WO2018149654A1

WO2018149654A1 - Method for printing on hollow articles

Info

Publication number: WO2018149654A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/052509
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan Behnke
Original assignee: Kba-Metalprint Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-02-15
Filing date: 2018-02-01
Publication date: 2018-08-23
Also published as: DE102017202384A1

Abstract

The invention proposes a method for printing on hollow articles, in which printing ink (69) is transferred to each of the hollow articles (01) by a separate printing blanket (33), said printing blankets being arranged on behind the other on the circumference of a segment wheel (03) rotating about its axis (34), in which printing ink (69) is applied to the corresponding printing blanket (33) by a plurality of printing units (72; 73) arranged along the circumference of the segment wheel (03), in which a first subset of the printing units (73) applies printing ink (69) to the corresponding printing blanket (33) in a high-pressure process or screen printing process or offset printing process, in which a second subset of the printing units (72) applies printing ink (69) to the corresponding printing blanket (33) in a digital printing process without printing formes, in which for the at least one printing ink (69) a double array is applied in a digital printing process without printing formes to the printing unit (72) applying the printing ink to the corresponding printing blanket (33), wherein in the double array two printing devices applying printing ink to the corresponding printing blanket (33) are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the segment wheel (03).

Description

description

Method for printing hollow bodies

The invention relates to a method for printing hollow bodies according to the

Preamble of claim 1.

Such as As is known from WO 2012/148576 A1, in the packaging industry in a device for the decoration of each having a cylindrical surface having hollow bodies mostly multiple printing units are used. Each of these printing units each transfers a printing ink to a blanket commonly used by these printing units. The lateral surface of the respective hollow body is then by a relative movement between the lateral surface of the respective hollow body and the previously colored in particular multicolored blanket, in particular by rolling the lateral surface of the respective hollow body on this blanket, with a z. B. decorated multicolored print motif.

Such a device for printing or decoration of particular each having a preferably cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies is z. B. in conjunction with an i. d. R. multiple workstations using plant for the production of such hollow body, wherein the printing or the decoration of the hollow body is carried out by a printing process, which is why these hollow body generally as

Printed products can be called. In such a system to be printed hollow body in a mass production with z. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces per minute, z. B. manufactured between 1, 500 and 3,000 pieces per minute. Such hollow body z. B. made of metal, especially steel or aluminum, or made of a plastic. Such hollow body made of metal z. B. used as beverage cans or aerosol cans. Such hollow plastic body z. B. prepared in the form of thermoplastic moldings and z. B. as a cup for packaging z. B. of liquid or pasty foods,

used in particular for dairy products or beverages. However, the respective hollow body may also be a round tube body produced either from a plastic or from aluminum, wherein a tube is understood to mean an elongated, firm, but malleable container which is provided for filling with a substance, in particular pasty substance. Tubes made of aluminum are z. B. produced in a Rückwärtsfließpressverfahren. Plastic tubes are z. B. produced by extrusion in each case as seamless tubes. Another kind of in one

The aforementioned device to be printed hollow bodies may be made of glass preferably cylindrical containers or vessels, for. As bottles or bottles.

Beverage cans are preferably made of aluminum and are i. d. R. so-called second doses, in which a circular ground together with a

preferably straight cylinder jacket, each of a single workpiece, d. H. from a so-called Slugs or from a Ronde, d. H. a circular disc, in a forming process, for. B. in a cold extrusion or in a Zugdruckumformverfahren, preferably by deep drawing, in particular by

Ironing, to a hollow body open on one side, d. H. be manufactured into a so-called Rohdose and wherein in a final manufacturing step, a circular cover placed on the cylinder jacket and by beading with the

Cylinder jacket is connected airtight.

Another type of can tinplate cans. Tinplate is a tinned sheet steel. For the production of tinplate cans, the thickness of the steel sheet z. B. 0.15 mm to 0.49 mm, the thickness of the tin layer z. B. 0.2 μηη to 0.8 μηη, wherein the tin coating is used for corrosion protection. Tinplate cans are so-called

Three divided doses. In order to produce the jacket of a tinplate can, a rectangular strip of sheet steel is bent to a preferably straight cylinder jacket, wherein the ends of this bent into a cylinder jacket strip in a butt joint be welded. Subsequently, a circular bottom and a circular cover are placed on the cylinder jacket and the edges are crimped. In order to obtain a higher resistance to indentations for the tinplate box in question, have z. B. all three parts, ie, the cylinder jacket, the bottom and the lid preferably a

Wave profile.

An aerosol can, also referred to as a spray can or spray can, is a metal can for spraying liquids. In an aerosol can, the filled liquid is under pressure, wherein as a propellant for discharging the liquid in question from the respective can z. As propane, butane, dimethyl ether or mixtures thereof or compressed air or nitrogen is used.

The aforementioned WO 2012/148576 A1 describes a device for decorating cans, wherein an arrangement of several printing units, each with an inking unit for multicolor decoration of a plurality of cans is provided, each of the belonging to one of the printing units inking units each have a color box to provide Printing ink, wherein in each ink fountain each ink fountain roller for receiving the ink from the ink fountain in question is provided, wherein each inking unit each a Farbduktor are provided, wherein the ink fountain each ink from the respective ink fountain roller accommodates, wherein in one in the respective inking the each inking roller subsequent roller compactor several iridescent ink roller and several each with at least one of the

Farbreiberwalzen cooperating ink transfer rollers are provided, wherein for each inking unit in each case a plate cylinder is provided with at least one printing plate, wherein cooperates with the respective plate cylinder for applying the ink in each case only a single inking roller.

DE 10 2014 213 81 1 A1 and the subsequently published DE 10 2016 201 140 A1 each disclose a method for printing hollow bodies, in which the Hollow body can be printed both in a high-pressure process or in a screen printing process or in an offset printing process as well as pressure formless in a digital printing process.

DE 10 2015 201 341 A1 discloses a device for indirectly printing on cylindrical parts, with a printing intermediate carrier and with a device for transferring a printed image onto the intermediate printing substrate or for producing a printed image on the intermediate printing substrate, wherein the intermediate printing substrate is an endless belt which closed ribbon loop is endlessly guided over at least two rollers and receives on its side facing away from the rollers outer side of the printed image, wherein the endless belt in the drive direction between the rollers forms a plane extending in a transfer section, wherein the previously obtained on the endless belt print image by rolling a to be printed cylindrical member is transferable against the flat transfer section of the endless belt from the endless belt to the cylindrical part, wherein the device comprises a Hochdruckauftragswerk so that the printed image by means of high pressure on the endless belt we transmitted d and / or wherein the device comprises an inkjet applicator, so that the printed image by means of

Inkjet application is produced on the endless belt.

By WO 2004/109581 A2 is an apparatus for carrying out a contactless digital printing method, z. B. an inkjet printing method to round objects, especially second-rate, without the use of a blanket, if necessary, to print individually, preferably a plurality of printheads are provided, each printing a single ink.

From DE 10 2006 004 568 A1 a short inking unit for a printing machine is known, comprising a printing form cylinder, an inking roller cooperating with the printing form cylinder and an inking roller contacting anilox roller, which is associated with a device for ink supply, wherein at least one leveling roller between the location of the ink feed and the nip between the

Anilox roller and the inking roller, based on the direction of rotation of the anilox roller, is arranged, wherein the means for ink supply is designed as a chambered doctor blade.

From DE 101 60 734 A1 a printing machine is known which comprises at least one printing forme, a dampening unit for moistening the printing forme with a fountain solution, an inking unit for coloring the printing form with an ink and a

Dehumidifying with a heat roller (tempering) for reducing a subsidized together with the ink portion of the dampening solution, wherein the inking unit is designed as a lifeless short inking unit, wherein a Farbwerkswalze the inking unit has a first Abrollkontaktstelle at which the inking roller is in rolling contact with the heating roller , wherein the inking roller a second

Having Abrollkontaktstelle and wherein a shortest conveying path of the ink from the ink fountain roller to the printing forme is specified by at most one intermediate roller.

From DE 32 32 780 A1 an inking unit for offset printing machines for printing sheets or webs with a plate cylinder is known, which receives the required color of at most two inking rollers with an elastic surface, which cooperate with a color cylinder to which the ink is fed via a Farbzuführsystem , which produces a continuous color film, the color cylinder a

Paint roller with almost the same diameter as the plate cylinder

is downstream, wherein the inking cylinder is assigned a dampening unit with at least one roller transferring the dampening solution and wherein the transfer of the fountain solution to the inking cylinder in the same direction of rotation after the inking and before the contact point with the inking roller.

From DE 10 2006 048 286 A1 a method for driving a printing unit with a short inking unit in a processing machine with an anilox roller and a associated doctor device and one of the anilox roller downstream inking roller, which is arranged downstream of a plate / forme cylinder in the color flow direction, wherein the plate / forme cylinder with a blanket cylinder and the blanket cylinder with the printing material leading impression cylinder in

Is operative connection, wherein the anilox roller is driven by a single drive, wherein in the printing / painting of the main drive input to a drive wheel of the printing cylinder and a drive wheel of the blanket cylinder and a second and first drive of the plate / forme cylinder and a drive wheel of the inking roller and a Drive wheel of the anilox roller is fed, wherein the single drive of

Anilox roller is inactive, and wherein in the setup mode, the drive connection to the

Main drive between first drive wheel and second drive wheel of the plate /

Form cylinder is separated, the single drive of the anilox roller is activated and by means of a single drive a drive torque to the drive wheel of the anilox roller and the

Drive wheel of the inking roller and the first drive wheel of the plate / forme cylinder is introduced.

From DE 196 24 440 A1 discloses a device for filling wells of a cylinder of a printing press with a liquid is known, wherein on the cylinder at least two doctor devices for filling wells of the cylinder are arranged with the liquid, one connected to a conveyor system

Application device for the liquid and one of these in the direction of rotation of the cylinder downstream working doctor blade are provided, wherein the doctor blades are attached to a beam, wherein the abgesakelte liquid is discharged to a collecting trough.

