EP3450177A1 - Station de nettoyage pour une station d'impression directe - Google Patents

Station de nettoyage pour une station d'impression directe Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3450177A1
EP3450177A1 EP18170331.5A EP18170331A EP3450177A1 EP 3450177 A1 EP3450177 A1 EP 3450177A1 EP 18170331 A EP18170331 A EP 18170331A EP 3450177 A1 EP3450177 A1 EP 3450177A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning
head
nozzle
print head
suction nozzle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP18170331.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3450177B1 (fr
Inventor
Viktor Gette
Josef Schindler
Dr. Johannes Regensburger
Christian Hajek
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Krones AG
Original Assignee
Krones AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Krones AG filed Critical Krones AG
Publication of EP3450177A1 publication Critical patent/EP3450177A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3450177B1 publication Critical patent/EP3450177B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16552Cleaning of print head nozzles using cleaning fluids
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16505Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
    • B41J2/16508Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
    • B41J2/16511Constructions for cap positioning
    • B41J2/16514Constructions for cap positioning creating a distance between cap and printhead, e.g. for suction or pressurising
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/1652Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
    • B41J2/16532Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head by applying vacuum only
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16535Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16535Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
    • B41J2/16538Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4073Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/135Nozzles
    • B41J2/165Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16552Cleaning of print head nozzles using cleaning fluids
    • B41J2002/16555Air or gas for cleaning

