EP2782762B1 - Device for applying images to cans - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Methods and devices for producing equipment or features by printing on containers on its outer container surface are known ( WO 2009/052890 A1 ). In this case, it is also known in particular to produce the respective preferably multi-colored imprint by non-contact printing, for example using digital inkjet printheads operating according to the inkjet or ink-jet principle, each of which then having a plurality of nozzles for dispensing the printing ink or printing ink. which are electrically controlled individually.

Although the direct printing of containers, among other things in terms of flexibility of the printed image and its design and / or modification and also in terms of cost offers significant advantages, but there is the problem that when recycling such containers container material passes together with the ink in the Recylingmaterial what to undesirable contamination of the recycled material. To solve this problem, it has already been proposed ( WO 2010/048119 A1 ), Apply to the outer surface of the respective container an additional intermediate or base layer where the subsequent imprint is to take place, ie on this base layer is then applied in one or more further treatment steps, for example, multi-color imprint. The application of the material forming the base layer takes place in the known case by spraying, which is time-consuming, inter alia, especially in the case of large-area imprints, and leads to contamination of the environment by sprayed or sprayed base layer material.

The respective equipment ultimately consists of the base layer and the imprint. With the base layer not only an improvement of the adhesion of the print is achieved, but it is also possible to choose the material for the base layer (base layer material) and the printing inks or printing inks taking into account the material of the container so that the adhesion between the printing and the base layer is greater than the corresponding adhesion between the base layer and the container. The adhesion between the base layer and the container is chosen so that during the entire container cycle and also in a possible reuse of the container, the base layer with the print does not dissolve from the respective container, when recycling but the base layer together with the further adhering to it Overprint can be detached from the containers or from the wall. This detachment then takes place, for example, mechanically and / or with a suitable liquid medium, etc. Suitable base layer material are, for example, polyolefins or other monomers, in particular also by treatment with UV light or UV radiation crosslinkable plastics or polymers. Overall, it is problematic in known solutions that the fluids used in the base layers, coatings, finishing, etc. are usually very thin, so have a low viscosity, so that their handling and use at very high machine speeds and transport speeds due to the nebulization and Replacement has not been used so far.

The object of the invention is to provide a device or system for applying, with a simplified application of the base layer forming the base layer material and thus the respective equipment to the container environmentally friendly and large area, even with high power is possible. To solve this problem, a device according to the patent claim 1 is formed.

The particular advantage of the invention is that the application by means of transfer element or pad, in particular a transferred from the back transfer element or pad completely solves the aforementioned problem of contamination. The use of a transfer element is significantly more economical than e.g. the use of additional print heads. In this case, the fluid to be applied is transferred from the coating device via circulating transfer elements (14, 21) which transect the transfer layer. Here, the respective container, e.g. the bottle, for applying the base layer or the base layer material forming this layer rolled, preferably without slippage. This rolling off is usually carried out in that the transfer element and the respective container roll off each other. Ideally, no direct contact is made between the elements of the container and the transfer layer, but the liquid adhering in the region of greatest approximation of the container and transfer layer or transfer surface forms a fluidic bridge.

The transfer layer is convexly curved about an axis, for example about a pivoting or pivoting axis of the transfer element, preferably convexly in the shape of a circular cylinder. In this case, in particular, the transfer element is a cylindrical or annular element forming the transfer layer on its preferably circular cylindrical outer surface.

For the purposes of the invention, "containers" are in particular cans, bottles, tubes, pouches, each made of metal, glass and / or plastic, but also other packaging materials which are suitable for filling liquid or viscous products. Container according to the invention are in particular those made of plastic, for example PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

