EP3334606A1

EP3334606A1 - Printing machine for containers, and method for printing containers

Info

Publication number: EP3334606A1
Application number: EP16727732.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Georg Gertlowski; Matthias Wahl; Peggy Heimer
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2015-08-11
Filing date: 2016-06-09
Publication date: 2018-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-09
Also published as: WO2017025217A1; DE102015215295A1; EP3334606B1; CN208290741U

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing machine (1) for containers (11) and to a corresponding printing method. Accordingly, the printing machine (1) comprises a continuously rotatable container table (9) on which centering mountings (12) that can rotate about themselves about vertical axes for the containers (11) are uniformly distributed over the circumference in a spaced manner by a distance of a transport spacing (9b). Furthermore, at least one stationary printing station (2-4) is provided for printing the containers (11). Because the printing station (2-4) comprises at least two printing heads (5, 6) which are arranged in a mutually spaced manner by the distance of the transport spacing (9b) and which run together with the containers (11) and back in an oscillating manner within a machine angle segment (10) of the printing machine (1), the containers (11) can be printed in a fixed position relative to the printing heads (5, 6) temporarily with a simultaneously high machine output.

Description

Printing machine for containers and method for printing on containers

The invention relates to a printing machine for containers and a method for printing on containers.

As is known, containers, such as beverage bottles, for example, can be guided along a container table circumferentially along stationary treatment units and equipped with printed images and / or labels while the containers are rotated. However, the constantly changing distance between the curved container walls and the respective unit is particularly problematic, especially when printing by means of inkjet printheads.

According to DE 10 2008 012 502 A1 it was attempted to counteract this problem by an eccentric mounting of the containers on turntables or the like. However, this inevitably changes the relative speed of the container surface to be printed in front of the respective printhead, which causes distortions of the printed image and / or a fluctuating printing resolution.

As an alternative, DE 10 2011 009 391 proposes to carry printheads on a holder movable along the circumference of a container table synchronously with the containers to be printed during printing and to return the holders to their original position counter to the transport direction of the containers after printing. For this purpose, the printing heads are arranged during printing substantially above the container side wall to be printed.

The disadvantage here is that the container then placed during printing in a horizontal position and thereby centered to be rotated by itself. In addition to the centering in the mouth region of the containers, this requires support and unrolling of the containers in the side wall region. This can lead to a non-circular running of the container and to correspondingly fluctuating pressure intervals. In addition, the printheads of DE 10 2011 009 391 must be carried over a comparatively large machine angle range with the containers, so that the containers can not be processed as a container stream with continuous uniform transport division but only in groups, must be left between the gaps to the printheads return to their original position for printing on the next group of containers. Consequently, this machine concept poses significant problems in terms of insufficient machine performance and centering of the containers. There is therefore a need for printing presses and printing methods for containers in which at least one of the abovementioned problems can be remedied or at least mitigated.

The stated object is achieved with a printing machine for containers according to claim 1. Accordingly, this comprises: a continuously rotatable container table, are disposed circumferentially evenly distributed on the vertical axis about itself rotatable Zentrierhalterungen for the container at a distance of a transport pitch; and at least one stationary printing station for printing on the containers. The printing station comprises at least two printheads arranged at a distance from one another in the transport interval, which are embodied in an oscillating manner with the containers in an automatic machine segment of the printing press, and in particular of the container table, and can be moved back.

The holding and rotating of the container about vertical axes only requires a centering in the head area and possibly in the bottom area of the container. This facilitates the maintenance of a predetermined pressure gap between, for example, a cylindrical container side wall and a running printhead. For example, the containers are mounted on turntables standing from above by means of centering heads or the like.

Characterized in that the Zentrierhalterungen are formed at a distance of a transport division uniformly to the container table, and in that the print heads are arranged at a distance of the transport pitch to each other, the container can be processed as a continuous container flow with a uniform transport division. Thus, groupwise handling of the containers with gaps therebetween to return the printheads to their home position is dispensable. In other words, each centering holder of the container table can be equipped with one container each in the sense of a continuous container flow.

