CLEANING DEVICE, PRINTING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A PRINTING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 1, or a printing press according to the preamble of claim 7 and a method for cleaning a printing press according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0002] Various processes are available for printing a substrate using a printing press, for example letterpress, gravure, or non-impact printing processes. Non-impact printing processes, such as thermographic processes or, in particular, the inkjet process, do not have a fixed, physically immutable printing form and can, for example, produce different print images on a substrate in each printing process. A non-impact printing press typically has at least one image-generating device, in particular at least one printing unit with preferably at least one print head, for example, preferably an inkjet print head. In the inkjet printing process, individual drops of a printing fluid are ejected from at least one volume of the print head as required and transferred to a printing substrate, resulting in a print image on the substrate.By individually controlling a large number of volumes of the print head, different print images are generated, which are, for example, individualized and / or personalized and / or, for example, can be produced cost-effectively, particularly in small runs.

[0003] Contamination is a recurring problem in printing units, for example due to dried-on coating agents such as printing ink or ink, or due to parts of a printing substrate such as paper fibers, or due to dust or similar substances, or due to mixtures of the aforementioned substances. This can, for example, narrow or clog print head nozzles, which can lead to incorrect application of coating agents. Such contamination can have negative consequences both inside nozzles and on the external nozzle surfaces of print heads. Cleaning devices are used to clean the nozzle surface. A distinction is made, for example, between cleaning by means of direct contact with the at least one nozzle surface, for example using a wiping cloth and / or a wiper, and cleaning by means of indirect contact with the at least one nozzle surface, for example using a fluid ejected through a nozzle.

[0004] The teaching of US 2005 / 0104926 A1 shows an inkjet printing machine with a device for cleaning nozzles on a nozzle plate of a print head. A suction tube with a suction opening is positioned so that a row of nozzles of the print head and a spacer plate are covered, and the suction tube is pressed toward the nozzle plate for cleaning. The spacer plate of the print head, which is arranged on one side of the row of nozzles above the nozzle plate, creates a suction gap between the nozzle plate and the wall of the suction tube. Cleaning fluid is guided through channels in a wall of the suction tube to an outlet opening and ejected there. The cleaning fluid, ink, and air are sucked away through the suction opening. The resulting fluid flow cleans the nozzles.

[0005] US 2014 / 0132669 A1 discloses a device for cleaning a nozzle plate of a print head. For cleaning, the device is moved parallel to the nozzle plate. A distance between the nozzle plate and a first horizontal surface of the device is ensured by elevations on the device, which are in direct contact with the print head outside the nozzle plate. A first gap is arranged in the first horizontal surface of the device, which ejects cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid flows through a brush that can be placed against the nozzle plate and is drained into the first surface through a second gap, to which a negative pressure is applied. Residual fluid is drained through a third gap, which is arranged in a plane raised relative to the first surface and parallel to the nozzle surface.

[0006] Two print heads arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction are spaced from each other, for example, by a positioning gap. Contamination can, for example, settle in this positioning gap and lead to negative consequences in subsequent printing processes. WO 2020 / 169321 A1 discloses a printing press, wherein a longitudinal direction of a fluid supply opening and / or a longitudinal direction of a fluid discharge and / or a longitudinal direction of a fluid suction is aligned parallel to the positioning gap in order to clean it. The longitudinal extent of the fluid supply opening is smaller than the extent of the nozzle surface of the at least one print head in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the fluid supply opening. WO 2021 / 175468 A1 also discloses a printing press with a cleaning device for cleaning a print head, which device has a cleaning element movable in the cleaning direction.The cleaning element has a fluid supply, a first fluid discharge opening, and / or a second fluid discharge opening. Furthermore, at least one sliding surface is provided for direct contact of the cleaning element with the at least one print head, in particular its contact surface.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating a cleaning device, a printing machine and a method for cleaning a printing machine.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1, claim 7, and claim 9, respectively. The dependent claims show advantageous developments and / or embodiments of the solutions found.

[0009] A cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning element. The at least one cleaning element has at least one fluid supply with at least one outlet opening for cleaning fluid. The at least one cleaning element has at least one sliding surface. The at least one sliding surface has a greater extension in a cleaning direction than orthogonal to the cleaning direction. A projection plane is arranged orthogonal to the cleaning direction.

[0010] At least one point of the at least one fluid supply is preferably arranged further away in the projection plane from a plane spanned by a z-direction and a central axis of the at least one cleaning element than at least one boundary point of the at least one sliding surface with the shortest distance to the at least one plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis. This advantageously enables perpendicular wetting of the at least one contact surface of a print head with cleaning agent. In a preferred embodiment, a projection of the at least one fluid supply in a projection plane preferably at least partially overlays a projection of the at least one sliding surface in the projection plane.

[0011] A printing press is provided. The printing press has at least one nozzle bar with at least one print head. The at least one print head has at least one nozzle surface and at least one contact surface. The printing press has at least one cleaning device. The at least one cleaning device is designed to clean the at least one nozzle surface and the at least one contact surface.

[0012] A method for cleaning a printing press is provided. The at least one print head of at least one nozzle bar of the printing press is cleaned by the at least one cleaning device. The at least one print head has the at least one nozzle surface and the at least one contact surface. The at least one cleaning device ejects cleaning fluid by means of the at least one fluid supply of the at least one cleaning element. The at least one contact surface is wetted with cleaning fluid by the at least one fluid supply.

[0013] The cleaning device advantageously comprises at least one fluid supply, preferably designed as a fluid supply opening, and / or at least one first fluid discharge, preferably designed as a fluid discharge, and / or at least one second fluid discharge, preferably designed as a fluid suction. Advantageously, the cleaning device comprises at least one fluid supply opening and / or at least one fluid discharge and / or at least one fluid suction, wherein the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening and / or the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge and / or the longitudinal direction of the fluid suction is positioned parallel to the respective positioning gap to be cleaned. This ensures, for example, penetration of a cleaning agent into the positioning gap and / or makes cleaning of the respective positioning gap possible. For example, this enables intensive cleaning of the positioning gap.

[0014] Advantageously, the flow velocity of fluid within the first fluid discharge is maximized by its preferred design. Advantageously, cleaning of the at least one contact surface of the at least one print head is optimized.

[0015] Advantageously, two boundary points of a boundary of the at least one fluid suction device are spaced apart by the greatest possible distance, which has a minimum length that is greater than at least one boundary of a respective exit surface of a respective print head in a direction oriented parallel to the minimum length of the fluid suction device. This advantageously enables, for example, cleaning of the respective exit surface and, additionally or alternatively, cleaning of at least one contact surface bordering the respective exit surface.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device comprises at least two cleaning elements. By connecting the at least two cleaning elements of the cleaning device, it is advantageously possible to clean multiple print heads of a nozzle bar, for example, to simultaneously clean multiple print heads in different rows of print heads of a nozzle bar.

[0017] Advantageously, the cleaning element comprises at least one first ramp and / or at least one second ramp. This facilitates positioning the cleaning element on a print head and / or moving the cleaning element along the nozzle bar, for example, during a cleaning process.

[0018] Advantageously, a feed device directed toward at least one positioning gap between at least two adjacent print heads impedes and / or prevents, for example, the penetration of printing fluid and / or dirt into the positioning gap and / or the deposition and / or settling of printing fluid and / or dirt in the respective positioning gap. This can, for example, assist the cleaning of the respective positioning gap during a cleaning process, for example, by a cleaning device, and / or impede the deposition and / or settling of printing fluid and / or dirt during a printing process.

[0019] The feed device preferably comprises at least one outlet opening, which has a larger maximum diameter than the extent of a respective exit surface of the respective print head in the direction of a shortest boundary of the respective exit surface. Thus, the positioning gap in the region of the exit surface and additionally or alternatively in the region of at least one contact surface delimiting the respective exit surface is preferably engaged by a fluid ejected by the feed device.

[0020] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below.

[0021] They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of at least one printing unit with at least one nozzle bar and at least one opposing printing material guide element as well as a printing material; Fig. 2a is a schematic view of at least one nozzle bar with two rows of diagonally overlapping print heads; Fig. 2b is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of at least one nozzle bar with several print heads arranged offset from one another in a double row; Fig. 3a is a schematic perspective view of at least two print heads arranged spaced apart from one another by a positioning gap, with at least one first feed device assigned to the positioning gap and a second feed device, the second feed device being shown in section; Fig. 3b is a schematic disassembly of an exemplary feed device; Fig.4a a schematic representation of a printing unit with several nozzle bars, wherein at least one nozzle bar is arranged in the printing position and at least one nozzle bar is arranged in the rest position; Fig. 4b a schematic representation of a printing unit with several nozzle bars according to . Fig. 4a , wherein at least one nozzle bar is arranged in the maintenance position; Fig. 5a a view of at least four print heads within a row of a nozzle bar and a cleaning device, wherein at least one cleaning element is arranged opposite at least one print head and in direct or indirect contact with it, and wherein for the sake of clarity only four print heads are shown; Fig. 5b a sectional view of the print heads of the nozzle bar and the cleaning device according to a section along the line VV in Fig. 5a ; Fig. 6a a representation of a first embodiment of a cleaning element in plan view; Fig. 6b a representation of the cleaning element according to Fig. 6a in perspective view; Fig. 6c a representation of an alternative cleaning element in perspective view; Fig. 7a a representation of a further alternative embodiment of a cleaning element with several cleaning areas in plan view; Fig. 7b a representation of the further alternative embodiment of a cleaning element according to Fig. 7a in perspective view; Fig. 7c a representation of the further alternative embodiment of a cleaning element according to Fig. 7a and / or Fig. 7b with at least one additional wiper; Fig. 7 shows an arrangement of a cleaning element with four cleaning areas on a nozzle bar with four rows of print heads; Fig. 8 shows an exemplary representation of a nozzle bar with two rows of print heads in contact with at least one cleaning element of the at least one cleaning device; Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a cleaning element according to the invention with a schematically shown central axis in plan view; Fig. 10 shows a representation of the cleaning element according to the invention from Fig. 9 in perspective view.

[0022] A printing press preferably applies at least one printing fluid, also called a coating agent, to at least one printing substrate 03 and / or is capable of applying the at least one printing fluid. For this purpose, the printing press preferably has at least one printing unit 01 and at least one printing substrate guide element 02 for guiding the at least one printing substrate 03. For example, at least one feeder is arranged upstream of the at least one printing unit 01 and at least one delivery is arranged downstream. For example, the at least one printing press additionally has at least one coating unit and / or at least one dryer and / or at least one punching unit. The printing press preferably comprises at least one printing unit 01 and at least one printing substrate guide element 02 for guiding at least one printing substrate 03.The at least one printing unit 01, which is designed in particular as a non-impact printing unit 01, preferably as an inkjet printing unit 01, comprises at least one nozzle bar 04 with at least one print head 08, preferably at least one inkjet print head 08. The printing machine has at least one nozzle bar 04 with the at least one print head 08.

[0023] Preferably, at least one printing material guide element 02 is assigned to the respective nozzle bar 04. The at least one print head 08 has at least one exit surface 09, also called nozzle surface 09. The at least one print head 08 has at least one contact surface 11, preferably at least two contact surfaces 11.

[0024] Within this specification, the printing press is a machine which applies and / or is capable of applying at least one printing fluid to at least one printing substrate 03.

[0025] The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably comprises at least two print heads 08 each, which are arranged next to one another in a y-direction, in particular adjacent to one another, preferably neighboring, and / or which in particular extend over an entire working width of the printing unit 01. The respective print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04 are preferably each arranged in at least one row in the y-direction. The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably extends over the entire working width of the printing unit 01. In particular, for example, at least two print heads 08 of the nozzle bar 04 are arranged next to one another in a y-direction and / or are connected to one another to form a group of print heads 08 via, for example, a fixed axis in the y-direction.

[0026] The at least one print head 08 has at least one contact surface 11. The at least one contact surface 11 is designed as a spacer surface. The at least one contact surface 11 is preferably designed such that the at least one nozzle surface 09 is arranged to avoid unwanted contact with components or other bodies, for example when cleaning the at least one nozzle surface 09. The at least one spacer surface 11 preferably extends over the entire extent of the at least one print head 08, preferably in the y-direction. Dimensions over only part of the extent of the at least one print head 08 are, however, also possible. The at least one contact surface 11 is preferably arranged in the x-direction before or after the at least one nozzle surface 09, more preferably directly adjacent to the at least one nozzle surface 09.Preferably, the at least one contact surface 11 is arranged in the y-direction next to the at least one nozzle surface 09, preferably adjacent to it. Preferably, the at least one print head 08 has at least two contact surfaces 11. Preferably, at least one contact surface 11 of the at least two contact surfaces 11 is arranged in front of the at least one nozzle surface 09 in the x-direction, and at least one contact surface 11 of the at least two contact surfaces 11 is arranged in the x-direction after the at least one nozzle surface 09.

[0027] The y-direction, an x-direction, and a z-direction form a Cartesian coordinate system. The x-direction preferably corresponds to a direction along a shortest side of the respective nozzle bar 04. The y-direction preferably corresponds to a direction along a longest side of the respective nozzle bar 04. The z-direction is preferably parallel to a normal vector of a plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction.

[0028] A transverse direction A is preferably a direction that runs parallel to a longest side of the at least one nozzle bar 04. The transverse direction A is preferably arranged parallel to the y-direction. The x-direction is preferably arranged orthogonal to the transverse direction A. The working width is in particular parallel to the transverse direction A. Furthermore, the transverse direction A is preferably orthogonal to a transport direction T.

