EP3597436B1 - Container lid which can be connected to an ink container of a container direct printer - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container lid connectable to an ink container of a direct container printing machine with the features of the preamble of claim 1, a direct container printing machine for printing containers with a direct print with the features of the preamble of claim 11 and a method for detecting at least one physical measurement variable with the features of the preamble of claim 12.

Typically, containers, such as beverage containers, are labeled in a labeling machine to identify and/or advertise the container contents.

Recently, however, direct container printing machines have been increasingly used, whereby the containers are then provided with direct printing using the inkjet principle instead of or in addition to the labels. This makes it possible to print each container individually in a container stream.

Such direct container printing machines usually comprise a conveyor for transporting the containers and an attached direct printing station with a print head to print the containers with the direct print. It is also conceivable that several such direct printing stations are attached to the conveyor in order to print the containers with a multi-colored direct print using several direct printing heads. To do this, the containers are picked up by the conveyor, for example, in container holders and transported to the direct printing station. There they are rotated using the container holders and printed with a printing ink using the direct printing head or several such direct printing heads from a large number of printing nozzles.

To supply the direct printing head with ink, the direct printing machine includes an ink supply system to supply the direct printing stations with printing ink from an ink tank. The ink tank can usually be changed by an operator, preferably during operation, to ensure a continuous supply of ink.

In addition, it is known to mark the ink containers with electronic identification elements that can be read using the ink supply system. This prevents the direct-to-container printing machine from being supplied with inks from other manufacturers and also prevents the wrong type of ink or ink that has been stored for too long from being accidentally inserted.

The disadvantage of such ink supply systems is that, depending on external factors, the quality of the printing ink can be negatively affected. In addition, the electronic identification elements can easily be removed from the ink containers and used for third-party inks.

Furthermore, the WO 2017/174363 A1 A printing ink container with a storage tank that contains the printing ink and measuring electronics is known. The disadvantage is that such a printing ink container is complex and therefore expensive. In addition, it can only be recycled with considerable effort.

The US 2017/0238744 A1 discloses a closure system for a beverage container in which the activity and volume are detected.

The EP 3 132 941 A2 discloses a system for distributing a liquid and a gas in a printer.

The EN 10 2015 215227 A1 discloses a container treatment machine and a method for printing containers.

The US 2014/253647 A1 discloses an ink container for poster printing, comprising a multi-part lid consisting of a sealing insert, a screw cap and a storage unit arranged therebetween with a memory IC on a circuit board. The stored data is information on the ink color, capacity, date of manufacture or the like.

The EN 10 2016 106111 A1 discloses a printing ink container for a container printing machine with a measuring electronics unit that can include a sensor arrangement, a storage unit, an energy storage device and an interface unit. The printing ink container has a canister shape that is known in principle with a handle and a filler neck on the top. A lid for the filler neck is not disclosed. The measuring electronics unit is accommodated in an additional side chamber of the canister. A printing ink outlet is arranged on the underside of the printing ink container, which corresponds to a printing ink inlet of the associated machine and supplies an associated print head with ink via a supply line. The measuring electronics unit can have several parts that are provided at different positions and thus separately from one another on the printing ink container.

The object of the present invention is therefore to ensure that the quality of the printing ink is as consistent as possible and to increase the protection against counterfeiting of the printing inks. It is an object of the invention to provide this with simple means and good recyclability.

To solve this problem, the invention provides a container lid with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are mentioned in the subclaims.

Because the container lid comprises the integrated sensor unit for recording the at least one physical measurement variable, in particular where the physical measurement variable is assigned to the printing ink, the external factors influencing the printing ink can be recorded individually for the associated ink container. Since the container lid also comprises the integrated data processing unit, the at least one physical measurement variable can be recorded and stored at predetermined intervals. Consequently, it is possible to record the history of the at least one physical measurement variable and use this to determine the effects on the quality of the printing ink. Consequently, it is possible to ensure a consistent quality of the printing ink.