Characterized in that at least two printheads are moved at a distance of the transport division with the container table, the machine performance can be compared to individually entrained printheads increase. In particular, the printing station comprises exactly two printheads which are arranged at a distance from one another at the spacing of the transport pitch and which run together with the centering holders during printing. However, it would also be conceivable, for example, three or more at a distance of a transport pitch arranged mutually printheads form at the printing station, which run along with the Zentrierhalterungen when printing.

By the machine angle segment is meant an angular segment between the outer reversal points of the co-moving printheads. For example, this is the angular segment between an initial position of a first printhead and the end position of a second printhead with respect to a half period of the oscillation. Preferably, the print heads are mounted on a common carrier which can pivot about the axis of rotation of the container table or ride along a respective arc. Thus, the printheads oscillate substantially along a circular arc at a constant pressure distance to the respective associated Zentrierhalterungen or containers.

Preferably, the carrier and printheads are electrically controlled so that the printheads move with the containers at printing at the angular speed of the tray table and, in particular, move back at a relatively higher angular velocity. The printheads can thus move synchronously with the containers during printing.

The printheads can thus be carried within a first half period of the oscillation, during printing, with a constant relative position to the axis of rotation of the Zentrierhalterungen or the container. By means of a more rapid retraction of the print heads within a second half-period of the oscillation, the duration of a working cycle of the printing station can be shortened with respect to an oscillation having identical half-periods. That is, the half period of synchronized co-movement of the printheads preferably lasts longer than the subsequent half cycle of the printheads return to their home position.

Preferably, the carrier is driven by means of an electric motor, in particular a servomotor. As a result, the working cycles of the individual printing stations can be flexibly optimized, in particular with regard to an exactly synchronized running of the print heads with the containers, a motion optimization at the reversal points, and with regard to a quick return of the print heads.

The electric motor preferably comprises at least one long stator designed as a circular arc segment with a guide rail and at least one rotor guided along it. The long stator is then preferably designed as a motor module with integrated power electronics and path detection for the rotor. The long stator can be aligned in particular concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the container table. Alternatively, however, the long-stator can also be inductively supplied with electrical energy by means of an inductive power supply.

Preferably, the Zentrierhalterungen by means of separate electric motors, in particular servomotors, driven. As a result, the initial rotational position of the containers for printing and the printing feed can be set exactly with respect to the print heads. Furthermore, the print quality can be adjusted, for example by adjusting the print resolution. Preferably, the carrier is controllable such that the machine angle segment is at most three times, in particular at most twice, a machine angle formed between the print heads. For example, two print heads of a printing station include a machine angle corresponding to exactly one transport pitch of the tray table. Accordingly, three print heads of a printing station include a machine angle corresponding to exactly two transport pitches of the bin table.

Thus, several printing stations can be arranged circumferentially one behind the other to save space in the periphery of the container table, without hindering each other. Such a compact construction of the printing stations is made possible inter alia by the fact that the running back of the print heads on the holder counter to the transport movement of the container and optionally at a higher angular velocity than synchronous running with the containers. For the return of the printheads therefore comparatively short periods are needed.

Preferably, the printing station is modular, such that it can be docked facing the axis of rotation of the container table. For this purpose, for example, several printing station with uniform mechanical couplings and electrical connections are available. This makes it easy to replace printing stations and / or dock in different machine angle ranges of the printing press. Preferably, then correspondingly modular treatment stations for pretreatment or aftertreatment of the container are also present. These can be docked in the area of the container table or on separate treatment tables of the rotary type.

Preferably, with respect to a pitch circle for the containers, cameras or other printheads are arranged opposite the printheads, which can be moved synchronously with the oscillating printheads. The cameras and / or further printheads are then preferably arranged within the pitch circle, so that the containers are positioned between them and the printheads oscillating outside on the holders. Thus, multiple printing operations can be carried out simultaneously or one printing operation and one inspection simultaneously or at least overlapping in time.