[0029] In the foregoing and in the following, the working width is the maximum width that a printing substrate 03 may have in order to still be able to be processed with the at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press; this therefore corresponds to the maximum width of the respective printing substrate 03 that can be processed with the at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press. The working width preferably corresponds to an extension of the at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08 along the y-direction, which is preferably used for printing the printing substrate 03. The working width of the printing press is preferably at least 100 cm (one hundred centimeters), more preferably at least 150 cm (one hundred and fifty centimeters), even more preferably at least 160 cm (one hundred and sixty centimeters), even more preferably at least 200 cm (two hundred centimeters), and even more preferably at least 250 cm (two hundred and fifty centimeters).

[0030] In the foregoing and in the following, the printing substrate 03 is a substrate that can be printed with a medium, in particular a printing fluid, by the at least one printing unit 01. The printing substrate 03 is preferably formed as paper and / or cardboard and / or film, for example a plastic film, and / or textile and / or metal. The printing substrate 03 is in particular formed as a web or sheet.

[0031] The spatial area provided for the transport of a printing substrate 03, which the printing substrate 03 occupies at least temporarily when present, is the transport path. The transport path is defined by at least one transport means, in particular by the at least one printing substrate guide element 02. The at least one printing substrate guide element 02 is preferably designed as at least one roller and / or at least one cylinder and / or at least one support and / or at least one other device for guiding the printing substrate 03 in a printing operating state of the printing press.

[0032] The transport direction T is a direction provided for a printing operating state of at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press, in which direction the printing substrate 03 is transported if it is present at every point along the transport path. The transport direction T is preferably a direction that runs parallel to a shortest side of the at least one nozzle bar 04. The transverse direction A is the axial direction orthogonal to the transport direction T. Preferably, for example, the transport direction T is parallel to the x-direction and / or, for example, the transverse direction A is parallel to the y-direction of the Cartesian coordinate system at a location of the smallest distance of a respective print head 08 from the transport path.

[0033] In the foregoing and in the following, a printing fluid refers to inks, printing inks and / or varnishes, as well as other materials that are and / or can be transferred to a printing substrate 03 by a printing press or at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press. Preferably, a printing fluid located in a volume of the print head 08, in particular in the form of drops, can leave the volume of the respective print head 08 through an opening in the exit surface 09.

[0034] In the foregoing and in the following, a cleaning agent and / or cleaning fluid refers in particular to a liquid that is used for cleaning individual components of a printing press, in particular for cleaning at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08. The cleaning agent is preferably used for removing residues of the at least one printing fluid on components of the printing press, in particular the exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08 and / or a positioning gap 07 between two adjacent print heads 08. For example, the cleaning agent comprises water and / or at least one surfactant and / or at least one solvent.

[0035] A printing unit 01 comprises at least one nozzle bar 04. For example, a printing unit 01 comprises at least two nozzle bars 04, preferably at least four nozzle bars 04, for example exactly four nozzle bars 04. The at least one nozzle bar 04 is arranged, for example, in at least one printing position, for example shown in Fig. 1 . The printing position describes the position of the nozzle bar 04 in which the nozzle bar 04 is arranged in a printing operating state of the printing press. Preferably, a respective print head 08 arranged in its printing position is characterized in that the respective exit surface 09 is at a distance of at most 5 mm (millimeters), preferably at most 1.5 mm, and / or at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm, from the intended transport path for at least one printing substrate 03 and / or from the at least one printing substrate 03 and / or from the printing substrate guide element 02 assigned to the respective nozzle bar 04.

[0036] For example, in a printing operating state of the printing press, at least one printing substrate 03 is guided along the transport direction T by means of the at least one printing substrate guide element 02 through a spatial area between the respective printing substrate guide element 02 and the relevant nozzle bar 04. Facing the printing substrate guide element 02, the at least one print head 08 is positioned with at least one exit surface 09 in the relevant nozzle bar 04.

[0037] The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably comprises at least one print head 08, in particular at least two print heads 08. The at least two print heads 08 are preferably arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. Preferably, the at least two print heads 08 are arranged next to one another along the y-direction, in particular adjacent to one another, preferably adjacent, and / or preferably partially overlapping in the x-direction. The individual print heads 08 of the respective nozzle bar 04 are preferably arranged along the y-direction within at least one row, preferably within at least two, in particular parallel, rows of print heads 08. Preferably, the respective exit surfaces 09 of at least two next to one another, preferably adjacent, print heads 08, in particular within a row, are each positioned spaced from one another by the at least one positioning gap 07, in particular in the y-direction.Preferably, the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another in the y-direction are spaced apart from one another by the at least one positioning gap 07. Further preferably, the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another in the y-direction, in particular adjacent, in particular the respective exit surfaces 09 of the print heads 08 arranged next to one another in the y-direction, delimit the corresponding positioning gap 07 in the y-direction. This facilitates, for example, positioning of the respective print heads 08.

[0038] In one embodiment of a nozzle bar 04, the print heads 08 of the nozzle bar 04, which are preferably arranged in a row in the y-direction, for example in the x-direction, preferably in the transport direction T, are each arranged at least partially obliquely overlapping and / or the respective exit surfaces 09 of the corresponding print heads 08 are preferably arranged spaced from one another in the y-direction by the respective positioning gap 07.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment of a nozzle bar 04, the nozzle bar 04 comprises, for example, at least two preferably parallel rows of print heads 08, wherein a row in the y-direction comprises at least two print heads 08, preferably a plurality of print heads 08. The print heads 08 of the rows arranged in the y-direction are preferably arranged offset from one another in the x-direction, whereby the respective exit surfaces 09 of the print heads 08 arranged offset from one another preferably at least partially overlap.

[0040] The at least one printing unit 01 preferably has at least two nozzle bars 04, for example at least four nozzle bars 04. For example, each nozzle bar 04 of the at least one printing unit 01 has a different printing fluid than the other nozzle bars 04, for example a different color. For example, the printing press has at least two printing units 01, each with at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least four, nozzle bars 04. For example, at least eight different colors can thus be printed and / or the at least one printing substrate 03 can be printed on both the top side and the bottom side. Preferably, at least one nozzle bar 04 of the nozzle bars 04 has cyan or magenta or yellow or black or at least one special color as the color of the printing fluid.

[0041] The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably has at least one print head 08, preferably at least one inkjet print head 08 and / or at least one inkjet print head.

[0042] The at least one print head 08 has the at least one exit surface 09 and at least one, in particular at least two contact surfaces 11. The at least one contact surface 11 is designed as a spacer surface 11. The spacer surface 11 is preferably designed such that the at least one exit surface 09 is arranged to avoid unwanted contact with components or other bodies, for example when cleaning the at least one exit surface 09. The spacer surface 11 preferably extends over the entire extent of the respective print head 08. Dimensions over only a part of the extent of the respective print head 08 are, however, also possible.

[0043] The at least one exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 is a surface of the respective print head 08 that faces the transport path and lies in a plane whose normal vector is arranged parallel to the z-direction. The exit surface 09 is designed, for example, as a parallelogram, preferably as a non-rectangular parallelogram. Another exemplary embodiment of the exit surface 09 is a trapezoid, in particular an isosceles trapezoid. The exit surface 09 preferably comprises at least one opening, in particular a plurality of openings, through which the printing fluid can exit at least one volume, in particular a plurality of volumes, of the respective print head 08, preferably in the form of drops.

[0044] An exit direction of the at least one exit surface 09 is the direction in which the printing fluid, particularly in the form of drops, leaves and / or can leave the respective print head 08 through at least one opening of the corresponding exit surface 09. The exit direction of the exit surface 09 is preferably parallel, at least in one component and more preferably completely, to a surface normal of the exit surface 09 of the respective print head 08.

[0045] Preferably, the respective exit surfaces 09 of the respective print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04, which are arranged next to one another in the y-direction, are arranged at least partially adjacent to one another in the x-direction, more preferably at least partially overlapping. Preferably, the sum of all exit surfaces 09 within at least one row arranged in the y-direction, for example also of at least two rows, of print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04 extends over the entire working width of the respective nozzle bar 04. Thus, each position along a straight line in the y-direction on the transport path is assigned an opening within an exit surface 09 of the respective nozzle bar 04, through which opening the printing fluid can leave a volume of a corresponding print head 08 of the nozzle bar 04.

[0046] Preferably, within a nozzle bar 04, at least two print heads 08 are arranged next to one another in the y-direction, in particular adjacent to one another. In particular, within a row of print heads 08, two print heads 08 are arranged adjacent to one another in the y-direction. For example, to position the respective at least two adjacent print heads 08 of the corresponding nozzle bar 04, the respective exit surfaces 09 of the at least two print heads 08 are preferably each arranged at a distance from one another by the one positioning gap 07. Preferably, the at least one positioning gap 07 in the y-direction each has an extent of a maximum of 0.5 mm (zero point five millimeters), in particular of a maximum of 0.2 mm. In particular, the at least one positioning gap 07 in the y-direction has an extent of at least 0.05 mm (zero point zero five millimeters), preferably of at least 0.1 mm.A longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably the positioning angle 46 of the longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07, is preferably arranged in a plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. The longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07 is preferably the direction in which the at least one positioning gap 07 extends to its greatest extent.

[0047] Preferably, a cleaning direction G and / or the y-direction has a preferably flat angle, in particular a positioning angle 46, of at least 50° (fifty degrees), preferably of at least 60° (sixty degrees), more preferably of at least 70° (seventy degrees) and / or of at most 130° (one hundred and thirty degrees), preferably of at most 120° (one hundred and twenty degrees), more preferably of at most 110° (one hundred and ten degrees), to a longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07 in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e., rotated counterclockwise. The longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07 preferably has a preferably flat angle, in particular an opening angle 47, which is preferably acute-angled or obtuse-angled.For example, it is particularly evident from this that the longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07, preferably the positioning angle 46 of the longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07, is arranged in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. The longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07 is preferably the direction in which the greatest extent of the positioning gap 07 occurs. The longitudinal direction of the positioning gap 07 is preferably oriented within the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction with at least one component orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. For example, the positioning angle 46 thus corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. The positioning angle 46 preferably has an angle other than 90°.Preferably, at least one component of the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably within the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction, has a value greater than zero, wherein the component is oriented orthogonally to the y-direction and / or orthogonally to the cleaning direction G.

[0048] The printing press preferably has at least one control unit. The at least one control unit is preferably configured to control the at least one print head 08. For this purpose, the at least one control unit is preferably connected to the at least one print head 08, at least via a line. The at least one control unit is preferably configured to control the ejection of printing fluid through the at least one opening within the at least one nozzle surface 09.

[0049] Preferably, at least one feed device 13 for ejecting a fluid is assigned to the respective positioning gap 07. Preferably, the at least one feed device 13 is designed as a nozzle 13, in particular as a cleaning nozzle 13. More preferably, the feed device 13 is designed as a nozzle 13 for ejecting fluid, preferably a gaseous fluid and / or compressed gas. Preferably, the feed device 13 is arranged such that a fluid, for example a compressed gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or a liquid, can flow through the respective feed device 13 such that the fluid can leave the feed device 13, in particular through an outlet opening 17, in an outlet direction L. Preferably, at least one component of the outlet direction L is directed towards the respective positioning gap 07, preferably in the z-direction.Preferably, at least one feed device 13 for ejecting a fluid with an outlet direction L is assigned to the respective positioning gap 07, wherein at least one component of the outlet direction L is directed toward the respective positioning gap 07. Preferably, the outlet opening 17 of the feed device 13 is directed, for example, from above and / or from above the printing material guide element 02 in the direction of the printing material guide element 02 toward the positioning gap 07.

[0050] The feed device 13 preferably comprises at least one feed element 14 and / or at least one outlet element 16; 43, wherein the at least one outlet element 16; 43 is preferably designed as at least one limiting element 16 and / or at least one opening element 43, and / or the at least one outlet opening 17. The feed device 13 preferably has at least one cavity, which is preferably connected to the at least one outlet opening 17. For example, the at least one outlet element 16; 43 is designed as at least one metal sheet or a tube. The limiting element 16 is preferably flat, for example as a flat metal sheet. The at least one opening element 43 preferably comprises at least one recess 17, which is more preferably designed as the at least one outlet opening 17.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one feed device 13 is preferably connected to at least one print head 08 of the respective print heads 08, which delimit the respective positioning gap 07. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably comprises the at least one feed device 13, wherein the feed device 13 is preferably positioned in the z-direction on the side of the exit surface 09 facing away from the at least one opening of the respective exit surface 09.Additionally or alternatively, the at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably comprises the at least one feed device 13, wherein the feed device 13 is preferably arranged in the z-direction on the side facing away from the transport path of at least one outlet surface 09 of at least one print head 08 of the corresponding nozzle bar 04 and / or wherein the respective outlet direction L of the at least one feed device 13 is directed onto at least one positioning gap 07 between two print heads 08 that are preferably adjacent in the y-direction.

[0052] Preferably, the at least one feed device 13 is arranged in the z-direction on the side of the respective exit surface 09 facing away from the transport path. Further preferably, the at least one feed device 13 is positioned on that side of the print head 08, in particular the exit surface 09, on which the print head 08 is attached to the corresponding nozzle bar 04. Further preferably, the at least one feed device 13 is positioned such that the outlet direction L is directed from one side of the print head 08, in particular one side of the exit surface 09, onto the at least one positioning gap 07 on which the print head 08 is attached to the corresponding nozzle bar 04.