From DE 89 12 194 U1 an inking unit for use in a printing machine with an engageable to an anilox working doctor blade and a paint tray with inking means is known, wherein the working doctor blade, the ink pan and the means for conveying the ink to the anilox roller are combined to form a unit and the assembly is releasably attachable to a carrier mounted on the printing press. From DE 10 2007 052 761 A1 an anilox printing unit is known, which as

An inking rollers has a fountain roller and an anilox roller, wherein the anilox roller is mounted on pivot levers, wherein the anilox roller and the

Inking roller each have bearer rings, one for pressing the bearer rings of a arranged on the bearer rings of the other inking roller device springs for compensating for manufacturing tolerance

Has differences in diameter.

DE 43 00 683 A1 discloses an inking unit of a rotary printing press with an inking roller having annular grooves formed in its lateral surface.

By US 516,620 a friction roller with a plurality of axially adjacent juxtaposed elastic rings is known.

From DE 28 51 426 A1 a device for printing each one

Mantle surface of hollow bodies is known, wherein a to be printed hollow body is provided about a rotation axis transporting transport means, wherein a plurality of printing units are provided, each to be printed hollow body with the transport device in a printing range of at least one of the printing units is transportable, wherein at least one of the printing units a Compressor cylinder and having an inking unit with a single inking roller.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for printing hollow bodies, with the smaller batch sizes, due to the after a short time

Production time pending change of decor lead to frequent retooling of the production plant, can be produced economically and efficiently.

The object is achieved by a method with the features of Claim 1 solved. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments and refinements of the solution found.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. With the invention achievable advantages are mentioned in connection with the embodiment.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a device for printing or for decoration of one each

Lateral surface having hollow bodies;

FIG. 2 shows an inking unit, in particular for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in a first operating position; FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the inking unit, in particular for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in a second operating position; FIG.

4 shows a chamber doctor blade system, in particular for the inking unit illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

5 shows a disk changer in a first operating position;

FIG. 6 shows the disk changer of FIG. 5 in a second operating position; FIG.

7 shows a storage device for printing blankets;

FIG. 8 shows a device for vertical transport of the storage device according to FIG. 7; FIG. 9 shows a device for a horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets between the storage device according to FIG. 7 and a mounting location on a segmented wheel in the device according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 10, the memory device of Fig. 7 in its at the for their vertical

Transport provided device arranged operating condition;

Fig. 1 1, the device for a horizontal transport of each one of

Blankets shown in Figure 9 in cross-section with an erect spatula for removing a used blanket from the Segmentrad;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the device for a horizontal

Transporting one of the printing blankets according to FIG. 9 with the erected spatula;

Fig. 13 shows the device for printing or for decoration of one each

Shell surface having hollow bodies according to FIG. 1 with a

schematic representation of the segments of the segment wheel;

14 shows a perspective detail view of the segment wheel with its shaft;

FIG. 15 shows an individual perspective view of the drive driving the segment wheel in a rotational manner; FIG.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the segment wheel with its drive in the in

Device for printing hollow bodies arranged state;

17 shows a production sequence for producing a color gradient on a Hollow body;

Fig. 18 shows a hybrid device for printing hollow bodies.

The printing in particular of the lateral surface of a hollow body with a z. B.

multicolored print motif, d. H. at least one printed image is carried out in a preferred embodiment in a high-pressure process. Alternative printing methods are z. As a screen printing process or an offset printing process or a druckformloses

Digital printing process. In the following the invention will be described by way of example in connection with a high pressure process. For the execution of the high-pressure process is used as a printing plate, a printing plate on a lateral surface of a plate cylinder

arranged. The printing plate ready for use in the printing process is a printing form with a printing relief, this printing relief reflects the image intended for the printing process mirrored, wherein in a trouble-free printing operation only the printing relief on the transfer of the plate cylinder supplied by the inking ink is involved in the blanket. The printing form or the printing plate has a plate-shaped preferably flexible carrier finite length z. B. from a steel sheet, wherein a particularly flexible pressure body is arranged on this support. At least in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder

opposite ends of the carrier can, for. B. be bent in accordance with the curvature of the lateral surface of the plate cylinder or be angled to allow easier assembly of the printing plate, ie in this case in particular of the printing plate on the plate cylinder. The support of the printing form or the printing plate has a thickness in the range of z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. The printing plate, including its carrier has a total thickness in the range of z. B. 0.7 mm to 1, 0 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm. The pressure hull is z. B. formed from a plastic. The pressure hull is used to produce the printing cliché that can be used for the printing process. B. exposed to a print image reproducing negative film, unexposed areas then from the pressure body z. B. be removed by washing or by means of a laser.

A device for printing or for decoration in particular in each case a preferably cylindrical lateral surface having hollow bodies preferably has a plurality, for. B. eight or ten or even more printing units - also called printing stations - on, with at least one of these printing units, in the preferred

Execution all of these printing units each having a rotatable printing plate cylinder, in particular designed as a plate cylinder printing form cylinder. In this case, the printing units or printing stations and optionally also the printing form cylinder are each stored in a frame in this device and can in the same

Printing process can be used to form on the same hollow body according to the number of participating printing units or printing forme cylinder multicolored print motif. The storage of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder is in each case preferably designed as a flying bearing, wherein the relevant

Printing form cylinder or plate cylinder at one of its end faces in each case z. B. is mounted on a preferably conical pin. On the lateral surface of each plate cylinder usually only a single printing plate is arranged in each case, wherein the support of the printing plate the circumference of the respective plate cylinder completely or at least for the most part, in particular spans more than 80%. A directed in the circumferential direction of the relevant plate cylinder length of the pressure body of the printing plate is preferably formed shorter than the circumference of the relevant plate cylinder. The printing form or the printing plate is in particular magnetically arranged by means of its carrier on the lateral surface of each plate cylinder or at least arranged, ie the printing plate or the printing plate is there preferably magnetically, that is held by a magnetic holding force. In an alternative or supplementary embodiment variant of the device for printing or for decoration of a preferably cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies is at least one of the printing units or there are also several of these printing units each as a in a printing unit printing-formatted printing unit is formed by a digital printing method, such a printing unit having in particular at least one inkjet print head or a laser.

The particular simultaneous transfer of a plurality of printing inks in particular on the lateral surface of the hollow body in question requires that this color transfer takes place in register, in order to achieve a good print quality in the printing process. For a register-containing arrangement of the printing plate or the printing plate on the lateral surface of the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder are in the preferred embodiment on the lateral surface of the respective printing form cylinder or

Plate cylinder preferably several z. B. in their respective position respectively

adjustable dowel pins provided which engage in corresponding recesses formed on the printing plate or on the printing plate and thereby give the printing plate or the printing plate there a defined position in its or its arrangement on the lateral surface of the respective printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder. In a preferred embodiment, each plate cylinder or plate cylinder each has a diameter in the range between 100 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 120 mm and 130 mm, wherein an axial length of the respective plate cylinder or plate cylinder in each case z. B. between 200 mm and 250 mm, in particular between 200 mm and 220 mm. The printing plate to be arranged on the lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder has a width directed in the axial direction of the relevant plate cylinder in the range of 150 mm to 200 mm, preferably approximately 175 mm.

Each of the used in the printing process z. B. trained as a plate cylinder

With its printing form or with its printing plate, the printing form cylinder transfers a specific printing ink to a printing blanket in each case. The printing inks used are usually premixed, especially custom special colors that are tuned in terms of their respective printability in a special way to the material of the hollow body to be printed, depending on whether a surface z. B. off Aluminum, a tinplate or a plastic is printed. In a preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decoration of each z. B. a cylindrical surface having hollow bodies is a printing ink of the

Printing form or the printing plate provided on the lateral surface of the respective hollow body transmitting device. This ink-transferring device is preferably designed as a segment wheel rotating about an in particular horizontal axis, wherein at the periphery of this segment wheel, i. H. at its periphery in succession preferably several, z. For example, eight, ten, twelve, or more

Blankets are arranged or at least can be arranged. The ink-transferring device may be formed as an alternative to the segment wheel depending on the printing method used but also as a decoration drum or as a blanket cylinder or as a transfer cylinder, which are at least rotatable about a rotation axis at least during printing. The arrangement of the blankets on the circumference of the

Segment wheel is done so far in that the blankets on the circumference of the

Segmented wheel each z. B. are attached by a cohesive connection, preferably by gluing. The preferably a plurality of printing plate cylinders or plate cylinders are each set radially to the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the respective segment wheel or at least can be set. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decoration of a respective z. B. cylindrical surface having hollow bodies is arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel one behind the other a larger number of blankets, as each radially to the segment radially employed or at least engageable

Printing form cylinder or plate cylinder are provided. The preferably carousel-like printing ink-transferring device, in particular the segment wheel has a diameter of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm, preferably about 1,520 mm to 1 .525 mm, and has at z. B. eight associated printing forme cylinders or

Plate cylinders at its periphery in a row z. B. twelve blankets. The surface of each printing plate is preferably formed with a greater hardness than the hardness of the respective surface of the blankets. The surface of the Blankets is preferably flat, that is formed without a profiling. In an operating state in which the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder involved in the printing process are respectively radially engaged with the blankets of the rotationally driven segment wheel, the respective printing plates of these plate cylinders or the respective printing plates of these plate cylinders roll onto the blankets moved by the segment wheel, wherein the printing plates at least their printing relief each z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep into the respective blanket and thereby produce in the respective Drucktuck extending in the axial direction of the segment wheel flattening, ie a roller strip. An intensity of the flattening is z. B. before or at the beginning of a printing process z. B. by means of a remote control by adjusting a force exerted by the respective printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder on the relevant blanket of the segment wheel contact pressure adjustable or is set.

The example to be printed hollow body, z. B. the to be printed

Secondary doses, z. Example by means of a hollow body to be printed preferably along at least a portion of a circular path, d. H. a circular arc around one

Transporting means transporting rotation axis, preferably by means of a Zuführrades, in particular by means of a Mandrelrades continuously or in a set tact to each at least one of the device for printing in each case a lateral surface of hollow bodies associated printing units and thus transported in a printing area of at least one of these printing units.