Preferably, the printheads are inkjet printheads for direct printing of the containers. This makes it possible to produce high-quality print images without changing the printing stations for different products and / or quality requirements.

Preferably, the printing press further comprises a treatment table mechanically linked with the tray table and continuously rotatable, with at least one modular tray and stationary dockable treatment station for pretreating the containers, and / or a treatment table mechanically interlocked and continuously rotatable with the container table, with at least one modular and stationary dockable treatment station for aftertreatment of the containers. As a result, unwanted interactions between pre-treatment, printing and post-treatment can be avoided and individual treatment steps can be qualitatively improved. Preferably, such treatment stations then comprise at least two treatment modules which are arranged at a distance from one another at a spacing of the transport pitch and which are oscillating and retractable with the container within a machine angle segment of the respective treatment table

However, it would also be conceivable to have at least one processing station upstream or downstream of the printing station for aligning, pretreating, aftertreating and / or inspecting the containers on the container table, wherein the treatment station then comprises at least two treatment modules arranged at a distance from one another within the transport division, within a further machine angle segment of the printing machine or the container table oscillating with the container and running nachbewegbeweg.

Thus, the machine angle range between inlet and outlet of the container can be used flexibly for several treatment steps. In this case, the individual treatment steps can take place during an oscillating movement of the treatment modules with the machine output of the printing stations, in particular with half periods of the oscillation as described above for the printing stations.

The object is also achieved with a method for printing on containers according to claim 11. Accordingly, the containers are transported as a continuous container flow at a distance of a respective transport pitch to each other on a container table. Furthermore, at least two print heads at a constant distance of the transport pitch oscillate to each other partially on the container table. In this case, the print heads run synchronously with the container table during printing. Furthermore, the containers are thereby rotated about vertical axes about themselves.

Preferably, the rotation of the container is electrically controlled to rotate around the container during printing, in particular in opposite directions to the direction of rotation of the container table, with a predetermined pressure feed with respect to the printheads around itself. This enables high-quality print images, which can also be flexibly adapted to different products without retooling the printing stations. Preferably, the containers are at least half-circumference, in particular full circumference, rotated around itself during printing. As a result, circumferentially continuous and / or qualitatively uniform print images can be generated with constant positioning of the container longitudinal axis in front of the print head.

Preferably, the printheads oscillate in a power stroke in which the printheads are moved back within a proportion of at most 40 percent, in particular at most 30 percent, of the duration of the working cycle against the transport movement of the containers. This minimizes the machine angle segment needed to print on a particular print station. In other words, a machine angle segment available for the printing station can be used predominantly for the printing process per se. The duty cycle consists of a first half period of the oscillation for printing and a second half period of the oscillation for moving back the printheads.

Preferably, the print feed on the print head is at least 300 mm / s. This allows the machine performance of the press to be optimized for use in beverage bottling plants.

Preferably, at least one of the printheads is selectively inactivated in the event of a malfunction, and printing is continued with the angular speed of the tray being rotated. That is, for example, every second printhead is inactivated, so that the printing press can still be operated, for example, with half the power of the engine to repair. That is, production downtime caused by restoring full functionality of the press can be halved.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of a printing machine;

Figs. 2A to 2C show two containers and two schematic print heads in printing;

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of a printing machine with modular treatment stations;

Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a modular printing station;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the modular printing station; and 6 shows the printing press of the second embodiment with docked printing station.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, in a first preferred embodiment, the printing machine 1 according to the invention comprises three or a different number of stationary printing stations 2, 3, 4, on each of which a first print head 5 and a second print head 6 on a common carrier 7 for execution a circumferential oscillation 8 with respect to a continuously rotatable in the transport direction 9a container table 9 are attached.

The partial oscillation 8 of the print heads 5, 6 passes over a machine angle range 10, which is defined by an outer reversal point 5a of the first print head 5 and an outer reversal point 6a of the second print head 6. The common carrier and the second print head are shown in phantom at the outer reversal point of the first print head with solid lines and at the reversal point of the second print head and provided with the reference numerals 7 'and 6' for better understanding.

