EP2762317B1 - Device for printing containers, and method for same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for printing containers according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method for printing on containers according to the features of the preamble of claim 13.

State of the art

Container equipment usually provides information to containers that inform the end user of the contents of the container. Through their graphic design they serve u.a. also the sales promotion. A typical field of application is the food industry, where, for example, a beverage is filled in the containers. In addition to the content information, it may also be necessary to provide perishable food containers with perishable foods. This has been done for a long time by applying printed labels. Recently, however, the developments have also been to dispense with the label material and to print the containers directly. In systems in which the complete equipment is not done in one step, the containers go through several equipment machines, the space for setting up several equipment machines is sometimes very limited. For this purpose direction changes in the main conveying path are necessary in order to be able to realize, for example, a gorget-shaped arrangement of the equipment machines. In addition, with given equipment media or materials (for example, the currently realizable printing speeds are relatively low) and / or container sizes often relatively long treatment times are necessary, resulting in high output rates to large machine diameters. Therefore, it is endeavored to allow a decoration of the container as quickly as possible or over a large part of the scope of the equipment machine.

The DE 10 2010 034 780 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method for printing on containers, wherein on a rotating machine treatment stations are provided, which substantially above each other the necessary printing printheads and optionally further for pre- and post-treatment of the container required facilities in a transport plane to the container preferably by about 90 ° inclined path, wherein the containers are guided by moving along the inclined path to different treatment stations. One or more colors may be applied to the container outer surface in two separate planes, with UV curing for curing in a third plane after application of the ink the color is made.

The DE 10 2009 013 477 A1 discloses a sleeve-like enclosure of a printing position, which encloses in the closed state, the space provided at the respective printing position bottle at its entire height at a distance and receives. For suction of sprayed ink, a suction device is provided, so that a strong contamination of the printing device with printing ink can be prevented.

The EP 1 754 603 A1 discloses a machine for printing hollow bodies with a spindle plate rotatable about a horizontal axis. The spindle plate carries in its rotational direction successive spindle units, each comprising a parallel to the axis aligned receiving spindle for hollow bodies. Depending on a printing station and a drying station are combined in pairs and are opposite on opposite sides of the spindle path curve in the radial direction of the spindle plate. The take-up spindle shields the radiation from the drying station from the printing station.

The DE 10 2007 036 752 A1 discloses an apparatus for printing on containers. At the periphery of a rotor printing stations are arranged, each comprising a container carrier for upright containers, a printing unit and a drying device for printing ink. A printing unit can include several adjacent printheads. The drying device can be arranged offset by 90 ° about the axis of the container carrier against the printing unit. Also, a printing unit may include a plurality of printhead units each having a plurality of printheads, each printhead unit including a drying device.

The DE 10 2009 014 321 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for printing a vertically oriented article. Each printing and drying process is carried out in the axial direction of successive working planes. Each printing and drying device is assigned its own working level. Between the successive working planes in the axial direction intermediate walls can be provided. The printheads can be arranged to be adjustable in the radial direction.

The CH 695 555 A5 discloses a printing method and a printing machine in which a plurality of print heads in a pitch circle are radially aligned with the axis of rotation of a cylindrical print object. During printing, the print object is rotated about its axis of rotation. The holder of the print object can also be moved vertically. A drying device is arranged on the side opposite the printhead side of the holder. Depending on the size of the print object, the print heads can be adjusted radially.

The EP 2 479 036 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for printing on containers. A printing station is associated with at least two printheads, which can be arranged one above the other, side by side or in a star shape. A handling device serves to hold and position the containers. It pivots the containers from a vertical transport position into a horizontal pressure position. A horizontally oriented container can be moved up and down or in different horizontal levels by means of them in the vertical direction. The printing station may include a drying station.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for printing on containers in order to enable efficient printing of the container with color and curing of the applied color, in particular for containers that are transparent to UV radiation.

solution

The object is achieved by the device according to claim 1 and by the method according to claim 13. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

In the context of the present invention, the term "container" means all for the admission of any products, such as e.g. Drinks, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, etc. suitable containers such as vessels, bottles, cans, glasses with and without screw cap, etc. to understand.

The inventive device for printing on containers comprises at least one printing plane, wherein in each printing plane along an outer circumference of a free space, which is adapted to receive a container, at least one print head for applying color is arranged on the container. In addition, at least one UV lamp is arranged in at least one printing plane for curing applied to the container color.

A printing plane may be defined by passing through the lower edges, upper edges or center of the at least one printhead and / or the at least one UV lamp. In general, the printing planes are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a container to be printed. Printing in a printing plane does not necessarily mean line printing along a perimeter of the container, but generally two-dimensional areal printing along the container outer surface.

The one or more printheads are configured to apply print media to a container exterior surface. The printing medium may be a UV-curable medium, such as ink, paint, varnish or the like, in particular UV-curable ink. In general, UV radiation in a wavelength range of 200 to 480 nm is used for UV curing.

The printheads preferably have a plurality of individually controllable nozzles and operate on the inkjet principle. The nozzles are preferably arranged to spray the ink radially inwards into the region of the free space in which a container can be arranged and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container to be printed, so that at Rotation of the container about its longitudinal axis, the color along the circumferential direction of the container can be applied flat. In particular, a print head comprises at least one row of nozzles, preferably at least two rows of nozzles. In particular, the line which intersects the nozzles of a row is arranged substantially parallel to a container longitudinal axis. The nozzles can be operated for example by means of a piezoelectric actuator.

In a printing plane, a partial print image or even a total print image - depending on the specification of the image - be applied by color of the at least one print head on the container, the container, while color is sprayed or fired by means of the print head, preferably rotates, so that An angular range of the container outer surface can be sprayed with the paint. In order to cure the applied ink, the container is preferably rotated by the corresponding angular range in front of the UV lamp so that the ink can cure by the UV radiation emitted by the UV lamp.

If the device for printing on containers comprises more than one printing plane, it can be provided that a partial printed image is applied to the container outer surface in each of these printing planes. For example, the rotation of the containers about their longitudinal axis can also be superimposed on a linear process along the longitudinal axis of the container, whereby process time can be saved.

Characterized in that at least one printhead and at least one UV lamp are arranged in a printing plane, it is not necessary to spend a color printed by means of the printhead container for curing the color by means of a UV lamp in a separate plane, for example includes a single UV lamp. The container thus does not have to be moved linearly so that ink applied in one printing plane can be cured in the separate plane. This saves process time.

In each of the at least one printing plane, two, three, four, five or more print heads may be arranged. When providing a plurality of printheads in a printing plane, in this printing plane, for example, a number of different colors corresponding to the number of printheads can be applied to a container. For example, if you have five printheads, the five colors of magenta, cyan, yellow, white, and black (key) can be provided by one of the printheads at a time. It may also be provided that a plurality of printheads in a printing plane provide a first color, so that a container must be rotated by a smaller angle compared to when there would be only one printhead providing that first color Apply partial image in the first color on the container outer surface.

It can also be provided that, in addition to the plurality of printheads, which provide the first color, one or more other printheads provide a second color.

For example, if polymer additives are added to the PET material to provide UV stabilization, or if the container comprises a UV radiation-impermeable layer, printheads in one or more printing planes may also face the UV lamp on the other side of the container or be arranged in the scattering range of the UV radiation, without that in a (desired) curing of ink applied to the container by means of the UV lamp and UV radiation can penetrate through the container and hit such a printhead. Thus, no drying out of the color of such a printhead and thus no erroneous operation can occur, since none of the nozzles of such a printhead become clogged with dried paint.

The apparatus may further comprise a UV radiation-opaque mandrel exposed by the UV lamp and adapted to be inserted into the container through an opening of a container. This mandrel is particularly advantageous when more than one print head is provided in a printing plane and containers are to be printed, which are transparent to UV radiation. The mandrel can be moved in particular along the container longitudinal axis.

Without the mandrel, in the case of a (desired) curing of paint applied to the container by means of the UV lamp, UV radiation could also penetrate through the container and strike, for example, a print head which is opposite the UV lamp on the other side of the container. This could then lead to a drying out of the color of this opposite printhead and thus to a faulty operation since then, for example, all or some of the nozzles of an affected printhead become clogged with dried paint. Even printheads that are not exactly opposite to the UV lamp but arranged in a scattering range of UV radiation can be influenced by the UV radiation, which can lead to a drying out of the color of these printheads.

The mandrel introduced through an opening of the container into the container secures the UV radiation, so that more than one print head and, in addition, a UV lamp can be arranged in one printing plane without the print heads being blocked by the UV radiation of the UV lamp. Lamp be affected negatively.

Between adjacent pressure planes, an annular shield can be provided in each case. The annular shield can prevent sprayed color of one printing plane from reaching another printing plane and having an effect there on the printing result. For example, the annular shield may be opaque to UV radiation emitted by one or more UV lamps.

The device may further include an enclosure surrounding the device.

The housing may surround the at least one printing plane, the at least one print head and the at least one UV lamp, wherein the housing preferably consists of a plurality of housing elements which can be moved relative to one another. For example, the housing can enclose the device and thus also the at least one printing plane, the at least one print head and the at least one UV lamp in the form of a sleeve. If the enclosure comprises a plurality of housing elements which are movable relative to one another, one of these housing elements can for example be fixed with respect to a carousel or the turntable and another housing element can be movably arranged to allow the containers to be removed from the housing. With the housing can be prevented that too much pressure mist is distributed by the device into the environment, also provides the housing provides protection against air turbulence when moving the device, for example in a carousel. For example, the housing may also include a suction for pressure mist.

The enclosure may also have the advantage that UV radiation from one station, should the device comprise several, not hit the printheads of the adjacent station and / or vice versa. It would also be conceivable, only to avoid this, to provide only every second station with an enclosure.

The apparatus may further comprise means adapted to the outer circumference along the at least one printhead and the at least one UV lamp are arranged to change for each of the at least one printing plane. By varying the outer circumference, containers of different diameters can be printed by the device. Since a change in the outer circumference for the different pressure levels is independent of each other, for example, the outer circumference of a printing plane can be chosen small, when applied in the region of a container neck paint and cured, whereas a larger outer circumference can be selected for a different printing plane if paint is applied and cured in the area of the container shell. Thus, it can be ensured that the distance between the print head and the container surface or UV lamp and container surface is not too large or too small, so that an optimal print result can be achieved.

The change of the outer circumference can preferably be done by motor, but also manually, so that the position of the printheads is adapted to the outer contours of the container by this change. The change of the outer circumference can take place in a container format change, for example by reading in CAD or image data of the new container, but also by measuring the new container by means of a sensor or a camera. The change can also be made during the printing of the same bottle should it have different diameters.