[0053] The feed device 13 is preferably arranged at a distance from the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. More preferably, the feed device 13 is arranged adjacent to the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. The outlet opening 17 is preferably arranged at a distance from the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. More preferably, the outlet opening 17 is arranged adjacent to the positioning gap 07 in the z-direction. This means that the feed device 13, in particular the respective outlet opening 17, is preferably arranged at a distance in the z-direction from the respective exit surfaces 09 of two print heads 08, which are arranged next to one another in the y-direction and whose exit surfaces 09 delimit the corresponding positioning gap 07.

[0054] The outlet direction L is preferably a direction in which a fluid, for example a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or a liquid, can leave the respective supply device 13, preferably through the at least one outlet element 16; 43, in particular the at least one outlet opening 17. Preferably, the outlet direction L is at least in one component parallel and / or points in an identical direction to the outlet direction of the at least one outlet surface 09 of a print head 08 of the nozzle bar 04. Further preferably, at least one component of the outlet direction L is parallel and / or points in an identical direction to the surface normal of the outlet surface 09 of the respective print head 08 and / or a direction in which the printing fluid can leave the respective outlet surface 09.

[0055] The outlet direction L is preferably parallel to a main direction, which is preferably defined by at least one side wall of the feed device 13, which is further preferably defined by the at least one limiting element 16. The outlet direction L preferably has at least one component in the z-direction, wherein the component in the z-direction preferably faces the transport path. For example, the outlet direction L comprises at least one component in the z-direction and at least one component in the x-direction, wherein the component in the z-direction is larger than the component in the x-direction.

[0056] The outlet direction L is preferably a direction within a plane which is spanned to the position of the positioning gap 07, for example along the y-direction shifted by the z-direction and at least one direction of a shortest boundary, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction, of the respective exit surface 09 of the respective print head 08, which preferably delimits the positioning gap 07.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one feed device 13 has an extension in the y-direction that is identical to the extension of the respective positioning gap 07 in the y-direction. Further preferably, the at least one feed device 13 has an extension in the y-direction of a maximum of 0.5 mm (millimeters), in particular a maximum of 0.2 mm. Further preferably, the at least one feed device 13 has an extension in the y-direction of at least 0.05 mm, preferably of at least 0.1 mm.

[0058] Preferably, the outlet opening 17 is designed in the plane spanned by the z-direction and at least one direction of the shortest boundary, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction, of the respective exit surface 09 of the relevant print head 08, wherein the respective exit surface 09 delimits the positioning gap 07, such that the respective outlet opening 17 has a smaller dimension in the z-direction far from the respective exit surface 09, in particular far from the transport path, than in the z-direction close to the exit surface 09, in particular close to the transport path.Preferably, the outlet opening 17 has a shape corresponding, for example, to a two-dimensional longitudinal section of a cone in the plane that is spanned to the position of the positioning gap 07, for example, along the y-direction shifted by the z-direction and at least one direction of the shortest boundary, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction, of the respective exit surface 09 of the relevant print head 08 that delimits the positioning gap 07. Additionally or alternatively, the diameter of the outlet opening 17, measured in the direction of the shortest boundary, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction, of the exit surface 09 that delimits the positioning gap 07, preferably increases along the z-direction in the direction of the transport path.Preferably, the at least one outlet opening 17 has a maximum diameter at the point on the feed device 13 that is closest to the respective positioning gap 07. Further preferably, the maximum diameter of the corresponding outlet opening 17 is greater than the extent of the at least one exit surface 09 of the respective print head 08, which is arranged at the corresponding positioning gap 07, in the direction of the shortest boundary of the respective exit surface 09.

[0059] Preferably, the limiting element 16 preferably delimits the respective outlet opening 17 in the y-direction, preferably on one side. Preferably, the respective limiting element 16 is in direct contact with the respective opening element 43. Further preferably, the feed element 14 is in direct contact with the respective opening element 43, so that there is preferably a connection between at least one cavity of the feed element 14 and the respective outlet opening 17. Further preferably, the opening element 43 and in particular the respective outlet opening 17 of the corresponding feed device 13 is arranged between the respective limiting element 16 and the respective feed element 14.

[0060] The supply element 14 preferably comprises the at least one cavity, wherein the cavity is connected to at least one source for supplying the at least one fluid, for example a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or a liquid, and to the outlet opening 17.

[0061] For example, a fluid, for example a gas and / or gas mixture and / or a liquid, can be provided by the at least one source. For example, the at least one fluid, in particular compressed gas, flows through the cavity of the supply element 14 and preferably encounters the limiting element 16 through the recess 17 of the opening element 43. At the limiting element 16, the fluid, for example the gas and / or the gas mixture and / or the liquid, is deflected, for example, such that the fluid preferably flows through the at least one outlet opening 17 from the respective supply device 13 into

[0062] Outlet direction L. Preferably, the fluid, for example the gas and / or the gas mixture and / or the liquid, has a pressure of at least 0.1 bar, in particular of at least 0.2 bar, and at most 0.7 bar, in particular of at most 0.5 bar, when exiting the supply device 13. In Fig. 3 An outlet of the fluid in the outlet direction L is indicated by dashed lines.

[0063] The nozzle bar 04 comprises at least one positioning guide 06, which is preferably arranged to be movable, in particular to be linearly movable. The respective nozzle bar 04, in particular the respective print heads 08 of the nozzle bar 04, can preferably be arranged and / or positioned selectively in the at least one printing position and / or at least one rest position and / or at least one maintenance position by means of the respective positioning guide 06. The at least one positioning guide 06 is preferably designed to position the at least one nozzle bar 04 in its at least one position, preferably in at least one printing position and / or in at least one maintenance position and / or in at least one rest position. The at least one control unit is preferably designed to control the at least one positioning guide 06.For this purpose, the at least one control unit is preferably connected at least in terms of lines to the at least one positioning guide 06, preferably to at least one drive of the at least one positioning guide 06. The at least one nozzle bar 04 is preferably designed to be movable and / or movable by a movement in a direction which has a larger or maximum component in the vertical direction or the z-direction and a smaller or minimum component in the horizontal direction, from the at least one printing position to the at least one rest position or to the at least one maintenance position and / or from the at least one rest position to the at least one printing position or to the at least one maintenance position and / or from the at least one maintenance position to the at least one printing position or to the at least one rest position.

[0064] The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably has at least one printing position, in which the at least one nozzle bar 04 is preferably arranged in a printing operating state. In the printing position, the at least one nozzle bar 04, preferably the at least one nozzle surface 09, preferably has a distance from the transport path of printing substrate 03 that is at most 5 mm (five millimeters), preferably at most 1.5 mm (one point five millimeters) and / or that is at least 0.5 mm (zero point five millimeters), preferably at least 1.0 mm (one point zero millimeters).

[0065] The at least one nozzle bar 04 preferably has at least one maintenance position. In the at least one maintenance position. The at least one maintenance position is preferably a position in which the at least one print head 08 of the respective nozzle bar 04 can be serviced, for example cleaned and / or aligned, preferably without removing the corresponding print head 08 from the nozzle bar 04 and / or the printing unit 01 and / or the printing press. The respective maintenance position of a nozzle bar 04, in particular of the respective print heads 08, is preferably characterized in that different nozzle bars 04 arranged in their respective maintenance positions have different distances from one another than in their respective printing positions and / or in their respective rest positions.Preferably, the distance of the respective exit surface 09 of a print head 08 arranged in a maintenance position from the intended transport path for at least one printing substrate 03 and / or from the at least one printing substrate 03 and / or from the printing substrate guide element 02 assigned to the respective nozzle bar 04 is greater than in the corresponding printing position.

[0066] The rest position is preferably a position in which the at least one print head 08 can be removed from the printing press and / or the at least one printing unit 01 and / or the at least one nozzle bar 04 and / or inserted into the printing press and / or the at least one printing unit 01 and / or the at least one nozzle bar 04. In particular, in the rest position, an operator preferably has more space available to access the at least one print head 08, whereas in the maintenance position, there is preferably only sufficient space available to carry out internal, in particular automatically running, processes within the printing press, for example cleaning at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08.

[0067] Fig. 4a shows, for example, a schematic representation of at least one printing unit 01 with several nozzle bars 04, wherein at least one nozzle bar 04 is arranged in the printing position and at least one nozzle bar 04 is arranged in the rest position. Fig. 4b shows, for example, a schematic representation of a printing unit 01 with several nozzle bars 04 according to Fig. 4a , wherein at least one nozzle bar 04 is arranged in a maintenance position.

[0068] The printing press has at least one cleaning device 18. The at least one printing unit 01 preferably comprises the at least one cleaning device 18. Preferably, each nozzle bar 04 of a printing unit 01 is assigned at least one cleaning device 18. For example, the at least one print head 08 of a nozzle bar 04 arranged in the maintenance position is assigned a cleaning device 18, which is positioned in a cleaning position via a guide system 19. The at least one cleaning device 18 is provided for cleaning the at least one exit surface 09 and / or the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08 of a corresponding nozzle bar 04. Preferably, additionally or alternatively, the at least one cleaning device 18 cleans the at least one positioning gap 07.The at least one cleaning device 18 is designed to clean the at least one nozzle surface 09 and the at least one contact surface 11.

[0069] Fig. 5a shows, by way of example, a corresponding cleaning device 18 in the cleaning position, which is preferably assigned to a nozzle bar 04 in the maintenance position. For the sake of clarity, only four print heads 08 of the respective nozzle bar 04 are shown.

[0070] The cleaning position of the at least one cleaning device 18 preferably corresponds to a position wherein the cleaning device 18 is in direct or indirect contact with at least one print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04, in particular one to be cleaned, and / or preferably a position in which the cleaning device 18 is arranged to carry out the cleaning of the at least one print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04.

[0071] The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably has at least one guide system 19. The at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably movable, in particular as a whole, at least orthogonally to the transverse direction A, preferably via at least one guide system 19. Preferably, in the at least one maintenance position of the at least one nozzle bar 04, at least one cleaning device 18 is assigned and / or assignable to at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08, in particular to one exit surface 09 of at least two, preferably at least three, and more preferably at least four print heads 08. A printing unit 01 preferably comprises at least one cleaning device 18 per nozzle bar 04.In a preferred embodiment, at least two cleaning devices 18 are connected to a preferably common guide system 19 and / or are designed to be movable and / or moving by the one preferably common guide system 19. The at least one guide system 19 preferably has at least one guide element designed, for example, as a beam and / or rod and / or rail and / or linear guide. The at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably designed to be movable and / or movable along the at least one guide element and / or is moved, preferably in a straight line. The at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably arranged to be movable and / or moving via the at least one guide system 19, preferably by means of at least one cleaning drive. The at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably moved along a guide path of the at least one guide element.Preferably, the guide path along the at least one guide element is arranged in a plane whose normal vector corresponds to the transverse direction A and / or the y-direction. Preferably, the guide path has a larger component in the horizontal direction and a smaller component in the vertical direction; more preferably, the guide path is horizontal. The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably has at least one storage position and at least one use position. Preferably, the at least one cleaning device 18 is moved along the at least one guide element from the at least one storage position to the at least one use position and / or vice versa.The at least one storage position of the at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably a position in which the at least one cleaning device 18 is arranged outside the area between the at least one nozzle bar 04 and the transport path of the at least one printing substrate 03, for example, defined by the at least one printing substrate guide element 02 opposite the at least one nozzle bar 04. Preferably, the at least one cleaning device 18 is arranged in the at least one storage position before or after the at least one nozzle bar 04 in the x-direction.The at least one usage position of the at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably a position in which the at least one cleaning device 18 is arranged within the area between the at least one nozzle bar 04 and the transport path of the at least one printing substrate 03, for example defined by the at least one printing substrate guide element 02 opposite the at least one nozzle bar 04. Preferably, the at least one cleaning device 18 is arranged in the at least one usage position during cleaning of the at least one print head 08. Preferably, the at least one printing unit 01 has the at least two nozzle bars 04. Preferably, the at least one printing unit 01 then has at least two cleaning devices 18. Preferably, one cleaning device 18 of the at least two cleaning devices 18 is assigned to each nozzle bar 04 of the at least two nozzle bars 04.Preferably, the at least two cleaning devices 18 comprise the at least one guide system 19, which is preferably designed as a common guide system 19. Preferably, the at least two cleaning devices 18 are moved jointly along the at least one guide element of the at least one common guide system 19 from their at least one use position to their at least one storage position and / or vice versa.

[0072] In the maintenance position of the at least one nozzle bar 04, the cleaning device 18 associated with the corresponding nozzle bar 04 is preferably designed as at least one locking element, for example in the form of at least one maintenance stop. The nozzle bar 04 having the corresponding print head 08 is preferably pulled and / or pressed against the cleaning device 18 in its maintenance position by applying a force and / or, for example, by gravity. As a result, the maintenance position of the at least one nozzle bar 04 is preferably clearly defined.

[0073] The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably comprises at least one cleaning guide 44 and / or at least one cleaning drive 21 and / or at least one collecting tray 22 and / or at least one support device 23; 24 and / or at least one cleaning unit 26, preferably at least one cleaning unit 26 per row of print heads 08 in the y-direction of the relevant nozzle bar 04. The at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably arranged to be linearly movable via at least one guide system 19, preferably by means of the cleaning drive 21. The at least one support device 23; 24 is preferably designed as at least one positioning aid 23 and / or as at least one cleaning aid 24.

