Storage system and printing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system (1) for holding and providing printing material for a printing device (37), in particular for printing on a planar substrate, having at least one container (6) which is configured to hold a liquid printing material, and having at least one carrier (5) on which the container (6) can be detachably arranged. It is proposed that the storage system comprises a storage magazine having a plurality of carriers (5) and a plurality of containers (6), and that the carriers (5) are fixed on a circulating conveyor belt (4), wherein the conveyor belt (4) corresponds to at least one controllable drive motor (24) for driving the conveyor belt (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage system for storing and providing printing material for printing equipment, particularly for printing on a planar substrate, having at least one container configured to store liquid printing material, and having at least one holder on which the container can be detachably arranged.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a printing system for printing planar substrates, particularly circuit boards, solar cells, or wafers, the printing system having at least one printhead, particularly a dispenser, for applying printing material to the substrate, wherein the dispenser is connectable or interfacing with a container for providing the printing material; and having a storage system comprising at least one container configured to hold liquid printing material and at least one holder on which the container is detachably disposed. Background Technology

[0003] Storage devices and printing systems of the aforementioned types are known from the prior art. They are particularly known from printed circuit board technology or solar energy technology, where planar substrates are printed with different printing materials, such as pigments or conductive pastes. Because in known printing equipment, not only the same printing material is used, it is necessary to prepare different printing materials in suitable containers and connect the corresponding containers to the print head or printing device when needed, thereby enabling the printing material to be removed from the container and applied to the substrate. One option is to permanently connect the print head to multiple containers to allow timely access to different printing materials. However, this requires a space-intensive print head with fine cable routing. Therefore, a solution with replaceable containers is preferred. To enable the safe storage of containers outside the printing device or print head, storage devices with trays suitable for the containers are known, allowing the containers to be securely arranged on the trays and removed from the trays when needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved storage device that can store various printed materials while ensuring easy retrieval of the printed materials.

[0005] The object of the present invention is achieved by having a storage device. The storage device is characterized by being constructed as a storage container with multiple trays, wherein the trays are fixed to a circulating conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt is correspondingly equipped with at least one slot-controlled drive motor for driving the conveyor belt. The storage container is particularly a circular container, in which the trays are fixed to the conveyor belt and can move together with the conveyor belt along a closed loop. Thus, trays and containers, optionally located on the corresponding trays, can be transported along the movement path of the conveyor belt, and therefore preferably transferred from a protected storage location to a retrieval location. By being constructed as a storage container, a large number of containers can be stored on the conveyor belt and selected as needed. The purposeful movement of containers or trays is ensured with only small installation space requirements by using drive motors preferably constructed as electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motors. The conveyor belt is preferably constructed as a conveyor rope or conveyor belt, and particularly preferably as a toothed belt.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a conveyor belt with brackets is arranged in a housing, and the housing has at least one opening through which a corresponding container can be secured to or removed from one of the brackets. Thus, the opening is constructed at a junction of the housing, where containers can be removed from or inserted into the storage compartment. Furthermore, the housing is preferably constructed at least substantially closed, thereby protecting the containers within the housing from external influences. The housing also enables, for example, the internal space to be kept at a constant temperature or to provide a climate that ensures a long shelf life of printed materials within the housing or storage compartment. For this purpose, the housing preferably corresponds to an operable air conditioning unit. Optionally, the opening of the housing corresponds to a sealing element by which the opening can be completely closed to maintain the climate within the housing in an energy-efficient manner. The sealing element specifically corresponds to an actuator by which the sealing element can be automatically opened or closed. Instead of displaceable, particularly pivotable or movable, enclosure elements, curtains, especially slatted curtains, can be placed in the areas of the openings to at least as close as possible, thereby protecting the interior space from the climatic effects of the environment surrounding the shell. Preferably, the openings are constructed in the side walls and / or top walls of the shell.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage racks are all constructed identically. Therefore, the racks are all used to receive containers of the same construction. This makes the system easy to use and allows for the filling of containers with different printed materials. This ensures easy replacement and optimized use of structural space.