Because the integrated sensor unit and the integrated data processing unit are integrated in the container lid, it would be particularly difficult to separate them and install them in a counterfeit container lid. For example, it is conceivable that the container lid is designed as a tamper-evident screw cap so that unauthorized removal of the container lid from the ink container is detectable. In addition, the history of at least one physical measurement value in the data processing unit would then have to be deleted and recreated for the third-party ink. This creates a considerable amount of effort, which increases the protection against counterfeiting of the printing inks accordingly.

In addition, the ink tank connected to the tank lid does not have a sensor or data processing unit. As a result, it can be recycled in the usual way. In addition, the sensor and data processing units integrated in the tank lid can be recycled independently of the ink tank and are particularly easy to recycle, as they are particularly easy to access, for example for cleaning.

The container lid can be designed as a closure for the ink container. The ink container can be an exchangeable ink container for refilling printing ink. The container lid can preferably comprise at least one connecting element, such as a screw thread or a bayonet, in order to connect it to the ink container and secure it. It is conceivable that the container lid comprises a closure cap with the at least one connecting element. The closure cap and/or the connecting element can preferably be made at least partially from a plastic material.

The term "integrated" sensor unit or "integrated" data processing unit can mean here that the sensor unit and/or the data processing unit are arranged directly on the container lid or a subcomponent thereof or are directly connected to it, for example with the closure cap or a suction lance. In the following, the sensor unit can mean the integrated sensor unit. In the following, the data processing unit can mean the integrated data processing unit. It is conceivable that the sensor unit and/or the data processing unit are embedded in the container lid. This further increases the security against counterfeiting, since the container lid must be destroyed in order to access the sensor unit and/or the data processing unit. For example, the sensor unit and/or the data processing unit could be embedded in the plastic material.

The sensor unit can comprise a sensor, an amplifier unit and/or an analog/digital converter. This allows the measured values of the sensor to be processed and made available as a digital data stream for the data processing unit. The at least one physical measurement variable can be, for example, a temperature, a humidity, an acceleration, a fill level, an illuminance and/or a gas concentration. The temperature can be an ambient temperature and/or a printing ink temperature. For example, a printing ink temperature and/or the fill level is a physical measurement variable associated with the printing ink.

The data processing unit can comprise a digital and/or analog data interface to the sensor unit in order to read the at least one physical measurement value into the data processing unit. "Predetermined intervals" can be used to describe regular or irregular Time intervals may be meant. The data processing unit can be designed to provide the at least one physical measurement variable with a time stamp when storing it. This allows the exact time of recording the at least one physical measurement variable to be recorded in the history.

The sensor unit can include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a fill level sensor, a light sensor, a gas sensor and/or a material value sensor. This allows external influencing factors such as temperature, movement of the container lid and/or the incidence of light to be measured. The gas sensor or the material value sensor can be used to directly determine the chemical effects of the external influencing factors on the printing ink. The aforementioned sensors can be arranged independently of one another on the inside or outside of the container lid.

The temperature sensor can be arranged on the container lid to detect an ink temperature and/or an ambient temperature. By detecting the ink temperature and/or ambient temperature, it is possible to determine whether heat is being introduced into the printing ink. In addition, it is possible to determine whether permissible temperature limits for the printing ink have been exceeded or not. The temperature sensor can be arranged on an inside of the container lid, for example, to detect the ink temperature. It is also conceivable that it is arranged on an outside of the container lid to detect the ambient temperature. The temperature sensor can be an NTC resistor, for example.

The container lid can comprise a power supply unit, in particular a battery and/or an induction coil, in order to supply the sensor unit and the data processing unit with electrical energy. This enables an autonomous power supply to the sensor unit and the data processing unit. It is conceivable that the induction coil is provided to charge the battery. The battery can be a rechargeable battery. It is also conceivable that the battery is designed as an environmentally friendly thin-film battery.

The data processing unit can comprise a microcontroller, a memory unit, an interface unit, a display unit, an activation switch and/or an input unit. The microcontroller can mean, for example, a CPU. The memory unit can be a non-volatile memory unit in order to permanently store the at least one physical measurement variable at the predetermined intervals. The interface unit can comprise a radio interface, an induction interface and/or a wired interface. Interface, in particular for reading out the stored at least one physical measurement variable. It is conceivable that the interface unit comprises an antenna, an induction coil and/or a plug. The display unit can be a display and/or at least one light element, such as an LED. This can show the user operating states and/or warning signals. The activation switch makes it possible to activate the data processing unit from sleep mode only when required, for example in order to read out the at least one physical measurement variable stored at predetermined intervals. For example, this can be used to activate the reading of a temperature history. The input unit can be one or more buttons for manually entering information into the data processing unit. It is conceivable, for example, that this can be used to enter the start and end of the shaking process into the data processing unit.

