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

Abstract

A device and method for adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72( b ). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72( b ): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

1 . In a container filling plant, a method of adding information on the outer surface of containers, the information comprising at least two media, the container filling plant comprising an information adding system, a machine for filling containers, and a machine for closing containers, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) moving a first container into a first conveying arrangement in said information adding system;   b) conveying said first container with said first conveying arrangement in said information adding system;   said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement and at least one information transfer arrangement;   each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device;   said first information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a first medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement;   said second information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a second medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement, said first medium and said second medium being different;   said at least one information transfer arrangement being configured to store information added thereto, with said first and said second information adding devices, and transferring the stored information to the outer surface of said first container, said at least one information transfer arrangement being disposed on a second conveying arrangement;   c) moving said second conveying arrangement and disposing a first transfer arrangement at a first position proximate said at least one information adding arrangement;   d) moving said first information adding device into a position for adding information to said first transfer arrangement;   e) adding information in said first medium to said first transfer arrangement with said first information adding device;   f) moving said first information adding device away from said position for adding information;   g) moving said second information adding device into a position for adding information to said first transfer arrangement;   h) adding information in said second medium to to said first transfer arrangement, with said second information adding device;   i) moving said second information adding device away from said position for adding information;   j) storing said information added to said first transfer arrangement;   k) moving said first conveying arrangement at a first speed;   l) moving said second conveying arrangement at a second speed, different than said first speed of said first conveying arrangement;   m) moving said first transfer arrangement to a second position, which said second position forms a non-zero angle with respect to said first position;   n) disposing said first transfer arrangement proximate a portion of the outer surface of said first container and abutting said first transfer arrangement with said portion of the outer surface of said first container;   o) transferring the information stored with said first transfer arrangement to said portion of the outer surface of said first container;   p) moving said first container out of said information adding system and into said machine for filling containers;   q) filling said first container with a filling material;   r) moving said first container out of said machine for filling containers and into said machine for closing containers;   s) closing said first container;   t) moving a second container into said first conveying arrangement in said information adding system; and   u) repeating said steps b) through s) with said second container and said first transfer arrangement or a second transfer arrangement, as recited with said first container and said first transfer arrangement.   
   
   
       2 . A method of adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant, the information comprising at least two media, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) moving a first container into a conveying arrangement in an information adding system;   b) conveying said first container with said conveying arrangement in said information adding system;   said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement;   c) moving one of said at least one information adding arrangement, disposing it proximate said first container, for adding information to an outer surface of said first container;   each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device;   said first information adding device being configured to add information in a first medium and said second information device being configured to add information in a second medium, said first medium and said second medium being different;   d) moving said first information adding device into a position for adding information to the outer surface of said first container;   e) adding information in said first medium to the outer surface of said first container with said first information adding device;   f) moving said first information adding device away from said position for adding information to the outer surface of said first container;   g) moving said second information adding device into a position for adding information to the outer surface of said first container;   h) adding information in said second medium to the outer surface of said first container, with said second information adding device;   l) moving said second information adding device away from said position for adding information to the outer surface of said first container.   j) moving said first container out of said information adding system;   k) containing a filling material in said first container;   l) moving a second container into said conveying arrangement in said information adding system; and   m) repeating said steps b) through k) with said second container, as recited with said first container.   
   
   
       3 . The method of adding information on the outer surface of articles according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said conveying arrangement comprises a transport element;   said first medium comprises a printing material of a first color;   said second medium comprises a printing material of a second color, said first and said second colors being different;   said steps of adding information to the outer surface of said first container comprise printing an image on the outer surface of said first container;   said first information adding device comprises a first print head;   said second information adding device comprises a second print head;   said information adding arrangement comprises a printing group comprising said first and said second print head; and   said information adding system comprises said transport element and said printing group.   
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 3  wherein during the printing the containers are rotated about their container axes, for example by an angle of 360°. 
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 4  wherein during the printing steps, part printed images are applied in the form of different color sets of a multi-colored printed image and/or in the form of at least one sealing or protective coating covering the printed image. 
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 5  wherein the printing of the containers is effected in each case at a printing station that is provided with a plurality of printing stations of a similar type on the transport element, wherein an independent printing group with a plurality of print heads is associated with each printing station, and in that for the respective part print change or print head change, the print heads are moved relative to the printing station or to its printing position in the direction of transport and in opposition to the direction of transport and/or are pivoted or rotated about an axis, such as about an axis that is offset relative to the axis of the respective container. 
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 6  wherein the print heads are each positioned during the printing of the part printed images such that the applying of the printing ink and/or the sealing or protective coating are supported by centrifugal forces that are generated by the movement of the transport element. 
   