The device further comprises a linearly movable centering head and a linearly movable container receptacle, between which a container can be arranged and by means of which the container can be moved into the free space of the at least one printing plane. By arranging the container between the centering head and the container receptacle, the container can for example be held securely, whereby a movement - for example, in the horizontal or vertical direction or in an inclined direction - of the container in the free space of the at least one printing plane is possible. Preferably, the centering head and the container receptacle are linearly movable along the longitudinal axis of a container. The longitudinal axis is in particular vertically aligned at least at one point in time, preferably during the entire printing process. The container receptacle may comprise a turntable, such as a centering plate, which is adapted to be rotated about its axis. By a rotation of the turntable about its axis, a container located on the turntable can be rotated about its longitudinal axis - the longitudinal axis depending on the design of the device for printing in a horizontal or vertical direction or in an inclined direction - so that after Spend the Container in the free space of the at least one printing plane, by means of the at least one print head color applied to a part of or on the whole container outer surface and by means of the at least one UV lamp can be cured. By rotating the turntable by an angle of x °, where 0 ° <x <360 °, an x / 360th part of the circumference of the container can be printed.

On the turntable can also be dispensed with, if the container is to be transported only in Neckhandling. Here then a rotary drive can be provided on a receptacle which supports the container only in its mouth region and / or engages and centered. The same applies if slaves are used to transport the container, except that then the recordings (turntable, centering, Neckgreifer) do not attack the container, but at least partially on the slave. The slave can then also have an opening through which the mandrel can be introduced into the container.

The mandrel may be disposed in a fixed predetermined position relative to the centering head. Such a fixed position is advantageous if one type of container is to be printed with the device, since then the dimensions of the container and the mandrel are predetermined and no individual adjustment of the mandrel to another type of container is required. By positioning the centering head on the container, the mandrel is thus also positioned immediately.

Alternatively, the mandrel can be moved relative to the centering head and the centering head can preferably have a center bore, in which the mandrel can be arranged to be movable. A method of the mandrel relative to the centering head is advantageous when different types of containers are to be printed with the device. Then the mandrel can be adapted to the dimensions of the containers.

The mandrel may further comprise at least one expansion element integrated with the mandrel and adapted to be spread away from the mandrel after the mandrel has been inserted into a container and further configured to deploy the mandrel out of the container to be returned to its original position. By means of the at least one expansion element, the area which is shielded by means of the mandrel can be increased. Also, since the at least one expansion element is adapted to be spread after the mandrel has been inserted into the container, the inner shape of the container may be taken into account so that optimum UV radiation shielding could be obtained which would otherwise penetrate the container ,

The at least one expansion element can be designed as a sheet, so that when it is spread away from the mandrel, preferably pointing away from the mandrel in the radial direction.

The mandrel can in particular with the expansion element at least 20%, preferably at least 40% of the container diameter at a certain height along the longitudinal axis taking.

A spreading element can easily be stored and / or actively moved / controlled, so that the spreading element can be reliably and easily spread away from the mandrel and can also be brought into its starting position.

The mandrel may include an insertion bevel and / or an extension bevel to allow the mandrel to be more easily inserted into the opening of the container and thus into the container and / or more easily removed from the container.

The spine can also be inflated like a balloon.

To shield from UV radiation, instead of using the mandrel, hot steam, mist, CO ₂ (dry ice) or smoke could also be blown into the container in order to weaken the intensity of the UV light. This can only take place via the centering head or the receptacle, or through a mandrel, which can be introduced into the container and releases the medium at the bottom of the container. In addition to the sterilizing effect of UV light could thus also - depending on the medium - a sterilization of certain areas of the container take place. It is also intended to wetting the container to be filled or a part of the product to be filled. If this is at least partially UV-impermeable, then this could be sprayed by a arranged in the centering atomizer to the inner walls of the container.

In addition, the invention relates to a method for printing on containers using a printing device as described above and below, the method comprising the following steps: placing a container in the free space; then applying paint to the container by means of the at least one printhead; Curing of paint applied to the container by means of the at least one UV lamp.

When the apparatus for printing comprises a mandrel, the method may further comprise, prior to the step of curing, the step of introducing the UV radiation opaque mandrel emitted by the at least one UV lamp through an opening of the container.

• mindestens eine Druckebene, wobei in dieser Druckebene entlang eines äußeren Umfangs eines, insbesondere im Wesentlichen ringförmigen, Freiraums, der dazu ausgelegt ist, einen Behälter aufzunehmen, mindestens zwei Druckköpfe zum Aufbringen von Farbe auf den Behälter angeordnet sind
• mindestens eine Trocknungsebene zur Trocknung der auf die Behälter aufgebrachten Farbe, wobei vorzugsweise jede Trocknungsebene eine UV-Lampe umfasst.

If you want to gain process time, but it is for some reason (eg lack of space, or you need an additional level in which additional drying) is not possible, the drying or curing of the applied to a container color, for example by means of a UV lamp to perform in the plane in which the printheads are arranged, the device comprises for printing containers:

• at least one printing plane, wherein in this printing plane along an outer periphery of a, in particular substantially annular, free space, which is adapted to receive a container, at least two print heads for applying paint are arranged on the container
• at least one drying level for drying the ink applied to the containers, wherein preferably each drying level comprises a UV lamp.

In particular, each printing plane then adjoins a plane for drying the ink applied to the containers, with a shield in particular still being arranged between each printing and drying plane. Due to the proximity of the planes, the linearly movable drive can jump back and forth between the planes as quickly as possible.

In particular, the device further comprises a linearly movable and controlled rotatable receptacle, by means of which the container can be placed in the free space of the at least one printing plane and rotated during printing and / or drying.

In particular, the apparatus comprises a continuously driven carousel rotatable about a vertical machine axis and along the circumference of which a plurality of printing stations arranged at equidistant intervals are arranged with the carousel revolving printheads, wherein in each printing station a container is receivable and vertically movable relative to the carousel ,

In particular, at least two printing heads face each other in at least one printing plane. It may also face in a printing plane two pairs of printheads.

It is also possible that in at least one printing plane at least two, in particular at least three printheads are arranged in a U-shape and in this plane along the circumference of the free space an area is free of print head for, in particular horizontal, input and / or output of the container , Here then only a maximum of two printheads can face each other.

It is also possible for at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, of the circumference of the free space to be occupied by printheads, including their housings, in at least one printing plane.

All features of the embodiment described above are also in the straight embodiment described integrated.

The invention may also relate to a container equipment for printing on containers, with a conveyor system for transporting the containers through the equipment along a predetermined transport path, arranged on the conveyor system, in particular fixed, recordings for receiving individual containers or groups of containers and with at least two rotating equipment devices for printing on the containers, wherein the equipment devices each have at least one print head for printing the container is arranged.

According to the invention, the equipment system has a plurality of similar modules. Through the use of individual modules, the system can be flexibly adapted to new requirements emerging at the site by easily exchanging, removing or adding individual modules.

The object is achieved in a particular arrangement of the equipment devices by a container equipment for furnishing containers, with a conveyor system for transporting the container through the equipment along a predetermined transport path, arranged on the conveyor system, in particular fixed, recordings for receiving individual containers or Groups of containers, comprising at least two rotating equipment for equipping the containers, wherein a main conveying path of the containers through the equipment system has a change of direction, wherein at least one equipment device before and an equipment after the change of direction is arranged. The transport path in the region of the change in direction in this case has a section which has an at least partially different curvature, such as the upstream equipment device.

According to the invention no decoration of the container takes place on this section and the length of the section is at least one fifth of the distance traveled by the container in the upstream equipment device.

By decoration is meant, for example, a surface printing of the container with pressure medium.

As a result, space can be created through the interposed conveying section without equipment in order to transport the containers to the most favorable entry point of the subsequent equipment device. This may - depending on the design of the conveyor section - the total space requirement of the system grow slightly, but this is deliberately accepted to high performance or utilization of to ensure the containers equipping machines. The conveyor section is relatively inexpensive compared to the treatment time gained by it. In particular, the length of the conveying section can amount to at least a quarter or at least a third, or at least half of the transport path of the containers in the upstream equipment device, depending on which angle is to be realized in a main conveying path. In order not to make the conveyor section unnecessarily long, the section has, in particular, a shorter distance traveled by the containers than twice the distance traveled by the containers in an upstream equipment device. Depending on the system design, the distance of the conveyor section may also be longer.

In particular, the conveyor section or the transport path in the direction of change connects an outlet of the upstream in the transport direction equipment with an inlet of the downstream equipment such that the containers from the inlet to the outlet of the upstream equipment and the inlet to the outlet of the downstream equipment a treatment angle of more than 235 °, in particular more than 265 ° is available. For non-rotating equipment, the angles may also be considered as a function of the time or distance of one turn - the indicated 265 ° would be two hundred and sixty five, three hundred and sixtieth of the orbit or orbit.

The conveyor system transports the containers in the region of the rotating equipment in particular such that the transport path is at least in sections concentric with the circulation path of the equipment.

In particular, the conveying section can also have a different curvature sign. However, if, for example, it provides only a straightforward delivery of the containers, it merely has a different curvature. Furthermore, the container can be transported further away from a conveyor in certain embodiments of the system by the change in curvature, which is arranged in the transport direction in front of the conveyor, which transfers the container to the conveyor section. The curvature of the transport path may also change twice or three times or more on the conveyor section.

In particular, the conveyor section comprises an independent, circulating conveyor, on which a plurality of container receptacles, for example in the form of external grippers, in particular clamps, or the container inside holding holder mandrels, is arranged. This conveyor section can in its entirety, for example, a Include belt conveyors or a rotating transport star. In particular, the containers are transferred to the receptacles of this conveyor section of the upstream equipment device and passed from the recordings of the conveyor to the downstream equipment device. The recordings then run empty until they are assigned the next container. The conveyor section may also comprise two or more independent conveyors, eg conveyor stars.

The conveyor system may be directly attached to the equipment devices. Preferably, this is a system similar to that described for the conveyor section - the configuration of the images may, however, differ.

However, it may also be an independent (independent of the equipment devices) conveyor system, with which the containers are transported through the system. For example, it can be a shuttle transport system in which the containers are assigned to individual shuttles or "carriages" which travel on rails to the individual equipment machines. In particular, a multiplicity of electrical means for driving, in particular magnets, can be attached to the rails, which interact with means arranged on the shuttles, in particular permanent magnets, for the individual drive. The conveyor section according to the invention may in this case also comprise a rail instead of a conveyor with own gripping means for the containers.

If the equipment system consists of a large number of continuous transport or equipment stars, the transport path traveled by the containers is substantially meander-shaped, and depending on the design of the conveying section arranged in the region of the change of direction, also linear sections (eg through the use of a belt transport) can. If the conveying section likewise only has continuous transport stars, then the meandering shape is continuous, although the angle ranges passed through in the region of the conveying section can be smaller than those in the area of the equipment devices. The equipment stars with means for equipment arranged thereon can also provide the conveyor system itself by arranging receptacles for conveying the containers to them.