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cleaning station according to the preamble of claim 1 and a direct printing machine with the cleaning station.
  • Print heads for direct inkjet printing on containers usually have a large number of fine print nozzles which must be cleaned at regular intervals to ensure perfect print images on containers to be printed.
  • a cleaning station is known, which is mounted in the area of a direct printing machine to clean printheads on the direct printing machine.
  • up to two superposed horizontally displaceably mounted printheads can be driven simultaneously to the cleaning station and cleaned at this.
  • the printheads are then sprayed, for example, with a cleaning liquid, stripped with a wiper lip of the pressure nozzles and sucked, and collected the thus removed cleaning liquid with ink residues and finally pumped out.
  • the problem here is that, in particular when vacuuming cleaning fluid and ink residues with relatively precise distance must be worked to avoid both damage to the print nozzles and a suction of ink from the printing nozzles. Furthermore, the spraying of the printheads usually leads to contamination in the vicinity of the cleaning station and / or printheads by sprays and / or splashes with ink residues.
  • a cleaning station designed for a direct printing station of a direct printing machine and comprises at least one with respect to at least one print head of the direct printing station in particular vertically movable cleaning head for cleaning the print head.
  • the cleaning head comprises a cleaning nozzle for ejecting a cleaning liquid and a suction nozzle for sucking the cleaning liquid from the print head.
  • the cleaning head further comprises at least one spacer roller protruding, in particular via the suction nozzle, toward the print head for maintaining a minimum distance between the suction nozzle and the print head.
  • the suction nozzle is arranged, for example, above and / or below the cleaning nozzle.
  • the minimum distance can be adjusted by means of the spacer roller so that excess ink residues and cleaning liquid are sucked out at the edge of the printing nozzles and / or between them, without additionally sucking ink from the printing nozzles. Consequently, the cleaning effect can also be optimized.
  • the printhead comprises an optionally also foil-like nozzle plate with the pressure nozzles and a dimensionally stable enclosure made of metal, in particular stainless steel, for the nozzle plate.
  • the printhead is also seated in a non-stick printhead plate.
  • the spacer roll rolls in the suction preferably on the dimensionally stable enclosure and thereby maintains a defined Absaugabstand between the suction nozzle and the pressure nozzles.
  • the defined extraction distance prevents damage and especially scratching of the printhead.
  • the minimum distance during suction is preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mm.
  • the maximum distance during suction is preferably 0.3 to 0.5 mm.
  • the enclosure could project beyond the nozzle plate of the printhead.
  • the printhead can be driven with the printhead plate preferably under a predetermined contact pressure against the spacer roller in the direction of the suction nozzle. During the extraction and simultaneous vertical movement of the cleaning head, the spacer roller thus remains in constant contact with the print head.
  • the cleaning head further comprises an inwardly elastically resilient support for the suction nozzle and the spacer roller.
  • Suction nozzle and spacer roller are then preferably part of an in the cleaning head springing assembly. This favors a constant contact of the spacer roller with the print head even with a non-ideal orthogonal adjustment of the cleaning station with respect to the print head, with manufacturing tolerances or the like.
  • the compliant bearing facilitates pressing the printhead against the spacer roller with a suitable pressing force that equally enables reliable contact of the spacer roller with the printhead and gentle relative movement of the cleaning station and printhead to one another.
  • the cleaning head further comprises a linear guide for the suction nozzle and the spacer roller away from the print head / to the print head and in particular horizontally aligned.
  • the suction nozzle and the spacer roller are then part of a common Assembly displaceable by means of the linear guide.
  • the suction nozzle can thereby drive with reproducible and controllable distance over the pressure nozzles.
  • the cleaning head preferably comprises a cleaning liquid wiping lip arranged between the suction nozzle and the cleaning nozzle.
  • the wiper lip allows cleaning of the print head plate and the mechanically stable enclosure of the nozzle plate in a single operation.
  • the stripping of the enclosure serves in particular to minimize contamination of the spacer roller with ink residues and / or cleaning liquid or to avoid altogether.
  • the wiper lip is preferably shaped so that it does not touch the nozzle plate. As a result, an unnecessary wear of the nozzle plate can be avoided and, in particular, dirt particles, dried-on ink residues or the like can be pressed by the wiper lip into the pressure nozzles.
  • the wiper lip is preferably designed in such a way that cleaning fluid draining therefrom is conducted with ink residues downwards in the direction of a drain and / or sump.