   
       8 . Method according to  claim 7  wherein the respective part printed image and/or the sealing or protective coating are dried directly after generation. 
   
   
       9 . Method according to  claim 8  wherein the printing ink forming the respective part printed image or a compound forming the sealing or protective coating is continuously dried as it is being discharged. 
   
   
       10 . Method according to  claim 9  further comprising one of:
 a) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;   b) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light; and
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
   c) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; and 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; 
   d) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; and 
 wherein at least two containers are printed with different part printed images after each operating stroke; 
   e) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein at least two containers are printed with different part printed images after each operating stroke; and 
 wherein in each operating stroke, in each case at least two container groups, each comprising at least two containers, are printed with different part printed images; 
   f) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein at least two containers are printed with different part printed images after each operating stroke; 
 wherein in each operating stroke, in each case at least two container groups, each comprising at least two containers, are printed with different part printed images; and 
 wherein each operating stroke, a first part printed image is applied with at least one print head on at least one container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group, and another part printed image is applied with at least one second print head on at least one container that is already provided with a part printed image, and in that after each operating stroke, the printing unit is moved back into the initial position in such a manner that at the at least one first print head in each case a container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position and at the at least one other print head a container already printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position; 
   g) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein at least two containers are printed with different part printed images after each operating stroke; 
 wherein in each operating stroke, in each case at least two container groups, each comprising at least two containers, are printed with different part printed images; 
 wherein each operating stroke, a first part printed image is applied with at least one print head on at least one container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group, and another part printed image is applied with at least one second print head on at least one container that is already provided with a part printed image, and in that after each operating stroke, the printing unit is moved back into the initial position in such a manner that at the at least one first print head in each case a container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position and at the at least one other print head a container already printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position; and 
 wherein the printing unit or printing group in each operating stroke or return stroke is pivoted by a stroke that is identical to the distance between axes or to the angular separation between two printing positions on the transport element or an integer multiple thereof; 
   h) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein at least two containers are printed with different part printed images after each operating stroke; 
 wherein in each operating stroke, in each case at least two container groups, each comprising at least two containers, are printed with different part printed images; 
 wherein each operating stroke, a first part printed image is applied with at least one print head on at least one container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group, and another part printed image is applied with at least one second print head on at least one container that is already provided with a part printed image, and in that after each operating stroke, the printing unit is moved back into the initial position in such a manner that at the at least one first print head in each case a container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position and at the at least one other print head a container already printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein the printing unit or printing group in each operating stroke or return stroke is pivoted by a stroke that is identical to the distance between axes or to the angular separation between two printing positions on the transport element or an integer multiple thereof; and 
 wherein there is a plurality of container supports provided on the transport element or of print stations formed by said container supports, at least one printing group or printing unit common to all printing stations is used that has at least two print head groups, each with at least two print heads per print head group for generating different part printed images, in that printing unit during each printing stage for generating each part printed image is entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous manner with the movement of the transport element such that in each printing stage at least one print head of each print head group is situated in a printing position at a container, and in that for the print head change, the movement of the printing unit or of the printing heads is slowed down or accelerated in such a manner and after the print head change is once again synchronized with the movement of the transport element in such a manner that, after the print head change, a print head of each print head group is once again situated in a printing position with the respective container; 
   i) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein at least two containers are printed with different part printed images after each operating stroke; 
 wherein in each operating stroke, in each case at least two container groups, each comprising at least two containers, are printed with different part printed images; 
 wherein each operating stroke, a first part printed image is applied with at least one print head on at least one container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group, and another part printed image is applied with at least one second print head on at least one container that is already provided with a part printed image, and in that after each operating stroke, the printing unit is moved back into the initial position in such a manner that at the at least one first print head in each case a container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position and at the at least one other print head a container already printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein the printing unit or printing group in each operating stroke or return stroke is pivoted by a stroke that is identical to the distance between axes or to the angular separation between two printing positions on the transport element or an integer multiple thereof; 
