Support device, printing installation and printing method for sublimation printing of objects to be externally decorated

Abstract

A support device for sublimation printing of an object to be decorated has a base (11) having a central opening (13) extending around a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with a support surface (12) configured to support a heat shrinkable sleeve (7) around the object to be decorated (9), and a support element (15) arranged to support the base (11) and the support surface (12). The support element (15) is configured to support an object to be decorated and extends through the central opening (13) of the base (11) in a sliding and selectively lockable manner relative to the base (11) along the longitudinal axis (A) to adjust the position of the object (9) to be decorated relative to the heat shrinkable sleeve (7).

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102023000003033, filed on February 22, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a support device for sublimation printing on objects to be decorated (particularly hollow containers such as bottles, vases, or jars made of glass, ceramic, or similar materials).

[0004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a printing facility including the aforementioned support device and a printing method for sublimation printing of objects to be externally decorated. Background Technology

[0005] The specific equipment and procedures for creating decorations using sublimation inks via thermal transfer are known.

[0006] In this field, there is an increasing demand for greater attention to the quality aspects of sublimation printing (e.g., graphic sharpness and the accuracy of attachment of decorations or text relative to a specific reference point of the object to be decorated).

[0007] Specifically, document WO2021 / 260613A1 teaches how to apply decorations to objects (e.g., bottles or vials) made of glassy or similar materials using a sublimation printing process that offers a high level of quality in terms of clarity and accuracy of application. The process described in this patent specifies the manufacture of a sleeve (having an irregular inner surface) made from a film sheet, typically PET or PETG, wound to form a cylinder welded to its edges using a polymer adhesive or solvent from a tube-making machine, and patterned along its irregular inner surface. The pattern is created using ink designed to transfer onto the object to be decorated.

[0008] This process specifies arranging a sleeve around the object to be decorated, heating the sleeve to determine its thermal shrinkage and adhesion to the object, transferring heat to both the sleeve and the object at the ink sublimation temperature to sublimate the ink particles, thereby transferring the pattern onto the object, and simultaneously extracting excess gas generated during sublimation through cavities positioned between the heat-shrinkable sleeve and the object. The cavities between the object and the heat-shrinkable sleeve are formed because the sleeve has a rough inner surface designed to create cavities once the sleeve has been heat-shrinked to form a thin film adhering to the object.

[0009] However, in order to meet the need for high quality levels in the process described in WO 2021 / 260613 Al, it is necessary to apply the film accurately with very small dimensional tolerances in the given position of the object to be decorated.

[0010] This need is even more important when the object to be decorated has an irregular profile. SUMMARY

[0011] The object of the present application is to make a support device for the sublimation printing of an object to be decorated, in particular a hollow container such as a bottle, a vial or a can, which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0012] According to the present application, a support device for the sublimation printing of an object to be externally decorated, preferably for the sublimation printing of a container such as a bottle or a vial or a can, is provided, the support device comprising:

[0013] - a base having a central opening extending around a longitudinal axis and provided with a support face configured to support a heat-shrinkable sleeve around the object to be decorated; and

[0014] - a support element configured to support the object to be decorated and extending through the central opening of the base in a way that is slidable and selectively lockable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the base to adjust the position of the object to be decorated with respect to the heat-shrinkable sleeve.

[0015] Thanks to the present application, it is possible to adjust the position of the heat-shrinkable sleeve with respect to the object to be decorated in an accurate way to meet the small dimensional tolerances required by the sublimation printing process.

[0016] In this way, when the object to be decorated has an irregular profile, it is also possible to make a decorative object externally decorated with high quality and accuracy.

[0017] In particular, the base comprises an engagement portion configured to be mounted in a corresponding pocket of a pocketed conveyor device so that the support device advances along at least one processing station.

[0018] In this way, it is possible to transport the assembly formed by the support device, the heat-shrinkable sleeve and the object to be decorated between the processing stations of a sublimation printing plant.

[0019] In particular, the engagement portion comprises a motion transmission member, preferably a gear, configured to transmit a rotational motion around the longitudinal axis to the base.

[0020] In this way, during the transfer of heat to the assembly formed by the support device, the heat-shrinkable sleeve and the object to be decorated, it is possible to rotate said assembly so as to expose all the surfaces of the assembly to the heat transferred, thus heating the assembly uniformly.

