UV light, the (second) opening in front of the radiation source, while the printhead or the container in front of the print head is covered by the wall of the shutter cylinder. In this way, a simple closure device is provided which covers the radiation source or the ink jet printheads by a simple movement, preferably a rotary one, relative to the printheads or the radiation source. In this way, the printheads are covered during UV illumination while the UV light source (radiation source) is protected from ink aerosols during printing. Ideally, the shutter cylinder is dimensioned such that when the printhead is brought to the container for printing, the printhead is close to the shutter cylinder, thus preventing the incidence of scattered UV light from the sides.

Um in einer entsprechenden Anlage zum Bedrucken auch eine große Vielzahl an unterschiedlichen Behälterformen und/oder -größen abzudecken, sieht eine weitere Ausführungsform der Erfindung vor, den Shutterzylinder als an den oder die jeweils zu behandelnden Behälter angepasstes Formatteil auszubilden. Diese sogenannten Formatteile werden verwendet, um als Adapter zwischen Behälter und Anlage zu agieren, wobei je nach Behälterform ein entsprechend gestaltetes Formatteil verwendet wird. Das Formatteil kann dann bspw. bei unterschiedlichen Behälterdurchmessern einfach ausgetauscht werden. Grundsätzlich kann der Zylinder auch eine andere als eine runde Form aufweisen, bspw. eine mehreckige Außenform, wobei vorzugsweise im Inneren ein Freiraum zur Aufnahme des Behälters ausgebildet ist. Dies wird in der Notation der Beschreibung auch als Shutterzylinder bezeichnet.In order to cover a large number of different container shapes and / or sizes in a corresponding system for printing, a further embodiment of the invention provides for forming the shutter cylinder as a format part adapted to the container or containers to be treated in each case. These so-called format parts are used to act as an adapter between the container and the system, depending on the container shape, a suitably designed format part is used. The format part can then be easily replaced, for example, with different container diameters. in principle For example, the cylinder may also have a shape other than a round shape, for example a polygonal outer shape, wherein a free space for receiving the container is preferably formed in the interior. This is also referred to as the shutter cylinder in the notation of the description.

Ferner sieht die vorliegende Erfindung vor, dass der Shutterzylinder als dünnwandiges Rohr ausgebildet sein kann, das an wenigstens einem Ende einen Flansch aufweist. Dieser Flansch trägt nicht nur dazu bei, das Rohr zu versteifen, sondern dient auch als Auflagefläche und Fixierhilfe des Shutterzylinders. Zudem ist ein solches Rohr günstig in der Herstellung. Der Flansch kann vorzugsweise koaxial mit dem Shutterzylinder eine Öffnung zur Aufnahme des Behälters oder der Behälter und/oder einer Dreheinrichtung, bspw. eines Drehtellers, für den oder die Behälter aufweisen.Furthermore, the present invention provides that the shutter cylinder may be formed as a thin-walled tube having a flange at at least one end. This flange not only helps to stiffen the tube, but also serves as a support surface and fixing aid of the shutter cylinder. In addition, such a tube is inexpensive to manufacture. The flange may have, preferably coaxially with the shutter cylinder, an opening for receiving the container or containers and / or a rotating device, for example a turntable, for the container or containers.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung wird ferner durch eine Anlage zum Bedrucken von Behältern, wie Flaschen aus Glas oder Kunststoff, gelöst, die wenigstens eine der erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusseinrichtungen aufweist.The object of the present invention is further achieved by a system for printing on containers, such as bottles made of glass or plastic, which has at least one of the closure devices according to the invention.

Weitere Vorteile, Merkmale und Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung ergeben sich auch aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen und den Zeichnungen. Dabei bilden alle beschriebenen und/oder bildlich dargestellten Merkmale für sich oder in beliebiger Kombination den Gegenstand der vorliegenden Erfindung, auch unabhängig von ihrer Zusammenfassung in den Ansprüchen oder deren Rückbezügen.Further advantages, features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawings. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the present invention, also independent of their summary in the claims or their back references.

Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
in einer Seitenansicht eine erfindungsgemäße Verschlusseinrichtung mit Shutterzylinder nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und
Fig. 2a,b
schematisch die Funktionsweise des Shutterzylinders aus der Fig. 1.
Show it:
Fig. 1
in a side view of a closure device according to the invention with shutter cylinder according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 2a, b
schematically the operation of the shutter cylinder from the Fig. 1 ,

In Fig. 1 ist mit dem Bezugszeichen 1 der erfindungsgemäße Shutterzylinder gekennzeichnet. Dieser ist in der Grundform rohrförmig aufgebaut und besitzt einen zylinderförmigen Mittelteil mit einer Seiten- bzw. Zylinderwand 2. An seinen in Richtung seiner Längsachse 3 liegenden Enden weist der Shutterzylinder 1 einen oberen Flansch 4 sowie einen unteren Flansch 5 auf, deren Umfang jeweils breiter ist als der Umfang der Seitenwand 2.In Fig. 1 is designated by the reference numeral 1 of the invention Shutterzylinder. This is in the basic form tubular and has a cylindrical central portion with a side or cylinder wall 2. At its lying in the direction of its longitudinal axis 3 ends, the shutter cylinder 1 has an upper flange 4 and a lower flange 5, the circumference of each is wider as the circumference of the side wall 2.

Der rohrförmige Shutterzylinder 1 endet, wie aus Fig. 1 ersichtlich, am oberen Flansch 4 in einer oberen Öffnung 6. Eine entsprechende untere Öffnung 7 ist am unteren Flansch 5 ausgebildet. Durch die Öffnungen 6 und/oder 7, kann mindestens ein Behälter, wie eine Flasche, einfach von oben oder von unten in den Shutterzylinder 1 eingeführt und aus diesem wieder entnommen werden, wobei die Seitenwand 2 den Behälter gegen die Umgebung abschirmt. Wie die Fig. 1 ferner zeigt, weist die Seitenwand 2 eine Vielzahl von auf ihrem Umfang verteilten ersten Öffnungen 8 auf. Zudem weist der Shutterzylinder 1 auf dem Umfang der Seitenwand 2 auch eine zweite Öffnung 9 auf, die in der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1 auf der Rückseite des Shutterzylinders 1 angeordnet und daher nicht sichtbar ist. Dargestellt ist die zweite Öffnung 9 jedoch in der Draufsicht X-X der Fig. 1 in den Figuren 2a und 2b.The tubular shutter cylinder 1 ends as shown Fig. 1 can be seen on the upper flange 4 in an upper opening 6. A corresponding lower opening 7 is formed on the lower flange 5. Through the openings 6 and / or 7, at least one container, such as a bottle, can be easily inserted from above or from below into the shutter cylinder 1 and removed therefrom, the side wall 2 shielding the container from the environment. As the Fig. 1 Further, the side wall 2 has a plurality of first openings 8 distributed on its circumference. In addition, the shutter cylinder 1 on the circumference of the side wall 2 and a second opening 9, which in the illustration according to Fig. 1 arranged on the back of the shutter cylinder 1 and therefore is not visible. Shown is the second opening 9, however, in the plan view XX of Fig. 1 in the FIGS. 2a and 2b ,