[0074] Preferably, the at least one cleaning device 18 has an extension in the transverse direction A that is at least as large as the working width of the at least one nozzle bar 04 in the transverse direction A. Preferably, the at least one cleaning device 18 has an extension in the transport direction T of the printing substrate 03 that is at least as large as the working width of the at least one nozzle bar 04 in the transport direction T. As a result, all exit surfaces 09 of all print heads 08 of the at least one nozzle bar 04 can preferably be cleaned in one operation. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one cleaning device 18 has an extension in the transport direction T that is at least as large as all working widths of all nozzle bars 04 of the printing unit 01 in the transport direction T taken together.As a result, all exit surfaces 09 of all print heads 08 of at least one printing unit 01 can be cleaned in one operation.

[0075] The at least one cleaning unit 26, preferably the at least one cleaning element 31, is preferably arranged so as to be movable along the cleaning guide 44, for example by means of the cleaning drive 21, and / or is moved along the cleaning guide 44. More preferably, the at least one cleaning unit 26 is arranged so as to be movable in and / or counter to a cleaning direction G and / or is moved. The at least one collecting trough 22 is preferably arranged so as to at least partially enclose the at least one cleaning unit 26. More preferably, the collecting trough 22 is arranged such that the collecting trough 22 at least partially encloses the cleaning unit 26 and the at least one print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04 arranged in the maintenance position. The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably has at least one cleaning guide 44.

[0076] The at least one cleaning guide 44 is preferably arranged along the longitudinal direction of the at least one cross member 22, for example within the at least one cross member 22. The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably movable and / or arranged to move, for example driven by at least one cleaning drive, preferably along the longitudinal direction of the at least one cross member 22 and / or preferably along the at least one cleaning guide 44. The at least one cleaning drive is preferably controlled by the at least one control unit of the printing press. The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably arranged and / or moved to move in and / or counter to the cleaning direction G.

[0077] The cleaning direction G is the direction in which an element cleaning the at least one print head 08, in particular the at least one cleaning element 31, passes this at least one print head 08. The cleaning direction G is a direction G in which the at least one cleaning element 31 of the at least one cleaning device 18 is arranged to be movable and / or is designed to move in order to carry out a cleaning step. The cleaning direction G is preferably horizontal. The cleaning direction G preferably has at least one component that is arranged parallel to the transverse direction A and / or parallel to the y-direction and is preferably oriented opposite to the y-direction. Further preferably, the cleaning direction G is arranged parallel to the transverse direction A and / or parallel to the y-direction and is preferably oriented opposite to the y-direction.The cleaning direction G is preferably oriented orthogonally to at least one transport direction T provided for transporting at least one printing substrate 03 and / or orthogonally to the x-direction. Preferably, the at least one cleaning unit 26 and more preferably at least one cleaning element 31 are arranged to be movable in and / or counter to the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the at least one cleaning unit 26 and more preferably the at least one cleaning element 31 are arranged to be movable at least in the cleaning direction G during a cleaning process for cleaning at least one exit surface 09 of at least one print head 08.

[0078] The cleaning device 18 has at least one cleaning element 31. The at least one cleaning unit 26 preferably comprises at least one mounting element 28, preferably at least two mounting elements 28, and / or at least one force element 29 and / or at least one carrier 27 and / or the at least one cleaning element 31. The at least one mounting element 28, preferably at least two mounting elements 28, and / or the at least one force element 29 and / or the at least one carrier 27 and / or the at least one cleaning element 31 are preferably firmly connected to one another within the corresponding cleaning unit 26.

[0079] The at least one mounting element 28, in particular the at least two mounting elements 28, are preferably in direct contact with the at least one force element 29. The at least one force element 29 is designed, for example, as a bellows and / or hollow body and / or spring and is preferably adjustable with regard to its extension and / or dimensions in the z-direction, preferably in a direction whose main component corresponds to the z-direction. The at least one carrier 27 is preferably designed as a base body and / or preferably carries the at least one mounting element 28, preferably at least two mounting elements 28, and / or the at least one force element 29 and / or the at least one cleaning element 31 of the corresponding cleaning unit 26. The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably arranged in direct contact with at least one mounting element 28.Preferably, the extent and / or dimension of the cleaning unit 26 in the z-direction, more preferably in a direction whose main component corresponds to the z-direction, is adjustable and / or changeable and / or movable by changing the extent and / or dimension of the at least one force element 29 of the respective cleaning unit 26. This mobility allows the at least one cleaning element 31 to be brought into contact with and / or out of contact with other components, wherein such components include, in particular, the at least one print head 08 and / or the at least one support device 23; 24.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one cleaning unit 26 comprises the at least one cleaning element 31, which is connected to the at least one carrier 27 via the at least one force element 29, preferably via at least four force elements 29, for example via exactly four force elements 29. Preferably, the at least one force element 29, in particular the at least four force elements 29, are each designed as a spring. Preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably floatingly mounted and / or fastened in the at least one carrier 27, which is preferably designed as a base body, by the at least one force element 29.This preferably enables a precise and simple adjustment of the contact pressure which the associated nozzle bar 04 preferably exerts on the at least one cleaning element 31, in particular on at least one sliding surface 32 of the cleaning element 31, when it is lowered into the maintenance position and / or during its arrangement in the maintenance position.

[0081] The cleaning device 18 preferably has at least one positioning aid 23 that is different from each print head 08 and that preferably has at least one contact surface that is oriented in the same direction as the at least one contact surface 11 and / or exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08. The at least one contact surface of the positioning aid 23 is preferably located adjacent to or spaced from the at least one contact surface 11 of a respective print head 08 with respect to the cleaning direction G. Further preferably, the contact surface of the positioning aid 23 has an identical component in the z-direction as the exit surface 09 of a print head 08 to be cleaned with the corresponding cleaning element 31.In particular, if direct contact is provided between the at least one cleaning element 31 and the exit surface 09 of a print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04, the contact surface of the positioning aid 23 is oriented in the same direction as the at least one exit surface 09. If, for example, direct contact is provided between the at least one cleaning element 31 and the exit surface 09 of a print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04, the cleaning element 31 is preferably designed as a contact element, for example as a wiper. In particular, if only indirect contact is provided between the at least one cleaning element 31 and the exit surface 09 of a print head 08 of the relevant nozzle bar 04, the contact surface of the positioning aid 23 is oriented in the same direction as the at least one contact surface 11, in particular the at least one spacing surface 11.Preferably, the at least one positioning aid 23 is arranged such that the at least one cleaning element 31 is arranged so as to be clearly positioned relative to at least one print head 08 which is to be cleaned in particular.

[0082] The cleaning device 18 preferably comprises at least one cleaning aid 24. The cleaning aid 24 is preferably designed such that the at least one cleaning element 31 is cleanable. The cleaning aid 24 preferably has at least one spraying device and / or at least one wiping device.

[0083] The at least one cleaning device 18 preferably has at least one sealing element 56, for example at least one sealing lip. For example, the at least one sealing element 56 is arranged within at least one cross member 22 of the at least one cleaning device 18. The at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably arranged in the at least one use position during sealing of the at least one nozzle surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 with the at least one sealing element 56, i.e. during direct contact between the at least one sealing element 56 and the at least one print head 08. For sealing, the at least one nozzle bar 04 and the at least one cleaning device 18 are preferably moved towards one another, preferably the at least one nozzle bar 04 is lowered onto the at least one cleaning device 18, for example from the at least one maintenance position.For example, the at least one sealing element 56 forms, with the at least one print head 08 and at least one limiting unit, designed for example as a support 57, an at least partially enclosed spatial region, preferably designed as a preservation region, upon direct contact between the at least one print head 08 and the at least one sealing element 56. The preservation region preferably contains an atmosphere which has at least one preservation medium. The at least one preservation medium preferably has at least air enriched with water and / or air enriched with pressurized fluid. For example, the preservation region is rinsed and / or flooded with at least one fluid, for example with air and / or with air enriched with water, for example, and / or with cleaning agent and / or with pressurized fluid.This atmosphere is preferably designed to protect the at least one nozzle surface 09 and protects the printing fluid of the at least one print head 08 from drying out. Preferably, the at least one sealing element 56 is designed to seal all print heads 08 of the at least one row of print heads 08 together. For example, the at least one print head 08 is lowered onto the at least one sealing element 56.

[0084] The at least one cleaning device 18 has the at least one cleaning element 31. The at least one cleaning element 31 is designed to clean the at least one nozzle surface 09. Advantageously, the nozzles of the nozzle surface 09 are thus cleaned, so that no blockage and / or no change in the cross-section of the respective nozzle occurs, for example due to dried pressure fluid and / or dirt. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one cleaning element 31 is designed to clean the at least one contact surface 11. Advantageously, dirt and / or pressure fluid is thus removed from the at least one contact surface 11. Advantageously, substances that hinder the guidance of the at least one cleaning element 31 along the cleaning direction G, in particular pressure fluid and / or dirt, are removed.For example, printing fluid and / or dirt can pass from the at least one contact surface 11 onto the at least one nozzle surface 09, for example due to the movement of the at least one cleaning element 31 and / or due to air turbulence and / or other external influences. Printing fluid and / or dirt remaining on the at least one contact surface 11 can also be transferred uncontrollably to a printing substrate 03 during printing operation. By cleaning the at least one contact surface 11, these risks are advantageously eliminated before the at least one print head 08 is damaged and / or the quality of the produced print image is deteriorated. Preferably, additionally or alternatively, the at least one cleaning element 31 is designed to clean the at least one positioning gap 07.For example, printing fluid and / or dirt can enter the at least one positioning gap 07 from the at least one nozzle surface 09 or escape from the positioning gap 07 in an uncontrolled manner during printing operation, for example due to the movement of the at least one cleaning element 31 and / or due to air turbulence and / or other external influences. By cleaning the at least one positioning gap 07, these risks are advantageously eliminated before they cause damage to the at least one print head 08 and / or before the quality of the generated print image deteriorates.

[0085] The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably designed as a cleaning head 31. The cleaning element 31 is preferably fixedly connected to the at least one mounting element 28 and / or the at least one carrier 27 of the respective cleaning device 18, in particular the respective cleaning unit 26. The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably arranged so as to be movable in and / or counter to the cleaning direction G. The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably designed to clean all nozzle surfaces 09 and / or contact surfaces 11 and / or positioning gaps 07 of the at least two print heads 08 which are arranged in the at least one row. The at least one cleaning element 31 is movable and / or is moved in the cleaning direction G and / or counter to the cleaning direction G for cleaning.

[0086] In the foregoing and in the following, at least one cleaning agent and / or cleaning fluid preferably refers to a liquid which is used to clean individual components of the printing press, preferably to clean the at least one nozzle surface 09 of the at least one print head 08. Preferably, the cleaning agent is used to remove contaminants such as dried coating agents such as printing ink or ink and / or parts of a printing substrate such as paper fibers and / or dust and / or the like and / or mixtures of the substances mentioned. For example, the at least one cleaning agent comprises water and / or at least one surfactant and / or at least one solvent. For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one cleaning agent comprises printing fluid, which preferably contains no pigments.Preferably, the at least one cleaning fluid is designed to at least partially dissolve the pressure fluid of the at least one nozzle bar 04.

[0087] The at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one sliding surface 32. The at least one sliding surface 32 has a greater extent in the cleaning direction G than orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. The at least one sliding surface 32 is designed for direct contact with the at least one print head 08. The at least one cleaning element 31 is designed so that, by means of the at least one sliding surface 32, it comes into direct contact with the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08 when the latter is arranged in a cleaning position. When the at least one cleaning element 31 is placed against the at least one print head 08 or vice versa and / or when the at least one cleaning element 31 is moved in or against the cleaning direction G, the at least one sliding surface 32, preferably all sliding surfaces 32, are designed to come into contact, in particular direct contact, with the at least one contact surface 11.Preferably, in addition, the at least one sliding surface 32 is arranged orthogonally to the cleaning direction G in front of or behind the at least one nozzle surface 09, i.e. preferably arranged laterally.

[0088] Preferably, the surface of the at least one sliding surface 32, preferably of the at least two sliding surfaces 32, is arranged in a plane. The plane is preferably spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. The plane is preferably arranged parallel to a plane of the surface of the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08, in particular when the at least one cleaning element 31 is positioned against the at least one print head 08.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning element 31 has a higher coordinate in the z-direction in the region of the at least one sliding surface 32 than in the region of the at least one cleaning region 37, preferably at least in the region of the at least one fluid supply 38, in particular its boundary 71. Preferably, the boundary 71 of the at least one fluid supply 71 is at a distance in the z-direction from the surface of the at least one sliding surface 32. Advantageously, the at least one nozzle surface 09 is protected from direct contact with the cleaning element 31. This advantageously ensures that the at least one nozzle surface 09 is not damaged by the at least one cleaning region 37, in particular the at least one fluid supply 38.