The main conveying path is not formed by every differentially small point of the transported transport route, but by the stations that have passed through as a whole. In the case of a plurality of juxtaposed, circulating transport or Ausstattungssternen the main conveying path can be formed by the connection of the individual transfer points of the containers or bottles from conveyor to conveyor. Another possibility is the resultant of connecting the centers of several stars represents.

In particular, at least two equipment devices are provided before and / or after the change of direction. The respective two equipment devices may directly connect to each other, i. that no intermediate conveyor is placed between them. This has the advantage of a very compact design.

The equipment devices are advantageously arranged to one another such that an equipment of the containers along at least two thirds, in particular at least three quarters, of the total circumference is possible. For continuous equipment, this corresponds to a continuous angle of the circle segment of at least 240 °, in particular of at least 270 °. This can be achieved, for example, by a zigzag arrangement of the equipment devices relative to each other. The zigzag arises from the connection of the individual centers (axes of rotation) of the rotary. Theoretically, in this setup, a treatment angle of almost 300 ° is possible in this way, but depending on the size of the containers to be treated, a distance for their transport must be allowed past each other when the equipment devices are in the same plane.

The equipment devices are, in particular, devices for direct printing on the container outer surfaces, in particular on the side surfaces along the circumference of the containers. For this purpose, several print heads can be present per equipment device, which apply pressure medium to the container outer surface. The printing medium can be ink, paint, varnish or the like, in particular UV-curable ink. In particular, the print heads have a plurality of individually controllable nozzles and operate on the inkjet principle.

Furthermore, the printheads may be movably mounted on the equipment devices. In particular, it is possible that individual printheads accompany the containers during the entire circulation and thus circulate regularly. In the case of a transport system mounted on the equipment, then the printheads will run in synchronism therewith.

It may also be possible for individual printheads to accompany the containers only during part of the way through the equipment. In particular, the printheads are then moved back into their initial position against the accompaniment direction, but it would also be conceivable that they slow down or stop for a short time and accompany the next container briefly along a further portion of the circumference. Thus, there is virtually an intermittent circulation.

All of these variants can be carried out with a cyclic or continuous container transport.

It is also thought of a motor or manual adjustment of the printheads to the outer contours of the bottles. The adjustment can take place in a bottle format change, for example by reading CAD or image data of the new bottle but also by measuring the new bottle by means of a sensor or a camera. The motors could also be approached by hand to the new contours of the bottles and stored this setting so that they can be reused in printing the same bottles, so if they are used again in a time-lag behind production cycle. In particular, a height (in the vertical direction) of the print heads and / or an angle of attack can be adjusted via the motors. The angle of attack is in the plane formed by the machine rotation axis and the circumferential position of the print head on the equipment. Also, an angle of attack can be adjustable, which lies in the horizontal plane. This angle can change the resolution of the print image, especially if the print heads are provided with a plurality of nozzle rows which extend along the print head longitudinal axis. The printhead longitudinal axis is usually the one along which most of the nozzles of the printhead are located. In particular, the print head longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transport plane when printing on cylindrical containers which are transported upright. Furthermore, a drive for linear adjustment of the print heads may be present, with which a distance of the print head is changed to the container, in particular parallel to the container transport plane, in particular in the horizontal direction. The printheads can also be adjusted in a vertical direction. Based on the containers to be printed, the print heads can also be moved along the container longitudinal axis adjustable or even during printing. Alternatively, the containers can also be moved along their longitudinal axis.

Preferably, some equipment devices are direct printing modules, which essentially differ from one another only in that different colors and / or print motifs are applied to the containers with them.

Alternatively or additionally, other printing techniques such as screen printing or pad printing can also be used.

Likewise, at least one equipment device can also be formed by a labeling machine, in particular by one which applies stretchable, tubular labels to the containers.

As a device for equipment can also serve a labeling machine which attaches labels made of paper or plastic to the container from the side. For example, self-adhesive labels can also be used here, in particular in the "no-label look".

Furthermore, the container equipment system can also have independent modules for curing or crosslinking of UV-curable colors (pinning). Such a module has at least one UV lamp, which is directed to at least the area to which the ink is applied. For sterilization purposes, this area can also be extended or it is an additional UV lamp mounted in the region of the mouth of the container, which sterilizes them. It is also intended to a retractable into the container UV lamp to harden the externally applied ink from the inside and at the same time to sterilize the inner wall of the container. The inward retractable UV lamp is mounted in particular co-rotating on a module. The UV lamps that handle the outside of the containers may also be co-rotating lamps, but it is also possible to build this module a housing in the form of a fixed tunnel, which is equipped with fixed UV lamps , The embodiments mentioned in this paragraph can also find application in the conveyor section according to the invention.

In general, in the conveying section according to the invention, an intermediate treatment of the container can certainly take place, for example an intermediate pinning of the printing ink or an application of a best-before date. In particular, the funds are fixed in comparison to the sponsor.

Alternatively or additionally, curing and / or sterilization can also take place in the equipment modules. Alternatively or additionally, curing and / or sterilization may also take place in a station which is spatially spaced apart (for example by more than one meter) from the modules. In this way, a better shielding of the UV radiation can be made, so that as far as possible UV light hits the print heads. In addition, sterilization with liquid or gaseous sterilization medium, such as hydrogen peroxide, could be carried out in the station, which is introduced into the container via a nozzle.

As an equipment module, a coating of the container with an adhesive may be upstream of the printing modules, for example, with which an adhesive layer is applied to the container on which in turn the ink is applied, the adhesion between the container and the adhesive layer is smaller than the adhesion between Adhesive layer and the printing medium. In particular, the adhesive layer is such that it can be replaced by lye. This is especially needed for recycling, where the ink is to be separated from the container material.

The containers are in particular PET bottles, in particular PET disposable bottles.

It is also possible to provide means for pretreating the containers, for example a plasma treatment device with which a thin silicon oxide layer is applied to the container outer or inner surface for improving the barrier properties. Also possible as a pretreatment unit is a container cleaning unit, a conditioning unit, in particular configured for drying and / or tempering the containers, a surface activation unit, in particular configured to increase the surface energy of the container surface, and / or an electrostatic unit for electrostatic discharge or charge the container surface.

The use of the mentioned pretreatment units or combinations thereof is essentially dependent on the customer requirements. In principle, the units can also be integrated into a modular concept of container-printing devices. These modules can be equipped with the same means of transport as the printing modules.

In general, a modular concept for the printing modules and / or pretreatment units is characterized in that further modules can be easily added or removed retrospectively. One point for this can be a uniform transfer of the containers between the modules. Even a uniform size of the modules, in particular a uniform diameter in the case of continuous modules, can offer an advantage in a modular concept to one another when installed. It is also thought that each module also rotates at the same peripheral speed. It may also be advantageous that a container transfer between the modules takes place directly, ie without further interposed conveyor.

In a direct transfer between two modules in which the container receptacle a centering placed on a container mouth in the upper region of the container and the container is supported from below in the bottom area by another recording, in particular by a turntable, a direct transfer to another Module be made such that in addition to at least one module, a clamp is arranged, which at least temporarily record the container from the side or can hold - especially in neck handling (in the mouth of the container containers are usually not printed, so here could the clip also stay in constant operation). It would also be possible to grasp the container in the body region with the clip, here it may be advantageous if the clip can be moved away at the moment of printing or treatment to release the container outer surface. This could then represent a sub-element of an enclosure (see below). The same applies to an above-mentioned Neckhandlingklammer if the container is to be printed in the area of its mouth yet.

The centering heads and the bottom receptacles of the transferring module can be moved so far apart, in particular in the vertical direction, for the transfer of the containers that the centering heads and the bottom receptacles of the receiving module intervene therebetween. After moving apart, the container is held only by the clip of the transferring module until the centering heads and the bottom receptacles of the receiving module are engaged with the container. Alternatively, clamps can also be arranged on the transferring and receiving module, which grips the containers, for example, alternately above a transport ring and below this ring. However, the centering heads and the bottom receptacles of at least one module would still have to be moved apart as just described.

Alternatively, one could make the clip (in its entirety) movable, ie telescopic / extendable or pivotable. This could, for example, containers "out" before the moment of transfer from the module subcircuit and passed to the next module (either to a bracket there or directly to the local centering heads and the bottom shots). In this way, the stroke of the centering heads and / or the bottom seats would be smaller. Swinging or placing the staples toward the adjacent treatment position of one or both carousels would also be an option. For this purpose, the treatment positions of the receiving and transferring carousel can be offset by half a pitch to each other, so that the respective centering heads and the bottom seats of the two carousels mesh with each other - like two gears. By swiveling away or placing the clamps toward the adjacent treatment position at the transferring carousel by preferably a half pitch, a transfer to the receiving carousel could take place in which either a clamp takes over the container or directly the respective centering heads and the bottom receptacles. In this way, a very space-saving installation can be realized.

In particular, a continuous transport of the containers or the container groups takes place in the equipment system at least temporarily and at least in regions.

To each container can during printing a protection or the aforementioned housing be positioned, which is substantially sleeve-shaped. The protection can also be formed by a plurality of elements, wherein one element is fixed with respect to the carousel or the turntable and another element for removing the container from the protection is arranged movable. With it can be prevented that too much pressure mist is distributed in the machine. In particular, a suction is attached to the protection. The protection avoids in particular air turbulence. In particular, when a clip for holding the container is part of the guard, it has a seal with the clip at the locations where the clip must be moved to grip the container. As a seal, for example bellows, but also brushes can be used. In particular, the areas of protection have a recess for the movement of the clip.

The already mentioned turntables for rotating the containers during a treatment (in particular in the printing) are in particular connected to servomotors, which can set the respective desired rotational position of the container relatively accurately. For a more precise adjustment of the rotational position, a rotary encoder can also be arranged on the turntable or at least outside the housing of the turntable drive. In particular, it is arranged closer to the container to be printed as the housing of the drive. It would also be conceivable to provide a part of the shaft with a larger diameter and to install there the rotary encoder. The latter and the mounting on the turntable (the turntable usually has a larger circumference than the shaft of the servomotor) have the advantage that more increments along the circumference of the rotating part can be arranged and thus a rotational position can be detected more accurately. In particular, the encoder detects differently magnetized regions of the wave to be detected, but in certain embodiments it could also work optically. The encoder could also detect the rotational position of the container itself by optical means. Here, it would be conceivable to inject reference marks into the container contour and / or to impress and / or inject and / or inject (into the preform, preferably not the parts which are included in the stretch blow molding process (for example the orifice)). Precise positioning is particularly important when using multiple modules when colors must be brought together to a specific position on the container. If slight tolerances occur here, these can add up and the quality of the pressure suffers all the more. In particular, in the equipment machine directly after the conveyor section according to the invention, a precise positioning can be very useful.