The storage unit can comprise an information section for ink data, which is particularly designed to store the at least one physical measurement variable, a manufacturing date, a shelf life and/or an ink type in a non-volatile manner.

The data processing unit can be designed for encrypted data processing, in particular of the physical measurement variables and/or the ink data. This further increases the security against forgery. In particular, the encrypted data processing can comprise an encryption method for the at least one physical measurement variable and/or the ink data. In addition, the encrypted data processing can comprise a storage method for storing and/or reading the at least one physical measurement variable and/or the ink data as encrypted data in the storage unit. The encrypted data processing can comprise a symmetrical and/or asymmetrical encryption method. It is conceivable, for example, that the encrypted data processing comprises the asymmetrical encryption method in order to store the at least one physical measurement variable and/or the ink data as encrypted data with a public key and to read and decrypt it with a private key. This makes it possible for the encrypted data to only be read out again with a private key provided by the manufacturer in a dongle or the machine control.

The sensor unit can be arranged on the outside or inside of the container lid. It is conceivable that the sensor unit is arranged partly on the outside and partly on the inside of the container lid. In other words, the sensors described above can be arranged independently of one another on the outside or on the inside of the container lid.

The container lid can comprise a suction lance and/or a quick coupling for ink extraction, in particular with the sensor unit arranged on the suction lance. As a result, for example, the temperature sensor for detecting the ink temperature can be arranged on the suction lance in order to ensure as direct contact with the printing ink as possible even when the ink container is almost empty. The suction lance can mean a rigid, flexible or articulated tube that protrudes from the container lid towards the inside. For example, the sensor unit can be arranged at least partially on an inner end of the suction lance and connected to the data processing unit via an electrical line. The quick coupling can be a coupling element that is arranged on the outside of the container lid and can be connected to a extraction hose of the ink supply system without tools. The quick coupling can be designed to be drip-free.

The container lid may include an ink filter to filter the printing ink as it is dispensed. This allows foreign substances to be filtered out of the printing ink as it is dispensed.

Furthermore, to solve the problem, the invention provides the container direct printing machine with the features of claim 11.

Because the container lid according to claims 1-10 comprises the integrated sensor unit for detecting the at least one physical measurement variable, in particular of the printing ink, the external factors influencing the printing ink for the associated ink container can be individually detected. Since the container lid also comprises the integrated data processing unit, the at least one physical measurement variable can be detected and stored at predetermined intervals. Consequently, it is possible to record the history of the at least one physical measurement variable and use this to determine the effects on the quality of the printing ink. This makes it possible to ensure consistent quality of the printing ink.

Because the integrated sensor unit and the integrated data processing unit are integrated in the container lid, a particularly high level of effort would be required to separate them and install them in a counterfeit container lid. In addition, the history of at least one physical measurement value in the data processing unit would then have to be deleted and recreated for the foreign ink. This therefore creates a considerable amount of effort, which increases the protection against counterfeiting of the printing inks. In addition, the sensor and data processing units integrated in the container lid can be reprocessed independently of the ink container and particularly easily, as they are particularly easily accessible for cleaning, for example.

Furthermore, the direct container printing machine can comprise the features described above with respect to claims 1-10 individually or in any combination.

The direct container printing machine can be arranged in a beverage processing plant. The direct container printing machine can be arranged downstream of a filling plant for filling a product into the containers and/or a capper for closing the containers with caps. The direct container printing machine can also be arranged upstream of the filling process and/or directly downstream of a container manufacturing process. Separately, it can also be a direct container printing machine that is not assigned to a plant but works in what is known as stand-alone mode.