For example, the hollow body to be printed by means of z. B. designed as feed wheel transport device to each at least one of z. B. on the

Segmentrad arranged arranged blankets, or to be printed

Hollow bodies are by means of this transport device directly and directly, d. H. without the help of a z. B. transported as a segment wheel ink transferring device transported in the respective printing area of at least one of these printing units, which is the case when the relevant printing unit in a

Direct printing method, z. B. prints in an inkjet printing process. The like. B. the segment also about a preferably horizontal axis rotating feed wheel or mandrel has concentric with its circumferential line in preferably equidistant distribution more, z. B. 24 or 36 holder z. B. each in the form of a cantilevered from an end face of the Mandrel wheel mandrel or a spindle, wherein each holder of each one of the hollow body to be printed is held or at least can be held. A trained as Mandrelrad transport device is sometimes referred to as a turntable with spindles. A Mandrelrad is z. As described in EP 1 165 318 A1. A description of suitable holders, spindles or mandrels is found for. In WO 201 1/156052 A1. In the following, each mandrel is referred to briefly as a mandrel. A longitudinal axis of each mandrel is directed parallel to the axis of the Mandrel wheel. In the case of each z. B. designed as a Zweitildose formed to be printed hollow bodies, each of these

Hollow body z. B. by means of a conveyor, for. B. a belt conveyor to the z. B. introduced as Mandrelrad transport device and there at a

Transfer station z. B. sucked by suction on one of the mandrels of Mandandrades and then held by the mandrel concerned, while designed as Mandrelrad transport device to the respective hollow body to be printed z. B. to the occupied with at least one blanket segment wheel and thus transported towards at least one of the printing units or in an alternative embodiment z. B. transported without segment wheel directly to at least one of the printing units. I. d. R. be supplied to the mandrel with the conveyor in rapid succession sequentially a larger amount to be printed hollow bodies. Such

Conveyor is z. As described in EP 1 132 207 A1.

Between an inner wall of the respective hollow body to be printed and the surface of the respective mandrel of Mandandrades is preferably a gap with a width of less than 1 mm, z. B. of 0.2 mm, so that the hollow body to be printed is not held by a pressure on the relevant mandrel. Everyone Thorn is z. B. rotatable by means of a motor about its respective longitudinal axis and in particular adjustable to a certain peripheral speed, so that each held by a mandrel to be printed hollow body in addition to the rotation of

Mandrel wheel can be rotated by an independently executed by the mandrel or at least executable rotation. The slippage of the hollow body to be printed on one of the mandrels of Mandandrades preferably takes place during a standstill phase of the mandrel in question, wherein the mandrel in question during its stoppage phase does not perform rotational movement about its own longitudinal axis. The occupation of each mandrel with a hollow body to be printed is preferably checked, for. B. contactless with a sensor. In a missing assignment of a mandrel with a hollow body to be printed Mandrelrad z. B. such that a contact of the respective free mandrel is reliably avoided with a blanket of the segment wheel.

To be printed Zweiteildosen be before their delivery z. B. made to the Mandrel in a mandrel wheel upstream processing station, z. B. deep-drawn from a blank. In another processing station, each edge of its box is trimmed at its open end. Each second can will be further in

Processing stations z. B. washed, in particular washed out their interior, if necessary, the inner wall and the bottom of the relevant Zweiteildose are also painted. At least the outer surface of each Zweiteildose z. B. primed, especially with a white primer. After printing on its lateral surface Zweiteildose of their respective holder z. B. on mandrel z. B. removed by compressed air or by a preferably switchable magnet and fed to at least one mandrel downstream of the processing station, z. B. a painting for painting the outer surface of each printed second can and / or a border processing station. The printed Zweiteildosen go through in particular a dryer, z. B. a hot air dryer to the

to cure at least one applied to their respective lateral surface ink. The printing process for printing in particular the respective lateral surface of z. B. held on the Mandrelrad hollow bodies, in particular Zweiteildosen, begins with the fact that all of the printing on the respective outer surface of the hollow body to be printed image required in each case z. B. from the respective printing plate of z. B. applied to the segment wheel plate cylinder are applied to the same of one of the circumference of the segment wheel blankets. The inked in question with all the required printing inks blanket then transfers in a touch contact between the blanket and the lateral surface of the hollow body to be printed these inks simultaneously during a single revolution of the held on one of the mandrels Mandandrades to be printed hollow body about its longitudinal axis on the lateral surface of this hollow body. During the transfer of the printing inks from the blanket to the lateral surface of the hollow body of the z. B. held by one of the mandrels Mandandrades to be printed hollow body with an absolute same circumferential speed as the concerned z. B. arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel blanket. The respective peripheral speeds of the hollow body and blanket or segment wheel are therefore synchronized with each other, wherein the z. B. on one of the mandrels of the Mandrel wheel held to be printed hollow body z. B. starting from its first contact point with the relevant

Blanket during the unwinding of its lateral surface on a stretch from the first z. B. 50 mm from the peripheral length of the blanket from its stoppage in particular until reaching the peripheral speed z. B. the segment wheel is accelerated accordingly. The segmental wheel carrying the relevant printing blanket accordingly gives the z. B. at the respective mandrel of the Mandrel wheel to be set peripheral speed. Also, the peripheral speed of the printing plate-carrying printing plate cylinder or the printing plate bearing plate cylinder is or is preferably in dependence on the peripheral speed z. B. the segment wheel set. The Mandrel and the Segmentrad z. B. from a same central

Powered machine drive and possibly mechanically z. B. coupled together via a gearbox. In the embodiment according to the invention, the mandrel wheel and the segment wheel, however, each driven individually by a separate drive and controlled or regulated by a control unit in their respective rotational behavior.

In particular, with reference to the previously described apparatus for printing or for decoration in particular of a respective z. B. cylindrical surface

having hollow bodies are exemplified still different

Details explained. 1 shows, in a schematic representation simplified and exemplified, a generic device for printing or for decorating, in particular, in each case a preferably cylindrical jacket surface

Hollow bodies 01, z. B. Secondary boxes 01, said hollow body 01 with a

Conveyor z. B. sequentially the z. B. supplied as a rotating or at least rotatable feed wheel, in particular as Mandrelrad 02 formed transport device and there are each held on a single holder to this transport device. In the following, it is assumed on the basis of the selected exemplary embodiment of the printing machine or of the device for printing hollow bodies that this transport device is preferably designed as a mandrel wheel 02. With the

Mandrelrad 02 preferably acts an ink transferring device, eg. B. a rotating or at least rotatable Segmentrad 03 together, along whose or its circumference several printing blankets are arranged one behind the other. In association with the example mentioned Segmentrad 03 along the circumference several radially to this Segmentrad 03 employed or at least adjustable pressure plate cylinder, in particular plate cylinder 04 is provided, wherein on the respective lateral surface of this plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 each have a printing plate, in particular a printing plate is arranged this printing plate is particularly suitable for carrying out a high-pressure process. Each of the printing plate cylinder or

Plate cylinder 04 is supplied for coloring its printing plate or its printing plate by means of an inking unit 06 each have a specific ink. In the following, it is assumed by way of example that the printing form cylinders are each designed as a plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing plate. Fig. 2 and 3 show a simplified schematic representation of some details of each cooperating with a plate cylinder 04 inking unit 06, which z. B. for use in the device shown in Fig. 1 for printing or for decoration in particular of a preferably cylindrical lateral surface having hollow bodies 01 is provided. The inking unit 06 proposed here has for the color transport from a paint reservoir to the respective plate cylinder 04 advantageously a very short, ie consisting of only a few, preferably a maximum of five rolls, in particular two-roll compactor. In the case of the twin-roller compactor, this compactor consists of only one single roller

Ink roller 07 and an anilox roller 08. An inking unit 06 with a maximum of five rolls compactor belongs to the genus of short inking. Fig. 2 shows an example of a (short) inking unit 06 with a two-roll compactor in a first operating position, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 employed each other, employed the inking roller 07 to the plate cylinder 04 and also the plate cylinder 04 radially to the ink from the plate cylinder 04 to the lateral surface of the respective hollow body 01 transmitting device, in particular to the

Segmentrad 03 are employed. Fig. 3, however, shows the inking unit 06 shown in FIG. 2, a second operating position in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 from each other parked, the inking roller 07 from the plate cylinder 04 and also the plate cylinder 04 from the ink-transferring device, in particular are parked by the segment wheel 03. On the arrival and

Shutdown mechanism will be discussed later.

The plate cylinder 04 and the anilox roller 08 are z. B. each independently by a motor 1 1; 12 rotatably driven, in particular in the preferred inking unit 06 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the relevant engine 1 1; 12 z. B. in its respective speed of a z. B. electronic control unit in particular regulated or at least regulated. The z. B. trained as a segment wheel 03 Ink transfer device is rotationally driven in the preferred embodiment by a separate drive or in a non-inventive embodiment by a central machine drive. The inking roller 07 is or will z. B. of the anilox roller 08 by friction or also independently driven by a motor rotatably. In the preferred embodiment, an outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07 and an outer diameter d04 of the at least one printing plate, in particular at least one printing plate bearing plate cylinder 04 are equal in magnitude. On the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 at least one printing plate is arranged or at least arrangeable, so that in the embodiment with the same outer diameters d04; d07 of the printing plate bearing

Plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 each have an identical circumferential length. In the preferred embodiment, in the first operating position of the cooperating with the plate cylinder 04 inking unit 06, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 set against each other, the inking roller 07 to the

Plate cylinder 04 employed and also the plate cylinder 04 are employed on the segment 03, at least the respective centers of the plate cylinder 04, the

Ink roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 along a same line G arranged. For detecting the rotation of the inking roller 07 is a

Detection device z. B. provided in the form of a rotary encoder, said encoder is particularly rigidly connected to a shaft of the inking roller 07. The signal generated by the rotary encoder during a rotation of the inking roller 07 is used by the control unit to adjust the speed of the inking roller 07 by means of the rotation of the anilox roller 08 or, if necessary, to adjust such that a synchronization between the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 is established is set so that the peripheral speed of the inking roller 07 coincides with the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04 within predetermined allowable tolerance limits. To achieve this goal, it may be provided that the control unit preferably during the executed by her

Setting phase, the peripheral speed of the anilox roller 08 sets such that this relative to the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04 in particular briefly - and thus not permanently - has a lead or lag. By the

Design of plate cylinder 04 and inking roller 07 each with the same amount circumferential length and by adjusting the synchronization between the

Plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 of the printing quality detrimental effect of stenciling is largely avoided. The one described here

Drive concept with a friction-driven inking roller 07 also has the advantage that the inking roller 07 a separate drive is not required, which saves costs and also because of the simpler mechanical design z. B. facilitates replacement of the inking roller 07 during maintenance or repair work.