Die Figuren 2a und 2b zeigen den Shutterzylinder 1 in der Draufsicht während des Betriebs. Im Inneren des Shutterzylinders 1 ist ein zu bedruckendes Behältnis in Form einer Flasche 10 angeordnet. In dieser Ausführungsform ist nur eine Flasche 10 in dem Shutterzylinder 1 angeordnet. Erfindungsgemäß können auch mehrere Behälter, bspw. Flaschen 10, in den Shutterzylinder aufgenommen sein. In diesem Fall sind die mehreren Behälter oder Flaschen 10 vorzugweise um den Innenumfang des Shutterzylinders 1 verteilt angeordnet, wobei jeder Flasche mindestens eine Öffnung 8,9, vorzugsweise jeweils mindestens eine erste Öffnung 8 und eine zweite Öffnung 9 in dem Shutterzylinder zugeordnet sind. Die weiteren Erläuterungen beziehen sich auf nur eine aufgenommen Flasche 10 als Behältern. Diese gelten bei Aufnahme mehrerer Flaschen 10 oder Behälter entsprechend, wie der Fachmann ohne weiteres erkennt.The FIGS. 2a and 2b show the shutter cylinder 1 in plan view during operation. Inside the shutter cylinder 1, a container to be printed in the form of a bottle 10 is arranged. In this embodiment, only one bottle 10 is arranged in the shutter cylinder 1. According to the invention, a plurality of containers, for example bottles 10, can be accommodated in the shutter cylinder. In this case, the plurality of containers or bottles 10 are preferably distributed around the inner circumference of the shutter cylinder 1, wherein Each bottle at least one opening 8,9, preferably each associated with at least a first opening 8 and a second opening 9 in the shutter cylinder. The further explanations relate to only one received bottle 10 as containers. These apply when receiving several bottles 10 or container accordingly, as the skilled artisan readily recognizes.

Die äußere Umfangsfläche der Flasche 10 besitzt zu bedruckende Bereiche, die über Druckköpfe 11 bedruckt werden, wobei die Flasche 10 relativ zu den Druckköpfen 11 rotiert. Ferner zeigen die Figuren 2a und 2b auch die zweite Öffnung 9, die der Durchführung des von einer als UV-Lichtquelle ausgebildeten Strahlungsquelle 12 emittierten Lichtes auf die Oberfläche der Flasche 10 dient, um die von den Druckköpfen 11 auf die Flasche 10 gespritzte Tinte auszuhärten.The outer peripheral surface of the bottle 10 has areas to be printed, which are printed on printheads 11, wherein the bottle 10 rotates relative to the printheads 11. Furthermore, the show FIGS. 2a and 2b Also, the second opening 9, which serves to carry out the light emitted from a radiation source 12 designed as a UV light source 12 on the surface of the bottle 10 to cure the sprayed from the printheads 11 on the bottle 10 ink.

Die Figuren 2a und 2b zeigen zwei Betriebspositionen und auch Bearbeitungsphasen des Druckvorgangs für die Flasche 10. In der Fig. 2a sind die ersten Öffnungen 8 vor den Druckköpfen 11 positioniert, so dass die Flasche 10 von den Druckköpfen 11 durch die ersten Öffnungen 8 bedruckt werden kann. Dagegen ist die zweite Öffnung 9 nicht vor der UV-Lichtquelle 12 angeordnet, sondern versetzt dazu. In dieser Position der zweiten Öffnung 9 kann weder Tinte auf die Strahlungsquelle 12 noch Licht von der UV-Licht- bzw. Strahlungsquelle 12 zu den Düsen der Druckköpfe 11 gelangen, weder durch den Shutterzylinder, noch entlang dessen Außenwand. Daher können eventuelle Tintenrückstände in den Druckköpfen 11 nicht aushärten, wenn die Strahlungsquelle 12 in dieser Drehposition des Shutterzylinders 1 angeschaltet wird. Gleichzeitig verhindert die Seitenwand 2, die vor der Strahlungsquelle 12 angeordnet ist, dass bspw. Tintenaerosole an die Strahlungsquelle 12 gelangen, sich dort festsetzen, aushärten und den Wirkungsgrad der Strahlungsquelle 12, die als UV-Lichtquelle ausgebildet ist, reduzieren.The FIGS. 2a and 2b show two operating positions and also processing phases of the printing process for the bottle 10. In the Fig. 2a For example, the first openings 8 are positioned in front of the print heads 11 so that the bottle 10 can be printed by the print heads 11 through the first openings 8. In contrast, the second opening 9 is not arranged in front of the UV light source 12, but offset. In this position of the second opening 9, neither ink on the radiation source 12 nor light from the UV light or radiation source 12 can reach the nozzles of the printing heads 11, neither through the shutter cylinder, nor along its outer wall. Therefore, any ink residues in the print heads 11 can not be cured when the radiation source 12 is turned on in this rotational position of the shutter cylinder 1. At the same time prevents the side wall 2, which is arranged in front of the radiation source 12 that, for example, ink aerosols reach the radiation source 12, settle there, harden and reduce the efficiency of the radiation source 12, which is designed as a UV light source.