It may also be present on at least one equipment device, in particular on a module, a rotary encoder, with which the rotational position of the equipment is detected. The detected values are in particular forwarded to a controller and serve to control the print heads or nozzles and / or the turntables.

In particular, it is also possible to connect the drives of the turntable motors with a controller, which is connected to another input of a camera (or the above-mentioned sensor, which detects a reference mark on the container). With a camera, it is possible to determine the current rotational position of a container before or at the beginning of an equipment module. The determined rotational position is evaluated by the controller and compared with a desired value which specifies in which rotational position an equipment or a pressure of the container should begin. The container is then rotated by the respective angular difference from actual to desired. Such a camera can sit in front of or on each individual equipment device, but in particular at least at the beginning of the installation, in particular also after or at the end of the conveyor section, at which no decoration of the containers takes place.

If a rotational position of a container in the transfer of an equipment to the next equipment by a form or friction, so to speak mechanically, can be ensured - for example, by using a slave running with the container or by a very precise transfer - so it is possible that the container between the equipment devices does not have to be aligned. Alignment prior to entry into the equipment installation may, for example, be done by camera or by maintaining the rotational orientation if the equipment installation is preceded by a blow molding machine. In the last possibility, the rotational position of the containers is predetermined in a blow mold by the analysis of the containers on the blow molding wall.

However, it should be noted that even if an orientation of the containers is predetermined, additional verification of the diameter will not be harmful because it may vary widely depending on the manufacturing process of the containers. The review can also be done with a - preferably the same - camera. Depending on the diameter, a printing original can be matched to each individual container in the subsequent printing process, in which the original is scaled at least in the circumferential direction.

Depending on the angle which occupies a print image on the containers in the circumferential direction, a particular direct transfer of the container from one printing module to the next printing module can be carried out with or without reorienting the container. In the case of an all-round pressure along the entire circumference, the pressure could be with another Start color at a different rotational position along the circumference when the pressure in the upstream equipment module has ended or begun. In particular, the pressure of the downstream module may begin at a different angular range with respect to the container circumference than the pressure in the upstream module has commenced and / or ended. In particular, the region can be more than 5 ° away from one of the two ends. For example, if the printheads within the subcircuit of both modules passed through by the containers and the nozzles of the printhead fire the color in the radial direction outward on the container, the printhead of a downstream module is exactly offset by 180 ° compared to the printhead of the upstream module in relation to the container. In that case, the beginning of the printing of the downstream module could be offset by 180 ° from the print-forming end of the upstream module. An alignment could then be dispensed with and process time is gained.

This would also be conceivable if the pressure extends only 270 ° along the container circumference. Here, 90 ° (or 180 ° (depending on the direction of rotation)) of the container circumference would then be printed in the following module, then skipped 90 ° and finally the remaining 90 ° (or 180 °) printed. A similar principle can be used if the master is interrupted several times along the circumference, or if there are different masters for different angles - comparable to a back label and a torso or chest label.

Depending on the control of the printing process, the containers can also be rotated in the downstream module to the beginning or end of a pressure of the upstream module and the printing of the next color only started there. It would thus be conceivable, in principle, to align the container before or in a pressure module before the beginning of the pressure in such a way that the pressure begins at the same rotational position as in the upstream module. This is particularly advantageous if only a part of a circumference of a container to be printed. It is also intended to continue the pressure in the downstream module at the edge (end) of the pressure of the upstream module, which can be positioned faster (by the smaller angle of rotation) to the printhead of the downstream module upon handover by rotation of the container in other words, in the subsequent module, the pressure is started at the edge, which, after taking over the container in the circumferential direction, is closer to the position of the printhead of the receiving module. Thus it may be that the direction of rotation of the container changes about its longitudinal axis during the printing processes of two adjacent modules. This has the particular advantage that the time required for the rotation can be kept very small, which in turn has advantages with respect to the size of the equipment devices Has.

The rotational position of the container can also be changed during or after the transfer from one module to the next such that a pressure basically begins at the same position and the direction of rotation of the container about its longitudinal axis on each module is the same.

In general, if a change in the orientation of the container is desired in the downstream printing module, this can also be done already in the upstream printing module. This can also be regulated depending on the required process angles of the modules. If, for example, less color (lower resolution of one color, less angular range in which this color is needed) is required for printing the artwork in the upstream module than in the downstream module, the alignment can already take place in the upstream module. Generally speaking, the location (the module) where alignment of the containers takes place is predetermined based on the process time required in each module. This can be done automatically by detecting the artwork or manually set. The alignment can also be done in two steps by the container is rotated on the upstream module only a part of the required rotation angle after printing and on the subsequent module, the rest.

In principle, all of these scenarios for finding the correct position on adjacent equipment devices would also be possible with a conveyor system mounted therebetween - for example when a transport star is interposed. Also, this transport star could partially or completely take on the task of alignment.

A machine guard can also be arranged around the device for equipping the containers, the machine guard having two openings for introducing the containers and for dispensing the containers. Within this machine protection, a suction may be present, which sucks any resulting pressure mist - this may be particularly attached to the two openings. Also, a device for the entry of air may be present, with which (in spite of the suction) an overpressure within the machine protection can be generated, so that no dust particles from the outside reach the area of the print heads. The machine protection starts in particular before the first printing module. If a unit is provided for cleaning or surface treatment of the containers, these are at least partially housed within the shelter. This machine protection is to be seen separately from each container individually assigned protection (enclosure), which can be additionally present.

The individual printing modules can either be driven by a gearbox and a common main drive or have their own motors. The first variant is cheaper, but depending on the gearbox, inaccuracies may occur. The second variant can be configured such that each printing module has a direct drive, which means that the drive drives the carousel of the printing module without interposing a transmission. For example, this could be a magnetically acting drive with stator and rotor, with the stator is arranged on the stationary machine frame and the rotor on the rotating part. In particular, the stator and / or the rotor can extend only over a partial segment of the circumference of the module, which is in particular smaller than 90 °. There may also be two such opposite sub-segments.

In particular, the conveying section, in which no decoration of the container takes place, is connected via a transmission to a pressure module. In particular, the conveyor section, in which no decoration of the container takes place, so scheduled that this is near a wall at the site (hall at the customer), due to the change of direction in the main conveyor is necessary.

In particular, at least two modules can be firmly connected to each other, so for example have a common frame and other modules are added separately. In particular, modules are firmly interconnected, which are present in virtually every printing press configuration. These are in particular the direct printing modules, which each apply a color to the container. The colors may be, for example, magenta, cyan, yellow, white or black.

1. a) Eingabe eines Behälters in ein Druckmodul
2. b) Ausrichten des Behälters am Anfang des Druckmoduls, insbesondere auf eine Markierung am Behälter oder Sklaven
3. c) Durchfahren des Druckmoduls, insbesondere entlang eines Teilkreises, bei gleichzeitiger Drehung des Behälters um seine Längsachse, um eine Relativbewegung zum Druckkopf zu erzeugen, und Drucken der Druckvorlage auf die Außenoberfläche des Behälters von einer Anfangskante bis zu einer Endkante, insbesondere in Umfangsrichtung des Behälters
4. d) Stoppen des Druckvorgangs und Übergabe des Behälters an ein nachfolgendes Druckmodul
5. e) Ausrichten des Behälters, so dass sich die Anfangskante vor einem Druckkopf des nachfolgenden Druckmoduls befindet und Wiederholung des Schritts c)
6. f) Drehen des Behälters während des Drucks in der gleichen Richtung in beiden Druckmodulen

If a partial image to be applied is to begin at an end edge of a previously applied partial image and the partial images are not all-round prints (≤359 °), the following two processes are basically possible:

1. a) input of a container in a printing module
2. b) aligning the container at the beginning of the printing module, in particular to a mark on the container or slave
3. c) traversing the printing module, in particular along a pitch circle, while rotating the container about its longitudinal axis to produce a relative movement to the print head, and printing the artwork on the outer surface of the container from an initial edge to an end edge, in particular in the circumferential direction of the container
4. d) stopping the printing process and transferring the container to a subsequent printing module
5. e) aligning the container so that the leading edge is in front of a printhead of the subsequent printing module and repeating step c)
6. f) turning the container during printing in the same direction in both printing modules

1. a) Eingabe eines Behälters in ein Druckmodul
2. b) Ausrichten des Behälters am Anfang des Druckmoduls, insbesondere auf eine Markierung am Behälter oder Sklaven
3. c) Durchfahren des Druckmoduls, insbesondere entlang eines Teilkreises, bei gleichzeitiger Drehung des Behälters um seine Längsachse, um eine Relativbewegung zum Druckkopf zu erzeugen, und Drucken der Druckvorlage auf die Außenoberfläche des Behälters von einer Anfangskante bis zu einer Endkante, insbesondere in Umfangsrichtung des Behälters
4. d) Stoppen des Druckvorgangs und Übergabe des Behälters an ein nachfolgendes Druckmodul
5. e) Ausrichten des Behälters, so dass sich die Endkante vor einem Druckkopf des nachfolgenden Druckmoduls befindet und Wiederholung des Schritts c)
6. f) Drehen des Behälters während des Drucks in unterschiedlichen Richtungen in den beiden Druckmodulen

The other method comprises the following steps:

1. a) input of a container in a printing module
2. b) aligning the container at the beginning of the printing module, in particular to a mark on the container or slave
3. c) traversing the printing module, in particular along a pitch circle, while rotating the container about its longitudinal axis to produce a relative movement to the print head, and printing the artwork on the outer surface of the container from an initial edge to an end edge, in particular in the circumferential direction of the container
4. d) stopping the printing process and transferring the container to a subsequent printing module
5. e) aligning the container so that the end edge is in front of a printhead of the subsequent printing module and repeating step c)
6. f) rotating the container during printing in different directions in the two printing modules

These steps in these two methods can eliminate at least a "skip" of a non-printable area during printing within a module if the print is continuous in that area. The partial printing images overlap, in particular completely, so that the respective starting and ending edges are present at the same circumferential position. In particular, the containers are rotated to the respective edge by the shorter angle. The alignment is also possible at least partially in the upstream module.

Particularly advantageous examples of methods with spaced start and end edges, which ensure a short period of time for the orientation of the container and thus also solve the object set out above, are the following:
The invention relates to a method for printing on containers, in which a container of at least two circulating modules, at which at least temporarily circulating print heads are arranged, is provided with one partial print image per module, the containers being transferred directly from one module to the next and wherein the partial printing images in each case in the circumferential direction of the container have a spaced-apart start and end edge, wherein the container after completion of the first partial print image is aligned so that the print head of the following module begins the printing of the next partial print image at the beginning edge of the first partial print image.

Include here the partial pressure images in each case 180 ° on the container circumference, so no coarse alignment is necessary.

