US20100192517A1 - Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant - Google Patents

Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100192517A1
US20100192517A1 US12/698,638 US69863810A US2010192517A1 US 20100192517 A1 US20100192517 A1 US 20100192517A1 US 69863810 A US69863810 A US 69863810A US 2010192517 A1 US2010192517 A1 US 2010192517A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
printing
container
information
print head
containers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/698,638
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Schach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KHS GmbH
Original Assignee
KHS GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=40340978&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US20100192517(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority claimed from DE102007036752A external-priority patent/DE102007036752A1/de
Priority claimed from DE102007050490A external-priority patent/DE102007050490A1/de
Priority claimed from DE102007050493A external-priority patent/DE102007050493A1/de
Application filed by KHS GmbH filed Critical KHS GmbH
Assigned to KHS AG reassignment KHS AG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SCHACH, MARTIN
Publication of US20100192517A1 publication Critical patent/US20100192517A1/en
Assigned to KHS GMBH reassignment KHS GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KHS AG
Priority to US13/555,231 priority Critical patent/US9132664B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
    • B41J3/40733—Printing on cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical objects, e. g. on bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
    • B41J11/00214—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation using UV radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B41J11/0024—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using conduction means, e.g. by using a heated platen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/0057—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material where an intermediate transfer member receives the ink before transferring it on the printing material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/54—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed with two or more sets of type or printing elements
    • B41J3/543—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed with two or more sets of type or printing elements with multiple inkjet print heads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • B65B61/025—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/26—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for marking or coding completed packages