[0008] Specifically, the conveyor belt is constructed to wrap around a horizontal plane, such that by driving the conveyor belt, the containers are also moved or displaced within the horizontal plane. Therefore, containers are always adjacent to each other in the storage container, and collisions between adjacent containers are reliably prevented. According to an alternative embodiment, the conveyor belt travels in a plane inclined to the horizontal plane, whereby the carrier can then rotate relative to the conveyor belt to maintain the orientation of the containers regardless of their position along the conveyor belt's path, thus ensuring that no printing material can escape from any container. Preferably, each container has a sealing element or lid that closes the filling opening and / or removal opening for the printing material. Optionally, each container in the system has an operable valve that allows automatic connection of the container to the printhead.

[0009] Furthermore, preferably, each tray has a V-shaped or U-shaped receiving portion with an edge opening. Therefore, containers can be inserted laterally or from the edge side into the corresponding tray, and do not necessarily need to be inserted completely from above. This ensures easy insertion and removal of containers from the storage tray.

[0010] The storage device preferably has multiple containers, which are identically constructed such that each container reliably interacts with each tray. Each container preferably has a guide portion and a retaining portion that can be inserted into the container, wherein the retaining portion has at least one retaining protrusion that protrudes laterally beyond the guide portion for support on the tray. Thus, the container can be pushed laterally from the edge side or radially about the central axis of the container into the receiving portion of the corresponding tray, so that the container can subsequently be lowered or placed on the tray using the retaining portion. For this purpose, the width of the retaining protrusion is greater than the net width of the receiving portion of the tray, allowing the container to be securely positioned on the tray.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the protrusion is maintained as a flange extending beyond the periphery of the container. This ensures that the container can always be securely fixed to the bracket regardless of its rotational position about its longitudinal central axis, because the flange can rest on the edge of the receiving portion on the bracket, regardless of the rotational position.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the container has a circular cross-section, thus it is constructed in the form of a cylinder or test tube and can be securely mounted on a bracket at all times. In particular, the container is constructed as a printing press cartridge, which can be used in a printhead or printing equipment.

[0013] Furthermore, preferably, the housing includes at least one sensor for detecting at least one state value of the printed material in one of the containers. Thus, the sensor is used, for example, to determine the fill height of the printed material in the containers arranged on the tray. Furthermore, preferably, at least one sensor is configured to determine the quality of the printed material, for example, regarding color particle density, humidity value, or aging condition.

[0014] Specifically, the sensor is constructed as a light sensor, a weight sensor, or a liquid level sensor. The sensor is specifically housed within the housing and securely positioned so that a container containing the printed material can be conveyed past the sensor via a drive conveyor belt, ensuring that sensor operation within the housing is always performed in the same location.

[0015] Particularly preferably, each container has an identification device, and the storage container has at least one reader for detecting the identification of the corresponding container provided by the identification device. The identification device is configured, for example, as an optically detectable identification feature, such as a barcode, DMC code (Data Matrix Code), or QR code (Quick Response Code). Preferably, the identification device is formed as an RFID chip (Radio Frequency Identification), thereby enabling contactless detection of the corresponding container without the need for optical tools. By using an RFID chip, it is also possible for the storage device itself to store data in the identification device of the corresponding container, such as data related to the current liquid level or the quality of printed material in the container. Storage time, storage status, and storage history can also be saved. Therefore, with the aid of the identification device and reader, it is possible to always selectively remove the desired container from the storage container or transport the desired container to the retrieval point via a conveyor belt. Optionally, additionally, or alternatively, each tray has an identification device to enable the recording of container correspondence with the tray.

[0016] According to a preferred extended configuration of the invention, at least one clamping device for containers with an inflow ramp is arranged in the housing above the conveyor belt. For example, the clamping device enables containers improperly inserted into the holders to be pushed into a lowered or offset position on the holder as the containers are conveyed by the conveyor belt along the clamping device. This ensures that the containers are always securely held in the desired position on the respective holders. Optionally, the clamping device dispenses a closure element to the container as it passes and pushes it into the container's opening to automatically close the container on its upper side, or to press an existing closure element or cap element back into the container. Preferably, the container has an opening at its end through which the container can be filled with the desired printing material in a separate device. This opening is preferably tightly closed by the closure element. After the respective container is placed in the storage container, the clamping device ensures that the closure element (if it has detached or partially detached from the container) is squeezed back into the closed position. This is advantageous, for example, if the closure element is squeezed out of the container due to printing formed in the container during use in the printing device.