The inking roller 07 has in its preferred embodiment a closed, preferably rubberized lateral surface. The anilox roller 08 has a z. B. coated with a ceramic surface, wherein in the ceramic layer a Haschur of z. B. 80 lines per centimeter axial length of the anilox roller 08 or a

Cup structure is formed. In order to allow the screen roller 08 with each of their revolutions each a feed of the largest possible amount of ink in the roller train of the inking unit 06, the outer diameter d08 of the anilox roller 08 is preferably formed larger than the outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07. The anilox roller 08 should therefore have the largest possible delivery volume. In FIG. 2, the respective direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03, the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 is indicated in each case by a direction of rotation arrow.

In the preferred embodiment, at least the anilox roller 08 has a

Tempering on, with the aid of the lateral surface of the anilox roller 08 is tempered. The tempering of the anilox roller 08 operates z. B. with a introduced into the interior of the anilox roller 08 tempering, wherein the tempering z. B. is water or another liquid coolant. With the tempering of the anilox roller 08 the delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 can be influenced since this influences the viscosity of the ink to be transported by the inking unit 06. The delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 and the viscosity of the ink to be transported by the ink 06 in turn ultimately affect a color density of the aufzutragenden on the cylindrical surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed ink. A thickness of a to be applied on the cylindrical surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed, formed by the ink color film is z. B. at less than 10 μηη, in particular at about 3 μηη.

The ink reservoir of the inking unit 06 is z. B. as formed in conjunction with the anilox roller 08 chamber doctor blade system 09. Advantageously, form in this chambered doctor blade system 09 at least one ink tray, an axially parallel to the anilox roller 08 employees or at least adjustable squeegee and preferably also a pump for conveying the ink a single unit. This is this

Chamber doctor blade system 09 in the inking unit 06, d. H. on a frame of the inking unit 06 preferably only one side z. B. held by a suspension or stored, so that this unit in a simple manner after its release from the frame of the inking unit 06 laterally, d. H. by an axially parallel to the anilox roller 08 directed movement, z. B. by pulling on a arranged on this unit handle from the inking unit 06 removable and thus interchangeable. This assembly of the chambered doctor blade system 09 preferably forms a cantilever arm on a side frame of the inking unit 06. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the chambered doctor blade system 09 formed as a single structural unit in cooperation with the anilox roller 08 of the inking unit 06.

After the anilox roller 08 has taken ink from the ink reservoir, ie in particular from the chambered doctor blade 09, the anilox roller 08 transports this ink directly and directly or via further rollers belonging to the inking unit 06 compactor to the preferably only one inking roller 07. In a direction of rotation of the anilox roller 08 employed to the anilox roller 08 Chamber doctor blade system 09 subsequent area between the chamber doctor blade system 09 and the inking roller 07 is preferably a rider roll 13 to the anilox roller 08 employed or at least employable to improve the color transport of the anilox roller 08. The rider roll 13 is arranged axially parallel to the anilox roller 08. The rider roll 13 is not considered to belong to the roller train of the inking unit 06 because it does not transfer ink from the anilox roller 08 to another roller. The of the anilox roller 08 z. B. by friction rotatably driven rider roller 13 has z. B. a rubberized jacket surface. The hired on the anilox roller 08 rider roller 13 sucks in their unwinding on the lateral surface of the anilox roller 08 a part of the anilox roller 08 from the chambered doctor blade 09 recorded ink from the Haschur or the wells of the anilox roller 08 and applies this ink at least partially on the lateral surface of the Anilox roller 08 trained webs. As a result, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 causes the anilox roller 08 to deliver a larger quantity of printing ink to the inking roller 07. In another episode is at a z. B. a tempering having anilox roller 08 also improves the effectiveness of controlling the color density, characterized in that the rolling on the anilox roller 08 rider roller 13 contributes to the provision of a larger amount of ink. Regardless of the specific configuration of the anilox roller 08, ie with or without a tempering device, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 thus reduces both differences in density which can arise due to manufacturing tolerances of the anilox roller 08 and the risk of visibility of the hematite or wells of the anilox roller 08 on the printing substrate, ie here on the lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed as a result of an at least in places too low paint application.

In a very advantageous embodiment of the device for printing hollow bodies is preferably in a fixed assignment z. B. to each plate cylinder, in particular plate cylinder 04 each have a disc changer 14 is provided, with which the particular for the respective printing form cylinder printing forme or that for the relevant Plate cylinder 04 certain pressure cliché within z. B. the device in question for printing or for decoration of one particular cylindrical

Shell surface having hollow bodies 01 preferably automated replaceable. Figs. 5 and 6 show in a perspective view a preferred

Execution of a very advantageous designed disk changer 14 in two

various operating positions for the execution of a very short set-up preferably automated, reliable and preferably also in register

enforceable plate change or printing plate change. Fig. 5 shows a first

Operating position, in the axially laterally adjacent to the printing unit on the plate cylinder or plate changer 14 z. B. submitted a printing plate or removed from the disk changer 14. Fig. 6 shows a second operating position, in which immediately before the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along to this from the plate changer 14 from z. B. a printing plate placed directly on the associated plate cylinder 04 or a printing plate removed from the plate cylinder 04 and can be removed with the plate changer 14 in its first operating position. The disk changer 14 has a particular plane, z. B. table-shaped support surface 16, on which z. B. a arranged on the plate cylinder 04 or to be arranged printing plate can be placed preferably completely. The bearing surface 16 is preferably linearly along a transport path, in particular along the rotational axis of the associated printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 between two at least two defined positions bidirectionally movable, d. H. arranged to move back and forth. In a laterally located next to the printing unit first position of the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 assumes its first operating position, in a directly before the plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along this second position of the support surface 16 its second operating position. In the first operating position, the support surface 16 of the disc changer 14 is at least partially in front of an end face of the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. In the second

Operating position, the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is preferably at least partially below the lateral surface of the plate cylinder or Plate cylinder 04. The movement of the support surface 16 of the disc changer 14 is z. B. along a longitudinally to the plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 arranged traverse 17. The support surface 16 of the disc changer 14 thus has a reference to the respective plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 axial travel. At the first or the second operating position of the disc changer 14 defining

Positions is the movement of the support surface 16 z. B. each bounded by a stop. At least the carrier of the respective printing plate is z. B. formed by a particular running using registration marks trimming such that the relevant printing plate on the support surface 16 of the

Disk changer 14 can be arranged in register. For this purpose, at least two at a right angle to each other arranged edges of the support of the respective printing plate in contact with the contact surface 16 of the

Plate changer 14 arranged, in particular formed by register pins

Stops brought, with a first edge of the carrier of the relevant

Printing clichés abuts a first register pin and a first edge orthogonal to the second edge of the carrier of the respective printing plate to a second register pin, wherein one of these two register pins is changeable in position and preferably adjustable. By adjusting the variable in its position register pin z. B. the relevant printing plate in register aligned. The setting of the variable in its position register pin can be done manually or automatically. Since the printing plate is supplied to the relevant plate cylinder 04 in register, is on the plate cylinder 04 z. B. no centering pin and no other register device provided.

The plate changer 14 has in its preferred embodiment except the support surface 16 for receiving a z. B. the plate cylinder 04 in particular to be supplied in register pressure cliche z. As a subject, in which z. B. a detached from the plate cylinder 04 printing plate can be stored. A z. B. by means of its carrier in particular magnetically on the lateral surface of the respective plate cylinder 04th held printing plate is z. B. by means of a tool guided tangentially to the printing form, for. B. by means of a between the support of the printing plate and the

Lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04 guided spatula of the

Lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04 is lifted or at least can be lifted from there. The lifted off from the lateral surface of the respective plate cylinder 04 one end of the respective printing plate is introduced by rotation of the relevant plate cylinder 04 in the relevant compartment of the plate cylinder 04. By continuing this rotation of the relevant plate cylinder 04, the entire printing plate released from the lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04 is then inserted into the relevant compartment of the plate changer 14.

A printing plate which is preferably to be supplied in register with the relevant plate cylinder 04 is held on the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14, in particular after its register-oriented alignment, by a magnetic holding force. It is at least one stamp, preferably two in the longitudinal direction of the respective plate cylinder 04 spaced pistes each with one of the magnetic holding force directed counter to the support surface 16 of the disc changer 14 z. B. substantially orthogonal direction of action provided with which at least one punch at least one of the plate cylinder concerned 04 facing the end of the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 held printing plates detachable from this support surface 16 and due to a stroke of the at least one

Stamp can be transferred to the relevant plate cylinder 04. The at least one stamp is z. B. pneumatically actuated or at least so actuated. For holding the printing plate or the printing plate on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 or on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 each magnets are used, these magnets are preferably each formed as a permanent magnet. The above-described embodiment of the plate cylinder 04 has the advantage that a conveyor for the transfer of the printing plate to the relevant

Plate cylinder 04 or for removing the pressure plate of the respective Plate cylinder 04 is not required and the disc changer 14 therefore very

can be realized inexpensively. In particular, a plate change with the disk changer 14 described above can be carried out automatically.