In the figure 1, the transport division 9b of the container table 9, the pitch circle 9c of the container table 9 are further indicated for to be printed container 11 and the axis of rotation 9d of the container table. In the example of Figure 1, the machine angle segment 10 between the outer reversal points 5a, 6a two transport divisions 9b. However, this is not absolutely necessary, as illustrated by the example of FIGS. 2A to 2C with reference to a first half period of the oscillation 8 for printing on the containers 11.

In FIG. 2A, a section of the container table 9 with centering supports 12 is indicated, which are each equipped with a container 11 to be printed, for example a bottle. The centering supports 12 are rotatable about vertical axes of rotation 12a and comprise, for example, a turntable 12c driven individually by an electric motor 12b and a rotatable centering head 12d for the container top, see for example FIG. 6. Further, the common support 7 is provided with the first print head 5 and the second Print head 6 indicated schematically. The transport direction 9a is merely opposite to that of FIG. 1 by way of example.

FIG. 2A shows a state at a first reversal point 8a of the oscillation, that is to say at the beginning of the first half-period of the oscillation 8. The first half-period is used for printing on the container 11. The machine angle segment 10 which is swept over by the printing heads 5, 6 during the oscillation 8 is indicated schematically as an arc segment as well as the machine angle 10a formed between the printing heads. From the first reversal point 8a, the common movement of the print heads 5, 6 is synchronized with the angular speed of the container table 9. The print heads 5, 6 thus run according to the transport 9a with the associated Zentrierhalterungen 12 and containers 11 in a constant relative position with.

FIG. 2B illustrates a state during the first half-period in which the synchronously running printheads 5, 6 have already partially equipped the containers 1 with a printed image 11a. During printing, the containers 11 are continuously rotated about the axes of rotation 12a of the Zentrierhalterungen 12 with a transport movement 9a preferably opposite rotational movement 12e.

FIG. 2C shows the common carrier 7 with the print heads 5, 6 at a second reversal point 8b of the oscillation, that is to say at the end of the first half-period of the oscillation 8. As FIG. 2C further shows, the printing process is completed at the latest at this point in time and Print image 1 1a preferably fully formed. For this purpose, the container 11 is preferably rotated completely around itself during the synchronized co-movement of the print heads 5, 6.

This is followed by the second half-period of the oscillation 8 in which the common carrier 7 with the print heads 5, 6 returns to the first reversal point 8a of the oscillation by a return movement 8c indicated by dashed lines. Due to the continuous transport movement 9a trailing container 11 'the printheads 5, 6 thereby counter, so that at the end of the second half cycle of the oscillation 8 again the state of Fig. 2A is reached, in which case, however, the trailing container 11' at the printheads. 5 , 6 are positioned and during a subsequent further first half period of the oscillation 8 are printed by the synchronously moving printheads 5, 6.

For the common holder 7, for example, in Figure 2B only schematically indicated stationary guide means 7a is formed, for example, a rail, a suitable pivot mechanism or the like, which may also be part of a linear motor system.

The transport movement 9a opposite return movement 8c is controlled so that the trailing container 11 'reach their respective associated printheads 5, 6 only when they have arrived at the first turning point 8a or wait there for the trailing container 11'.

The second half period of the oscillation 8 can be shortened for this purpose by carrying out the return movement 8c at a greater absolute angular velocity than the transporting movement 9a. The time proportion of the return movement 8c on a power stroke The printing station 2, 3, 4 is then smaller than the temporal portion of the synchronous running of the print heads 5, 6 with the Zentrierhalterungen 12. For example, a power stroke can be realized in which the duration of the second half-period of the oscillation, or the return movement 8c only 40 percent, in particular the highest 30 percent of the working cycle takes. As a result, the machine angle segment 10 required for the oscillation 8 of the print heads 5, 6 can be minimized.