It is also possible to realize a method for printing on containers, in which a container of at least two circulating modules, on which at least temporarily co-rotating printheads are arranged, is provided with one partial image per module, wherein the container via an intermediate conveyor of a Module are transferred to the next and wherein the partial printing images each have in the circumferential direction of the container a spaced start and end edge, wherein the container after completion of the first partial print image is aligned such that the print head of the following module, the pressure of the next partial print image at the end edge of the first partial print image begins.

The distance between the beginning and end edge is in particular more than 1 °.

In particular, no further coarse alignment of the container takes place between completion of the first partial print image and the beginning of the printing of the second partial print image.

The following procedure is suitable for the purposes just mentioned as well as for a 360 ° wrap around:
Method for printing on containers, in which a container of at least two circulating modules, on which at least temporarily co-rotating printheads are arranged, each equipped with a partial image per module, wherein the containers are transferred from one module to the next directly or with an intermediate conveyor and wherein the partial printing images each have a beginning and an end edge in the circumferential direction of the container, wherein the container after the completion of the first partial print image remains aligned so that the printing of the second partial print image starts with the print head of the following module at a circumferential position of the container Distance from the beginning and end edge of the first partial print image has.

The beginning edge and the end edge respectively mean the beginning or the end of a (partial) printed image in the circumferential direction of the container.

If you still want to align the container for applying a partial print image to an edge, the container is preferably rotated so that the following partial printing starts on the edge closest to the next print head. In summary, one can say:
Method for printing on containers, in which a container of at least two circulating modules, on which at least temporarily co-rotating printheads are arranged, each equipped with a partial image per module, wherein the containers are transferred from one module to the next directly or with an intermediate conveyor and wherein the partial printing images each have a beginning and an end edge in the circumferential direction of the container, wherein the container after the completion of the first partial print image is aligned so that the beginning of the second partial image with the print head of the following module at the edge closest to the print head of the following module starts.

If one wishes to start with a subsequent pressure always on the starting edge of the preceding pressure, it is advantageous if the container is rotated in the direction in which an angle of the starting edge to be covered is smaller. Thus, must be rotated by a maximum of 180 °. If one is flexible in the choice of the beginning of the following partial pressure (on the beginning or end edge), the path is on average even shorter.

In particular, all methods are performed by a control device which controls the processes. In particular, a calculation is also performed by the controller as to which directions of rotation of the containers are most favorable. However, these values can also be specified manually.

In principle, the methods can also be used in container printing machines, which are not necessarily designed as modules, but have a rotating about a vertical axis rotary with several distributed on the periphery printing stations, in which the containers are transported in addition in a direction perpendicular to the orbital plane and thereby In particular, at least two, arranged in different planes printheads are passed. The print heads are arranged in particular stationary with respect to the rotary. Before this the containers are turned. In principle, however, the relative movement can also be performed by rotating the print heads about a plane parallel to the orbital plane. Alternatively to the arrangement of at least two printheads in two different levels, can Also, all printheads in a plane are arranged in a circle. There are also two such circles in different levels possible.

The object mentioned in the introduction is achieved in this embodiment, it is determined which edge of the container directly after completion of the first partial print image has the lowest possible angle of rotation to the circumferential position of the second print head or to a device for drying or curing the pressure medium of the first partial pressure and the container over this angle is turned.

It is also possible that reorientation of the containers occurs during the period in which the container is moved from a first vertical position on the rotary to a second vertical position.

If two printheads print immediately (with the exception of UV-intermediate pinning) on the container one after the other and are arranged in a plane, the steps described in the modular construction methods can be carried out analogously when the printheads face each other within the circle. If the at least two print heads are not facing each other, but are, for example, offset by 120 ° within the circle, then this angle is considered analogously.

In the first printhead plane in this case a first partial print image is applied to the container, in the second plane a second. By simultaneously moving the containers in the vertical direction and rotating the container about its longitudinal axis, process time can be saved. In particular, in the case of a print image, the container is aligned between the two planes if it does not extend over the entire circumference of the container and the print heads are not located exactly at the angle to each other which the image occupies. However, reorientation may also be necessary if two printheads arranged in different planes and to be used directly one after the other do not have exactly the same orientation and radial distance to the machine axis of rotation or to the vertical path of movement of the containers - in other words, if the printhead in the second level has a different circumferential position with respect to the container. The latter also applies to a wrap-around printing.

In particular, the container is then - as in the method above - rotated to the nearest edge.

On the way to the next level, a UV curing can take place, either by means of a arranged between the two print head planes full-scale UV tunnel, which is tubular, or via a arranged in between the two print head planes UV lamp, which only one Circumferential position the Can illuminate container. In the second variant, it is necessary to rotate the container in front of the UV lamp once at least over the circumferential angle, which also occupies the partial image on the container. Alignment may be analogous to alignment with a subsequent printhead. In a tube variant, the container can be rotated directly to the new print start edge by the shortest angle, since all sides of the container can be irradiated simultaneously.

If a UV pinning is carried out according to the second variant between two printing levels, it may behave in accordance with the rotation of the container on the printed edges analogous to approaching a printing plane.

However, it would also be conceivable to carry out the UV pinning in another plane, which lies below or above the two printing planes or in the printing plane.

In general, the following procedure can be carried out:
A container is successively printed by at least two, at least temporarily with a carousel rotating printheads and each print head is a partial print image applied. The partial printing images each have a beginning and an end edge in the circumferential direction of the container.

The two print heads or a print head and a device for drying or curing the print medium are arranged offset in the circumferential direction of the container. It is determined which edge of the container directly after completion of the first partial print image has the lowest possible angle of rotation to the circumferential position of the second print head or to a device for drying or curing the print medium of the first partial image and the container is rotated over this angle.

In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the printheads and / or the device for drying or curing the printing medium, in addition to the circumferential offset with respect to the container, have a height offset in the vertical direction to each other, wherein the container successively and gradually the planes in which these elements are arranged, passed through, and on the transport path between two levels for the next step, in particular completely, is aligned.

figure description

• Figur 1 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer Ausstattungsvorrichtung.
• Figur 2 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsvariante einer Ausstattungsvorrichtung.
• Figur 3 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsvariante einer Ausstattungsvorrichtung.
• Figur 4 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsvariante einer Ausstattungsvorrichtung.
• Figur 5 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsvariante einer Ausstattungsvorrichtung.
• Figur 6 zeigt in einer Draufsicht schematisch verschiedene Verfahrensabläufe zwischen zwei Direktdruckmodulen.
• Figur 7 zeigt eine Schnittansicht von zwei Direktdruckmodulen.
• Figur 8 zeigt eine Schnittansicht von einer Direktdruckmaschine.
• Figuren 9a bis 9c zeigen Ausführungsvarianten einer Flaschendrehung.
• Figur 10 zeigt eine Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern.
• Figur 11 zeigt eine Ansicht eines Behälters mit einem Dorn mit einem Spreizelement.
• Figur 12 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern mit einem Dorn.
• Figur 13 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern mit einem Dorn, der ein Spreizelement umfasst.
• Figur 14a zeigt ein Flussdiagramm für ein Verfahren zum Bedrucken eines Behälters unter Verwendung einer Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken, deren Dorn in einer fest vorgegebenen Position relativ zu dem Zentrierkopf angeordnet ist.
• Figur 14b zeigt ein Flussdiagramm für ein Verfahren zum Bedrucken eines Behälters unter Verwendung einer Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken, deren Dorn relativ zu dem Zentrierkopf verfahrbar angeordnet ist.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The size ratios of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for ease of illustration. The position symbol 2 generally represents the modules 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc., and if the reference numerals 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4 are also designed as modules, these too.

• FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an equipment device.
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of an equipment device.
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of an equipment device.
• FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of an equipment device.
• FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of an equipment device.
• FIG. 6 shows in a plan view schematically different procedures between two direct printing modules.
• FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of two direct printing modules.
• FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a direct printing machine.
• FIGS. 9a to 9c show variants of a bottle rotation.
• FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a device for printing on containers.
• FIG. 11 shows a view of a container with a mandrel with a spreader.
• FIG. 12 shows a plan view of an apparatus for printing containers with a mandrel.
• FIG. 13 shows a plan view of an apparatus for printing on containers with a mandrel comprising a spreader.
• Figure 14a shows a flow chart for a method for printing a container using a device for printing, the mandrel is arranged in a fixed predetermined position relative to the centering.
• FIG. 14b shows a flow chart for a method for printing a container below Use of a device for printing, the mandrel is arranged movable relative to the centering.

FIG. 1 FIG. 10 shows a furnace 100 for heating preforms of PET, which are transferred to a continuously rotating stretch blow molder 200 via an input starter following heating. This has at its periphery a plurality of blowing stations, by means of which the preforms are first stretched by means of a stretch rod and blown through a blow nozzle, then finished by high pressure against the inner wall of an openable blow mold. Subsequently, the finished molded container with a sampling 120 are transferred to a device 5 for providing containers.

The container equipment 5 comprises several modules 2, which are placed directly adjacent to each other. 1.1 indicates a module in which a surface treatment, in particular a cleaning of the container takes place. 1.2 identifies a module in which a coating is applied to the containers. 2.1 indicates a module in which one or more print heads are arranged and in which the color white is applied to the container outer surface. 2.2 indicates a module in which one or more print heads are arranged and with which the color yellow is applied to the container outer surface. 2.3 identifies a module in which one or more print heads are arranged and with which the color magenta is applied to the container outer surface. 2.4 indicates a module in which one or more print heads are arranged and with which the color cyan is applied to the container outer surface. 2.5 indicates a module in which one or more print heads are arranged and with which the color black is applied to the container outer surface. 2.6 indicates a module in which one or more printheads are arranged and with which a special color can be applied to the container outer surface, which can only be made poorly by a combination of the other colors, e.g. Gold, will. 4 indicates a module in which one or more UV radiation emitters are mounted and in which the previously applied printing inks are dried. The modules 1.1, 1.2 2.1 and 2.2 are set up in a zigzag. The module 2.3 no longer falls under this pattern, since this was set up so that the container can be passed past a wall 10. Due to this setup, a shorter treatment time or a shorter treatment angle 53 is given in module 2.2 than in module 2.1. Reference numeral 52 refers to the treatment angle module 2.1.

The colors can also be applied in a different order, for example black first, then cyan, then magenta, then yellow and finally white.

After passing through the container equipment 5, the containers are transported via further conveying means to a filling machine, in which they are filled with a drink. Subsequently, the containers are closed by a capper by means of a closure.

In FIG. 2 was compared to FIG. 1 set up an additional transport star 3, which was inserted between module 2.2 and module 2.3. On this transport star (conveyor section), the containers are transported without being equipped. In this way, in the alley arrangement of the individual modules 2 of the container equipment 5, a consistently large treatment angle can be achieved. On the transport star 3, the containers are transported by means not shown in detail brackets - especially in neck handling. The transport star 3 is larger in diameter than the printing modules 2. To overcome smaller angles in the range of change of direction of the main conveying path of the transport star 3 may also be smaller than that of the print modules 2. The angle of change in direction shown here is approximately 180 °. It can also be seen that the conveying path of the containers in the transport star 3 is shorter than the distance traveled by the holding elements of the transport star.