Nach dem Aufbringen der Tinte durch die Druckköpfe 11 auf die Flasche 10 wird der Shutterzylinder 1 geschaltet, indem er relativ zu den Druckköpfen 11 und der Strahlungsquelle 12 verdreht wird, in dem dargestellten Beispiel um 45° gegen den Uhrzeigersinn um die Behälterlängsachse 3 gedreht wird, die in der Darstellung der Fig. 2a senkrecht durch den Mittelpunkt des Shutterzylinders 1 verläuft.After the ink is applied to the bottle 10 by the printheads 11, the shutter cylinder 1 is switched by being rotated relative to the printheads 11 and the radiation source 12, in the illustrated example rotated 45 ° counterclockwise around the container longitudinal axis 3, which in the representation of Fig. 2a runs vertically through the center of the shutter cylinder 1.

Durch den neuen Schaltzustand des Shutterzylinders 1 wurde die UV-Lichtquelle (Strahlungsquelle) 12 freigegeben, während die Druckköpfe 11 verschlossen bzw. verdeckt worden sind. Die Öffnungen 8 und die Seitenwand 2 wirken also als Verschluss. Die zweite Öffnung 9 ist nun vor der UV-Lichtquelle 12 angeordnet, während die ersten Öffnungen 8 zu den Druckköpfen 11 versetzt worden sind, so dass die Seitenwand 2 die Düsen der Druckköpfe 11 verdeckt. Auf diese Weise werden die Düsen der Druckköpfe 11 von der Strahlung, die von der UV-Lichtquelle 12 durch die zweite Öffnung 9 in das Innere des Shutterzylinders 1 gelangt, abgeschirmt. In dieser in Fig. 2b dargestellten Behandlungsposition härtet die von der UV-Lichtquelle 12 (Strahlungsquelle) ausgesandte elektromagnetische Strahlung die Tinte, die zuvor von den Druckköpfen 11 auf die Flasche 10 aufgebracht wurden. Wie ersichtlich, reicht eine kurze Bewegung des Shutterzylinders 1, um die eine Verschlusseinrichtung alternativ vor den Druckköpfen 11 bzw. vor der UV-Lichtquelle 12 zu schalten. Bezugszeichenliste: 1 Shutterzylinder 2 Seitenwand 3 Längsachse 4 oberer Flansch 5 unterer Flansch 6 obere Öffnung 7 untere Öffnung 8 erste Öffnung zum Bedrucken 9 zweite Öffnung zum Bestrahlen 10 Behälter, Flasche 11 Druckkopf 12 Strahlungsquelle, UV-Lichtquelle Due to the new switching state of the shutter cylinder 1, the UV light source (radiation source) 12 has been released while the print heads 11 have been closed or concealed. The openings 8 and the side wall 2 thus act as a closure. The second opening 9 is now arranged in front of the UV light source 12, while the first openings 8 have been added to the print heads 11, so that the side wall 2 covers the nozzles of the print heads 11. In this way, the nozzles of the print heads 11 are shielded from the radiation which passes from the UV light source 12 through the second opening 9 into the interior of the shutter cylinder 1. In this in Fig. 2b In the illustrated treatment position, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the UV light source 12 (radiation source) cures the ink previously applied to the bottle 10 from the print heads 11. As can be seen, a short movement of the shutter cylinder 1 is sufficient to switch the one closure device alternatively in front of the print heads 11 or in front of the UV light source 12. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES: </ b> 1 Shutterzylinder 2 Side wall 3 longitudinal axis 4 upper flange 5 lower flange 6 upper opening 7 lower opening 8th first opening for printing 9 second opening for irradiation 10 Container, bottle 11 printhead 12 Radiation source, UV light source