The respective employment and / or shutdown of printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04, inking roller 07 and / or anilox roller 08 and / or an adjustment of each of them exerted contact pressure takes place with an example in FIGS. 2 and 3 on and off mechanism, the will now be described in more detail. In the preferred embodiment, the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is in particular mounted at both ends on a load arm of a force arm and the load arm preferably one-sided first lever assembly 18, wherein the power arm and the angle fixed to the power arm arranged load arm of this first lever assembly 18 together about an axis parallel to Plate cylinder 04 directed first axis of rotation 19 are pivotable. In an operative connection to the power arm of the first lever assembly 18 is for exerting a torque about the first axis of rotation 19, a preferably controllable by a control unit first drive 21 z. B. arranged in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder, wherein upon actuation of this first drive 21 depending on the direction of action of the load arm of this first lever assembly 18 arranged printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 either of a

Blanket z. B. the segmented wheel 03 is turned off or employed on selbiges. To limit the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the relevant blanket z. B. the segment wheel 03 applied contact force, for example, a first stop 22 is provided for the power arm of the first lever assembly 18, by means of which a by the pivotal movement of the plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the Segmentrad 03 zurückgelegter path is limited. With the first drive 21, the pressing force exerted by the plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segment 03 is adjustable.

In the preferred embodiment, the inking roller 07 is in particular both ends on a load arm one consisting of a power arm and the load arm

Preferably, one-sided second lever assembly 23 is mounted, wherein the power arm and the load arm of this second lever assembly 23 are pivotable together about the axially parallel to the plate cylinder 04 directed first axis of rotation 19. Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, the anilox roller 08 is mounted in particular at both ends on a load arm of a force arm and the load arm preferably one-sided third lever assembly 24, wherein the power arm and the load arm of this third lever assembly 24 together about an axially parallel to the anilox roller 08 directed second axis of rotation 26 are pivotable, wherein the second axis of rotation 26 of the third lever assembly 24 is disposed on the second lever assembly 23, wherein the second axis of rotation 26 is formed stationary on the second lever assembly 23. On the load arm of the first lever assembly 18, a preferably controllable second drive 27 is actuated when acting on the power arm of the second lever assembly 23, by means of which the inking roller 07 depending on the direction of action of the second drive 27 to the plate cylinder 04 adjustable or offset from this. On the load arm of the second lever arrangement 23, a preferably controllable third drive 28 is actuated during its actuation on the power arm of the third lever arrangement 24, by means of which the anilox roller 08 together with the chambered doctor blade system 09, depending on the effective direction of the third drive 28, can be adjusted to the inking roller 07 or by this off. The second drive 27 and / or the third drive 28 are each z. B. also formed in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder. It can be provided that the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 z. B.

be operated together and preferably also simultaneously or at least be actuated. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the second lever assembly 23 is z. B. limited by a preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable by an eccentric first stop system 29, whereby also from the

Inking roller 07 against the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 exerted contact force is limited or at least limited. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the third lever arrangement 24 is z. B. by a preferably adjustable, in particular limited by an eccentric adjustable second stop system 31, whereby the force exerted by the anilox roller 08 against the inking roller 07 contact force is limited or at least limited. FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, a first operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are in each case unactuated or in their idle state, as a result of which

Anilox roller 08 to the inking roller 07 and the inking roller 07 to the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the printing plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are employed on the segment 03 each. Fig. 3 shows an example of a second operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are respectively actuated or in their working state, whereby the anilox roller 08 of the inking roller 07 and the inking roller 07 from the plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are parked by the segment 03 each. The respective force arm and / or load arm of the three aforementioned lever arrangements 18; 23; 24 is or are each z. B. formed as a pair of opposing lever rods or side frame walls, between which in the respective above-described assignment of either the plate cylinder or

Plate cylinder 04 or the inking roller 07 or the anilox roller 08 is arranged. The three aforementioned lever arrangements 18; 23; 24 are each arranged in different spaced-apart vertical planes, so that they do not interfere with each other in their respective pivoting.

As already described and shown in Fig. 13, are on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 in succession usually several, z. B. eight to twelve blankets 33, wherein in the printing process during rotation of this Segmentrades 03 about a rotation axis 34 printing forms of the printing plate cylinder or printing plates of the plate cylinder 04 roll on the moving with this Segmentrad 03 blankets 33. During unrolling press clichés at least their pressure relief each z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep into the respective blanket 33, whereby the blankets are subject to wear and depending on their nature and in particular mechanical stress after a certain number of prints, e.g. B. after 50,000 printed hollow bodies 01 need to be renewed. If in a segment wheel 03 having device for printing or decoration of hollow bodies 01, ie in a so-called decorator, in a mass production z. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces of this hollow body 01 per minute, z. B. be made between 1, 500 and 3,000 pieces per minute, then the renewal of arranged on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 blankets 33 is quite common, sometimes half-hourly or approximately every three quarters of an hour. To the

Productivity of such a device for printing or decoration of

To keep hollow bodies 01 high, a solution is sought to carry out the required renewal of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 with the shortest possible set-up time.

It is therefore proposed to provide a device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 in association with the segmented wheel 03. In the preferred embodiment, each of these to be arranged on the segment wheel 03 blankets 33 each on a preferably flat tabular metal carrier with a material thickness of z. B. 0.2 mm cohesively applied, in particular by gluing. The respective preferably magnetizable metal carrier is then together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 z. B. arranged by at least one there on the circumference for each blanket 33 and the support provided holding magnet in particular positionally correct. In order to support the positionally correct arrangement of the respective metal carrier on the relevant segment 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03, z. B. on the leading edge in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03 edge 37 of the respective metal support each an acute angle angled suspension leg 38 is provided, said this

Suspension leg 38 in the arrangement of the respective metal carrier on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 in one on the periphery of this

Segmentrades 03 parallel to the axis of rotation 34 directed z. B. as a groove trained recess 36 engages and comes to a leading edge in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03 edge 39 of the respective recess 36 in particular form-fitting to the plant. The blankets 33 are each preferably formed as a blanket. The direction of rotation during the printing process

Segmented wheel 03 is indicated in Fig. 13 by a direction of rotation arrow. The rotating from the axis of rotation 41 mandrel 02 each on a mandrel to the Segmentrad 03 zoomed hollow body 01 are in the printing process by a predominantly radial movement of the mandrel concerned individually and

consecutively for a short time, d. H. i. d. R. for a single revolution of the printed hollow body 01 to the relevant current printing blanket 33 is pressed.

The device for automatically changing the blankets 33 is preferably modular and has - as shown by way of example in FIGS. 7 to 12 - as modules z. B. a memory device 42 for more, z. Up to twelve blankets 33 (Fig. 7) and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 (Fig. 8) and a device 44 for a horizontal transport of one of the blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and a Mounting location on the segment wheel 03 (FIG. 9). FIG. 10 shows the storage device 42 in its device 43 provided for its vertical transport

arranged operating state. The storage device 42 has in a preferably cuboidal housing a plurality of vertically stacked compartments, in each of which a single blanket 33 back, ie lying on its support preferably each stored in a horizontal orientation or at least storable, wherein in the housing z. B. at least as many subjects are provided as the associated segment wheel 03 has segments 32 for blankets 33 at its periphery. The subjects are each z. B. open at least on one of its longitudinal sides to allow on the open side of each compartment, a supply or removal of the respective blanket 33. This storage device 42 is preferably on or on a support of the device 43 for the vertical transport of these Storage device 42 as a light, z. B. tool exchangeable module attached or at least attachable. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the memory device 42 is z. B. executing a lifting movement, wherein the vertical travel z. B. is about 200 mm. The lifting movement of the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. by means of a

preferably designed by an electric motor driven trapezoidal screw. In order to transport the individual blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and a mounting location on a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03, a device 44 for the horizontal transport of these blankets 33 is provided. This device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 has z. Example, a bidirectionally in particular linearly movable carriage 46 between two end points, wherein the carriage 46 each a single blanket 33 is transported or at least transportable. On from the storage device 42 automatically

removed blanket 33 is preferably on the carriage 46 lying backwards to a z. B. transported below the Segmentrad 03 assembly site and received there by a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03. A blanket 33 to be removed from a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is preferably peeled off the relevant segment 32 with a spatula 47 employed or at least engageable with the relevant segment 32, and from its dismantling location on the periphery of the segmented wheel 03 z. B. transported on the carriage 46 to the storage device 42, wherein the employed at an acute angle or tangent to the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 spatula 47 in conjunction with a directed against the spatula 47 rotational movement of the segment wheel 03 in the preferred embodiment respectively in particular magnetically held on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 metal carrier of the relevant blanket 33 from the relevant segment 32 and thus the scope of this segment wheel 03 lifts. In Fig. 1 1, the spatula 47 is shown both in an employee employed to the relevant segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 operating position and in a parked operating position, these operating positions are taken alternatively. The renewal or change of at least one of the scope of the

Segmented wheel 03 arranged blankets 33 is then preferably carried out as follows:

The segment wheel 03 moves by its rotation arranged on its circumference abzunehmendes blanket 33 in a position at which with the device for

automatic changing of the blankets 33 a disassembly of this blanket 33 is executable. The carriage 46 of the device 42 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 travels along its travel path to that end point which is closest to the dismantling location of the blanket 33 to be removed. This position of the carriage 46 is preferably sensory and / or monitored by a first switching element 48, for. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. Thereafter, the spatula 47 is preferably at the in the direction of rotation of the segment 03rd

Trailing edge 37 of the metal support of the relevant abzunehmenden

Blanket 33 employed. By an at least short-term rotational movement of the

Segmented wheel 03 against its executed during the printing process

In the direction of rotation, the blanket 33, which is preferably held magnetically on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, is peeled off from the circumference of this segmented wheel 03, ie. H. the metal carrier of the blanket 33 is lifted off its support on the segment wheel 03. Then, the spatula 47 is again turned off by the circumference of the segment wheel 03. The blanket 33 released by the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 then falls either directly into a due to gravity

Abrasive blanket storage means 33 or is provided by means of the carriage 46 of the horizontal transport means 44 for the blankets 33 thereto

Storage device transported for worn blankets.

