Guide device for receiving at least one print head for printing on products conveyed in the conveying direction

Abstract

Guide device for receiving at least one printhead for printing on products conveyed in the conveying direction (x), wherein the guide device has a guide plate with at least one opening through which the respective printhead prints one side of the product conveyed past it, characterized by that the guide plate has a clearance area adjoining at least one opening in the conveying direction, which is spaced in such a way as to avoid touching a (straight) printed area of ​​the product (or its side) and that the device has at least one support element that is arranged within the clearance area.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a guide device for receiving at least one printhead for printing on products conveyed in the conveying direction. Such devices are used in the printing of products, in particular folding cartons.

[0002] To achieve the best possible print quality, the distance between the printed product side and the printhead should be kept as small and constant as possible. Product guides are used for this purpose, through which the print is applied. As a result, the products often inevitably come into contact with these guides during transport. If the printed area is not yet fully fixed, the print quality can be impaired. Particularly with the commonly used inkjet printing process, insufficiently or completely dried ink can smear upon contact with the product guide, leading to increased waste.

[0003] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a device that avoids impairment, in particular smearing, of the pressure and yet enables sufficient guidance of a conveyed product.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention with a device having the features of claim 1, as well as by arrangements having features 11 and 13.

[0005] According to the invention, the guide device has a guide plate with at least one opening through which the respective print head prints on one side of the product being conveyed past it. Furthermore, the guide plate has a clearance area adjoining the at least one opening in the conveying direction, which is spaced (recessed or sunken) in the direction of the printed side of the product such that a (just) printed area (for example, in the form of a marking) of the product, in particular the product side, is not touched.

[0006] This lowered clearance area allows the pressure (e.g., marking with liquids or solid particles) the necessary time for fixation, especially drying of the ink, during product transport, thus preventing smearing.

[0007] To ensure adequate product guidance, the device has at least one support element arranged within the clearance area, preferably parallel to the conveying direction. This prevents the outer wall of the product from coming into contact with the lowered area of ​​the guide, despite the clearance area extending at least across the entire pressure width, and thus avoids smearing the pressure, particularly with products prone to bulging. The at least one support element is positioned within the clearance area to achieve effective, and in particular uniform, support. With a single support element, it is preferably located in the central area (for example, in the middle third).

[0008] For the purposes of the invention, a product or object is understood to include not only the actual contents, but also the packaging as well as any outer packaging.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide plate provides one or more openings, offset transversely to the conveying direction, for multiple printheads. Providing multiple printheads (in one or more openings offset in the conveying direction) results in a larger printing area. Even with multiple openings, a common clearance area adjoins the openings, preventing smearing of the print.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, several support elements are arranged within the release area in order to provide sufficient support against bulging, especially in the case of larger pressure areas or more flexible outer surfaces of a product.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one support element is designed as a rib extending or running in the conveying direction. In this way, the support element requires only a small area (low line height), which is preferably not printed to prevent smearing.

[0012] To advantageously position the support element(s) in an unprinted area, the support element(s) can be adjustable within the clearance area. This relative adjustability can be achieved by a releasable and lockable positioning mechanism, such as a bar that can be moved transversely to the conveying direction. Since unprinted areas / lines or larger sections may also exist within the (common, in the case of multiple printheads) printing area, a support element can be positioned in this unprinted area. Furthermore, with multiple printheads, unprinted or unprintable areas may exist between the printheads, in which a support element can be positioned without affecting the printing process.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one guide element, preferably designed as a guide rod, adjoins the conveying direction (the guide plate) and lies outside the printed area (for example, above and / or below) of the product, preferably extending parallel to the conveying direction. This advantageously ensures the continued guidance of the product without affecting the printing.

[0014] The at least one guide element can be connected to the guide plate or formed as part of it. The at least one guide element is preferably designed to be displaceable in one direction transverse to the conveying direction. In this way, the guide can be optimally adapted to the respective product. The guide element can, for example, be designed as an elongated element. Of course, a point support provided by several guide points spaced apart in the conveying direction or by rollers is also conceivable as a guide element.

