EP3408100B1 - Device for printing hollow bodies, and method for operating said device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for printing hollow bodies according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating a device having a segmented wheel for printing hollow bodies according to the preamble of claim 8.

Such as B. from the WO 2012/148576 A1 is known, in the packaging industry in a device for decorating hollow bodies each having a cylindrical outer surface, a plurality of printing units are mostly used. Each of these printing units transfers a printing ink to a printing blanket used by these printing units. The outer surface of the hollow body in question is then moved by a relative movement between the outer surface of the hollow body in question and the previously in particular multi-colored printing blanket, in particular by rolling the outer surface of the hollow body in question on this printing blanket, with a z. B. decorated multicolored print motif.

Such a device for printing or decorating hollow bodies, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface, is e.g. B. used in connection with a system usually having several workstations for the production of such hollow bodies, the printing or decoration of the hollow bodies being carried out by a printing process, which is why these hollow bodies can generally also be referred to as printed products. In such a system, the hollow bodies to be printed are in a mass production with z. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces per minute, e.g. B. manufactured between 1,500 and 3,000 pieces per minute. Such hollow bodies are z. B. made of metal, in particular steel or Aluminum, or made of a plastic. Such hollow bodies made of metal are z. B. used as beverage cans or as aerosol cans. Such hollow bodies made of plastic are z. B. produced in the form of thermoplastic moldings and z. B. as a cup for packaging z. B. of liquid or pasty foods, especially dairy products or beverages. The respective hollow body can, however, also be a round tube body made either of plastic or aluminum, whereby a tube is understood to be an elongated, solid, but malleable container which is intended to be filled with a particularly paste-like substance. Tubes made of aluminum are z. B. manufactured in a reverse extrusion process. Tubes made of plastic are z. B. each produced as seamless tubes by extrusion. Another type of hollow bodies to be printed in an aforementioned device can be preferably cylindrical containers or vessels made of glass, e.g. B. bottles or flacons.

Beverage cans are preferably made of aluminum and are i. d. Typically so-called two-part cans, in which a circular base together with a preferably straight cylinder jacket each consist of a single workpiece, i. H. from a so-called slug or from a round blank, d. H. a circular disc, in a forming process, e.g. B. in a cold extrusion process or in a tensile compression forming process, preferably by deep drawing, in particular by ironing deep drawing, to form a hollow body open on one side, d. H. can be manufactured into a so-called raw can and in a final production step a circular lid is placed on the cylinder jacket and connected to the cylinder jacket in an airtight manner by flanging.

Tinplate cans are another type of can. Tinplate is a tin-plated steel sheet. For the production of tinplate cans, the thickness of the steel sheet is e.g. B. 0.15 mm to 0.49 mm, the thickness of the tin layer z. B. 0.2 microns to 0.8 microns, the tin coating is used for corrosion protection. Tinplate cans are so-called Three-part cans. In order to produce the jacket of a tinplate can, a rectangular strip of sheet steel is bent into a preferably straight cylinder jacket, the ends of this strip bent to a cylinder jacket being welded in a butt joint. Then a circular base and a circular cover are placed on the cylinder jacket and the edges are flanged. In order to obtain a higher resistance to impressions for the tinplate can in question, z. B. all three parts, ie the cylinder jacket, the bottom and the cover, preferably a wave profile.

An aerosol can, also known as a spray can or spray can, is a metal can for spraying liquids. In an aerosol can, the liquid filled is under pressure, the propellant gas used to dispense the liquid in question from the can in question, for. B. propane, butane, dimethyl ether or mixtures thereof or compressed air or nitrogen is used.

The aforementioned WO 2012/148576 A1 describes a device for decorating cans, an arrangement of several printing units, each with one inking unit, being provided for the multicolored decoration of a plurality of cans, each of the inking units belonging to one of the printing units each having an ink fountain for providing printing ink, in each ink fountain In each case one ink fountain roller is provided for receiving the printing ink from the respective ink fountain, each inking unit having an inking ductor, the inking fountain in each case receiving printing ink from the respective inking fountain roller, with several oscillating inking rollers in a roller train following the respective inking fountain in the relevant inking unit and a plurality of ink transfer rollers each cooperating with at least one of the ink distributor rollers are provided, a plate cylinder with at least one printing plate being provided for each inking unit, with the respective plate cylinder only a single inking roller cooperates to apply the printing ink.

Through the WO 2016/008703 A1 is known, printing blankets on the circumference of a segment wheel each z. B. to be attached by an integral connection, preferably by an adhesive bond.

Through the WO 2016/008701 A1 an inking unit of a printing unit and a device for printing hollow bodies, each having a cylindrical outer surface, with this inking unit are known, the inking unit having an anilox roller that receives printing ink from an ink reservoir and an inking roller that is employed or at least adjustable to a printing forme cylinder of the printing unit, the printing forme cylinder and the anilox roller are each independently driven in rotation by a motor whose respective speed is regulated or at least controllable, the inking roller being driven in rotation by the anilox roller by friction, a rotary encoder detecting a rotational speed of the inking roller being provided, with a control unit being provided, whereby the speed of the inking roller is set or tracked by the control unit on the basis of a signal generated by the rotary encoder by means of the rotation of the anilox roller in such a way that synchronism between the printing form cylinder inder and the inking roller is set so that the circumferential speed of the inking roller coincides with the circumferential speed of the printing forme cylinder within previously defined permissible tolerance limits.

Through the WO 2014/008544 A1 an apparatus for printing a print image is known, comprising a first cylinder with a first inked area and a second cylinder with both a second inked area and a second non-inked area, the first and second cylinders being operated in such a way that the second colored area of the second cylinder receives printing ink from the first colored area of the first cylinder, wherein the second non-colored area of the second cylinder is at least partially colored to the first Area of the first cylinder is aligned in register, the second non-inked area of the second cylinder being designed such that a transfer of printing ink from the first inked area of the first cylinder to the second non-inked area of the first cylinder is prevented, the print image to be printed through those parts of the first colored area of the first cylinder and of the second colored area of the first cylinder are determined which are arranged in register with one another.

Through the WO 2004/109581 A2 is a device for performing a non-contact digital printing process, e.g. B. an inkjet printing process is known to individually print round objects, in particular two-part cans, without using a printing blanket, preferably several print heads are provided, each printing a single ink.

Through the US 2010/0257819 A1 a device for printing bottles or similar containers on an outer surface of the container with at least one printing station is known, past whose printing area the containers are moved on a container conveyor, with at least one print head and with a transfer element that forms at least one transfer surface and is provided on an auxiliary conveyor.

Through the DE 10 2010 001 115 A1 a device for changing printing formes on a forme cylinder using an interchangeable magazine is known.

Through the DE 102 39 160 A1 a device for printing hollow bodies is known which has a segment wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation, the segment wheel having several segments one behind the other on its circumference for receiving a printing blanket, at least one of the printing blankets arranged on one of the segments being on the hollow body to be printed is arranged to roll or at least roll, wherein a plurality of printing units are provided, wherein at least one of the printing units is adjusted or at least adjustable against at least one of the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel, at least one of the printing units having a printing forme cylinder.

Through the DE 44 16 296 A1 it is known to automatically mount not only printing plates on a plate cylinder but also a printing blanket on a rubber blanket cylinder on a sheet-fed offset printing unit.

Through the DE 10 2006 004 568 A1 A short inking unit for a printing machine is known, containing a printing forme cylinder, an inking roller that interacts with the printing forme cylinder and an anilox roller contacting the inking roller, to which a device for ink supply is assigned, with at least one leveling roller between the location of the ink supply and the contact gap between the anilox roller and the Inking roller, based on the direction of rotation of the anilox roller, is arranged, the device for ink supply being designed as a chamber doctor blade.