It can also be seen that the curvature of the transport path from conveyor 2.2 to conveyor 3 changes. On the conveyor 2.2, the containers are transported - seen from above - in the counterclockwise direction and on the conveyor 3 in a clockwise direction. On the conveyor 3 downstream conveyor 2.3, the transport direction is again counterclockwise. Here, therefore, the curvature has changed.

In FIG. 3 the transport star 3 was out FIG. 2 replaced by a belt conveyor 3a. The transport belt is stretched around two encircling stars not provided with position markings. On the belt a plurality of retaining elements such as brackets or mandrels is arranged. It can be seen that the belt conveyor 3a as a direction-changing element of the main conveying path in the direction of the bottom floor of the main conveying path requires even less space than the transport star 3. Also in this belt conveyor 3a, the conveying path of the container is shorter than the path that the holding elements of the Return belt conveyor 3a empty. Instead of the belt, a chain can also be used.

The curvature of the transport path changes here during the passage of the container of conveyor 3 twice. It can be seen that the containers are still in the area of the belt spanning the stars, which have a different curvature than the linear area in between, both at the takeover and at the transfer.

Furthermore, in FIG. 3 to recognize that a protection 12 is placed around the device, which shields individual modules from the environment. The inlet to the protection 12 is located at a pretreatment star 1.1, the outlet is arranged after the last printing module 2.5 and before the UV drying 4. The conveyor 3a is also inside the shelter. In addition, a variant 13 of the protection with dashed lines can be seen. In this, the protection 13 does not end within the equipment system 5 but is continuous up to a filling and sealing area, not shown. This is particularly advantageous if the containers or preforms sterilization - for example, has taken place with UV irradiation. To prevent that no additional contaminations reach the container walls. For this purpose, an overpressure of about 3 - 30 Pa can be maintained within the protection. Furthermore, suction devices 14 can also be present, which prevent pressure mist from being dragged or dust into the protection 12. The suction devices 14 may be arranged, for example, in an inlet region. Furthermore, suction units are mounted above each individual pressure module 2. Position mark 15 designates an injection by means of clean, in particular germ-free, air, in order to be able to maintain the overpressure. The protective measures are also applicable to the other embodiments. The UV treatment star 4 is additionally enclosed by a separate protection, so that no UV radiation can penetrate into its surroundings.

In FIG. 4 the main conveying path 6 of the containers is shown. One recognizes the lane form with the lane soil existing on the left side. The change of direction is here essentially 180 °. But there are also direction changes of, for example, 90 ° conceivable. If there is no change in direction, it would also be possible to dispense with the conveyor 3, 3a.

FIG. 5 illustrates a variant with a rail transport system 18, on which a plurality of shuttles run along. The individual modules 2 with the elements for treating the containers also run around here constantly about a central axis of rotation. The shuttles on the transport system 18 are adapted to receive one or more containers. Again, there is a linear conveyor section, with which the treatment time in the modules can be increased at the change of direction. The shuttles with the containers thereon are conveyed here in the region of the individual modules 2 at the same angular velocity about the module rotation axis as the modules 2 rotate. It can also be a tactual transport of the shuttles in a simultaneous cyclic rotation of the modules 2 completed.

An advantage of this system is that no complicated handovers of a container must be made, but the containers constantly on lying on the shuttle support member are included. The holding element is in particular rotatable in order to be able to establish the relative movement of the container surface to the print heads of the modules 2 during the printing process.

Position mark 19 indicates a return path of the shuttles to the beginning of the rail system 18 at position 1.1. The containers are transferred to another transport system according to item 4 after passing through the container equipment. It would also be conceivable to let the shuttle transport go to a filler or capper. It is also thought to allow the shuttle transport to take place continuously from the blowing device 200 or the furnace 100.

The FIGS. 6a to 6g Examples of the container rotation on two consecutively mounted printing modules 2. The container is provided with position indicator 7, the area to be printed on the container 7 is marked in bold and marked with item number 8. The running in this case print heads 9 are directed in particular perpendicular to the container outer wall and point from the central axis of the modules 2 radially outward. Only one print head 9 is drawn per module 2, but a plurality of print heads 9 are arranged on a module 2 at equidistant intervals, which preferably rotate continuously with the module 2 in the direction of rotation. Shown in each figure are snapshots of a single container 7 with a single associated print head. 9

In all FIGS. 6a to 6g the containers 7 are supplied to the left module 2.3 from above, run in this along the circumference over about 270 ° to the counterclockwise, are printed with a color of a multi-color print image and are then passed to the right module 2.4, with which a second Paint is applied to the outer surface of the container and in a clockwise direction (exception: FIG. 6e ) are transported on.

In the FIGS. 6a to 6f a container 7 is provided with a printed image only along part of its circumference, in FIG FIG. 6g with a wrap-around print. The rotation of the container 7 about its longitudinal axis is described below in relation to the relative movement from the container 7 to the rotating module 2.

In FIG. 6a It can be seen that the container 7 rotates clockwise during printing while being transported counterclockwise along the circumference of the module. In the left position in the left module, the print is already half finished. Approximately after half of a complete revolution of module 2.3, ie after about 180 ° (in the lower position), the partial print image is completely applied in a first color. Now the container 7 be brought into the correct orientation before handing over to the next module 2.4. This can be seen in the left module 2.3 in the lower right position. The container 7 is rotated further in the clockwise direction until the beginning edge of the first partial print image again faces the print head of the first module 2.3 (right position of the left module). The end edge of the first partial printing image is the transfer to the next module 2.4 facing the next module printhead 9 so that this printhead 9 begins its printing at the end edge of the first partial image. The container 7 is now transported in the next module 2.4 in the counterclockwise direction while rotated clockwise about its axis during the pressure. To realign the container 7 must be rotated by its receptacle (turntable) relative to the carousel on further rotation in the same direction by 180 °.

In FIG. 6b the steps until the completion of the first partial print image are identical to FIG. 6a , After its completion (left module, position below) the rotation is stopped. Due to the fact that the partial print image extends exactly over 180 ° along the container circumference, the starting edge of the first partial print image is at the position in which it faces the print head 9 of the next module 2.4 when it is transferred to the next module 2.4. The pressure can be continued immediately at the edge in the next module 2.4. The direction of rotation of the container 7 (clockwise) is maintained in the next module. Here you can see how treatment time can be gained in principle. But it may also be advantageous to the container 7 as in FIG. 6a shown by default continue to turn in the same direction until the first coming edge of the printhead 9 of the next module 2.4 faces.

In FIG. 6c the steps until the completion of the first partial print image are identical to FIG. 6a , only the printed image extends in a circumference of 90 °. After its completion (left module, position below) the direction of rotation to the orientation of the container 7 is maintained. It is aligned in the direction in which it was rotated during printing for printing in the next module 2.4, in such a way that the printing of the next field starts with a different color at the same point (starting edge), too the first partial printing has started. With a print image of 90 ° along the circumference of the container 7 is here in this way only one turn to align 90 ° necessary. If you wanted to start printing on the end edge of the first partial pressure in the next module, you would need a rotation of 180 °.

The same time savings will be in FIG. 6d reached, in which the printed image extends 270 ° along the container circumference. Here, the recording is controlled so that after completion of the first partial image, the direction of rotation of the container 7 is changed to the orientation for the next module. Because to align with the starting edge only 90 ° Rotation are required, this variant is selected.

It can be seen from these examples that in terms of the process time it is always more favorable if the starting edge of a first applied partial image corresponds to the starting edge of the next partial image.

In other words, the container 7 can be more quickly aligned to a rotational position in which the printhead 9 of the next module is at an edge of the first sub-print when the leading edge of the first sub-image is oriented to correspond to the printhead 9 of the next module 2.4 faces. However, this only applies to a direct transfer between two modules 2.

Should, as in FIG. 6e , an intermediate conveyor 3 may be arranged between two modules 2, in which no alignment takes place, it is best if the container 7 remains aligned after completion so that the end edge is aligned with the print head 9. By the intermediate conveyor, the end edge is automatically facing the print head 9 of the next module 2.4. If the next partial pressure in this case to start on the starting edge of the previous partial pressure, it is most advantageous to rotate the container 7 at a print image of greater than 180 ° counter to the direction of rotation, which was taken in the previous partial pressure and the container 7 at a printed image of less than 180 ° in printing direction of rotation of the first partial print image continue to turn.

If an alignment can take place in the intermediate conveyor 3, it is best to perform this also in the intermediate conveyor 3. This could be done immediately with an intermediate drying or curing, in relation to fixed UV lamps anyway a rotation of the container 7 must be completed about its longitudinal axis in order to turn the entire circumference of the container 7 to the UV lamps can (not shown ). Here also a horizontal UV tunnel could be used.

With two intermediary intermediate conveyors (not shown), the same conditions apply as in the situation of FIGS. 6a to 6d ,

In FIG. 6f It is shown that an alignment of the container 7 on the printheads of the following module 2.4 can be done partly on the previous module 2.3 and partly on the following module 2.4 - depending on how much process time is available on the previous module 2.3. The pressure in the following module 2.4 (right) starts in the upper left position (at half past 11 o'clock). The container 7 could therefore also be completely aligned only in the module for the pressure in which it is to take place. In particular, this can be flexibly adjusted or even regulated via a controller, depending on the print original and / or container.

In FIG. 6g the special case is shown, in which a (possible overlap-free) all-round pressure is applied to the container 7. The orientation could also according to the examples according to the FIGS. 6a to 6f However, an embodiment is shown, in which the container 7 is not aligned at a transfer from one module 2.3 to another 2.4 (when a print on surface features (eg bumps or panels) is to be aligned, is a one-time alignment before entry in a first module 2.1 already necessary). The beginning edge of the printed image, which is applied in module 2.3, is marked with a nose 8a. It is used in the upstream module 2.3 of the whole available treatment angle and the container 7 is no longer aligned. The container 7 is transferred so that the opposite side of the container 7 faces the start and end edge 8a of the first partial printing the printhead 9 of the next module 2.4. There, the printing is started in the middle of the partial print image of the previous module 2.3. In other words, the two start and end edges of two partial print images are spaced from one another. The distance is in particular greater than 5 °, in the case shown it is 180 °.