[0015] The displacement perpendicular to the conveying direction corresponds to the vertical direction in the case of lateral printing and to the transverse direction in the case of printing from above.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the support element and the guide element can also be adjusted together or independently of each other.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide device is designed to be adjustable in a transverse direction and / or in a vertical direction, thereby enabling optimal adaptation to the position and dimensions of the conveyed products and to the desired pressure position on these products.

[0018] The at least one printhead can be fixedly arranged in the guide device, in particular the guide plate, as an integral component in the form of a fixed receptacle, preferably with a removable and insertable cartridge. Of course, the printhead can also be designed as a print module that can be removed and inserted into a receptacle or receptacle area of ​​the guide device – preferably with an integrated cartridge.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises an inspection device, in particular a camera, for examining the product and / or the print on its outer surface and for checking its correctness, quality, etc. The arrangement can also include one or more additional sensors, for example, an inlet light barrier, for determining the position of the products.

[0020] The inspection device, including the guide device and / or sensor(s), is preferably designed to be jointly adjustable relative to a conveying device. For this purpose, the inspection device can be connected to the guide device via a common, particularly modular, mounting.

[0021] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will be found in the dependent claims.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0023] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a section of a conveyor line with a guide device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a guide device according to Fig. 1 in individual presentation; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a guide device according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 without print modules; Fig. 4 a front view of a guide device according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 with two print modules or two printheads and Fig. 5 a front view of a guide device according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 with a print module or printhead.

[0024] With the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the section of a conveyor line as it is shown, illustrating how products 3 conveyed on a conveyor belt 19 are conveyed past a guide device 1 according to the invention. A product 3 conveyed in the conveying direction x, for example a folding box, is conveyed past a guide device on its right side, the right side of the product 3 coming into contact with a guide plate 5 of the guide device 1, so that the product 3 is guided accordingly.

[0025] The guide plate has an inlet chamfer 21 viewed upstream to correctly position products that are slightly out of position in the transverse direction Y.

[0026] The guide plate 5 has a first rectangular opening 7a and a second opening 7b that is offset in the conveying direction x and further up in the height direction z.

[0027] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, a first print module 17a and a second print module 17b are inserted in a (respective) image not shown in detail, wherein these print modules 17a, 17b can be removed from their mounting in order to replace the existing print module, for example, due to consumed printing material, in particular ink, or also to change the type of print module.

[0028] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, printheads 9a and 9b are arranged in the openings 7a and 7b, whereby this first printhead 9a and second printhead 9b can also be integrated into the print modules 17a and 17b, so that the printheads 9a and 9b with the print modules 17a and 17b can be removed and inserted into the guide device 1.

[0029] The first printhead 9a and second printhead 9b protrude into the openings 7a and 7b, so that they reach as close as possible to the surface of the guide plate 5 for an optimal printing distance.

[0030] A product 3 guided past the guide plate 5 can thus be printed on one side by the first printhead 9a and the second printhead 9b.

[0031] The offset of openings 7a and 7b shown, and thus of printheads 9a and 9b, results in a printing area that is increased in height z.

[0032] Viewed in the conveying direction, a common clearance area follows the first opening 7a and the second opening 7b. In some examples, this clearance area is subdivided by a support element 13 into a lower clearance area 11a and an upper clearance area 11b. This clearance area 11a, 11b is recessed or sunken relative to the front face or plane of the guide plate 5, so that this clearance area 11a, 11b does not come into contact with the side of the product 3 that is guided past the guide plate 5.

[0033] Accordingly, a marking printed on one side of the product 5 by means of printheads 7a and 7b, in particular inkjet printing, is not impaired in its quality by smearing.

[0034] Furthermore, on the guide plate 5, an upper guide element 15a and a lower guide element 15b, for example in the form of rods, are arranged in the conveying direction X. These are also located outside the maximum pressure area, i.e., above the second opening 7b and below the first opening 7a, parallel to the conveying direction. Accordingly, the product 3 can be conveyed further by these guide elements 15a, 15b without the fresh print or marking being affected in any way, and sufficient time is allowed for the print to dry.

[0035] The support element 13 extends, for example, in the form of a narrow web 13 parallel to the conveying direction x and serves to support or guide the side of the product 3 even within the clearance area 11a, 11b, in which, apart from the web 13, the product side does not come into contact with the guide plate 5. In this way, bulging of a product 3, in particular a folding carton, can be prevented, which otherwise could come into contact with the guide plate 5 despite the lowered clearance area 11a, 11b, potentially leading to smearing of the fresh print.