Definitions

  • a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material can possibly comprise a beverage filling machine, which is often a rotary filling machine, with a plurality of beverage filling positions, each beverage filling position having a beverage filling device for filling bottles with liquid beverage filling material.
  • the filling devices may have an apparatus designed to introduce a predetermined volume of liquid beverage filling material into the interior of bottles to a substantially predetermined level of liquid beverage filling material.
  • a wide variety of types of filling elements are used in filling machines in beverage bottling or container filling plants for dispensing a liquid product into bottles, cans or similar containers, including but not limited to filling processes that are carried out under counterpressure for the bottling of carbonated beverages.
  • the apparatus designed to introduce a predetermined flow of liquid beverage filling material further comprises an apparatus that is designed to terminate the filling of the beverage bottles upon the liquid beverage filling material reaching the predetermined level in bottles.
  • a closing machine which is often a rotary closing machine.
  • a revolving or rotary machine comprises a rotor, which revolves around a central, vertical machine axis.
  • a conveyer arrangement configured to transfer filled bottles from the filling machine to the closing station.
  • a transporting or conveying arrangement can utilize transport star wheels as well as linear conveyors.
  • a closing machine closes bottles by applying a closure, such as a screw-top cap or a bottle cork, to a corresponding bottle mouth. Closed bottles are then usually conveyed to an information adding arrangement, wherein information, such as a product name or a manufacturer's information or logo, is applied to a bottle.
  • a closing station and information adding arrangement may be connected by a corresponding conveyer arrangement. Bottles are then sorted and packaged for shipment out of the plant.
  • beverage bottling plants may also possibly comprise a rinsing arrangement or rinsing station to which new, non-return and/or even return bottles are fed, prior to being filled, by a conveyer arrangement, which can be a linear conveyor or a combination of a linear conveyor and a starwheel. Downstream of the rinsing arrangement or rinsing station, in the direction of travel, rinsed bottles are then transported to the beverage filling machine by a second conveyer arrangement that is formed, for example, by one or more starwheels that introduce bottles into the beverage filling machine.
  • a conveyer arrangement which can be a linear conveyor or a combination of a linear conveyor and a starwheel.
  • a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material can be controlled by a central control arrangement, which could be, for example, a computerized control system that monitors and controls the operation of the various stations and mechanisms of the beverage bottling plant.
  • an information adding station comprises devices or machines that work in clocked cycles for the direct imprinting of containers, in particular in the form of glass or plastic bottles, for example to apply information and/or advertising so that it is permanent and cannot be detached from the container.
  • the information adding is generally done either using a screen-printing process or by pad printing.
  • Containers in terms of the present application are, in at least one possible embodiment, packaging means, in the form of containers, for the most varied types of liquid products and in this case, in at least one possible embodiment of the present application, also bottles or bottle-type containers or cans or can-like containers.
  • Printing inks in terms of the present application are those colors or inks, in at least one possible embodiment, in lightly viscous liquid form that can be processed with print heads that are digitally actuatable and operate according to the ink jet print head principle.
  • print heads in terms of the present application are, in at least one possible embodiment, print heads that have a plurality of print nozzles for discharging the printing ink, for example in at least one row, and that are individually actuatable for discharging the printing ink and, for this purpose, have a print generating element at the respective nozzle opening, for example in the form of an electrode of a piezo element.
  • Devices for printing containers by using print heads that operate according to the ink jet print head principle and with relative movement between the print heads and the respective containers are known.
  • the containers are each positioned on a mandrel in the form of a container support.
  • a plurality of print heads are provided distributed about the mandrel, with which print heads, when the mandrel is rotated, a colored printed image, consisting of a plurality of color sets, is applied to the respective container.
  • the mandrels are provided on a rotatably driven transport element, with which, during the printing, the containers are moved on a transport section formed between a container inlet and a container outlet.
  • An object of at least one possible embodiment of the present application is to provide a device with which, at high output, it is possible to print containers with a high-quality print formed by at least one printed image.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application teaches a device for printing containers in multiple colors on at least one outer surface of the container.
  • the device includes a print that is formed by at least one printed image.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application has at least one printing group with at least two print heads that operate according to the ink jet print head principle for generating part printed images of the printed image that is to be applied to the outer surface of the container in at least one printing step.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application includes a transport element to move the containers in a direction of transport during the printing, wherein the printing groups or their print heads are moved, at least during part of the at least one printing step, by the transport element.
  • print heads are switchable on and switchable off for a print head change or part print change in such a manner that a print head situated in a printing position at the relevant container is movable out of the printing position and another print head is movable into the printing position.
  • Another possible embodiment of the present application teaches a device for printing containers in multiple colors by means of a transfer print.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application includes a device which has at least one printing group with at least two print heads that operate according to the ink jet print head principle for generating printed images, each comprising at least two part printed images, onto transfer pads which are moved past the printing group.
  • the printed images are transferred onto the containers by rolling off the respective containers at a transfer region, and a container conveyor moves the containers in a direction of transport during the printing.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application has an auxiliary conveyor with a plurality of transfer pads that are moved with the auxiliary conveyor on a path of movement that is closed per se.
  • the container conveyor is a rotor that is rotatably driven about a vertical machine axis
  • the auxiliary conveyor is a wheel-shaped or drum-shaped element that is rotatably driveable about the machine axis.
  • a further possible embodiment of the present application teaches a device for printing containers in multiple colors by means of a transfer print.
  • the device includes at least one printing group with at least two print heads that operate according to the ink jet print head principle for generating printed images, each comprising at least two part printed images, onto transfer surfaces of transfer pads which are moved past the printing group.
  • the printed images are transferred onto the containers by rolling off the containers at a transfer region, and a container transport element moves the containers in a direction of transport during the printing.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application includes an auxiliary conveyor with a plurality of transfer pads that are moved with the auxiliary conveyor on a path of movement that is closed per se.
  • the transfer pads are provided so as to be controllable or pivotable on the auxiliary conveyor in such a manner that they are oriented with their transfer surface in a horizontal or substantially horizontal manner when passing the printing group, and they abut against the outside surface of the upright containers with their transfer surface at the printing position.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application also teaches a method for printing containers in multiple colors on their container outer surface with a print that is formed by at least one printed image.
  • At least one possible embodiment of the present application uses at least one printing group, with at least two print heads, that operate according to the ink jet print head principle for generating part printed images of the printed image to be applied to the outer surface of the container in at least one printing step.
  • the containers are moved on a transport element in a direction of transport during the printing, and the printing groups are entrained with the transport element at least during part of the at least one printing step.
  • a print head change is carried out in such a manner that a print head that is situated in a printing position at the relevant container is moved out of the printing position and another print head is moved into the printing position.
  • Another possible embodiment of the present application teaches the method wherein the print heads of the printing unit are moved in a rotating manner on a path of movement that is closed per se.
  • the transfer pads are moved on a circular path of movement within the circular path of movement of the containers.
  • the containers are printed on their outside surfaces by applying the printing ink with the print heads directly onto the outer surface of the container or with a transfer print method by using transfer elements or transfer pads onto which the respective printed image is applied with the print heads and is then transferred onto the containers.
  • inventions or “embodiment of the invention”
  • word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments of the invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”.
  • inventions or “embodiment of the invention”
  • the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention.
  • the Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic, perspective representation and a top view of the device according to at least one possible embodiment of the present application
  • FIG. 3 shows a partial representation of a top view of a rotor of the device in FIGS. 1 and 2 , said rotor being rotatably driveable about a vertical machine axis;
  • FIGS. 4-6 show representations as in FIGS. 1-3 of an additional possible embodiment of the present application.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 show a schematic, perspective representation and top view of another possible embodiment of the device according to the present application.
  • FIG. 9 shows a top view of a part representation of the transport system of the device in FIGS. 7 and 8 with the printing groups;
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 show a schematic, perspective representation and top view of another possible embodiment of the device according to the present application.
  • FIGS. 12A , 12 B, and 12 C show a part representation and top view of the rotor, in different positions, together with a printing unit that includes a plurality of print head elements in different operating states, said rotor being rotatably driveable about the vertical machine axis;
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 show a schematic, perspective representation and top view of another possible embodiment of the device according to the present application.
  • FIGS. 15A and 15B show a part representation of the conveyor in FIGS. 13 and 14 , in different positions, together with a printing unit that includes a plurality of print head elements in various operating states;
  • FIGS. 16 and 17 show a schematic, perspective representation and top view of another possible embodiment of the device according to the present application.
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 show a schematic, perspective representation and top view of another possible embodiment of the device according to the present application.
  • FIGS. 20 and 21 show a schematic, perspective representation and top view of another possible embodiment of the device according to the present application.
  • FIGS. 22A , 22 B, and 22 C show a schematic representation and part representation in each case, of different operating states of the device in FIGS. 20 and 21 , in various positions;
  • FIG. 23 shows schematically the main components of one possible embodiment example of what may be a typical system for filling containers.
  • the reference 1 is given to a device for printing containers 2 in multiple colors on their outer or outside surface and, in this case, in at least one possible embodiment, on a region of the container outside surface that is realized in a rotationally-symmetrical manner with reference to the container axis, for example on a circular cylindrically shaped or frustum-shaped or substantially circular cylindrically shaped or frustum-shaped region of the outer surface of the container.
  • the containers 2 are supplied to the device 1 by means of a conveyor, identified schematically in the Figures by the reference 3 , standing upright, i.e. oriented with their container axes in the vertical or substantially vertical direction and in a single-track container flow in the direction of transport indicated by the arrow T and after they pass a corona tunnel 4 and a separating screw 5 they reach a rotor 7 of the device 1 .
  • a conveyor identified schematically in the Figures by the reference 3 , standing upright, i.e. oriented with their container axes in the vertical or substantially vertical direction and in a single-track container flow in the direction of transport indicated by the arrow T and after they pass a corona tunnel 4 and a separating screw 5 they reach a rotor 7 of the device 1 .
  • printing stations 8 are formed at regular angular spacings offset about said machine axis, said printing stations comprising in each case substantially a container support 9 , in the form of a turntable that is rotatable in a controlled manner about an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the machine axis, a printing group 10 and a device 11 for drying and/or setting the printing ink.
  • Each printing group 10 in the possible embodiment represented, includes four print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 4 for generating various color sets of a multiple color print or printed image and another print head 10 . 5 for flat printing or applying a transparent sealing or protective coating, for example a covering finish onto the printed image generated with the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 4 .
  • the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 4 are digitally actuatable print heads of the ink jet print head type, for example print heads that can be obtained commercially under the reference “XAAR” or “Xaar500.”
  • the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 each comprise, correspondingly, a housing with a plurality of individually actuatable print nozzles for discharging the printing ink in the distribution and quantity corresponding to the respective printed image or color set on the background to be printed on, i.e. in the present case onto the outer surface of the container to be printed on.
  • the print nozzles oriented with their axes horizontally or substantially horizontally, are positioned on each print head 10 . 2 - 10 .
  • the discharging of the printing ink is achieved, for example, through corresponding actuation of electrodes or of piezo elements in the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , for example at an actuating frequency of up to fifty kiloHertz and a relative movement between the respective print head and the surface to be printed of five hundred sixty millimeters per second.
  • the number of print nozzles per print head is, for example, in the range of 500 with a print width of approximately seventy millimeters.
  • the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 4 include color printing ink in different colors, namely in yellow, magenta, cyan and black.
  • the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 of all the printing stations 8 are positioned on a common circular line surrounding the machine axis MA in such a manner that the print heads of all or essentially all the printing groups 10 entrained with the rotating rotor 7 are situated, with reference to the machine axis MA, inside a circular path on which the container supports 9 move.
  • the print nozzles of all or essentially all the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 consequently, with reference to the machine axis MA, are aligned with their axes constantly or virtually constantly radially outwards such that the discharging of the printing ink onto the containers 2 is supported by the centrifugal force when the rotor 7 is rotating.
  • each printing station 8 is realized in a rotating manner with the rotor 7 , however, for the print head change, is at the same time pivotable about the machine axis MA in a successive manner or is switchable further in the direction of rotation of the rotor and in opposition to said direction of rotation such that when a container 2 is being printed, each print head 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 can be moved at least once into a printing position in which the relevant print head with its print nozzles is directly adjacent the container 2 standing upright on the container support 9 with a small distance in between (e.g. less than one millimeter).
  • the device 11 which performs the drying of the printing ink through an application of energy or heat and/or UV radiation, is provided about the axis of the respective container support 9 offset by approximately ninety degrees relative to the printing group 10 .
  • the devices 11 are positioned on a common circular line surrounding the machine axis MA, the radius of said circular line being identical or substantially identical to the distance between the axes of the container supports 9 and said machine axis MA, in such a manner that in the direction of rotation R of the rotor the respective device 11 is ahead of the associated container support 9 .
  • the containers 2 are transferred in each case individually via the transport star 6 to a printing station 8 , at which, with a controlled rotational movement of the container support 9 and consequently with a controlled rotational movement of the containers 2 about their container axes, one after the other the color sets forming the color print are printed with the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 4 and then the protective coating is applied with the print head 10 . 5 .
  • each container 2 is effected such that, after the transfer to a printing station 8 , the color set corresponding to the print head or the final protective coating are printed onto the outer surface of the container with the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 each switched into the printing position, and during the printing of each color set and possibly also even during the switching further of the printing group 10 by a print head spacing or by a print head, the drying of the applied printing ink is performed by means of the device 11 .
  • each printing step i.e. during the printing of the respective color set or the applying of the protective coating and the drying of the printing ink or of the protective coating, each container 2 is rotated by three hundred sixty degrees.
  • Each printing step with the drying is effected for example on an angular region of the rotational movement of the rotor 7 of about fifty degrees such that the printing of the containers 2 is completed reliably before the containers 2 reach a container outlet at which they are discharged via a transport star 12 on a conveyor 13 .
  • the resetting of the printing groups 10 into the initial position is effected in the angular region of the rotational movement of the rotor 7 between the transport stars 12 and 6 .
  • An improved or sharper printed image is achieved through the treatment in the corona tunnel by charging the containers 2 electrostatically on their outer surface.
  • An optoelectric control system 14 is provided in the direction of rotation R of the rotor directly before the transport star 12 , by means of which control system the print on the containers 2 , which are moved past said system and are rotated further about the container axis, is checked so that containers with a faulty print can be discharged on the conveyor 13 .
  • FIGS. 4-6 show, in the form of another specific embodiment, a device 1 a which only or virtually only differs substantially from the device 1 in that at the individual printing stations 8 instead of the printing groups 10 , printing groups 10 a are provided that have the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 at a support 15 , which can be switched further for the print head change by rotating about an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the machine axis MA.
  • the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 are provided distributed at regular angular distances on the periphery of the support 15 .
  • the supports 15 are situated, in their turn, inside the path of movement of the container supports 9 such that each print head moved into the printing position, i.e.