[0017] According to a preferred extended configuration of the invention, the storage container further corresponds to a transport device, particularly a dispenser for the printing device, configured to remove containers from the storage container's racks and transport them to the printing device, and to remove containers from the printing device and place them on the storage container's racks. Thus, the transport device automatically performs both the removal of containers from the storage container and the transport of containers into the storage container. The transport device can be, for example, a controllable robotic arm or a dispenser within the printing device itself.

[0018] The printing system according to the invention is characterized by the storage device constructed according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned. In particular, the printing system also includes the aforementioned transport device, by which containers can be transported from the storage container to the print head or from the print head to the storage container. This ensures fully automated printing material replacement at the print head, wherein the storage container can provide a selection of various printing materials through multiple containers within a small space.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the dispenser constitutes a transport device by which containers can be removed from or supplied to the storage system. Thus, containers can be transported from the storage system to the printing equipment via the dispenser itself. Particularly preferably, the dispenser also has at least one clamping device by which the dispenser, which can move independently of the print head of the printing equipment, can grasp and remove containers from the storage system. Specifically, when a container is removed from the storage system, a fluid connection is automatically established between the dispenser and the container and the printing material therein via the clamping device, and this connection is interrupted when the container is transported by the dispenser to the storage system. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other advantages, as well as preferred features and combinations thereof, arise particularly from the foregoing. The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective view of an advantageous storage device for a printing system;

[0022] Figure 2 Figure 1 Enlarged detail image of the storage device;

[0023] Figure 3 Another perspective view of the storage device without a casing;

[0024] Figure 4A and 4B Other detailed images of the storage device;

[0025] Figure 5 An advantageous expansion configuration for storage devices and

[0026] Figure 6 A simplified schematic diagram of an advantageous printing system with a storage device. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 An advantageous storage device 1 for a printing system (not shown in detail here) is shown in perspective view. The storage device 1 has a housing 2, within which a storage container 3 is arranged, the storage container being constructed as a ring. Furthermore, the storage container 3 has a conveyor belt 4 arranged circumferentially in the horizontal plane of the housing 2 and has a plurality of trays 5 for respectively accommodating containers 6. An opening 7 is constructed in the housing 2 through which the storage container 3 can be accessed, particularly for the preferably automatic removal of containers 6, or for conveying containers 6 to the storage container 3. A transport device is particularly present for removal and transport, which will be explained in detail below. The opening 7 is only slightly wider (20°) than one of the trays 5 and slightly longer than one of the containers 6, such that containers 6 can be removed, taken away, or transported through the opening 7. Here, the opening 7 extends in the side wall 8, and according to this embodiment, also in the top wall 9, such that when a tray 5 is located in the area of ​​the opening 7, a container 6 arranged on a tray 5 can be accessed not only from above through the opening 7 in the top wall 9 but also through the side wall 8. Optionally, the housing 2, particularly on the end side 2', which is located at the end of the housing 2 opposite to the opening 7, has another particularly wide opening, which is configured for manual or fully automatic supply of the container 6, i.e., enabling manual or fully automatic supply of the container in the storage 3.

[0028] Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of the storage device 1 in the opening 7 area is shown. All brackets 5 are constructed identically, therefore, by means of Figure 2 The structure of the brackets shown should be accurately described. Each bracket 5 has a bracket element 10 fixedly connected to the conveyor belt 4, which is configured in a fork shape, such that it has a V-shaped or U-shaped receiving portion 11. The receiving portion 11 is constructed here on the edge side, that is, openly constructed at the outer side 12 of the bracket element 10 opposite to the conveyor belt 4. Starting from the outer side 12, the net width of the receiving portion 11 gradually tapers, so that preferably there is no lateral recess in the receiving portion in the lateral insertion direction. At the upper side 13 of the bracket element 10, a recess 14 is constructed in the region of the receiving portion 11, which extends to the receiving portion 11. The recess 14 completely surrounds the receiving portion 11 and has an outer contour that substantially corresponds to the contour of the recess 14. Thus, a support 15 is formed in the support element 10, as Figure 1 As shown, each container 6 is held in the support 15 in a shape-locking manner.