[0021] In particular, the support device comprises a clamping mechanism integral with the base and configured to lock the support element in a given position with respect to the support surface of the base.

[0022] In this way, it is possible to lock the heat-shrinkable sleeve in a given position with respect to the object to be decorated.

[0023] In particular, the support element comprises a fitting arranged at an end of the support element and configured to engage and support the object to be decorated.

[0024] More specifically, the fitting comprises a first portion provided with a first face configured to be arranged abutting the edge of the opening of the object to be decorated, a second portion configured to engage to the object to be decorated at said opening of the object to be decorated, and a third portion connected to the support element.

[0025] In this way, it is possible to connect the support device to the object to be decorated in an integral manner.

[0026] In particular, the second portion comprises a cylindrical body connected to the first portion and configured to be inserted inside the opening of the object to be decorated, and an elastic element arranged around the cylindrical body and configured to exert a radial force between the second portion and the object to be decorated.

[0027] In this way, it is possible to keep and center the object to be decorated and the fitting along the longitudinal axis.

[0028] In particular, the third portion comprises a tubular connector configured to be inserted inside the support element.

[0029] In fact, thanks to the tubular connector, it is possible to selectively connect or disconnect the fitting to / from the support element.

[0030] Another object of the present application is to provide a printing plant for the sublimation printing of objects to be externally decorated, preferably for the sublimation printing of containers such as bottles or vials or cans, which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0031] According to the present application, a printing plant for the sublimation printing of objects to be externally decorated, preferably for the sublimation printing of containers such as bottles or vials or cans, is provided, the printing plant comprising:

[0032] - an assembly station configured to be able to assemble the object to be decorated and the heat-shrinkable sleeve to the support device to arrange the heat-shrinkable sleeve around the object to be decorated at a predetermined height with respect to the object to be decorated;

[0033] - a heat-shrinking station configured to heat-shrink the sleeve to form a film fitted around at least part of the support device and the object to be decorated and to make an assembly comprising the support device, the object to be decorated and the film, wherein the network of cavities extends between the film on one side and the object to be decorated and the support device on the other side.

[0034] In this way, it is also possible to produce a high quality level of decoration on the object to be decorated when the object to be decorated has an irregular outer shape.

[0035] Another object of the present application is to provide a method for the sublimation printing of objects to be externally decorated, preferably of containers such as bottles or vials or cans, which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0036] According to the present application, a method for the sublimation printing of objects to be externally decorated, preferably of containers such as bottles or vials or cans, is provided, the printing method comprising the steps of:

[0037] - adjusting the position of the support element with respect to the support surface along the longitudinal axis as a function of the shape and size of the object to be decorated and of the graphic to be transferred along the inner surface of the heat-shrinkable sleeve with sublimation ink;

[0038] - engaging the object to be decorated to the support element; and

[0039] - mounting the heat-shrinkable sleeve around the object to be decorated so that the heat-shrinkable sleeve rests against the support surface.

[0040] Thanks to this method, it is possible to modify the settings of the support device in a simple and quick manner as a function of the type of object to be decorated and of the graphic printed on the heat-shrinkable sleeve. In this way, it is possible to quickly reconfigure the printing plant to produce different types of objects to be decorated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] Other characteristics and advantages of the present application will become clear from the following description of a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a sublimation printing installation according to the present application, in which some parts have been removed for the sake of clarity;

[0043] Figure 2 is a detail of the installation of Figure 1 , in which some parts have been removed for the sake of clarity;

[0044] Figures 3 to 5 are cross-sectional views of a detail of Figure 2 , in which some parts have been removed for the sake of clarity; and

[0045] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a support device of the installation of Figure 1 , in which some parts have been removed for the sake of clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] With reference to Figure 1 , reference 1 as a whole indicates a sublimation printing installation of objects to be externally decorated. The installation 1 comprises, in sequence, an assembly station 2, a heat shrink station 3, a sublimation station 4, and a disassembly station 5. The heat shrink station 3 and the sublimation station 4 comprise, respectively, heating elements H1 and H2 for reaching the heat shrink and sublimation temperatures. The sublimation station 4 comprises a suction system comprising a suction pump P1 and a related collector C1, while the disassembly station 5 comprises a pumping system comprising a pump P2 and a related collector C2.