  • a drainage channel can be integrated on the upper side of the wiper lip, so that cleaning liquid dripping down from above is passed with ink residues therein laterally to the drainage and / or collecting trough.
  • the wiper lip is also preferably formed as a splash guard for the cleaning fluid and ink residues upwards.
  • the wiper lip consists for example of a suitable elastic material, such as silicone rubber, of an elastic thermoplastic or the like.
  • the spacer roller is preferably present on the cleaning head at least twice and in particular at least fourfold, and then arranged both above and below the suction nozzle. This allows a guide of the suction nozzle via the print head with a small and constant Absaugabstand even with a not ideal parallel guidance of the cleaning station along the surface to be cleaned of the print head.
  • the cleaning nozzle is preferably arranged in a cleaning chamber open towards the print head.
  • the cleaning chamber then has, for example, a rear wall, in which the cleaning nozzle is arranged, as well as side walls such that cleaning fluid and ink residues from the side walls and the rear wall can drain into a drain and / or collecting trough arranged below.
  • the ceiling of the cleaning chamber can be from a Cover plate are formed or from a drain pan another, arranged above cleaning chamber.
  • the cleaning nozzle is for example a hollow cone nozzle and / or a flat jet nozzle. Such nozzles can be arranged in any combination and number in the cleaning chamber.
  • Hollow cone nozzles are suitable for a particularly fine wetting of the printhead nozzles with low consumption of cleaning fluid.
  • Flat jet nozzles are particularly suitable for the directional wetting of the nozzle plate, its enclosure and / or the surrounding printhead plate optionally from a plurality of variably adjustable nozzles. Individual flat jet nozzles could be blocked, for example by means of screw plugs. Likewise, individual flat jet nozzles could be tilted and / or pivoted.
  • the number of rays, beam intensity, and / or beam angle for wetting the nozzle plate, its enclosure, and / or the printhead plate can be flexibly adapted to particular printhead types, levels of contamination, or the like.
  • the cleaning chamber is bordered on both sides by splash guard strips that reach down into a drain and / or collecting trough for the cleaning fluid and / or ink residues.
  • the splash guard strips are preferably made of a material resistant to the cleaning fluid and ink residues and formed, for example, as elastic sealing lips.
  • the splash guard strips preferably engage in corresponding grooves on the print head, wherein a clearance to compensate for tolerances and / or positioning inaccuracies is provided between the splashguards and the grooves. By the intervention of the splash guard is still sufficient splash protection in the lateral direction between the cleaning chamber and printhead given.
  • Cleaning fluid and ink residue can then run down on the inside of the splash guard and be collected by the drain and / or collection trough.
  • the splash guard are preferably down over their attachment to the cleaning head over. This facilitates a targeted dripping of the cleaning fluid and ink residues in the drain and / or sump. Consequently, soiling can be reliably avoid by splashes, running cleaning liquid or the like.
  • the cleaning head further comprises at least one pressure gas nozzle arranged between the cleaning nozzle and the suction nozzle for blowing off the cleaning liquid from the print head.
  • the removal of residues of the cleaning agent and / or of ink residues can be specifically improved by means of compressed air or similar compressed gas.
  • compressed gas nozzles can be adjusted in terms of their beam angle with respect to the printhead to be cleaned in a suitable manner.
  • compressed gas nozzles can be targeted for individual areas of the print head and selectively switched on or switched off.
  • the cleaning station further comprises a lifting device with a rotor for lifting the cleaning head from a parking position into a cleaning area.
  • the cleaning area is then preferably above the parking position.
  • the print head to be cleaned can then be moved horizontally from its working position into the cleaning area.
  • the cleaning head can then preferably be moved along the print head in the vertical direction in order to spray the print head in a targeted manner and to blow off, strip and suck off liquids from wetted surfaces.
  • the printheads can then additionally be moved to a parking position.
  • Printheads that are not needed for a particular print image can thereby be protected from potentially adverse effects such as UV light from ping lamps, dust or the like.
  • parking positions enable careful positioning of the printheads at the end of production, overnight or the like.
  • the cleaning station comprises two on the runner superimposed cleaning heads.
  • the cleaning heads are preferably modular and firmly mounted one above the other.
  • the cleaning chamber of the upper cleaning head can be closed at the bottom of a sump, which also serves as a cover for the cleaning chamber of the lower cleaning head.
  • Cleaning fluid and ink residue can then be passed from the sump of the upper cleaning head in the cleaning chamber of the lower cleaning head and run there on the side walls and / or the rear wall in a down-closing drain pan.