In at least one subject, preferably in all subjects of several new

Blankets 33 provided storage device 42 is each a new one Metal carrier glued blanket 33 inserted, this memory device 42 is preferably arranged by the means 43 for their vertical transport in a raised upper position. The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of each one of the blankets 33 between the

Storage device 42 and the mounting location on the segment wheel 03 is arranged below the compartment with the new blanket 33. By lowering this storage device 42 by the vertical transport device 43, the new blanket 33 is deposited on the carriage 46 of the horizontal transport device 44. It is preferably sensory and / or by a second

Switching element 49, z. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch, monitors whether the new blanket 33 has actually been stored on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for horizontal transport. If this is not the case, an error message is issued. Otherwise, so in faultless condition, moves the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 along its travel to the end point, which is closest to the installation of the new blanket 33, this position of the carriage 46 again preferably sensory and / or monitored by a third switching element 51, z. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. Also, the segment 03 is already in a suitable for receiving the new blanket 33 rotational angular position, with this rotational position z. B. at the base of the segment wheel 03 or in its vicinity. In the preferred embodiment, the new blanket 33 is aligned by at least register in register with at least stop 52 in its position before it is mounted on the circumference of the segment wheel 03. For the movement of the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33, a drive is provided, said drive z. B. is designed as a compressed air cylinder. In order to mount the new blanket 33 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, this segmented wheel 03 rotates in its direction of rotation during the printing process, thereby picking up the new blanket 33 on its circumference. Thereafter, the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33rd again moved to the storage device 42 for the plurality of new blankets 33 to optionally get another new blanket 33.

In order to reduce set-up times, it is advantageous to design a device for printing hollow bodies 01 in such a way that this device has a segment wheel 03 which is rotatable about an axis of rotation 34, the segment wheel 03 having several segments 32 at its circumference one behind the other for receiving a blanket 33 wherein at least one of the arranged on one of the segments 32

Blankets 33 on the hollow body to be printed 01 rolling or at least unrolled, with more printing units are provided, at least one of the printing units at least one of the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 arranged blankets 33 is employed or at least employable, wherein at least one of the printing units a Printing plate cylinder 04, wherein in association with the respective plate cylinder 04 a plate changer 14 is arranged for automatically changing a printing forme on this plate cylinder 04 and wherein in association with the segment 03 a device for automatically changing at least one of the circumference of this Segmentrades 03 arranged blankets 33 is arranged. In this case, the plate changer 14 preferably has a support surface 16 on which the printing forme cylinder 04 to be arranged or arranged printing form can be placed, said support surface 16 is bidirectionally movable along a transport path between at least two defined positions. The respective printing forme cylinder 04 to be supplied printing form is z. B. held by a magnetic holding force on the support surface 16 of the disk changer 14. The apparatus for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is in particular modular, wherein as modules, a storage device 42 for a plurality of printing blankets 33 and a device 43 for a vertical transport of this storage device 42 and a device 44 for a horizontal transport of each one of the blankets 33 between the memory device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 has. The memory device 42 has a plurality in a housing vertically stacked compartments, in each of which a single blanket 33 is stored or at least storable. The blankets 33 are in the

Memory device 42 each preferably lying backwards and / or stored in a horizontal orientation. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the memory device 42 is z. B. a lifting movement executes trained and / or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 has a bi-directionally movable carriage between two endpoints 46, wherein the carriage 46 each a single blanket 33 is transported or is at least transportable. The disc changer 14 and the apparatus for automatically changing the blankets 33 are z. B. each controlled by a control unit, wherein the disk changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the

Blankets 33 are each active in particular simultaneously and their respective change of a printing plate or a blanket 33 z. B. during a same

Production interruption of this device for printing of hollow bodies 01 run. The to be arranged on the plate cylinder 04 printing form is preferably arranged in register on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 with respect to their mounting position on the plate cylinder 04 and / or arranged on the periphery of the segment wheel 03 blanket 33 is on the carriage 46 of the

Device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 with respect to its mounting position on a segment 32 of the segment 03 arranged in the correct position. An ink for printing forme cylinder 04 transporting inking unit 06 is preferably formed as a an anilox roller 08 exhibiting short inking unit.

With regard to a device for printing on hollow bodies 01, which has a segment wheel 03 which is rotatable about a rotation axis 34, wherein the segment wheel 03 has a plurality of segments 32 at its circumference one after another for receiving a blanket 33, at least one of which is arranged on one of the segments 32 Blankets 33 on the hollow body to be printed 01 rolling or at least unrolling is arranged, wherein adjacent segments 32 each by a it is also advantageous that each of the blankets 33 is arranged in each case on a plate-shaped metallic carrier, wherein the carrier together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it as such in the interchangeable at a the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 is arranged or at least can be arranged, wherein the arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 carrier is held on this segment 32 in a positive connection and / or in a frictional connection. In this case, each carrier of a blanket 33 is bent at its leading edge in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03 edge 37 preferably acute angle, said bevel 38 arranged on a segment 32 of the segment wheel 03 operating state of this carrier to a leading edge in the direction of rotation of the segment wheel 03 edge 39 of the relevant Scope of the segment wheel 03 formed recess 36 is applied, wherein the fold 38 of the carrier at this edge 39 of the recess 36 is arranged in a form-fitting or at least can be arranged. The plate-shaped metallic support is particularly flexible and forms together with the on it

arranged blanket 33 z. B. a metal blanket. The arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 carrier is on this segment 32 by a

held magnetic force. At the periphery of the segment wheel 03 are successively z. B. eight to twelve segments 32 each arranged to receive a blanket 33. In association with the segment 03 is z. B. a device for automatic

Changing the blankets 33 is provided, wherein the device for automatically changing the blankets 33 is preferably modular and as modules a storage device 42 for a plurality of blankets 33 and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 and means 44 for a horizontal transport of each one of the blankets 33 between the memory device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 has. The storage device 42 has in a housing in particular a plurality of vertically stacked compartments, in each of which a single blanket 33 is stored or at least storable. In the housing of the storage device 42 are z. B. at least as many subjects provided as the associated segment wheel 03 has segments 32 for blankets 33 at its periphery. In the preferred

The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is designed to carry out a lifting movement and / or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 has a carriage 46 that can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with the carriage 46 each having a single blanket 33 is transported or at least transportable.

A method for operating a device having a segmented wheel 03 for printing on hollow bodies 01 also results, with at least one segment 32 of the segment 32 having a plurality of segments at its circumference

Segmented wheel 03 each a blanket 33 is arranged, wherein at least one arranged on one of the segments 32 blanket 33 at a rotation of the

Segment wheel 03 rolls on the to be printed hollow body 01, wherein a in

Assignment to the segment gear 03 provided device for automatic

Changing of blankets 33 according to an instruction given to their control unit automatically removes the printing blanket 33 to be arranged on the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 to a storage device 42 and transports it to the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03. The apparatus for automatically changing printing blankets 33 has a device 44 for a horizontal transport of

Blankets 33 with a movable carriage 46, wherein the blankets to be transported 33 are each transported lying on the carriage 46. In this case, a printing blanket 33 lying on the carriage 46 is preferably arranged in the correct position with respect to a mounting position on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03. In particular, a plurality of printing blankets 33 are stored in the storage device 42, wherein the blankets 33 are stored individually one after the other on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 and transported successively to one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03. A to be arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 blanket 33 is In particular, arranged by a rotation of this Segmentrades 03 between the relevant segment 32 and the blanket 33 produced positive fit on the relevant segment 32. A arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 blanket 33 is preferably by a z. B. magnetic adhesion on the relevant segment 32 held. A printing blanket 33 removed from one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is likewise preferably transported away with the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 by the respective segmented wheel 03. It is preferably provided that the means 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 alternately transported away from one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 blanket 33 and a new, ie unused blanket 33 from the memory device 42 to a free segment 32 of the segment 03rd transported, ie to a segment 32 to which no blanket 33 is currently arranged. By means of a switching element 49 z. B. monitors whether a from the memory device 42 to be taken or removed blanket 33 has been actually and / or positionally correct on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport has been stored.

Fig. 14 shows in a perspective view again the segment 03 of the device for printing hollow bodies 01, wherein the periphery of this segment wheel 03 in succession more, z. B. twelve segments 32 are arranged for receiving a respective blanket 33. This Segmentrad 03 is preferably made of a casting material, for. B. cast iron, and has a mass z. B. of more than 500 kg, in particular of about 1,000 kg or more. The segment wheel 03 has an outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1 .400 mm to 1,600 mm. The Segmentrad 03 is with its shaft 53 in a frame 66 of this device for printing

Hollow bodies 01 preferably both ends z. B. each mounted in particular double-row bearings 63 and driven by a drive rotationally. This the

Segmentrad 03 rotationally driving drive is designed as an electric motor 58 with a stator 61 and a hollow shaft 54 having a rotor 62, wherein the Hollow shaft 54 coaxial with the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 is arranged or at least can be arranged. In the device arranged in the device for printing hollow bodies 01 - as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 16 - the shaft 53 of the segmented wheel 03 projects into the installation space of the motor 58 and the shaft 53 of the segmented wheel 03 and the rotor 62 of the motor 58 are rigid connected with each other. The segment wheel 03 is preferably z. B. rigidly connected by means of clamping elements 67 with its shaft 53 and thereby fixed on the shaft 53. The one for the rotary drive of the

Segmented wheel 03 provided motor 58 is preferably as a high-pole, electric direct drive with a number of poles z. B. greater than twenty and / or formed as a permanent-magnet brushless DC motor and exemplified in Fig. 15 in perspective. This motor 58 has z. B. a cooling device or is at least connected to such, wherein the cooling device is designed as a liquid cooling. Fig. 15 shows two connections formed on the housing 59 of the motor 58 for this liquid cooling, namely a connection for the coolant inlet 56 and another connection for the coolant outflow 57. In an advantageous embodiment, this motor 58 is designed as a torque motor. For this motor 58 is a controlling or regulating him preferably digital control unit is provided, wherein by the control unit by positioning the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 in the stator of the motor 58 has a position on the periphery of this

Segmented wheel 03 is preferably set relative to a position on the lateral surface of a hollow body 01 to be printed with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm or at least adjustable. Likewise, z. B. on the motor 58 opposite end of the shaft 53, a rotary encoder 64 is provided, wherein the rotary encoder 64 has a high angular resolution of z. B. 27 bits and a

Detected angular position of the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 and one with the

Rotary angular position of the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 corresponding measured value of the motor 58 controlling or regulating control unit provides. The motor 58 and / or the rotary encoder are preferably each connected via a control bus to the motor 58 controlling or controlling the control unit. The aforementioned embodiment of the rotary drive of the segment wheel 03 has the advantage that this drive is designed to be decentralized and gearless and clutchless. Thus, this drive of the segment wheel 03 is free of play and compact. In conjunction with the control unit of this drive can be a position on the periphery of this

Segment wheel 03 relative to a position on the lateral surface of a hollow body to be printed 01 set easily with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm, which has a very beneficial effect on the achievable print quality. Likewise, i. V. m. the double-row bearing of the segment wheel 03 a very good concentricity of this segment wheel 03, whereby a uniform color transfer from the respective inking units 06 is ensured on the relevant on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 arranged blankets 33. With the solution described here, a high acceleration and thus short acceleration times of 10 s or less can be realized for the segmented wheel 03 as well. The proposed drive for the segment 03 also has the advantage of being quiet and low maintenance. In sum, this results in a very efficient drive for the segment 03.