  • the printing of the containers 2 is effected, in the case of the device 1 a , once again onto the angular region of the rotational movement of the rotor 7 between the transport star 6 and the control system 14 , the corresponding print head being switched into the printing position for each color set and for the sealing or protective coating.
  • the printing ink or the sealing or protective coating is dried by means of the device 11 during the printing.
  • the respective container 2 is rotated by three hundred sixty degrees during the printing steps (applying the color sets, the sealing or protective coating and the drying).
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 show, in the form of another embodiment, a device 1 b which only or essentially only differs substantially from the device 1 in that instead of the rotor 7 , there is provided a transport system 16 , which on at least one transport element, which forms a closed loop and is driveable in an endlessly or virtually endlessly circulating manner, has a plurality of printing stations 8 at regular spacings, each with a container support 9 , a printing group 10 and a device for drying the printing ink.
  • the containers 2 are supplied to the device 1 a once again via the transport star 3 with the corona tunnel 4 and are transferred in each case individually via the transport start 6 to a printing station 8 , with which the respective container 2 is then moved during the printing in the direction of transport TS on the transport section 17 of the transport system 16 .
  • the printed containers 2 are forwarded to the conveyor 13 with the transport star 12 that forms a container outlet.
  • the printing of the containers 2 with the individual printing inks or color sets of the multi-colored print and the applying of the sealing or protective coating is effected analogously to the description given in conjunction with the device 1 .
  • the printing groups 10 entrained with the transport system 16 or their print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 are moveable or switchable for the print head change relative to the transport system 16 in the direction of transport TS and in opposition to said direction of transport and are situated on the inside of the loop formed by the transport system 16 .
  • the devices 11 of all or essentially all the printing stations 8 are positioned on a common loop line which also intersects the vertical axes of rotation of the container supports 9 , the container supports 9 being ahead of the associated device 11 in each case in the direction of transport TS.
  • the printing of the containers 2 is effected once again in such a manner that by switching further the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , the respective color set or the sealing or protective coating are applied, and during the printing process, possibly also still during the switching further of the print heads, the drying of the printing ink and the sealing or protective coating is effected by means of the associated device 11 , the respective container with the container support 9 being rotated by three hundred sixty degrees.
  • FIGS. 10 , 11 , 12 A, 12 B, and 12 C also show, in the form of another possible embodiment of the present application, a device 1 c for printing containers 2 in multiple colors.
  • the device 1 c differs from the device 1 in that a plurality of container supports 9 is provided on the periphery of the rotor 7 at regular angular spacings about the vertical machine axis MA, however, said container supports 9 are not components of the printing stations each with independent printing groups.
  • one single printing group or unit 18 is in fact provided with a plurality of print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 , each unit of which having a plurality of print heads 19 , in the possible embodiment represented two print heads in each case.
  • the print heads 19 are realized in the same manner as the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 .
  • Each print head unit 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 or its print heads 19 serve in the manner described in more detail below for simultaneously or substantially simultaneously discharging the color sets of a color associated with the respective print head unit or the sealing or protective coating onto a number of containers 2 corresponding to the number of print heads 19 , i.e. in the case of the possible embodiment represented for simultaneously or substantially simultaneously discharging onto two containers 2 .
  • the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 are also each realized with two devices 20 that can be switched on or off for drying the respective print or the printing ink, for example by the application of energy, e.g. by heating and/or UV light, in each case one device 20 being associated with one print head 19 .
  • the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 with their print heads 19 and their devices 20 are positioned on a common support 21 , which can be moved or pivoted back and forth about the machine axis MA by a stroke that corresponds to a machine spacing, as is indicated in one possible embodiment of the present application in FIGS. 12A , 12 B, and 12 C with the arrows TR 1 and TR 2 .
  • the support 21 is therefore floating. It is situated, with reference to the machine axis MA, inside the path of movement on which the container supports 9 move when the rotor 7 rotates.
  • the individual print heads 19 are positioned such that they point radially outwards with their print nozzles, each positioned in a row parallel or substantially parallel to the machine axis MA, with reference to said machine axis, such that the discharging of the printing ink is once again supported by the centrifugal force when the rotor 7 is rotating.
  • the arrangement is also such that the spacing between the print heads 19 on each print head unit 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 , but also the spacing between adjacent print heads 19 on print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 following one another in the circumferential direction of the rotor 7 is identical or substantially identical to the angular spacing between two adjacent container supports 9 .
  • the devices 20 in the activated or switched-on state seen in a top view of the rotor 7 , are offset by ninety degrees relative to the print heads and are positioned on a circular line that surrounds the machine axis MA and also intersects the axes of rotation of the container supports in the direction of rotation R of the rotor ahead of the adjacent container support or the container 2 standing upright on said container support in each case.
  • Each print head unit 18 . 1 - 18 . 4 has associated therewith in each case a color set or a color, namely yellow, magenta, cyan or black.
  • the print head unit 18 . 5 or its print heads 19 serve for discharging or printing the sealing or protective coating.
  • the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 are provided following one another in the direction of rotation R of the rotor in order of their reference numbers, i.e. in the direction of rotation R of the rotor the print head unit 18 . 1 forms the first print head unit of the printing unit 18 and the print head unit 18 . 5 forms the last print head unit of the printing unit 18 .
  • each container 2 The multi-colored printing of each container 2 is effected once again in several chronological printing steps in which the printing, i.e. discharging the relevant color set or the sealing or protective coating and the drying is effected with the containers 2 rotating about the container axes, for example rotating about three hundred sixty degrees.
  • the individual printing steps are executed at each container chronologically one after the other by the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 , with each print head unit 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 at two containers simultaneously or substantially simultaneously in each case.
  • the printing unit 18 is entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous or substantially synchronous manner with the rotor 7 (arrow TR 1 ).
  • the devices 20 in this case, are delivered and activated so that the drying of the generated color sets is also effected during each printing step.
  • the printing unit 18 is pivoted back, with devices 20 retracted, in opposition to the direction of rotation R of the rotor by the machine spacing into the initial position (arrow TR 2 ), in which then, on account of the rotational movement of the rotor 7 , an unprinted container 2 in each case is adjacent the print heads 19 of the print head unit 18 . 1 and a container 2 in each case that has already been printed in a previous printing step by the print heads 18 . 1 - 18 . 4 is adjacent the print heads 19 of the print head units 18 . 2 - 18 . 5 for another printing step.
  • the floating printing unit 18 is then entrained again in the same direction and in a synchronous or substantially synchronous manner with the rotational movement of the rotor 7 by the machine spacing (arrow TR 1 ) and after completion of this printing step is pivoted back by the machine spacing into the original position (arrow TR 2 ).
  • the machine spacing in this case, is twice the spacing between two container supports 9 .
  • a control system 14 for example an optoelectric control system is provided in the direction of rotation R of the rotor before the transport star 12 for checking the respective print on the containers 2 moved past said system and being rotated at the same time so that containers 2 with missing or faulty print can subsequently be discharged onto the conveyor 13 .
  • FIGS. 13 , 14 , 15 A and 15 B show, in the form of another embodiment, a device 1 d which differs in the first instance from the device 1 c in that instead of the rotor 7 a transport system 16 is provided that forms a closed loop and is driven in an endlessly circulating manner.
  • the container supports 9 are provided on said transport system 16 .
  • a printing unit 18 a which comprises a plurality of print head units, namely a total of six print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , three of which print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 3 or 18 . 4 - 18 . 6 are positioned in each case on each side of the transport section 17 .
  • the transport system 16 has the container supports 9 at regular spacings.
  • the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 are realized in the identical manner as described for the device 1 c for the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 5 used there, i.e. each print head unit 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 has two print heads 19 spaced apart by half the machine spacing and two devices 20 also spaced apart by half the machine spacing.
  • the print heads 19 and devices 20 of print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 3 or 18 . 4 - 18 . 6 adjacent one side of the transport section 17 are each spaced apart by half the machine spacing.
  • the printing unit 18 a or the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 positioned on a support (not shown) are moveable by a drive (not shown) in a synchronous or substantially synchronous manner and in the same direction with the movement of the transport system 16 out of an initial position in the direction of transport TS by the machine spacing and in opposition to the direction of transport TS back into the initial position, said floating movement also being synchronized or substantially synchronized with the movement of the transport system 16 in such a manner that after the movement back into the initial position, each print head 19 with its printing nozzles is once again situated directly opposite or substantially opposite a container support 9 or a container 2 at that location.
  • the containers 2 to be printed are supplied to the device 1 d by means of the conveyor 3 with the corona tunnel 4 and are transferred in each case individually to a container support 9 by means of the transport star 6 .
  • the printed containers are removed from the container supports 9 by means of the transport star 12 and are forwarded to the conveyor 13 .
  • the printing of the containers 2 is once again executed in several chronological printing steps, in each printing step a number of containers 2 that corresponds to the number of print heads 19 of the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , i.e. in the case of the device 1 d in each case two containers 2 being printed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the two different colors associated with the print head units (at the print head units 18 . 1 / 18 . 4 , 18 . 2 / 18 . 5 ) or with the finish that forms the sealing or protective coating and a printing ink (at the print head units 18 . 3 / 18 . 6 ).
  • the print heads 19 of the print head units 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 are adjacent a container 2 .
  • the printing is carried out by rotating the containers 2 , for example, by three hundred sixty degrees with the devices 20 activated such that the printing ink applied with one print head 19 is dried by the device 20 following said print head in the direction of rotation of the respective container 2 before a printing ink or finish is applied once again in the same printing step by the other print head 19 .
  • the printing unit 18 a is entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous or substantially synchronous manner with the transport unit.
  • the printing unit 18 a is moved back into the initial position so that in another printing step a print application can then be effected with the print head units 18 . 1 and 18 .
  • FIGS. 16 and 17 show a device 1 e for printing containers 2 in multiple colors in a transfer print.
  • the printing in multiple colors is once again effected on the container outer surface or container outside surface and in this case in one possible embodiment, with regard to the container axis, on a rotationally symmetrically realized region of the container outer surface, for example on a circular cylindrical-shaped or frustum-shaped region of the container outer surface.
  • the containers 2 are supplied to the device 1 e in the direction of transport specified by the arrow T, standing upright and in a single-track container flow, and having passed a corona tunnel 31 provided on the conveyor 30 and a separating screw 32 they reach a rotor or turntable 34 of the device 1 e by means of a transport star 33 .
  • the containers 2 are retained so as to be rotatable about their container axes at container supports provided at that location (not shown) and are moved during the printing with the rotor 34 on a circular transport section.
  • the printed containers are removed from the rotor 34 by a transport star 35 and are forwarded to a conveyor 36 .
  • the printing of the containers 2 in multiple colors is effected by using transfer pads 37 , which are provided on the periphery of a transfer drum 38 , which is rotatably driveable about the machine axis MA in the direction of rotation R of the rotor but at a speed that is increased compared to the rotational speed of the rotor 34 .
  • the transfer pads 37 are provided at the transfer drum 38 so as to be adjustable radially relative to the machine axis MA between a switched-on position located radially further outside and a switched-back position located radially further inside.
  • the transfer pads 37 are positioned such that they move with their outer face, curved in an arcuate manner about the machine axis MA, inside the circular path of movement of the containers 2 or of the container supports between the transport stars 33 and 35 .
  • a printing group 39 is provided in the direction of rotation R of the rotor 34 or of the transfer drum 38 upstream of the transport star 33 , with which printing group the printed image to be discharged onto the container 2 is applied to the outer face of the transfer pad 37 .
  • the printing group 39 comprises a plurality of print heads 39 . 1 - 39 . 4 following one another in the direction of rotation R of the rotor for different colors, for example for yellow, magenta, cyan and black or for generating the various color sets.
  • the print heads 31 . 1 - 31 . 4 are digitally controllable print heads of the ink jet print head type, for example print heads that are commercially available under the name “XAAR” or “Xaar500.”
  • the print heads 31 . 1 - 31 . 4 each comprise accordingly a housing with a plurality of individually actuatable print nozzles or nozzle openings for discharging printing ink in the distribution and quantity corresponding to the respective printed image or color print onto the background to be printed, i.e. in the present case onto the outside surface to be printed of each transfer pad moved past the printing group 39 .
  • the printing nozzles positioned with their axes horizontally or substantially horizontally are positioned at each print head 39 . 1 - 39 .
  • the discharging of the printing ink is achieved through corresponding actuation of electrodes or of piezo elements or actuators in the print heads, for example at an actuating frequency up to fifty kiloHertz and a relative movement between the respective print head and the surface of a transfer pad to be printed of about five hundred sixty millimeters per second.
  • the number of print nozzles per print head for example, is in the range of five hundred with a print width of seventy millimeters.
  • the print heads 39 . 1 - 39 . 4 include printing inks each in different colors, namely yellow, magenta, cyan and black.
  • a cleaning station 40 for example in the form of a cleaning roller, by means of which any printing ink or ink residue is removed from the print or transfer pad 37 before a new printed image is applied.
  • a device 41 for applying a finish forming a sealing or protective coating on the respective container print connecting thereto in the direction of rotation R of the rotor a device 42 for drying the container print, including the sealing and protective coating, for example by application of energy, for example heating or UV light and connecting thereto directly in front of the outlet star 35 an optoelectric control system 43 , by means of which the printed containers are checked with regard to the quality of the print whilst rotating about their vertical axes so that wrongly printed containers 2 can then be discharged on the conveyor 36 .
  • the printing of the containers 2 is effected with the device 1 e in such a manner that the containers 2 transferred individually in each case with the inlet star 33 to the rotor 34 or to the container supports at that location are rolled over by the switched-on transfer pads, provided with the printed images on the outer surface, by reason of the transfer drum 38 that rotates somewhat faster compared to the rotor 34 , the containers therefore roll off the transfer pads by rotating about their vertical container axes and consequently the printed image is transferred from the respective transfer pad onto a container 2 .
  • the containers 2 are moved past the device 41 , by means of which the finish that forms the sealing or protective coating is applied to the respective container, rotating about the container axis in a continuous or substantially continuous manner, onto the part of the container print already generated by rolling off the transfer pad 37 on the outer surface of the container.
  • the devices 41 and 42 and the control system 43 are situated with the rotor 34 in a non-entraining manner on the periphery of the path of movement of the containers 2 .
  • the relevant transfer pad 37 is switched back and the respective container 2 , continuing to be rotated about its container axis, is moved past the device 42 for drying the print and past the control system 43 and finally is discharged with the transport star 35 onto the conveyor 36 .
  • the transfer pads 37 are switched-on once again, i.e. moved radially outwards for the cleaning process at the cleaning station 40 and for the application of a new printed image at the printing group 39 .
  • the treatment of the containers 2 in the corona tunnel 31 and the electrostatic charging of the containers 2 at that location produce a substantial improvement in the multi-color print that is generated with the transfer print onto the outer surfaces of the containers.
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 show a device 1 f that is once again realized for a transfer print in multiple colors on the outer surfaces of containers 2 .
  • the printing of the containers 2 is effected on a transport system 44 that forms a closed loop and is driven in an endlessly or virtually endlessly circulating manner or respectively on a substantially linear transport section 45 of said system.
  • Container supports 46 are provided at regular spacings on the transport system 44 .
  • the containers 2 to be printed are supplied to the transport section 45 via the conveyor 30 with the corona tunnel 31 and are transferred individually in each case via the transport star 33 to a container support 46 , with which the relevant container 2 , retained so as to be rotatable about its container axis, is moved during the printing in the direction of transport TS to the transport star 35 , by means of which the printed containers 2 are removed from the transport system 44 and forwarded to the conveyor 36 .
  • a print device 47 provided at the transport section 45 that includes a plurality of transfer elements or transfer pads 48 , which are provided at an auxiliary conveyor 49 so as to be rotating with said auxiliary conveyor, said auxiliary conveyor forming a closed loop.
  • the auxiliary conveyor 49 having the transfer pads 48 forms a vertical loop that is provided with its upper horizontally extending loop length 49 . 1 parallel or substantially parallel to the transport section 45 and directly adjacent or substantially adjacent to said transport section on one side.
  • the transfer pads 48 which, for example, are substantially rectangular and with their longitudinal extension are oriented in the circumferential direction or in the direction of movement of the auxiliary conveyor 49 , are positioned with their surface sides in planes perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the loop plane of the auxiliary conveyor 49 .