  • Both cleaning heads may otherwise have similar characteristics, so that two printheads can be cleaned simultaneously or overlapping.
  • the cleaning station comprises a further lifting device with a rotor for lifting a third cleaning head laterally offset with respect to the stacked first and second cleaning heads from a parking position into a cleaning area for a third print head.
  • the positioning of the associated print head also occurs in the third cleaning head as described above. Consequently, three printheads with a total of vertically overlapping pressure nozzles can be cleaned simultaneously at the cleaning station as previously described.
  • the third cleaning head then essentially has the features described with respect to the first and second cleaning heads.
  • All cleaning heads are preferably modular and preferably differ only by the ceilings and collecting / drainage pans their cleaning chambers.
  • the lifting device for the first and second cleaning head is then preferably designed as a pneumatically controlled multi-position cylinder, the further lifting device for the third cleaning head, for example, as a pneumatic cylinder with only one switching position.
  • the lifting devices are preferably formed with locking elements for the raised cleaning heads, for example, to prevent their sagging in case of power failure and / or pneumatic failure. Among other things, this serves to protect the printheads.
  • the lifting devices preferably further comprise linear guides for the cleaning heads, optionally in the form of telescopic rails.
  • the walls of the cleaning chamber, drain and / or collecting troughs, splash guard strips, spacer rollers, wiper lips or similar surfaces that come into direct contact with the cleaning fluid and ink residues are preferably provided with a hydrophobic and / or with respect to the cleaning fluid and printing inks resistant coating.
  • the coating may, for example, have a lotus effect for improved cleaning of the coated surfaces.
  • a coating of the type "Tufram 615P" is particularly suitable.
  • the printhead plate is preferably coated accordingly to facilitate its cleaning.
  • these are preferably arranged so that at the same time several print heads for overlapping printing in the so-called “stitching" can be cleaned with them.
  • Such printheads are in their working positions total offset both vertically and horizontally to each other. This results in a corresponding positioning of the print heads in their cleaning areas.
  • the printheads are preferably formed for purge during ongoing operation of the associated direct printing machine, the cleaning station then being adapted to start up the cleaning area during the purge.
  • the direct printing station comprises a cleaning station according to at least one of the preceding claims and to the cleaning head / cleaning heads horizontally movable to print heads. Each associated cleaning head and print head can then be moved vertically or horizontally in a common cleaning area.
  • the printheads comprise dimensionally stable enclosures for the printing nozzles and / or nozzle plate, wherein the spacer roller is arranged or the spacer rollers are arranged at a distance from each other so that they can roll on the enclosure next to the printing nozzles. This allows non-contact cleaning of the pressure nozzles with a constant distance to suction nozzles moving across it.
  • the printheads are seated in printhead plates having vertically extending grooves for engaging splash guard rails formed on the cleaning heads.
  • This allows a reliable side splash protection with simultaneous play between the splash guard and the grooves of the cover plate.
  • a reliable function in terms of splash protection and the required relative movement between the cleaning head and printhead is given even with dimensional tolerances and / or positioning tolerances.
  • the cleaning station 100 comprises vertically movable cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 for cleaning horizontally movable printheads 4, 5, 6.
  • the printheads 4, 5, 6 are in the Fig. 1 partially obscured by the cleaning heads 1, 2, 3.
  • the cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 are attached to lifting devices 7, 8 and can be raised at these parking positions 9, 10 in cleaning areas 11, 12, 13, ie substantially to the height of the associated print heads 4, 5, 6.
  • a first cleaning head 1 and a second cleaning head 2 are fixedly arranged one above the other and can be moved together on a first lifting device 7.
  • a first lifting device 7 includes, for example, a pneumatically driven multi-position cylinder 7a with a rotor 7b and a first vertical linear guide 7c.
  • the first cleaning head 1 can be raised in a vertical direction 14 into a first cleaning area 11 common to a first print head 4, and a second cleaning head 2 into a second cleaning area 12 common to a second print head 5.
  • the first and second print head 4, 5 are separated from each other from their working positions in the first and second cleaning region 11, 12 in the horizontal direction 15 movable. In their working positions, the first and second print heads 4, 5 are arranged in alignment for an overlapping combination printing.
  • a third cleaning head 3 is mounted separately vertically movable on a second lifting device 8 in the printing direction laterally offset thereto.