[0047] With reference to Figure 2 , the installation 1 comprises support devices 6 configured to support heat shrink sleeves 7 around objects to be decorated (not shown in the attached drawings) and a conveying device 8, preferably a belt conveying device, for transporting the assembly formed by the support devices 6, the heat shrink sleeves 7 and the objects to be decorated.

[0048] In particular, the support devices 6 and the conveying device 8 are used in the assembly station 2 and in the heat shrink station 3 of the installation 1. More specifically, the installation 1 comprises a plurality of support devices 6 aligned on the conveying device 8 and transported by the conveying device 8.

[0049] According to what is described and claimed in the patent application WO2021 / 260613A1, the sleeves 7 are made of heat shrink material having an irregular inner surface along which an image and / or text have been printed with sublimation ink.

[0050] Alternatively, the inner surface of the heat shrink sleeves 7 is smooth, while the objects to be decorated have an irregular and rough outer surface.

[0051] With reference toFigure 3 and Figure 4 The object to be decorated 9 is engaged to the support device 6 and to the heat-shrink sleeve 7, which is arranged around the object to be decorated 9.

[0052] In the case described and illustrated herein, which does not limit the present application, the object to be decorated 9 is a hollow container (e.g. a bottle) having an opening 10. It should be understood that other types of objects to be decorated, such as jars or vials, also fall within the scope of application of the present application.

[0053] The support device 6 comprises a base 11 having a central opening 13 extending around a longitudinal axis A and provided with a support face 12 configured to support the heat-shrink sleeve 7 around the object to be decorated 9; and a support element 15 configured to support the object to be decorated and extending through the central opening 13 of the base 11 in a sliding and selectively lockable manner with respect to the base 11 along the longitudinal axis A, to adjust the position of the object to be decorated 9 with respect to the heat-shrink sleeve 7.

[0054] In the case described and illustrated herein, the support element 15 comprises a fitting 14 arranged at an end of the support element 15 and configured to engage and support the object to be decorated 9.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the support face 12 of the base 11 comprises a flat wall 37 extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis A.

[0056] Furthermore, the support device 6 comprises a clamping mechanism 16 integral with the base 11 and configured to lock the support element 15 in a given position with respect to the flat wall 37.

[0057] In fact, the support element 15 is movable along the longitudinal axis A between an extended position ( Figure 3 ) and a retracted position ( Figure 4 ), to adjust the position of the object to be decorated 9 along the longitudinal axis A with respect to the heat-shrink sleeve 7.

[0058] In particular, the base 11 comprises an engagement portion 17 configured to be mounted in a respective housing of the conveying device 8 ( Figure 2 ), so that the support device 6 advances along the assembly station 2 and the heat-shrink station 3 ( Figure 1 ).

[0059] More specifically, the joint portion 17 comprises a pivot 18 extending along the longitudinal axis A and a motion transmission member 19, preferably a gear, configured to transmit a rotational motion about the pivot 18 to the base 11. In fact, the motion transmission member 19 is configured to mesh with a gear or a rack, not shown in the attached drawings, to make the support device 6 rotate about the longitudinal axis A with respect to the housing of the conveying device 8 during the advancement of the support device 6. Figure 2

[0060] With reference to Figure 5 , the heat shrinking station 3( Figure 1 ) is configured to provide heat to the assembly formed by the support device 6, the heat shrinking sleeve 7 and the object to be decorated 9, with a heating element H1( Figure 1 ) to determine the heat shrinking of the heat shrinking sleeve 7, making the heat shrinking sleeve 7 adhere to the object to be decorated 9 and to the fitting 14, thus forming a film 20 covering the object to be decorated 9 and partially covering the fitting 14. In this way, the object to be decorated 9, the support device 6 and the film 20 are made integral with each other, forming an assembly 21( Figure 1 ) which is subjected to the respective treatments in the subsequent sublimation station 4 and disassembly station 5.

[0061] With reference to Figure 6 , the support device 6 comprises a channel 22 extending along the longitudinal axis A and passing through the support element 15 and the fitting 14. In fact, the support element 15 comprises a tubular body 23 extending along the longitudinal axis A.

[0062] The fitting 14 comprises a portion 24 provided with a face 25 configured to be arranged abutting the edge 26 of the opening 10 of the object to be decorated 9, a portion 27 configured to be joined to the object to be decorated 9 at the opening 10, and a portion 28 connected to the support element 15.