Through the DE 101 60 734 A1 A printing machine is known which comprises at least one printing form, a dampening unit for dampening the printing form with a dampening solution, an inking unit for inking the printing form with a printing ink and a dehumidifying device with a heating roller (temperature control roller) for reducing a proportion of the dampening solution conveyed together with the printing ink , the inking unit being designed as a lifterless short inking unit, with an inking unit roller of the inking unit having a first unwinding contact point at which the inking unit roller is in unwinding contact with the heating roller, the inking unit roller having a second unwinding contact point and a shortest conveying path for the printing ink from the inking unit roller to Printing form is given by at most one intermediate roller. Through the DE 32 32 780 A1 an inking unit for offset printing machines for printing sheets or webs with a plate cylinder is known, which receives the required color from a maximum of two inking rollers with an elastic surface, which interact with an inking cylinder to which the ink is fed via an ink supply system that produces a continuous ink film, The inking cylinder is followed by an inking roller with almost the same diameter as the plate cylinder, the inking cylinder being assigned a dampening unit with at least one roller that transfers the dampening solution and the transfer of the dampening solution to the inking cylinder in the direction of rotation of the same after the inking and before its contact point with the Inking roller takes place.

Through the DE 10 2006 048 286 A1 a method for driving a printing unit with a short inking unit in a processing machine with an anilox roller and an associated squeegee device and an inking roller arranged downstream of the anilox roller is known, which is followed by a plate / forme cylinder in the ink flow direction, the plate / forme cylinder with a blanket cylinder and the The blanket cylinder is in operative connection with an impression cylinder that carries the printing material, the anilox roller being driven by an individual drive, with the main drive providing a drive to a drive wheel of the printing cylinder and a drive wheel of the blanket cylinder and a second and first drive wheel of the plate / Form cylinder and a drive wheel of the inking roller and a drive wheel of the anilox roller is fed, the individual drive of the anilox roller is inactive, and the drive connection to the main drive between the first drive wheel and the second drive in the setup mode ebsrad of the plate / forme cylinder is separated, the individual drive of the anilox roller is activated and a drive torque is applied to the drive wheel of the anilox roller and the drive wheel of the inking roller and the first drive wheel of the plate / form cylinder by means of an individual drive.

Through the DE 196 24 440 A1 a device for filling recesses of a cylinder of a printing machine with a liquid is known, with at least two squeegee devices for filling recesses of the cylinder with the liquid being arranged on the cylinder, one application device connected to a conveying system for the liquid and one of these in the direction of rotation of the cylinder are provided downstream working doctor blades, wherein the doctor blades are attached to a beam, wherein the squeegee liquid is drained to a collecting pan.

Through the DE 89 12 194 U1 An inking unit for use in a printing machine with a working doctor blade that can be adjusted to an anilox roller and an ink pan with ink conveying means is known, the working doctor blade, the ink pan and the means for conveying the ink to the anilox roller being combined into one unit and the unit on one on the printing machine mounted carrier is releasably fastened.

Through the DE 10 2007 052 761 A1 An anilox printing unit is known which has an inking roller and an anilox roller as inking rollers, the anilox roller being mounted on pivot levers, the anilox roller and the inking roller each having bearer rings, one of which is arranged to press the bearer rings of one against the bearer rings of the other inking roller Has device springs to compensate for manufacturing tolerance-related diameter differences.

Through the DE 28 51 426 A1 a device is known for printing a respective outer surface of hollow bodies, with a transport device transporting the hollow bodies to be printed around an axis of rotation being provided, with several printing units being provided, each hollow body to be printed being transportable with the transport device into a printing area of at least one of the printing units , wherein at least one of the printing units has a printing forme cylinder and an inking unit with a single inking roller.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device for printing hollow bodies and a method for operating this device, each of which enables a rapid, in particular automated, printing blanket change.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 8. The dependent claims each relate to advantageous developments and configurations of the solution found.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Advantages that can be achieved with the invention are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken bzw. zur Dekoration von jeweils eine Mantelfläche aufweisenden Hohlkörpern;

Fig. 2

ein Farbwerk insbesondere für die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Vorrichtung in einer ersten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 3

das Farbwerk insbesondere für die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Vorrichtung in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 4

ein Kammerrakelsystem insbesondere für das in den Fig. 2 und 3 dargestellte Farbwerk;

Fig. 5

einen Plattenwechsler in einer ersten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 6

den Plattenwechsler der Fig. 5 in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 7

eine Speichereinrichtung für Drucktücher;

Fig. 8

eine Einrichtung für einen senkrechten Transport der Speichereinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher zwischen der Speichereinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 7 und einem Montageort an einem Segmentrad in der Vorrichtung gemäß der Fig. 1;

Fig. 10

die Speichereinrichtung der Fig. 7 in ihrem an der für ihren senkrechten Transport vorgesehenen Einrichtung angeordneten Betriebszustand;

Fig. 11

die Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher gemäß Fig. 9 im Querschnitt mit einem aufgestellten Spachtel zum Abnehmen eines gebrauchten Drucktuchs vom Segmentrad;

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher gemäß Fig. 9 mit dem aufgestellten Spachtel;

Fig. 13

die Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken bzw. zur Dekoration von jeweils eine Mantelfläche aufweisenden Hohlkörpern gemäß der Fig. 1 mit einer schematischen Darstellung der Segmente des Segmentrades.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a device for printing or decorating hollow bodies each having a lateral surface;

Fig. 2

an inking unit especially for the in Fig. 1 shown device in a first operating position;

Fig. 3

the inking unit especially for the in Fig. 1 shown device in a second operating position;

Fig. 4

a chamber doctor blade system in particular for the Fig. 2 and 3 illustrated inking unit;

Fig. 5

a disk changer in a first operating position;

Fig. 6

the record changer of the Fig. 5 in a second operating position;

Fig. 7

a storage device for printing blankets;

Fig. 8

a device for vertical transport of the storage device according to FIG Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

a device for a horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets between the storage device according to FIG Fig. 7 and a mounting location on a segment wheel in the device according to FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 10

the storage device of the Fig. 7 in their operating state arranged on the device provided for their vertical transport;

Fig. 11

the device for a horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets according to Fig. 9 in cross section with a spatula set up to remove a used printing blanket from the segment wheel;

Fig. 12

a perspective view of the device for a horizontal transport of one of the blankets according to FIG Fig. 9 with the spatula set up;

Fig. 13

the device for printing or decorating hollow bodies each having a lateral surface according to FIG Fig. 1 with a schematic representation of the segments of the segment wheel.

Printing in particular the outer surface of a hollow body with a z. B. multicolored print motif, ie at least one print image, is preferably carried out in a letterpress process. Alternative printing methods are e.g. B. a screen printing process or an offset printing process or a digital printing process without printing form. The invention is described below by way of example in connection with a letterpress process. To carry out the letterpress process, a printing block is arranged as a printing form on a surface of a plate cylinder. The printing block ready for use for the printing process is a printing form with a printing relief, this printing relief reproducing the printing image provided for the printing process in a mirror image, ie mirrored. In a trouble-free printing operation, only the printing relief is involved in the transfer of the printing ink supplied to the plate cylinder by the inking unit to the printing blanket. The printing form or the printing cliché has a plate-shaped, preferably flexible, carrier of finite, ie non-annular, self-contained length in the area z. B. from 250 mm to 900 mm, this carrier z. B. is formed from a steel sheet and a particularly flexible pressure body is arranged on this carrier. At least the opposite ends of the carrier in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder can, for. B. be pre-bent or angled according to the curvature of the lateral surface of the plate cylinder in order to allow easier assembly of the printing form, that is to say here in particular the printing cliché on the plate cylinder. The carrier of the printing form or the printing plate has a thickness in the range of, for. B. 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. The printing block including its carrier has a total thickness in the range of, for. B. 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm. The pressure body is z. B. formed from a plastic. The printing body is used for the production of the printing cliché z. B. exposed with a negative film reproducing the print image, with unexposed areas then from the printing body z. B. can be removed by washing or by means of a laser.