  • the second lifting device 8 comprises, for example, a pneumatically operated setting cylinder 8a with a rotor 8b and a second linear guide 8c for the third cleaning head 3.
  • the third cleaning head 3 can be lifted into a third cleaning area 13 common to a third print head 6.
  • the third print head 6 can also be moved horizontally from its working position into the third cleaning area 13 for this purpose.
  • the third print head 6 is in its working position preferably vertically between and horizontally adjacent to the first and second print head 4, 5 for a combination overlapping in the vertical direction by means of the three print heads 4, 5, 6th
  • the Fig. 2 shows an example of the third cleaning head 3 in an oblique view. Unless otherwise described, the first and second cleaning heads 1, 2 comprise corresponding technical features.
  • the cleaning head 3 accordingly comprises a cleaning nozzle 21 for ejecting a cleaning liquid, for example as a hollow cone-shaped jet. Further, above the cleaning nozzle 21, a suction nozzle 22 is provided for sucking the cleaning liquid and ink residues dissolved therein from the associated print head 6. With the suction nozzle 22 spacer rollers 23 are fixed to a common carrier 24 and slidably mounted in the horizontal direction 25 in the cleaning head 3.
  • the elastically yielding bearing comprises, for example, compression springs 26a (FIG. Fig. 4 ), which projects the pressure rollers 23 with respect to a rigid housing 28 of the cleaning head 3 by a projection 29.
  • a stop 30 is preferably formed in the cleaning head 3, so that the projection 29 of the spacer rollers 23 via the housing 28 does not fall below a minimum of, for example, 1 to 5 mm.
  • the spacer rollers 23 are on the holder 24 preferably in the direction of the print head 6 to be cleaned via the suction nozzle 22, so that the suction nozzle 22 does not touch a nozzle plate formed on the print head 6 with their mechanically sensitive pressure nozzles during suction.
  • the spacer rollers 23 roll preferably on a mechanically stable enclosure of the nozzle plate.
  • a minimum value of the suction distance between the suction nozzle and the nozzle plate can be maintained even if the nozzle plate and its dimensionally stable enclosure have mutually aligned surfaces.
  • the dimensionally stable enclosure could protrude beyond the nozzle plate to maintain a minimum suction distance (unless the work function of the printhead is adversely affected).
  • the spacer rollers 23 would then not or only slightly project beyond the suction nozzle 22.
  • the suction nozzle 22 and the spacer rollers 23 are arranged to each other and spring-mounted only to stop 30 that contact of the sensitive pressure nozzles with the suction nozzle 22 and the housing 28 is prevented at all times.
  • a horizontally aligned wiper lip 31 and lateral, in particular vertically aligned splash guard strips 32 can be seen, as well as optional compressed gas nozzles 33.
  • the wiper lip 31 serves to strip cleaning liquid and / or ink residues of print head areas laterally next to the nozzle plate, in particular also from the region of the dimensionally stable enclosure, on which the spacer rollers 23 roll. As a result, contamination of the spacer rollers 23 can be avoided.
  • the area of the pressure nozzles should be omitted.
  • the wiper lip 31 has, for example, a central recess 31a only for the area of the pressure nozzles.
  • the compressed gas nozzles 33 are, for example, flat jet nozzles and preferably directed obliquely downward, so that cleaning liquid and / or ink residues are driven from the print head 6 down into a drain and / or collecting trough 34.
  • the compressed gas nozzles 33 can also be adjusted for this purpose about a horizontal axis in order to adapt the direction of the emitted compressed gas jets to the respective requirements for blowing off the print head 6.
  • the drain and / or collection trough 34 is preferably formed on the third cleaning head 3 so that the cleaning liquid and ink residues collected there can be pumped out. This also applies to the in the Fig. 1 shown lower first cleaning head. 1
  • the drain and / or collecting trough 34 is preferably designed so that cleaning fluid and ink residues are passed to the side walls and / or to the rear wall of the underlying first cleaning head 1 and there until its expiry and / or or collection trough 34 run down.
  • FIG. 2 can recognize the housing 28 of the second and third cleaning head 2, 3 on its upper side a cover plate 28 a, which is replaced at the first (lower) cleaning head 1 by the sump 34 of the second (upper) cleaning head 2 to the flow of cleaning liquid and To allow ink residues down.
  • the side walls 28b, the rear wall 28c and the wiper lip 31 and the splash guard 32 limit together with the drain and / or collection trough 34, a cleaning chamber 35 in which the printhead to be cleaned 6 is wetted by the cleaning nozzle 21.
  • additional splash guard and / or drain walls 36 can be formed around the cleaning nozzle 21, which facilitate, for example, a targeted drainage of cleaning liquid and / or ink residues downwards.
  • the Fig. 4 illustrates the clean-up printhead 6 with the spacer rollers 23 rolling thereon.
  • the printhead 6 comprises a front-side printhead plate 41, in which vertically extending grooves 42 are formed. These are used to engage the side splash guard 32.