  • the auxiliary conveyor 49 is driven in such a manner that its upper length 49 . 1 moves in the direction of transport TS of the transport section 45 , however at a greater speed than the transport section 45 .
  • a cleaning station 50 in the form of a cleaning roller for removing printing ink residue on the transfer pads 48 and then a printing group 51 .
  • the printing group 51 comprises a plurality of print heads 51 . 1 - 51 . 5 following one another in the direction of transport TS, said print heads being realized, for example, in an identical or substantially identical manner to the print heads 39 . 1 - 39 .
  • the printing group 51 positioned above the path of movement of the transfer pad 48 , executes the printing of each transfer pad 46 moved past on the top side positioned in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane.
  • each transfer pad 48 is set up such that with its side that has the printed image, it is positioned in a vertical or substantially vertical plane parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of transport TS such that the respective container 2 to be printed, being rotated about its container axis, rolls off a transfer pad 48 and in so doing the printed image is transferred from the transfer pad 48 to the outer surface of the container.
  • a device 52 applies the sealing or protective coating and a device 53 dries the print.
  • the device if also offers, among other things, the advantage of it being possible to position the print heads of the print group 51 that operate according to the ink jet print head principle in a position that is optimum for the method of operation, namely with their print nozzles above the path of movement of the transfer pads 48 and with the axes of the print nozzles oriented downwards in the vertical or substantially vertical direction.
  • the relevant transfer pad 48 is pivoted back again into its initial position.
  • FIGS. 20 , 21 , 22 A, 22 B, and 22 C show a device 1 g that is realized similar to the devices 1 , 1 a - 1 d for printing containers 2 in multiple colors on their outer surfaces by applying the printing ink directly onto the outer surface of the container.
  • the printing is executed on a transport element in the form of a rotor 54 , which is rotatably driven about the vertical machine axis (arrow R) and on which are provided container supports 55 , offset from one another at regular angular spacings about the vertical machine axis, for the containers 2 standing upright, i.e. with their container axes oriented in the vertical direction.
  • a ring-shaped print head support 56 which is positioned in an axially identical or substantially identical manner to the machine axis, is provided inside the path of movement of the container supports 55 , on said print head support in the same spacing or at the same angular spacing that is between the container supports 55 , print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 4 are provided for printing inks in the various colors, namely in yellow (print head 57 . 1 ), in magenta (print head 57 . 2 ), in cyan (print head 57 . 3 ) and black (print head 57 . 4 ) along with other print heads 57 . 5 for applying the coating or protective finish.
  • each group has the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 once and the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 in each group have the same sequence, i.e. for example are provided following one another in the order of their reference numbers in the circumferential direction of the print head support 56 , for example in opposition to the direction of rotation R of the rotor 54 .
  • the arrangement of the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 is additionally such that in each printing stage (e.g. positions in FIGS. 22A and 22C ) one print head 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 is always or virtually always situated directly opposite or substantially opposite a container 2 or its outside surface in the printing position.
  • the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 together with the print head support 56 form the printing group 57 .
  • the containers 2 are once again supplied to the inlet or transport star 6 via the corona tunnel 4 and the separating screw 5 (arrow T) and are transferred in each case individually from said inlet or transport star to a printing station formed by a container support 55 .
  • the printed containers 2 are removed at the outlet or transport star 12 and supplied via the conveyor 13 to another use (arrow T).
  • the container 2 is printed in multiple colors during the transport with the rotor 54 between the inlet star 6 and the outlet star 12 .
  • the color sets forming the respective multi-color print and the connecting protective coating are applied in each case one after the other with the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 4 or with the print head 57 . 5 with the containers 2 being rotated or pivoted in a controlled manner about the container axes with the container supports 55 , for example with a controlled rotational movement in each case about three hundred sixty degrees.
  • each container 2 is executed such that, after being transferred from the inlet star 6 the container 2 is situated opposite a container support 55 in a first angular region of the rotational movement of the rotor 54 , i.e. in a first printing stage it is situated opposite or substantially opposite a print head for generating a first color set, for example the print head 57 . 1 ( FIG. 22A ).
  • the print head support 56 is entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous or substantially synchronous manner with the rotor 54 .
  • the container 2 When the color set is applied, the container 2 is rotated in a controlled manner about its vertical container axis by three hundred sixty degrees and at the same time the printing ink applied in each case is dried by means of a suitable device 58 that is associated with each print head 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 .
  • the printing stage for applying another color set or for applying the protective coating that follows the first or in each case another printing stage is introduced by the container support 55 or all or essentially all the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 being stopped for a short time or being moved by a spacing in opposition to the rotational movement so that the containers “overtake” the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 by a spacing (distance between the print heads) ( FIG. 22B ) and thus another print head is situated opposite or substantially opposite each container 2 in a printing position, for example, after the print head 57 . 1 the print head 57 . 2 , after the print head 57 . 2 the print head 57 . 3 , after the print head 57 .
  • the print head support 56 or the print heads 57 . 2 - 57 . 5 are also entrained with the rotor 54 in a synchronous or substantially synchronous manner at the identical or substantially identical speed and in the same direction.
  • the printed containers 2 are moved past a hardening or curing station 59 for complete hardening of the printing ink and of the protective coating and then, connected thereto, before reaching the outlet star 12 , are moved past a control station or a control system 14 , by means of which the print on the container moved past said system and also rotated about its vertical container axis is checked so that any containers with a faulty print can be discharged on the conveyor 13 .
  • the print head change between two printing stages following one after the other is effected by slowing down the print head support 56 briefly so that the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 are “overtaken” by the containers 2 .
  • a print head change is also obviously possible in the reverse manner by briefly accelerating the print head support 56 in each case so that the container supports 55 or the containers 2 are “overtaken” by the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 during the print head change.
  • the print head support 56 in the printing stage after the print head change and before a new print head change is driven in the same direction and in a synchronous or substantially synchronous manner with the rotor 54 .
  • the print head support 56 is represented as a ring in FIGS. 20 , 21 , 22 A, 22 B, and 22 C.
  • said support it is possible for said support to have any arbitrary embodiment that can be used for the function.
  • the print head support 56 for example, in two parts at least, comprising at least one first element that is entrained with the rotor 54 and at least one other guided element, which is provided at said first element and is switchable further for the respective print head change relative to the first element about the vertical machine axis through stepwise rotation by a spacing (distance between the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 ), for example in opposition to the direction of rotation R of the rotor 54 or in said direction of rotation.
  • the device 1 g has, among other things, the advantage that at least the larger part of the angle of the rotational movement of the rotor 54 is available for the printing process, the number of print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 can nevertheless be kept relatively small such that the total number of print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 , for example, is equal to the number of container supports 55 , and the respective print head change can be effected through short movement strokes.
  • the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 2 are positioned once again inside the path of movement of the containers 2 on the rotor 54 so that the applying of the printed images or of their color sets is supported by the centrifugal force of the rotating rotor 54 and print head support 56 .
  • the containers 2 stand with their container bottom on a container support or on a surface of a rotor or of a transport system.
  • the containers 2 are retained in another manner during the printing, for example suspended at a container or neck flange provided in the region of the container mouth.
  • FIG. 23 shows schematically the main components of one possible embodiment example of what may be a typical system for filling containers, specifically, a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles B with at least one liquid beverage, in accordance with at least one possible embodiment, in which system or plant could possibly be utilized at least one aspect, or several aspects, of the embodiments disclosed herein.
  • FIG. 23 shows a rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101 , to which the containers, namely bottles B, are fed in the direction of travel as indicated by the arrow A 1 , by a first conveyer arrangement 103 , which can be a linear conveyor or a combination of a linear conveyor and a starwheel.
  • a first conveyer arrangement 103 which can be a linear conveyor or a combination of a linear conveyor and a starwheel.
  • the rinsed bottles B are transported to a beverage filling machine 105 by a second conveyer arrangement 104 that is formed, for example, by one or more starwheels that introduce bottles B into the beverage filling machine 105 .
  • the beverage filling machine 105 shown is of a revolving or rotary design, with a rotor 105 ′, which revolves around a central, vertical machine axis.
  • the rotor 105 ′ is designed to receive and hold the bottles B for filling at a plurality of filling positions 113 located about the periphery of the rotor 105 ′.
  • a filling arrangement 114 having at least one filling device, element, apparatus, or valve.
  • the filling arrangements 114 are designed to introduce a predetermined volume or amount of liquid beverage into the interior of the bottles B to a predetermined or desired level.
  • the filling arrangements 114 receive the liquid beverage material from a toroidal or annular vessel 117 , in which a supply of liquid beverage material is stored under pressure by a gas.
  • the toroidal vessel 117 is a component, for example, of the revolving rotor 105 ′.
  • the toroidal vessel 117 can be connected by means of a rotary coupling or a coupling that permits rotation.
  • the toroidal vessel 117 is also connected to at least one external reservoir or supply of liquid beverage material by a conduit or supply line. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 , there are two external supply reservoirs 123 and 124 , each of which is configured to store either the same liquid beverage product or different products.
  • These reservoirs 123 , 124 are connected to the toroidal or annular vessel 117 by corresponding supply lines, conduits, or arrangements 121 and 122 .
  • the external supply reservoirs 123 , 124 could be in the form of simple storage tanks, or in the form of liquid beverage product mixers, in at least one possible embodiment.
  • each filling arrangement 114 could be connected by separate connections to each of the two toroidal vessels and have two individually-controllable fluid or control valves, so that in each bottle B, the first product or the second product can be filled by means of an appropriate control of the filling product or fluid valves.
  • a beverage bottle closing arrangement or closing station 106 Downstream of the beverage filling machine 105 , in the direction of travel of the bottles B, there can be a beverage bottle closing arrangement or closing station 106 which closes or caps the bottles B.
  • the beverage bottle closing arrangement or closing station 106 can be connected by a third conveyer arrangement 107 to a beverage bottle labeling arrangement or labeling station 108 .
  • the third conveyor arrangement may be formed, for example, by a plurality of starwheels, or may also include a linear conveyor device.
  • the beverage bottle labeling arrangement or labeling station 108 has at least one labeling unit, device, or module, for applying labels to bottles B.
  • the labeling arrangement 108 is connected by a starwheel conveyer structure to three output conveyer arrangements: a first output conveyer arrangement 109 , a second output conveyer arrangement 110 , and a third output conveyer arrangement 111 , all of which convey filled, closed, and labeled bottles B to different locations.
  • the first output conveyer arrangement 109 is designed to convey bottles B that are filled with a first type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the supply reservoir 123 .
  • the second output conveyer arrangement 110 in the embodiment shown, is designed to convey bottles B that are filled with a second type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the supply reservoir 124 .
  • the third output conveyer arrangement 111 in the embodiment shown, is designed to convey incorrectly labeled bottles B.
  • the labeling arrangement 108 can comprise at least one beverage bottle inspection or monitoring device that inspects or monitors the location of labels on the bottles B to determine if the labels have been correctly placed or aligned on the bottles B.
  • the third output conveyer arrangement 111 removes any bottles B which have been incorrectly labeled as determined by the inspecting device.
  • bottles B that are ready to be packed can be directed to a packing or packaging station 303 and packaged for shipment out of the plant.
  • the beverage bottling plant can be controlled by a central control arrangement 112 , which could be, for example, computerized control system that monitors and controls the operation of the various stations and mechanisms of the beverage bottling plant.
  • a device for printing in particular for printing containers 2 in multiple colors on at least one outer surface of the container, said device including a print that is formed by at least one printed image, at least one printing group 10 , 10 a , 18 , 18 a , 57 with at least two print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , 19 , 19 , 57 . 1 - 57 .
  • a transport element 7 , 16 , 54 by means of which the containers 2 are moved in a direction of transport R, TS during the printing, wherein the printing groups 10 , 10 a , 18 , 18 a , 57 or their print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , 19 , 19 , 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 are moved, at least during part of the at least one printing step, by means of the transport element 7 , 16 , 54 , characterized in that the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 .
  • the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , 19 , 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 are realized in the form of different color sets of a multicolored printed image.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the transport element 7 , 16 , 54 forms a transport section 17 between a container inlet 6 and a container outlet 12 , the containers 2 being moved on said transport section during the printing.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein a plurality of printing stations 8 , 55 for one container 2 in each case is provided on the transport element 7 , 16 , 54 .
  • each printing station 8 provided on the transport element 7 , 16 , 54 has at least one container support 9 for the receiving of one container 2 .
  • a device 11 , 20 for drying the printing ink applied onto the container surface or the relevant part printed image is associated with each print head 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , 19 , 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 or with a group of print heads.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein an independent printing group 10 , 10 a with a plurality of print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 is associated with each printing station 8 on the transport element 7 , 16 , and in that the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 are provided on the transport element so as to be adjustable or switchable further for the part print change.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 are adjustable or switchable on the transport element 7 , 16 in the direction of transport R, TS and in opposition to the direction of transport R, TS.
  • Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein where there is an endlessly rotatingly driveable transport element 7 , 16 , 54 the printing groups 10 , 10 a , 18 , 18 a , 57 are positioned such that at least at the print heads 10 . 1 - 16 . 1 ; 19 located in the print position the discharging of the printing ink is supported by centrifugal forces generated by the movement of the transport element 7 , 16 , 54 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , 19 , 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 located in the printing position are positioned with their print nozzles that create the print within the path of movement of the containers 2 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein an independent device 11 for drying the printing ink that has been applied onto the outer surface of the container is provided for each printing station 8 , 55 .
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein where there is a plurality of container supports 9 provided on the transport element 7 , 16 or of printing stations 8 formed by said container supports, at least one printing unit or printing group 18 , 18 a common to all the printing stations is provided, past which the containers 2 are moved and which has at least two print heads 19 for generating different part printed images and, in a synchronous manner with the movement of the transport element 7 , 16 , is entrainable with the transport element in a floating manner in one operating stroke TR 1 out of an initial position and is movable back into the initial position in one return stroke TR 2 in opposition to the direction of transport R, TS of the transport element 7 , 16 so that in each operating stroke at least one container 2 located at a printing station is printed with the associated part image.
  • Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the distance between the at least two print heads 21 is identical to the distance between the printing stations 8 or container supports 9 on the transport element 7 , 16 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the printing group 18 , 18 a for each part printed image has at least one print head unit 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 with at least two print heads 19 for the simultaneous printing of at least two containers 2 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the distance between the print heads 19 at the printing group 18 , 18 a in the direction of transport R, TS of the transport element 7 , 16 is identical to the distance between the printing stations 8 or container supports 9 on the transport element 7 , 16 .
  • the at least one printing group 18 , 18 a is pivotable by a stroke that corresponds to a machine spacing out of the initial position into the end position and out of said end position back into the initial position, and in that the machine spacing is identical to the distance between axes or the angular separation of two adjacent printing stations 8 or container supports 9 on the transport element 7 , 16 multiplied by the number of print heads 19 on each print head unit 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the devices 20 for drying the printing ink are switchable on and switchable off.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the at least one floating printing unit or printing group 18 is provided inside and/or outside the rotatably driveable transport element 7 , 16 .
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein where there is a plurality of container supports 55 provided on the transport element 54 or printing stations formed by said container supports, at least one common printing group or printing unit 57 is provided for all the printing stations, said printing group or printing unit having at least two print head groups, each with at least two print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 per print head group for generating different part printed images and, during the printing stage for generating each part printed image, being entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous manner with the movement of the transport element 54 , such that in each printing stage at least one print head 57 . 1 - 57 .