• Fig. 1 in schematischer Darstellung und im Schnitt die Behälterwand eines Behälters sowie eine auf die Außenfläche der Behälterwand aufgebrachte Ausstattung bestehend aus einer Trenn- oder Basisschicht und aus einem Aufdruck;
• Fig. 2 in vereinfachter schematischer und perspektivischer Darstellung eine Vorrichtung bzw. Anlage zum Aufbringen der Ausstattung in Form eines Mehrfach- oder Mehrfarbendrucks auf die Behälter;
• Fig. 3 in schematischer Darstellung die Vorrichtung bzw. Anlage der Figur 2 in Draufsicht;
• Fig. 4 in schematischer Darstellung und in Draufsicht einen Transport- oder Förderweg der Behälter durch die Vorrichtung bzw. Anlage der Figur 2;
• Fig. 5 in vereinfachter schematischer Darstellung eine Beschichtungseinrichtung einer Behandlungsstation zum Aufbringen der Basisschicht auf die Behälter;
• Fig. 6, 7 und 8 jeweils in vereinfachter perspektivischer Darstellung eine Beschichtungseinrichtung einer Behandlungsstation zum Aufbringen der Basisschicht auf die Behälter bei unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen der Erfindung.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• Fig. 1 in a schematic representation and in section the container wall of a container and a device applied to the outer surface of the container wall equipment consisting of a release or base layer and a print;
• Fig. 2 in a simplified schematic and perspective view of a device or system for applying the equipment in the form of a multi-color or multi-color printing on the container;
• Fig. 3 in a schematic representation of the device or system of the FIG. 2 in plan view;
• Fig. 4 in a schematic representation and in plan view of a transport or conveying path of the container by the device or system of the FIG. 2 ;
• Fig. 5 in a simplified schematic representation of a coating device of a treatment station for applying the base layer to the container;
• Fig. 6 . 7 and 8th each in a simplified perspective view of a coating device of a treatment station for applying the base layer to the container in different embodiments of the invention.

In the figures, 1 container in the form of bottles, preferably in the form of bottles made of plastic, for example made of PET, which are provided in a the device 2 designated attachment or device on the outside of its container wall 3 with a container equipment 4 by printing. The container equipment 4 consists of a base layer 5, which can also be referred to as a print carrier layer, is applied directly to the container wall 3, as well as from an applied to the base layer 5 imprint 6 in the form of a multi-color print.

The base layer 5 is used inter alia. to improve the adhesion of the imprint 6 or of the print forming this imprint and generated by the printing inks or printing ink used on the container wall 3 or to decouple the container or bottle material from the printed image, so that for the formulation of the ink of a uniform surface quality can be assumed. Furthermore, however, the base layer serves to take over performance characteristics of the ink, for example with regard to recyclability, in order, for example, to recycle the respective container 1, the equipment, i. the base layer 5 together with the imprint 6 easily to solve from the relevant container, for example in a Treib-Sink method in which the components of the shredded or crushed container 2 is introduced into a separating liquid and through this the constituents of the container equipment 4 of the material the container wall can be separated and separated at the same time in the separating liquid or in another liquid by floating from the shredded components of the container material.

The choice of material for the base layer 5 and the imprint 6 or for the printing inks or printing inks used for this imprint is taking into account the material of the container 1 u.a. is selected so that the adhesion between the imprint and the base layer 5 is greater than the adhesion between the base layer 5 and the container wall 3, and preferably that the total density of the equipment 5 is smaller than the density of the material of the container wall 3. Further the materials are chosen so that the adhesion of the imprint 6 on the base layer 5 and the adhesion of the base layer 5 on the container wall 3 are sufficiently large, so that during the entire container cycle and in particular in a possible reuse of the container 1, a separation does not take place. Furthermore, the material for the base layer 5 is also chosen so that it has sufficient flexibility to follow deformations of the respective container 1 can.

For example, polyolefins or other monomers are suitable as the material for the base layer 5. The imprint 6 is preferably produced by contactless printing, using a plurality of printheads, each producing a color set of the multicolored imprint 6, which work according to the ink-jet method and in each case have a multiplicity of electrically activatable nozzles for discharging the printing ink or Have printing ink.