 wherein there is a plurality of container supports provided on the transport element or of print stations formed by said container supports, at least one printing group or printing unit common to all printing stations is used that has at least two print head groups, each with at least two print heads per print head group for generating different part printed images, in that printing unit during each printing stage for generating each part printed image is entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous manner with the movement of the transport element such that in each printing stage at least one print head of each print head group is situated in a printing position at a container, and in that for the print head change, the movement of the printing unit or of the printing heads is slowed down or accelerated in such a manner and after the print head change is once again synchronized with the movement of the transport element in such a manner that, after the print head change, a print head of each print head group is once again situated in a printing position with the respective container; and 
 wherein the slowing down or accelerating is effected by temporarily superposing the movement of the printing unit or of the print heads that is synchronous with the transport element, with another movement component in opposition to or in the direction of transport of the transport element; and 
   j) wherein the drying is effected by application of energy, for example by heating and/or by UV light;
 wherein there is a plurality of printing positions formed on the transport element, the printing of the containers is effected with at least one printing unit that is common to all printing positions, the containers to be printed being moved past said printing unit, which has at least two print heads, and in that the printing unit, for generating in each case a part image with the print heads, is entrained with the transport element out of an initial position in one operating stroke and in one return stroke is moved back into the initial position in opposition to the direction of transport of the transport element; 
 wherein the printing unit is moved back into the initial position after each operating stroke in such a manner that a container is located at a print head that is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein at least two containers are printed with different part printed images after each operating stroke; 
 wherein in each operating stroke, in each case at least two container groups, each comprising at least two containers, are printed with different part printed images; 
 wherein each operating stroke, a first part printed image is applied with at least one print head on at least one container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group, and another part printed image is applied with at least one second print head on at least one container that is already provided with a part printed image, and in that after each operating stroke, the printing unit is moved back into the initial position in such a manner that at the at least one first print head in each case a container not yet printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position and at the at least one other print head a container already printed with the printing unit or printing group is situated in the printing position; 
 wherein the printing unit or printing group in each operating stroke or return stroke is pivoted by a stroke that is identical to the distance between axes or to the angular separation between two printing positions on the transport element or an integer multiple thereof; 
 wherein there is a plurality of container supports provided on the transport element or of print stations formed by said container supports, at least one printing group or printing unit common to all printing stations is used that has at least two print head groups, each with at least two print heads per print head group for generating different part printed images, in that printing unit during each printing stage for generating each part printed image is entrained in the same direction and in a synchronous manner with the movement of the transport element such that in each printing stage at least one print head of each print head group is situated in a printing position at a container, and in that for the print head change, the movement of the printing unit or of the printing heads is slowed down or accelerated in such a manner and after the print head change is once again synchronized with the movement of the transport element in such a manner that, after the print head change, a print head of each print head group is once again situated in a printing position with the respective container; 
 wherein the slowing down or accelerating is effected by temporarily superposing the movement of the printing unit or of the print heads that is synchronous with the transport element, with another movement component in opposition to or in the direction of transport of the transport element; and 
 wherein the print heads of the printing unit are moved in a rotating manner on a path of movement that is closed per se. 
   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 2  of adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant, the information comprising at least two media, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) moving a first container into a first conveying arrangement in an information adding system;   b) conveying said first container with said first conveying arrangement in said information adding system;   said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement and at least one information transfer arrangement;   each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device;   said first information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a first medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement;   said second information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a second medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement, said first medium and said second medium being different;   said at least one information transfer arrangement being configured to store information added thereto, with said first and said second information adding devices, and transferring the stored information to the outer surface of said first container, said at least one information transfer arrangement being disposed on a second conveying arrangement;   c) moving said second conveying arrangement and disposing a first transfer arrangement proximate said at least one information adding arrangement;   d) adding information in said first medium to said first transfer arrangement with said first information adding device;   e) adding information in said second medium to said first transfer arrangement with said second information adding device;   f) storing said information added to said first transfer arrangement with said first transfer arrangement;   g) moving said first conveying arrangement at a first speed;   h) moving said second conveying arrangement at a second speed, different than said first speed of said first conveying arrangement;   i) disposing said first transfer arrangement proximate a portion of the outer surface of said first container and abutting said first transfer arrangement with said portion of the outer surface of said first container;   j) transferring the information stored with said first transfer arrangement to said portion of the outer surface of said first container;   k) moving said first container out of said information adding system;   l) containing a filling material in said first container;   m) moving a second container into said first conveying arrangement in said information adding system; and   n) repeating said steps b) through l) with said second container and said first transfer arrangement or a second transfer arrangement, as recited with said first container and said first transfer arrangement.   
   