In FIG. 7 the transfer situation of a container 7 between two modules 2.3 and 2.4 is shown. Only one half of a module is shown at a time. The upper part of a module 2 is rotatably supported by means of ball pivot 88. On a center column 92 shown in half, the rotor 90 of a magnetic direct drive is mounted directly next to the ball slewing connection. The stator 89 is fixedly connected to the frame 93, which stands on a hall floor 93a. The rotatable column also provides the ink supply to printhead 9 via a rotary distributor, not shown. This is connected via line 91 to a supply channel within the column 92. The print head 9 is mounted as well as the turntable 85, the drive for the turntable 87, a gripper 82 for the container 7 and a centering head 83 for the container 7 on the rotating part. The centering head 83 is height adjustable via a magnetically acting linear drive with rotor 81 and stator 80. The turntable 85 and its drive 87 is height-adjustable via a magnetically acting linear drive with rotor 86 and stator 87. The drive 87 is in particular also a servo drive, which cooperates with a sensor 98 for precise rotational position positioning of the container 7. The sensor 98 is mounted outside the housing of the servo 87 and thus may cooperate with a portion of the drive shaft having a larger diameter. On the larger diameter more increments can be applied to measure the rotational position. Here, the increments are mounted on the turntable 85 itself.

To transfer the container from module 2.3 to module 2.4 after printing with the first partial image and after a possible alignment of the centering head 83 goes up and the turntable 85 down, so that the container 7 is held only by gripper 82. The gripper 82 of the module 2.4 is then extended by means of linear drive 84 and engages at a different location along the longitudinal axis of the container 7 (not shown, preferably alternately the areas are used above and below a support ring) and pulls the container 7 to the module 2.4 over and positioned the container 7 between the turntable 85 and the centering 83 of the module 2.4. Subsequently, these two elements 83, 85 of the module 2.4 are supplied to each other for gripping and rotating the container 7 and the container 7 is either still aligned or printed directly on ink jet print head 9. It would also be possible for the gripper 82 of the module 2.3 to exit and transfer the container to module 2.4. Also, a retraction of both grippers 82 would be conceivable, so that the container 7 is transferred in the middle between two modules 2.

It would also be conceivable to realize all shown drives 80, 81, 84, 86, 93, 87 as curve control. All combinations are possible.

It is also contemplated to open the gripper 82 during printing and turning to avoid friction.

The containers may be round but can also be mold containers having a geometric element (for example a nose) by means of which they can be positioned in the individual modules, for example by the centering head 83 or the turntable 85 or the clamp 82 a counter-element (for example, a groove), in which the element can engage. In order to find the position, a relative movement could be carried out, for example, between rotary divider 85 and container 7, until a latching takes place. The involved drives 80, 81, 84, 86, 93, 87 could be force controlled for this process. This example is particularly suitable for a first orientation of the container 7 before or at the inlet into the container equipment 5.

The gripper claws of the brackets 82 could also have their own drive.

Make elements of this figure are shown for clarity not hatched.

In FIG. 8 a further embodiment of a printing device 300 according to the invention can be seen. This has a carousel, which rotates continuously about the vertical axis 301. The not provided with reference numerals elements (drives, sensors, etc.) work analogously to those in the FIG. 7 , The bottles are inserted into the carousel between the downwards driven centering head and the base plate in level E0 and clamped by these elements. Subsequently, the bottle is raised in plane E1, where the first partial pressure with the printheads 9.1 and / or 9.4 is performed. Subsequently, the bottle is transported past the annular shields 303 for UV curing 302 in plane E2, where the first partial pressure is dried. Subsequently, the bottle is transported to the plane E3 where the remaining colors for the printed image are applied.

On the planes E1, E2, E3, the bottle is rotated by at least the angle that occupies the printed image on the bottle circumference. If printing with two printheads 9.1-9.4 per printing plane, the bottle can be moved briefly between the two steps into the UV curing plane and then back to the same printing plane E1, E3. It would also be conceivable to arrange all the print heads in a printing plane like a ring and to apply the methods described in the general part only between E2 and E1. E2 can also be arranged below or above all printing levels. Also, multiple levels may be present for pinning the ink, for example, between levels E3 and E4 and level E2.

After printing, the bottle may either be dispensed above all printheads 9 and UV stations 302 at level E4, or returned to level E0 for output from the carousel. E4 would have the advantage that a larger process angle on the carousel could be exploited because an output can almost take place (the centering and the stand plate still need time to return to plane E0) at the same circumferential position of the carousel as the input. Here, in particular, a second pinning plane between E3 and E4 may be present.

During the pressure, the bottle 7 can rest in a plane as long as it is rotated for this purpose. If the bottle 7 to be printed over a height which is greater than the length Ld of the print head 9, the bottle before the same printhead 9 successively occupy two different positions in the vertical. Corresponding nozzles that are in a position that has already been printed remain inactive in the second position.

It would also be conceivable that the bottle 7 in relation to the print head 9 performs a combined linear and rotary movement and thus is printed in a spiral on the bottle 7. To create a straight, horizontal top and bottom edge (OK, UK), the bottle may also stop for a short time. For example, if you start printing at the bottom edge UK with a wrap-around print, the bottle 7 is first rotated once in front of the print head 9 while it is at a height. Thereafter, more and more nozzles of the printhead slowly turn on further rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bottle 7 9 from top to bottom (along the printhead height) as the bottle is moved up. When the upper edge of the OK is reached, the bottle remains vertical again and only rotates once more through 360 °.

In FIG. 9a a variant of the successive rotational movements is shown in which the pressure is about 90 ° of the bottle circumference. In E1, printing has just been completed by printhead 9.4. On the way to level E2 or E3, the bottle is rotated further in the same direction of rotation by 90 ° as before, so that it arrives fully aligned with the print head 9.2 or UV lamp 302 with the start edge of the first partial image and can be directly further printed or dried ,

In FIG. 9b the bottle is in the same starting position after completion in plane E1 as in FIG. 9a , In the plane E2 or E3 but then take place drying or printing with element 9.5. Therefore, the original direction of rotation is changed during the application of the first partial print image and the end edge of the first partial image is rotated back by about 30 °, so that it stops in front of the element 9.5, with which it is next printed / irradiated. If the bottle continued to turn, then 330 ° would have to be further rotated, which can cost process time. If in level E3 only printheads are concerned, the ring-shaped arrangement is clearly visible in the lower picture.

FIG. 9c shows a UV tunnel with an annular curved UV lamp 302. Instead of the curved lamp, a plurality of individual lamps could be arranged around the vertical container transport path.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a device for printing on containers. This device comprises three printing planes D1, D2, D3, which are arranged vertically above one another here. The printing planes D1, D2, D3 are defined in the illustration by the upper edges of the printing heads 20, 21, 22 / UV lamps 23, 24, 25 in the respective planes. In the three printing planes D1, D2, D3, a print head 20, 21, 22 and a UV lamp 23, 24, 25 can be seen in the illustrated cross section. The printheads 20, 21, 22 and UV lamps 23, 24, 25 are arranged annularly around the outer circumference of the free space 26, into which a container 27 for printing and curing of the applied color can be introduced.

Between two adjacent printing planes D1, D2, D3 is in each case an annular shield 28, 29 arranged so that it can be prevented that sprayed color and / or UV radiation of a printing plane D1, D2, D3 in another printing plane D1, D2, D3 and has an effect on the print result.

The print heads 20, 21, 22, the UV lamps 23, 24, 25 and the annular shields 28, 29 are surrounded by a housing 30, which comprises a plurality of housing elements 31, 32, 33, 34. Due to the presence of several housing elements 31, 32, 33, 34, it is possible that the outer circumference of the free space 26 for each printing plane D1, D2, D3 can be changed independently of the other printing planes D1, D2, D3, so that the free space 26 the respective container 27 can be adapted to be printed.

In the free space 26 extends a rotor 35, at one end of a centering head 36 is arranged. The rotor 35 is connected to a traversing device 37, by means of which the device can be moved, for example, about the dash-dotted axis of rotation 38 of a carousel. The centering head 36 is designed to be height-adjustable via a magnetically acting linear drive with the rotor 35 and a stator 39 arranged on the traversing device 37. In the FIG. 10 the centering head 36 engages the container 27 at the container mouth 40.

The container 27 is arranged on a turntable 41. The turntable 41 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the container 27 by means of a servomotor, whereby the servomotor can cooperate with a sensor 42 for precise rotational position positioning of the container 27. In addition, the turntable 41 via a magnetically acting linear drive with rotor 43 and stator 44 linear, i. in the representation vertical, are moved. Thus, the arranged on the turntable 41 container 27 can be moved upwards, so that the container 27 can be introduced into the free space 26 and printed in the three printing levels D1, D2, D3. For transferring the container, the centering head 36 and / or the turntable 41 can be moved away from the container 27.

In the container 27 is a UV radiation-impermeable mandrel 45. This mandrel 45 is disposed below the centering head 36 that the mandrel 45 can retract into the container 27 when the container mouth 40 is attacked by the centering 36. The mandrel 45 may in this case be arranged in a fixed predetermined position relative to the centering head 36, or the mandrel 45 may be movable relative to the centering head 36, wherein the centering head 36 has a bore in the center and the mandrel 45, for example, wholly or partially in the rotor 35 of the centering head 36 is movably arranged. In the container 27, the mandrel 45 is preferably arranged to extend at least from an upper edge to a lower edge of a printed image to be created.

If the container 27 for the pressure to be acted upon with compressed air, then the centering head may comprise sealing means which the mouth or sealed to the container Seal slaves. The compressed air can be introduced between centering head 36 and mandrel 45 through the mandrel 45. In the latter case, the mandrel has a bore as a compressed air line through its longitudinal axis (not shown).

To shield from UV radiation, instead of the mandrel 45, mist or smoke could also be blown into the container through the centering head in order to weaken the intensity of the UV light.

Be transparent for UV radiation transparent container 27 printed with ink by means of printheads 20, 21, 22 and dried the applied paint by means of a UV lamp 23, 24, 25, so prevents the mandrel 45 that UV radiation from the UV lamp 23rd , 24, 25 penetrates through the container 27 to, for example, in a scattering range of the UV radiation printheads 20, 21, 22 and there provides for drying out of the ink at the print head or at the nozzle. The introduced into the container 27 mandrel 45 thus ensures the UV curing of the paint for a shield of printheads 20, 21, 22 from UV radiation.

The traversing device 37 is rotatably mounted on a frame 47 by means of ball pivot connection 46, wherein the traversing device 37 is movable by means of rotor 48 and stator 49 and the stator 49 is connected to drive the traversing device 37 fixed to the frame 47, which stands for example on a hall floor.

The traversing device 37 comprises a - here perpendicular - center column, which provides the ink supply for the print heads 20, 21, 22 via a rotary distributor, not shown, to the print heads 20, 21, 22. This rotary distributor is connected via a line 50 to a supply channel within the center column. Instead of the center column, a plate can be used.

FIG. 11 shows a container 51, in which a mandrel 54, which comprises a spreader 55 has been introduced; For clarity, the centering was in FIG. 11 not shown. The mandrel 54 has a circular-cylindrical body, in which the expansion element 55, here an expansion plate 55, is arranged. The diameter of the mandrel 54 is set slightly smaller than the diameter of the mouth opening 56 of the container 51, so that the mandrel 54 can be introduced into the container 51. If the mandrel 54 is also movable relative to the centering head, the diameter of the mandrel 54 is also adapted to the diameter of the central bore in the centering head, so that the mandrel 54 is movable, ie, the diameter of the mandrel 54 is chosen smaller than that Diameter of the hole. The mandrel 54 may alternatively be fixedly mounted on the centering head, or include this.