  • each print head group is situated in a printing position at a container 2 , and in that for the print head change, the movement of the printing unit 57 or of the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 can be slowed down or accelerated in such a manner and after the print head change can be synchronised again in such a manner with the movement of the transport element 54 that after the print head change a print head 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 of each print head group is once again situated in a printing position with the respective container 2 .
  • transport element 54 is a rotating transport element, in one possible embodiment a rotor 54 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 of the printing unit 57 are moveable in a circulating manner on a movement path that is closed per se.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 are provided on a rotatably driveable print head support 56 .
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the distance between the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 in the direction of movement of the printing unit 57 or of the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 corresponds to the reciprocal distance between the container supports 55 or between the printing stations formed by said container supports in such a manner that during each printing stage, each print head 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 is situated in the printing position with reference to a printing station or with reference to a container 2 positioned at that location.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the number of printing stations 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 is an integer multiple of the number of container supports 55 or of the printing stations formed by said container supports on the transport element 54 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the number of container supports 55 or of the print stations formed by said container supports on the transport element 54 is an integer multiple of the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 of the printing unit 57 .
  • a device for printing in one possible embodiment for printing containers 2 in multiple colors by means of a transfer print, said device including at least one printing group 39 , 51 with at least two print heads 39 . 1 - 39 . 5 ; 51 . 1 - 51 .
  • a container conveyor 34 , 44 by means of which the containers 2 are moved in a direction of transport R, TS during the printing and an auxiliary conveyor 38 , 49 with a plurality of transfer pads 37 , 48 that are moved with the auxiliary conveyor 38 , 39 on a path of movement that is closed per se
  • the container conveyor 34 , 44 is a rotor 34 that is rotatably driven about a vertical machine axis MA
  • the auxiliary conveyor is a wheel-shaped or drum-shaped element 38 that is rotatably driveable about the machine axis MA.
  • Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a device for printing, in one possible embodiment for printing containers 2 in multiple colors by means of a transfer print, said device including at least one printing group 39 , 51 with at least two print heads 39 . 1 - 39 . 5 ; 51 . 1 - 51 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein when passing the printing group 51 , the transfer pads 48 are positioned below the printing group or the print heads 51 . 1 - 51 . 5 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein a cleaning station 40 , 50 for the transfer pads 37 , 48 is provided on the circumferential path of the auxiliary conveyor 38 , 49 upstream of the printing group 39 , 51 .
  • auxiliary conveyor 49 is a transport element rotating about at least one horizontal axis, for example a transport wheel or a transport element forming at least one vertical or substantially vertical loop.
  • the container transport element is a rotor 7 that is rotatably driveable about a vertical machine axis or a turntable or a transport system 16 with at least one transport element that forms a closed loop.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein at least one print head 10 . 5 , 19 is used for applying a sealing or protective coating onto the respective printed image.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a conveyor 3 , 30 that includes a corona tunnel 4 , 31 for supplying the containers 2 to the container inlet 6 , 33 of the device 1 , 1 a - 1 f.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method for printing, in particular for printing containers in multiple colors on their container outer surface with a print that is formed by at least one printed image, by using at least one printing group 10 , 10 a , 18 , 18 a , 57 with at least two print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , 19 , 57 . 1 - 57 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the printing of the containers 2 is effected in each case at a printing station that is provided with a plurality of printing stations 8 of a similar type on the transport element 7 , 16 , wherein an independent printing group 10 , 10 a with a plurality of print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 is associated with each printing station 8 , and in that for the respective part print change or print head change, the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 .
  • TS and/or are pivoted or rotated about an axis, for example about an axis that is offset relative to the axis of the respective container 2 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein the print heads 10 . 1 - 10 . 5 , 18 . 1 - 18 . 6 , 19 , 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 are each positioned during the printing of the part printed images such that the applying of the printing ink and/or the sealing or protective coating are supported by centrifugal forces that are generated by the movement of the transport element 7 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein where there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element 7 , 16 , the printing of the containers 2 is effected with at least one printing unit 18 , 18 a that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads 19 , and in that the printing unit 18 , 18 a , for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element 7 , 16 out of an initial position in one operating stroke TR 1 and in one return stroke TR is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport RTS of the transport element 7 , 16 .
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein the printing unit 18 , 18 a is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke TR 1 in such a manner that a container 2 is located at a print head 19 that is situated in the printing position.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein in each operating stroke, in each case at least two container groups, each comprising at least two containers 2 , are printed with different part printed images.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein in each operating stroke, a first part printed image is applied with at least one print head 19 on at least one container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group 18 , 18 a , and another part printed image is applied with at least one second print head on at least one container that is already provided with a part printed image, and in that after each operating stroke TR 1 , the printing unit 18 , 18 a is moved back into the initial position in such a manner that at the at least one first print head 19 in each case a container 2 not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group 18 , 18 a is situated in the printing position and at the at least one other print head 19 a container 2 already printed with the printing unit or printing group 18 , 18 a is situated in the printing position.
  • Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein where there is a plurality of container supports 55 provided on the transport element 54 or of print stations formed by said container supports, at least one printing group or printing unit 57 common to all printing stations is used that has at least two print head groups, each with at least two print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 per print head group for generating different part printed images, in that printing unit 57 during each printing stage for generating each part printed image is entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous manner with the movement of the transport element 54 such that in each printing stage at least one print head 57 . 1 - 57 .
  • each print head group is situated in a printing position at a container 2 , and in that for the print head change, the movement of the printing unit 57 or of the printing heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 is slowed down or accelerated in such a manner and after the print head change is once again synchronized with the movement of the transport element 54 in such a manner that, after the print head change, a print head 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 of each print head group is once again situated in a printing position with the respective container 2 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein the slowing down or accelerating is effected by temporarily superposing the movement of the printing unit 57 or of the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 that is synchronous with the transport element 54 , with another movement component in opposition to or in the direction of transport R of the transport element 54 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the print heads 57 . 1 - 57 . 5 of the printing unit 57 are moved in a rotating manner on a path of movement that is closed per se.
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method for printing, in one possible embodiment for printing containers 2 in multiple colors by means of a transfer print by using a printing group 39 , 51 with at least two print heads 39 . 1 - 39 . 5 ; 51 . 1 - 51 .
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method for printing, in one possible embodiment for multiple printing, in one possible embodiment for multiple printing of containers 2 by means of a transfer print by using at least one printing group 39 , 41 with at least two print heads 39 . 1 - 39 . 5 ; 51 . 1 - 51 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein during the printing, the containers 2 are moved on a container transport element 34 , 44 and the transfer pads are moved with an auxiliary conveyor 38 , 49 .
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method, wherein the transfer pads 37 , 48 for the transferring of the printed images are moved parallel to the direction of transport R, TS of the containers 2 , but at a speed that deviates from the transport speed of the containers 2 with regard to direction and/or magnitude.
  • a container filling plant a method of adding information on the outer surface of containers, the information comprising at least two media
  • the container filling plant comprising an information adding system, a machine for filling containers, and a machine for closing containers
  • said method comprising the steps of: a) moving a first container into a first conveying arrangement in said information adding system; b) conveying said first container with said first conveying arrangement in said information adding system; said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement and at least one information transfer arrangement; each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device; said first information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a first medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement; said second information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a second medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement, said first medium and said second medium being different; said at least one information transfer arrangement being configured to store information added there
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant, the information comprising at least two media, said method comprising the steps of: a) moving a first container into a conveying arrangement in an information adding system; b) conveying said first container with said conveying arrangement in said information adding system; said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement; c) moving one of said at least one information adding arrangement, disposing it proximate said first container, for adding information to an outer surface of said first container; each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device; said first information adding device being configured to add information in a first medium and said second information device being configured to add information in a second medium, said first medium and said second medium being different; d) moving said first information adding device into a position for adding information to the outer surface of said first container; e) adding information in said first medium to the
  • said conveying arrangement comprises a transport element; said first medium comprises a printing material of a first color; said second medium comprises a printing material of a second color, said first and said second colors being different; said steps of adding information to the outer surface of said first container comprise printing an image on the outer surface of said first container; said first information adding device comprises a first print head; said second information adding device comprises a second print head; said information adding arrangement comprises a printing group comprising said first and said second print head; and said information adding system comprises said transport element and said printing group.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein during the printing the containers are rotated about their container axes, for example by an angle of 360°.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein during the printing steps, part printed images are applied in the form of different color sets of a multi-colored printed image and/or in the form of at least one sealing or protective coating covering the printed image.
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein the printing of the containers is effected in each case at a printing station that is provided with a plurality of printing stations of a similar type on the transport element, wherein an independent printing group with a plurality of print heads is associated with each printing station, and in that for the respective part print change or print head change, the print heads are moved relative to the printing station or to its printing position in the direction of transport and in opposition to the direction of transport and/or are pivoted or rotated about an axis, such as about an axis that is offset relative to the axis of the respective container.
  • Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein the print heads are each positioned during the printing of the part printed images such that the applying of the printing ink and/or the sealing or protective coating are supported by centrifugal forces that are generated by the movement of the transport element.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein the respective part printed image and/or the sealing or protective coating are dried directly after generation.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein the printing ink forming the respective part printed image or a compound forming the sealing or protective coating is continuously dried as it is being discharged.
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles further comprising at least one of: a) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light; b) wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; c) wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; d) wherein at least two containers are printed with different part
  • Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant, the information comprising at least two media, said method comprising the steps of: a) moving a first container into a first conveying arrangement in an information adding system; b) conveying said first container with said first conveying arrangement in said information adding system; said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement and at least one information transfer arrangement; each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device; said first information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a first medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement; said second information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a second medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement, said first medium and said second medium being different; said at least one information transfer arrangement being configured to store information added thereto, with said first and said second information adding devices, and transferring the stored information to the outer surface
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant, the information comprising at least two media, said method comprising the steps of: a) moving a first container into a conveying arrangement in an information adding system; b) conveying said first container with said conveying arrangement in said information adding system; said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement and at least one information transfer arrangement; each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device; said first information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a first medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement; said second information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a second medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement, said first medium and said second medium being different; said at least one information transfer arrangement being configured to store information added thereto, with said first and said second information adding devices, and transferring the stored information to the outer surface of said first
  • said conveying arrangement comprises a transport element; said first medium comprises a printing material of a first color; said second medium comprises a printing material of a second color, said first and said second colors being different; said first information adding device comprises a first print head; said second information adding device comprises a second print head; said information adding arrangement comprises a printing group comprising said first and said second print head; each said at least one transfer arrangement comprises a transfer pad; said steps of adding information to the outer surface of said transfer pads comprise printing an image on a surface of said transfer pads; and said information adding system comprises said transport element, said transfer pads, and said printing group.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein during the printing, the containers are moved on a container transport element and the transfer pads are moved with an auxiliary conveyor.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein before the transfer of the respective printed image, the transfer pads are pivoted into a horizontal or substantially horizontal transfer position.
  • Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein the printing of the transfer pads is effected with the print heads positioned above the respective transfer surface.
  • Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein the transfer pads for the transferring of the printed images are moved parallel to the direction of transport of the containers, but at a speed that deviates from the transport speed of the containers with regard to direction and/or magnitude.
  • a further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of adding information on the outer surface of articles wherein the containers are treated in a corona tunnel before the printing.
  • bottling systems which may be used or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present may be found in the following U.S. patents assigned to the Assignee herein, namely: U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,285; U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,830; U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,350; U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,803; U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,547; U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,518; U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,261; U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,917; U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,918; U.S. Pat. No.
  • corona elements that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment may possibly be found in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,992, entitled “Corona and static electrode assembly”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,151,902, entitled “Toner transfer technique”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,030, entitled “Method and apparatus for making signs”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,646, entitled “Photothermographic material”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,150, entitled “Method and apparatus for developing a latent image using toner grains constituting a developer”.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
US12/698,638 2007-08-03 2010-02-02 Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant Abandoned US20100192517A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/555,231 US9132664B2 (en) 2007-08-03 2012-07-23 Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102007036752.1 2007-08-03
DE102007036752A DE102007036752A1 (de) 2007-08-03 2007-08-03 Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern
DE102007050490.1 2007-10-19
DE102007050490A DE102007050490A1 (de) 2007-10-19 2007-10-19 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Bedrucken von Behältern
DE102007050493A DE102007050493A1 (de) 2007-10-19 2007-10-19 Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Flaschen oder dergleichen Behältern an der Behälteraußenfläche
DE102007050493.6 2007-10-19
PCT/EP2008/005711 WO2009018893A1 (de) 2007-08-03 2008-07-12 Vorrichtung und verfahren zum bedrucken von behältern