Claims (5)

Verschlusseinrichtung für Druckköpfe (11) und/oder Strahlungsquellen (12) zum Erzeugen elektromagnetischer Strahlung, wie UV-Licht, für eine Anlage zum Bedrucken von Behältern, wie Flaschen, wobei der Behälter (10) zunächst durch wenigstens einen Druckkopf (11) bedruckt wird, indem Tinte aus Düsen (13) des Druckkopfes (11) auf den Behälter (10) gespritzt wird, wobei das erzeugte Druckbild anschließend durch emittierte Strahlung behandelt wird, und wobei die Verschlusseinrichtung die Düsen (13) während der Behandlung von der emittierten Strahlung abschirmt, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Verschlusseinrichtung einen Shutterzylinder (1) zur Aufnahme des mindestens einen Behälters (10) umfasst, wobei der Shutterzylinder (1) eine Seitenwand (2) aufweist, die den mindestens einen Behälter (10) umgibt,
dass die Seitenwand (2) wenigstens eine Öffnung (8, 9) zum Bedrucken des innerhalb des Shutterzylinders (1) angeordneten Behälters (10) oder der innerhalb des Shutterzylinders (1) angeordneten Behälter (10) durch die Öffnung (8, 9) und zum Bestrahlen des innerhalb des Shutterzylinders (1) angeordneten Behälters (10) oder der innerhalb des Shutterzylinders (1) angeordneten Behälter (10) durch die Öffnung (8, 9) aufweist, und
dass die mindestens eine Öffnung (8, 9) entweder vor dem Druckkopf (11) oder vor der Strahlungsquelle anordenbar ist.Closure device for printheads (11) and / or radiation sources (12) for generating electromagnetic radiation, such as UV light, for a system for printing on containers, such as bottles, wherein the container (10) is first printed by at least one printhead (11) by injecting ink from nozzles (13) of the printhead (11) onto the container (10), the generated print image subsequently being treated by emitted radiation, and the closure means shielding the nozzles (13) from the emitted radiation during the treatment , characterized
that the closure device comprises a Shutterzylinder (1) for receiving the at least one container (10), wherein the Shutterzylinder (1) having a side wall (2) surrounding the at least one container (10),
that the side wall (2) is arranged at least one opening (8, 9) for printing on the inside of the Shutterzylinders (1) container (10) or within the Shutterzylinders (1) arranged container (10) through the opening (8, 9) and for irradiating the container (10) arranged inside the shutter cylinder (1) or the container (10) arranged inside the shutter cylinder (1) through the opening (8, 9), and
in that the at least one opening (8, 9) can be arranged either in front of the print head (11) or in front of the radiation source. Verschlusseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Öffnungen (8, 9) in dem Shutterzylinder (1) vorgesehen sind, wobei wenigstens eine erste Öffnung (8) zum Bedrucken und wenigstens eine zweite Öffnung (9) zum Bestrahlen vorgesehen sind und wobei die wenigstens eine erste Öffnung (8) und die wenigstens eine zweite Öffnung (9) derart über den Umfang des Shutterzylinders (1) verteilt sind, dass entweder die wenigstens eine erste Öffnung (8) vor dem Druckkopf oder die wenigstens eine zweite Öffnung (9) vor der Strahlungsquelle (12) angeordnet ist.Closure device according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of openings (8, 9) in the shutter cylinder (1) are provided, wherein at least a first opening (8) for printing and at least one second opening (9) are provided for irradiation and wherein the at least one first opening (8) and the at least one second opening (9) over the Scope of the shutter cylinder (1) are distributed, that either the at least one first opening (8) in front of the print head or the at least one second opening (9) in front of the radiation source (12) is arranged. Verschlusseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Shutterzylinder (1) als an den oder die jeweils zu behandelnden Behälter (10) angepasstes Formatteil ausgebildet ist.Closure device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shutter cylinder (1) is designed as a format part adapted to the container or containers (10) to be treated respectively. Verschlusseinrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Shutterzylinder (1) als dünnwandiges Rohr ausgebildet ist, das vorzugsweise an wenigstens einem Ende einen Flansch (4, 5) aufweist.Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shutter cylinder (1) is designed as a thin-walled tube, which preferably has a flange (4, 5) at at least one end. Anlage zum Bedrucken von Behältern, wie Flaschen, aufweisend wenigstens eine Verschlusseinrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.Plant for printing on containers, such as bottles, comprising at least one closure device according to one of the preceding claims.
EP13169292.3A 2012-05-30 2013-05-27 Closure device for print heads Active EP2669088B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102012010617.3A DE102012010617B4 (en) 2012-05-30 2012-05-30 Locking device for printheads