[0029] Containers 6 are each constructed as rubber tubes and have a cylindrical base 16, which is open at end 17 and closed at end 18 away from end 17. At end 17, container 6 also has a laterally projecting retaining protrusion 18 in the form of a flange 19 extending beyond the entire periphery of container 6. According to this embodiment, the cross-section of container 6 is circular, such that flange 19 also has a circular cross-section or circular outer profile. Recess 14 in bracket 10 has a corresponding outer profile, which has a diameter slightly larger than that of flange 19. Therefore, the corresponding container 6 with flange 19 can be inserted laterally or from above into receiving portion 11 and placed on support in recess 14 with flange 19, so that the container is securely held in bracket 5. Specifically, container 6 can be grasped from above through the opening 7 in the top wall region 9 and / or from below or side through the opening in the side wall region 8 by the aforementioned transport device, slightly raised, and then laterally removed from the shell 2 through the opening 7 in the side wall 8, and vice versa. Figure 1 As shown by the double arrows in the image.

[0030] Here, the conveyor belt 4 is located in the upper region of the housing 2, therefore, as Figure 1 As shown, even a larger container 4 can be accommodated by the bracket 5 without touching the bottom of the shell 2. In principle, different containers 6, especially those of different lengths or heights, can be placed in the bracket. However, preferably, the containers 6 of the storage device 1 or the printing system are preferably constructed identically.

[0031] Figure 3Another perspective view of the storage device 1 without the housing 2 is shown. A support structure 20 is arranged on the bottom of the housing, carrying a guide plate 21 spaced apart from the bottom of the housing. In a safety installation, the guide plate 21 extends horizontally and has a narrow width and a relatively large length, thus being constructed to extend horizontally longitudinally. At both ends of the guide plate 21 (viewed in the longitudinal direction), guide rollers 22 and 23 are arranged, around which the conveyor belt 4 is guided parallel to and specifically tensioned to the guide plate 21. The axes of rotation of the guide rollers 22 and 23 are vertically oriented. The conveyor belt 4 is specifically constructed as a toothed belt, and at least the deflector roller 22 has external teeth corresponding to the teeth of the toothed belt to ensure reliable torque transmission on the toothed belt.

[0032] The deflecting roller 22 is torsionally connected to the drive motor 24 via a shaft guided through the guide plate 21, which is located below the guide plate 21 and thus between the bottom of the housing and the guide plate 21. Specifically, the drive motor 24 is constructed as an electric motor. Therefore, the conveyor belt 4 can be moved by the electric control of the drive motor 24, causing it to circulate annularly around the deflecting rollers 22 and 23.

[0033] Preferably, a guide element 45 is provided between the deflecting rollers 22 and 23, which ensures that the toothed belt follows a pre-set track in the area between the deflecting rollers 23. Element 25 specifically serves as a spacer between the reverse-traveling sections of the conveyor belt 4 during operation.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, several, currently ten, brackets 5 are arranged on the conveyor belt 4. Since the conveyor belt 4 travels in a circular motion in the horizontal plane, the brackets 5 are all arranged on the outer side of the conveyor belt 4 and are evenly spaced from each other (viewed in the direction of extension of the conveyor belt 4). Although there are ten brackets 5 according to this embodiment, the storage device 1 may of course have more or fewer brackets 5.

[0035] Here, Figure 3The storage device 1 is shown on the side of the housing 2 opposite to the opening 7. Specifically, on the end side of the conveyor belt 4 opposite to the drive motor 24, a plurality of sensor devices 25 to 27"' are optionally arranged. These sensor devices are used, for example, to determine the level or mass of the printed material in the corresponding container 6. According to this embodiment, sensor 25 is configured for container or cartridge detection, particularly for detecting the presence of the cartridge and / or its level. Sensor 26 is specifically configured as a barcode reader for reading barcodes applied to the corresponding cartridge or container 6. Sensor 27' is preferably configured as a reader and / or writer of RFID chips or tags. Here, sensor 27' is positioned on the upper side of the bracket 10 to read or write RFID chips arranged on the bracket 10. Another sensor device 27" is alternatively or additionally provided and also configured as a reader and / or writer of RFID chips, in which case it is arranged or can be arranged on the corresponding container 6. At end side 2', another sensor 27"' is optionally arranged, particularly in the bottom region, which serves as a safety switch in the region of the opening in the end side 2' of the housing 2. For this purpose, sensor 27"' is specifically configured to generate a grating that extends over the opening in end side 2' and ensures safe intervention by an operator when loading or removing container 6, thereby ensuring safe intervention when supplying the storage container 3. For example, if sensor 27"' detects that a user has reached into housing 2 through the opening in end side 2', the conveying of container 6 via conveyor belt 4 is interrupted. Therefore, sensor 27"' functions as a safety circuit for storage container 3.