In detail, the system 2 consists of several in a container transport direction A adjoining modules 7.1 - 7.8, all modules on each a basic unit 8, which is identical, for example, has a rotor which can be driven in rotation around a vertical module or machine axis MA and is provided at its circumference with a multiplicity of container receiving positions or treatment positions 10. The latter are the function of the respective module 7.1 - 7.8 trained on this accordingly. During operation of the system 2, the rotors 9 are synchronously but driven in opposite directions so that whenever a treatment positions 10 of a rotor has reached a connection or transfer region of the adjacent rotor 9, on the adjacent rotor also a treatment position 10 for receiving or Delivery of a container 1 is ready. The rotors 9 close to each other in terms of transport and form according to the FIG. 4 a meandering container transport route 11, on which the containers 1 are moved in the container transport direction A from a container task 2.1 to a container delivery 2.2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the module 7.1 forms, for example, an inlet module, via which the container 1 of the container transport path 11 are supplied. In principle, however, there is the possibility that a pre-treatment of the container 1, which promotes the printing, takes place in this first module. In the module 7.2, the application of the respective base layer 5 on the outer surface of the container wall 3 by means of circulating together with the containers 1 transfer elements 14. The other, in container transport direction A following modules 7.3 - 7.7 are designed as pressure modules, wherein in each module or At the treatment positions 10 of their rotors 9, a color set of the multicolored imprint 6 is respectively applied to the containers 1 and to the base layer 5. A part of the modules 7.3 - 7.7 or the treatment positions 10 on the local rotors 9 are also used for drying or crosslinking of the respective imprint 6-forming printing ink or printing ink. The module 7.8 forms the outlet module, with which the printed containers are conveyed to the container outlet 2.1 and to a subsequent conveyor line. The conveying devices for feeding and discharging the containers into and out of the system as well as the rotors 9 or their treatment positions 10 are designed so that the containers 1 are held suspended there in the region of their upper container opening. Similarly, the containers could stand on a support plate and be held by a centering tulip.

The printing of the container 1 in the module designed as a pressure modules or at the local treatment positions 10 is carried out without contact with working according to the ink-jet printing printheads, of which at least one is provided at each treatment position 10. The peculiarity of the invention consists in the design of the module 7.2 or the treatment positions 10, on which the application of the base layer 5 by rolling or a coating module, here optionally

Module 7.7, in which an analogous process is followed by a final sealing, painting or the like of the printed image. Such a coating module is not separately described or named below, since it is basically constructed analogously or is operated analogously.

The FIG. 5 shows in a schematic individual representation and in plan view of an application or coating device 12 a treatment position 10 of the module 7.2, together with a partial view of a container 1, during the application of the base layer 5 forming liquid or flowable base layer material. Each treatment position 10 of the module 7.2 is formed with an independent coating device 12.

The coating device 12 includes, inter alia, a carrier 13 which is drivable about a parallel to the machine axis MA oriented carrier axis TA of the module 7.2 (arrow B), in synchronism with the rotational movement of the rotor 9. To the carrier axis TA distributed at equal angular intervals and in the the same radial distance from this support axis TA are on the carrier 13 a plurality of segment-like transfer elements 14 each pivotable about an axis PA parallel to the machine axis MA and the support axis TA. The transfer elements 14 are each formed on their relative to the support axis TA radially outer side with a transfer layer 15 which is part of a circular cylindrical surface about an axis parallel to the axes MA, TA and PA extending axis. When driven in the direction of arrow B circumferentially carrier 13 each transfer element 14 is first moved with its transfer layer 15 at a station 16, with which the base layer 5 forming base layer material having a defined layer thickness and a defined width (in the direction of the axis PA) and with a defined length (in the direction of rotation B) is applied to the transfer layer 15. For this purpose, the station 16 has a drum 17 which is driven circumferentially about an axis parallel to the machine axis MA and which is provided with a uniform application of the base layer material having the required layer thickness, similar to the glue drum of a labeling unit at a station (not shown). The transfer elements 14 roll with their transfer layer 15 without slip or substantially slip-free on the drum 17, and indeed by appropriate control of their pivotal movement about the axes PA. Each thus provided on its transfer layer 15 with the order of the base layer material transfer element 14 then passes with the rotating carrier 13 to a transfer position 18, at which the base layer material is transferred from the transfer layer 15 to the outer surface of the container wall 3 of the container 1, by rolling on. For this purpose, in the direction of the arrow B continuously circulating carrier 13 of Container 1 is rotated about its vertical axis of the container in the direction of arrow C and the respective transfer element 14 controlled about the axis PA pivoted or rotated so that the container 1 with the outer surface of its container wall 3 without slippage or substantially free of slip rolls on the transfer layer 15 and As a result, the base layer material with the thickness required for the base layer 5 is applied to the container wall 3. The coating device 12 furthermore has a station 19 for drying or curing or crosslinking of the base layer 5, for example by heating, for example by infrared heat radiation and / or by UV light.

If a liquid material is used as the base layer material, then the transfer elements 14 are each formed on their transfer layers 15 with a soft and absorbent, for example with a sponge-like material and the base layer material is applied by gently sweeping over the outer surface of the container wall 3 with the transfer layer rolling there 15 and without or substantially without the action of force of the transfer layer on the container. 1

In a preferred embodiment of the coating device 12, the transfer layers 15 are each segments of an imaginary, circular axis concentrically surrounding the axis TA, so that then a controlled pivotal movement of the transfer elements 14 about the axes PA is not required.