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EP2669088A1 true EP2669088A1 (en) 2013-12-04
EP2669088B1 EP2669088B1 (en) 2015-07-08

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EP3023253A1 (en) 2014-11-18 2016-05-25 Krones AG Method and device for ink-jet printing on containers

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DE102015200986A1 (en) 2014-02-20 2015-08-20 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Intellectual Property Apparatus for printing and radiation treating a curved surface of an object
DE102015203798A1 (en) 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Apparatus for printing a curved surface of an object

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US5572245A (en) 1994-03-10 1996-11-05 Hewlett-Packard Company Protective cover apparatus for an ink-jet pen
WO1997048557A2 (en) * 1996-06-04 1997-12-24 Thin Film Technology (Consultancy) Limited 3d printing and forming of structures
DE102006004477A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2007-08-02 Kba-Metronic Ag Printing head for ink-jet printer, has ink chamber with nozzle and controlled cover device having cover element arranged outside at ink chamber, which locks nozzle air-tight in cover position and releases in working position
DE102008019715A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2009-10-22 Aps Alternative Printing Services Gmbh Closure device, printhead, artwork, method for closing a printhead, and use of the closure device
DE102010034780A1 (en) 2010-08-18 2012-02-23 Volker Till Apparatus and method for printing on containers

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5572245A (en) 1994-03-10 1996-11-05 Hewlett-Packard Company Protective cover apparatus for an ink-jet pen
WO1997048557A2 (en) * 1996-06-04 1997-12-24 Thin Film Technology (Consultancy) Limited 3d printing and forming of structures
DE69712622T2 (en) 1996-06-04 2003-01-02 Patterning Technologie Ltd THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING AND PRODUCING STRUCTURES
DE102006004477A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2007-08-02 Kba-Metronic Ag Printing head for ink-jet printer, has ink chamber with nozzle and controlled cover device having cover element arranged outside at ink chamber, which locks nozzle air-tight in cover position and releases in working position
DE102008019715A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2009-10-22 Aps Alternative Printing Services Gmbh Closure device, printhead, artwork, method for closing a printhead, and use of the closure device
DE102010034780A1 (en) 2010-08-18 2012-02-23 Volker Till Apparatus and method for printing on containers

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3023253A1 (en) 2014-11-18 2016-05-25 Krones AG Method and device for ink-jet printing on containers
DE102014223523A1 (en) 2014-11-18 2016-06-02 Krones Ag Method and apparatus for ink jet printing on containers
US9802424B2 (en) 2014-11-18 2017-10-31 Krones Ag Method and device for inkjet printing on containers

Also Published As

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DE102012010617A1 (en) 2013-12-05
DE102012010617B4 (en) 2015-03-05
EP2669088B1 (en) 2015-07-08

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