[0036] also, Figure 3 As shown, multiple clamping devices 28 and 29 are arranged in housing 2. In the normal travel direction of the conveyor belt, as... Figure 3 As indicated by the arrow, the clamping device 28 has an inflow ramp 30 that has a decreasing distance relative to the container 6 in the direction of movement of the container. The clamping device 28 is used, for example, to press the closing element for the corresponding container 6 into the corresponding container 6, or to move the corresponding container 6 to a stop having a flange 19 on the receiving part 15 to ensure secure retention on the corresponding receiving part 5.

[0037] Figure 4A and 4B The guide of the tray 5 in the storage device 1 is shown in a magnified, detailed view. Regarding this, Figure 4A A top view of one of the brackets 5 is shown, which is located at the end of the conveyor belt 4. Figure 4B A perspective view of the same bracket 5 is shown.

[0038] The guide plate 21 has a guide groove 31 extending over its entire perimeter. Each bracket 5 has two guide rollers 32 or bolts on its underside corresponding to the guide plate 21 that are inserted into the guide groove 31. The outer diameter of the guide rollers 32 is slightly smaller than the net width of the guide groove 31, such that the bracket 5 or bracket element 10 is guided along the guide groove 31 on the guide plate 21 by means of the guide rollers 32.

[0039] Especially Figure 4A In the top view, the conveyor belt can be seen to have a laterally projecting synchronizing element 33, which is inserted into a lateral groove 34 of the bracket element 10. Specifically, the synchronizing element 33 is pressed into the groove 34, so that it is connected to the bracket 5 without gaps. On the side opposite to the bracket 5, the synchronizing element 33 is securely connected to the conveyor belt 4, particularly preferably integrally constructed with the conveyor belt. If the conveyor belt 4 is now driven, the synchronizing element 33 pushes the bracket 5 along the guide groove 31 of the guide plate 21 using guide rollers 32.

[0040] Each bracket 5 has two additional guide rollers 32 on its upper side 13 away from the guide plate 21. These two guide rollers are arranged axially parallel to the guide rollers 32 on the lower side of the bracket 5. These guide rollers 32 are used to travel in guide grooves of an additional guide plate 35 corresponding to guide grooves 31, which are arranged opposite to the guide plate 21, thereby covering the belt drive from above.

[0041] In response, Figure 5 Another perspective view shows a storage device with a guide plate 35 drawn from here, which is opposite to the guide plate 21, so that the carriage 5 travels between the guide plates 21 and 35 and is placed into one of the guide slots 31 by their respective guide rollers 32. This ensures that the carriage is safely and accurately guided by the conveyor belt 4.

[0042] Therefore, by driving the drive motor 24, the container 6 can be moved such that, if needed, it can be conveyed to the opening 7 for removal. Advantageously, the container and / or tray each have an identification device 36, which is configured, for example, as an optically readable QR code or barcode, or an RFID chip as described above. By means of a corresponding sensing system, particularly by means of a sensor 27 currently configured as a reader for the identification device 36, data can be recorded to identify the corresponding container and / or tray and stored, for example, in the memory of the storage device. If needed, the stored and selected container can be selectively conveyed to the opening. Because each RFID chip is a non-volatile memory, interference protection is guaranteed. This is important for storage when the storage device 1 or the associated printing equipment is closed at night, on weekends, and / or for extended periods and the container 6 remains in the storage device 1 or the printing equipment.

[0043] Figure 6The integration of storage device 1 into an advantageous printing system is shown schematically. The printing system has a printing apparatus 37 with a printhead 38 and a controllable dispenser 39. The dispenser 39 can be manipulated and moved independently of the printhead 38. The dispenser 39 has a cartridge receiving section 40 into which one of the containers 6 containing the desired printing material can be inserted. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 37 has a printing table 41 on which the substrate 42 to be printed can be placed for the printing process. The substrate 42 is, for example, a printed circuit board, a wafer, or a solar cell. The printing material of the container 6 is applied by the dispenser 39 to the printing stencil (shown only roughly here), and then by the printhead 38, particularly through the squeegee of the printhead 38, onto the substrate 42 to be printed.