As shown in FIG. 1, further printheads 15, 16 may be formed on a common carrier 17 in the region of the container table 9 opposite the printheads 5, 6 with respect to the pitch circle 9c. The common carrier 17 with the further print heads 15, 16 can then preferably be moved synchronously with the oscillation of the common carrier 7 and the print heads 5, 6. This is true at least for the synchronous Mitbewegen with the Zentrierhalterungen 12 and the containers 11 in the first half-period of the oscillation 8, optionally also for the return movement 8c in the second half-period. This is indicated only schematically in FIG.

Instead of the other print heads 15, 16 could also cameras 18, 19 on a common carrier 20 synchronously with the printheads 5, 6 and the common carrier 7 of a printing station 2, 3, 4 be designed to follow. As FIG. 1 also indicates, the cameras 18, 19 could also be formed on a common carrier 20, for example offset by a transport pitch 9b, to form at least one printing station 2, 3, 4. The cameras 18, 19 could be adjustable in height for checking different containers 11 or container areas.

Likewise, treatment modules 21, 22 could be formed with a common carrier 23 oscillating in principle in the previously described manner at further treatment stations 24 of the printing machine 1. In the figure 1 is representative of an aftertreatment unit for drying imprints exemplified schematically. For the sake of completeness, FIG. 1 also indicates an inlet star wheel 25 and an outlet star wheel 26.

To drive the common carrier 7, 17, 20, 23 servo motors are preferably formed at the printing stations 2, 3, 4 and / or treatment stations 24. The centering supports 12 are preferably individually rotated about themselves by means of servomotors. The centering supports 12 are preferably rotated against the transporting movement 9a during printing.

The servomotors can be connected by means of conventional drive technology with the carriers 7, 17, 20, 13 and the Zentrierhalterungen 12 and are therefore not shown separately. The individual servomotors of the printing machine 1 can be controlled in a flexible manner by means of conventional control devices 27 and preferably bidirectional data exchange 27a. The oscillation 8 and the rotational movement 12e of the centering supports 12 about themselves can be flexibly adapted in this way to the transport movement 9a of the container table 9 and the required print quality on the containers 11 and their diameter.

In this case, arbitrary velocity profiles for both the partially circumferential oscillation 8 and for the rotational movement 12e of the centering supports 12 about themselves are conceivable. In particular, an individual adjustment of the initial rotational position of individual containers 11 for printing is made possible by means of the servomotors. The optionally random rotational position of the individual containers 11 when entering the printing machine 1 can be detected, for example, by means of an alignment unit (not shown) and corrected for the subsequent printing operations in the initial rotational position.

The common carriers 7 preferably comprise in the circumferential direction movable carriages or runners which thus run along a circular arc 9e along the container table 9. Corresponding pivoting devices, which enable pivoting about the vertical axis of rotation of the container table 9, are also conceivable.

The printing press 1 according to the invention can be used as follows:

The containers 11 are transferred as a continuous container stream with a uniform transport division 9b to the container table 9, so that downstream of the inlet star 25, each centering holder 12 is equipped with one container 11 each. With continuous rotation of the container table 9, the containers 11 are thus supplied to the printing stations 2, 3, 4 and the printheads 5, 6 moved synchronously on the common carriers 7 with the containers 11 as soon as the container 1 1, the associated printheads 5, the sixth achieved. The print heads 5, 6 then run in synchronism with the containers 11 over a predetermined machine angle segment 10, until a predetermined print image 11a has been preferably fully applied to the containers 11. However, a full print is not mandatory. Subsequently, the carriers 7 return to their original position for printing on the following containers 11.

In principle, the machine angle segment 10 provided for the printing process can be arbitrarily set as a function of the size of the print image 11a, the desired quality of the print image 11a, the circulation speed of the container table 9, the container diameter and / or the printing speed possible with the print heads 5, 6. By synchronizing individual printing stations 2, 3, 4 and / or treatment stations 24 to one another, in principle even partially overlapping machine angle ranges 10 could be realized on the container table 9.

