MXPA00001796A - Application of substances on a package - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing a packaging system (4) comprising a first step, the packaging system comprising a hollow body (4), the first step consisting in applying a first substance onto a selected surface area of the packaging system by use of first application means (5), the selected surface area and the hollow body (4) being both in motion relative to the first application means (5) and the selected surface area being solely in contact with the first substance during the first step. The process also comprises a second step which consists in applying a second substance onto the selected surface area by use of second application means after completion of the first step, the selected surface area and the hollow body being both in motion relative to the second application means and the selected surface area being solely in contact with the second substance during the second step, the process taking place at a continuous line speed.

Description

APPLICATION OF SUBST4? VNCIAS ON A CONTAINER CaMPO OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a process for producing packaging systems comprising a hollow body, in the packaging line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Processes for producing online packaging systems are widely used, in particular, in the consumer goods industry. In general, these packaging systems are formed, printed, filled and used to store or supply a content. In particular, the techniques of application of substances on a selected surface area of these packaging systems are used particularly, most of the time to print on these packaging systems. The existing printing techniques are of different kinds. A first class of printing technique used in this industry consists of printing a large number of labels that are then stored on large reels, these reels are then fed to a production line to be gummed to the bottles, for example . A second kind of printing technique comprises applying ink directly on the outer surface of a bottle, whereby the printing itself can be individualized in order to indicate, for example, the production date or a particular reference number. The present invention relates to a process for producing a packaging system comprising a first step and a second step, the packaging system comprises a hollow body, and the first step consists of applying a first substance on a selected surface area of the packaging system, using a first application means, the selected surface area and the hollow body are both moving in relation to the first application means, and the selected surface area is only in contact with the first substance during the first step. This process is known from the aforementioned second printing technique, wherein an individualized print is applied directly on the bottle, the letters or numbers of the print are typically formed with several black dots. Among the advantages of individually printing information directly on a bottle, while it is in motion with respect to the application medium, it has that this information can be different in each bottle produced, and that this printing can be carried out at a high speed in line. This process is pl006 particularly useful, for example in the pharmaceutical food industry, where it is preferred that a package bears an identification number or a production date, for example. Typically, this individualized printing is different from one process to another of the aforementioned first class, wherein the labels are preprinted, independently in a separate process, and stored on reels before being glued online on a bottle. In fact, in this process that uses reels of printed labels, all the labels will be identical and any of the labels will correspond, on the line, to any of the bottles. However, this process of using printed label spools allows the use of labels that have relatively high definition graphics, instead of using a limited number of monocolored points to reconstitute letters or numbers. While these and other advantages are available, existing processes and, in particular, the process of individualized online printing of a dot matrix or the process of using printed label spools, have disadvantages. For example, the process of individualized online printing of a dot matrix offers poor proper definition to print only messages such as date, in a single color, but not PlOOd is suitable for printing high definition graphics or designs. further, the process that uses spools of printed labels is not flexible, since changing the design of a label will require changing the spool, which means stopping a production line or requiring a double reel to support the system , allowing the change of the reel without stopping the line. In any case, the use of spools of printed labels requires storage of a desired kind of labels, since these labels are not produced directly online. It is conventional that the containers of products to the consumer take printed images of high quality, so much in the form of the designs of the mark of commercialization like in the information for the user, as they are ingredients and / or instructions of use. Conventionally, these images have been printed on pressure sensitive adhesive labels which, after removing a protective backing material for the adhesive, are applied to the containers. However, the handling of these precise application labels to the containers at high speed tends to be difficult and a very important shutdown time of the machine can occur due to the breaking of the backing paper or to the labels becoming clogged. In addition, the labels have to be printed pl006 separately in a printing press, which is expensive and laborious. Label lamination and backing paper are also expensive and are added to the waste stream. Also, there must be a separate space in the factory and an inventory system to store the labels and make sure the correct label is placed in the correct container. A further disadvantage of the use of labels is that if changes are made in the decoration art work, any remaining labels should be discarded and new labels will have to be printed. Once the new artistic design is approved, typically 4 to 6 weeks are required to make new printing plates or cylinders and print and supply the labels, ready for application. As an alternative, images have been printed directly on the containers by means of screen printing techniques. However, these techniques tend to be slow, particularly when multiple color images have to be printed and the quality of the image produced is limited. Typically, only one of four colors will be printed at a time using the screen printing technique, resulting in that the complexity of the decoration has to be limited. If more colors are required, this can be achieved by causing the container to pass through the printing station several times, however this tends to dramatically increase costs. Further, when using non-circular containers, for example oval containers or containers having a more complex curved shape, the screen printing technique tends to be very slow, operating at speeds as low as 50 containers per minute, and at most 100 containers per minute. In addition, the meshes used in screen printing tend to require considerable time for their manufacture. These meshes also need to be replaced frequently, which contributes to increased maintenance costs. Technical transfer printing techniques have also been used to form images directly on the containers. However, these techniques also tend to be very slow and, once again, tend to result in poor image quality. In addition, the pressure and / or heat applied to the container being printed by the transfer mechanism can cause damage to the container, which is obviously undesirable. Also, the transfer process requires the use of a transfer film that adds unnecessary cost and waste.