[0063] Furthermore, the portion 24 comprises a face 29 configured to be wound and surrounded by the film 20 together with the object to be decorated 9 to form a network of cavities (not shown in the attached drawings) between the film 20 on one side and the object to be decorated 9 and the fitting 14 on the other side.

[0064] In particular, the portion 27 comprises a cylindrical body 30 connected to the portion 24 and configured to be inserted inside the opening 10 of the object to be decorated 9, and an elastic element 31 arranged around the cylindrical body 30 and configured to exert a radial force between the portion 27 and the object to be decorated 9.

[0065] ​According to the application, the portion 28 comprises a tubular connector 32 configured to be inserted inside the support element 15.

[0066] In particular, the portion 24 has a gripping area 33 along the longitudinal axis A, along which, in use, the film 20 is adhered to exert a force along the longitudinal axis A and to make the fitting 14 integral with the object 9 to be decorated. In this case, the gripping area 33 is substantially defined by a recess in the face 29.

[0067] Furthermore, the portion 24 comprises a permeable disc 34 which defines a portion of the face 29 and which communicates with the channel 22. In the case described and illustrated herein, the permeable disc 34 also defines the face 25. The permeability of the permeable disc 34 can be achieved by means of openings in the disc, communicating porosities of the disc, raised portions of the disc, to form passages which allow the passage of air (and, more generally, of gases).

[0068] From a constructive point of view, the fitting 14 comprises a tubular body 35 which defines the portion 24. In particular, the elastic element 31 is fixed to the cylindrical body 30 by means of a fixing element 36.

[0069] In use, with reference to Figure 3 , in the assembly station 2( Figure 1 ), the support device 6 is installed in the respective housing of the conveying device 8, and subsequently the object 9 to be decorated is installed on the fitting 14 of the support device 6. In particular, the object 9 to be decorated is engaged to the fitting 14 so that the edge 26 of the opening 10 of the object 9 to be decorated abuts the face 25 of the portion 24. The elastic element 31 inserted inside the opening 10 exerts a radial force between the portion 27 and the object 9 to be decorated, thus contributing to the retention of the object 9 to be decorated on the fitting 14. At this point, the heat-shrinkable sleeve 7 is arranged around the object 9 to be decorated on the flat wall 37.

[0070] With reference to Figure 4 , once the heat-shrinkable sleeve 7 and the object 9 to be decorated are engaged to the support device 6, the support element 15 is moved along the longitudinal axis A to arrange the object 9 to be decorated at a predetermined height with respect to the heat-shrinkable sleeve 7. Subsequently, the clamping mechanism 16 is actuated to lock the support element 15 in the predetermined position.

[0071] At this point, with reference to Figure 5 , heat is transferred in the heat-shrinking station 3 to the heat-shrinkable sleeve 7 and to the object 9 to be decorated engaged to the support device 6, to determine the heat-shrinking of the heat-shrinkable sleeve 7, thus forming the film 20 which fits around at least a portion of the fitting 14 and of the object 9 to be decorated.

[0072] Subsequently, the heating element H2(Figure 1 ) heating the assembly 21 comprising the support device 6, the object 9 to be decorated and the film 20 to the sublimation temperature to transfer the sublimated ink of the film 20 to the outer surface of the object 9 to be decorated.

[0073] At the same time, the pump P2( Figure 1 ) sucks the excess gas from the network of cavities through the passages 22 passing through the support elements 15.

[0074] Finally, it is clear that the present application includes further variants of the described embodiments, which variants are included in the protection scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A support device for sublimation printing on an object to be externally decorated, preferably a support device for sublimation printing on containers such as bottles, vials, or jars, the support device (6) comprising: - A base (11) having a central opening (13) extending around a longitudinal axis (A) and a support surface (12) configured to support a heat-shrinkable sleeve (7) surrounding the object (9) to be decorated; as well as - A support element (15) configured to support the object to be decorated (9) and extending through the central opening (13) of the base (11) in a manner that slides along the longitudinal axis (A) relative to the base (11) and can be selectively locked to adjust the position of the object to be decorated (9) relative to the heat shrink sleeve (7).

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, The support element (15) includes a tubular body (23) extending along the longitudinal axis (A).

3. The support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support surface (12) of the base (11) includes a flat wall (37).