The containers can be designed to hold drinks, hygiene products, pastes, chemical, biological and/or pharmaceutical products. In general, the containers can be designed for any flowable or fillable media. The containers can be made of plastic, glass and/or metal, but hybrid containers with material mixtures are also conceivable. The containers can be bottles, cans, beverage containers and/or tubes.

The conveyor can comprise a carousel and/or container holders arranged along it. This allows the containers to be transported in a predetermined grid and rotated relative to the direct printing station during printing. The carousel can preferably be rotatable about a vertical axis using a drive. "Vertical" here can mean the direction that points to the center of the earth or runs in the direction of gravity. The conveyor can be designed to transport the containers intermittently or continuously. With intermittent transport, the containers are briefly stopped relative to the direct printing station during printing and then transported further. However, continuous transport is also conceivable, in which the containers are transported further by the conveyor during the printing process.

The direct printing station can comprise one or more direct printing heads in order to print one of the printing inks. Preferably, the direct printing station can comprise a buffer tank of the ink supply system for the respective printing ink in order to Changing the ink container. The direct print head can work with a digital or inkjet printing process in which the ink is delivered to the containers by means of a large number of print nozzles. "Inkjet printing process" here can mean that a sudden increase in pressure is generated in the chambers of a print nozzle via piezo or thermocouples in such a way that a small amount of printing fluid is pressed through the print nozzle and delivered to the container as print drops. The direct print head can each have a number of print nozzles in a range of 100 to 10,000, in particular in a range of 500 to 5,000 nozzles. The print nozzles can be arranged in one or more rows of nozzles (for example 1 - 4), which are arranged in particular parallel to the container axis.

The ink supply system can comprise at least one intermediate tank, a storage tank and the ink container for the direct print head. The at least one intermediate tank can be arranged between the storage tank and the direct print head, preferably immediately in front of the direct print head, in order to reduce flow losses to the direct print head. This can ensure particularly high print quality. The storage tank can be provided as a buffer to ensure a continuous supply of ink to the direct print head. The storage tank can be arranged between the ink container and the direct print head. The ink container can in particular be designed as an exchangeable refill tank for the ink supply system. The ink supply system can be designed to pump the printing ink from the ink container into the storage tank when refilling. It is conceivable that the ink supply system comprises a distribution unit in order to distribute the printing ink from the storage tank and/or the ink container to several direct print heads of the direct printing station. This allows a larger printing area to be printed on the containers. The distribution system can comprise a supply line, a return line, a distributor and/or an ink pump. The ink supply system can comprise a refill station into which the ink container or several ink containers with different printing inks can be inserted.

The ink containers and the container lid connected to them can be designed so that an operator can couple them to the refill station, preferably with the quick coupling for removing the printing ink. The ink container and the container lid connected to them can be designed so that they are interchangeable. This means that they can be removed during printing operation of the direct container printing machine, for example by being placed in receiving locations in the ink supply system and/or secured using the quick coupling. Likewise, "interchangeable" can mean that the ink container and the container lid connected to them are directly accessible from the outside for the operator to replace during printing operation.

The container direct printing machine can comprise a control unit for controlling the direct printing station, the direct printing head and/or the conveyor, preferably the container receptacles arranged thereon and/or the ink supply system, or can work together with or be connected to this. The control unit can comprise a CPU, a screen and/or an input unit. The control unit can comprise a transmission interface that can be coupled to the interface unit of the container lid, in particular in order to exchange the at least one physical measurement variable and/or the ink data and/or a private key. "Couplible" here can mean an electrical connection, a radio connection and/or an inductive connection.

In addition, to solve the problem, the invention provides a method for detecting at least one physical measurement variable with the features of claim 12. The method can comprise the features previously described with respect to the container lid and/or the container printing machine individually or in any combination, in particular according to one of claims 1-11.

Because the at least one physical measurement value is recorded with the integrated sensor unit of the container lid, the external factors influencing the printing ink for the associated ink container can be recorded individually. Because the at least one physical measurement value is stored at predetermined intervals with the integrated data processing unit of the container lid, it is possible to record the history of the at least one physical measurement value and use this to determine the effects on the quality of the printing ink. This makes it possible to ensure consistent quality of the printing ink.