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2008/005711 Continuation-In-Part WO2009018893A1 (de) 2007-08-03 2008-07-12 Vorrichtung und verfahren zum bedrucken von behältern

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/555,231 Continuation US9132664B2 (en) 2007-08-03 2012-07-23 Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100192517A1 true US20100192517A1 (en) 2010-08-05

Family

ID=40340978

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/698,638 Abandoned US20100192517A1 (en) 2007-08-03 2010-02-02 Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant
US13/555,231 Expired - Fee Related US9132664B2 (en) 2007-08-03 2012-07-23 Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/555,231 Expired - Fee Related US9132664B2 (en) 2007-08-03 2012-07-23 Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (2) US20100192517A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP2152519B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JP5361885B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
KR (1) KR101153104B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CN (1) CN101674940B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) ATE527118T1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BRPI0810301B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
MX (1) MX336492B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
WO (2) WO2009018892A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110273726A1 (en) * 2009-03-27 2011-11-10 Khs Gmbh Device and method for printing containers and capturing the rotary position of at least one rotary device provided for receiving the containers
US20120098914A1 (en) * 2010-10-25 2012-04-26 Machines Dubuit Inkjet printing machine
US20120199021A1 (en) * 2009-07-18 2012-08-09 Khs Gmbh Equipment for printing on containers
US20120236304A1 (en) * 2009-10-15 2012-09-20 SpectraFuidics, Inc. Sers-active absorbers for the analysis of analytes
US20130074317A1 (en) * 2011-09-28 2013-03-28 Hinterkopf Gmbh Processing Apparatus and Method of Operating a Processing Apparatus
US20130160405A1 (en) * 2010-09-02 2013-06-27 Khs Gmbh Method and device for treating containers
US20140028771A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2014-01-30 Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. Ink-jet printing apparatus and method of printing seamless cans by using the same printing apparatus
US8650835B2 (en) 2011-05-26 2014-02-18 Presto Absorbent Products, Inc. Indicia-applying method and apparatus
US20140049585A1 (en) * 2011-04-25 2014-02-20 Showa Aluminum Can Corporation Image forming device and method for manufacturing can body on which image is formed
US20140154890A1 (en) * 2012-12-04 2014-06-05 Tokyo Electron Limited Periphery coating apparatus, periphery coating method and storage medium therefor
US20140208699A1 (en) * 2011-09-02 2014-07-31 Khs Gmbh Device for treating packages, and holding-and-centering unit for packages
US20150033965A1 (en) * 2013-07-31 2015-02-05 Krones Ag Printing machine with print head control
US9032872B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-05-19 Plastipak Packaging, Inc. Rotary system and method for printing containers
US20150138291A1 (en) * 2013-11-20 2015-05-21 Seiko Epson Corporation Recording apparatus
EP2919994A4 (en) * 2012-11-15 2015-10-07 Velox Puredigital Ltd PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD
US20160221360A1 (en) * 2013-09-13 2016-08-04 Till Gmbh Printing press for printing three-dimensional objects
US20170001450A1 (en) * 2014-03-13 2017-01-05 Khs Gmbh Device and method for drying printed containers
CN107073936A (zh) * 2014-05-20 2017-08-18 维罗斯-纯粹数字有限公司 打印系统及方法
US9850015B2 (en) * 2010-02-16 2017-12-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Yakult Honsha Continuous rotary type filling and packing machine provided with printing mechanism
US9908651B2 (en) * 2012-03-26 2018-03-06 Khs Gmbh Method and device for treating packages
US20180074477A1 (en) * 2016-09-09 2018-03-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for Simultaneously Producing Different Products on a Single Production Line
US11203208B2 (en) 2016-07-08 2021-12-21 Showa Aluminum Can Corporation Printing apparatus and can body manufacturing system
RU2776735C2 (ru) * 2012-11-15 2022-07-26 Велокс-Пьюэдиджитал Лтд. Несущий блок для перемещения по меньшей мере одного потока объектов и способ обработки зон внешних поверхностей нескольких объектов
US11396189B2 (en) * 2017-12-27 2022-07-26 Showa Aluminum Can Corporation Printing apparatus having inkjet heads for printing can bodies at linear part of annular movement route
CN115352722A (zh) * 2022-10-20 2022-11-18 江苏尚纯自动化技术有限公司 一种粉末灌装机
US11660878B2 (en) 2018-12-18 2023-05-30 Altemira Co., Ltd. Print system
US11698626B2 (en) 2016-09-09 2023-07-11 The Procter & Gamble Company System and method for producing products based upon demand
US20240083178A1 (en) * 2022-09-09 2024-03-14 Krones Ag Direct printing machine