It is well known that good quality images can be achieved using digital printing technology, for example laser and ink jet techniques, and that these techniques are flexible in terms of their application. Inkjet printing has typically been used to print paper or other absorbent materials with water and oil-based inks. While the application of the ink jet methodology for both circular and non-circular cross-section containers is described in the prior art, a process having an adequate speed for today's commercial production has not been developed to date. . For example, Canadian Patent No. 1277176 discloses a process and apparatus employing ink jet methodology for decorating a container of a generally round, for example circular or oval, cross-section. The process is based on the relative movement of the container to be printed and on an inkjet printhead, and builds the overall image step by step. This is achieved by either rotating the container about its longitudinal axis and simultaneously moving it in that direction, while holding it at the stationary inkjet head, or simply by rotating the container and moving the jetting head. ink step by step, along the longitudinal axis of the container. The formation of the final image is, therefore, slow. In addition, because during printing there is no movement of the container beyond the ink jet head, the process in general is unsuitable for printing large numbers of containers in a continuous form, which meets the speed requirements of today. day. A similar technique is also disclosed in GB-2 107 414 A. U.S. Patent No. 5029523 discloses a process and apparatus for printing a pattern on an endless sidewall of a container having a non-circular profile . The apparatus includes a relatively complex handling mechanism for the container, comprising a carrier for the container having an endless wall portion, with a profile that engages the sidewall of the container, and which is to be passed to the container. through the contact line between two rollers adjacent to an ink jet head, causing the side wall of the container to pass in front of that head with a constant distance between them. This process and this apparatus are only suitable for printing containers similar to tubes or containers having an opening at least the size of its base, and is not suitable for the printing of bottles. Also, the printing of several containers can only P1006 achieved in a run-stop sequence, and not continuously, since each container has to make a full revolution in front of the printhead before moving later, and allow another container to move to the print position . Consequently, the printing process is slow, typically less than 100 containers per minute and is unsuitable for the current commercial printing of, for example, bottles, which typically requires 150 to 500 containers per minute. The invention seeks to provide a process for producing a packaging system of the aforementioned kind, which can provide both flexibility and high resolution when applying a substrate to the packaging system and which can operate over a wide range of speeds for industrial production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, this object is achieved in a process of the aforementioned kind wherein the second step consists of applying a second substance on the selected surface area, by means of the use of a second means of application, after the first step is completed, the selected surface area and the hollow body are both moving in relation to the pl006 second application means, and the selected surface area is only in contact with the second substance during the second step, the process is carried out at a continuous line speed. A process according to the invention has several advantages. Because it comprises the application of a second substance as well as of the first substance on the selected surface area, while both the hollow body and the selected surface area are in motion relative to the first and second application means, it allows also obtain so much flexibility, since the application can be done directly online, as a high resolution, since more than one substance can be applied on the selected surface area of the packaging system. Due to the improved flexibility, the storage of high definition labels on reels is considerably reduced, thus lowering production costs. In addition, flexibility allows, for example, to reduce the waste of printed labels that were not used, which is beneficial for the environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The process of the invention is related to a packaging system. This packaging system can plOOß consist of a container. In one embodiment, the packaging system may also relate to a container and a label for the container, taken together or separately. Indeed, according to the invention, the packaging system could be processed in the following way, the selected surface area can be on the label, the selected surface area located on the label is treated by the process according to the invention before of being applied on the container. During the application of the substance of the selected surface area, the container is also moving according to the invention, even if the label is not yet applied on the container. Effectively, both the container and the label are online, the line is such that the label will be applied after printing, for example. The label could also be applied in white on the container and the substances can be applied on the surface area selected on the label, when the label has already been fixed to the container. In addition, the use of a label can be avoided, since the application of the substance can be carried out directly on the container. The invention also relates to a body. Typically a hollow body constituting the container, for example containers used for products for the pl006 consumer. Here, containers made of a material comprising thermoplastic resins are preferred. The first step of the process according to the invention consists in applying a first substance on a selected surface area. Typically, the substance is an ink that is preferably applied using inkjet technology. The selected surface area is above the packaging system and, preferably, covers at least 30 cm2. Therefore, it could be placed for example on a label, on a container or on a lid or on a box. The application is made using a first application medium. Typically, this means comprises an ink jet head or an ink jet printer, preferably an ink jet head having a plurality of nozzles. According to the invention, the selected surface area and the hollow body are both moving relative to the first application means. This does not prevent the selected surface area and the hollow body from moving apart, since a label may be printed before being applied, as an example. However, this means that the two components of the packaging system are moving on the production line. Relative movement could comprise a pl006 component consisting of a movement of the first application means. Indeed, in particular when printing on a selected non-planar surface area, it may be preferred to move the application means as well as the selected surface area itself. In any case, the hollow body is also in motion, so that in case of printing on a label before the application on the hollow body, the hollow body is moving on the line towards the point where the application of the label It will be carried out. Indeed, in a preferred embodiment, the selected surface area is on the surface of a label, the label is fixed on the rest of the packaging system after application of the substance. This is different from one mode to another, whereby the selected surface area becomes an integral part of the outer surface of the hollow body. The invention also mentions that the selected surface area is only in contact with the first substance during the first step. This means that there is no friction between any of the elements and the selected surface area. It should be noted that if the selected surface area is placed on a label, the label itself may be in contact with, for example, the bottle. Indeed, the area of plO06 dimensioned surface refers to a two-dimensional surface. This friction on the selected surface area, for example for an application by screen printing, would make the speed not compatible with the process of the invention. The second step of the invention is similar to the first step and consequent to it. The process according to the invention is carried out at any current line speed, depending on the sophistication of the ink jet technology used and the number of heads that print identical colors. This is possible by the continuous movement of the elements of the packaging system and by the absence of friction on the selected surface area. In addition, the plurality of application means also allows progress with a higher line speed, while a satisfactory application is obtained. Preferably, the process is carried out at a speed of at least 10 meters per minute, more preferably at least 15 meters per minute, and even more preferably at least 20 meters per minute and with the greatest preference for at least 28 meters per minute. In a preferred embodiment, the process further comprises one or more additional steps, the additional step consists of applying an additional substance over the area pl006 of selected surface, by the use of an additional application means after finishing the previous step, the selected surface area and the hollow body are both in relative motion with respect to the additional application means and the selected surface area is only in contact with the additional substance, during the additional step. It should be noted that it is preferred that a different substance be applied for each of the additional steps. A more preferred embodiment comprises four additional steps, each of the six substances being a different ink, so that high-resolution images can be obtained, as well as high-resolution gray scale images with high contrast. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a process for printing an image on a selected surface area, for example a non-planar container surface, for example, comprises moving a line of containers or containers in a continuous fashion beyond a head. ink jet having an array of nozzles spaced in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the container line and through which the ink is ejected, and moving each container and / or ink jet head, some to the others, as the container passes through the ink jet head, so that during printing the pl006 distance between the ink jet head and the surface of the container to be printed remains essentially constant, and so that each portion of the surface passes to the ink jet head only once. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for printing an image on a container surface comprises a receptacle for each container, a conveying means for moving the receptacles in a continuous manner beyond an ink jet head having an array of nozzles transverse to the direction of movement of the receptacles and through which the ink is ejected, and a means for moving each container and / or the ink jet head, one relative to the other, as the The container passes through the ink jet head, so as to maintain a constant distance between the surface of the container to be printed and the ink jet head and so that each portion of the surface passes through the Ink jet head only once. The process and apparatus of the preferred embodiments of the invention are capable of printing or decorating non-flat containers at speeds suitable for commercial production. For example, in the modalities Preferred piooe of the invention, the process is capable of printing at least 150 containers per minute, preferably more than 300 containers per minute and, more preferably, up to 500 containers per minute, while achieving high image quality and Damage to containers is avoided. Another advantage of this invention is that it is easily adaptable to be used with different shapes and / or sizes of containers or labels, for example, and different artistic works and / or texts. Yet another advantage of this invention is that it is capable of decorating containers at a reduced cost compared to the processes of the prior art, for example by eliminating the need for labels and backing papers, transfer films or printing plates that are expensive in its design and maintenance. It should be noted that, for example, a container containing a non-flat surface and having an image printed on that surface can be obtained by a process as described above or can be used in an apparatus as described above. In the preferred process of this invention, a line of containers moves continuously beyond the ink jet head. In the context of this Request, a line of containers or any other arrangement is attempted through the container line. pl006 which several containers pass through an ink jet head, in sequence. The containers may be placed vertically or horizontally during printing, but are preferably placed vertically. In addition, when the line of the containers is described as moving continuously, it must be understood that between the printing of one container and the next one on the line, the line of containers does not stop moving, unless, for example, it needs to be made. change in the process or maintenance of the printing apparatus is required. During printing it is essential to maintain a small and substantially constant distance between the surface of the container to be printed and the ink jet head. Of another luck, the position and the size of the points of ink produced on the surface of the container will vary according to which position is printing on the surface, which in some cases could lead to disfigurement of the image, and in other cases, to a very weak image, or the ink jet head or container could be damaged. In general, before printing, the distance between the surface to be printed and the ink jet head will be adjusted to a predetermined value. Typically, the predetermined distance will be conserved in the range of 0.2 to 4 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2.5 mm, pl006 because at greater distances the air currents can interfere with the ink jet, producing a poor image quality. This is what must be understood by essentially constant distance within the context of this application. More preferably, the distance is kept constant at 1 mm - 0.5 mm. The predetermined distance is retained by moving the container to be printed and / or the ink jet head. For example, the ink jet head can be made in such a way that it moves to follow the profile of the container to be printed. However, for simplicity, it is preferred that the ink jet head remains stationary and that each container be moved relative to it. In this case, it is preferred that before printing, each container is positioned so that the front portion or edge of the surface of the container to be printed, in the direction of the movement of the container line, is at the predetermined distance from the ink jet head. Subsequently, the container is moved and rotated gradually about its longitudinal axis to bring each portion of the container surface in turn to the predetermined set distance from the ink jet head, as the surface moves. beyond the head, until the back portion or edge of pl006 the surface of the container is at the predetermined distance from the ink jet head. Predictably, when containers having complex surfaces are those to be printed, it may be considered to reverse the direction of rotation of the container as the ink jet head passes. However, it is preferred, to preserve the speed of the process in general, that when each container is rotated, each portion of its surface to be printed passes only once through the ink jet head. The direction and angle of rotation that are applied first, will depend on the shape of the container to be printed and the shape of any curved route that you will follow. For example, if the container is made to move in an essentially straight line and has a surface that is convex to the ink jet head, the front portion of the surface must first move towards the ink jet head and then, gradually , away from the ink jet head, until the ink jet head reaches the apex or turning point of the curved surface, then the trailing edge of the surface should gradually move towards the ink jet head. If the vessel is made to move on a route plOOß curved, the container must be rotated either towards or away from the ink jet head, depending on the respective radii of curvature of the curved route and the surface of the container. Typically, the radius of the curvature of the container will be less than that of the curved route and this requires the movement described above. However, if the radius of the curvature of the container is greater than that of the curved route, the leading edge of the container may first have to move gradually away from the ink jet head, until the head reaches the apex of the surface curved, and then the rear edge moves so that it gradually approaches the head. During printing, the frequency at which droplets of ink are ejected from the ink jet head may need adjustment to compensate for the slight variation in the linear velocity of the container surface as it passes through the head of the ink jet. ink-jet. It may also be necessary to adjust the synchronization of the ink jet ejection to compensate for the fact that, most of the time during printing, the ink jet head is not perpendicular to the surface of the container. However, these modifications are within the expertise of the experienced in this field. pl006 The movement of the container relative to the ink jet head in the required manner can be achieved in various ways. For example, a simple servomotor or a cam mechanism may be used. If an engine is used it will be controlled, typically, by a specific computer program for the size and shape of the container to be printed, so that a simple change in the program will adapt the process to print a different container. Therefore, this may be more convenient than using a cam mechanism. If required, the present invention can use at least one sensor to monitor the distance between the surface of the container and the ink jet head. Any suitable sensor can be used, for example, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, a sonic type proximity sensor. The sensors are in communication with the means for moving the ink jet head and / or the container, one relative to the other, allowing the adjustment of that movement medium, if necessary, during a first cycle, or after changing from one type of container printing to another type with a different size and / or shape. It is preferred that during printing of each container it is held within a receptacle on a conveyor or carousel. In this case, the movement of PL006 Each container relative to the ink jet head can be achieved by moving its respective receptacle. Each receptacle preferably comprises a means for holding its container so that there is essentially no relative movement between the container and its receptacle during the printing operation. Typically, the fastening means comes into contact with the container at least in a position at its top and base. Any suitable securing means may be used, an example being to employ a tapered stop, to be inserted into the upper part of the container in a fitted fit and to hold the base of the container in a tapered receptacle having essentially the same profile as the base of the container. container. Preferably, the nature of the fastening means allows the receptacle to be used with containers of different sizes and / or shapes, and to be easily adaptable to it, thus allowing the conversion of one product line to another, with a minimum delay, which represents a significant advantage in today's commercial production. The process of the invention may use an inkjet head or several, depending on the complexity of the image to be printed and / or the number of surfaces of the container to be printed. Each ink jet head comprises an array of pl006 nozzles that are separated in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the line or row of containers to be printed. The ink can be ejected from the nozzles in a continuous manner or as required, under digital control, as is well described in the literature. Preferably, the ink is ejected from the nozzles as required. The number of nozzles and the width of the arrangement are selected according to the image to be printed, since the surface of the container will only make a single step beyond each inkjet head. Typically, each ink jet head will have at least 7 nozzles per mm, preferably at least 12 nozzles per mm, which may be placed in one or more parallel lines. More preferably, the ink jet head will be able to print at least 200 drops of ink per inch, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the passing container and, preferably, 360 drops per inch. It may also be preferred to use multiple levels of gray scale, to achieve high quality images and text quality in small print. Preferably, at least four levels on the gray scale will be used. An example of an inkjet head capable of achieving this is XaarJet 1000 or XaarJet 1000S, pl006 supplied by Xaar. When several of the ink jet heads are used to print inks of different colors and with this we refer to the black and white inks, it is essential that they are placed to achieve good registration of color in the final printed container. Typically, the accuracy or registration required is such that the error in the placement of the points of different colors is between 100 and 400 microns, preferably less than 200 microns and, more preferably less than or equal to 70 microns . To obtain, in combination, solid block colors, good text and good photographic images, the process of the invention can be combined with special color printing techniques. For example, to achieve maximum flexibility and high quality printing, it is preferred to use the color printing called "Hi-Fi" using 6 to 7 colors. This can be used, for example the colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black, plus some of the following: i) green and orange or ii) red, green and blue. This expands the available color space and allows decoration of the highest quality at relatively low costs, avoiding the need for several special colors in order to produce solid colors, as is typical in print art works for pl006 containers. When it is desired to print more than one portion of a surface of the container, for example diametrically opposed surface portions or opposite sides of a container, after each container has passed through a first ink jet head, it is rotated about its longitudinal axis, for example through at least 90 °, to present the next portion of surface or side of the container to be printed, before another ink jet head. For example, if opposite sides of the container are to be printed, each container will simply be rotated through approximately 180 ° between the ink jet heads or the ink jet head assemblies. Subsequently, when the second portion or side of the surface is printed, the container and / or the ink jet head are again moved in the manner described above, in order to keep an essentially constant distance between the surface of the container and the ink jet head. Any suitable ink may be used for printing, although some inks may be preferred depending on the material from which the container to be printed was made. For example, for non-absorbent containers, for example plastic, metal and glass containers, it may be preferred to use an ink pl006 of phase change, for example hot melt ink, solvent-free and heat-fusible toner ink, or radiation curable ink, typically a UV curable ink. In this case, a means for fusing or curing the ink is preferably provided either after each ink jet head, if there are several of them, and / or at the end of the general printing process. Regardless of the type of ink used, the surface of the container must have a sufficiently high surface energy to enable adhesion of the ink. This can be achieved, for example, by flame treatment of plastic containers, as is well known in the art. Radiation curable inks may be preferred over those that require heating drying, since their use is less likely to cause damage to the container. UV curable inks are typically preferred, because they adhere easily to plastic surfaces and are durable. The use of these inks in ink jet technology is described in the art. The present invention is suitable for printing a wide variety of container sizes and / or shapes. But in particular it is suitable for printing containers having curved or non-planar surfaces. It is particularly suitable for printing containers that have surfaces pl006 that curve in one direction or direction only. For example surfaces that are either concave or convex, as opposed to surfaces that contain both concave and convex portions. Examples include bottles that are circular or oval in cross section. The present invention is also suitable for printing containers of a wide variety of materials, for example cardboard, paperboard, plastic, glass and metal. Its final purpose is, however, to print plastic containers of relatively light weight, typically made of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester or polyvinyl alcohol, which are used in the detergent industry, beauty products, cosmetics and the food industry , as well as labels, for example. Because the products of these industries usually require updating on a regular basis and change rapidly in response to the market or the activity of a competitor, it is essential that the containers can be printed quickly and that the printing process can easily be adapted to different lines of products. The present invention satisfies these two requirements for the first time, at high speeds similar to the speeds of the filling line.

P1006 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is made below to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the above printing apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is an orthogonal and enlarged view of a station of Figure 1, equipped with a means for moving the receptacle of the containers. With reference to Figure 1, the apparatus 1 comprises a rotating carousel 2 carrying several receptacles 3 carrying bottles 4 beyond a series of ink jet heads 5. Each receptacle comprises a fastening means (not shown) for its respective bottle. Each of the receptacles can move on the carousel in order to maintain a small and essentially constant distance between the surface of the bottle to be printed and the respective ink jet head. A UV lamp 6 is provided after each ink jet head, in order to cure the printed ink on the bottle, and an additional UV lamp 7 is provided, if required, after the final ink jet head at the end. to ensure the complete curing of the printed inks. As an alternative to UV lamps, optical fibers can be used to transport UV light from a more distant source, thus conserving space.

P1006 The individual bottles 4 are deposited in their respective receptacles 3 by a conveyor 8 leading to a classifier 9 of conventional type. While on the conveyor 8, the bottles can be subjected to other treatments, for example by a flame treater 10, which acts to reduce the surface tension and promote ink adhesion. In addition, rotation station 11 < it is provided to present the other side of the container, which has already been printed, to the subsequent ink jet heads. After printing, the bottles leave the carousel and are subjected to inspection regarding the quality of the printing using video equipment 12. With reference to Figure 2, a bottle 21 is held in a tapered disk 22 with a tapered plug 23 , suspended from a frame 24 inserted in the upper part of the bottle. The disc is supported on a carousel 25 (only a portion of which is shown) which causes the bottle to pass the ink jet head 26. Below the carousel, the motor 27 rotates the arrow 28, which is then attached to the disk, thus rotating the bottle in front of the ink jet head. The other is programmable to cause the rotation of the bottle so that the distance between the surface of the bottle to be printed and the ink jet head is pl006 conserve, typically less than 2 mm. pl006

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A process for producing a packaging system comprising a first step and a second step, the packaging system comprises a hollow body, the first step is to apply a first substance on a selected surface area of the packaging system , by using a first application means, the selected surface area and the hollow body are both in relative motion relative to the first application means and the selected surface area is only in contact with the first substance during the First step, the process is characterized by the second step is to apply a second substance on the selected surface area, by using the second application means after concluding the first step, the selected surface area and the hollow body are, both, in relative motion with respect to the second application medium and the selected surface area is only in contact with the second substance during the second step, the process is carried out at a continuous line speed.
2. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the process further comprises one or more additional steps, the additional step is to apply an additional substance on the surface area plOOd selected by the use of an additional application means after the conclusion of the previous step, the selected surface area and the hollow body are both moving relative to the additional application means and the selected surface area is only in contact with the additional surface during the additional step.
3. 3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the additional steps are subsequent to the second step, so that the application of six substances is presented.
4. 4. A process according to claim 1, wherein the first and second substances are inks.
5. 5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body is a bottle or a lid made of a material comprising thermoplastic resin.
6. 6. A process according to claim 1, wherein the selected surface area is on the surface of a label, the label is fixed on the rest of the packaging system after application of the substances.
7. 7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the selected surface area is an integral part of the outer surface of the hollow body.
8. 8. A process according to claim 1, in pl006 where the selected surface area covers at least 30 cm2.
9. 9. A process according to claim 1, wherein the application means consists of inkjet printers.
10. 10. A process according to claim 1, wherein the selected surface area is non-planar. P1006