Because the process is carried out with the integrated sensor unit and the integrated data processing unit, a particularly high level of effort would be required to separate the units from an original container lid and install them in a counterfeit container lid. In addition, the history of at least one physical measurement value in the data processing unit would then have to be deleted and recreated for the third-party ink. This creates a considerable amount of effort, which increases the protection against counterfeiting of the printing inks accordingly. In addition, the sensor and data processing units integrated in the container lid can be reprocessed independently of the ink container and particularly easily, as they are particularly easily accessible for cleaning, for example.

It is conceivable that the method includes a reprocessing step in which the container lid is separated from the ink container and then cleaned. Preferably, the container lid is reprocessed separately from the ink container. The cleaned container lid can then be reused.

Figur 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Behälterdirektdruckmaschine zur Bedruckung von Behältern mit einem Direktdruck in einer Draufsicht;

Figur 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälterdeckels in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht;

Figur 3

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälterdeckels in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht; und

Figur 4

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälterdeckels in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht.

Further features and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures.

Figure 1

an embodiment of a container direct printing machine according to the invention for printing containers with a direct print in a plan view;

Figure 2

an embodiment of a container lid according to the invention in a side sectional view;

Figure 3

another embodiment of a container lid according to the invention in a side sectional view; and

Figure 4

another embodiment of a container lid according to the invention in a side sectional view.

In the Figure 1 an embodiment of a direct container printing machine 1 according to the invention for printing containers 2 with a direct print is shown in a plan view. It can be seen that the containers 2, coming for example from a filler and a closer, are transferred to the conveyor 3 with the inlet star 8 and are received there in the container receptacles 4. Received in this way, they are transported by the conveyor 3 past the attached direct printing stations 5 _W , 5 _Y , 5 _M , 5 _C , 5 _K , 5 _S and each one is printed with different printing inks using the direct printing heads 52, here for example with white, yellow, magenta, cyan, black and a special color (e.g. silver). These together result in a multi-colored direct print on the containers 2. The multi-colored direct print applied to the containers is then cured using the curing station 7 and thereby permanently stabilized, for example using UV light. The finished printed containers 2 are then transferred to the discharge star 9 and forwarded to subsequent treatment stations, for example to a packaging machine. A control unit 10 can also be seen, with which the container direct printing machine 1 is controlled via control lines not shown here.

The conveyor 3 is designed as a carousel, for example, which rotates in the transport direction T around the vertical axis A, but a linear conveyor is also conceivable. The container holders 4 arranged on the conveyor 3 each comprise a turntable and a Centering bell so that the containers 2 can be rotated about their longitudinal axes during the printing process relative to the respective stationary direct printing station 5 _W , 5 _Y , 5 _M , 5 _C , 5 _K , 5 _S. This allows a flat direct print to be produced.

It can also be seen that the direct printing stations 5 _W , 5 _Y , 5 _M , 5 _C , 5 _K , 5 _S each comprise a storage tank 51 of the ink supply system and several associated direct printing heads 52, in this embodiment, for example, three direct printing heads 52. However, only one, two or even more direct printing heads 52 per direct printing station 5 _W , 5 _Y , 5 _M , 5 _C , 5 _K , 5 _S are also conceivable. By using several direct printing heads 52, the printing area on the containers that can be printed on simultaneously can be increased. The respective storage tank 51 contains a supply of printing ink for supplying the direct printing head 52 connected to it via ink lines. For example, the storage tank 51 of the direct printing station 5w contains an ink supply with white printing ink for the direct printing heads 52. Accordingly, the other storage tanks 51 of the direct printing stations 5 _W , 5 _Y , 5 _M , 5 _C , 5 _K , 5 _S contain supplies of the printing inks cyan, magenta, yellow, the special color and black for supplying the direct printing heads 52.

The direct print heads 52 each comprise at least one row of nozzles with printing nozzles that operate according to the inkjet principle. This makes it possible to dispense ink drops onto the containers 2 in a grid and thus, together with the rotational movement of the containers 2 about their longitudinal axes, to produce a flat direct print. In addition, the printing inks printed on the containers 2 overlap to form a multi-colored direct print.