Families Citing this family (85)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008049241A1 (de) 2008-09-26 2010-04-08 Khs Ag Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen jeweils eines Mehrfachdrucks auf Packmittel
DE102009013477B4 (de) 2009-03-19 2012-01-12 Khs Gmbh Druckvorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Flaschen oder dergleichen Behältern
DE102009020702B4 (de) * 2009-05-11 2011-09-15 Khs Gmbh Drucksystem zum Bedrucken von Flaschen oder dergleichen Behältern sowie Druckvorrichtung oder -maschine mit einem solchen Drucksystem
DE102009058219A1 (de) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-16 Till, Volker, Dipl.-Ing. Anlage zum Bedrucken von Behältern
DE102010020958B4 (de) 2010-05-19 2012-05-03 Khs Gmbh Vorrichtung sowie Verfahren zum Bedrucken, insbesondere zum mehrfarbigen Bedrucken von Behältern
WO2012054655A1 (en) * 2010-10-19 2012-04-26 Pressco Technology Inc. A method and system for decorator component identification and selected adjustment thereof
DE102011009391A1 (de) * 2011-01-25 2012-07-26 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Bedrucken von Behältern
JP5921304B2 (ja) * 2012-04-17 2016-05-24 昭和アルミニウム缶株式会社 画像形成装置
JP5775733B2 (ja) * 2011-04-25 2015-09-09 昭和アルミニウム缶株式会社 画像形成装置、および、画像が形成された缶体の製造方法
JP5647939B2 (ja) * 2011-04-25 2015-01-07 昭和アルミニウム缶株式会社 画像形成装置、および、画像が形成された缶体の製造方法
JP2014526911A (ja) * 2011-06-24 2014-10-09 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー 物品を移動させ、その位置を制御するための方法
US20130263862A1 (en) 2011-06-24 2013-10-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for moving articles and controlling the position of same
US10538355B2 (en) 2011-09-02 2020-01-21 Khs Gmbh Device for treating packages, and pressure segment for use in a device of this type
DE102011119169A1 (de) * 2011-11-23 2013-05-23 Khs Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen vonAusstattungen auf Behälter
BR102012016393A2 (pt) 2012-07-02 2015-04-07 Rexam Beverage Can South America S A Dispositivo de impressão em latas, processo de impressão em latas, lata impressa e blanqueta
DE102012214349A1 (de) 2012-08-13 2014-02-13 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Druckvorrichtung, Druckkopf hierfür und Verfahren zum Absaugen von Druckfarbe
JP6234023B2 (ja) * 2012-11-17 2017-11-22 株式会社ミマキエンジニアリング 立体物上印刷システムおよび立体物上印刷用プログラム
DE102013208061A1 (de) * 2013-01-31 2013-07-04 Krones Ag Vorrichtungen zum Bedrucken von Behältern und Verfahren dazu
DE102013205232A1 (de) 2013-03-25 2014-09-25 Krones Ag Druckvorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern
DE102013207799A1 (de) * 2013-04-29 2014-10-30 Krones Ag Direktdruckverfahren zum Bedrucken von Kunststoffbehältern mit Deckschicht
DE102013208065A1 (de) * 2013-05-02 2013-07-04 Krones Ag Rundläufermaschine zur Bedruckung von Behältern
US9555616B2 (en) 2013-06-11 2017-01-31 Ball Corporation Variable printing process using soft secondary plates and specialty inks
DE102013214934A1 (de) 2013-07-30 2015-02-05 Krones Ag Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Direktbedrucken von Behältern
DE102013217659A1 (de) * 2013-09-04 2015-03-05 Krones Ag Behälterbehandlungsmaschine zur Bedruckung von Behältern
DE102013217667A1 (de) * 2013-09-04 2015-03-05 Krones Ag Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern, insbesondere mittels einer Rundläufermaschine
DE102013110108A1 (de) * 2013-09-13 2015-03-19 Khs Gmbh Drucksystem zum Bedrucken von Flaschen oder dergleichen Behältern sowie Druckvorrichtung oder –maschine mit einem solchen Drucksystem
DE102013110125A1 (de) * 2013-09-13 2015-03-19 Till Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Oberflächenvorbehandlung eines dreidimensionalen Körpers
DE202013105244U1 (de) * 2013-11-20 2015-02-27 Krones Ag Direktdruckmaschine zum Bedrucken von Behältern
DE102015203798A1 (de) 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken einer gekrümmten Oberfläche eines Objekts
JP6208064B2 (ja) * 2014-03-28 2017-10-04 株式会社ヤクルト本社 クリーニングローラ機構
CN104401114B (zh) * 2014-09-28 2017-03-22 东莞美驰图实业有限公司 移印机
US10086602B2 (en) 2014-11-10 2018-10-02 Rexam Beverage Can South America Method and apparatus for printing metallic beverage container bodies
JP2017535455A (ja) 2014-11-13 2017-11-30 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー 物品を装飾するためのプロセス
WO2016077199A1 (en) 2014-11-13 2016-05-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Apparatus and method for depositing a substance on articles
US20160136967A1 (en) 2014-11-13 2016-05-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Digitally Printed Article
US20160136969A1 (en) 2014-11-13 2016-05-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Digitally Printed and Decorated Article
PL3028856T3 (pl) 2014-12-04 2019-10-31 Ball Beverage Packaging Europe Ltd Urządzenie drukujące
US9327493B1 (en) * 2015-03-04 2016-05-03 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Digital printing machine and method
CN107428157B (zh) 2015-03-04 2020-11-17 斯多里机械有限责任公司 数字印刷机和方法
CN104772985A (zh) * 2015-04-13 2015-07-15 于丰 一种采用等离子技术或电晕技术的uv打印机
DE102015215227A1 (de) * 2015-08-10 2017-02-16 Krones Ag Behälterbehandlungsmaschine und Verfahren zur Bedruckung von Behältern
DE102015215295A1 (de) * 2015-08-11 2017-02-16 Krones Ag Druckmaschine für Behälter und Verfahren zum Bedrucken von Behältern
MX2018002424A (es) * 2015-08-31 2018-06-11 Procter & Gamble Metodo de movimiento paralelo para depositar una sustancia sobre articulos.
MX2018002423A (es) * 2015-08-31 2018-06-11 Procter & Gamble Aparato de movimiento paralelo para depositar una sustancia sobre articulos.
DE102016223415A1 (de) 2015-12-22 2017-06-22 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken eines Objekts
CN108430787A (zh) 2015-12-28 2018-08-21 宝洁公司 利用在材料和粘合剂之间的固化程度差异将带有粘合剂的材料转移到制品上的方法
CN108430788B (zh) 2015-12-28 2021-03-23 宝洁公司 使用连续转移部件将材料施加到制品上的方法和设备
WO2017116670A1 (en) 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for applying a material onto articles with a pre-distorted transfer component
EP3397494A1 (en) 2015-12-28 2018-11-07 The Procter and Gamble Company Method and apparatus for applying a material onto articles using a transfer component that deflects on both sides
CN109641447A (zh) 2016-04-25 2019-04-16 宝德温美洲公司 模块化数字输墨系统
US10549921B2 (en) 2016-05-19 2020-02-04 Rexam Beverage Can Company Beverage container body decorator inspection apparatus
DE102016110316A1 (de) * 2016-06-03 2017-12-07 Khs Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Bedruckung von Behältern
JP6745229B2 (ja) * 2016-07-08 2020-08-26 昭和アルミニウム缶株式会社 印刷装置
MX2019000614A (es) 2016-07-20 2019-07-04 Ball Corp Sistema y metodo para alinear un entintador de un decorador.
US11034145B2 (en) 2016-07-20 2021-06-15 Ball Corporation System and method for monitoring and adjusting a decorator for containers
US10739705B2 (en) 2016-08-10 2020-08-11 Ball Corporation Method and apparatus of decorating a metallic container by digital printing to a transfer blanket
CN106314890A (zh) * 2016-08-31 2017-01-11 楚天科技股份有限公司 一种分装机及其控制方法
EP3509979B1 (en) 2016-09-09 2023-06-14 The Procter & Gamble Company System and method for independently routing vehicles and delivering containers and closures to unit operation stations
PL3535129T3 (pl) * 2016-11-02 2022-02-28 Tonejet Limited Urządzenie drukujące
US10525694B2 (en) * 2016-12-12 2020-01-07 Xerox Corporation System for preparing three-dimensional (3D) objects for surface printing
US10677073B2 (en) * 2017-01-03 2020-06-09 Raytheon Technologies Corporation Blade platform with damper restraint
US10682837B2 (en) 2017-06-09 2020-06-16 The Proctor & Gamble Company Method and compositions for applying a material onto articles
US20180354253A1 (en) 2017-06-09 2018-12-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for Applying Material onto and Conforming to Three-Dimensional Articles
US10913995B2 (en) 2017-07-14 2021-02-09 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Pretreatment assembly and method for treating work pieces
US10259249B2 (en) 2017-07-14 2019-04-16 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Post-treatment assembly and method for treating work pieces
RU2750565C1 (ru) * 2017-09-19 2021-06-29 Болл Корпорейшен Машина для нанесения изображений на контейнеры и способ
EP3473446B1 (de) * 2017-10-17 2020-08-26 HINTERKOPF GmbH Rundtisch-digitaldruckmaschine und druckwerk
WO2019099183A1 (en) 2017-11-17 2019-05-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for applying a material onto articles
JP7382130B2 (ja) * 2018-01-09 2023-11-16 アルテミラ株式会社 飲料用缶の製造方法、飲料用缶、および、飲料缶
BR112020015545A2 (pt) * 2018-02-09 2021-02-02 Ball Corporation método e aparelho para decorar um recipiente metálico por impressão digital em um revestimento de transferência
DE102018109083A1 (de) * 2018-04-17 2019-10-17 Khs Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Direktbedrucken von Behältern
EP3564042A3 (en) 2018-05-01 2020-01-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for applying a reflective material onto articles, and articles with reflective material thereon
GB2577086B (en) * 2018-09-13 2022-02-23 Landa Labs 2012 Ltd Printing on cylindrical objects
EP3696106A1 (en) 2019-02-12 2020-08-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for applying a material onto articles using a transfer component
WO2020210302A1 (en) * 2019-04-12 2020-10-15 Ball Corporation Method of maintaining inkjet printhead meniscus
DE102019125845A1 (de) * 2019-09-25 2021-03-25 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Vorbehandlungsmaschine und Vorbehandlungsverfahren für Behälter
CN111301018B (zh) * 2019-12-31 2021-06-18 绍兴上虞天勤包装有限公司 一种化妆品包装瓶盖的印刷工艺
WO2021183350A1 (en) 2020-03-09 2021-09-16 The Procter & Gamble Company Method and apparatus for applying a material onto articles using a transfer component
US12337607B2 (en) 2020-04-03 2025-06-24 Norwalt Design, Inc. Printing apparatus for printing directly onto containers
IT202100017858A1 (it) * 2021-07-07 2023-01-07 Smi Spa Macchina per la stampa di informazioni su un contenitore
EP4137327A1 (de) 2021-08-18 2023-02-22 HINTERKOPF GmbH Bedruckungsverfahren für einen metallbehälter und vorrichtung zum bedrucken eines metallbehälters
KR102402960B1 (ko) * 2021-12-01 2022-05-26 유태재 용기 마킹장치
DE102021133097A1 (de) * 2021-12-14 2023-06-15 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältnissen mit elektrostatischer Aufladung von Behältnissen
WO2025114858A1 (en) * 2023-11-27 2025-06-05 Atlantic Zeiser Gmbh Printing system and method
CH721401A2 (de) * 2023-12-15 2025-06-30 Pantec Schweiz Ag Ruggell Zweigniederlassung Erlen Druckmaschine zum Aufbringen von Material auf ein Substrat

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4981547A (en) * 1988-04-09 1991-01-01 Eti-Tec Maschinenbau Gmbh Mounting and drive coupling for the extracting element support of a labelling station for a labelling machine for containers and similar objects
US5110402A (en) * 1990-03-28 1992-05-05 Holstein Und Kappert Ag Labelling machine for labelling containers such as bottles having a labelling box for a stack of labels in a labelling station
US5207153A (en) * 1990-11-28 1993-05-04 Harry Thomason Apparatus for applying printed matter to objects
US6058985A (en) * 1997-09-13 2000-05-09 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Bottling machine with a set-up table and a set-up table for a bottling machine and a set-up table for a bottle handling machine
US6439368B1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2002-08-27 Khs Maschinen-Und Anlagenbau Ag Labeling system for container
US6463964B2 (en) * 2000-06-09 2002-10-15 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Method of operating a machine for filling bottles, cans or the like beverage containers with a beverage, and a beverage container filling machine
US6666937B2 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-12-23 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method and apparatus for labeling and stacking flower pot covers
US6769357B1 (en) * 2003-06-05 2004-08-03 Sequa Can Machinery, Inc. Digital can decorating apparatus
US20070157559A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-12 Volker Till Beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a liquid beverage, with an information adding arrangement for adding information relating to the beverage bottles, and a method of operating the beverage bottling plant
US20080019029A1 (en) * 2002-08-29 2008-01-24 Genie Lens Technologies, Llc Visual effect apparatus for displaying interlaced images using block out grids

Family Cites Families (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3641930A (en) † 1969-03-27 1972-02-15 Sunkist Growers Inc Apparatus for printing indicia on fruit
US3765326A (en) † 1972-04-03 1973-10-16 Filper Corp Method and apparatus for printing on empty bags
GB1489746A (en) † 1973-12-21 1977-10-26 Chromax Ltd Machine for printing on cylindrical or frusto-conical containers with ultra-violet-light-setting ink
US3877367A (en) † 1973-05-11 1975-04-15 Norwood Machinery & Equipment Device for printing boxes moving on a conveyor
US3960073A (en) † 1975-03-10 1976-06-01 American Can Company Machine for decorating two-piece cans
US4078483A (en) † 1976-04-15 1978-03-14 Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company Container controlled marking assembly for conveyors
DE3526769A1 (de) 1985-07-26 1987-01-29 Schmalbach Lubeca Verfahren zum dekorieren von behaeltern aus metall oder kunststoff
GB2230233A (en) * 1989-03-02 1990-10-17 Mb Group Plc An apparatus for, and method of printing on an article having an endless surface
US5207155A (en) † 1990-02-27 1993-05-04 Harry Thompson Apparatus for printing matter onto objects
JPH05185661A (ja) * 1992-01-10 1993-07-27 Canon Inc 記録装置
JPH0679885A (ja) † 1992-06-24 1994-03-22 Sony Corp 印刷方法、印刷装置、印刷ヘッド、被印刷物収納容器及びカセットの印刷方法
DE4424528A1 (de) † 1994-07-12 1996-01-18 Brain Power Consulting Ag Verfahren zum Bedrucken von Rotationskörpern und Anlage zum Durchführen des Verfahrens
JP2887307B2 (ja) * 1995-12-05 1999-04-26 株式会社ヤクルト本社 円形断面容器の印字機構
JPH09174900A (ja) * 1995-12-25 1997-07-08 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd カラーサーマルプリンタ
US6432528B1 (en) * 1998-12-09 2002-08-13 3M Innovative Properties Company Variably printed tape and system for printing and applying tape onto surfaces
US6167805B1 (en) 1999-02-10 2001-01-02 Sequa Corporation Mandrel carrier for high speed can decorators
US6276266B1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2001-08-21 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Multicolor pad printing system
JP2002166532A (ja) * 2000-11-29 2002-06-11 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd インクジェット印刷機
GB2376920A (en) † 2001-06-27 2002-12-31 Inca Digital Printers Ltd Inkjet printing on a three-dimensional object including relative movement of a printhead and the object during printing about a rotational axis
DE10225198B4 (de) * 2002-06-06 2007-07-12 Polytype S.A. Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Drucken eines mehrfarbigen Bildes
DE10226500B4 (de) * 2002-06-14 2010-04-22 Ball Packaging Europe Holding Gmbh & Co. Kg Vorrichtung zur Oberflächenbearbeitung von Teilen
AU2002368094A1 (en) * 2002-07-22 2004-02-09 Sealed Air Limited Printing process and apparatus
ITMO20020369A1 (it) 2002-12-30 2004-06-30 Tecno Europa Srl Sistema per stampare oggetti.
DE10306671A1 (de) † 2003-02-18 2004-08-26 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Module für Etikettiermaschinen
JP4054721B2 (ja) * 2003-06-23 2008-03-05 キヤノン株式会社 画像形成方法および画像形成装置
EP1493339B1 (de) † 2003-07-01 2010-02-24 Hauni Maschinbau AG Rotierendes Druckwerk für eine Maschine der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie
US6920822B2 (en) * 2003-09-03 2005-07-26 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Digital can decorating apparatus
WO2005025873A2 (en) † 2003-09-17 2005-03-24 Jemtex Ink Jet Printing Ltd. Method and apparatus for printing selected information on bottles
US7210408B2 (en) † 2004-12-30 2007-05-01 Plastipak Packaging, Inc. Printing plastic containers with digital images
DE102005041221A1 (de) † 2005-08-31 2007-03-01 Krones Ag Herstellung von Etiketten mit RFID-Transpondern
DE202006002729U1 (de) * 2006-02-21 2006-04-13 Khs Ag Maschine zum Ausstatten von Flaschen o.dgl. Behälter, insbesondere Etikettiermaschinen
US8256854B2 (en) * 2006-08-16 2012-09-04 Khs Gmbh Method and apparatus for the circumferential printing onto individual bottles in a run of bottles where the individual bottles in the run have at least one varying dimension due to manufacturing tolerances, the method and apparatus providing more consistent artwork on individual containers in the run of containers
DE102007036752A1 (de) 2007-08-03 2009-02-05 Khs Ag Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4981547A (en) * 1988-04-09 1991-01-01 Eti-Tec Maschinenbau Gmbh Mounting and drive coupling for the extracting element support of a labelling station for a labelling machine for containers and similar objects
US5110402A (en) * 1990-03-28 1992-05-05 Holstein Und Kappert Ag Labelling machine for labelling containers such as bottles having a labelling box for a stack of labels in a labelling station
US5207153A (en) * 1990-11-28 1993-05-04 Harry Thomason Apparatus for applying printed matter to objects
US6058985A (en) * 1997-09-13 2000-05-09 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Bottling machine with a set-up table and a set-up table for a bottling machine and a set-up table for a bottle handling machine
US6439368B1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2002-08-27 Khs Maschinen-Und Anlagenbau Ag Labeling system for container
US6463964B2 (en) * 2000-06-09 2002-10-15 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Method of operating a machine for filling bottles, cans or the like beverage containers with a beverage, and a beverage container filling machine
US6666937B2 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-12-23 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method and apparatus for labeling and stacking flower pot covers
US20080019029A1 (en) * 2002-08-29 2008-01-24 Genie Lens Technologies, Llc Visual effect apparatus for displaying interlaced images using block out grids
US6769357B1 (en) * 2003-06-05 2004-08-03 Sequa Can Machinery, Inc. Digital can decorating apparatus
US20070157559A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-12 Volker Till Beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a liquid beverage, with an information adding arrangement for adding information relating to the beverage bottles, and a method of operating the beverage bottling plant