A device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface, preferably has several, e.g. B. eight or ten or twelve or even more printing units - also called printing stations - with at least one of these printing units, in the preferred embodiment all of these printing units each one rotatable Have printing forme cylinder, in particular a printing forme cylinder designed as a plate cylinder. The printing units or printing stations and possibly also the printing forme cylinders in this device are each stored in a frame and can be used in the same printing process to form a multicolored printing motif on the same hollow body according to the number of printing units or printing forme cylinders involved. The mounting of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder is preferably designed as a floating mounting, the respective printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder on one of its end faces, for. B. is mounted on a preferably conical pin. As a rule, only a single printing cliché is arranged on the outer surface of each plate cylinder, the carrier of the printing cliché completely or at least largely, in particular more than 80%, of the circumference of the plate cylinder concerned. A length of the printing body of the printing block directed in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder in question is preferably made shorter than the circumference of the plate cylinder in question. The printing forme or the printing cliché is arranged or at least can be arranged by means of its carrier in particular magnetically on the outer surface of each plate cylinder, ie the printing forme or the printing cliché is preferably held there magnetically, ie by means of a magnetic holding force. In an alternative or additional embodiment of the device for printing or decorating hollow bodies, each preferably having a cylindrical outer surface, at least one of the printing units or several of these printing units are each designed as a printing unit that prints without printing form in a digital printing process, such a printing unit in particular has at least one inkjet print head or a laser.

The, in particular, simultaneous transfer of several printing inks, in particular to the outer surface of the hollow body in question, requires this color transfer to take place in register in order to achieve a good print quality in the printing process. For an in-register arrangement of the printing form or the printing block on the outer surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder in question, correct positioning of the printing forme or of the printing block in question in the axial direction and / or circumferential direction of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder in question is necessary. In order to achieve this correct positioning, in the preferred embodiment, several z. B. in their respective position adjustable dowel pins are provided which engage in corresponding recesses formed on the printing forme or on the printing cliché and the printing forme or the printing cliché thereby with its or its arrangement on the outer surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder there a give a defined position. In a preferred embodiment, each printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder each has a diameter in the range between 100 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 120 mm and 130 mm, an axial length of the respective printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder, for example. B. between 200 mm and 250 mm, in particular between 200 mm and 220 mm. The printing block to be arranged on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder in question has a width in the axial direction of the plate cylinder in question in the range from 150 mm to 200 mm, preferably approximately 175 mm.

Each of the e.g. B. designed as a plate cylinder printing forme cylinder transfers with its printing forme or with its printing cliché in each case a certain printing ink on a printing blanket. The printing inks used are usually premixed, in particular customer-specific special colors which, with regard to their respective printability, are matched in a special way to the material of the hollow body to be printed, depending on whether a surface z. B. made of aluminum, a tinplate or a plastic is printed. In a preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decorating each z. B. a cylindrical surface having hollow bodies, a printing ink is provided from the printing form or the printing cliché to the surface of the hollow body in question transferring device. This ink-transmitting device is z. B. designed as a rotating about a preferably horizontal axis segmented wheel, wherein on the periphery of this segmented wheel, ie one behind the other along its circumference, preferably a plurality of printing blankets are arranged or at least can be arranged. As an alternative to the segmented wheel, the printing ink-transferring device can, depending on the printing process used, also be designed as a decoration drum or as a blanket cylinder or as a transfer cylinder, each of which can be rotated about a rotation axis at least during printing. The arrangement of the printing blankets on the circumference of the segmented wheel has so far taken place in that the printing blankets on the circumference of the segmented wheel are each z. B. are attached by a material connection, preferably by an adhesive. The preferably several printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders are each adjusted radially or at least adjustable against the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the relevant segmented wheel. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a device for printing or decorating one z. B. cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies is arranged along the circumference of the segment wheel one behind the other a larger number of blankets than are provided in each case radially adjusted or at least adjustable printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders on the segment wheel. The preferably carousel-like printing ink transferring device, in particular the segment wheel has a diameter of, for. B. 1,500 mm to 1,600 mm, preferably about 1,520 mm to 1,525 mm, and has at z. B. eight associated printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders on its circumference one behind the other z. B. twelve printing blankets. The surface of each printing plate is preferably designed with a greater hardness than the hardness of the respective surface of the printing blankets. The surface of the printing blankets is preferably planar, that is to say without profiling. In an operating state in which the printing form cylinders or plate cylinders involved in the printing process are each positioned radially on the printing blankets of the rotary driven segmented wheel, the respective printing forms of these printing forme cylinders or the respective printing blocks of these plate cylinders roll on the printing blankets moved by the segmented wheel, with the Printing clichés at least their printing relief z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep into the respective printing blanket and thereby produce a flattening extending in the axial direction of the segment wheel in the respective printing blanket, ie a roller strip. An intensity of this flattening is z. B. before or at the beginning of a printing process z. B. by means of a remote control by setting a contact pressure exerted by the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder on the relevant printing blanket of the segmented wheel or is set in such a way.

The hollow bodies to be printed here, for example. B. the two-part cans to be printed, z. B. by means of a hollow body to be printed, preferably along at least part of a circular path, d. H. a circular arc around an axis of rotation transporting a transport device, preferably by means of a feed wheel, in particular by means of a mandrel wheel, continuously or at a set cycle, to at least one of the printing units belonging to the device for printing a lateral surface of hollow bodies, and thus into a printing area of at least one of these printing units transported. For example, the hollow body to be printed by means of the z. B. designed as a feed wheel transport device to at least one of the z. B. on the segment wheel arranged printing blankets, or the hollow bodies to be printed are each directly and immediately by means of this transport device, d. H. without the help of a z. B. designed as a segment wheel printing ink-transmitting device in the respective printing area of at least one of these printing units transported, which is especially the case when the printing unit in question in a direct printing process, for. B. prints in an inkjet printing process.

That like z. B. the segment wheel likewise rotating about a preferably horizontal axis feed wheel or mandrel wheel has concentrically to its circumferential line in preferably equidistant distribution several, z. B. 24 or 36 holders z. B. each in the form of a mandrel protruding from one end face of the mandrel wheel or a spindle, one of the hollow bodies to be printed being held by each holder or at least being able to be held. A transport device designed as a mandrel wheel is sometimes also referred to as a rotary table with spindles. A mandrel wheel is z. B. in the EP 1 165 318 A1 described. A description of suitable holders, spindles or mandrels can be found e.g. B. in the WO 2011/156052 A1 . In the following, each mandrel is briefly referred to as a mandrel. A longitudinal axis of each mandrel is directed parallel to the axis of the mandrel wheel. In the case of each z. B. designed as a two-part box to be printed hollow bodies, each of these hollow bodies z. B. by means of a conveyor, e.g. B. a belt conveyor to which z. B. designed as a mandrel wheel transport device and there at a transfer station z. B. by means of vacuum suction on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel and then held by the mandrel in question, while the transport device designed as a mandrel wheel the respective hollow body to be printed z. B. to the segment wheel covered with at least one printing blanket and thus transported in the direction of at least one of the printing units or, in an alternative embodiment, for. B. transported directly to at least one of the printing units without a segment wheel. I. d. As a rule, a larger amount of hollow bodies to be printed are fed to the mandrel wheel with the conveyor in rapid succession. Such a conveyor is z. B. in the EP 1 132 207 A1 described.

Between an inner wall of the respective hollow body to be printed and the surface of the relevant mandrel of the mandrel wheel is preferably a gap with a width of, for. B. 0.2 mm, so that the hollow body to be printed is not held by pressing on the relevant mandrel. Each mandrel is z. B. by means of a preferably electric, controlled motor rotatable about its respective longitudinal axis and in particular adjustable to a certain circumferential speed, so that each hollow body to be printed on held by a mandrel can be rotated in addition to the rotation of the mandrel wheel by an independently executed or at least executable rotation by the mandrel. Slipping the hollow body to be printed onto one of the Mandrels of the mandrel wheel are preferably carried out during a standstill phase of the relevant mandrel, the relevant mandrel not executing any rotary movement about its own longitudinal axis during its standstill phase. The occupancy of each mandrel with a hollow body to be printed is preferably checked, e.g. B. contactless with a sensor. If there is no assignment of a mandrel with a hollow body to be printed, the mandrel wheel z. B. moved in such a way that contact of the free mandrel in question with a blanket of the segment wheel is reliably avoided.