  • a defined clearance between the splash guard 32 and the grooves 42 is allowed to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and positioning tolerances during the cleaning process. Nonetheless, the engagement of the splash guard bars 32 prevents lateral spewing of cleaning fluid and ink residue from the common cleaning area 13 of the cleaning head 3 and printhead 6.
  • the print head further comprises a mechanically sensitive nozzle plate 43 having a plurality of raster-shaped pressure nozzles and a dimensionally stable enclosure 44 for the nozzle plate 43.
  • the enclosure 44 is preferably made of a metal and in particular of stainless steel.
  • the enclosure 44 serves as a rolling surface for the spacer rollers 23.
  • the spacer rollers 23 and the dimensionally stable enclosure 44 hold the suction nozzle 22 during the cleaning of the print head at the Absaugabstand to the nozzle plate 43.
  • the sensitive pressure nozzles thus come into contact neither with the spacer rollers 23 nor with the suction nozzle 22, as well as with components of the housing 28th
  • a predetermined minimum distance MA between the suction nozzle 22 and the nozzle plate 43 of 0.2 mm is not exceeded.
  • the Absaugabstand is always between the minimum distance MA of 0.2 mm and a maximum distance of, for example, 0.5 mm for optimal extraction of liquids from the surface of the nozzle plate 43. This can be on the one hand by the relative arrangement of the suction nozzle 22 and the spacer rollers 23 and / or the relative arrangement of the nozzle plate 43 and the enclosure 44 in the horizontal direction 15, 25 cause and on the other hand by the elastic support 26th
  • the Fig. 5 illustrates the minimum distance MA to be maintained between the suction nozzle 22 and the nozzle plate 43 in the aligned nozzle plate 43 and dimensionally stable enclosure 44 (left) and protruding enclosure 44 (right).
  • the minimum distance MA is exaggerated for clarity.
  • the minimum distance MA to the nozzle plate 43 can by the supernatant (in the Fig. 5 to the left side) of the rollers 23 via the suction nozzle 22 can be set / adjusted.
  • the print head 6 is moved in the horizontal direction 15 on contact with the spacer rollers 23, so that the spacer rollers 23 and the suction nozzle 22 in their common bracket 24 by means of the resilient bearing 26 compress.
  • the compression springs 26a provide a suitable contact pressure during the suction.
  • the adjustment of the elastically resilient mounting 26 is then formed such that on the one hand reliable contact of the spacer rollers 23 is given with the dimensionally stable enclosure 44, taking into account dimensional tolerances and / or positioning inaccuracies in the cleaning and on the other hand, a contact of the print head 6 with the housing 28th the cleaning head 3 is reliably avoided.
  • the approach of the print head 6 and the cleaning head 3 in the horizontal direction 15 is preferably carried out by means of an electrically controlled adjusting unit 45 for the print head 6, but would in principle also by a corresponding linear unit on the cleaning head 3 conceivable.
  • the approach of the cleaning head 3 to the print head 6 in the vertical direction 14 is preferably carried out by means of the lifting device 8.
  • a vertical adjustability of the print head 6 would also be conceivable here, at least in the region of the cleaning head 3.
  • the cleaning heads 1, 2, 3, for example, by means of the lifting devices 7, 8 are raised to defined switching positions in the cleaning areas 11, 12, 13 and lowered there again controlled each time when cleaning.
  • the above-mentioned features are preferably formed on all cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 of the cleaning station 100.
  • the cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 are in this case substantially modular, so that they, for example, by omitting the cover plate 28a and / or replacement in the form of a suitable drain and / or collection trough 34 to each other to be stacked.
  • the compressed gas nozzles 33 can be accommodated in a separate blow-off module of the housing 28 and the blow-off module can only be optionally integrated into the cleaning station 1, 2, 3.
  • the supply of the individual cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 can be done via conventional hose and cable connections optionally protected by so-called energy chains. These are particularly suitable for protecting pressure hoses for compressed air, vacuum and / or the cleaning fluid.
  • cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 The number and arrangement of the cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 described is merely exemplary. In particular, due to their modular design, cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 can be combined in a flexible arrangement, for example, as a single cleaning stations, double cleaning stations or triple cleaning stations.
  • the cleaning station 100 with the cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 is also part of a direct printing station 200 as the associated printheads 4, 5, 6.
  • a direct printing machine (not shown) a plurality of direct printing stations 200 in the periphery of a container table for transporting the to be printed Container arranged in a known manner.
  • the printheads 4, 5, 6 in any order and / or at the same time to the associated cleaning heads 1, 2, 3 drive to perform the cleaning of the printheads 4, 5, 6 time-saving and pollution of adjacent machine assemblies to the functioning direct printing station 200 ,