The ink supply system comprises a distribution unit arranged in each of the direct printing stations 5 _W , 5 _Y , 5 _M , 5 _C , 5 _K , 5 _S in order to distribute the printing ink from the storage tank 51 in a forward flow and optionally in a return flow to the direct printing heads 52. In addition, the ink supply system comprises at least one intermediate tank (not shown here) between the storage tank 51 and the associated direct printing head 52 in order to ensure an operating pressure of the associated direct printing head.

Furthermore, the refill station 6 can be seen, with which the storage tanks 51 can in turn be supplied with the respective printing ink. For this purpose, the refill station comprises several receiving spaces 630 _W , 630 _Y , 630 _M , 630 _C , 630 _K , 630 _S for the exchangeable ink containers 631 _W , 631 _Y , 631 _M , 631 _C , 631 _K , 631 _S , which are each designed to automatically pump printing ink from the ink containers 631 _W , 631 _Y , 631 _M , 631 _C , 631 _K , 631 _S into the respective storage tanks 51.

It can also be seen that the refill station 6 is designed as a separate cabinet unit from the direct printing station 5 _W , 5 _Y , 5 _M , 5 _C , 5 _K , 5 _S and the storage tanks 51 and is connected to them via connecting lines for the printing inks. This makes it possible for the operator to manage the ink supply centrally at the refill station 6 by exchanging the ink containers 631w, 631 _Y , 631 _M , 631 _C , 631 _K , 631 _S.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the refill station 6 comprises two further receiving locations 650, 660 for a supply tank with cleaning fluid and for a waste tank for the printing ink. This also allows the measures required for cleaning the direct printing machine 1 to be carried out centrally at the refill station 6.

It can also be seen that the ink containers 631 _W , 631 _Y , 631 _M , 631 _C , 631 _K , 631 _S are each connected to a container lid 632. Three embodiments of container lids 632 according to the invention are described below with reference to the Figures 2-4 explained in more detail:
in the Figure 2 an embodiment of a container lid 632 according to the invention is shown in a side sectional view. It can be seen that the container lid 632 can be connected to the ink container 631.

The ink container 631 is designed here, for example, as a bag-in-a-box. The ink container 631 includes the bag 631a and the surrounding support structure 631b. However, it is also conceivable that it is a simple plastic container. To connect to the container lid 632, the ink container 631 includes a connector 631c with an external thread. Accordingly, the container lid 632 includes an internal thread that engages in the external thread of the connector 631c when connected. However, it is also conceivable that it is a bayonet or another connecting element.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the ink container 631 connected to the container lid 632 is filled with the printing ink T, which can be removed via the suction lance 632e and the quick coupling 632a. During operation, the quick coupling 632a is connected to a counterpart of the corresponding receiving location 630 _W , 630 _Y , 630 _M , 630 _C , 630 _K , 630 _S in order to remove the printing ink. The quick coupling 632a makes it possible to uncouple the container lid 632 from the receiving location 630 _W , 630 _Y , 630 _M , 630 _C , 630 _K , 630 _S without tools and to change the ink container 631 without great effort.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the container lid 632 comprises the integrated sensor unit 632c for detecting at least one physical measurement variable and the integrated data processing unit 632b. The data processing unit 632b is designed to store the at least one physical measurement variable at predeterminable intervals.

The sensor unit 632c can comprise a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a fill level sensor, a light sensor, a gas sensor and/or a material value sensor. It is therefore conceivable that there are several different sensors. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the sensor unit 632c can be an acceleration sensor in order to detect shaking movements of the ink container 631 connected to the container lid 632 and the printing ink T contained therein. However, it is also conceivable that the sensor unit 632c is a temperature sensor in order to detect the ambient temperature and thus determine the heat input to the printing ink T.

It can also be seen that the sensor unit 632c is connected to the data processing unit 632b via an electrical line shown in dashed lines in order to transmit the recorded, at least one physical measurement variable digitally or analogously. This is then subsequently stored by the data processing unit 632b at predetermined intervals in a storage unit located therein. Consequently, in this exemplary embodiment, the at least one physical measurement variable is an acceleration value or a temperature, which are stored at the predeterminable intervals, for example at regular intervals such as once per second.

The data processing unit 632b comprises, for example, a microcontroller, a memory unit, an interface unit, a display unit and an activation switch (not shown). The memory unit can be, for example, a non-volatile memory in order to store the at least one physical measurement variable in an information section for ink data. The interface unit can have a plug or an induction coil for transmitting the stored data to the control unit 10 of the previously described Figure 1 The display unit can be an LED, for example, to signal an operating state, for example whether the quality of the printing ink T contained in the ink container 631 is sufficient for direct printing. The activation switch makes it possible, for example, to wake up the microcontroller from a sleep state and activate the display unit.

In addition, the data processing unit 632b is designed for encrypted data processing of the physical measurement variables. For this purpose, a public key is stored in the storage unit. During encrypted data processing, this public key is read out and used to encrypt the at least one physical measurement variable. Accordingly, the control unit 10 of the container direct printing machine 1 is designed to decrypt the encrypted data from the container lid 632 again using a private key stored therein and to evaluate it with regard to sufficient quality of the printing ink T.

In addition, the container lid 632 comprises the energy supply unit 632f with a battery. This can be designed, for example, as an environmentally friendly thin-film battery. It is also conceivable that the energy supply unit 632f comprises an induction coil in order to electromagnetically transmit energy from the respective receiving location 630 _W , 630 _Y , 630 _M , 630 _C , 630 _K , 630 _S.

Consequently, it is possible to use the container lid 632 to store a history of acceleration data or temperature data in order to record shaking movements for mixing the printing ink T in the ink container 631 or heat input to it. By evaluating this history, it can then be determined using the comparison values provided whether the printing ink T contained in the ink container 631 has a quality suitable for direct printing with the container direct printing machine 1.

In the Figure 3 Another embodiment of a container lid 631 according to the invention is shown in a side sectional view. This differs from the one shown in FIG. Figure 2 The sensor unit 632d differs from the previously described embodiment merely in that the sensor unit 632d is arranged on the suction lance 632e. The sensor unit 632d is designed here, for example, as a temperature sensor. Because the suction lance 632e comprises a flexible plastic material, its inner end sinks to the bottom of the ink container 631. As a result, the temperature sensor 632d is always in direct contact with the printing ink T, even when the container is almost empty. Consequently, in this embodiment, the ink temperature can be detected particularly reliably and stored with the data processing unit 632b. It can also be seen that the temperature sensor 632d is connected to the data processing unit 632b via a line shown in dashed lines in order to digitally or analogously transmit the physical measurement variable, in this case the temperature.

All other features correspond to the previously described Figure 2 described embodiment.

In the Figure 4 Another embodiment of the container lid 632 is shown in a side sectional view. The embodiment essentially shows a combination of the Figures 2 and 3 .

The sensor unit 632c - 632d comprises the acceleration sensor 632c and the temperature sensor 632d. Both are connected to the data processing unit 632b via the dashed lines. Consequently, the data processing unit 632b is designed to store several physical measurement variables at predeterminable intervals. It is conceivable that both the temperature and the acceleration are stored at the same intervals but also at different intervals. Since the acceleration usually changes quickly and the temperature comparatively slowly, the acceleration can be stored at shorter intervals than the temperature without any information being lost. This also applies to the previously described embodiments of the Figures 2 and 3 .

In addition, the Figure 4 It can be seen that the container lid 632 comprises an ink filter 632g to filter out foreign bodies from the printing ink during removal. It is also conceivable that the container lid 632 of the previously described in relation to the Figures 2 and 3 described embodiments include the ink filter.

The container lid 632 shown in the previously described embodiments is used as follows:
After being filled with the ink container 631 for the container treatment machine 1, the container lid 632 is connected with printing ink T. The at least one physical measurement variable, for example an acceleration or a temperature, is then recorded with the integrated sensor unit 632c - 632d of the container lid 632. The at least one physical measurement variable is then stored with the integrated data processing unit 632b of the container lid 632 at predeterminable intervals.

As a result, a history of the at least one physical measurement variable is recorded with the data processing unit 632b, which can then be read out with the control unit 10 of the direct container printing machine 1. Consequently, it is possible to record the history of the at least one physical measurement variable and use this to determine the effects on the quality of the printing ink T. This makes it possible to ensure a consistent quality of the printing ink T.