Two-part cans to be printed are z. B. to the mandrel wheel deep-drawn in a machining station upstream of the mandrel wheel from a round blank, this upstream machining station designed as a deep-drawing device, for. B. is arranged in the same machine arrangement or production line as the device for printing or for decorating the hollow body each having a lateral surface. In a further processing station, which is usually also arranged in the same machine arrangement, the edge of each two-part can is trimmed on its open end face. Each two-part can is used in further processing stations which are usually arranged in the aforementioned machine arrangement, for. B. washed, their interior in particular washed out, optionally also painted. At least the outer surface of each two-part box is z. B. primed, especially with a white primer. After printing on their outer surface, each two-part can is from its respective holder z. B. on the mandrel wheel z. B. removed by compressed air or by a preferably switchable magnet and fed to at least one processing station downstream of the mandrel wheel, z. B. a painting station for painting the outer surface of each printed two-piece can and / or an edge processing station. The printed two-part cans go through in particular a dryer, e.g. B. a hot air dryer in order to cure the at least one printing ink applied to its respective outer surface, all of these production steps preferably being carried out in the same machine arrangement mentioned, so that the Two-part cans in this machine arrangement can be manufactured starting from a blank, ie the round blank completely, ie ready for filling.

The decoration, ie the printing process for printing in particular the respective outer surface of z. B. held on the mandrel wheel hollow bodies, in particular two-part cans, begins with all of the printing inks required for the print image to be printed on the respective outer surface of the hollow body, e.g. B. from the respective printing block of z. B. on the segmented wheel plate cylinder can be applied to the same by one of the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel. The relevant printing blanket colored with all the required printing inks then transfers these printing inks simultaneously during a single rotation of the hollow body to be printed on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel around its longitudinal axis to the circumferential surface of this hollow body. During the transfer of the printing inks from the blanket to the outer surface of the hollow body, the z. B. held by one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body with a circumferential speed of the same amount as the relevant z. B. arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel printing blanket. The respective peripheral speeds of the hollow body and printing blanket or segment wheel are therefore synchronized with one another, the z. B. held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body z. B. starting from its first point of contact with the printing blanket in question during the unwinding of its outer surface on a route from the first z. B. 50 mm from the circumferential length of the blanket from its standstill in particular until reaching the circumferential speed z. B. the segment wheel is accelerated accordingly. The segment wheel carrying the printing blanket in question is therefore the z. B. on the respective mandrel of the mandrel wheel to be set circumferential speed. The circumferential speed of the printing form cylinder carrying the printing form or of the plate cylinder carrying the printing block is or is preferably dependent on the Peripheral speed z. B. set the segment wheel. The mandrel wheel and the segment wheel are z. B. driven by the same central machine drive and optionally mechanically z. B. coupled to one another via a transmission. Alternatively, the mandrel wheel and the segment wheel are each driven individually by their own drive and z. B. controlled by a control unit in their respective rotational behavior.

In particular with reference to the device described so far for printing or for decoration, in particular of one z. B. cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies are explained below by way of example various details with reference to the aforementioned figures. However, the individual assemblies explained below can also be used on or in other printing machines or printing units than in the preferred embodiment discussed here by way of example.

Fig. 1 shows in a simplified schematic representation and by way of example a generic device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies 01, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface, e.g. B. two-part cans 01, this hollow body 01 with a conveyor z. B. sequentially the z. B. supplied as a rotating or at least rotatable feed wheel, in particular designed as a mandrel wheel 02 transport device and held there individually on a holder on this transport device. In the following, based on the selected exemplary embodiment for the printing press or the device for printing hollow bodies, it is assumed that this transport device is preferably designed as a mandrel wheel 02. With the mandrel wheel 02, a printing ink-transmitting device, e.g. B. a rotating or at least rotatable segment wheel 03 together, along the or the circumference of which several printing blankets are arranged one behind the other. In association with the segment wheel 03 mentioned by way of example, several are radial along its circumference Printing forme cylinders, in particular plate cylinders 04, which are positioned or at least adjustable on this segment wheel 03 are provided, with a printing forme, in particular a printing plate, being arranged on the respective outer surface of this printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04, this printing plate being particularly suitable for executing a letterpress process. A specific printing ink is supplied to each of the printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders 04 by means of an inking unit 06 in order to color its printing forme or printing block. In the following, it is assumed by way of example that the printing form cylinders are each designed as a plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing block.

Fig. 2 and 3 show in a simplified schematic representation some details of the inking unit 06 interacting with a plate cylinder 04, which z. B. for use in the in Fig. 1 The device shown for printing or for decoration, in particular, of hollow bodies 01 each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface is provided. The inking unit 06 proposed here advantageously has a very short, in particular two-roller, roller train consisting of only a few, preferably a maximum of five rollers, for the ink transport from an ink reservoir to the plate cylinder 04 in question. In the case of the two-roller roller train, this roller train consists only of a single inking roller 07 and an anilox roller 08. An inking unit 06 with a roller train consisting of a maximum of five rollers belongs to the class of short inking units. Fig. 2 shows an example of a (short) inking unit 06 with a two-roller roller train in a first operating position in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are positioned against one another, the inking roller 07 is positioned against the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also positioned radially against the printing ink from the plate cylinder 04 on the outer surface of the respective hollow body 01 transmitting device, in particular on the segment gear 03 are employed. Fig. 3 shows, however, for that in the Fig. 2 The inking unit 06 shown has a second operating position in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are parked from one another, the inking roller 07 from the plate cylinder 04 turned off and the plate cylinder 04 from the device transmitting the printing ink, in particular from the segmented wheel 03, are turned off. The on and off mechanism will be discussed later.

The plate cylinder 04 and the anilox roller 08 are z. B. each independently from a motor 11; 12 driven in rotation, especially in the case of the one preferably used in the Fig. 2 and 3 illustrated inking unit 06, the relevant motor 11; 12 z. B. in its respective speed of a z. B. electronic control unit is particularly regulated or at least controllable. The z. B. designed as a segment wheel 03 printing ink transmitting device is z. B. rotatively driven by its own drive or by a central machine drive. The inking roller 07 is or is driven in rotation by the anilox roller 08 through friction. In the preferred embodiment, an outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07 and an outer diameter d04 of the at least one printing form, in particular the plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing block, are equal in terms of amount. At least one printing block is arranged or at least can be arranged on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04, so that in the embodiment with the same external diameters d04; d07, the plate cylinder 04 carrying the printing block and the inking roller 07 each have an identical circumferential length. In the preferred embodiment, in the first operating position of the inking unit 06 cooperating with the plate cylinder 04, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are positioned against one another, the inking roller 07 is positioned on the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also positioned on the segmented wheel 03, at least the respective centers of the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are arranged along the same straight line G. To detect the rotation of the inking roller 07, a detection device z. B. is provided in the form of a rotary encoder, this rotary encoder in particular being rigidly connected to a shaft of the inking roller 07. The signal generated by the rotary encoder when the paint application roller 07 rotates is used by the control unit to determine the speed of the paint application roller 07 by means of the Adjust the rotation of the anilox roller 08 or, if necessary, adjust it in such a way that synchronism between the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 is established or set so that the peripheral speed of the inking roller 07 corresponds to the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04 within previously defined permissible tolerance limits. To achieve this goal, it can be provided that the control unit preferably adjusts the circumferential speed of the anilox roller 08 during the setting phase carried out by it in such a way that it has a lead or lag compared to the circumferential speed of the plate cylinder 04, particularly briefly - and therefore not permanently. By designing the plate cylinder 04 and inking roller 07 with the same circumferential length in terms of amount, and by setting the synchronism between the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07, the effect of stenciling, which is detrimental to the printing quality, is largely avoided. The drive concept described here with a friction-driven inking roller 07 also has the advantage that a separate drive is not required for the inking roller 07, which saves costs and, because of the simpler mechanical construction, e.g. B. an exchange of the inking roller 07 facilitates maintenance or repair work.

In its preferred embodiment, the inking roller 07 has a closed, preferably rubberized, lateral surface. The anilox roller 08 has a z. B. coated with a ceramic shell surface, with a hashur of z. B. 80 lines per centimeter of axial length of the anilox roller 08 or a cell structure is formed. In order to enable the largest possible amount of printing ink to be fed into the roller train of the inking unit 06 with each of its rotations with the anilox roller 08, the outer diameter d08 of the anilox roller 08 is preferably larger than the outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07. The anilox roller 08 should therefore have the largest possible delivery volume. In the Fig. 2 is the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03, the plate cylinder 04, the Inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 each indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation.