Advantageously, a so-called "flying production change" can be carried out with the above-described apparatus for printing on hollow bodies 01, ie a first printing process is used to switch to a second printing process without interruption of production, unless production of a printing blanket is required In the case of a machine arrangement in which a few thousand pieces of these hollow bodies 01 are produced per minute, for example between 1, 500 and 3,000 pieces per minute, this means that the segmented wheel 03 continues to rotate, ie continues to rotate continuously an uninterrupted

Production change a huge increase in efficiency. And even if with the

Change of production and a change of at least one of the blankets is required, the set-up times for the decorator can be significantly shorten by the following procedure. Thus, a method for operating a device for printing hollow bodies 01 is proposed, wherein this device rotates around its axis 34 Segmentrad

03 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced printing blankets 33 and in a preferably star-shaped assignment to this Segmentrad 03, d. H. on the periphery of which a plurality of printing plates or a printing plate 68 each carry a respective one

Plate cylinder 04 has, wherein each of these plate cylinder 04 for coloring its printing plate or printing plate 68 each by means of a preferably designed as a short inking inking unit 06 with a particular two-roll

A single ink is supplied to each compactor. Depending on a to be executed for printing the hollow body 01 printing process will be

selected amount of plate cylinders 04 to the segment gear 03 z. B. employed radially or parked by this Segmentrad 03. In a first printing process, a first subset of each transfers a colored printing form or a colored one

Pressing cliché 68 carrying employed to the rotating segment wheel 03

Plate cylinders 04 each ink on several of the arranged on this Segmentrad 03 blankets 33. At the end of the first printing process at least part of the first printing process to the Segmentrad 03 employed plate cylinder 04 are turned off by this rotating Segmentrad 03. With continued uninterrupted rotation of the segmented wheel 03, a second subset of each of a colored printing plate or a colored printing plate 68 carrying plate cylinders is now to execute a different from the first printing process second printing process

04 to this segment wheel 03 in particular radially employed, so that these plate cylinder 04 each ink on a plurality of arranged on this segment 03

Transfer blankets 33. The blankets 33 in turn transmit the respective

Ink on each of the rotating segment 03 for. B. brought by means of a Mandrel wheel 02 to be printed hollow body 01st

In a preferred embodiment, with a termination of the first Printing process those inking units 06, which in the first printing process of the first

Subset of plate cylinders 04 have each supplied ink, turned off by this first subset of plate cylinders 04 respectively. In addition, at the beginning of the second printing process, those inking units 06 which in each case supply printing ink to the second subset of plate cylinders 04 in the second printing process are employed on this second subset of plate cylinders 04.

The Segmentrad 03 is - as described above - preferably independently, d. H. at least independently of the plate cylinders 04 and / or the inking units 06, from a z. B. designed as a direct drive motor 58 rotatably driven. Also, each employed on the segment 03 or at least engageable plate cylinder 04 are each independent, d. H. at least independently of the segment wheel 03, driven by a motor 1 1 rotatively. The inking units 06 each have exactly one employee employed or engageable with the relevant plate cylinder 04 or by this

Plate cylinder 04 parked or parkable inking roller 07 and z. B. a respective ink to the respective inking roller 07 promoting anilox roller 08, wherein the respective inking roller 07 and optionally the respective anilox roller 08 each independently, d. H. be driven separately from a motor 12 rotatably. Alternatively, the respective inking roller 07 z. B. from the respective arranged in the same inking unit 06 anilox roller 08 are each rotationally driven by friction. The said separate drives 1 1; 12; 58, d. H. the that

Segment wheel 03 independently rotationally driving motor 58 and / or the respective the respective plate cylinder 04 independently rotationally driving motor 1 1 and / or the respective inking roller 07 and / or the anilox roller 08 each independently rotationally driving motor 12 is or are preferably each of a Control unit independently and preferably controlled or regulated individually. Also, the respective employment and / or shutdown of the relevant plate cylinder 04 and / or the respective inking units 06 is preferably each controlled independently of the control unit in each case depending on the printing process to be performed. To shorten the set-up times on at least one of the current

Printing process uninvolved, d. H. currently not on the rotating segment gear 03 employed plate cylinder 04, the respective printing plate or the respective printing plate 68 during this ongoing printing process each using a z. B. previously described plate changer 14 preferably automatically changed. To the

Changing at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the segmented wheel 03, the segmented wheel 03 is brought to a standstill and at least one printing blanket 33 arranged on this segmented wheel 03 is preferably changed automatically using a device for automatic changing of the printing blankets 33.

Furthermore, with the previously described apparatus for printing

Hollow bodies 01 a process for printing hollow bodies 01 executable, in each of which one of the hollow body 01 ink is transferred from one of the successively on the circumference of a rotating around its axis 34 Segmentrades 03 printing blankets 33, wherein at least two in the rotational direction of the segment 03 successively arranged in each case a printing plate 68 carrying plate cylinder 04 are used, in which one of a staff on a first plate cylinder 04 first inking unit 06 applied to the printing plate 68 first

Printing ink on a first blanket 33 of the periphery of the segment wheel 03rd

arranged blankets 33 transferred and split back from there onto the printing plate 68 of the first plate cylinder 04 in the rotational direction of the segment wheel 03 second plate cylinder 04, d. H. is transferred by cleavage. With a second inking unit 06 employed on the second plate cylinder 04, a second printing ink other than the first printing ink is applied to the printing plate 68 thereof. The first applied by cleavage and the second of the second inking unit 06 respectively on the printing plate 68 of the second plate cylinder 04

Printing ink are then transferred together to a second blanket 33 of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03. Here are the various applied to the printing plate 68 of the second plate cylinder 04 inks applied to this printing plate 68 in different adjacent areas, wherein on the printing plate 68 of the second

Plate cylinder 04 applied inks in their respective boundary region 71. They are on the printing plate 68 of the second plate cylinder 04 applied printing inks 69 are then transferred to the second blanket 33 by mapping their mixing in their respective boundary region 71 mixing.

For coloring the printing plates 68 z. B. one at the respective

Plate cylinder 04 employed short inking unit, d. H. an inking unit 06 with a maximum of five rollers roller compactor or in the preferred embodiment, an inking unit 06 with a two rollers 07; 08 existing compactor used, wherein the respective plate cylinder 04 each associated with only a single inking roller 07. In the respective inking units 06 is in particular one each

Used inking roller 07 whose circumferential length corresponds to the circumferential length of the respective plate cylinder 04. In the preferred embodiment, therefore

Outer diameter d04 of the respective printing plate 68 supporting plate cylinder 04 and the outer diameter d07 employed on this plate cylinder 04

Inking roller 07 equal in terms of amount.

For coloring the first plate cylinder 04 z. B. a full-surface coated inking roller 07 is used. For coloring the second plate cylinder 04 z. B. a full-surface coated inking roller 07 or preferably a coated inking roller 07 used with introduced on its lateral surface depressions, these depressions in particular depending on the printed image to be printed and / or z. B. are formed in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction. For printing the hollow body 01 z. B. blankets 33 are used with introduced recesses. The depressions in the lateral surface of the inking roller 07 used for coloring the second plate cylinder 04 and / or in the to Printing the hollow body 01 used blankets 33 are each z. B. introduced by a mechanical engraving or milling or by lasers.

In the preferred embodiment, the first inking unit 06 colors at least one planar first formed on the printing plate 68 of the first plate cylinder 04

Druckbildstelle one and the second inking unit 06 colors at least one on the

Pressure cliché 68 of the second plate cylinder 04 trained flat second

Print image point on. In this case, that includes on the printing plate 68 of the second

Plate cylinder 04 formed second printed image due to their position and size that area in each ink is transferred or split back from the respective surface of the at least one formed on the printing plate 68 of the first plate cylinder 04 first print image location. And the inking roller 68 of the second plate cylinder 04 inking inking roller 07 of the second inking unit 06 has in its lateral surface at the respective with the at least one first

Print image of the arranged on the first plate cylinder 04 Druckklischees 68 corresponding surface each have a recess in the manner described above.

The respective peripheral speeds of both the first plate cylinder 04 and the pressure plate 68 arranged on this first plate cylinder 04

inking inking roller 07 and the respective peripheral speeds of the second plate cylinder 04 and of the arranged on this second plate cylinder 04 printing plate 68 inking roller 07 are z. B. by a control unit in particular with respect to a common reference point in each case synchronously set to each other. Plate cylinder 04 and associated

Inking roller 07 are therefore each in synchronism. For the production of the intended color gradients, this synchronization must be used for all the printing units 73 and inking units 06 involved in the production at any time of the relevant

Be given production process, including immediately after a machine stop. In addition, the respective peripheral speeds are to be printed Hollow body 01 and the segment gear 03 synchronized with each other.

This procedure is used in the execution of a high-pressure process

Color gradients, so-called iris print effects produced, which increase the achievable design depth in print and / or can also be produced security features. With specifically used color gradients, it is possible to produce completely novel decors on hollow bodies 01 in their axial direction and / or circumferential direction. This is possible with the described method even using short inking units, even those with a z. B. only two-roll compactor.