[0044] Storage device 1 is arranged next to the printing table or print head. Storage device 1 is associated with a transport device 43, which has a controllable robotic arm according to one embodiment. The robotic arm is configured to remove container 6 from opening 7 of housing 2 of storage device 1 and insert it into the cartridge receiving part 40 of dispenser 39, or to transport it from dispenser 39 to storage unit 3.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the transport device 43 is formed by a dispenser 39. For this purpose, the dispenser 39 has, for example, a gripping device 44, which is configured to remove the container 6 from the storage warehouse 3 or transport it to the storage warehouse.

[0046] Specifically, the cartridge receiver 40 and the container 6 are configured such that when inserted into the cartridge receiver, the connection with the printing material in the container 6 is automatically opened or released. For this purpose, the container 6, for example, has a valve 45 at its end 18 opposite to the flange 19, which interacts with a corresponding operating device in the cartridge receiver 40 to release the printing material.

[0047] The storage device 1, together with the transport device 43 and the printing table 37, forms a printing system that allows for fully automated replacement of printing materials, thus achieving efficient completion times when producing specific finished products that require different printing materials. The printing material can be, for example, a conductive printing material used in the fabrication of integrated circuits, or it can be pigments or other materials or pastes.

[0048] The storage container 3 is loaded and unloaded (supplied) manually by an operator or automatically by an automated device or robot (neither shown) through the opening 2' on the end side of the storage container 3. Therefore, the opening 7 is intended for the entry of the dispenser 39 or the transport device 43. This ensures that the printing device 37 is separated from the supply from the storage container 3.

Claims

1. A storage system (1) for storing and providing printing material for a printing apparatus (37), having at least one container (6) configured to store liquid printing material, and having at least one bracket (5) on which the container (6) can be detachably disposed, wherein the storage system comprises a storage container having a plurality of brackets (5) and a plurality of containers (6), wherein the brackets (5) are fixed on a circulating conveyor belt (4), wherein the conveyor belt (4) corresponds to at least one operable drive motor (24) for driving the conveyor belt (4). Its features are, The conveyor belt (4) and the bracket (5) are arranged in the housing (2), and the housing (2) has at least one opening (7) at the transfer point through which the container (6) can be fixed to or removed from one of the brackets (5). The opening (7) is provided with a closure element through which the opening (7) can be completely closed. The housing (2) is constructed to be closed, wherein the interior space of the housing is temperature-controlled or can provide climatic conditions, thereby ensuring a long shelf life of the printed material in the housing or the storage container.

2. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The brackets (5) are all constructed in an equal manner.

3. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor belt (4) is constructed to wrap around in the horizontal plane.

4. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each bracket (5) has an edge-open, V-shaped or U-shaped receiving section (11).

5. The storage system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The corresponding container (6) has a guide portion and a retaining portion that can be inserted into the receiving portion (11), wherein the retaining portion has at least one retaining protrusion that protrudes laterally beyond the guide portion for support on the bracket (5).

6. The storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The retaining protrusion is a flange (19) that extends fully beyond the periphery of the container (6).

7. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container (6) has a circular cross-section.

8. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The containers (6) are all constructed identically.

9. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (2) has at least one sensor (27) for detecting at least one state value of the printed material in one of the containers (6).

10. The storage system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sensor (27) is constructed as a light sensor, a liquid level sensor, or a matrix scanner.

11. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each container (6) has an identification device (36), and the conveyor belt (4) has at least one reader for detecting the identity features provided by the identification device (36).

12. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Above the conveyor belt (4), at least one clamping device with an inflow ramp (28) is arranged and corresponds to the bracket.

13. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage unit corresponds to a transport device (43) configured to remove the container (6) from the rack (5) of the storage unit and transport it to the printing device (37), and remove the container (6) from the printing device (37) and place it on the rack (5) of the storage unit.

14. A printing system for printing on a substrate (42) of a flat surface, the printing system having at least one printhead (38) for applying printing material onto the substrate (42), wherein, The dispenser (39) is capable of being connected or linked to the container (6) that provides the printing material; it has a storage system (1) comprising at least one container (6) configured to hold the liquid printing material and at least one bracket (5) on which the container (6) is detachably disposed, characterized in that the storage system (1) is configured as the storage system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The printing system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The dispenser (39) constitutes a transport device (43) through which the container (6) can be removed from or transported to the storage system (1).

Images