In the preferred embodiment, at least the anilox roller 08 has a temperature control device, with the aid of which the jacket surface of the anilox roller 08 is tempered. The temperature control of the anilox roller 08 works z. B. with a introduced into the interior of the anilox roller 08 temperature control fluid, wherein the temperature control fluid z. B. is water or another liquid coolant. With the temperature control device of the anilox roller 08, the delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 can be influenced, since this influences the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06. The delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 and the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06 in turn ultimately influence an ink density of the printing ink to be applied to the cylindrical outer surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed. A thickness of a color film to be applied to the cylindrical outer surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed and formed by the printing ink is, for example, approx. B. at about 3 microns.

The ink reservoir of the inking unit 06 is z. B. designed as a chamber doctor blade system 09 acting in conjunction with the anilox roller 08. Advantageously, in this chambered doctor blade system 09, at least one ink trough, a doctor blade bar that is set or at least set up parallel to the axis of the anilox roller 08 and preferably also a pump for conveying the printing ink form a single structural unit. This chamber doctor blade system 09 is in the inking unit 06, ie on a frame of the inking unit 06, preferably only on one side z. B. held or stored by a suspension, so that this unit can be easily detached from the frame of the inking unit 06 laterally, ie by a movement directed axially parallel to the anilox roller 08, for. B. can be removed from the inking unit 06 by pulling on a handle arranged on this structural unit and thus can be replaced in a simple manner, in particular without tools. This structural unit of the chamber doctor blade system 09 preferably forms a cantilever arm on a side frame of the inking unit 06. Fig. 4 shows in a perspective view the chamber doctor blade system 09 designed as a single structural unit in cooperation with the anilox roller 08 of the inking unit 06.

After the anilox roller 08 has taken up printing ink from the ink reservoir, ie in particular from the chamber doctor blade system 09, the anilox roller 08 transports this printing ink directly and via further rollers of the roller train belonging to the inking unit 06 to the preferably only one inking roller 07. In one in the direction of rotation of the anilox roller 08 the area between the chamber doctor blade system 09 and the inking roller 07 following the chamber doctor blade system 09 attached to the anilox roller 08, a rider roller 13 is preferably employed or at least adjustable to the anilox roller 08 in order to improve the ink transport of the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is arranged axially parallel to the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is not regarded as belonging to the roller train of the inking unit 06, since it does not transfer any printing ink from the anilox roller 08 to another roller. The from the anilox roller 08 z. B. rotatively driven by friction rider roller 13 has z. B. a rubberized outer surface. The rider roller 13 employed on the anilox roller 08 sucks some of the printing ink picked up by the anilox roller 08 from the chamber doctor blade system 09 from the hash or the cells of the anilox roller 08 and at least partially applies this printing ink to the surface of the anilox roller 08 as it rolls on the surface of the Anilox roller 08 formed webs. As a result, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 causes the anilox roller 08 to release a larger amount of printing ink to the inking roller 07. In a further episode, a z. B. a temperature control device having anilox roller 08 also improves the effectiveness of a control of the ink density in that the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 contributes to the provision of a larger amount of printing ink. Regardless of the specific design of the anilox roller 08, ie with or without a temperature control device, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 reduces both density differences that can arise from manufacturing tolerances of the anilox roller 08 and the risk of the hashur being visible or cells of the anilox roller 08 on the printing material, that is to say here on the outer surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed as a result of an insufficiently applied ink at least in places.

In particular, in a very advantageous embodiment of the device for printing hollow bodies is preferably in a fixed assignment z. B. a plate changer 14 is provided for each printing forme cylinder, in particular plate cylinder 04, with which the printing forme intended for the respective printing forme cylinder or the printing cliché intended for the respective plate cylinder 04 within z. B. the device in question for printing or for decorating hollow bodies 01 each having an in particular cylindrical outer surface is preferably exchangeable in an automated manner. The Fig. 5 and 6th show in a perspective representation a preferred embodiment of a very advantageously designed plate changer 14 in two different operating positions for carrying out a plate change or printing forme change that can be carried out preferably automatically, reliably and preferably in register in a very short set-up time. Fig. 5 shows a first operating position, in the axially laterally next to the printing unit on the printing forme cylinder or plate changer 14 z. B. presented a printing plate or can be removed from the plate changer 14. Fig. 6 shows a second operating position in which immediately in front of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along this from the plate changer 14 from z. B. a printing plate placed directly on the associated plate cylinder 04 or a printing plate removed from the plate cylinder 04 and removed with the plate changer 14 in its first operating position. The disk changer 14 has a particularly planar, z. B. table-shaped support surface 16 on which z. B. arranged or to be arranged on the plate cylinder 04 printing cliché can preferably be placed completely. The support surface 16 is preferably linearly movable along a transport path, in particular along the axis of rotation of the associated printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 between at least two defined positions, bi-directionally movable, ie arranged to be movable back and forth. In a Laterally next to the printing unit, the first position of the support surface 16, the plate changer 14 assumes its first operating position, in a second position of the support surface 16 located directly in front of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along the latter, its second operating position. In the first operating position, the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is at least partially in front of an end face of the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. In the second operating position, the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is preferably at least partially below the outer surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. The movement of the support surface 16 of the disc changer 14 takes place, for. B. along a cross member 17 arranged longitudinally to the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. The support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 thus has an axial travel path with respect to the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 in question. At the positions defining the first or the second operating position of the plate changer 14, the movement of the support surface 16 is e.g. B. each limited by a stop. At least the carrier of the printing block in question is z. B. formed by a trimming carried out in particular using registration marks in such a way that the relevant printing block can be arranged in register on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14. For this purpose, at least two edges of the carrier of the printing block in question, arranged at right angles to one another, are brought into touch contact with stops arranged on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14, in particular formed by register pins, a first edge of the carrier of the printing block in question on a first register pin and a second edge, orthogonal to the first edge, of the carrier of the printing block in question strikes a second register pin, one of these two register pins being changeable and preferably adjustable in its position. By setting the variable in its position register pin z. B. the relevant printing plate can be aligned in register. The adjustment of the position of the adjustable pin can be done manually or automatically. Since the printing block corresponds to the plate cylinder 04 is fed in register, is on the plate cylinder 04 z. B. no centering pin and no other register device provided.

The disk changer 14 has in its preferred embodiment, in addition to the support surface 16 for receiving a z. B. the plate cylinder 04 in particular in register to be supplied printing plates z. B. a subject in which z. B. a printing plate removed from the plate cylinder 04 can be stored. A z. B. by means of its carrier in particular magnetically held on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 concerned printing cliché z. B. by means of a tool guided tangentially to the printing form, e.g. B. by means of a guided between the carrier of the printing block and the surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question is lifted from the surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question or can at least be lifted from there. The one end of the relevant printing block lifted from the lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04 is introduced into the relevant compartment of the plate cylinder 04 by rotating the relevant plate cylinder 04. By continuing this rotation of the plate cylinder 04 in question, the entire printing block detached from the outer surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question is then pushed into the compartment of the plate changer 14 in question.

A printing block that is to be fed to the plate cylinder 04 in question, preferably in register, is held on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 by a magnetic holding force, in particular after it has been aligned in register. There is at least one stamp, preferably two stamps arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the plate cylinder 04 concerned, each with a stamp directed opposite to the magnetic holding force, towards the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14, for example. B. essentially orthogonal effective direction is provided with which at least one stamp at least one end of the printing cliché held on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 facing the plate cylinder 04 can be released from this support surface 16 and due to a lifting movement of the at least one Stamp can be transferred to the plate cylinder 04 concerned. The at least one stamp is z. B. pneumatically operated or is at least so operated. To hold the printing forme or the printing block on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 or on the outer surface of the plate cylinder 04, magnets are used, these magnets preferably being designed as permanent magnets. The previously described configuration of the plate cylinder 04 has the advantage that a conveying device for transferring the printing cliché to the relevant plate cylinder 04 or for removing the printing cliché from the relevant plate cylinder 04 is not required and the plate changer 14 can therefore be implemented very inexpensively. In particular, a plate change is carried out or at least can be carried out in an automated manner with the plate changer 14 described above.