[0090] More preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 has at least two sliding surfaces 32. Preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 has at least two sliding surfaces 32 which are arranged one behind the other orthogonally to the cleaning direction G, i.e. next to one another in the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 arranged one behind the other orthogonally to the cleaning direction G are spaced from one another by the at least one cleaning region 37. Preferably, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 arranged one behind the other orthogonally to the cleaning direction G are spaced from one another by a distance which corresponds to the distance between two contact surfaces 11 of the at least one print head 08 arranged one behind the other orthogonally to the cleaning direction G.Preferably, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 of the cleaning element 31, which are arranged next to one another in the cleaning direction G, are spaced apart by the same distance as two contact surfaces 11 of a print head 08, which are spaced apart in the x-direction. Preferably, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 of the cleaning element 31, which are arranged next to one another in the cleaning direction G, are spaced apart at least as far as the length of a nozzle surface 09 in the x-direction. This advantageously ensures that the at least one nozzle surface 09 does not come into direct contact with at least one of the sliding surfaces 32 and is damaged by it.For example, the distance between the at least two sliding surfaces 32 arranged one behind the other orthogonally to the cleaning direction G is less than 50 mm (fifty millimeters), preferably less than 45 mm (forty-five millimeters), more preferably less than 40 mm (forty millimeters), more preferably less than 38 mm (thirty-eight millimeters). For example, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 arranged next to one another in the cleaning direction G prevent lateral tilting and / or jamming of the at least one cleaning element 31 and / or these sliding surfaces 32 stabilize the at least one cleaning element 31 in the direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G.When the at least one cleaning element 31 is positioned against the at least one print head 08 or vice versa and / or when the cleaning element 31 is moved in or against the cleaning direction G, the at least one sliding surface 32, preferably all sliding surfaces 32, are preferably arranged orthogonally to the cleaning direction G in front of or behind the at least one exit surface 09, for example spaced apart from the at least one exit surface 09 orthogonally to the cleaning direction G, i.e. preferably arranged laterally.

[0091] The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has at least two sliding surfaces 32, which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G. For example, the at least two sliding surfaces 32, which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G, are spaced from one another by a distance greater than zero. The at least one sliding surface 32 preferably has a greater extent in the cleaning direction G than orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. These at least two sliding surfaces 32 are preferably arranged in alignment with one another with respect to the cleaning direction G. For example, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G prevent the at least one cleaning element 31 from tilting and / or jamming in the cleaning direction G and / or these sliding surfaces 32 stabilize the at least one cleaning element 31 in the cleaning direction G.

[0092] The points on the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 which are arranged downstream of the at least one second fluid outlet 41, counter to the cleaning direction G, are preferably at a distance, preferably greater than zero, from the plane of the surface of the at least one sliding surface 32. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has the at least one sliding surface 32, preferably the at least two sliding surfaces 32, counter to the cleaning direction G only, preferably exclusively, upstream of the at least one second fluid outlet 41. The at least one sliding surface 32 is preferably designed to come into direct contact with the at least one contact surface 11, counter to the cleaning direction G, only upstream of the at least one second fluid outlet 41.Preferably, no part of the at least one sliding surface 32, preferably of the at least two sliding surfaces 32, and / or no further sliding surface 32 is arranged counter to the cleaning direction G after the at least one second fluid discharge 41. Further preferably, the points on the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 which are arranged counter to the cleaning direction G after the at least one second fluid discharge 41 are arranged in the z-direction below the plane of the surface of the at least one sliding surface 32. The at least one cleaning element 31 is preferably designed to come into direct contact with the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08 by means of the at least one sliding surface 32 when the latter is arranged in a cleaning position.Preferably, the at least one sliding surface 32 is configured to come into direct contact with the at least one contact surface 11, counter to the cleaning direction G, only upstream of the at least one second fluid discharge 41. Preferably, this prevents cleaning agent and / or pressure fluid and / or dirt from being carried along the at least one sliding surface 32. This preferably prevents cleaning agent and / or pressure fluid and / or dirt from drying onto the at least one sliding surface 32, which, for example, could negatively impact the sliding function and / or be difficult to remove.

[0093] For example, the at least one cleaning device 18 is designed to clean the at least two rows of print heads 08 of the at least one nozzle bar 04, preferably simultaneously and / or in parallel. For example, the at least one cleaning element 31 is designed to clean the at least two rows of print heads 08, or at least two cleaning elements 31 are present, each of which cleans at least one row of the at least two rows of print heads 08. For cleaning, the at least one nozzle bar 04 is preferably arranged in the at least one maintenance position. For cleaning, the at least one cleaning device 18 is preferably arranged in the at least one use position.

[0094] If, for example, the cleaning head 31 is arranged in direct or indirect contact with the at least one print head 08, at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a cleaning agent, can be dispensed from the at least one fluid supply 38 in the immediate vicinity of the exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 and / or a positioning gap 07 and can be sucked away again through the at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41, likewise in the immediate vicinity of the exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 and / or a positioning gap 07.For this purpose, the cleaning head 31 is preferably brought so close to the at least one print head 08 that a cleaning gap is formed between the cleaning head 31 on the one hand and the exit surface 09 of the print head 08 on the other hand, through which the fluid, in particular the cleaning liquid, flows and as a result the exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08 and / or a positioning gap 07 is cleaned and / or can be cleaned.

[0095] The cleaning head 31 preferably has at least one cleaning region 37. The at least one cleaning region 37 preferably has at least one fluid supply 38 and at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41. More preferably, the cleaning region 37 each has at least one fluid supply 38 and / or at least one fluid discharge 39 and / or at least one fluid suction 41. The at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 is preferably connected to at least one sink for discharging, for example, cleaning agent and / or dirt and / or particles. The at least one fluid supply 38 is preferably connected to a source of cleaning agent. The fluid supply 38 is preferably designed as a fluid supply opening 38 within the cleaning region 37.The at least one cleaning region 37 is preferably, in a plan view of the cleaning element 31, that region of the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 which comprises the at least one fluid supply 38 and the at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41. The components of the at least one cleaning region 37 are preferably at a distance greater than zero from the at least one print head 08, in particular from its nozzle surface 09 and / or from its at least one contact surface 11, when the at least one cleaning element 08 is positioned against the at least one print head 08. The surface of the at least one cleaning region 37 is preferably permanently spaced at a distance greater than zero from the at least one print head 08, in particular from its nozzle surface 09 and / or from its at least one contact surface 11.Preferably, the components of the at least one cleaning region 37 are designed to come into indirect contact with the at least one print head 08, in particular with its nozzle surface 09 and / or with its at least one contact surface 11, during the cleaning process.

[0096] The at least one cleaning head 31 preferably has at least one ramp 33; 34. More preferably, the cleaning head 31 has at least one first ramp 33 and at least one second ramp 34. Preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 can be arranged in at least one first position and / or in at least one second position, wherein the first position of the cleaning element 31 is arranged at a distance from the second position of the cleaning element 31, preferably along the cleaning direction G.

[0097] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one print head 08 and / or the at least one cleaning head 31 has at least one guide device 36. This guide device 36 is preferably designed as a guide surface 36, the surface normal of which has at least one component that is orthogonal to the z-direction and to the cleaning direction G. The at least one guide device 36 is preferably arranged such that the cleaning head 31 can be and / or is positioned within a tolerance range or an exact position with respect to a direction oriented parallel to the x-direction and / or orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction. The at least one guide surface 36 of a cleaning head 31 preferably borders directly on at least one sliding surface 32 of the respective cleaning head 31.Alternatively, the at least one sliding surface 32 is spaced apart from the at least one guide surface 36, preferably with at least one further surface in between. For example, the at least one further surface is parallel to the at least one sliding surface 32. The at least one further surface is preferably spaced apart from the plane of the surface of the at least one sliding surface 32, for example, arranged below in the z-direction, preferably by at least 0.1 mm (zero point one millimeter) and / or by a maximum of 0.2 mm (zero point two millimeters) from the plane of the surface of the at least one sliding surface 32.

[0098] Preferably, at least one ramp 33, preferably referred to as the first ramp 33, is arranged opposite to the cleaning direction G in front of the at least one cleaning region 37, preferably in front of the at least one fluid supply 38 and / or in front of the at least one fluid discharge 39; 41. In other words, when the cleaning element 31 moves in the cleaning direction G, the at least one first ramp 33 is preferably a first part of the surface of the cleaning element 31 that comes into view. Preferably, the at least one first ramp 33 is designed as an entrance ramp 33. Preferably, the first ramp 33 has a positive gradient starting from an outer point of the at least one cleaning element 31 to its at least one cleaning region 37.The first ramp 33 is preferably arranged so as to reduce the distance between a reference point of the at least one print head 08 to be cleaned and the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 facing said print head, in particular during a movement of the at least one cleaning element 31 in the cleaning direction G. The first ramp 33 preferably has a positive gradient starting from an outer point of the at least one cleaning element 31 to its at least one cleaning region 37. The reference point of the first ramp 33 is preferably a point on the first ramp 33 which is arranged perpendicular to the print head 08 to be cleaned. In the first position of the cleaning element 31, the first ramp 33 preferably has a first distance from a print head 08 to be cleaned, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and / or spacing surface 11 to be cleaned, at the reference point of the first ramp 33.Preferably, in the second position of the cleaning element 31, the first ramp 33 has a second distance from a print head 08 to be cleaned, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and / or spacing surface 11 to be cleaned, at the reference point of the first ramp 33, wherein the second distance between the reference point of the first ramp 33 and the print head 08 to be cleaned is smaller than the first distance between the reference point of the first ramp 33 and the print head 08 to be cleaned.A first point of the at least one first ramp 33 near the at least one fluid supply 38 preferably has a first distance from the at least one nozzle surface 09 and / or from the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08, while a second point of the at least one first ramp 33 far from the at least one fluid supply 38 preferably has a second distance from the at least one nozzle surface 09 and / or from the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08. The first distance is preferably less than the second distance.

[0099] Preferably, at least one ramp 34, preferably referred to as a second ramp 34, is arranged counter to the cleaning direction G after the at least one cleaning area 37, preferably after the at least one fluid supply 38 and / or after the at least one fluid discharge 39; 41. In other words, when the cleaning element 31 moves in the cleaning direction G, the at least one second ramp 34 is preferably a part of the surface of the cleaning element 31 which comes into view after the at least one cleaning area 37. Preferably, the at least one second ramp 34 is designed as an exit ramp 34. Preferably, the second ramp 34 has a positive gradient starting from an outer point of the at least one cleaning element 31 to its at least one cleaning area 37.The second ramp 34 is preferably arranged so as to increase the distance between a reference point of the at least one print head 08 to be cleaned and the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 facing said print head, in particular during a movement of the at least one cleaning element 31 in the cleaning direction G. The second ramp 34 is preferably arranged so as to increase the distance between a reference point of the second ramp 34 and the print head 08 to be cleaned. The second ramp 34 preferably has a positive gradient starting from an outer point of the at least one cleaning element 31 to its at least one cleaning region 37. The reference point of the second ramp 34 is preferably a point on the second ramp 34 which is arranged perpendicular to the print head 08 to be cleaned.Preferably, in the first position of the cleaning element 31, the second ramp 34 has a first distance from a print head 08, in particular one to be cleaned, at the reference point of the second ramp 34, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and / or spacing surface 11 to be cleaned. Preferably, in the second position of the cleaning element 31, the second ramp 34 has a second distance from a print head 08, in particular one to be cleaned, at the reference point of the second ramp 34, preferably from at least one exit surface 09 and / or spacing surface 11 to be cleaned, wherein the second distance between the reference point of the second ramp 34 and the print head 08, in particular one to be cleaned, is greater than the first distance between the reference point of the second ramp 34 and the print head 08, in particular one to be cleaned.A first point of the at least one second ramp 34 near the at least one fluid supply 38 preferably has a first distance from the at least one nozzle surface 09 and / or from the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08, while a second point of the at least one second ramp 34 far from the at least one fluid supply 38 preferably has a second distance from the at least one nozzle surface 09 and / or from the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08. The first distance is preferably less than the second distance.

[0100] The at least one cleaning area 37 is preferably arranged between the at least one first ramp 33 and the at least one second ramp 34. In particular, the at least one first ramp 33 is arranged upstream of the at least one cleaning area 37, opposite to the cleaning direction G. The at least one second ramp 34 is preferably arranged downstream of the at least one cleaning area 37, opposite to the cleaning direction G. The first ramp 33 preferably rises from an outer edge of the cleaning element 31 toward the at least one cleaning area 37. The second ramp 33 preferably rises from an outer edge of the cleaning element 31 toward the at least one cleaning area 37. The gradients of the first ramp 33 and the second ramp 34 are preferably opposite to one another.

[0101] For example, in addition to or as an alternative to the at least one second ramp 34, the at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one edge 51, preferably at least one tear-off edge. This at least one edge 51 is preferably arranged counter to the cleaning direction G between the at least one cleaning area 37 and a rear boundary of the at least one cleaning element 31. The at least one edge 51 is preferably arranged counter to the cleaning direction G between the at least one second fluid discharge 41 and a rear boundary of the at least one cleaning element 31.The surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has a reduced height compared to the height of the surface of the at least one cleaning area 37, opposite to the cleaning direction G, following the at least one cleaning area 37, preferably after the at least one first fluid discharge 39, more preferably after the at least one second fluid discharge 41, more preferably after the last unit that sucks off cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or pressurized fluid. The at least one cleaning area 37 preferably has at least the at least one fluid supply 38. The surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 following the at least one cleaning area 37 is preferably lower in the vertical direction, in particular in the z-direction, than the surface of the at least one cleaning area 37.Preferably, the at least one cleaning region 37 is raised in the z-direction relative to a surface of the cleaning element 31 after the at least one edge 51, in particular in the z-direction relative to the at least one second ramp 34. Preferably, the at least one sliding surface 32 is designed to come into direct contact with the at least one contact surface 11 counter to the cleaning direction G only before the at least one second fluid outlet 41, in particular due to the at least one edge 51 or second ramp 34. Advantageously, the distance of the cleaning element 31 from the at least one outlet surface 09 and / or the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08 is increased, preferably directly after the cleaning region 37, in particular after the at least one fluid suction 41.