   
       12 . The method of adding information on the outer surface of articles according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one information transfer arrangement comprises a plurality of transfer pads, said plurality of transfer pads are moved on a circular path of movement within a circular path of movement of said first container. 
   
   
       13 . A method of adding information on the outer surface of articles, such as containers in a container filling plant, the information comprising at least two media, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) moving a first container into a conveying arrangement in an information adding system;   b) conveying said first container with said conveying arrangement in said information adding system;   said information adding system comprising at least one information adding arrangement and at least one information transfer arrangement;   each said at least one information adding arrangement comprising at least a first and a second information adding device;   said first information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a first medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement;   said second information adding device being configured and disposed to add information, in a second medium, to said at least one information transfer arrangement, said first medium and said second medium being different;   said at least one information transfer arrangement being configured to store information added thereto, with said first and said second information adding devices, and transferring the stored information to the outer surface of said first container;   c) disposing a first transfer arrangement at a first position proximate said at least one information adding arrangement;   d) adding information in said first medium to said first transfer arrangement with said first information adding device;   e) adding information in said second medium to said first transfer arrangement with said second information adding device;   f) storing said information added to said first transfer arrangement with said first transfer arrangement;   g) moving said first transfer arrangement to a second position, which said second position forms a non-zero angle with respect to said first position;   h) disposing said first transfer arrangement proximate a portion of the outer surface of said first container and abutting said first transfer arrangement with said portion of the outer surface of said first container;   i) transferring the information stored with said first transfer arrangement to said portion of the outer surface of said first container;   j) containing a filling material in said first container;   k) moving said first container out of said information adding system;   l) moving a second container into said first conveying arrangement in said information adding system; and   m) repeating said steps b) through j) with said second container and said first transfer arrangement or a second transfer arrangement, as recited with said first container and said first transfer arrangement.   
   
   
       14 . The method of adding information on the outer surface of articles according to  claim 13 , wherein
 said conveying arrangement comprises a transport element;   said first medium comprises a printing material of a first color;   said second medium comprises a printing material of a second color, said first and said second colors being different;   said first information adding device comprises a first print head;   said second information adding device comprises a second print head;   said information adding arrangement comprises a printing group comprising said first and said second print head;   each said at least one transfer arrangement comprises a transfer pad;   said steps of adding information to the outer surface of said transfer pads comprise printing an image on a surface of said transfer pads; and   said information adding system comprises said transport element, said transfer pads, and said printing group.   
   
   
       15 . Method according to  claim 14  wherein during the printing, the containers are moved on a container transport element and the transfer pads are moved with an auxiliary conveyor. 
   
   
       16 . Method according to  claim 15  wherein before the transfer of the respective printed image, the transfer pads are pivoted into a horizontal or substantially horizontal transfer position. 
   
   
       17 . Method according to  claim 16  wherein the printing of the transfer pads is effected with the print heads positioned above the respective transfer surface. 
   
   
       18 . Method according to  claim 17  wherein the pivoting of the transfer pads is effected about at least one axis parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of their movement. 
   
   
       19 . Method according to  claim 18  wherein the transfer pads for the transferring of the printed images are moved parallel to the direction of transport of the containers, but at a speed that deviates from the transport speed of the containers with regard to direction and/or magnitude. 
   
   
       20 . Method according  claim 19  wherein the containers are treated in a corona tunnel before the printing.