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
EP18170331.5A 2017-09-04 2018-05-02 Station de nettoyage pour une station d'impression directe Active EP3450177B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017215440.3A DE102017215440A1 (de) 2017-09-04 2017-09-04 Reinigungsstation für eine Direktdruckstation

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3450177A1 true EP3450177A1 (fr) 2019-03-06
EP3450177B1 EP3450177B1 (fr) 2022-05-25

Family

ID=62104177

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18170331.5A Active EP3450177B1 (fr) 2017-09-04 2018-05-02 Station de nettoyage pour une station d'impression directe

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3450177B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN109421379B (fr)
DE (1) DE102017215440A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT16527U1 (de) * 2018-04-09 2019-12-15 Spgprints B V Druckkopfreinigungsvorrichtung zur Wartung eines Druckkopfes eines Tintenstrahldruckers
CN112455094A (zh) * 2019-09-06 2021-03-09 东芝泰格有限公司 清洁装置及液体喷出记录装置
EP4368399A1 (fr) * 2022-11-08 2024-05-15 Bundesdruckerei GmbH Dispositif de nettoyage de tête d'impression, imprimante à jet d'encre et procédé de nettoyage de tête d'impression

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3094899B1 (fr) * 2019-04-15 2022-10-07 Exel Ind Installation d’application de produit de revêtement et procédé de nettoyage d’une telle installation

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150062240A1 (en) * 2013-09-04 2015-03-05 Krones Ag Container handling machine for printing onto container
DE102015100537A1 (de) * 2015-01-15 2016-07-21 Océ Printing Systems GmbH & Co. KG Handwischer zum manuellen Reinigen von Druckköpfen
US20160221345A1 (en) * 2013-09-25 2016-08-04 Tonejet Limited Method of Cleaning Electrostatic Printhead

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4354786B2 (ja) * 2003-11-28 2009-10-28 富士フイルム株式会社 インク濃度検出方法およびインクジェット記録装置
CN100528573C (zh) * 2006-02-16 2009-08-19 虹创科技股份有限公司 喷墨头擦拭装置及喷墨头清洁方法
JP2010247360A (ja) * 2009-04-13 2010-11-04 Seiko Epson Corp ヘッドクリーニング装置、流体噴射装置、およびヘッドクリーニング方法
JP5498996B2 (ja) * 2011-02-18 2014-05-21 東芝テック株式会社 インクジェットヘッドの洗浄装置およびインクジェット記録装置
DE102013217685A1 (de) 2013-09-04 2015-03-05 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Behälterbehandlungsmaschine zur Bedruckung von Behältern

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150062240A1 (en) * 2013-09-04 2015-03-05 Krones Ag Container handling machine for printing onto container
US20160221345A1 (en) * 2013-09-25 2016-08-04 Tonejet Limited Method of Cleaning Electrostatic Printhead
DE102015100537A1 (de) * 2015-01-15 2016-07-21 Océ Printing Systems GmbH & Co. KG Handwischer zum manuellen Reinigen von Druckköpfen

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT16527U1 (de) * 2018-04-09 2019-12-15 Spgprints B V Druckkopfreinigungsvorrichtung zur Wartung eines Druckkopfes eines Tintenstrahldruckers
CN112455094A (zh) * 2019-09-06 2021-03-09 东芝泰格有限公司 清洁装置及液体喷出记录装置
EP3789204A1 (fr) * 2019-09-06 2021-03-10 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de nettoyage et appareil d'enregistrement à éjection de liquide
US11491791B2 (en) 2019-09-06 2022-11-08 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Cleaning device and liquid discharge recording apparatus
EP4368399A1 (fr) * 2022-11-08 2024-05-15 Bundesdruckerei GmbH Dispositif de nettoyage de tête d'impression, imprimante à jet d'encre et procédé de nettoyage de tête d'impression

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102017215440A1 (de) 2019-03-07
EP3450177B1 (fr) 2022-05-25
CN109421379B (zh) 2020-10-27
CN109421379A (zh) 2019-03-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE69927655T2 (de) Tintenstrahldrucker mit einem Reinigungsmechanismus und Verfahren für dessen Montage
EP3450177A1 (fr) Station de nettoyage pour une station d'impression directe
DE10027261B4 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Reinigen einer Düsenaustrittsfläche an einem Druckkopf eines Tintenstrahldruckers
DE10028318B4 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Reinigung eines Druckkopfes eines Tintenstrahldruckers
DE19726643C1 (de) Vorrichtung zur Reinigung eines Tintendruckkopfes
DE69929850T2 (de) Tintenstrahldrucker mit einem messerartigen Reinigungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum Montieren des Druckers
EP2516735B1 (fr) Dispositif de nettoyage
DE4109707C1 (fr)
EP0674087A1 (fr) Dispositif de fabrication de vitrages isolants remplis de gaz lourd
DE102011002727A1 (de) Wartungseinheit für einen Tintenstrahldrucker sowie Verwendung eines Tintenstrahldruckers
EP0603148A1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour remplir des vitrages isolants avec un gaz différent de l'air
EP3927554B1 (fr) Machine d'impression
DE69910939T2 (de) Selbstreinigender Tintenstrahldrucker und Verfahren für dessen Montage
WO2017207410A1 (fr) Tête de nettoyage et dispositif et procédé de nettoyage de têtes d'impression
EP3417967A1 (fr) Dispositif de sciage
EP3518720B2 (fr) Buse d'aspiration et appareil d'aspiration de surfaces dures
DE102016222960A1 (de) Digitaldruckmaschine
DE102006004477A1 (de) Tintenstrahldruckkopf mit Abdeckeinrichtung für die Düse/n
EP3044000A1 (fr) Adaptateur de nettoyage et procédé de nettoyage de têtes d'impression
EP3546236A1 (fr) Unité d'impression à jet d'encre
WO2021008955A1 (fr) Imprimante pour imprimer des supports d'impression de type panneaux, dispositif d'assainissement pour l'imprimante et procédé d'entretien de l'imprimante
DE102015100537A1 (de) Handwischer zum manuellen Reinigen von Druckköpfen
DE10062012A1 (de) Tintenstrahldrucker, insbesondere zur Beschriftung von Versandstücken
DE102005056542B4 (de) Druckmaschine mit mindestens einem Druckkopf und einer Druckkopf-Positioniervorrichtung
DE102019009149B4 (de) Druckmaschine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20190731

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20211202

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502018009748

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1494108

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220615

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20220525

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220926

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220825

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220826

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220825

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220925

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502018009748

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20230228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230412

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230411

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230331

Year of fee payment: 6

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20230502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20230531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220525

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230502

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230531

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230502

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230502