[0036] Advantageously, the web 13 itself is arranged in an area of ​​the entire printing area or height that is not printed. For this purpose, the web 13 is designed to be displaceable in its direction transverse to the conveying direction x, in the example in the vertical direction z, whereby the gap between the lower clearance area 11a and the upper clearance area 11b serves for this purpose.

[0037] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the bridge 13 can be arranged in a central position, for example, below the second printhead 7b and within the uppermost area of ​​the first printhead 7a (see dashed line L). In this position, for example, one or more lines in the uppermost area of ​​the printhead 9a are not used during printing, resulting in an unprinted area where the bridge 13 subsequently touches the side of the packaging 5.

[0038] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the bridge 13 can be moved upwards within the gap between the upper and lower clearance areas 11a, 11b, so that the bridge 13 is positioned above the first printhead 9a. In this position, individual lines can be omitted during printing in the lower area of ​​the second printhead 9b, as described above for the upper area of ​​the first printhead 9a, or as in Fig. 5 shown, the guide plate 5 and thus the second opening 7b may not be equipped with a second print module 17b or this may not be used for printing (the print module could still be present).

[0039] Accordingly, of course, only the second print module 17b can be used and the bridge 13 can be moved downwards to be positioned outside the printing area of ​​the second print head 9b.

[0040] The guide device 1 shown in the figures can be adjusted both in its entirety in its position transverse to the conveying direction x, i.e. in the vertical direction z and transverse direction y, as well as in the relative position of the web 13 to the guide plate 5 in the vertical direction z, and the guide elements 15a and 15b to the guide plate 5 and web 13.

[0041] Of course, it is also conceivable to use guide plate 5 instead, as in the Fig. 1 to 5 shown, also to be arranged above the products 3 in order to allow printing on the top of the product 3, in particular the folding carton.

[0042] Furthermore, it is from Fig.1. An inspection device, in particular a camera 23, is shown, with which the quality of the printing can be checked. In addition, at least one sensor, in particular an infeed light barrier, can be provided to determine the position of the products 3 before printing (during infeed). Reference symbol list: 1 guide device 3 products 5 Guide plate 7a first opening 7b second opening 9a first printhead 9b second printhead 11a lower exemption area 11b upper exemption area 13 Support element / web 15a upper guide element 15b lower guide element 17a first printing module 17b second print module 19 Conveyor belt 21 Inlet slope 23 Camera L Touch line of the bridge x Direction of flow y transverse direction z altitude direction

Claims

[1] Guide device for receiving at least one printhead for printing on products conveyed in the conveying direction (x), wherein the guide device has a guide plate with at least one opening through which the respective printhead prints one side of the product conveyed past it, characterized by , that the guide plate has a clearance area adjoining at least one opening in the conveying direction, which is spaced in such a way as to avoid touching a (straight) printed area of ​​the product (or its side) and that the device has at least one support element that is arranged within the clearance area. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the guide plate has one or more openings offset transversely to the conveying direction for several printheads, resulting in a larger printing area and with a common clearance area adjoining the multiple openings. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that several support elements are arranged within the clearance area. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one support element is designed as a web extending in the conveying direction. [5] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the support element is designed to be adjustable within the clearance area, so that it can be positioned in an unprinted area. [6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that for further guiding of the conveyed product at least one guiding element adjacent in the conveying direction is attached, which lies outside the printed area of ​​the product. [7] Device according to claim 6, characterized by that at least one command element is designed as at least one command staff. [8] Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that at least one guide element is connected to the guide plate or is formed as part of it. [9] Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by that at least one guide element is designed to be movable in one direction transverse to the conveying direction. [10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide device is designed to be adjustable in a transverse direction (y) and / or in a vertical direction (z). [11] Arrangement comprising a guide device according to one of the preceding claims with at least one printhead. [12] Arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by that the printhead is designed as a print module that can be removed from a receiving area of ​​the guide device and inserted into it. [13] Arrangement consisting of a guide device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the arrangement additionally includes an inspection device and / or at least one sensor. [14] Arrangement according to claim 13, characterized by that the inspection device and / or the at least one sensor is designed to be jointly adjustable with the guide device relative to a conveying device.

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