The respective adjustment and / or adjustment of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04, inking roller 07 and / or anilox roller 08 and / or an adjustment of a contact pressure exerted by them takes place with an example in the Fig. 2 and 3 illustrated setting and parking mechanism, which will now be described in more detail. In the preferred embodiment, the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is in particular mounted at both ends on a load arm of a preferably one-sided first lever arrangement 18 consisting of a force arm and the load arm, the force arm and the load arm of this first lever arrangement 18 arranged at an angle to the force arm together around an axially parallel to the Plate cylinder 04 directed first axis of rotation 19 are pivotable. In an operative connection to the power arm of the first lever arrangement 18, a first drive 21, preferably controllable by a control unit, is used to exert a torque about the first axis of rotation 19. B. arranged in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder, whereby when this first drive 21 is actuated, depending on its direction of action, the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 arranged on the load arm of this first lever arrangement 18 is either supported by a printing blanket z. B. the segment wheel 03 is turned off or employed at the same. To limit the from the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the relevant Blanket z. B. the contact pressure exerted by the segmented wheel 03, a first stop 22 is provided, for example, for the power arm of the first lever arrangement 18, by means of which a path covered by the pivoting movement of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segmented wheel 03 is limited. With the first drive 21, the pressing force exerted by the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segmented wheel 03 is set or at least adjustable.

In the preferred embodiment, the inking roller 07 is also mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a, preferably one-sided, second lever arrangement 23 consisting of a force arm and the load arm, the force arm and the load arm of this second lever arrangement 23 together about the first axis of rotation 19, which is axially parallel to the plate cylinder 04 are pivotable. Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, the anilox roller 08 is also mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a preferably one-sided third lever arrangement 24 consisting of a force arm and the load arm, the force arm and the load arm of this third lever arrangement 24 together about a second axis of rotation directed axially parallel to the anilox roller 08 26 are pivotable, the second axis of rotation 26 of the third lever arrangement 24 being arranged on the second lever arrangement 23, the second axis of rotation 26 being designed to be stationary on the second lever arrangement 23. Arranged on the load arm of the first lever arrangement 18 is a preferably controllable second drive 27 which, when it is actuated, acts on the force arm of the second lever arrangement 23, by means of which the inking roller 07 can be adjusted to or from the plate cylinder 04 depending on the direction of action of the second drive 27. Arranged on the load arm of the second lever arrangement 23 is a preferably controllable third drive 28 which, when it is actuated, acts on the force arm of the third lever arrangement 24, by means of which the anilox roller 08, preferably together with the chamber doctor blade system 09, can be adjusted to or from the inking roller 07, depending on the direction of the third drive 28 this can be turned off. The second drive 27 and / or the third drive 28 are each z. B. also designed in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder.

It can be provided that the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 z. B. be operated together and preferably simultaneously or at least can be operated. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the second lever assembly 23 is e.g. B. limited by a preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable by an eccentric first stop system 29, whereby the contact pressure exerted by the inking roller 07 against the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is limited or at least limited. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the third lever assembly 24 is e.g. B. limited by a preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable by an eccentric second stop system 31, whereby the contact pressure exerted by the anilox roller 08 against the inking roller 07 is limited or at least can be limited. Fig. 2 shows an example of a first operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each inactive or in their idle state, whereby the anilox roller 08 to the inking roller 07 and the inking roller 07 to the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are each employed on the segment wheel 03. Fig. 3 shows an example of a second operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each actuated or in their working state, whereby the anilox roller 08 from the inking roller 07 and the inking roller 07 from the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the Printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are each turned off by segment wheel 03. The respective power arm and / or load arm of the three aforementioned lever arrangements 18; 23; 24 is or are each z. B. formed as a pair of opposing lever rods or side frame walls, between which either the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 or the inking roller 07 or the anilox roller 08 is arranged in the respective assignment described above. The three aforementioned lever arrangements 18; 23; 24 are each arranged in different vertical planes spaced apart from one another, so that they do not interfere with one another in their respective pivotability.

As already described and in Fig. 13 shown, are on the circumference of the segment 03 in a row usually several, z. B. eight to twelve printing blankets 33 are arranged, wherein in the printing process during the rotation of this segment wheel 03 about an axis of rotation 34 printing forms of the printing forme cylinders or printing blocks of the plate cylinder 04 roll on the printing blankets 33 moved with this segment wheel 03. During the unwinding, the printing plates press at least their printing relief z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep into the respective printing blanket 33, whereby the printing blankets are subject to wear and tear and depending on their nature and in particular mechanical stress after a certain number of prints, e.g. B. after 50,000 printed hollow bodies 01 must be renewed. If in a device having this segment wheel 03 for printing or for decorating hollow bodies 01, that is, in a so-called decorator, in a mass production z. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces of this hollow body 01 per minute, z. If, for example, between 1,500 and 3,000 pieces per minute are produced, then the renewal of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 is due quite frequently, possibly every half hour or approximately every three quarters of an hour. In order to keep the productivity of such a device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies 01 high, a solution is sought to carry out the necessary renewal of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 with the shortest possible set-up time. Since a decorator is often a processing station within a production plant or machine arrangement that produces hollow bodies ready for filling, it becomes clear that if the decorator comes to a standstill, the entire production of hollow bodies can come to a standstill. On the other hand, by shortening the set-up time on the decorator, the productivity of the entire production plant or machine arrangement for the production of hollow bodies that are ready for filling can be increased.

As a solution, it is proposed to provide a device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 in association with the segment wheel 03. In the preferred Execution is each of these to be arranged on the segment wheel 03 printing blankets 33 each on a preferably flat plate-shaped metal support with a material thickness of z. B. 0.2 mm cohesively, in particular applied by an adhesive. The respective preferably magnetizable metal carrier is then, together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it, on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03, for. B. by at least one holding magnet provided there on the circumference for each printing blanket 33 or its support, in particular correctly positioned. To support the correct positional arrangement of the respective metal carrier on the relevant segment 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03, z. B. on the leading edge 37 of the respective metal carrier in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03 each has an acute-angled hanging leg 38, this hanging leg 38 when the respective metal carrier is arranged on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 into one on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03 parallel to the axis of rotation 34 directed z. B. formed as a groove recess 36 engages and comes to rest on a leading edge 39 of the relevant recess 36 in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03, in particular in a form-fitting manner. The printing blankets 33 are each preferably designed as a rubber blanket. The direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03 carried out during the printing process is in the Fig. 13 indicated by a direction of rotation arrow. The hollow bodies 01, which are brought up to the segmented wheel 03 by the mandrel wheel 02 rotating about the axis of rotation 41 on a mandrel, are individually and briefly one after the other in the printing process, i.e. for a single rotation of the hollow body 01 to be printed on, through a primarily radial movement of the mandrel in question relevant currently printing blanket 33 pressed on.

The device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is preferably of modular construction and, as in FIG Figures 7 to 12 shown as an example - as modules z. B. a memory device 42 for several, z. B. up to twelve blankets 33 on ( Fig. 7 ) and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned Storage device 42 ( Fig. 8 ) and a device 44 for the horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and an installation location on the segmented wheel 03 ( Fig. 9 ). The Fig. 10 shows the storage device 42 in its operating state arranged on the device 43 provided for its vertical transport. The storage device 42 has in a preferably cuboid housing several vertically arranged compartments, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored on its back, ie lying on its carrier, preferably in a horizontal orientation, wherein in the housing z. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segment wheel 03 has segments 32 for blankets 33 on its circumference. The subjects are each z. B. open at least on one of its long sides in order to enable the respective blanket 33 to be fed in or removed from the open side of the respective compartment. This storage device 42 is preferably on or on a carrier of the device 43 for the vertical transport of this storage device 42 as a light, z. B. toolless replaceable module attached or at least attachable. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. designed executing a lifting movement, the vertical travel z. B. is about 200 mm. The lifting movement of the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. carried out by means of a preferably driven by an electric motor trapezoidal screw spindle. In order to transport the individual printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and an assembly location on a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03, a device 44 for the horizontal transport of these printing blankets 33 is provided. This device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has, for. B. a carriage 46 which can be moved bidirectionally, in particular linearly, between two end points, a single printing blanket 33 being transported or at least transportable with the carriage 46. A blanket 33 automatically removed from the storage device 42 is preferably lying on its back on the carriage 46 against a z. B. under the segment wheel 03 located assembly location and transported there recorded by a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03. A blanket 33 to be removed from a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is preferably peeled off from the relevant segment 32 with a spatula 47 that is set against the relevant segment 32 or at least that can be set there and, from its dismantling location on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, for. B. transported lying on the carriage 46 to the storage device 42, the spatula 47 employed at an acute angle or tangentially to the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 in connection with a rotary movement of the segment wheel 03 directed against the spatula 47 in the preferred embodiment in particular, metal carrier of the relevant printing blanket 33, which is held magnetically on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, lifts off the relevant segment 32 and thus from the circumference of this segmented wheel 03. In the Fig. 11 the spatula 47 is shown both in an operating position set against the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 and in a parked operating position, these two operating positions being assumed alternatively.