[0102] If the at least one cleaning element 31 is positioned against the at least one print head 08, the distance between the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 and the surface of the at least one print head 08 facing this opposite to the cleaning direction G in front of the edge 51 is preferably smaller than the distance between the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 and the surface of the at least one print head 08 facing this opposite to the cleaning direction G after the edge 51.For example, the distance between the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 and the surface of the at least one print head 08 facing this surface increases by at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, and / or by a maximum of 30%, preferably a maximum of 20%, opposite the cleaning direction G after the edge 51, compared to the distance between the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 and the surface of the at least one print head 08 facing this surface opposite the cleaning direction G before the edge 51.

[0103] In particular, in the cleaning direction G, the at least one edge 51 is arranged downstream of the at least one cleaning area 37, in particular downstream of the at least one fluid suction device 41, and / or upstream of the at least one second ramp 34. In particular, the at least one edge 51 prevents smearing of printing fluid that is located on the at least one exit surface 09 at this point in time, preferably when the at least one cleaning element 31 passes the relevant exit surface 09. Preferably, contrary to the cleaning direction G, downstream of the at least one cleaning area 37, in particular downstream of the second fluid discharge 41, the distance between the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 and the surface of the at least one print head 08 facing it is greater than in the area of ​​the at least one cleaning area 37.Preferably, the at least one edge 51 has a distance of a maximum of 10%, preferably a maximum of 5%, of the length of the at least one cleaning element 31 in the cleaning direction G from the at least one second fluid discharge 41.

[0104] Preferably, the at least one edge 51 preferably additionally extends over the area of ​​the at least one sliding surface 32. Preferably, the at least one edge 51 prevents cleaning agent and / or pressure fluid and / or dirt from being carried along the at least one sliding surface 32. This preferably prevents cleaning agent and / or pressure fluid and / or dirt from drying on the at least one sliding surface 32, which, for example, negatively affects the sliding function and / or is difficult to remove.

[0105] The at least one cleaning area 37 preferably has, relative to the area created by the extension of the at least one cleaning element 31 in the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, an area of ​​at least 20% (twenty percent), preferably of at least 30% (thirty percent), more preferably of at least 45% (forty-five percent), and / or of a maximum of 80% (eighty percent), preferably of a maximum of 70% (seventy percent), more preferably of a maximum of 65% (sixty-five percent), of the area of ​​the at least one cleaning element 31.Preferably, the at least one cleaning region 37 in the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 has an area of ​​at least 600 mm 2< (six hundred square millimeters), preferably at least 800 mm 2< (eight hundred square millimeters), more preferably at least 1000 mm 2< (one thousand square millimeters), and / or of a maximum of 1800 mm 2< (one thousand eight hundred square millimeters), preferably a maximum of 1600 mm 2< (one thousand six hundred square millimeters), more preferably a maximum of 1400 mm 2< (one thousand four hundred square millimeters).

[0106] The cleaning head 31 has at least one fluid supply 38 and at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41, preferably within the at least one cleaning area 37. The at least one fluid supply 38 is designed as at least one fluid supply 38 for supplying cleaning fluid. The at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 is designed as at least one fluid discharge opening 39; 41 for cleaning fluid and / or dirt. More preferably, the cleaning head 31 has at least two fluid discharge openings 39; 41, wherein a first fluid discharge opening 39 is preferably designed as a fluid discharge 39 and / or a second fluid discharge opening 41 is preferably designed as a fluid suction 41. The at least one first fluid discharge opening 39 surrounds the at least one fluid supply 38 in one plane, at least partially, more preferably completely, in particular when viewed in a plan view of the cleaning element 31.

[0107] The at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one fluid supply 38 with at least one outlet opening for cleaning fluid. The at least one outlet opening is preferably also referred to as fluid supply opening 38. The at least one fluid supply 38 is preferably connected to a source of cleaning agent. The at least one outlet opening of the at least one fluid supply 38 is preferably arranged within the at least one cleaning region 37. Cleaning agent is ejected through the at least one outlet opening of the fluid supply 38. The cleaning agent then comes into direct contact with the at least one nozzle surface 09 and / or the at least one positioning gap 07 and / or the at least one contact surface 11 and wets them. The at least one fluid supply 38 is designed to wet the at least one contact surface 11 with cleaning fluid.

[0108] At least one boundary 71 of the at least one outlet opening of the at least one fluid supply 38 is preferably arranged in the plane of the at least one cleaning region 37. Preferably, in a plan view of the cleaning element 31, the boundary 71 is the outermost edge of the at least one fluid supply 38. Preferably, the at least one boundary 71 of the at least one outlet opening is elongated and / or oval and / or slit-shaped and / or formed as a groove and / or in a shape other than circular. A groove preferably has at least two mutually parallel longitudinal sides. Preferably, a tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 71 of the outlet opening of the at least one fluid supply 38 is parallel to the longitudinal direction.In the case of at least two outlet openings of the at least one fluid supply 38, a straight line through at least two centroids of the at least two outlet openings preferably describes the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid supply 38.

[0109] Preferably, the fluid supply opening 38, in particular the at least one outlet opening of the fluid supply 38, has at least one boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning region 37, preferably orthogonal to the z-direction, with a center of gravity. Further preferably, the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 has at least one first boundary point, which is arranged in alignment with the center of gravity with respect to the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 has at least one second boundary point, which is arranged in alignment with the center of gravity with respect to a direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G.The boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 preferably has at least one third boundary point, which is arranged on the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 in extension of a distance from the first boundary point to the area centroid. The boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 preferably has at least one fourth boundary point, which is arranged on the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 in extension of a distance from the second boundary point to the area centroid. The respective first boundary point and the second boundary point and the third boundary point and the fourth boundary point are preferably positioned at a distance greater than zero from one another on the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38.The distance between the first boundary point and the third boundary point on the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably smaller than the distance between the second boundary point and the fourth boundary point on the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38. Preferably, a longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 is at least partially orthogonal to a straight line between the first boundary point and the center of gravity of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38. For example, in other words, the at least one fluid supply opening 38, in particular the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38, in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction and / or orthogonal to the z-direction, preferably has the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 and a transverse direction of the fluid supply opening 38. Preferably, the extent of the fluid supply opening 38 in its longitudinal direction and in its transverse direction differs from one another.Preferably, the fluid supply opening 38, in particular the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38, has a maximum extension in its longitudinal direction. Preferably, the extension of the fluid supply opening 38, in particular the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38, is smaller in the transverse direction of the fluid supply opening 38 than in its longitudinal direction.

[0110] In an exemplary embodiment, a cleaning region 37 has at least two fluid supply openings 38, each with a boundary 71 of the respective fluid supply opening 38 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning region 37. The at least two fluid supply openings 38 each have a center of gravity, wherein the centers of gravity of the fluid supply openings 38 are preferably arranged on a straight line. The straight line of the at least two centers of gravity of the fluid supply openings 38 is preferably arranged at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction.

[0111] Preferably, a tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably arranged at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction. Preferably, the tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 to the cleaning direction G has a plane angle of at least 50°, preferably of at least 60°, and of at most 130°, preferably of at most 120°, in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e., counterclockwise.The tangential through the first boundary point of the boundary of the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably parallel to a plane which is spanned to the position of the positioning gap 07, for example along the y-direction, shifted by the z-direction and at least one direction of the shortest boundary 71 of a respective exit surface 09, which is spanned in a plane of the x-direction and y-direction, of the print head 08 to be cleaned of the relevant nozzle bar 04, which delimits the positioning gap 07.

[0112] Preferably, the tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38, in particular in the case of a fluid supply opening 38 which is, for example, elongated and / or oval and / or slit-shaped and / or as a groove and / or in a shape other than circular. Further preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 is located in a plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. Preferably, the fluid supply opening 38 is designed, preferably in the plane orthogonal to the z-direction, as a groove and / or elongated and / or oval and / or slit-shaped. A groove preferably has at least two mutually parallel longitudinal sides.Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid supply 38 has a preferably flat angle to the cleaning direction G, in particular an opening angle 47, which is preferably acute-angled or obtuse-angled. Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid supply 38 has a preferably flat angle, in particular an opening angle 47, of at least 50° (fifty degrees), preferably of at least 60° (sixty degrees), more preferably of at least 70° (seventy degrees) and / or of at most 130° (one hundred and thirty degrees), preferably of at most 120° (one hundred and twenty degrees), more preferably of at most 110° (one hundred and ten degrees), to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e., rotated counterclockwise. For example, the opening angle 47 is 106° (one hundred and six degrees). Preferably, the opening angle 47 is not equal to 90° (ninety degrees).The longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid supply 38 is preferably inclined relative to the cleaning direction G. The inclined position of the at least one fluid supply 38 preferably corresponds to an at least partial oblique overlap of the at least two print heads 08 of the at least one row. This preferably enables optimal penetration of cleaning agent into the at least one positioning gap 07. In other words, this means, for example, that the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid supply opening 38 is identically inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably by the opening angle 47 relative to the cleaning direction G. In particular, the opening angle 47 thus preferably corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two adjacent, in particular adjacent, print heads 08.From this, it can be seen, for example, that the opening angle 47 is preferably acute-angled or obtuse. This acute-angled or obtuse design of the opening angle 47 preferably represents the at least partially oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two adjacently arranged print heads 08 and / or the longitudinal orientation of the at least one positioning gap 07.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the fluid supply opening 38 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. Further preferably, the fluid supply opening 38 is preferably aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 between at least two print heads 08, in particular to be cleaned, preferably within a row in the y-direction of a nozzle bar 04. Further preferably, the tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. This enables, for example, optimal penetration of cleaning agent into the positioning gap 07.

[0114] A central axis 53 of the at least one cleaning element 31 is an axis parallel to the cleaning direction G, which divides the at least one cleaning element 31, preferably the at least one cleaning area 37, into two preferably equally wide parts. With preferably two sliding surfaces 32 of the at least one cleaning element 31, the at least two sliding surfaces 32 are preferably each equally spaced from a plane spanned by the central axis 53 and the z-direction.

[0115] A projection plane is arranged orthogonally to the cleaning direction G. This means that the cleaning direction G is preferably a normal to the projection plane. The projection plane is preferably spanned by the x-direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and by the z-direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. Thus, the central axis 53 in the projection plane is preferably point-shaped.

[0116] The at least one sliding surface 32 is projected into the projection plane, preferably spanned by the x-direction and the z-direction, i.e., into the projection plane orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. The at least one sliding surface 32 has, in the projection plane, which is arranged orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, at least one first boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64, which boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64 has the shortest distance of all points of the at least one sliding surface 32 to the center axis 53 of the at least one cleaning element 31.

[0117] The plane spanned by the central axis 53 and the z-direction divides the at least one fluid supply 38, preferably its boundary 71, into two preferably equally wide parts. In particular, in the projection plane, the projection of the at least one fluid supply 38, preferably its boundary 71, into the projection plane is divided into two equally wide parts by the projection of a plane spanned by the central axis 53 and the z-direction. Preferably, two outermost boundary points 58; 59 of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply 38 are arranged in the projection plane mirror-symmetrically to one another with respect to the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. Preferably, the two outermost boundary points 58; 59 of the boundary 71 of the at least one fluid supply 38 are each at the same distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment, a projection of the at least one fluid supply 38, preferably of its at least one outlet opening, in the projection plane preferably at least partially overlaps the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32 in the projection plane. Preferably, the y-direction. Preferably, the projection of the at least one fluid supply 38 and the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32 are arranged to overlap one another. In particular, the projection of the at least one fluid supply 38 engages the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32.

[0119] The at least one outermost boundary point 58; 59 of the boundary 71 of the at least one fluid supply 38 preferably has a greater distance from the plane spanned by the central axis 53 and the z-direction than the at least one boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64 of the sliding surface 32, which has the minimum distance of all points of the sliding surface 32 from the plane. Here, the outermost boundary point 58; 59 of the fluid supply 38 is preferably arranged on the same side of the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 as the respective boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64 of the sliding surface 32.Preferably, at least one point of the at least one fluid supply 38, preferably at least one boundary point 58; 59 of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply 38, more preferably at least the at least one outermost boundary point 58; 59 of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply 38, is arranged in the projection plane further away from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 than the at least one boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64 of the at least one sliding surface 32 with the shortest distance to the at least one plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.Advantageously, the relevant point of the at least one fluid supply 38, preferably at least the outermost boundary point 58; 59 of the boundary 71 of the at least one fluid supply 38, is arranged perpendicular to a point of the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08, preferably when the at least one cleaning element 31 is positioned against the print head 08. This advantageously enables perpendicular wetting of the at least one contact surface 11 with cleaning agent, thereby preferably improving the efficiency of cleaning the at least one contact surface 11. Cleaning agent is advantageously applied at a right angle to the contact surface 11 to be cleaned. Advantageously, a uniform distribution of the cleaning agent up to the outer edge of the at least one contact surface 11 is achieved.Advantageously, it is ensured that at least one contact surface 11 is sufficiently wetted with cleaning agent and thus undergoes optimal cleaning.