After inserting the mandrel 54 into the container 51, the encompassed spreading element 55 can be spread apart from the mandrel 54. In the illustration, the spreader plate 55 is located on the left side of the mandrel 54. This can be done actively, for example by compressed air, or passively, by the spreader is spring biased on the mandrel and is pushed out after penetrating the container opening of the springs.

FIG. 12 shows a plan view of an apparatus for printing on containers with a mandrel 57 which has been introduced into the container 58. The apparatus shown comprises five printing heads 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 and a UV lamp 64 in the illustrated printing plane. The UV lamp 64 is surrounded by a shield 65 so that the area in which UV radiation is emitted , is scaled down. This area extends between the first dashed line 66 and the second dashed line 67. The first printhead 59 is out of the area in which UV radiation is emitted. By the presence of the mandrel 57 in the container 58, a portion of the UV radiation is shielded, so that the third print head 61 is located in the shielding region 68 of the mandrel 57. On the nozzles of the printheads 60, 62 and 63 can hit UV radiation.

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of an apparatus for printing on containers with a mandrel 69, which comprises a spreader 70. The additional expansion element 70 of the mandrel 69 in the container 58 results in comparison to the illustration in FIG FIG. 12 a larger shielding area 71 so that the fourth print head 62 and the fifth print head 63 are located in the shielding area 71 in addition to the third print head 61. By another (not shown) expansion element, it would be possible even to shield the print head 60.

Figure 14a shows a flow chart for a method for printing a container using a device for printing, wherein the mandrel is arranged in a fixed predetermined position relative to the centering head. In a first step 400, a container is received by the receptacle (eg, placed on the turntable, and the centering head engages the receptacle at the orifice, with the mandrel inserted into the receptacle).

Depending on whether the mandrel comprises one or more spreading elements or no spreading elements 401 and whether the container is permeable to UV radiation or impermeable to UV radiation 402, the further steps of the method differ.

If the mandrel comprises one or more expansion elements and the container is permeable to ultraviolet radiation, in step 403 the spreader (s) are splayed away from the mandrel. Depending on the arrangement of the printheads and UV lamps can also be on Abspreizen the / the Abspreizelements / Abspreizelemente be dispensed with.

In a next step 404, the container is moved into the free space by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head. In a further step 405, the turntable rotates the container about its longitudinal axis by the angular range necessary to apply color to the desired image on the container outer surface, the ink is applied by means of the print heads, and the applied color is applied by means of UV curing. Cured lights.

When the application of the paint and the curing of the paint have ceased, i.e. when the desired image has been applied to the container outer surface and fixed there, in a further step 406 the container is removed from the clearance by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head. In step 407, the spreader (s) of the mandrel are returned to its original position (s) prior to removal of the mandrel from the container.

In next step 408, the centering head is removed from the mouth opening, also bringing the mandrel out of the container, and the container is removed from the turntable.

If the mandrel comprises one or more expansion members and the container is impermeable to UV radiation, optionally at step 409, the expansion element (s) are spread apart from the mandrel. An enlargement of the shielding area by the / the spreader / e is not required because the container for UV radiation is not permeable. But a spreading can be done, for example to avoid a more complex process control.

Steps 410, 411, and 412 correspond to steps 404, 405, and 406. If the spreader (s) of the mandrel have been splayed out, then in step 413, the spreader (s) will be retrieved prior to removal of the mandrel from the container spent in his / her starting position (s).

In next step 414, the centering head is removed from the mouth opening, also bringing the mandrel out of the container, and the container is removed from the turntable.

If the mandrel does not comprise a spreading element, the process steps are independent of whether the container is transparent to UV radiation or impermeable to UV radiation.

In step 415, the container is moved into the clearance by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head spent. In a further step 416, the turntable rotates the container about its longitudinal axis by the angular range necessary to apply color to the desired image on the container outer surface, the ink is applied by means of the print heads and the applied color is applied by means of UV curing. Cured lights.

When the application of the paint and the curing of the paint are completed, the container is removed in a further step 417 from the free space by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head. In next step 418, the centering head is removed from the mouth opening, also bringing the mandrel out of the container, and the container is removed from the turntable.

FIG. 14b shows a flow chart for a method for printing a container using a device for printing, the mandrel is arranged movable relative to the centering. In a first step 500, a container is placed on the turntable, and the centering head engages the container at the mouth opening. Since the mandrel is arranged to be movable relative to the centering head, it can, if desired, be introduced into the container at a later time.

Depending on whether the container is permeable to UV radiation or impermeable to UV radiation 501 or whether the mandrel comprises one or more spreading elements or no spreading elements 502, the further steps of the method differ.

If the container is permeable to UV radiation and the mandrel comprises one or more spreading elements, then in step 503 the mandrel is inserted into the container and in step 504 the spreading element (s) are spread from the mandrel. Depending on the arrangement of the printheads and UV lamps can be dispensed with a spreading of the / the splay / Abspreizelemente.

In a next step 505, the container is moved into the free space by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head. In a further step 506, the container is turned about its longitudinal axis by the turntable by the angular range which is necessary to apply color for the desired image to the container outer surface, the ink is applied by means of the print heads and the applied color is applied by means of the UV Cured lights.

When the application of the paint and the curing of the paint have ended, ie when the desired image has been applied to the container outer surface and fixed there, in a further step 507 the container is removed from the free space by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head. In step 508, the / are Spreader / e of the mandrel spent before removing the mandrel from the container back to its original position / s. In next step 509, the centering head is removed from the orifice, the mandrel is removed from the container, and the container is removed from the turntable.

If the container is permeable to UV radiation and the mandrel does not comprise a spreading element, in step 510 the mandrel is inserted into the container.

Steps 511, 512, and 513 correspond to steps 505, 506, and 507. In next step 514, the centering head is removed from the mouth opening, also bringing the mandrel out of the container, and the container is removed from the turntable.

If the container is impermeable to UV radiation, it is necessary that the mandrel be introduced into the container. In step 515, the container is moved into the free space by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head. In a further step 516, by means of the turntable, the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis by the angular range which is necessary to apply color for the desired image to the container outer surface, the ink is applied by means of the print heads and the applied color is applied by means of the UV curing. Cured lights.

When the application of the paint and the curing of the paint are completed, the container is removed in a further step 517 from the free space by linear movement of the turntable and the centering head. In next step 518, the centering head is removed from the mouth opening, the mandrel is removed from the container, and the container is removed from the turntable.

If the container is impermeable to UV radiation, however, it is optionally also possible to go through the process steps which have been described for a container which is permeable to UV radiation.

Claims (14)

1. Device for printing containers, the device comprising:

   - containers (27, 51, 58) with a longitudinal axis,

   - at least two printing planes (D1, D2, D3), where in each printing plane (D1, D2, D3) along an outer circumference of a free space (26) being adapted for receiving a container (27, 51, 58) at least two printing heads (20, 21, 22, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63) for applying colour onto the container (27, 51, 58) are arranged, where the printing planes (D1, D2, D3) are arranged perpendicular above each other, where each of the printing planes (D1, D2, D3) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container (27, 51, 58) that is to be printed, where the longitudinal axis of the container (27, 51, 58) is vertically arranged during a printing process,

   characterised in that
   in at least one of the printing planes (D1, D2, D3) at least one UV lamp (23, 24, 25, 64) for hardening colour applied to the container is arranged and
   the device further comprises a linearly driveable centring head (36) and a linearly driveable container receptor (41), between those a container (27, 51, 58) is arrangeable and by those the container (27, 51, 58) can be brought in the free space (26) of the at least two printing planes (D1, D2, D3).
2. The device of claim 1, where in each of the at least two printing planes (D1, D2, D3) three, four, five or more printing heads (20, 21, 22, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63) are arranged.
3. The device of claim 1 or 2, where the device further comprises a thorn (45, 54, 57, 69) that is not transmissive for UV radiation sent out by the UV lamp (23, 24, 25, 64), the thorn being adapted to be inserted in a container (27, 51, 58) through an opening (40, 56) of the container (27, 51, 58).
4. The device of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein between neighboured printing planes (D1, D2, D3) a ring shaped deflection device (28, 29) is arranged, respectively.
5. The device of one of claims 1 to 4, where the device further comprises a housing (30) that encompasses the device.
6. The device of claim 5, where the housing (30) encompasses the at least two printing planes (D1, D2, D3) comprising the at least two printing heads (20, 21, 22, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63), and the at least one UV lamp (23, 24, 25, 64), where the housing (30) preferably consists of several housing elements (31, 32, 33, 34) that are movable relative to each other.
7. The device of one of claims 1 to 6, where the device further comprises means that are adapted to change for each of the at least two printing planes (D1, D2, D3) the outer circumference along that the at least two printing heads (20, 21, 22, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63) and the at least one UV lamp (23, 24, 25, 64) are arranged.
8. The device of one of claims 1 to 7, where the container receptor (41) comprises a rotary table (41), for example a centring table, being adapted to be rotated around its axis.
9. The device of one of claims 3 to 8, as referring back to claim 3, where the thorn (45, 54, 57, 69) is arranged in a fixed predefined position relative to the centring head (36).
10. The device of one of claims 3 to 8, as referring back to claim 3, where the thorn (45, 54, 57, 69) is drivable relative to the centring head (36) and where the centring head (36) preferably comprises a centred drilling in that the thorn (45, 54, 57, 69) is drivable arranged.
11. The device of one of claims 3 to 10, where the thorn (54, 69) further comprises at least one spreading element (55, 70) that is integrated in the thorn (54, 69) and that is adapted to be spread away from the thorn (54, 69) after the thorn (54, 69) has been inserted in the container (27, 51, 58) and that further is adapted to be brought back in its starting position for retracting the thorn (54, 69) out of the container (27, 51, 58).
12. The device of one of claims 3 to 11, where the thorn comprises an inserting slant and/or a retracting slant.
13. A method for printing containers by using a device for printing of one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the following steps:

    - inserting the container (27, 51, 58) in the free space (26) by linearly driving the centring head (36) and the container receptor (4);

    - then applying colour to the container (27, 51, 58) by the at least two printing heads;

    - hardening the colour applied to the container (27, 51, 58) by the at least one UV lamp (23, 24, 25, 64).
14. The method of claim 13, by using a device of one of claims 3 to 12, where the method comprises before the step of hardening further the step of inserting the thorn (45, 54, 57, 69) that is not transmissive for UV radiation sent out by the at least one UV lamp (23, 24, 25, 64) through an opening (40, 56) of the container (27, 51, 58).

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