The containers 11 could be printed in the region of the first printing station 2 with a first color component of a color model, such as RGB or CMYK, and in the subsequent printing stations 3, 4 with further color components of the same color model. In this case, the use of servo motors in the printing stations 2, 3, 4 and the Zentrierhalterungen 12 ensures a high precision of the individual partial printing images to each other.

It would also be conceivable to print further components of a print image, for example black pigments or the like, with the further print heads 15, 16 and / or to inspect the print images 11a with the aid of the cameras 18, 19.

In this case, the synchronization of the printing heads 5, 6, 15, 16, the cameras 18, 19 or other treatment modules 21, 22, synchronized within the machine angle segments 10, enables a treatment or inspection at a constant relative position between the centering supports 12 and the individual print heads / cameras / treatment modules comparatively high engine power.

It could, for example, three printheads / cameras / treatment modules, or an even larger number of such units, each mounted on a common carrier 7, 17, 20, 23 and carry synchronously by means of teilumfänglichscient oscillation 8 with the Zentrierhalterungen 12 and the containers 11.

By means of partial circumferential oscillation 8, for example, the following treatment steps can also be carried out in a particularly high-quality and efficient manner on the container table 9:

- Aligning the container on the basis of container structures such as embossing or the like, for example by means of transmitted light illumination with respect to at least one camera 18, 19, and in particular before printing the container 11;

Pretreatment of the containers by corona treatment or other energy input to improve the printability of plastic containers; and

Post-treating the printed containers 11, such as, for example, drying inks, in particular by means of UV irradiation of UV-curable inks.

The teilumfängliche oscillation 8 corresponds to a power stroke of the printing stations 2, 3, 4. This may, for example, in time from a first half-period for printing from 50 to 80% and a second half-period of 50 to 20% to make up a total of 100%. Further, it is conceivable, if one of the print heads 5, 6 only to disable the defective printhead and the functionally corresponding printheads other printing stations and to let the printing machine 1 continue with a total of half power until the defect has been corrected. Thus, a total failure of the printing press 1 due to a defect of a single printhead 5 can be avoided or at least minimized in time.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, in a second preferred embodiment, the printing press 31 comprises a plurality of modular printing stations 32 to 37, which may be formed, for example, for printing with different colors. Each of the printing stations 32 to 37 includes a first printhead 5 and a second printhead 6 fixed to a common carrier 7 for carrying out the partial circumferential oscillation 8 as described above for the printing machine 1 of the first embodiment. All of the functions previously described with regard to the printing stations 2, 3 and 4 can also be carried out with the modular printing stations 32 to 37, so that a renewed description and representation of the partially circumferential oscillation 8 and the associated printing processes for the printing press 31 of the second embodiment is dispensed with. Consequently, in FIGS. 3 to 6, functionally equivalent elements and symbols are given the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2C.

The printing press 31 of the second embodiment differs from the printing press 1 of the first embodiment essentially in that only one input-side treatment module 38 for rotational position alignment of the containers 11 and otherwise only modular printing stations 32 to 37 are stationarily docked on the container table 9. Further treatment stations 39, 40 for pretreating the containers 11 by means of flaming, corona treatment or plasma treatment and a treatment station 41 for applying and drying a primer or the like are stationarily docked on an input-side first treatment table 42. Similarly, on the output side, a treatment station 43 for UV drying, a treatment station 44 for imaging container inspection and / or a treatment station 45 for sealing the printed container 11 with a protective layer, a paint or the like stationarily docked on an output side second treatment table 46.

Between the container table 9 and the input-side or output-side treatment table 42, 46, for example, transport stars 47 are formed in a manner known per se. A corresponding transport star 47 may also be formed at the entrance of the treatment table 42. The transport stars 47 can handle the containers 11, for example in neck handling, in particular if the containers 11 are empty containers is. The container table 9 and the treatment tables 42, 46 are thus preferably mechanically locked together.