[0120] The at least one fluid supply 38, preferably its boundary 71, preferably has at least one point, in particular the outermost boundary point 58; 59, which is at the shortest distance from the at least one contact surface 11. This point, in particular the outermost boundary point 58; 59, is or will preferably be arranged in alignment with the at least one contact surface 11 in the z-direction during the cleaning process, i.e., for example, vertically below the at least one contact surface 11. The design of the at least one fluid supply 38 preferably ensures that the at least one contact surface 11 is wetted with cleaning agent, preferably vertically, and thus undergoes optimal cleaning. The entire width of the at least one print head 08 is preferably wetted with cleaning agent.

[0121] In a plan view of the at least one cleaning element 31, the at least one fluid supply 38, preferably the boundary 71 of the at least one fluid supply 38, has its greatest longitudinal extent in a direction other than the cleaning direction G. The at least one fluid supply 38, preferably the at least one outlet opening of cleaning fluid, more preferably the sum of all outlet openings projected onto the projection plane, more preferably the boundary 71 of the at least one fluid supply 38, preferably has a greater longitudinal extent in the projection plane orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, more preferably in the area of ​​the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31 at the position of the at least one fluid supply 38, than in the cleaning direction G. The longitudinal extent preferably occurs in the x-direction, in particular when projected into the projection plane spanned by the x-direction and the z-direction.The at least one fluid supply 38, in particular the at least one outlet opening and / or all outlet openings projected onto the projection plane, preferably has a length in the projection plane orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, which length exceeds the length of the at least one nozzle surface 09 orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, in particular in the projection plane. Preferably, the extent of the fluid supply 38 in the cleaning direction G to the extent of the fluid supply 38 orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, preferably in the x-direction, i.e. in the area of ​​the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31, has a ratio of at most 1 to 5, preferably of at most 1 to 10, more preferably of at most 1 to 15.For example, the extent of the at least one fluid supply 38 is orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, i.e. preferably its longitudinal extent, at least 30 mm (thirty millimeters), preferably at least 35 mm (thirty-five millimeters), more preferably at least 40 mm (forty millimeters), for example 39 mm (thirty-nine millimeters), and / or a maximum of 50 mm (fifty millimeters), more preferably a maximum of 45 mm (forty-five millimeters).

[0122] The at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one, more preferably at least two, fluid outlets 39; 41. The at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one first fluid outlet 39. The at least one first fluid outlet 39 is preferably referred to above and below as fluid outlet 39 or first fluid outlet opening 39. Preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one second fluid outlet 41. The at least one second fluid outlet 41 is preferably referred to above and below as fluid suction 41 or second fluid outlet opening 41.

[0123] The at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one first fluid discharge 39 with at least one discharge opening for discharging cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or pressurized fluid. The at least one discharge opening is preferably also referred to as a first fluid discharge opening 39. The at least one first fluid discharge 39 is designed to discharge, in particular to suck away, cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or pressurized fluid.

[0124] The fluid discharge 39 is preferably arranged in at least one plane at least partially around the fluid supply opening 38, in particular when viewed in a plan view of the cleaning element 31. More preferably, the fluid discharge 39 is arranged completely around the fluid supply opening 38 in the at least one plane. Preferably, the said plane is spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction. The at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 preferably encloses the at least one outlet opening of the at least one fluid supply 38 in the area of ​​the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31, preferably within the at least one cleaning region 37. In a plan view of the cleaning element 31, a boundary 71 of the fluid supply 38 is thus preferably arranged in an area enclosed by the boundary 72 of the first fluid discharge 39.As a result, cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or printing fluid are preferably removed and / or loosened upstream of and to the side of the at least one fluid supply 38, thereby preferably achieving optimal cleaning. Printing fluid and / or dirt and / or particles are preferably removed from the surface of the print head 08, in particular its nozzle surface 09 and / or contact surface 11, by removal by means of the at least one fluid removal 39, counter to the cleaning direction G, upstream of the at least one fluid supply 38. Easily removable components are thus advantageously removed quickly and simply.

[0125] Preferably, the fluid discharge 39 is designed to be capable of and / or to discharge, for example, cleaning agents and / or dirt and / or particles which, for example, adhere to and / or are residual on the respective exit surface 09 and / or the respective contact surface 11 of a respective print head 08.

[0126] The at least one first fluid discharge 39, also called fluid outlet 39, has at least one boundary 72 of the first fluid discharge 39, preferably with at least two boundary points 61; 62; 63; 64; 66; 67. The boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 has at least one first boundary point 61; 63 and at least one second boundary point 62; 64. Preferably, in a plan view of the cleaning element 31, the boundary 72 is preferably the outermost edge of the at least one fluid discharge 39. Preferably, the at least one fluid discharge 39 has the at least one boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37, preferably orthogonal to the z-direction, with a center of gravity.Preferably, the first fluid discharge 39 has at least one boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39, preferably with the center of gravity. The boundary 72 is preferably arranged in a plane of the surface of the at least one cleaning area 37, preferably orthogonal to the z-direction.

[0127] Further preferably, the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 has at least one fifth boundary point, which is arranged in alignment with the area centroid of the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 with respect to the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 has at least one sixth boundary point, which is arranged in alignment with the area centroid with respect to a direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 has at least one seventh boundary point, which is arranged on the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 in extension of a distance from the fifth boundary point to the area centroid. Preferably, the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 has at least one eighth boundary point, which is arranged on the boundary of the fluid discharge 39 in extension of a distance from the sixth boundary point to the area centroid.The respective fifth boundary point and the sixth boundary point and the seventh boundary point and the eighth boundary point are preferably positioned at a distance greater than zero from one another on the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39. The distance of the fifth boundary point to the seventh boundary point on the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 is preferably less than the distance of the sixth boundary point to the eighth boundary point on the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39. Preferably, a longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 is at least partially orthogonal to a straight line between the fifth boundary point and the center of gravity of the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39. Preferably, the longitudinal direction is parallel to the distance of the sixth boundary point to the eighth boundary point.For example, in other words, the at least one fluid discharge 39, in particular the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39, preferably has the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 and a transverse direction of the fluid discharge 39 in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction, and / or orthogonal to the z-direction. The extent of the fluid discharge 39 in its longitudinal direction and in its transverse direction are preferably different from one another. The fluid discharge 39, in particular the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39, preferably has a maximum extent in its longitudinal direction. The extent of the fluid discharge 39, in particular the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39, is preferably smaller in the transverse direction of the fluid discharge 39 than in its longitudinal direction.

[0128] Preferably, a tangential line through the fifth boundary point of the boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 is parallel to the longitudinal direction. With at least two discharge openings of the at least one first fluid discharge 39, a straight line through at least two centroids of the at least two discharge openings preferably describes the longitudinal direction of the at least one first fluid discharge 39. Further preferably, a tangential line through the fifth boundary point of the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 is at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction and additionally or alternatively parallel to the corresponding tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 72 of the respective fluid supply opening 38.Additionally or alternatively, the fluid discharge 39 is preferably oriented at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction and / or parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. Preferably, the tangential line through the fifth boundary point of the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 is oriented parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04, in particular in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37.Preferably, the tangential through the fifth boundary point of the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39, which is arranged at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction, has a plane angle of at least 50°, preferably of at least 60°, and of at most 130°, preferably of at most 120°, to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical direction of rotation, i.e. rotated counterclockwise.

[0129] Preferably, the tangential line through the fifth boundary point of the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39, in particular in the case of a fluid discharge 39 that is, for example, elongated and / or oval and / or slot-shaped and / or groove-shaped and / or trapezoidal and / or in a shape other than circular. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid discharge 39 is trapezoidal and / or groove-shaped and / or parallelogram-shaped, preferably in the plane orthogonal to the z-direction.

[0130] Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 is oriented parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07. Further preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 is aligned parallel to at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. The longitudinal direction of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 preferably has a preferably planar angle to the cleaning direction G, in particular a discharge angle 48, which is preferably acute-angled or obtuse-angled.Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 has a preferably flat angle, in particular a discharge angle 48, of at least 50° (fifty degrees), preferably of at least 60° (sixty degrees), more preferably of at least 70° (seventy degrees) and / or of at most 130° (one hundred and thirty degrees), preferably of at most 120° (one hundred and twenty degrees), more preferably of at most 110° (one hundred and ten degrees) to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e., counterclockwise. For example, the discharge angle 48 is 106° (one hundred and six degrees). Preferably, the discharge angle 48 is not equal to 90° (ninety degrees). In other words, this means, for example, that the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid discharge 39 has an identical inclination to the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably by the discharge angle 48 with respect to the cleaning direction G.In particular, the discharge angle 48 thus corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. From this, it can be seen, for example, that the discharge angle 48 is preferably acute-angled or obtuse. This acute-angled or obtuse design of the discharge angle 48 preferably represents the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another and / or the orientation of the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07. The longitudinal direction of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 is preferably inclined relative to the cleaning direction G. The inclination of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 preferably corresponds to an at least partial oblique overlap of the at least two print heads 08 of the at least one row.This preferably enables optimal removal of pressure fluid and / or dirt and / or cleaning agent from the at least one positioning gap 07.

[0131] Preferably, in the projection plane, preferably spanned by the x-direction and the z-direction, the projection of the at least one first fluid outlet 39, preferably its boundary 72, is divided into two equal-width parts by the projection of the plane spanned by the central axis 53 and the z-direction. Preferably, two boundary points 61; 62; 63; 64; 66; 67 of the boundary 72 of the first fluid outlet 39, preferably two boundary points 66; 67 with a greater distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 than a first boundary point 61; 63 and a second boundary point 62; 64, are arranged in the projection plane mirror-symmetrically to one another with respect to the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.In particular, a boundary point 61; 62; 66 is arranged on a first side relative to the plane, while the boundary point 63; 64; 67 assigned to it in a mirror-symmetrical manner is arranged on the second side relative to the plane. Preferably, two outermost boundary points, for example, boundary points 66; 67, of the boundary 72 of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 are at the same distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.

[0132] A projection of the at least one first fluid outlet 39, in particular of its at least one outlet opening, more preferably the boundary 72 of the first fluid outlet 39, in the projection plane preferably at least partially overlaps the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32 in the projection plane. Preferably, the projection of the at least one first fluid outlet 39, preferably the boundary 72 of the first fluid outlet 39, and the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32 are arranged so as to overlap one another. In particular, the projection of the at least one first fluid outlet 39, preferably the boundary 72 of the first fluid outlet 39, engages with the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32.

[0133] An at least partial overlap in the projection plane preferably describes that the projection of the first object, for example, the at least one first fluid discharge 39, and the projection of the second object, for example, the at least one sliding surface 32, overlap at at least one point in the projection plane. Preferably, at least those regions of the first object and the second object that are aligned with one another with respect to the cleaning direction G overlap.

[0134] Preferably, at least one point of the at least one first fluid discharge 39, preferably at least one boundary point 66; 67 of the boundary 72 of the first fluid discharge 39, is arranged in the projection plane, preferably spanned by the x-direction and the z-direction, further away from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 than the at least one boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64 of the at least one sliding surface 32 with the shortest distance to the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. This advantageously enables an improvement in the efficiency of the discharge of pressurized fluid and / or dirt and / or cleaning agent in the region of the at least one contact surface 11.

[0135] For example, the extent of the at least one first fluid discharge 39, in particular its boundary 72, orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, i.e. preferably its longitudinal extent, is at least 37 mm (thirty-seven millimeters), preferably at least 40 mm (forty millimeters), more preferably at least 45 mm (forty-five millimeters), and / or a maximum of 60 mm (sixty millimeters), more preferably a maximum of 50 mm (fifty millimeters). The at least one first fluid discharge 39, in particular the at least one outlet opening and / or all outlet openings projected onto the projection plane, preferably has a length in the projection plane orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, which length exceeds the length of the at least one nozzle surface 09 orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, in particular in the projection plane.

[0136] The boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 has at least one first boundary point 61; 63, which, in the projection of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 into the projection plane, is arranged on the at least one boundary point 61; 63 of the at least one sliding surface 32 at the shortest distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. The projection plane is arranged orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, i.e. preferably spanned by the x-direction and the z-direction. Preferably, the at least one first boundary point 61; 63 of the boundary 72 of the first fluid discharge 39 is arranged in front of the outermost boundary point 58; 59 of the at least one fluid supply 38, counter to the cleaning direction G.Preferably, the respective boundary points 58; 59; 61; 63 are arranged on the same side of the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. The boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 has at least one second boundary point 62; 64, which, in the projection of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 into the projection plane, is arranged on the at least one boundary point 62; 64 of the at least one sliding surface 32 with the shortest distance to the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. Preferably, the at least one second boundary point 62; 64 of the boundary 72 of the first fluid discharge 39 is arranged counter to the cleaning direction G after the outermost boundary point 58; 59 of the at least one fluid supply 38.Preferably, the respective boundary points 58; 59; 62; 64 are arranged on the same side of the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. In particular, the first boundary point 61; 63 and the second boundary point 62; 64 lie on the same coordinates in the projection plane and / or overlap each other in the projection plane.