Fig. 17 shows in three phases a production sequence for the production of a

Color gradient on a hollow body 01, wherein in this apparatus for printing hollow bodies 01 at least two inking units 06 are each used with an inking roller 07 whose respective circumferential length corresponds in each case to the stretched length of the printing plate 68 used in the same inking unit 06. In a first production phase (FIG. 17 a), a first inking unit 06 with a first z. B.

full-surface coated inking roller 07 a first ink 69 applied to a first arranged on a first plate cylinder 04 printing plate 68. On a cooperating with the first plate cylinder 04 on the rotating about its axis 34 Segmentrad 03 arranged first blanket 33 results after a unrolling of the first printing plate 68 on this first blanket 33 in FIG. 17a both in a section and in a plan view illustrated color order. In a second production phase (Fig. 17b) is in a second inking unit 06 with a second z. B. a recess in the circumferential direction having inking roller 07 a second ink 69 applied to a second on a second plate cylinder 04 arranged printing plate 68. On one with the second plate cylinder 04

cooperating also on the rotating segment 03 arranged second blanket 33 is obtained after a rolling of the second pressure plate 68 on this second blanket 33 in FIG. 17b both in a section and in a Top view illustrated color order. FIG. 17 c shows, by way of example, a third production phase in which both the first printing ink 69 and the second printing ink 69 are applied to the printing plate 68 arranged on the second plate cylinder 04 in respectively adjoining regions, the first printing ink 69 being split back onto the second inking layer 69 Printing plate 68 has been applied. By a common transfer of both inks 69 on the second with the second plate cylinder 04 cooperating blanket 33 results in the Fig. 17c shown in both a section and in a plan view of paint, being in the respective boundary region 71 of the two on the second blanket 33 applied printing inks 69 each a splitting-related color mixing and thus a

Color gradient or an iris pressure effect forms. This color gradient can now be further transferred to the hollow body 01 to be printed.

Another very advantageous method for printing on hollow bodies comprises the method steps that on each of the hollow body 01 ink 69 each one of the successively on the circumference of a rotating about its axis 34 Segmentrades 03 arranged blankets 33 is transmitted, of several along the circumference of Segmentrades 03 arranged printing units 72; 73 each ink 69 is applied to the relevant blanket 33. It contributes in the direction of rotation of the

Segmentrades 03 a first subset of the printing units 73 ink 69 in a contact process, preferably in a high-pressure process or in a

Screen printing process or in an offset printing process on the relevant blanket 33 and a second subset of the printing units 72 applies ink 69 each in a digital printing process printing form on the blanket 33 in question, all of the respective printing units 72; 73 ultimately on the respective hollow body 01 to be transferred printing ink 69 first collected on the relevant blanket 33 and then of the relevant blanket 33 together on the relevant

Hollow body 01 are transferred. In this case, the at least one printing ink 69 in each case in a digital printing process is pressure-free on the printing blanket 33 in question applying printing unit 72 with respect to the zenith of the segment wheel 03 preferably within an angular range φ of ± 45 ° and thus arranged in an upper region of this segment wheel 03. At least one inkjet print head 74 or a laser is advantageously used for the at least one printing ink 69, in each case in a digital printing process printing-form-free on the printing blanket 33 applying printing unit 72. It is particularly advantageous if in each case a double array is used for the at least one printing ink 69, each in a digital printing process on the blanket 33 applying printing unit 72, ie a printing unit 72 in which two preferably each the same printing ink on the relevant blanket 33rd applying printing devices, eg. B. two inkjet printheads 74 in

Circumferential direction of the segment wheel 03 are arranged one behind the other. As an alternative to the double array, a single array or another multiple array can be used. For example, at least one of the printing inks cyan and / or magenta and / or yellow and / or black is applied by the at least one printing ink 69 in each case in a digital printing process on the printing blanket 33 applying printing plate 72. From each of the printing ink 69 in a high-pressure process or in a screen printing process or in an offset printing process on the printing blanket 33 applying printing units 73 is preferably a particular premixed, z. B. custom or product specific color applied. For a precise angular position control of the segment wheel 03, it is advantageous if the segment gear 03 is rotationally driven by a direct drive designed as a motor 58. As described above, the hollow bodies 01 to be printed in the preferred embodiment are guided by a mandrel wheel 02 rotating counter to the segment gear 03 about an axis 41 to the rotating segment wheel 03, the printing blanket 33 in question with the printing inks 69 collected thereon for the transfer of these printing inks 69 unrolls on the relevant hollow body 01. Furthermore, in order to shorten set-up times, at least one printing blanket 33 arranged on the segmented wheel 03 can be changed automatically using a device for automatic changing of the printing blankets 33. The first subset of z. In one High-pressure printing processes 73 each uses an inking unit 06, which is employed on the respective plate cylinder 04, with a roller train consisting of a maximum of five rollers, ie preferably a short inking unit. Alternatively or additionally, the first subset of the z. B. in a high-pressure process printing units 73 each an employed on the respective plate cylinder 04 inking unit 06 with only a single inking roller 07th

Fig. 18 shows a schematic representation of the device for printing hollow bodies 01 with a multi-colored, z. B. four-color each in one

Digital printing process printing formless printing unit 72 and with several, z. As a result, results in a hybrid device for printing on hollow bodies 01, with the in a very advantageous manner also smaller circulation levels or lot sizes of hollow bodies 01, in the Apparatus for printing on hollow bodies 01 entail a more frequent change of decor, can be produced efficiently.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01 hollow body; Two-piece can

02 Mandrel wheel

03 Segmented wheel

04 plate cylinder

05

06 inking unit

07 inking roller

08 Anilox roller

09 Chamber doctor system 10

1 1 engine

12 engine

13 rider roll

14 plate changers 15

16 contact surface

17 traverse

18 lever arrangement, first

19 axis of rotation, first 20

21 drive, first

22 stop, first

23 lever arrangement, second

24 lever arrangement, third 25 Rotary axis, second drive, second

Drive, third

Stop system, first stop system, second segment (03)

blanket

Rotation axis (03) recess

Edge (33)

Hooking Leg (33) Edge (36) Rotary Axis (02) Storage Device Setup

Set up sled

spatula

Switching element, first switching element, second switching element, third stop

wave

hollow shaft 5

6 Connection for the coolant inflow

7 Connection for the coolant drain

58 engine

59 housing

60

61 stator

62 rotor

63 rolling bearings

64 encoders

65

66 frame

67 clamping element

68 printing plate

69 printing ink

70

71 border area

72 printing unit (digital printing method)

73 printing unit (high-pressure, screen printing or offset printing method)

74 inkjet print head

d04 outer diameter

d07 outer diameter

d08 outer diameter

G straight

φ angular range

Claims

claims

1 . Method for printing hollow bodies, in which printing ink (69) is in each case transferred from one of the printing blankets (33) arranged one behind the other at the circumference of a segment wheel (03) rotating around its axis (34) to each of the hollow bodies (01), in which of several Printing ink (69) is applied to the printing blanket (33) arranged along the circumference of the segment wheel (03), wherein a first subset of the printing units (73) print ink (69) in a high-pressure process or in a Applying a screen printing method or in an offset printing process on the relevant blanket (33), in which a second subset of the printing units (72) inking (69) each in a digital printing process druckformlos on the relevant blanket (33), characterized in that for the at least one Printing ink (69) each in a digital printing process

printing unit (72), which in each case has a double array, is used on the printing blanket (33), wherein in the case of the double array two printing inks on the printing blanket (33) are applied

Circumferential direction of the segment wheel (03) are arranged one behind the other.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that for the at least one ink (69) in each case in a digital printing process printing form on the blanket (33) applying printing unit (72) two inkjet printheads (74) are used.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one ink (69) each in a digital printing process pressure-form on the blanket (33) applying printing unit (72) with respect to the zenith of the segment wheel (03) within an angular range (φ) of ± 45 ° is arranged.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that of the printing devices in the at least one ink (69) each in a digital printing process printing form on the blanket (33) applying printing unit (72) each have the same ink to the relevant Blanket (33) is applied.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that of the at least one ink (69) each in a digital printing process printing form on the blanket (33) applying printing unit (72) one of the inks cyan or magenta or yellow or black is applied.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that of each of the ink (69) in a high-pressure process or in a screen printing process or in an offset printing process on the relevant blanket (33) applying printing units (73) in each case a certain premixed special color is applied.

7. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized

characterized in that all of the respective printing units (72; 73) ultimately on the respective hollow body (01) to be transferred inks (69) initially collected on the relevant blanket (33) and then of the respective blanket (33) together on the respective hollow body (01).

8. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized in that the segment wheel (03) is rotationally driven by a motor (58) designed as a direct drive.

9. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8,

characterized in that the to be printed hollow body (01) of a opposite to the segment wheel (03) about an axis (41) rotating mandrel (02) are guided to the rotating segment wheel (03), wherein the blanket (33) with the collected ink thereon (69) for transferring these inks (69) unrolls the relevant hollow body (01).

10. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one on the segment wheel (03) arranged printing blanket (33) is automatically changed.

1 1. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, characterized in that at least one printing blanket (33) arranged on the segment wheel (03) is made using a device for

automatic change of printing blankets (33) is changed.

12. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 1 1, characterized in that the first subset of

Printing units (73) each one to the respective plate cylinder (04) hired inking unit (06) used with a maximum of five rolls of compactor.

13. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the first subset of the printing units (73) each one to the respective plate cylinder (04 ) Employed inking unit (06), each with only a single inking roller (07) used.

14. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 1 1 or 12 or 13, characterized in that the first

Subset of the printing units (73) each used an inking unit (06) with an anilox roller (08).

15. The method of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 1 1 or 12 or 13 or 14, characterized in that in each case arranged on a plate-shaped metallic support blankets (33) used are, wherein the respective on a segment (32) of the segment wheel (03) arranged carrier of the respective blanket (33) on the relevant segment (32) is held by a respective magnetic force.