Schematically indicated are also a conventional machine inlet 48 with a Einteilschnecke or the like and a conventional machine outlet 49, which may include, for example, a multifunction star 49a, a transfer star 49b and / or a conveyor line 49c. These optional diversion variants are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3 in part.

Likewise dashed is an optional block-like connected to the printing machine 31 stretch blow molding machine 100 is shown schematically.

The printing machine 31 of the second embodiment has the advantage over the first embodiment that the entire area of the container table 9 can be used for aligning and printing the containers 11 and mutual interference of different treatment steps by the spatial distribution on the container table 9, the first treatment table 42nd and the second treatment table 46 can be avoided.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the printing stations 32 to 37 each comprise a mobile undercarriage 50, an ink supply 51, a frame 52 and a long stator 53 fastened thereto with a guide profile or the like and ball-guided runners 54 on which the first and second runners 53 are located second printheads 5, 6 are fastened by means of the common carrier 7.

The printheads 5, 6 are connected to the ink supply 51, for example, by supply lines 55 with quick couplings or the like. The modular printing stations 32 to 37 further preferably include a cover 56 whose interior can be air-conditioned, for example. The subordinate 50 can be designed, for example, as a gondola carriage that can be moved on rollers 57.

As FIGS. 5 and 6 indicate schematically, individual modular printing stations 32 to 37 can be docked laterally in the area of the container table 9, for example with the aid of mechanical couplings 58.

The modular printing stations 32 to 37 are connected, for example by means of a (not shown) plug-in connection with the container table 9 for the supply of energy and for the transmission of data. Thus, the individual units present in the printing station 32 to 37 can be supplied with electrical and / or pneumatic energy as well as centrally controlled by the printing press 31. Here are the individual modular printing stations 32 to 37 identified by the printing press 31. This also applies to further treatment stations 39 to 41 and 43 to 45.

Particularly advantageous is an embodiment of the printing machine 31, in which this transfers to the individual printing stations 32 to 37 and to the treatment stations 38 to 41 and 43 to 45 address information. Such address information is, for example, an internet protocol address. The transmission of the address information can take place both before the opposite transmission of identification data to the printing machine 31 and thereafter. Particularly advantageous here is an operator-side assignment of fixed Internet protocol addresses via the printing machine 31 to the individual modular printing stations 32 to 37 and modular treatment stations 38 to 41 and 43 to 45. Particularly advantageous here is a transfer of address information from the printing machine 31 to the individual modular Printing stations and / or treatment stations prior to the transmission of the respective identification data to the printing machine 31. In this case, the communication between the container table 9 and the individual modular printing stations and / or treatment stations under the assigned address information, such as a corresponding network address, take place.

6 shows a modular printing station 32 to 37 in the docked state to the container table 9. For this purpose, preferably a motorized docking station 60 is formed on the treatment table 9, with which the locked by the clutches 59 printing station 32 to 37 can lift, so that the rollers 57 are relieved. The printing station 32 to 37 is then in a respect to the container table 9 stationary and mechanically fixed position.

FIG. 5 also shows the centering supports 12 in a preferred embodiment with turntables 12c, servomotors 12b, centering heads 12d and lifting units 12f associated therewith.

The long stator 53 is in the form of a circular arc, so that the print heads 5, 6 run concentrically to the rotation axis 9d of the container table 9 along a circular arc 9e. Here, for example, individual ring segments of the long stator as motor modules comprising a power electronics and a path detection for the rotor 54 are formed. The associated rotor 54 have, for example, a play-free roller bearing on the long stator 53. The motor modules then act equally as a guide rail and as an active drive for the rotor 54. Thus, the above-described movements for the partially um- Execute initial oscillation 8 in a precise and flexible manner and adapt to the respective requirements when printing the container 11.

The modular printing stations 32 to 37 and the modular treatment stations 38 to 41 and 43 to 45 do not necessarily have to be mobile. These could just as well stand on calotte feet and be detachably docked in the area of the container table 9 or the treatment tables 42, 46. Rather, modular is understood to mean that the individual modular stations have similar interfaces, so that they can be exchangeably fastened to the container table 9 or to the treatment tables 42, 46.