Cited By (59)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8994959B2 (en) * 2009-03-27 2015-03-31 Khs Gmbh Device and method for printing containers and capturing the rotary position of at least one rotary device provided for receiving the containers
US20110273726A1 (en) * 2009-03-27 2011-11-10 Khs Gmbh Device and method for printing containers and capturing the rotary position of at least one rotary device provided for receiving the containers
US20120199021A1 (en) * 2009-07-18 2012-08-09 Khs Gmbh Equipment for printing on containers
US9421760B2 (en) * 2009-07-18 2016-08-23 Khs Gmbh Plant for printing containers
US9090091B2 (en) * 2009-07-18 2015-07-28 Khs Gmbh Equipment for printing on containers
US20120236304A1 (en) * 2009-10-15 2012-09-20 SpectraFuidics, Inc. Sers-active absorbers for the analysis of analytes
US9091656B2 (en) * 2009-10-15 2015-07-28 Ondavia, Inc. SERS-active absorbers for the analysis of analytes
US9850015B2 (en) * 2010-02-16 2017-12-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Yakult Honsha Continuous rotary type filling and packing machine provided with printing mechanism
US9032872B2 (en) 2010-07-23 2015-05-19 Plastipak Packaging, Inc. Rotary system and method for printing containers
US10486193B2 (en) * 2010-09-02 2019-11-26 Khs Gmbh Method and device for treating containers
US20130160405A1 (en) * 2010-09-02 2013-06-27 Khs Gmbh Method and device for treating containers
US9156281B2 (en) * 2010-10-25 2015-10-13 Machines Dubuit Inkjet printing machine
US20120098914A1 (en) * 2010-10-25 2012-04-26 Machines Dubuit Inkjet printing machine
EP2703306A4 (en) * 2011-04-25 2015-02-11 Showa Aluminum Can Corp PICTURE GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CAN BODY WITH A PICTURE SHOWN THEREFOR
US20140049585A1 (en) * 2011-04-25 2014-02-20 Showa Aluminum Can Corporation Image forming device and method for manufacturing can body on which image is formed
US9815300B2 (en) * 2011-04-25 2017-11-14 Show A Aluminum Can Corporation Image forming device and method for manufacturing can body on which image is formed
US20170157950A1 (en) * 2011-04-25 2017-06-08 Showa Aluminum Can Corporation Image forming device and method for manufacturing can body on which image is formed
US9610781B2 (en) * 2011-04-25 2017-04-04 Show A Aluminum Can Corporation Image forming device and method for manufacturing can body on which image is formed
US20140028771A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2014-01-30 Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. Ink-jet printing apparatus and method of printing seamless cans by using the same printing apparatus
US9259952B2 (en) * 2011-04-28 2016-02-16 Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. Ink-jet printing apparatus and method of printing seamless cans by using the same printing apparatus
US8650835B2 (en) 2011-05-26 2014-02-18 Presto Absorbent Products, Inc. Indicia-applying method and apparatus
US20180072072A1 (en) * 2011-09-02 2018-03-15 Khs Gmbh Device for treating packages, and holding-and-centering unit for packages
US20140208699A1 (en) * 2011-09-02 2014-07-31 Khs Gmbh Device for treating packages, and holding-and-centering unit for packages
US9821569B2 (en) * 2011-09-02 2017-11-21 Khs Gmbh Device for treating packages, and holding-and-centering unit for packages
US9358648B2 (en) * 2011-09-28 2016-06-07 Hinterkopf Gmbh Processing apparatus and method of operating a processing apparatus
US20130074317A1 (en) * 2011-09-28 2013-03-28 Hinterkopf Gmbh Processing Apparatus and Method of Operating a Processing Apparatus
US9908651B2 (en) * 2012-03-26 2018-03-06 Khs Gmbh Method and device for treating packages
AU2013346313B2 (en) * 2012-11-15 2017-10-12 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Printing system and method
US11198306B2 (en) 2012-11-15 2021-12-14 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Method of printing on curved objects
RU2776735C2 (ru) * 2012-11-15 2022-07-26 Велокс-Пьюэдиджитал Лтд. Несущий блок для перемещения по меньшей мере одного потока объектов и способ обработки зон внешних поверхностей нескольких объектов
US10596839B2 (en) 2012-11-15 2020-03-24 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Printing system and method
AU2017276317B2 (en) * 2012-11-15 2019-06-27 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Printing system and method
CN105008133A (zh) * 2012-11-15 2015-10-28 维罗斯-纯粹数字有限公司 印刷系统和方法
EP2919994A4 (en) * 2012-11-15 2015-10-07 Velox Puredigital Ltd PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD
EP3196022A3 (en) * 2012-11-15 2017-10-18 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Printing system and method
US9770922B2 (en) 2012-11-15 2017-09-26 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Printing system and method
US20140154890A1 (en) * 2012-12-04 2014-06-05 Tokyo Electron Limited Periphery coating apparatus, periphery coating method and storage medium therefor
US9082614B1 (en) * 2012-12-04 2015-07-14 Tokyo Electron Limited Periphery coating apparatus, periphery coating method and storage medium therefor
US9027508B2 (en) * 2012-12-04 2015-05-12 Tokyo Electron Limited Periphery coating apparatus, periphery coating method and storage medium therefor
US9327492B2 (en) * 2013-07-31 2016-05-03 Krones Ag Printing machine with print head control
US20150033965A1 (en) * 2013-07-31 2015-02-05 Krones Ag Printing machine with print head control
US20160221360A1 (en) * 2013-09-13 2016-08-04 Till Gmbh Printing press for printing three-dimensional objects
US9713927B2 (en) * 2013-09-13 2017-07-25 Till Gmbh Printing press for printing three-dimensional objects
US20150138291A1 (en) * 2013-11-20 2015-05-21 Seiko Epson Corporation Recording apparatus
US9352550B2 (en) * 2013-11-20 2016-05-31 Seiko Epson Corporation Recording apparatus
US9662905B2 (en) * 2014-03-13 2017-05-30 Khs Gmbh Device and method for drying printed containers
US20170001450A1 (en) * 2014-03-13 2017-01-05 Khs Gmbh Device and method for drying printed containers
US11850872B2 (en) 2014-05-20 2023-12-26 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Equipment and methods for treating objects
CN107073936A (zh) * 2014-05-20 2017-08-18 维罗斯-纯粹数字有限公司 打印系统及方法
US10828886B2 (en) 2014-05-20 2020-11-10 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Printing system and method
US11167565B2 (en) 2014-05-20 2021-11-09 Velox-Puredigital Ltd. Equipment and methods for treating objects
US11203208B2 (en) 2016-07-08 2021-12-21 Showa Aluminum Can Corporation Printing apparatus and can body manufacturing system
US10613523B2 (en) * 2016-09-09 2020-04-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line
US11698626B2 (en) 2016-09-09 2023-07-11 The Procter & Gamble Company System and method for producing products based upon demand
US20180074477A1 (en) * 2016-09-09 2018-03-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for Simultaneously Producing Different Products on a Single Production Line
US11396189B2 (en) * 2017-12-27 2022-07-26 Showa Aluminum Can Corporation Printing apparatus having inkjet heads for printing can bodies at linear part of annular movement route
US11660878B2 (en) 2018-12-18 2023-05-30 Altemira Co., Ltd. Print system
US20240083178A1 (en) * 2022-09-09 2024-03-14 Krones Ag Direct printing machine
CN115352722A (zh) * 2022-10-20 2022-11-18 江苏尚纯自动化技术有限公司 一种粉末灌装机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2152519A1 (de) 2010-02-17
MX2010000934A (es) 2010-05-03
JP2010535112A (ja) 2010-11-18
MX336492B (es) 2016-01-21
CN101674940A (zh) 2010-03-17
US20130019566A1 (en) 2013-01-24
ATE527118T1 (de) 2011-10-15
JP5361885B2 (ja) 2013-12-04
KR101153104B1 (ko) 2012-06-04
BRPI0810301B1 (pt) 2020-09-01
BRPI0810301A2 (pt) 2020-02-04
EP2152519B2 (de) 2015-05-06
US9132664B2 (en) 2015-09-15
WO2009018892A1 (de) 2009-02-12
EP2152519B1 (de) 2011-10-05
WO2009018893A1 (de) 2009-02-12
WO2009018893A9 (de) 2009-12-23
CN101674940B (zh) 2012-01-11
KR20100008364A (ko) 2010-01-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9132664B2 (en) Device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant
US10166781B2 (en) Bottling plant with an information-adding station configured to add information on the outer surface of a bottle or container
US9221275B2 (en) Method of printing a pictorial image onto the circumferential outer surface of beverage bottles and filling beverage bottles in a bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material in rotary filling machinery and apparatus therefor
US20070157576A1 (en) Beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a liquid beverage, with an information adding arrangement for adding information relating to the beverage bottles, and a method of operating the beverage bottling plant
JP5591244B2 (ja) 包装手段にそれぞれ１つの多重印刷を行う装置
US7997201B2 (en) Method and device for labeling containers
US10252544B2 (en) Apparatus and method for depositing a substance on articles
EP3218201B1 (en) Digitally printed article
US20160136969A1 (en) Digitally Printed and Decorated Article
US20160136968A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Depositing a Substance on and/or Decorating Articles
CA2301917A1 (en) Application of substances on a package
RU2404065C1 (ru) Устройство и способ для запечатывания емкостей
HK1186439B (en) Rotary system and method for printing containers

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: KHS AG, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SCHACH, MARTIN;REEL/FRAME:024292/0249

Effective date: 20100309

AS Assignment

Owner name: KHS GMBH, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KHS AG;REEL/FRAME:027961/0011

Effective date: 20100609

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION