EP3927554B1 - Printing machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a printing machine according to the preamble of claim 1. Various methods are available for printing a printing material using a printing machine, for example relief printing, gravure printing or non-impact printing methods. Non-impact printing methods, for example thermographic methods or in particular the inkjet method, do not have a fixed, physically unchangeable printing form and can, for example, produce different printed images on a printing material in each printing process. A non-impact printing machine usually has at least one image-generating device, in particular at least one printing unit with preferably at least one print head, for example preferably an inkjet print head. In the inkjet printing process, individual drops of a printing fluid are ejected from at least one volume of the print head as required and transferred to a printing material, resulting in a printed image on the printing material. By individually controlling a large number of volumes of the print head, different print images are generated, for example, which are, for example, individualized and/or personalized and/or can be produced cost-effectively, for example, in particular in small editions.

through the DE 10 2016 214 356 A1 discloses a printing machine comprising a cleaning device for cleaning at least one print head of a nozzle bar.

The DE 11 2014 003 630 T5 discloses a cleaning device with a spray nozzle for spraying a cleaning solution onto a gap between two head modules of an ink jet head and two removal elements designed as wipers Removing the cleaning solution.

The DE 10 2016 125 321 A1 shows a device for cleaning print heads with at least one spray nozzle, which sprays a cleaning jet at an obtuse angle of incidence onto a nozzle surface of the print head to be cleaned, and a wiper lip, which then wipes the nozzle surface.

From the DE 10 2011 002 727 A1 a maintenance unit for cleaning nozzles of a print head of an inkjet printer is known, the maintenance unit comprising a parking station and a cleaning station, the cleaning station comprising at least one cleaning nozzle and at least one suction opening.

The U.S. 5,574,485 A discloses a maintenance station for cleaning nozzles of an inkjet print head with a cleaning nozzle, which delivers a cleaning liquid excited by ultrasound to the respective nozzle to be cleaned, and two vacuum nozzles, which remove the cleaning liquid and the ink dissolved therein.

The object of the invention is to create a printing machine.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims show advantageous developments and/or versions of the solutions found.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are, in particular, that the cleaning device comprises at least one fluid supply opening and/or at least one fluid discharge and/or at least one fluid suction. The cleaning device comprises the at least one fluid supply opening and/or the at least one fluid discharge and/or the at least one fluid suction, with the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening and/or the longitudinal direction of the Fluid discharge and / or the longitudinal direction of the fluid suction is positioned parallel to the respective positioning gap to be cleaned. Thus, for example, penetration of a cleaning agent into the positioning gap is ensured and/or cleaning of the respective positioning gap is possible. For example, an intensive cleaning of the positioning gap is thus possible.

Two boundary points of a boundary of the at least one fluid suction are advantageously at the greatest possible distance from one another, which has a minimum length that is greater than at least one boundary of a relevant exit surface of a relevant print head in a direction that is oriented parallel to the minimum length of the fluid suction. This advantageously enables, for example, cleaning of the relevant exit surface and additionally or alternatively cleaning of at least one contact surface delimiting the respective exit surface.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device comprises at least two cleaning elements. By connecting the at least two cleaning elements of the cleaning device, it is advantageously possible to clean multiple print heads of a nozzle bar, for example simultaneous cleaning of multiple print heads in different rows of print heads of a nozzle bar.

Advantageously, the cleaning element comprises at least one first ramp and at least one second ramp. This makes it easier to position the cleaning element on a print head and/or to move the cleaning element along the nozzle bar, for example during a cleaning process.

Advantageously, a feed device, which is directed towards at least one positioning gap between at least two print heads arranged next to one another, makes it difficult and/or prevents, for example, the ingress of printing fluid and/or Dirt in the positioning gap and/or deposition and/or settling of pressure fluid and/or dirt in the positioning gap in question. This can, for example, support the cleaning of the relevant positioning gap in a cleaning process, for example by a cleaning device, and/or make it more difficult for printing fluid and/or dirt to deposit and/or settle out during a printing process.

The feed device preferably comprises at least one outlet opening, which has a larger maximum diameter than the extension of a relevant exit surface of the relevant print head in the direction of a shortest boundary of the respective exit surface. Thus, preferably the positioning gap in the area of the exit surface and additionally or alternatively in the area of at least one contact surface delimiting the respective exit surface is detected by a fluid ejected from the feed device.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung zumindest eines Druckaggregates mit zumindest einem Düsenbalken und zumindest einem gegenübergestellten Bedruckstoffleitelement sowie einem Bedruckstoff;

Fig. 2a

eine schematische Darstellung zumindest eines Düsenbalkens mit zwei Reihen schräg überlappender Druckköpfe;

Fig. 2b

eine schematische Darstellung einer alternativen Ausführungsform zumindest eines Düsenbalkens mit mehreren Druckköpfen, welche versetzt zueinander in einer Doppelreihe angeordnet sind;

Fig. 3a

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung von zumindest zwei Druckköpfen, die durch einen Positionierspalt zueinander beabstandet angeordnet sind, mit zumindest einer ersten, dem Positionierspalt zugeordneten Zuführeinrichtung, und einer zweiten Zuführeinrichtung, wobei die zweite Zuführeinrichtung als Schnitt dargestellt ist;

Fig. 3b

eine schematische Zerlegung einer beispielhaften Zuführeinrichtung;

Fig. 4a

eine schematische Darstellung eines Druckaggregates mit mehreren Düsenbalken, wobei mindestens ein Düsenbalken in Druckposition und mindestens ein Düsenbalken in Ruheposition angeordnet ist;

Fig. 4b

eine schematische Darstellung eines Druckaggregates mit mehreren Düsenbalken gemäß Fig. 4a, wobei mindestens ein Düsenbalken in Wartungsposition angeordnet ist;

Fig. 5a

eine Ansicht von zumindest vier Druckköpfen innerhalb einer Reihe eines Düsenbalkens und einer Reinigungsvorrichtung, wobei zumindest ein Reinigungselement zumindest einem Druckkopf gegenüberliegend und mit diesem in direktem oder indirekten Kontakt stehend angeordnet ist und wobei der Übersichtlichkeit halber nur vier Druckköpfe dargestellt sind;

Fig. 5b

eine Schnittdarstellung der Druckköpfe des Düsenbalkens und der Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einem Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V in Fig. 5a;

Fig. 6a

eine Darstellung eines Reinigungselementes;

Fig. 6b

eine Darstellung des Reinigungselementes gemäß Fig. 6a in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 6c

eine Darstellung eines alternativen Reinigungselementes in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 7a

eine Darstellung einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform eines Reinigungselementes;

Fig. 7b

eine Darstellung der weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform eines Reinigungselementes gemäß Fig. 7a in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 7c

eine Darstellung der weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform eines Reinigungselementes gemäß Fig. 7a und/oder Fig. 7b mit zumindest einem zusätzlichen Wischer;

Fig. 7d

eine Anordnung eines Reinigungselementes mit vier Reinigungsbereichen an einem Düsenbalken mit vier Reihen an Druckköpfen.

Show it:

1

a schematic perspective view of at least one printing unit with at least one nozzle bar and at least one opposing printing material guide element and a printing material;

Figure 2a

a schematic representation of at least one nozzle bar with two rows of obliquely overlapping print heads;

Figure 2b

a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of at least one nozzle bar with several print heads, which are offset to each other in are arranged in a double row;

Figure 3a

a schematic perspective view of at least two print heads, which are arranged spaced apart from one another by a positioning gap, with at least a first feed device assigned to the positioning gap, and a second feed device, the second feed device being shown in section;

Figure 3b

a schematic decomposition of an exemplary feeder;

Figure 4a

a schematic representation of a printing unit with several nozzle bars, wherein at least one nozzle bar is arranged in the printing position and at least one nozzle bar is arranged in the rest position;

Figure 4b

a schematic representation of a printing unit with several nozzle bars according to FIG Figure 4a , wherein at least one nozzle bar is arranged in maintenance position;

Figure 5a

a view of at least four print heads within a row of a nozzle bar and a cleaning device, wherein at least one cleaning element is arranged opposite at least one print head and is in direct or indirect contact with it and only four print heads are shown for the sake of clarity;

Figure 5b

a sectional view of the print heads of the nozzle bar and the cleaning device according to a section along the line VV in Figure 5a ;

Figure 6a

a representation of a cleaning element;

Figure 6b

a representation of the cleaning element according to FIG Figure 6a in perspective view;

Figure 6c

a representation of an alternative cleaning element in a perspective view;

Figure 7a

a representation of a further alternative embodiment of a cleaning element;

Figure 7b

a representation of the further alternative embodiment of a cleaning element according to FIG Figure 7a in perspective view;

Figure 7c

a representation of the further alternative embodiment of a cleaning element according to FIG Figure 7a and or Figure 7b with at least one additional wiper;

Figure 7d

an arrangement of a cleaning element with four cleaning areas on a nozzle bar with four rows of print heads.

A printing press comprises at least one printing assembly 01 and at least one printing substrate guide element 02 for guiding at least one printing substrate 03. The at least one printing assembly 01, which is embodied in particular as a non-impact printing assembly 01, preferably as an inkjet printing assembly 01, comprises at least one nozzle bar 04 with at least a print head 08, preferably at least one inkjet print head 08. At least one printing material guide element 02 is preferably assigned to the nozzle bar 04 in question. The at least one print head 08 has at least one exit surface 09.

The printing press is a machine within this font, which at least one applies printing fluid to at least one printing substrate 03 and/or is capable of applying it.

The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably comprises at least two print heads 08, which are arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another, preferably adjacent, in a y-direction and/or which extend in particular over the entire working width of printing assembly 01. The respective print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04 are preferably arranged in at least one row in the y-direction. The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably extends over the entire working width of the printing assembly 01. In particular, at least two print heads 08 of the nozzle bar 04 are arranged next to one another in a y-direction and/or are connected to one another in the y-direction via a fixed axis, for example Group of printheads 08 connected.

The y-direction and an x-direction and a z-direction form a Cartesian coordinate system. The x-direction corresponds to a direction along a shortest side of the respective nozzle bar 04. The y-direction corresponds to a direction along a longest side of the respective nozzle bar 04. The z-direction is parallel to a normal vector of a plane passing through the x-direction and the y-direction is spanned.

A transverse direction A is preferably a direction that runs parallel to a longest side of the at least one nozzle bar 04. The transverse direction A is preferably arranged parallel to the y-direction. The x-direction is preferably arranged orthogonally to the transverse direction A. The working width is in particular parallel to the transverse direction A. Furthermore, the transverse direction A is preferably orthogonal to a transport direction T.

The working width is in the foregoing and in the following the maximum width that a printing substrate 03 may have in order to still be able to be processed with the at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press; this therefore corresponds to the maximum width of the respective printing substrate 03 that can be processed with the at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press. The working width preferably corresponds to an extension of the at least one exit surface 09 at least one print head 08 along the y-direction, which is preferably used to print the printing material 03.

In the foregoing and in the following, the printing material 03 is a substrate that can be printed on by the at least one printing unit 01 with a medium, in particular a printing fluid. Printing substrate 03 is preferably in the form of paper and/or cardboard and/or foil, for example a plastic foil, and/or textile and/or metal. The printing material 03 is designed in particular as a web or sheet.

The spatial area provided for the transport of a printing substrate 03, which the printing substrate 03 occupies at least temporarily if it is present, is the transport path. The transport path is defined by at least one means of transport, in particular by the at least one printing material guide element 02. The at least one printing substrate guide element 02 is preferably configured as at least one roller and/or at least one cylinder and/or at least one support and/or at least one other device for guiding the printing substrate 03 when the printing press is in a printing operating state.

The transport direction T is a direction provided for a printing operating state of at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press, in which direction the printing material 03 is transported if it is present at any point along the transport path. The transport direction T is preferably a direction that runs parallel to a shortest side of the at least one nozzle bar 04. The transverse direction A is the axial direction orthogonal to the transport direction T. Preferably, for example, the transport direction T is parallel to the x-direction and/or for example, the transverse direction A parallel to the y-direction of the Cartesian coordinate system at a location where the distance between a relevant print head 08 and the transport path is the shortest.

In the foregoing and in the following, a printing fluid refers to inks, printing inks and/or varnishes, as well as other materials, which are and/or can be transferred to a printing substrate 03 by a printing press or at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press. A printing fluid located in a volume of print head 08, in particular in the form of drops, can preferably leave the volume of print head 08 in question through an opening in exit surface 09.

A cleaning agent and/or cleaning fluid refers above and below in particular to a liquid that is used to clean individual components of a printing press, in particular to clean at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08. The cleaning agent is preferably used to remove residues of the at least one printing fluid on components of the printing press, in particular the exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08 and/or a positioning gap 07 between two print heads 08 arranged next to one another. For example, the cleaning agent contains water and/or at least one Surfactant and / or at least one solvent.

A printing unit 01 comprises at least one nozzle bar 04. For example, a printing unit 01 comprises at least two nozzle bars 04, preferably at least four nozzle bars 04, for example exactly four nozzle bars 04. The at least one nozzle bar 04 is arranged, for example, in at least one printing position, for example shown in 1 . The printing position describes that position of the nozzle bar 04 in which the nozzle bar 04 is arranged when the printing press is in a printing operating state. Preferably, a respective distinguishes itself in its print head 08 arranged in the printing position, in that the respective exit surface 09 is at a maximum distance of 5 mm from the transport path provided for at least one printing substrate 03 and/or from the at least one printing substrate 03 and/or from the printing substrate guide element 02 assigned to the respective nozzle bar 04 (millimeters), preferably at most 1.5 mm and/or at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm.

For example, when the printing press is in the printing operating state, at least one printing material 03 is guided along the transport direction T by means of the at least one printing material guide element 02 through a space between the respective printing material guide element 02 and the relevant nozzle bar 04. Facing the printing material guide element 02, the at least one print head 08, each with at least one exit surface 09, is positioned in the relevant nozzle bar 04.

The at least one nozzle bar 04 comprises at least two print heads 08. The at least two print heads 08 are arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent. The at least two print heads 08 are preferably arranged next to one another in the y-direction, in particular adjacent to one another, preferably adjacent and/or preferably partially overlapping in the x-direction. The individual print heads 08 of the nozzle bar 04 in question are preferably arranged along the y-direction within at least one row, preferably within at least two, in particular parallel, rows of print heads 08. The respective exit surfaces 09 of at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, preferably adjacent ones, in particular within a row, are each positioned at a distance from one another, in particular in the y direction, by the at least one positioning gap 07. The at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another in the y direction are preferably arranged spaced apart from one another by the at least one positioning gap 07. More preferably, the at least two arranged next to one another in the y-direction
in particular adjacent print heads 08, in particular the respective exit surfaces 09 of the print heads 08 arranged next to one another in particular in the y direction, the corresponding positioning gap 07 in the y direction. This makes it easier, for example, to position the respective print heads 08.

In one exemplary embodiment of a nozzle bar 04, the print heads 08 of the nozzle bar 04, which are preferably arranged in a row in the y direction, for example in the x direction, preferably in the transport direction T, are each arranged at least partially obliquely overlapping and/or preferably the respective exit surfaces 09 of the corresponding print heads 08 are arranged spaced apart from one another in the y-direction by the respective one positioning gap 07.

In an alternative embodiment of a nozzle bar 04, the nozzle bar 04 comprises, for example, at least two preferably parallel rows of print heads 08, one row in the y-direction comprising at least two print heads 08, preferably a large number of print heads 08. The print heads 08 of each row arranged in the y-direction are preferably arranged offset from one another in the x-direction, as a result of which the respective exit surfaces 09 of the print heads 08 arranged offset from one another preferably at least partially overlap.

A print head 08 comprises at least one exit surface 09 and at least one, in particular at least two, contact surfaces 11. The at least one contact surface 11 is preferably embodied as a spacer surface 11. The contact surface 11 is preferably designed in such a way that the exit surface 09 is arranged to avoid unwanted contact with components or other bodies, for example when cleaning the exit surface 09. The spacer surface 11 preferably extends over the entire extent of the respective print head 08. Dimensions over only part of the expansion of the respective print head 08 is also possible.

The exit surface 09 of a print head 08 is a surface of the respective print head 08 which faces the transport path and lies in particular in a plane whose normal vector is arranged parallel to the z-direction. The exit surface 09 is designed, for example, as a parallelogram, preferably as a non-rectangular parallelogram. A further exemplary embodiment of the exit surface 09 is a trapezium, in particular an isosceles trapezium. The exit surface 09 preferably includes at least one opening, in particular a large number of openings, through which the printing fluid can leave at least one volume, in particular a large number of volumes, of the relevant print head 08, preferably in the form of drops.

An exit direction of the at least one exit surface 09 is the direction in which the printing fluid exits and/or can exit the respective print head 08 through at least one opening of the corresponding exit surface 09. The exit direction of the exit surface 09 is preferably at least in one component and more preferably completely parallel to a surface normal of the exit surface 09 of the respective print head 08.

The respective exit surfaces 09 of the relevant print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04, which are arranged next to one another in the y-direction, are preferably arranged at least partially adjacent to one another in the x-direction, more preferably at least partially overlapping. The sum of all exit surfaces 09 within at least one row, for example at least two rows, of print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04 arranged in the y-direction extends over the entire working width of the respective nozzle bar 04. Each position is therefore along a straight line in y - Direction on the transport path associated with an opening within an exit surface 09 of the nozzle bar 04 in question, through which the pressure fluid can leave a volume of a corresponding print head 08 of the nozzle bar 04.

At least two print heads 08 are preferably arranged next to one another in the y direction, in particular adjacent to one another, within a nozzle bar 04. In particular, two print heads 08 are arranged adjacent to one another in the y-direction within a row of print heads 08. For example, in order to position the at least two adjacent print heads 08 in question of the corresponding nozzle bar 04, the respective exit surfaces 09 of the at least two print heads 08 are preferably arranged spaced apart from one another by the one positioning gap 07. The at least one positioning gap 07 preferably extends in the y-direction by a maximum of 0.5 mm (millimeters), in particular by a maximum of 0.2 mm. In particular, the at least one positioning gap 07 extends in the y-direction by at least 0.05 mm, preferably at least 0.1 mm.

It points a cleaning direction G and/or the y-direction to a longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07 in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e. rotated counterclockwise, at a planar angle, in particular a positioning angle 46, of at least 50°, preferably of at least 60° , and at most 130°, preferably at most 120°. For example, this shows in particular that the longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07, preferably the positioning angle 46 of the longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07, is arranged in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. The longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07 is preferably that direction in which the greatest extent of the positioning gap 07 occurs. The longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07 is preferably oriented within the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction with at least one component orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. For example, the positioning angle 46 thus corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another.

At least one feed device is preferred for each positioning gap 07 13 associated with ejecting a fluid. The at least one feed device 13 is preferably designed as a nozzle 13, in particular as a cleaning nozzle 13. More preferably, the feed device 13 is designed as a nozzle 13 for ejecting fluid, preferably a gaseous fluid and/or compressed gas. The feed device 13 is preferably arranged in such a way that a fluid, for example a compressed gas and/or a gas mixture, in particular air, and/or a liquid, can flow through the respective feed device 13 in such a way that the fluid exits the feed device 13, in particular through an outlet opening 17 , In an outlet direction L can leave. At least one component of the outlet direction L, preferably in the z-direction, is preferably directed towards the respective positioning gap 07. At least one feed device 13 for ejecting a fluid with an outlet direction L is preferably assigned to the respective positioning gap 07, with at least one component of the outlet direction L being directed towards the respective positioning gap 07. The outlet opening 17 of the feed system 13 is preferably directed towards the positioning gap 07, for example from above and/or from above the printing material guide element 02 in the direction of the printing material guide element 02.

The feed device 13 preferably comprises at least one feed element 14 and/or at least one outlet element 16; 43, wherein the at least one outlet element 16; 43 is preferably embodied as at least one delimiting element 16 and/or at least one opening element 43, and/or the at least one outlet opening 17. The feed device 13 preferably has at least one cavity, which is preferably connected to the at least one outlet opening 17. For example, the at least one outlet element 16; 43 each formed as at least one metal sheet or a tube. The delimiting element 16 is preferably flat, for example as a flat sheet metal. The at least one opening element 43 preferably comprises at least one cutout 17, which is more preferably configured as the at least one outlet opening 17.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one feed system 13 is preferably connected to at least one print head 08 of the respective print heads 08, which delimit the respective positioning gap 07. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably comprises the at least one feed device 13, with the feed device 13 preferably being positioned in the z-direction on that side of the exit surface 09 which faces away from the at least one opening of the respective exit surface 09. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably includes the at least one feed device 13, with the feed device 13 preferably being arranged in the z-direction on the side facing away from the transport path of at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08 of the corresponding nozzle bar 04 and/or with the respective outlet direction L of the at least one feed system 13 is directed towards at least one positioning gap 07 between two print heads 08, which are preferably adjacent in the y direction.

The at least one feed system 13 is preferably arranged in the z-direction on the side of the respective exit surface 09 that faces away from the transport path. More preferably, the at least one feed device 13 is positioned on that side of the print head 08, in particular the exit surface 09, on which the print head 08 is attached to the corresponding nozzle bar 04. More preferably, the at least one feed device 13 is positioned such that the outlet direction L is directed from one side of the print head 08, in particular one side of the exit surface 09, onto the at least one positioning gap 07, in which the print head 08 is attached to the corresponding nozzle bar 04 .

The feed device 13 is preferably arranged at a distance from the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. More preferably, the feed device 13 is arranged adjacent to the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. Preferred is the Outlet opening 17 arranged spaced apart from the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. More preferably, the outlet opening 17 is arranged adjacent to the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. This means that the feed device 13, in particular the respective outlet opening 17, is preferably arranged at a distance in the z direction from the respective exit surfaces 09 of two print heads 08, which are arranged next to one another in the y direction and whose exit surfaces 09 delimit the corresponding positioning gap 07.

The outlet direction L is preferably a direction in which a fluid, for example a gas and/or a gas mixture, in particular air, and/or a liquid, the feed device 13 in question, preferably through the at least one outlet element 16; 43, in particular the at least one outlet opening 17, can leave. Preferably, at least one component of the outlet direction L is parallel and/or points in an identical direction to the outlet direction of the at least one outlet surface 09 of a print head 08 of the nozzle bar 04. More preferably, at least one component of the outlet direction L is parallel and/or points in an identical direction Direction to the surface normal of the exit surface 09 of the respective print head 08 and/or a direction in which the printing fluid can leave the respective exit surface 09.

The outlet direction L is preferably parallel to a main direction, which is preferably defined by at least one side wall of the feed device 13, which is more preferably defined by the at least one delimiting element 16. The outlet direction L preferably has at least one component in the z-direction, with the component in the z-direction preferably facing the transport path. For example, the outlet direction L includes at least one component in the z-direction and at least one component in the x-direction, the component in the z-direction being greater than the component in the x-direction.

The outlet direction L is preferably a direction within a plane leading to the position of the positioning gap 07 along the y-direction, for example, shifted by the z-direction and at least one direction of a shortest boundary, which is in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction is spanned, the respective exit surface 09 of the relevant print head 08, which preferably delimits the positioning gap 07, is spanned.

In a preferred embodiment, the extent of the at least one feed device 13 in the y direction is identical to the extent of the respective positioning gap 07 in the y direction. More preferably, the at least one feed device 13 extends in the y-direction by a maximum of 0.5 mm (millimeters), in particular by a maximum of 0.2 mm. More preferably, the at least one feed device 13 extends in the y-direction by at least 0.05 mm, preferably at least 0.1 mm.

The outlet opening 17 is preferably in the plane that runs through the z-direction and at least one direction of the shortest boundary, which is spanned in a plane in the x-direction and y-direction, of the respective exit surface 09 of the print head 08 in question, with the respective exit surface 09 delimits the positioning gap 07, is designed in such a way that the relevant outlet opening 17 has smaller dimensions in the z-direction far from the respective exit surface 09, in particular far from the transport path, than in the z-direction close to the exit surface 09, in particular close to the transport route. The outlet opening 17 preferably points in the plane which is displaced to the position of the positioning gap 07, for example along the y-direction, through the z-direction and at least one direction of the shortest boundary, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction , the respective exit surface 09 of the print head 08 in question, which delimits the positioning gap 07, is spanned into a shape that corresponds, for example, to a two-dimensional longitudinal section of a cone. Additionally or alternatively takes preferably the diameter of the outlet opening 17 measured in the direction of the shortest boundary, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction, towards the exit surface 09, which bounds the positioning gap 07, along the z-direction in the direction of the transport path. The at least one outlet opening 17 preferably has a maximum diameter at the point on the feed device 13 which is at the shortest distance from the respective positioning gap 07. More preferably, the maximum diameter of the corresponding outlet opening 17 is greater than the extent of the at least one exit surface 09 of the relevant print head 08, which is arranged on the corresponding positioning gap 07, in the direction of the shortest boundary of the respective exit surface 09.

The delimiting element 16 preferably delimits the respective outlet opening 17 on one side in the y-direction. The respective delimiting element 16 is preferably in direct contact with the respective opening element 43. More preferably, the feed element 14 is in direct contact with the respective opening element 43, so that there is preferably a connection between at least one cavity of the supply element 14 and the respective outlet opening 17. More preferably, the opening element 43 and in particular the respective outlet opening 17 of the corresponding feed device 13 is arranged between the respective delimiting element 16 and the respective feed element 14 .

The supply element 14 preferably comprises the at least one cavity, the cavity being connected to at least one source for supplying the at least one fluid, for example a gas and/or a gas mixture, in particular air, and/or a liquid, and to the outlet opening 17 .

For example, a fluid, for example a gas and/or gas mixture and/or a liquid, can be provided by the at least one source. For example, the at least one fluid, in particular compressed gas, flows through the cavity of the supply element 14 and preferably meets the delimiting element 16 through the recess 17 of the opening element 43. The fluid, for example the gas and/or the gas mixture and/or the liquid, is deflected at the delimiting element 16 in such a way that the fluid preferably flows through the at least one outlet opening 17 emerges from the respective feed device 13 in the outlet direction L. The fluid, for example the gas and/or the gas mixture and/or the liquid, preferably has a pressure of at least 0.1 bar, in particular at least 0.2 bar, and at most 0.7 bar, in particular, on exiting from the feed device 13 of a maximum of 0.5 bar. In 3 an exit of the fluid in the exit direction L is indicated by dashed lines as an example.

The nozzle bar 04 comprises at least one positioning guide 06, which is preferably arranged to be movable, in particular linearly movable. The respective nozzle bar 04, in particular the respective print heads 08 of the nozzle bar 04, can preferably be and/or can be arranged in the at least one printing position and/or at least one idle position and/or at least one maintenance position by means of the respective positioning guide 06.

The at least one maintenance position is preferably a position in which the at least one print head 08 of the nozzle bar 04 in question can be serviced, for example cleaned and/or aligned, preferably without the corresponding print head 08 being removed from the nozzle bar 04 and/or the printing assembly 01 and/or to be taken from the printing machine. The respective maintenance position of a nozzle bar 04, in particular of the relevant print heads 08, is preferably characterized in that different nozzle bars 04 arranged in their respective maintenance positions are at different distances from one another than in their respective printing positions and/or in their respective idle positions. The distance between the respective exit surface 09 of a print head 08 arranged in a maintenance position and the intended transport path for at least one printing substrate is preferred 03 and/or of the at least one printing substrate 03 and/or of the printing substrate guide element 02 assigned to the respective nozzle bar 04 is greater than in the corresponding printing position.

The idle position is preferably a position in which the at least one print head 08 is removed from the printing press and/or the at least one printing unit 01 and/or the at least one nozzle bar 04 and/or placed in the printing press and/or the at least one printing unit 01 and/or or the at least one nozzle bar 04 can be used. In particular, when the operator is in the rest position, there is preferably more space available to access the at least one print head 08, while in the maintenance position there is preferably only sufficient space to be able to carry out internal, in particular automatic processes within the printing press, for example cleaning of at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08.

Figure 4a shows, for example, a schematic representation of at least one printing unit 01 with a plurality of nozzle bars 04, with at least one nozzle bar 04 being arranged in the printing position and at least one nozzle bar 04 being arranged in the idle position. Figure 4b shows, for example, a schematic representation of a printing assembly 01 with a plurality of nozzle bars 04 according to FIG Figure 4a , wherein at least one nozzle bar 04 is arranged in a maintenance position.

The at least one printing assembly 01 comprises at least one cleaning device 18. At least one cleaning device 18 is assigned to each nozzle bar 04 of a printing assembly 01. For example, the at least one print head 08 of a nozzle bar 04 arranged in the maintenance position is assigned a cleaning device 18, which is positioned in a cleaning position via a guide system 19. To clean the at least one exit surface 09 and/or the at least one contact surface 11 of the
at least one print head 08 of a corresponding nozzle bar 04 is provided with the at least one cleaning device 18. The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably additionally or alternatively cleans the at least one positioning gap 07.

Figure 5a shows an example of a corresponding cleaning device 18 in the cleaning position, which is preferably assigned to a nozzle bar 04 in the maintenance position. For the sake of clarity, only four print heads 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04 are shown.

The cleaning position of the at least one cleaning device 18 preferably corresponds to a position in which the cleaning device 18 is in direct or indirect contact with at least one, in particular one, print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04 that is to be cleaned, and/or preferably a position in which the cleaning device 18 is to carry out the cleaning of the at least one print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04.

The at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably movable, in particular as a whole, at least orthogonally to the transverse direction A, preferably via at least one guide system 19. In the at least one maintenance position of the at least one nozzle bar 04, at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08, in particular one exit surface 09 of at least two, preferably at least three and more preferably at least four print heads 08, is preferably assigned to at least one cleaning device 18 and /or assignable. A printing assembly 01 preferably comprises at least one cleaning device 18 per nozzle bar 04. In a preferred embodiment, at least two cleaning devices 18 are connected to a preferably common guide system 19 and/or are designed to be movable and/or move by the one preferably common guide system 19.

In the maintenance position of the at least one nozzle bar 04, the cleaning device 18 assigned to the corresponding nozzle bar 04 is preferably embodied as at least one locking element, for example in the form of at least one maintenance stop. In its maintenance position, the nozzle bar 04 having the corresponding print head 08 is preferably pulled and/or pressed against the cleaning device 18 by the application of a force and/or, for example, by gravity. As a result, the maintenance position of the at least one nozzle bar 04 is preferably clearly defined.

The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably comprises at least one cleaning guide 44 and/or at least one cleaning drive 21 and/or at least one collecting tray 22 and/or at least one support device 23; 24 and/or at least one cleaning unit 26, preferably at least one cleaning unit 26 per row of print heads 08 in the y-direction of the nozzle bar 04 in question. The at least one support device 23; 24 is preferably designed as at least one positioning aid 23 and/or as at least one cleaning aid 24.

The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably extends in the transverse direction A that is at least as large as the working width of the at least one nozzle bar 04 in the transverse direction A. The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably extends in the transport direction T of the printing substrate 03 which is at least as large as the working width of the at least one nozzle bar 04 in transport direction T. This means that preferably all exit surfaces 09 of all print heads 08 of the at least one nozzle bar 04 can be cleaned in one operation. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one cleaning device 18 extends in transport direction T that is at least as large as all the working widths of all nozzle bars 04 of printing unit 01 in transport direction T taken together. As a result, all exit surfaces 09 of all print heads 08 of the at least one printing assembly 01 can be cleaned in one operation.

The at least one cleaning unit 26 is preferably arranged to be movable along the cleaning guide 44, for example by means of the cleaning drive 21. More preferably, the at least one cleaning unit 26 is arranged to be movable in and/or counter to a cleaning direction G and/or is moved. The at least one collecting tray 22 is preferably arranged at least partially surrounding the at least one cleaning unit 26 . The collecting tray 22 is more preferably arranged in such a way that the collecting tray 22 at least partially encloses the cleaning unit 26 and the at least one print head 08 of the nozzle bar 04 in question that is arranged in the maintenance position.

The cleaning direction G is preferably a horizontal direction G in which a cleaning unit 26 is arranged to be movable, in particular for carrying out a cleaning step. The cleaning direction G preferably has at least one component which is arranged parallel to the transverse direction A and/or parallel to the y-direction and is preferably oriented opposite to the y-direction. More preferably, the cleaning direction G is arranged parallel to the transverse direction A and/or parallel to the y-direction and is preferably oriented opposite to the y-direction. The cleaning direction G is preferably oriented orthogonally to at least one transport direction T provided for transporting at least one printing substrate 03 and/or orthogonally to the x-direction. The at least one cleaning unit 26 is preferably arranged such that it can be moved in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G. At least one cleaning element 31 is arranged so that it can move in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G. At least that is preferred
a cleaning unit 26 and more preferably the at least one
Cleaning element 31 is arranged such that it can move at least in cleaning direction G during a cleaning process for cleaning at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08.

The at least one cleaning unit 26 preferably comprises at least one mounting element 28, preferably at least two mounting elements 28, and/or at least one power element 29 and/or at least one carrier 27 and/or the at least one cleaning element 31. The at least one mounting element 28 is preferred at least two mounting elements 28 and/or the at least one force element 29 and/or the at least one carrier 27 and/or the at least one cleaning element 31 within the corresponding cleaning unit 26, preferably firmly connected to one another.

The at least one assembly element 28, in particular the at least two assembly elements 28, are preferably in direct contact with the at least one force element 29. The at least one force element 29 is designed, for example, as a bellows and/or hollow body and/or spring and is preferred in terms of its expansion and/or or dimensions adjustable in the z-direction, preferably in a direction whose main component corresponds to the z-direction. The at least one carrier 27 is preferably embodied as a base body and/or preferably carries the at least one assembly element 28, preferably at least two assembly elements 28, and/or the at least one force element 29 and/or the at least one cleaning element 31 of the corresponding cleaning unit 26 the at least one cleaning element 31 is arranged in direct contact with at least one mounting element 28. The extent and/or dimensions of cleaning unit 26 in the z-direction, more preferably in a direction whose main component corresponds to the z-direction, can preferably be adjusted by changing the extent and/or dimensions of the at least one force element 29 of the cleaning unit 26 in question /or changeable and/or movable. Thanks to this mobility, at least it can a cleaning element 31 is preferably brought into contact with other components and/or brought out of contact, such components being in particular the at least one print head 08 and/or the at least one support device 23; 24 come into question.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one cleaning unit 26 comprises the at least one cleaning element 31, which is connected to the at least one carrier 27 via the at least one force element 29, preferably via at least four force elements 29, for example via exactly four force elements 29. The at least one force element 29, in particular the at least four force elements 29, is preferably designed as a spring. The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably mounted and/or fixed in the at least one carrier 27, which is preferably designed as a base body, by the at least one force element 29, preferably in a floating manner. This preferably enables precise and simple setting of the contact pressure which the associated nozzle bar 04 exerts on the at least one cleaning element 31, in particular on at least one sliding surface 32 of the cleaning element 31, when it is being lowered into the maintenance position and/or while it is being arranged in the maintenance position .

The cleaning device 18 preferably has at least one positioning aid 23 that is different from each print head 08, which preferably has at least one contact surface that is oriented in the same direction as the at least one contact surface 11 and/or exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 the at least one contact surface of the positioning aid 23, preferably adjacent to or spaced apart from the at least one contact surface 11 of a relevant print head 08 with respect to the cleaning direction G. More preferably, the contact surface of the positioning aid 23 in the z-direction has an identical component to the exit surface 09 of one with the corresponding cleaning element 31 to be cleaned print head 08. In particular, if direct contact between the at least one cleaning element 31 and the exit surface 09 of a print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04 is provided, the contact surface of the positioning aid 23 is oriented in the same direction as the at least one exit surface 09. For example, there is direct contact between the at least one cleaning element 31 and the exit surface 09 of a print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04 is provided, the cleaning element 31 is preferably designed as a contact element, for example as a wiper. In particular, if there is only indirect contact between the at least one cleaning element 31 and the exit surface 09 of a print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04, the contact surface of the positioning aid 23 is oriented in the same direction as the at least one contact surface 11, in particular the at least one spacer surface 11 The at least one positioning aid 23 is preferably arranged in such a way that the at least one cleaning element 31 is arranged so that it can be clearly positioned relative to at least one print head 08, in particular that is to be cleaned.

The cleaning device 18 preferably comprises at least one cleaning aid 24. The cleaning aid 24 is preferably designed in such a way that the at least one cleaning element 31 can be cleaned. The cleaning aid 24 preferably has at least one spray device and/or at least one wiping device.

The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably embodied as a cleaning head 31. The cleaning element 31 is preferably firmly connected to the at least one mounting element 28 and/or the at least one carrier 27 of the cleaning device 18 in question, in particular the cleaning unit 26 in question. The at least one cleaning element 31 is arranged so that it can move in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G.

The cleaning head 31 has at least one fluid supply 38 and at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 on. The at least one fluid supply 38 is further preferred designed as at least one fluid supply 38 for supplying cleaning liquid. The at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 is more preferred than at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 designed for cleaning liquid and / or dirt. The cleaning head 31 has at least two fluid discharge openings 39; 41, wherein a first fluid discharge opening 39 is preferably designed as a fluid discharge 39 and/or wherein a second fluid discharge opening 41 is preferably designed as a fluid suction device 41. The at least one first fluid discharge opening 39 preferably at least partially, more preferably completely, surrounds the at least one fluid supply 38 in one plane.

If, for example, the cleaning head 31 is in direct or indirect contact with the at least one print head 08, then, for example, at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning agent, can be dispensed from the at least one fluid supply 38 in the immediate vicinity of the exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 and/or of a positioning gap 07 and through the at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 can also be sucked off again in the immediate vicinity of the exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 and/or a positioning gap 07. For this purpose, the cleaning head 31 is preferably brought so close to the at least one print head 08 that a cleaning gap is formed between the cleaning head 31 on the one hand and the exit surface 09 of the print head 08 on the other hand, through which the fluid, in particular the cleaning liquid, flows and thus the exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 and/or a positioning gap 07 is cleaned and/or is possible to clean.

The at least one cleaning head 31 preferably has at least one sliding point 32 provided in particular for contact with the at least one print head 08, with the sliding point 32 preferably being embodied as a sliding surface 32. The at least one sliding point 32 is preferred for at least partial contact with at least part of at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08 formed, which is more preferably formed as at least one spacer surface 11.

The at least one cleaning head 31 preferably has at least one ramp 33; 34 on. More preferably, the cleaning head 31 has at least one first ramp 33 and at least one second ramp 34 . The at least one cleaning element 31 can preferably be arranged in at least one first position and/or in at least one second position, the first position of the cleaning element 31 being arranged at a distance from the second position of the cleaning element 31, preferably along the cleaning direction G.

The first ramp 33 is preferably designed as an entry ramp 33 . The first ramp 33 is preferably arranged to reduce the distance between a reference point of the first ramp 33 and the print head 08 to be cleaned. The reference point of the first ramp 33 is preferably a point on the first ramp 33 which is arranged perpendicular to the print head 08 to be cleaned. In the first position of the cleaning element 31, the first ramp 33 is preferably at a first distance from a print head 08 to be cleaned, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and/or spacing surface 11 to be cleaned, at the reference point of the first ramp 33. In the second position of the cleaning element 31, the first ramp 33 is preferably at a second distance from a print head 08 to be cleaned, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and/or spacer surface 11 to be cleaned, at the reference point of the first ramp 33, the second distance between the reference point of the first ramp 33 and the print head 08 to be cleaned is less than the first distance between the reference point of the first ramp 33 and the print head 08 to be cleaned.

The second ramp 34 is preferably designed as an outlet ramp 34 . The second ramp 34 is preferably arranged to increase the distance between a reference point of the second ramp 34 and the print head 08 to be cleaned. The reference point of the second ramp 34 is preferably a point of the second ramp 34 which is perpendicular to the print head 08 to be cleaned. In the first position of the cleaning element 31, the second ramp 34 is preferably at a first distance from a print head 08, in particular one to be cleaned, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and/or spacing surface 11 to be cleaned, at the reference point of the second ramp 34. In the second position of the cleaning element 31, the second ramp 34 is preferably at a second distance from a print head 08, in particular one that is to be cleaned, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and/or spacing surface 11 to be cleaned, at the reference point of the second ramp 34, whereby the second distance between the reference point of the second ramp 34 and print head 08, in particular to be cleaned, is greater than the first distance between the reference point of the second ramp 34 and print head 08, in particular to be cleaned.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one print head 08 and/or the at least one cleaning head 31 has at least one guide device 36. This guide device 36 is preferably designed as a guide surface 36 whose surface normal has at least one component that is orthogonal to the z-direction and to the cleaning direction G. The at least one guide surface 36 of a cleaning head 31 preferably borders directly on at least one sliding surface 32 of the respective cleaning head 31. The at least one guide device 36 is preferably arranged in such a way that the cleaning head 31 can be positioned within a tolerance range or in an exact position with respect to a direction oriented parallel to the x-direction and/or orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction and/or is positioned.

The cleaning head 31 preferably has at least one cleaning area 37 . The at least one cleaning area 37 preferably has the at least one fluid supply 38 and the at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 on. The cleaning area 37 more preferably has the at least one fluid inlet 38 and/or the at least one fluid outlet 39 and/or the at least one fluid suction 41. is preferred the at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 each connected to at least one sink for removing cleaning agents and/or dirt and/or particles, for example. The at least one fluid supply 38 is preferably connected to a source of cleaning agent. The fluid supply 38 is preferably designed as a fluid supply opening 38 within the cleaning area 37 . The at least one cleaning area 37 is preferably arranged between the at least one first ramp 33 and the at least one second ramp 34 . In particular, the at least one first ramp 33 is arranged in front of the at least one cleaning area 37 in the cleaning direction G. The at least one second ramp 34 is preferably arranged after the at least one cleaning area 37 in the cleaning direction G. The first ramp 33 preferably rises from an outer edge of the cleaning element 31 to the at least one cleaning area 37 . The second ramp 33 preferably rises from an outer edge of the cleaning element 31 towards the at least one cleaning region 37 . The gradients of the first ramp 33 and the second ramp 34 are preferably directed in opposite directions to one another.

The fluid supply opening 38 preferably has at least one delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning region 37, preferably orthogonal to the z-direction, with a centroid. More preferably, the delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38 has at least one first delimitation point, which is arranged in alignment with the centroid with respect to the cleaning direction G. The delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38 preferably has at least one second delimitation point, which is arranged in alignment with the centroid with respect to a direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. The delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38 preferably has at least one third delimitation point, which is arranged on the delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38 in extension of a distance from the first delimitation point to the centroid of the area. The boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 preferably has at least a fourth boundary point, which is on the Boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 is arranged in extension of a distance from the second boundary point to the centroid. The respective first delimitation point and the second delimitation point and the third delimitation point and the fourth delimitation point are preferably positioned at a distance greater than zero from one another on the delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38 . The distance between the first boundary point and the third boundary point on the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably less than the distance between the second boundary point and the fourth boundary point on the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38. A longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably at least partially orthogonal to a straight line between the first delimitation point and the center of gravity of the delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38. In other words, for example, the at least one fluid supply opening 38, in particular the delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38, points in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction, and/or orthogonally The z-direction preferably has the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 and a transverse direction of the fluid supply opening 38 . The expansion of the fluid supply opening 38 in its longitudinal direction and in its transverse direction is preferably different from one another. The fluid supply opening 38, in particular the delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38, preferably has a maximum extent in its longitudinal direction. The extent of the fluid supply opening 38, in particular the delimitation of the fluid supply opening 38, is preferably smaller in the transverse direction of the fluid supply opening 38 than in its longitudinal direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, a cleaning area 37 has at least two fluid supply openings 38 each with a delimitation of the respective fluid supply opening 38 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37 . The at least two fluid supply openings 38 each have a centroid, with the centroids of the fluid supply openings 38 preferably being arranged on a straight line. The straight line of the at least two centroids of the fluid supply openings 38 is preferably at least partially orthogonal to the Cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction.

A tangential through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably arranged at least partially orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and orthogonally to the z-direction. Preferably, the tangential through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e. counterclockwise, has a planar angle of at least 50°, preferably at least 60°, and at most 130°. preferably of at most 120°. The tangent through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably parallel to a plane which is displaced to the position of the positioning gap 07, for example along the y-direction, through the z-direction and at least one direction of the shortest boundary of a respective exit surface 09, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction of the print head 08 to be cleaned of the relevant nozzle bar 04, which delimits the positioning gap 07.

The tangential through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38, in particular in the case of a fluid supply opening 38 which, for example, is elongated and/or oval and/or slot-shaped and/or as a groove and/or in another shape is designed as circular. The longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. The longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably located in a plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. The fluid supply opening 38 is preferably designed as a groove and/or elongated and/or oval and/or slot-shaped, preferably in the plane orthogonal to the z-direction. A groove preferably has at least two mutually parallel longitudinal sides. Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 faces the cleaning direction G in a positive direction Mathematical sense of rotation, this means rotated counterclockwise, a preferably flat angle, in particular an opening angle 47, of at least 50°, preferably at least 60°, and at most 130°, preferably at most 120°. In other words, this means, for example, that the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid supply opening 38 has an identical inclination to the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably by the opening angle 47 with respect to the cleaning direction G. In particular, opening angle 47 preferably corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. This shows, for example, that opening angle 47 is preferably acute-angled or obtuse. This acute-angled or obtuse design of the opening angle 47 preferably depicts the at least partially oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another and/or the alignment of the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07.

The fluid supply opening 38 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. More preferably, the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 between at least two print heads 08, which in particular are to be cleaned, preferably within a row in the y-direction of a nozzle bar 04. More preferably, the tangential through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. This enables, for example, optimal penetration of cleaning agents into the positioning gap 07.

The fluid discharge 39 is preferably arranged at least partially around the fluid supply opening 38 in at least one plane. More preferably, the fluid discharge 39 is arranged completely around the fluid supply opening 38 in at least one plane. Said plane is preferably spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. Preferably, the fluid discharge 39 is designed so that cleaning agents and/or dirt and/or particles, for example, which adhere and/or are residues on the respective exit surface 09 and/or the respective contact surface 11 of a print head 08 in question, can be removed and/or removed.

The fluid discharge 39 preferably has at least one delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37, preferably orthogonal to the z-direction, with a centroid. More preferably, the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 has at least one fifth delimitation point, which is arranged in alignment with the centroid of the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 with respect to the cleaning direction G. The delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 preferably has at least one sixth delimitation point, which is arranged in alignment with the centroid with respect to a direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. The delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 preferably has at least one seventh delimitation point, which is arranged on the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 in extension of a distance from the fifth delimitation point to the centroid of the area. The delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 preferably has at least one eighth delimitation point, which is arranged on the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 in extension of a distance from the sixth delimitation point to the centroid of the area. The respective fifth delimitation point and the sixth delimitation point and the seventh delimitation point and the eighth delimitation point are preferably positioned at a distance greater than zero from one another on the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 . The distance between the fifth boundary point and the seventh boundary point on the boundary of fluid drainage 39 is preferably less than the distance between the sixth boundary point and the eighth boundary point on the boundary of fluid drainage 39. A longitudinal direction of fluid drainage 39 is preferably at least partially orthogonal to a straight line between the fifth boundary point and the Focus of the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39. In other words, for example, the at least one fluid discharge 39, in particular the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39, points in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction and/or orthogonally to the z-direction preferably the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 and a transverse direction of the fluid discharge 39 . The expansion of the fluid discharge 39 in its longitudinal direction and in its transverse direction is preferably different from one another. The fluid discharge 39, in particular the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39, preferably has a maximum extension in its longitudinal direction. The extent of the fluid discharge 39, in particular the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39, is preferably smaller in the transverse direction of the fluid discharge 39 than in its longitudinal direction.

More preferably, a tangential through the fifth delimitation point of the delimitation of the fluid discharge 39 is at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction and additionally or alternatively parallel to the corresponding tangential through the first delimitation point of the delimitation of the respective fluid supply opening 38. Additionally or alternatively, the fluid discharge 39 is preferably at least partially aligned orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and orthogonally to the z-direction and/or parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. Preferably, the tangent through the fifth boundary point of the boundary of the fluid discharge 39 is aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04, in particular in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37. Preferably, the tangential through the fifth boundary point of the boundary of the fluid discharge 39, which is at least partially arranged orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and orthogonally to the z-direction, to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e. counterclockwise, at a planar angle of at least 50°, preferably at least 60°, and of at most 130°, preferably of at most 120°.

The tangential through the fifth boundary point of the boundary of the fluid discharge 39 is preferably parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39, in particular in the case of a fluid discharge 39 which, for example, is elongated and/or oval and/or slot-shaped and/or as a groove and/or trapezoidal and/or is formed in a shape other than circular. The fluid discharge 39 is preferably in the form of a trapezium and/or a groove and/or a parallelogram, preferably in the plane orthogonal to the z-direction. The longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. The longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 preferably points to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e. counterclockwise, at a preferably level angle, in particular a discharge angle 48, of at least 50°, preferably of at least 60°, and of at most 130° , preferably of at most 120°. In other words, this means, for example, that the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid discharge 39 has an identical inclination to the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably at the discharge angle 48 with respect to the cleaning direction G. In particular, the discharge angle 48 thus corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. This shows, for example, that the discharge angle 48 is preferably acute-angled or obtuse. This acute-angled or obtuse design of the discharge angle 48 preferably reflects the at least partially oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another and/or the alignment of the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07.

The at least one fluid suction device 41 can be subjected to a strong negative pressure, for example. The fluid suction device 41 is preferably designed to remove at least such cleaning fluid and/or such dirt which, after at least suction by means of the at least one fluid discharge 39 is still left.

The at least one fluid suction device 41 is preferably designed as a relatively narrow slit. The fluid suction 41 preferably has at least one boundary of the fluid suction 41 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37, preferably orthogonal to the z-direction, with a centroid. More preferably, the delimitation of the fluid suction 41 has at least a ninth delimitation point, which is arranged in alignment with the centroid of the delimitation of the fluid suction 41 with respect to the cleaning direction G. The delimitation of the fluid suction device 41 preferably has at least a tenth delimitation point, which is arranged in alignment with the centroid with respect to a direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. The delimitation of the fluid suction 41 preferably has at least an eleventh delimitation point, which is arranged on the delimitation of the fluid suction 41 in extension of a distance from the ninth delimitation point to the centroid. The delimitation of the fluid suction 41 preferably has at least a twelfth delimitation point, which is arranged on the delimitation of the fluid suction 41 in extension of a distance from the tenth delimitation point to the centroid. The ninth delimitation point and the tenth delimitation point and the eleventh delimitation point and the twelfth delimitation point are preferably positioned at a distance greater than zero from one another on the delimitation of the fluid suction device 41 . The distance between the ninth boundary point and the eleventh boundary point on the boundary of fluid suction 41 is preferably less than the distance between the tenth boundary point and the twelfth boundary point on the boundary of fluid suction 41. A longitudinal direction of fluid suction 41 is preferably at least partially orthogonal to a straight line between the ninth boundary point and the focus of the boundary of the fluid suction 41. In other words, for example, the at least one fluid suction 41, in particular the boundary of the fluid suction 41, in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction, and/or orthogonal to the z-direction, preferably the longitudinal direction of the fluid suction 41 and a transverse direction of the fluid suction 41. The expansion of the fluid suction device 41 in its longitudinal direction and in its transverse direction is preferably different from one another. The fluid suction 41, in particular the delimitation of the fluid suction 41, preferably has a maximum extension in its longitudinal direction. The extent of the fluid suction 41, in particular the boundary of the fluid suction 41, is preferably smaller in the transverse direction of the fluid suction 41 than in its longitudinal direction. The extent of the at least one fluid suction device 41 in its longitudinal direction is preferably at least five times as large, more preferably at least ten times as large, more preferably at least fifteen times as large, more preferably at least twenty times as large as in its transverse direction.

The minimum distance between the ninth boundary point and the eleventh boundary point of fluid suction 41 is preferably less than the minimum distance between the fifth boundary point and the seventh boundary point of fluid drainage 39; the distance is preferably at most half as large, more preferably at most one-fifth as large. For example, the extent of the at least one fluid suction 41 in its transverse direction is preferably less than the extent of the at least one fluid discharge 39 in its transverse direction; the extent of the at least one fluid suction 41 is preferably at most half as large, more preferably at most one-fifth as large as the expansion of the at least one fluid discharge 39 in its transverse direction.

The delimitation of the fluid suction 41 preferably has at least two delimitation points which have the greatest possible distance of all delimitation points of the delimitation of the fluid suction 41 from one another. The greatest possible distance between two boundary points of the boundary of the fluid suction device 41 preferably has a minimum length of preferably at least 35 mm (millimeters), in particular at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 45 mm. and/or a maximum length of preferably at most 60 mm, in particular at most 55 mm, more preferably at most 50 mm. More preferably, the greatest possible distance between two boundary points of the boundary of fluid suction 41 has a minimum length that is greater than at least one boundary of an exit surface 09 in question, in particular one that is to be cleaned, of a print head 08 in question in a direction that is parallel to the minimum length of the Fluid suction 41 is oriented. More preferably, the greatest possible distance between two delimitation points of the delimitation of the fluid suction device 41 has a minimum length that is greater than at least one delimitation of an exit surface 09 in question, in particular one that is to be cleaned, of a print head 08 in question in the x-direction.

A tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary of the fluid suction device 41 is preferably positioned at least partially orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and orthogonally to the z-direction and alternatively or additionally parallel to the corresponding tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38. Additionally or alternatively, the fluid suction device 41 is preferably positioned at least partially orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and orthogonally to the z-direction and parallel to the positioning gap 07. The tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary of fluid suction 41 is preferably aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04, in particular in a plane of the surface of cleaning area 37. Preferably, the tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary of fluid suction 41, which is at least partially arranged orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and orthogonally to the z-direction, to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e. counterclockwise, at a planar angle of at least 50°, preferably at least 60°, and of at most 130°, preferably of at most 120°.

The tangential through the ninth boundary point of the boundary of fluid suction 41 is preferably parallel to a longitudinal direction of fluid suction 41. The longitudinal direction of fluid suction 41 is aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. The longitudinal direction of the fluid suction device 41 preferably points to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical direction of rotation, i.e. counterclockwise, at a preferably level angle, in particular a suction angle 49, of at least 50°, preferably of at least 60°, and of at most 130° , preferably of at most 120°. In other words, this means, for example, that the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid suction device 41 has an identical inclination to the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably at the suction angle 49 with respect to the cleaning direction G. In particular, suction angle 49 preferably corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. This shows, for example, that suction angle 49 is preferably acute-angled or obtuse. This acute-angled or obtuse design of suction angle 49 preferably reflects the at least partially oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another and/or the alignment of the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07.

In a preferred embodiment, the tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 and/or the tangential line through the fifth boundary point of the boundary of the fluid discharge 39 and/or the tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary of the fluid suction 41 preferably points to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, a planar angle of at least 50°, preferably at least 60°, and at most 130°, preferably at most 120°. More preferably, each has The longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 and/or the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 and/or the longitudinal direction of the fluid suction device 41 is at a planar angle of at least 50°, preferably at least 60°, and preferably at most 130°, to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical direction of rotation of at most 120°.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the cleaning element 31 in question comprises at least one cleaning area 37, as a result of which at least one print head 08 of at least one nozzle bar 04 can preferably be cleaned and/or cleaned. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the cleaning element 31 in question preferably comprises at least two cleaning areas 37. The at least two cleaning areas 37 in question can preferably be and/or are connected by at least one connecting element 42. Thus, by means of the one cleaning head 31 in question, which comprises at least two connectable and/or connected cleaning areas 37, preferably at least two print heads 08 can be cleaned and/or cleaned, with the at least two print heads 08 preferably being located in at least two different rows of print heads 08 are arranged in the y-direction. For example, a cleaning head 31 includes, in addition to or as an alternative to the at least one cleaning area 37, at least one wiper 52, which is arranged, for example, in direct contact with at least one exit surface 09 of a print head 08 to be cleaned.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press comprises at least one nozzle bar 04 with at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, which delimit the at least one positioning gap 07, with at least one feed device 13 assigned to the respective positioning gap 07 and/or at least one of the relevant Cleaning device 18 assigned to print head 08 of nozzle bar 04.

The at least one feed system 13 is used, for example, in an operating state of the printing press, in which case at least one printing substrate 03 can be and/or is being printed with at least one printing fluid. The ejection of at least one fluid, for example a gas and/or a gas mixture, in particular air, and/or a liquid through the outlet opening 17 of the respective feed device 13 favors the penetration and/or deposition of, for example, pressurized fluid in the respective positioning gap 07 made more difficult and/or prevented.

In at least one cleaning process, at least the at least one cleaning element 31 and/or the at least one cleaning unit 26 is preferably moved in the cleaning direction G. For example, the relevant cleaning element 31 and/or the relevant cleaning unit 26 has a constant speed along the cleaning direction G. The fluid supply opening 38 preferably ejects cleaning agent which comes into contact with the at least one exit surface 09 and/or the at least one contact surface 11 and/or the at least one positioning gap 07 of the nozzle bar 04 in question. The cleaning agent preferably cleans the at least one exit surface 09 and/or the at least one contact surface 11 and/or the at least one positioning gap 07. The fluid discharge 39 sucks in the cleaning agent and/or dirt, for example, after cleaning the exit surface 09 and/or the Contact surface 11 and/or the positioning gap 07 in a preferably first removal step, preferably by applying negative pressure. In a second removal step, the fluid suction device 41 preferably sucks off the cleaning agent and/or dirt, for example, which has remained and/or adhered to the exit surface 09 and/or the contact surface 11 and/or in the positioning gap 07, for example after the first removal step.

Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning element 31 and/or the cleaning unit 26 can be slowed down and/or stopped in terms of its speed in the cleaning direction G, preferably at at least one position, which is assigned to a positioning gap 07, for example, so that the positioning gap 07 in question can be cleaned, for example. The at least one feed device 13 preferably ejects a fluid, for example a gas and/or a gas mixture, in particular air, and/or a liquid, through the at least one outlet opening 17 during the at least one cleaning process. This makes it more difficult and/or prevents the cleaning agent from penetrating and/or depositing in the respective positioning gap 07 during the cleaning process.

Intensive cleaning, for example, of the at least one relevant positioning gap 07 is preferably carried out, with the cleaning element 31 and/or the cleaning unit 26 preferably slowing down and/or slowing down its speed in the cleaning direction G at the at least one position, which is preferably assigned to the respective positioning gap 07 is stopped and/or the feed device 13 ejects at least one fluid, for example a gas and/or a gas mixture, in particular air, and/or a liquid.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning element 31, the at least one cleaning element 31 has at least two sliding surfaces 32, which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G, preferably in alignment with one another. For example, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 are spaced apart from one another by a distance greater than zero. In particular, at least one edge 51 is arranged in the cleaning direction G after the at least one cleaning area 37, in particular after the at least one fluid suction device 41, and/or in front of the at least one second ramp 34. The at least one cleaning region 37 is preferably elevated in the z-direction relative to a surface of the cleaning element 31 after the at least one edge 51, in particular in the z-direction relative to the at least one second ramp 34. As a result, the distance of the cleaning element 31 is preferably directly after Cleaning area 37, in particular after the at least one fluid suction device 41, is enlarged toward the at least one exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08. In particular, the at least one edge 51 prevents smearing of pressurized fluid that is located on the at least one exit surface 09 at this point in time, preferably when the at least one cleaning element 31 is passing the exit surface 09 in question. At least one of the at least two sliding surfaces 32 arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G is preferably arranged after the at least one cleaning area 37 in the cleaning direction G, in particular on the at least one second ramp 34. This ensures optimal guidance of the cleaning element 31 in the area after the at least one cleaning area 37, so that the at least one surface of the cleaning element 31 and/or the at least one second ramp 34 is at a distance greater than zero, particularly in the z direction, from the at least one exit surface 09 is guaranteed. When the at least one cleaning element 31 is placed against the at least one print head 08 or vice versa and/or when the cleaning element 31 is moved in or counter to the cleaning direction G, the at least one sliding surface 32, preferably all sliding surfaces 32, are preferably orthogonal to the cleaning direction G or arranged behind the at least one exit surface 09, for example at a distance from the at least one exit surface 09 orthogonally to the cleaning direction G, i.e. preferably arranged laterally. The at least one sliding surface 32 preferably has a greater extent in the cleaning direction G than orthogonally to the cleaning direction G.

In a preferred embodiment of the at least one cleaning element 31, the cleaning element 31 has at least two cleaning areas 37, preferably four cleaning areas 37. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has exactly as many cleaning regions 37 as there are rows of print heads arranged next to one another, in particular in the x-direction, in the nozzle bar 04 assigned to this cleaning element 31. Preferably there are at least two Cleaning areas 37 are arranged next to one another orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and/or orthogonally to the y-direction and/or in the x-direction. Preferably, at least two rows of print heads 08, preferably four rows of print heads 08, more preferably all rows of print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04, are and/or can be cleaned at the same time and/or with the at least one cleaning element 31.

For example, the at least one cleaning element 31, preferably if it comprises at least two cleaning areas 37, has at least one sliding surface 32 in each case in the x-direction before a first cleaning area 37 and/or in the x-direction after a last cleaning area 37. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has no additional sliding surface 32 between its first and last cleaning region 37. For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one cleaning element 31, preferably if it comprises at least two cleaning areas 37, has at least one guide surface 36 in the x-direction before a first cleaning area 37 and/or in the x-direction after a last cleaning area 37. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has no additional guide surface 36 between its first and last cleaning region 37.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one nozzle bar 04 comprises at least two rows of print heads 08. The at least two rows of print heads 08 are preferably each at an angle of at least 1° (one degree), preferably at least 3°, more preferably 4° °, arranged to each other. This is the case in particular when the at least one nozzle bar 04 is opposite a curved and/or cylindrical printing material guide element 02. The at least two rows of print heads 08 are preferably each arranged at an angle of at least 1° (one degree), preferably at least 3°, more preferably 4°, in relation to a normal vector of the respective exit surfaces 09.

A surface of the cleaning element 31 that comprises the at least one fluid supply 38 and the at least one fluid discharge 39 and the at least one fluid suction 41 is preferred, preferably the plane of the surface of the respective cleaning area 37, in each case parallel to the at least one exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08, which is assigned to this surface and/or this cleaning area 37. More preferably, this surface and/or this cleaning area 37 is directed towards this at least one exit surface 09. Preferably, the normal vectors of at least two surfaces of the cleaning element 31, which each comprise at least one fluid supply 38 and at least one fluid discharge 39 and at least one fluid suction 41, preferably the surfaces of the at least two cleaning regions 37 of the cleaning element 31, have an angle of at least 1° to one another ( one degree), preferably at least 3°, more preferably 4°.

At least one throttle is preferably arranged in the fluid supply 38, in particular in a channel of the fluid supply 38. The at least one throttle is preferably designed to regulate the supply of cleaning agent to the at least one fluid supply opening 38, in particular as a function of the angular position and/or inclination of the respective cleaning area 37.

For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least two cleaning areas 37 of a cleaning element 31 are offset from one another in the cleaning direction G. In this way, they preferably reflect an offset between the existing rows of print heads 08.

The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably additionally has the at least one wiper 52 downstream of the at least one cleaning region 37 in the cleaning direction G. The at least one wiper 52 is preferably designed as a wiper lip, for example made of rubber. The at least one wiper 52 preferably extends in the x-direction over the entire length of the exit surface 09 of the at least one associated print head 08 in this direction.

Reference List

01

Printing unit, non-impact printing unit, inkjet printing unit

02

substrate guiding element

03

substrate

04

nozzle bar

05

-

06

positioning guide

07

positioning gap

08

printhead, inkjet printhead

09

exit surface

10

-

11

contact surface, spacer surface

12

-

13

Feeding device, nozzle, cleaning nozzle

14

feeding element

15

-

16

outlet element, limiting element

17

outlet opening, recess

18

cleaning device

19

guidance system

20

-

21

cleaning drive

22

collection tray

23

Support device, first, positioning aid

24

Support device, second, cleaning aid

25

-

26

cleaning unit

27

carrier

28

mounting element

29

power element

30

-

31

cleaning element, cleaning head

32

sliding point, sliding surface

33

Ramp, first, entrance ramp

34

Ramp, second, exit ramp

35

-

36

Guide device, guide surface

37

cleaning area

38

Fluid supply, fluid supply port

39

Fluid drain port, first, fluid drain

40

-

41

Fluid discharge port, second, fluid suction

42

fastener

43

outlet element, opening element

44

cleaning guide

45

-

46

positioning angle

47

opening angle

48

discharge angle

49

suction angle

50

-

51

edge

52

wiper

x

x direction

y

y direction

e.g

z direction

T

transport direction

A

transverse direction

L

outlet direction

G

cleaning direction

Claims (15)

1. Printing press comprising at least one printing unit (01) having at least one nozzle bar (04) with at least two print heads (08) and at least one cleaning device (18), wherein each nozzle bar (04) is assigned at least one cleaning device (18), wherein the cleaning device (18) comprises at least one cleaning element (31), wherein the at least one cleaning element (31) is arranged so as to be movable in and/or counter to a cleaning direction (G), wherein the at least one cleaning element (31) has at least one fluid infeed opening (38) and at least one fluid discharge (39) and at least one fluid extraction means (41), wherein a y direction and an x direction and a z direction form a Cartesian system of coordinates, wherein the y direction corresponds to a direction along at least one longest side of the respective nozzle bar (04), wherein the x direction corresponds to a direction along at least one shortest side of the respective nozzle bar (04), wherein the z direction is parallel to a normal vector of a plane that is spanned by the x direction and the y direction, wherein the at least two print heads (08) are arranged side by side, wherein the at least two print heads (08) arranged side by side are arranged spaced apart from one another by at least one positioning gap (07), wherein the cleaning direction (G) and/or the y direction form a plane angle of at least 50° and of no more than 130°, in a positive mathematical direction of rotation, with a longitudinal direction of the positioning gap (07), characterized in that a longitudinal direction of the fluid infeed opening (38) is aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap (07) of the assigned nozzle bar (04), and/or in that a longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid discharge (39) is aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap (07) of the assigned nozzle bar (04), and/or in that a longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid extraction means (41) is aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap (07) of the assigned nozzle bar (04) .
2. Printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid extraction means (41) has at least one boundary having at least two boundary points, and/or in that the at least one print head (08) comprises at least one exit surface (09), wherein the greatest possible distance between two boundary points of the boundary of the fluid extraction means (41) has a minimum length that is greater than a boundary of a relevant exit surface (09) of a relevant print head (08) in a direction that is oriented parallel to the minimum length of the fluid extraction means (41).
3. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal direction of the fluid infeed opening (38) and/or the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge (39) and/or the longitudinal direction of the fluid extraction means (41) each form a plane angle of at least 50° and of no more than 130°, in a positive mathematical direction of rotation, with the cleaning direction (G).
4. Printing press according to claim 2 and/or 3, characterized in that the greatest possible distance between two boundary points of the boundary of the fluid extraction means (41) has a minimum length of at least 35 mm (millimeters) and/or a maximum length of no more than 60 mm.
5. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4, characterized in that the fluid extraction means (41) has the longitudinal direction of the fluid extraction means (41) and a transverse direction of the fluid extraction means (41) in a plane that is spanned by the x direction and the y direction, and/or orthogonally to the z direction, in that the dimensions of the fluid extraction means (41) in its longitudinal direction and in its transverse direction are different from one another, in that the maximum dimension of the fluid extraction means (41) is in its longitudinal direction, and in that the dimension of the at least one fluid extraction means (41) in its longitudinal direction is at least five times as great as in its transverse direction.
6. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5, characterized in that the print heads (08) of the nozzle bar (04) are each arranged at least partially overlapping diagonally in the x direction.
7. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6, characterized in that the fluid discharge (39) is arranged at least partially encompassing the fluid infeed opening (38) in at least one plane.
8. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7, characterized in that the at least one cleaning element (31) has at least one first ramp (33) and at least one second ramp (34), in that the at least one first ramp (33) is disposed so as to decrease a distance between a reference point on the first ramp (33) and the print head (08) of the at least two print heads (08) that is to be cleaned, and in that the at least one second ramp (34) is disposed so as to increase a distance between a reference point on the second ramp (34) and the print head (08) of the at least two print heads (08) that is to be cleaned.
9. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and/or 8, characterized in that the at least one cleaning element (31) has at least one sliding surface (32).
10. Printing press according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one cleaning element (31) has at least two sliding surfaces (32), which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction (G), and/or in that the at least one print head (08) of the at least two print heads (08) comprises at least one exit surface (09) and at least one bearing surface (11) and the fluid infeed opening (38) is configured to eject a cleaning agent, which cleaning agent is intended to come into contact with the at least one exit surface (09) of the at least one print head (08) and/or with the at least one bearing surface (11) of the at least one print head (08), and in that at least part of the at least one bearing surface (11) of the at least one print head (08) is configured for at least partial contact with the at least one sliding surface (32).
11. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and/or 8 and/or 9 and/or 10, characterized in that the at least two print heads (08) are arranged side by side, in that the at least two print heads (08) arranged side by side are arranged spaced apart from one another by at least one positioning gap (07), and in that the fluid infeed opening (38) is configured to eject a cleaning agent, which cleaning agent is intended to come into contact with the at least one positioning gap (07) of the relevant nozzle bar (04) .
12. Printing press according to claim 10 or according to claim 10 in combination with claim 11, characterized in that the fluid discharge (39) is configured to remove the cleaning agent and/or dirt by suction in a first removal step, and in that the fluid extraction means (41) is configured to remove, by suction, the cleaning agent and/or dirt that remains and/or is left adhering to the exit surface (09) and/or to the bearing surface (11) and/or in the positioning gap (07), in a second removal step.
13. Printing press according to claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and/or 8 and/or 9 and/or 10 and/or 11 and/or 12, characterized in that the at least two print heads (08) are arranged side by side, in that the at least two print heads (08) arranged side by side are arranged spaced apart from one another by at least one positioning gap (07), and in that the respective positioning gap (07) is assigned at least one feed device (13) for ejecting a fluid in an outlet direction (L), at least one component of the outlet direction (L) being directed toward the respective positioning gap (07).
14. Printing press according to claim 13, characterized in that the feed device (13) is positioned such that the outlet direction (L) is directed from one side of the print head (08) toward the at least one positioning gap (07), where the print head (08) is attached to the corresponding nozzle bar (04), and/or in that the feed device (13) comprises at least one outlet opening (17), wherein the at least one outlet opening (17) extends in a plane that is spanned by the z direction and at least one direction of a shortest boundary, which extends in a plane in the x direction and y direction, of a respective exit surface (09) of the relevant print head (08), wherein the respective exit surface (09) borders the positioning gap (07), and is configured such that the relevant outlet opening (17) has a smaller dimension in the z direction, remote from the respective exit surface (09), than in the z direction near the exit surface (09).
15. Printing press according to claim 13 and/or 14, characterized in that the dimension of the at least one feed device (13) in the y direction is identical to the dimension of the respective positioning gap (07) in the y direction, and/or in that the at least one feed device (13) is connected to at least one print head (08) of the relevant print heads (08) that delimit the respective positioning gap (07), and/or in that the feed device (13) is positioned in the z direction on a side of an exit surface (09) that faces away from at least one opening of the respective exit surface (09).

Images