The FIG. 6 shows a coating device 12a, which is provided instead of the coating device 12 at each treatment position 10 of the module 7.2. The coating device 12a in turn comprises a carrier 20 driven about the carrier axis TA in synchronism with the rotational movement of the rotor 9 in the direction of the arrow B, on which a plurality of segment-like application and transfer elements 21 are provided at equal angular intervals about the axis TA the axis TA lying radially outwardly form a transfer layer 22 for transferring the base layer material onto the container 1 which rolls on this transfer layer 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer layers 22 are each arranged radially on the outside of a damping and buffer layer 23 of a soft, elastic and absorbable as well as permeable material which is provided on a transfer layer carrier 24, at least on its radially outer side with respect to the axis TA forms a curved about the axis TA pitch circular cylinder surface, so that the transfer layer 22 is curved accordingly.

The transfer layer carrier 24 is made of a material having sufficient strength, such as metal (sintered metal) or ceramic (sintered ceramic) and is porous or formed with a plurality of openings or micro-openings such that within the transfer layer carrier 24, a uniform pressure distribution for the under pressure the base layer material conveyed by the transfer layer carrier 24, and in particular also a uniform distribution of the base layer material in the damping and buffer layer 23, ie This layer is soaked as evenly as possible with the liquid base layer material.

On the side facing away from the damping and buffer layer 23 of the transfer layer carrier 24 or the ring segment-shaped wall forming the carrier, the transfer element 21 is provided with a supply or buffer chamber 25 for receiving a buffer volume of the liquid, base layer material. Relative to the axis TA lying radially outward, the interior of the supply or buffer chamber 25 is limited by the transfer layer carrier 24, so that the base layer material from the supply or buffer chamber 25 can be conveyed under pressure through the transfer layer carrier 24 in the damping and buffer layer 23. Furthermore, the interior of the supply or buffer chamber 25 is connected via a line 26 to a source for supplying the base layer material under pressure and to a conduit 27 for returning excess base layer material to this source, of which in the US Pat FIG. 5 only a pressure or feed pump 28 is shown.

In the supply or buffer chamber 25, an electric heater 29 is further provided with which the local base layer material is temperature-controlled at a temperature optimum for the coating, so that there are consistent conditions or parameters. The heater 29 can also be used with appropriate dimensioning to clean the transfer element 21 at the end of a production phase by heat or pyrolytic. The electrical connections of the heater 29 and also the lines 26 and 27 are guided via at least one rotary distributor 30, so that the source of the base layer material and means for controlling and / or regulating the heater 29 for all treatment positions 10 of the module 7.2 together in the associated basic unit 8 can be accommodated.

The application of the base layer takes place on the coating device 12a by rolling on, ie by holding the container 1 suspended on a container carrier 31 and rotated about the vertical container axis with this container carrier at the respective transfer layer circulating in the direction of the arrow B. 22 without slip or essentially without slippage, by gently sweeping the outer surface of the container wall 3 with the transfer layer 22 and without or substantially no force of the transfer layer 22 on the container 1. The coating device 12a in turn has a, but not shown station for Drying or curing of the applied base layer 5 on.

The FIG. 7 shows as a further embodiment, a coating device 12b, which is provided for applying the base layer 5 respectively at the treatment positions 10 of the module 7.1 and in essential elements coincides with the coating device 12a, so that in the FIGS. 6 and 7 for such elements that are constructive and / or functional to the elements of FIG. 5 correspond to the same reference numerals as in the FIG. 5 are used. The coating device 12b differs from the coating device 12a, however, inter alia in that on the respective, the transfer element 21, the lower edge of the damping and buffer layer 23 and the transfer layer carrier 24 forming ring segment-shaped wall abut against a ring segment 32, which consists of a porous material, for example, metal or ceramic with a plurality of micropores or micro-openings. The ring segment 32 forms the inlet of a collection chamber 33 and with this a drainage unit for collecting and returning base layer material from the damping and buffer layer 23 and from the transfer layer support 24 during the operation of the system 2, but also after switching off this system. For this purpose, the collection chamber 33 is connected via a line 34 and a feed pump 35 to a chamber 36, to which the pump 28 is also connected and which for example contains the source for the base layer material accommodated in the base unit 8 or a temporary store provided for this purpose on the rotor 5 Material is. The line 34 is also guided over at least one rotary distributor.