Furthermore, the exemplified modular treatment stations can be based on a combination of the printing modules 5, 6 corresponding treatment modules, which are movable by means of runners 54 on a long stator 53 along a circular arc in the same way as the printing station 32 to 37 shown in Figures 3 to.

Thus, partial oscillations 8 of individual pressure modules or treatment modules, as described with reference to FIGS. 2a to 2c, can be adapted flexibly to the requirements for individual treatment steps. That is, all oscillatory movements described with respect to the print heads 5, 6 can in principle also be carried out with treatment modules of the treatment stations 38 to 41 and 43 to 45.

Claims

claims

1. printing machine (1, 31) for container (11), with a continuously rotatable container table (9) on which about vertical axes (12 a) rotatable about itself Zentrierhalterungen (12) for the container at a distance of a transport division (9 b) circumferentially with at least one stationary printing station (2 - 4, 32-37) for printing on the containers, wherein the printing station comprises at least two printing heads (5, 6) spaced apart from one another at a spacing of the transport pitch, that within a machine angle segment (10) of the printing press oscillating, with the containers and running back, are movable.

2. Printing machine according to claim 1, wherein the print heads (5, 6) are mounted on a common carrier (7) which can pivot about the axis of rotation (9d) of the container table (9) or ride along a respective arc.

3. Printing machine according to claim 2, wherein the carrier (7) and the print heads (5, 6) are electrically controlled so that the print heads move during printing with the angular velocity of the container table (9) with the containers (11) and in particular move back with a higher angular velocity.

4. Printing machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the carrier (7) by means of electric motor, in particular servomotor, is driven.

5. Printing machine according to claim 4, wherein the electric motor comprises at least one formed as a circular arc segment long stator (53) with guide rail and at least one run along it runners (54).

6. Printing machine according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the carrier (7) is controllable such that the machine angle segment (10) at most three times between the printheads (5, 6) formed machine angle (10a) includes.

7. Printing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the printing station (32 - 37) is modular, such that it can be docked pointing to the axis of rotation (9d) of the container table (9).

8. Printing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein further with respect to a pitch circle (9c) for the container (11) the printheads (5, 6) opposite Ka meras (18, 19) or further printheads (15, 16) are arranged, which can move in synchronism with the printheads (5, 6) oscillating.

9. Printing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the print heads (5, 6) are ink jet print heads for direct printing of the container (11).

10. Printing machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a with the container table (9) mechanically interlocked and continuously rotatable treatment table (42) with at least one stationary and modular dockable treatment station (39 - 41) for pretreating the container (11), and / or comprising a treatment table (46) which is mechanically blocked and continuously rotatable with the container table (9) and has at least one stationary and modular dockable treatment station (43-45) for aftertreatment of the containers (11).

11. A method for printing on containers (11), wherein these are transported as a continuous container flow at a distance of a respective transport division (9b) to each other on a container table (9) and at least two print heads (5, 6) at a distance of the transport division to each other in part oscillate the container table, and wherein the print heads during printing synchronously with the container table run along and the containers are thereby rotated about vertical axes (12a) to itself.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the rotational movement (12 b) of the container (11) is electrically controlled about itself to the containers during printing at least semi-circumferentially and in particular at least fully around itself with a predetermined print feed with respect to the print heads (5, 6 ), in particular in opposite directions to the transport movement (9a) of the container table (9).

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the print heads (5, 6) oscillate in a power stroke, wherein the print heads within a proportion of at most 40%, in particular at most 30%, the duration of the working cycle against the transport movement (9a ) the container (1 1) are moved back.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the print feed on the print head (5, 6) is at least 300 mm / s.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein at least one of the print heads (5, 6) is selectively inactivated in case of failure and the printing is continued with rotation of the container table (9) at a reduced angular velocity.