Because the integrated sensor unit 632c - 632d and the integrated data processing unit 632b are integrated in the container lid 632, a particularly high level of effort would be required to separate them from it and to install them in a counterfeit container lid 632. In addition, the history of at least one physical measurement variable in the data processing unit 632b would then have to be deleted and recreated for the third-party ink. This therefore results in considerable effort, which increases the security against counterfeiting of the printing inks T accordingly. A further increase in the security against counterfeiting is achieved by the encrypted data processing of the physical measurement variable.

In addition, the sensor and data processing units 623c, 632b integrated in the container lid can be particularly easily reprocessed independently of the ink container 631, since they are particularly easily accessible, for example for cleaning.

Claims (13)

1. A cartridge cover (632) connectable to an ink cartridge (631) of a container direct printing machine (1),
   characterized in that

   the cartridge cover (632) comprises an integrated sensor unit (632c - 632d) for detecting at least one physical quantity to be measured wherein, in particular, the at least one physical quantity to be measured is associated with a printing ink (T), and

   wherein the cartridge cover (632) comprises an integrated data processing unit (632b) connected to the sensor unit (632c - 632d) and configured to store the at least one physical quantity to be measured in predeterminable intervals.
2. The cartridge cover (632) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (632c - 632d) comprises a temperature sensor (632d), a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor (632c), a filling level sensor, a light sensor, a gas sensor and/or a sensor for a physical characteristic.
3. The cartridge cover (632) according to claim 2, wherein the temperature sensor (632d) for detecting an ink temperature and/or an ambient temperature is arranged on the cartridge cover (632).
4. The cartridge cover (632) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge cover (632) comprises a power supply unit (632f), in particular a battery and/or an induction coil for supplying electrical power to the sensor unit (632c- 632d) and the data processing unit (632b).
5. The cartridge cover (632) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (632b) comprises a microcontroller, a memory unit, an interface unit, a display unit, an activation switch and/or an input unit.
6. The cartridge cover (632) according to claim 5, wherein the memory unit comprises an information section for ink data, which is in particular configured to permanently store the at least one physical quantity to be measured, a date of manufacture, an expiration date and/or an ink type.
7. The cartridge cover (632) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (632b) is configured to process encrypted data, in particular the physical quantities to be measured.
8. The cartridge cover (632) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (632c - 632d) is arranged on an outer side or inner side of the cartridge cover (632).
9. The cartridge cover (632) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge cover (632) comprises a suction lance (632e) and/or a quick coupling (632a) for extraction of ink, wherein in particular the sensor unit (632d) is arranged on the suction lance (632e).
10. The cartridge cover (632) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge cover (632) comprises an ink filter (632g) for filtering the printing ink on extraction.
11. Container direct printing machine (1) for printing on containers by direct printing, comprising

    - a conveyor (3) for conveying the containers (2),

    - a direct printing station (5_W, 5_Y, 5_M, 5_C, 5_K, 5_S) attached thereto including a direct printing head (52) for printing on the containers (2) by direct printing, and

    - an ink supply system (6) for supplying printing ink (T) from an ink cartridge (631_W, 631_Y, 631_M, 631_C, 631_K, 631s) to the direct printing station (5w, 5_Y, 5_M, 5_C, 5_K, 5s)

    wherein the ink cartridge (631_W, 631_Y, 631_M, 631_C, 631_K, 631_S) is connected to a cartridge cover (632) according to any one of claims 1-10.
12. A method for detecting at least one physical quantity to be measured, in particular of printing ink (T),
    characterized in that

    a cartridge cover (632) according to any one of claims 1 - 10 is connected to an ink cartridge (631) for a container direct printing machine (1),
    wherein the at least one physical quantity to be measured is detected by the integrated sensor unit (632c-632d) of the cartridge cover (632), and

    wherein the at least one physical quantity to be measured is stored by the integrated data processing unit (632b) of the cartridge cover (632) in the predeterminable intervals.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the cartridge cover (632) is separated from the ink cartridge (631) in a reprocessing step and then cleaned.

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