The coating device 12b is further provided with a sensor 37, for example laser sensor for distance or occupancy measurement, ie, the sensor 37 provides, for example, one of the distance between the container outer surface and the transfer layer 22 and / or one of the elastic deformation of the damping and Buffer layer 23 by the container 1-dependent signal with which controls the delivery of the coating device 12a with respect to the respective container 1 to achieve the powerless or substantially powerless application of the coating material and / or the proper application of the base layer 5 is monitored.

The FIG. 8 shows in partial view the transfer element 21 of a coating device 12c, which differs from the coating device 12b substantially only in that the inlet 32 into the collecting chamber 33 forming ring segment 32 is provided only below the damping and buffer layer 23, via the ring segment 32 and the Collecting chamber 33 in this embodiment, therefore, only excess or unneeded base layer material from the damping and buffer layer 23 is dissipated, ie, the ring segment 32 and the collection chamber 33 form a drainage for the damping and buffer layer 23. In the FIG. 7 At 38, the base layer material provided by the transfer layer 22 is schematically indicated.

In a further development, not shown, a closure cap or capsule for cleaning cycles is provided on or for the transfer element 21, by means of which a closed discharge space or gap can be created in front of the transfer layer 22. A cleaning or solvent may be rinsed through the layers 24 and 23 via line 27 after the transfer layer 22 has been attached or closed, and is circulated through the drainage space or gap thus formed, and subsequently the collection chamber 33 by means of the pumps 28 and 35 or derived. This cap or capsule is ideally designed as an automatically verschenk- or movable element. The use of the vacuum pump 35 is not absolutely necessary, but their use reduces the loss of solvent or cleaning agent, as targeted in the derivative, a negative pressure can be adjusted, thereby further reducing the design effort for the sealing of the cap or capsule.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous modifications and changes are possible. It has been assumed above that the transfer layers 15 and 24 are respectively formed on transfer elements 14 and 21 in the form of segments. Of course, there is also the possibility that the respective coating device 12, 12a, 12b and 12c has a continuous, annular transfer layer, for example enclosing the axis TA of the respective carrier 13 or 20, in particular when the application of the base layer material takes place in such a way, the base layer completely encloses the respective container at a container outer region.

Furthermore, it is also possible to form the base layer 5 in a multi-layered manner with a plurality of individual layers, with the device 2 then producing each individual layer on different modules. As mentioned above, can be applied analogously, a seal or a coating, so that the term "base layer" is not meant to be limiting, but must be generally understood as a "coating".

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

container

2

Device or system

2.1

container inlet

2.2

container outlet

3

container wall

4

container equipment

5

Base layer, coating

6

imprint

7.1 - 7.8

module

8th

basic unit

9

rotor

10

treatment position

11

Container transport path through the system 2

12, 12a, 12b, 12c

Coating device for applying the base layer material

13

carrier

14

transfer element

15

transfer layer

16

station

17

drum

18

Transfer position

19

Station for curing and / or crosslinking the base layer

20

carrier

21

transfer element

22

transfer layer

23

buffer layer

24

Transfer layer substrate

25

Supply or buffer chamber

26.27

management

28

pump

29

electric heating

30

rotary distributor

31

container carrier

32

ring segment

33

plenum

34

management

35

pump

36

chamber

37

sensor

38

Base layer material

A

Container transport direction

B

Direction of rotation of the carrier 13 or 20

C

Direction of rotation of the container

TA

Rotary axis of the carrier 13 and 20, respectively

PA

Pivot axis of the transfer elements 14

MA

Machine or rotor axis

Claims (18)