4. The support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The base (11) includes a joint (17) configured to be mounted in a corresponding housing of the conveying device (8) such that the support device (6) advances along at least one processing station (2, 3, 4, 5).

5. The support device according to claim 4, wherein, The engagement portion (17) includes a motion transmission member (19), preferably a gear, configured to transmit rotational motion about a longitudinal axis (A) to the base (11).

6. The support device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a clamping mechanism (16) integral with the base (11) and configured to lock the support element (15) in a given position relative to the support surface (12) of the base (11).

7. The support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support element (15) includes a fitting (14) disposed at the end of the support element (15) and configured to engage with and support the object (9) to be decorated.

8. The support device according to claim 7, comprising a channel (22) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and passing through the support element (15) and fitting (14).

9. The support device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The accessory (14) includes a first part (24), a second part (27) and a third part (28). The first part (24) is provided with a first surface (25) which is arranged adjacent to the edge (26) of the opening (10) of the object (9) to be decorated. The second part (27) is configured to engage with the object (9) at the opening (10) of the object (9) to be decorated. The third part (28) is connected to a support element (15).

10. The support device according to claim 9, wherein, The first part (24) of the accessory (14) includes a second surface (29) configured to be wrapped and surrounded by a film (20) together with the object (9) to be decorated, so as to form a network of voids between the film (20) on one side and the object (9) to be decorated and the accessory (14) on the other side.

11. The support device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The second part (27) includes a cylindrical body (30) that is connected to the first part (24) and configured to be inserted into an opening (10) of an object (9) to be decorated.

12. The support device according to claim 11, wherein, The second part (27) includes an elastic element (31) arranged around the cylindrical body (30) and configured to apply a radial force between the second part (27) and the object (9) to be decorated.

13. The support device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein, The third part (28) includes a tubular connector (32) configured to be inserted into the support element (15).

14. A printing facility for sublimation printing on objects to be decorated externally, preferably a printing facility for printing on containers such as bottles, vials, or jars, the printing facility (1) comprising: - Assembly station (2), configured to assemble the object to be decorated (9) and the heat shrink sleeve (7) onto the support device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, so that the heat shrink sleeve (7) is arranged around the object to be decorated (9) at a predetermined height relative to the object to be decorated (9). as well as - A heat shrink station (3) configured to heat shrink a sleeve (7) to form a film (20) assembling around at least a portion of a support device (6) and an object (9) to be decorated, and to form an assembly (21) comprising the support device (6), the object (9) to be decorated and the film (20), wherein a network of cavities extends between the film (20) on one side and the object (9) to be decorated and the support device (6) on the other side.

15. The printing facility according to claim 14, comprising a sublimation station (4) configured to apply heat to the component (21) and extract gas from a network of cavities in the component (21) via a support device (6).

16. The printing facility according to claim 15, comprising a disassembly station (5) configured to supply gas to the cavity of the component (21) by means of a support device (6) at a pressure that causes the film (20) to be disassembled from the object (9) to be decorated or at a pressure that causes the film (20) to be torn off.

17. A sublimation printing method for an object to be externally decorated, preferably a sublimation printing method for a container such as a bottle, vial, or jar, the printing method comprising the steps of: - Adjust the position of the support element (15) relative to the support surface (12) along the longitudinal axis (A) according to the shape and size of the object (9) to be decorated and the graphic to be transferred with sublimation ink along the inner surface of the heat shrink sleeve (7); - The object to be decorated (9) is joined to the support element (15); as well as - Install the heat shrink sleeve (7) around the object (9) to be decorated, so that the heat shrink sleeve (7) is placed against the support surface (12).

18. The printing method according to claim 17, comprising the steps of: thermally shrinking a sleeve (7) surrounding a support device (6) and an object (9) to be decorated to form a film (20) assembling around at least a portion of the support device (6) and the object (9) to be decorated, and forming an assembly (21) comprising the support device (6), the object (9) to be decorated, and the film (20), wherein, The network of holes extends between the film (20) on one side and the object to be decorated (9) and the support device (6) on the other side.

19. The printing method according to claim 18, comprising the steps of: heating the component (21) to a sublimation temperature to transfer sublimation ink from the film (20) to the outer surface of the object (9) to be decorated; while simultaneously drawing excess gas from the network of cavities through a support element (15).

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