The renewal or replacement of at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 is then preferably carried out as follows:
The segment wheel 03 rotates a printing blanket 33, which is arranged on its circumference, and is to be removed, into a rotational angle position at which this printing blanket 33 can be dismantled with the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33. This angle of rotation position is z. B. the nadir of the segment wheel 03 or is at least close to the base of the segment wheel 03, z. B. in an angular range of ± 45 ° from the nadir. The slide 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 moves along its travel path to the end point which is closest to the dismantling location of the printing blanket 33 to be removed. This position of the slide 46 assigned to the dismantling location is preferably monitored by sensors and / or by a first switching element 48, e.g. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. Thereafter, the spatula 47 is preferably positioned on the edge 37 of the metal support of the relevant printing blanket 33 to be removed, which is trailing in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03. By at least a brief rotary movement of the segmented wheel 03 against its direction of rotation carried out during the printing process, the printing blanket 33, which is preferably held magnetically on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, is peeled off from the circumference of this segmented wheel 03, ie the metal carrier of the printing blanket 33 is removed from its support on the segmented wheel 03 by means of of the spatula 47 lifted off. The spatula 47 is then placed back from the circumference of the segmented wheel 03. The printing blanket 33 released from the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 then falls due to gravity either directly into a storage device for worn printing blankets 33 or is transported to this storage device for worn printing blankets by means of the slide 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33.

In at least one compartment, preferably in all compartments of the storage device 42 provided for several new printing blankets 33, a new printing blanket 33 glued to a metal carrier is inserted, this storage device 42 being preferably arranged in a raised upper position by the device 43 for its vertical transport . The slide 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and the installation location on the segmented wheel 03 is arranged below the compartment with the new printing blanket 33. By lowering this storage device 42 carried out by the device 43 for vertical transport, the new printing blanket 33 is placed on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for horizontal transport. It is preferably sensory and / or by a second switching element 49, for. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch, monitors whether the new blanket 33 has actually been placed on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for horizontal transport. If not, an is issued Error message. Otherwise, i.e. in the error-free state, the slide 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 moves along its travel path to the end point which is closest to the installation location of the new printing blanket 33, this position of the slide 46 assigned to the installation location in turn is preferably monitored by sensors and / or by a third switching element 51, e.g. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. The segment wheel 03 is also already in a rotational angle position suitable for receiving the new printing blanket 33, this rotational angle position being e.g. B. - as before - is located at the base of the segmented wheel 03 or in its vicinity. In the preferred embodiment, the new printing blanket 33 is aligned in its position at least in register by an impact against at least stop 52 before it is mounted on the circumference of segmented wheel 03. To move the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33, a drive is provided, this drive z. B. is designed as a compressed air cylinder. In order to mount the new printing blanket 33 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, this segmented wheel 03 rotates in its direction of rotation carried out during the printing process and thereby takes the new printing blanket 33 on its circumference. The slide 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 is then moved again to the storage device 42 for the several new printing blankets 33 in order to fetch another new printing blanket 33 if necessary.

In order to reduce set-up times on a decorator, a device for printing hollow bodies 01 is now proposed which has a segment wheel 03 rotatable about an axis of rotation 34, the segment wheel 03 having several segments 32 one behind the other on its circumference, each for receiving a printing blanket 33, with at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 being arranged to roll or at least roll off the hollow body 01 to be printed, with several printing units being provided, with at least one of the printing units being connected to at least one of the ones on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 arranged printing blankets 33 is employed or at least adjustable, with at least one of the printing units having a printing forme cylinder 04, with a plate changer 14 for automatically changing a printing forme on this printing forme cylinder 04 being arranged in association with the respective printing forme cylinder 04, and with one in association with the segment wheel 03 A device for automatically changing at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03 is arranged. The plate changer 14 preferably has a support surface 16 on which the printing form to be arranged or arranged on the printing forme cylinder 04 can be placed, this support surface 16 being movable bidirectionally along a transport path between at least two defined positions. The printing forme to be supplied to the printing forme cylinder 04 is z. B. held on the support surface 16 of the disk changer 14 by a magnetic holding force. The device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is particularly modular, with a storage device 42 for several printing blankets 33 as well as a device 43 for vertical transport of this storage device 42 and a device 44 for horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between of the storage device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03. The storage device 42 has a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other in a housing, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least can be stored. The printing blankets 33 are each stored in the storage device 42 preferably lying on their backs and / or in a horizontal orientation. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. executing a lifting movement and / or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a bidirectionally movable carriage 46 between two end points, with the carriage 46 each transporting a single printing blanket 33 or at least being transportable. The plate changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 are, for. B. each controlled by a control unit, the disc changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the In a preferred embodiment, printing blankets 33 are active at the same time and each change a printing form or a printing blanket 33 during the same interruption in production of this device for printing hollow bodies 01. The printing forme to be arranged on the printing forme cylinder 04 is preferably in register with regard to its mounting position on the printing forme cylinder 04 on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 and / or the printing blanket 33 to be arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 is on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the Printing blankets 33 are arranged in the correct position with regard to its assembly position on a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03. An inking unit 06 transporting printing ink to the printing forme cylinder 04 is preferably designed as a short inking unit having an anilox roller 08.

With regard to a device for printing hollow bodies 01, which has a segment wheel 03 rotatable about an axis of rotation 34, the segment wheel 03 having several segments 32 one behind the other on its circumference, each for receiving a printing blanket 33, at least one of the segments being arranged on one of the segments 32 Printing blankets 33 are arranged to roll or at least roll off the hollow body 01 to be printed, with adjacent segments 32 each being separated from one another by a recess 36 directed parallel to the axis of rotation 34 of the segment wheel 03, it is also proposed that each of the printing blankets 33 each rest on a plate-shaped metallic Carrier is arranged, wherein the carrier together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it as such is arranged or at least can be arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 so as to be exchangeable as a whole, the carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 on this segment 32 in a m form fit and / or is held in a force fit. Each carrier of a printing blanket 33 is preferably bent at an acute angle at its leading edge 37 in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03, this bevel 38, in the operating state of this carrier arranged on a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03, against an edge 39 of the leading in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03 relevant recess 36 formed on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 is applied, wherein the bevel 38 of the carrier is arranged or at least can be arranged in a form fit on this edge 39 of the recess 36. The plate-shaped metallic carrier is particularly flexible and, together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it, forms e.g. B. a metal blanket. The carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 is held on this segment 32 by a magnetic force. On the circumference of the segment gear 03, several, z. B. eight to twelve segments 32 each arranged for receiving a blanket 33. In association with the segment gear 03 is z. B. a device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is provided, the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is preferably modular and as modules a storage device 42 for several printing blankets 33 and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 and a device 44 for the horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03. The storage device 42 has in a housing in particular a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least can be stored. In the housing of the storage device 42, for. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segment wheel 03 has segments 32 for blankets 33 on its circumference. In the preferred embodiment, the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is designed to perform a lifting movement and / or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a carriage 46 which can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with one in each case being the carriage 46 individual printing blanket 33 is transported or at least can be transported.