1. Device for applying decorations (4) to containers by digital printing, with a container transport system (7.1 - 7.8), with at least one processing position (10) on the container transport system (7.1 - 7.8), at which the containers (1) can be provided with, in each case, at least one coating namely a coating on which the containers can be printed, and/or a cover coat and/or a sealing or a coating,
   characterised in that
   the at least one processing position (10) comprises a coating device (12, 12a, 12b, 12c) with at least one transfer element (14, 21), which is configured for the application of a base coat material forming the coating by rolling on, wherein an electrical heating device (29) is provided to control the heating or temperature of the base coat material.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the coating device (12, 12a,12b) comprises at least one circulating transfer element (14, 21) comprising a transfer coat (15, 22), on the outer surface of which the respective container (1) rolls for the application of the coating (5) or the base coat material forming this coating, preferably slippage-free or essentially slippage-free, the transfer element (14, 21) rolls on the respective container (1), or both the transfer element (14, 21) and the respective container (1) roll on each other.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that the containers (1) and/or the transfer element (14, 21) are arranged and can be driven in such a way that no touch contact takes place between the transfer element (14, 21) and the container (1).
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the perpendicular surface distance spacing in the area of greatest closeness between the container (1) and the transfer element (14, 21) can be adjusted.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transfer element (14, 21) and/or the transfer coat (15, 22), is permeable for the viscous coating material.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the transfer coat (15, 22) is formed from an elastic and/or soft and/or absorbent and/or sponge-like damping and buffer coat (23) or comprises one such.
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the transfer element (14, 21) forming the transfer coat (15, 22) is provided with at least one further transfer element (14, 21) at a carrier (13, 20), which can be driven such as to circulate about a carrier axis (TA).
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the coating device (12) comprises a station (16) at which the circulating transfer element (14) is moved past in order to apply the base coat material onto the transfer coat (15), before the transfer element (15), on rotating further, reaches a transfer position (18), at which the container (1) rolls on the transfer coat (15).
9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, characterised in that the transfer element (21) is configured in the area of its transfer coat (22) with a wall (24), taking effect as a carrier and distributor element and which is porous, comprising a plurality of openings, such as micro-openings or micropores, by means of which the base coat material is distributed uniformly under pressure onto the transfer coat (22), and, specifically, preferably in an axial direction radially to the axis of circulation or rotation (TR) (TA?) of the at least one transfer element (14, 21) or its carrier (13, 20).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the porous wall (24) separates the interior of a supply or buffer chamber (25) from the transfer coat (22) or the damping and buffer coat (23) forming this surface, and that the interior of the supply or buffer chamber (25) is connected via at least one line (26) to a source, by means of which the base coat material of the supply or buffer chamber (25) is conveyed under pressure, wherein the supply or buffer chamber (25) is preferably connected by at least one further line (27) to convey the base coat material out of the chamber to the source.
11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, characterised by a drainage device (32, 33) for catching surplus base coat material from the transfer area (18) between the container (1) and transfer element (22) and/or from the damping and buffer coat (23) forming the transfer coat (22) and/or from the porous wall (24) taking effect as a carrier and distribution layer.
12. Device according to claim 10 and in particular according to claim 11, characterised in that the heating device (29) is arranged for the temperature controlling of the base coat material in the supply or buffer chamber (25).
13. Device according to claim 11 and in particular according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised by a sensor (37) at the transfer or application position (18) for measuring the distance between the container (1) and the transfer element (14, 21) or its transfer coat (15, 22) and/or for measuring and/or monitoring the application forming the base coat on the respective container 1.
14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of processing positions (10) are provided at a rotor (9) which can be driven such as to circulate about a vertical machine axis (MA), and that each processing position (10) comprises a coating device (12, 12a, 12b).
15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the rotor (9), with a plurality of further motors (9), forms the container processing or transport section (11), and that the processing positions (10) for the application of the coating (5) are formed on at least one rotor (9) and the processing positions (10) are formed for the printing and for drying and/or cross-linking of printing ink on at least one rotor (9) following in the container transport direction (A), preferably on a plurality of further rotors (9) following in the container transport direction (A).
16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a single-part or multi-part closure cap or capsule, which can be pivoted or moved, is provided at or for the transfer element (14, 21).
17. Device according to claim 16, if dependent on claim 2 or 5, characterised in that the closure cap or capsule in the position of use forms, inter alia, together with the transfer coat (14, 21), a run-off space or gap, through which a cleaning agent and/or solvent can flow, in particular in the circuit.
18. Method for contactless printing of containers (1) in processing positions (10) of modules, formed as print modules, comprising printing heads operating in accordance with the ink-jet process, of which at least one is provided at each processing position,
    characterised in that, by rolling
    a base coat (5) is applied at the processing positions (10) of a module (7.2), and/or a final sealing, lacquering, or the like of the print image takes place at the processing positions (10) of a module (7.7).

Images