There is also a method for operating a device having a segmented wheel 03 for printing hollow bodies 01, with several segments 32 having a plurality of segments 32 one behind the other on its circumference on at least one segment 32 Segment wheel 03 a printing blanket 33 is arranged in each case, with at least one printing blanket 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 rolling on the hollow body 01 to be printed upon rotation of the segment wheel 03, with a device provided in association with the segment wheel 03 for the automatic changing of printing blankets 33 According to a command given to its control unit, the printing blanket 33 to be arranged on the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is automatically removed from a storage device 42 and transported to the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03. The device for automatically changing printing blankets 33 has a device 44 for horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 with a movable carriage 46, the printing blankets 33 to be transported being transported lying on the carriage 46. In this case, a printing blanket 33 lying on the carriage 46 is preferably arranged in the correct position and / or in register with regard to an assembly position on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03. In particular, a plurality of printing blankets 33 are stored in the storage device 42, the printing blankets 33 each being stored individually one after the other on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 and being transported one after the other to one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03. A printing blanket 33 to be arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is arranged on the relevant segment 32 in particular by a form fit produced between the relevant segment 32 and the printing blanket 33 when this segmented wheel 03 rotates. A arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 printing blanket 33 is preferably by a z. B. magnetic frictional connection held on the segment 32 concerned. A printing blanket 33 removed from one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is likewise preferably transported away from the relevant segmented wheel 03 with the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33. It is preferably provided that the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 alternately transports away a printing blanket 33 removed from one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 and a new, ie unused printing blanket 33 is transported from storage device 42 to a free segment 32 of segmented wheel 03, ie to a segment 32 on which no printing blanket 33 is currently arranged. By means of a switching element 49 z. B. monitors whether a blanket 33 to be removed or removed from the storage device 42 has actually and / or correctly positioned on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport.

List of reference symbols

01

Hollow body; Two-part box

02

Mandrel wheel

03

Segment wheel

04

Plate cylinder

05

-

06

Inking unit

07

Inking roller

08

Anilox roller

09

Chamber doctor blade system

10

-

11

engine

12

engine

13

Rider roll

14th

Record changer

15th

-

16

Support surface

17th

traverse

18th

Lever assembly, first

19th

Axis of rotation, first

20th

-

21st

Drive, first

22nd

Stop, first

23

Lever assembly, second

24

Lever assembly, third

25th

-

26th

Axis of rotation, second

27

Drive, second

28

Drive, third

29

Stop system, first

30th

-

31

Stop system, second

32

Segment (03)

33

Blanket

34

Axis of rotation (03)

35

-

36

Recess

37

Edge (33)

38

Suspension legs (33)

39

Edge (36)

40

-

41

Rotation axis (02)

42

Storage facility

43

Facility

44

Facility

45

-

46

Sledge

47

spatula

48

Switching element, first

49

Switching element, second

50

-

51

Switching element, third

52

attack

d04

outer diameter

d07

outer diameter

d08

outer diameter

G

Straight

Claims (15)

1. A device for printing on hollow bodies (01), having a segmented wheel (03) which is rotatable about a rotational axis (34), wherein the segmented wheel (03) has a plurality of segments (32) one behind the other on its periphery, each for receiving a printing blanket (33), wherein at least one of the printing blankets (33) arranged on one of the segments (32) is arranged rolling or at least capable of rolling along the hollow body (01) to be printed on, characterized in that each of the printing blankets (33) is arranged on a plate-shaped metallic substrate, wherein said plate-shaped metallic substrate is embodied as flexible and, together with the printing blanket (33) arranged thereon, forms a metal printing blanket, wherein each of the metal printing blankets formed from the substrate together with the printing blanket (33) arranged thereon is or at least can be arranged as such, changeable as a complete unit, on one of the segments (32) of the segmented wheel (03), wherein the substrate of the metal printing blanket in question arranged on one of the segments (32) of the segmented wheel (03) is held on this segment (32) in a form-fitting connection and/or in a force-fitting connection.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that adjacent segments (32) are separated from one another by a recess (36) aligned parallel to the rotational axis (34) of the segmented wheel (03), wherein the substrate of the metal printing blanket in question is bent at an acute angle at its leading edge (37) in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel (03), wherein when this metal printing blanket is in the operating state, arranged on a segment (32) of the segmented wheel (03), this bent edge (38) of the substrate is placed on a leading edge (39) of the recess (36) in question, in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel (03), formed on the periphery of the segmented wheel (03), wherein the bent edge (38) of the substrate is or at least can be arranged in a form-fitting connection on this edge (39) of the recess (36).
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a device for automatically changing the metal printing blankets is provided, assigned to the segmented wheel (03).
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the device for automatically changing the metal printing blankets is modular is construction and includes as modules a magazine (42) for a plurality of metal printing blankets along with a device (43) for transporting the aforementioned magazine (42) vertically and a device (44) for transporting the metal printing blankets horizontally, one at a time, between the magazine (42) and one of the segments (32) of the segmented wheel (03).
5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the device (44) for transporting the metal printing blankets horizontally has a carriage (46), which is movable bidirectionally between two end points, wherein the carriage (46) transports or is at least capable of transporting a single metal printing blanket at a time.
6. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that a plurality of printing units are provided, wherein at least one of the printing units is or at least can be thrown onto at least one of the printing blankets (33) arranged on the periphery of the segmented wheel (03), wherein at least one of the printing units includes a printing form cylinder (04), wherein a plate changer (14) for automatically changing a printing form on said printing form cylinder (04) is provided, assigned to the printing form cylinder (04) in question.
7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the plate changer (14) has a bearing surface (16) on which the printing form that is or will be arranged on the printing form cylinder (04) can be placed, wherein this bearing surface (16) is movable bidirectionally along a transport path between at least two defined positions, wherein the printing form to be arranged on the printing form cylinder (04) is placed on the bearing surface (16) of the plate changer (14) true to register with respect to its mounting position on the printing form cylinder (04).
8. A method for operating a device that includes a segmented wheel (03) for printing on hollow bodies (01), wherein a metal printing blanket (33) is arranged on at least one segment (32) of the segmented wheel (03), which has a plurality of segments (32) one behind the other on its periphery, wherein when the segmented wheel (03) rotates, at least one metal printing blanket (33) arranged on one of the segments (32) rolls along the hollow body (01) to be printed on, characterized in that a device for automatically changing metal printing blankets (33), assigned to the segmented wheel (03), automatically removes the metal printing blanket (33) to be arranged on the segment (32) in question of the segmented wheel (03) from a magazine (42) in response to a command issued to the control unit of said device and transports said blanket to the segment (32) in question of the segmented wheel (03) .
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the device for automatically changing metal printing blankets (33) has a device (44) for transporting the metal printing blankets (33) horizontally which has a movable carriage (46), wherein the metal printing blankets (33) to be transported are transported lying on the carriage (46).
10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that a plurality of metal printing blankets (33) are stored in the magazine (42), wherein the metal printing blankets (33) are placed individually, one after the other, on the carriage (46) of the device (44) for transporting the metal printing blankets (33) horizontally, and are transported in succession to one of the segments (32) of the segmented wheel (03).
11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the device (44) for transporting the metal printing blankets (33) horizontally alternately transports a metal printing blanket (33) removed from one of the segments (32) of the segmented wheel (03) away and transports a new metal printing blanket (33) from the magazine (42) to an unoccupied segment (32) of the segmented wheel (03).
12. The method according to claim 9 or 10 or 11, characterized in that the process is monitored by sensory means or by a switching element (49) to determine whether a metal printing blanket (33) to be removed from the magazine (42) has been placed on the carriage (46) of the device (44) for horizontal transport.
13. A machine arrangement for producing hollow bodies (01) ready for filling, including a device for printing on the hollow bodies (01) according to any of claims 1 to 7.
14. The machine arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the machine arrangement is configured for producing hollow bodies ready for filling, wherein the hollow bodies (01) are made of metal, in particular of aluminum or a plastic and/or each of the hollow bodies (01) is embodied as a two-part can.
15. The machine arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a mandrel wheel is located upstream of the device for printing on the hollow bodies (01) in the direction of transport of the hollow bodies (01), wherein the mandrel wheel and the segmented wheel (03) are each driven individually by a separate, dedicated drive, and the rotation of each is controlled by a control unit.

Images