[0137] The boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 has at least one further boundary point 66; 67, which is at a greater distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 than the first boundary point 61; 63 and the second boundary point 62; 64. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one further boundary point 66; 67 has a maximum distance of all boundary points of the boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. The at least one further boundary point 66; 67 is arranged along the boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening, i.e. along the extent of the first fluid discharge 39 in the cleaning direction G, between the first boundary point 61; 63 and the second boundary point 62; 64.Preferably, the boundary 72 of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 is curved along the boundary 72 from the at least one first boundary point 61; 63 to the at least one second boundary point 62; 64. Preferably, the center of curvature is arranged within the cleaning region 37. For example, the at least one boundary 72 has a convex shape between the first and second boundary points 61; 62; 63; 64. In other words, this means that the boundary 72 of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 is arcuate and / or has a circular segment and / or has a convex curvature between the at least one first boundary point 61; 63 and the at least one second boundary point 62; 64, which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G and / or which are preferably arranged on the same side of the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.Preferably, the function of the boundary 72 is differentiable between the at least one first boundary point 61; 63 and the at least one second boundary point 62; 64, which are preferably arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G and / or which are preferably arranged on the same side of the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.

[0138] Preferably, the design of the first fluid discharge 39, in particular the configuration of the boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39, achieves high fluid velocities within the at least one first fluid discharge 39, thereby preferably optimizing the cleaning and / or removal of cleaning agent and / or pressure fluid and / or dirt. Advantageously, a flow path for the fluid discharge 39 is created that exhibits as little turbulence as possible.

[0139] The boundary 72 of the at least one fluid discharge 39 is designed such that, in the projection plane, all points of the at least one sliding surface 32 in the x-direction, i.e., orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, are superimposed by at least one boundary point of the boundary 72 between the first boundary point 61; 63 and the further boundary point 66; 67. Preferably, at least one boundary point of the boundary 72 is arranged perpendicular to each point of the contact surface 11 along a straight line in the x-direction. This advantageously achieves optimal discharge in the region of the at least one contact surface 11.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment, the boundary 72 of the at least one fluid discharge 39 is in contact with two sliding surfaces 32 spaced apart from one another along the cleaning direction G, preferably with at least one sliding surface 32 in each case before and after the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. The boundary 72 of the at least one fluid discharge 39 preferably has a first and a second boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64 in each case with respect to the at least two sliding surfaces 32.

[0141] For example, the arrangement of the boundary points 61; 62; 63; 64; 66; 67 of the boundary 72 of the at least one discharge opening is mirrored on the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 and / or on a center of gravity of the boundary 72 within the projection plane. For example, due to an inclination of the longitudinal direction of the at least one first fluid discharge 39, the two boundary points 66; 67 mirrored to one another are preferably arranged offset from one another along the cleaning direction G, particularly in the plan view, wherein the boundary points have a maximum distance between the boundary points of the boundary 72 and the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.

[0142] Preferably, the area which encloses the at least one fluid discharge 39, preferably its at least one discharge opening, within the at least one cleaning region 37, i.e. which area is delimited by the at least one discharge opening, has at least 500 mm 2 (five hundred square millimeters), preferably at least 800 mm 2 (eight hundred square millimeters), more preferably at least 1000 mm 2 (one thousand square millimeters), and / or a maximum of 2000 mm 2 (two thousand square millimeters), preferably a maximum of 1800 mm 2 (one thousand eight hundred square millimeters), more preferably a maximum of 1500 mm 2 (one thousand five hundred square millimeters). This is preferably the area which, in plan view, is enclosed by the boundary 72 of the at least one fluid discharge 39.

[0143] The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has at least one second fluid discharge 41, also called fluid suction 41, with at least one discharge opening for discharging cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or printing fluid. The at least one discharge opening is preferably also referred to as a second fluid discharge opening 41. The at least one second fluid discharge 41 is preferably designed to discharge, preferably suction, cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or printing fluid. Preferably, the at least one fluid suction 41 is designed to discharge and / or discharge cleaning agent and / or dirt and / or particles which, for example, adhere to and / or are residues on the respective outlet surface 09 and / or the respective contact surface 11 of a respective print head 08.The at least one fluid suction device 41 can be and / or is subjected to a strong negative pressure, for example at least 600 mbar (six hundred millibars) and / or a maximum of 800 mbar (eight hundred millibars), for example 750 mbar (seven hundred and fifty millibars). The at least one second fluid discharge device 41 is preferably arranged in a direction opposite to the cleaning direction G after the at least one fluid supply device 38 and after the at least one first fluid discharge device 39. The fluid suction device 41 is preferably designed to remove at least that cleaning fluid and / or that dirt which remains after at least one suction process by means of the at least one fluid discharge device 39.

[0144] The at least one fluid suction 41 is preferably designed as a groove and / or slot, preferably as a relatively narrow slot.

[0145] Preferably, the fluid suction device 41 has at least one boundary 73 of the fluid suction device 41 in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37, preferably orthogonal to the z-direction, with a center of gravity. Preferably, in a plan view of the cleaning element 31, the boundary 73 is preferably the outermost edge of the at least one fluid suction device 41.

[0146] The boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 preferably has at least one ninth boundary point, which is arranged in alignment with the area center of gravity of the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 with respect to the cleaning direction G. The boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 preferably has at least one tenth boundary point, which is arranged in alignment with the area center of gravity with respect to a direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G. The boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 preferably has at least one eleventh boundary point, which is arranged on the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 in extension of a distance from the ninth boundary point to the area center of gravity. The boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 preferably has at least one twelfth boundary point, which is arranged on the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 in extension of a distance from the tenth boundary point to the area center of gravity.The ninth boundary point and the tenth boundary point, and the eleventh boundary point and the twelfth boundary point are preferably positioned at a distance greater than zero from one another on the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction 41. The distance from the ninth boundary point to the eleventh boundary point on the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction 41 is preferably less than the distance from the tenth boundary point to the twelfth boundary point on the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction 41. A longitudinal direction of the fluid extraction 41 is preferably at least partially orthogonal to a straight line between the ninth boundary point and the center of gravity of the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction 41.In other words, for example, the at least one fluid extraction device 41, in particular the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction device 41, preferably has the longitudinal direction of the fluid extraction device 41 and a transverse direction of the fluid extraction device 41 in the plane spanned by the x-direction and the y-direction, and / or orthogonal to the z-direction. The extent of the fluid extraction device 41 in its longitudinal direction and in its transverse direction are preferably different from one another. The fluid extraction device 41, in particular the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction device 41, preferably has a maximum extent in its longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is preferably parallel to the distance between the tenth boundary point and the twelfth boundary point. The extent of the fluid extraction device 41, in particular the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction device 41, is preferably smaller in the transverse direction of the fluid extraction device 41 than in its longitudinal direction.Preferably, the extent of the at least one fluid suction 41 in its longitudinal direction is at least five times as large, more preferably at least ten times as large, more preferably at least fifteen times as large, more preferably at least twenty times as large, as in its transverse direction.

[0147] Preferably, the minimum distance between the ninth boundary point and the eleventh boundary point of the fluid extraction 41 is less than the minimum distance between the fifth boundary point and the seventh boundary point of the fluid discharge 39; preferably, the distance is at most half as large, more preferably at most one-fifth as large. For example, the extent of the at least one fluid extraction 41 in its transverse direction is thus preferably less than the extent of the at least one fluid discharge 39 in its transverse direction; preferably, the extent of the at least one fluid extraction 41 is at most half as large, more preferably at most one-fifth as large, as the extent of the at least one fluid discharge 39 in its transverse direction.

[0148] The boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 preferably has at least two boundary points 68; 68, which are spaced apart from one another by the greatest possible distance of all boundary points of the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41. The greatest possible distance between two boundary points 68; 69 of the boundary 73 of the fluid extraction system 41 preferably has a minimum length of preferably at least 35 mm (millimeters), in particular of at least 40 mm, more preferably of at least 45 mm, and / or a maximum length of preferably at most 60 mm, in particular of at most 55 mm, more preferably of at most 50 mm.Further preferably, the greatest possible distance between two boundary points 68; 69 of the boundary 73 of the fluid suction 41 has a minimum length that is greater than at least one boundary of a respective outlet surface 09, in particular one to be cleaned, of a respective print head 08 in a direction oriented parallel to the minimum length of the fluid suction 41. Further preferably, the greatest possible distance between two boundary points 68; 69 of the boundary 73 of the fluid suction 41 has a minimum length that is greater than at least one boundary of a respective outlet surface 09, in particular one to be cleaned, of a respective print head 08 in the x-direction.

[0149] Preferably, a tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary 73 of the fluid suction 41 is positioned at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction, and alternatively or additionally parallel to the corresponding tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 73 of the fluid supply opening 38. Additionally or alternatively, the fluid suction 41 is preferably positioned at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction and parallel to the positioning gap 07. Preferably, the tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary 73 of the fluid suction 41 is aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04, in particular in a plane of the surface of the cleaning area 37.Preferably, the tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary 73 of the fluid suction 41, which is arranged at least partially orthogonal to the cleaning direction G and orthogonal to the z-direction, has a planar angle of at least 50°, preferably of at least 60°, and of at most 130°, preferably of at most 120°, to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e., rotated counterclockwise. The longitudinal direction of the at least one second fluid discharge 41 preferably has a preferably planar angle, in particular a suction angle 49, to the cleaning direction G, which is preferably acute-angled or obtuse-angled.Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid suction 41 has a preferably flat angle, in particular a suction angle 49, of at least 50° (fifty degrees), preferably of at least 60° (sixty degrees), more preferably of at least 70° (seventy degrees) and / or of at most 130° (one hundred and thirty degrees), preferably of at most 120° (one hundred and twenty degrees), more preferably of at most 110° (one hundred and ten degrees) to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation, i.e., rotated counterclockwise. For example, the suction angle 49 is 106° (one hundred and six degrees). Preferably, the suction angle 49 is not equal to 90° (ninety degrees). Preferably, the tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary 73 of the fluid suction 41 is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fluid suction 41.Further preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid suction 41 is aligned parallel to the at least one positioning gap 07 of the associated nozzle bar 04. In other words, this means, for example, that the longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid suction 41 has an identical inclination to the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07, preferably by the suction angle 49 with respect to the cleaning direction G. In particular, the suction angle 49 thus preferably corresponds to the at least partial oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two print heads 08 arranged next to one another, in particular adjacent to one another. From this, it can be seen, for example, that the suction angle 49 is preferably acute-angled or obtuse.This acute-angled or obtuse design of the suction angle 49 preferably represents the at least partially oblique overlap in the x-direction of the at least two adjacently arranged print heads 08 and / or the alignment of the longitudinal direction of the at least one positioning gap 07. Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the at least one second fluid discharge 41 is inclined relative to the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the inclined position of the at least one second fluid discharge 41 corresponds to an at least partial oblique overlap of the at least two print heads 08 of the at least one row. This preferably enables optimal removal of printing fluid and / or dirt and / or cleaning agent from the at least one positioning gap 07.

[0150] Preferably, in the projection plane, preferably spanned by the x-direction and the z-direction, the projection of the at least one second fluid outlet 41, preferably its boundary 73, is divided into two equal-width parts by the projection of the plane spanned by the central axis 53 and the z-direction. Preferably, the two outermost boundary points 68; 69 of the boundary 73 of the second fluid outlet 41 in the projection plane are arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another with respect to the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53. Preferably, the two outermost boundary points 68; 69 of the boundary 73 of the at least one second fluid outlet 41 are at the same distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53.

[0151] A projection of the at least one second fluid outlet 41, in particular of its at least one outlet opening, more preferably the boundary 73 of the second fluid outlet 41, in the projection plane, preferably spanned by the x-direction and the z-direction, preferably at least partially overlaps the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32 in the projection plane. Preferably, the projection of the at least one second fluid outlet 41, preferably the boundary 73 of the second fluid outlet 41, and the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32 are arranged to overlap one another. In particular, the projection of the at least one second fluid outlet 41, preferably the boundary 73 of the second fluid outlet 41, engages the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32.Preferably, at least one point of the at least one second fluid outlet 41, preferably at least one boundary point 68; 69 of the boundary 73 of the second fluid outlet 41, is arranged further away in the projection plane from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 than the at least one boundary point 61; 62; 63; 64 of the at least one sliding surface 32 with the shortest distance to the at least one central axis 53. Further preferably, at least one point of the at least one second fluid outlet 41, preferably at least one boundary point 68; 69 of the boundary 73 of the second fluid outlet 41, is arranged further away in the projection plane from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis 53 than the at least one boundary point of the at least one sliding surface 32 with the greatest distance to the at least one central axis 53.Advantageously, the formation of the at least one second fluid discharge 41 enables an improvement in the efficiency of the discharge of pressure fluid and / or dirt and / or cleaning agent in the region of the at least one contact surface 11.

[0152] For example, the extent of the at least one second fluid discharge 41, in particular its boundary 73, orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, i.e. preferably its longitudinal extent, is at least 47 mm (forty-seven millimeters), preferably at least 50 mm (fifty millimeters), and / or a maximum of 60 mm (sixty millimeters), more preferably a maximum of 55 mm (fifty-five millimeters). The at least one second fluid discharge 41, in particular the at least one outlet opening and / or all outlet openings projected onto the projection plane, preferably has a length in the projection plane orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, which length exceeds the length of the at least one nozzle surface 09 orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, in particular in the projection plane.

[0153] In a preferred embodiment, the tangential line through the first boundary point of the boundary 71 of the fluid supply opening 38 and / or the tangential line through the fifth boundary point of the boundary 72 of the fluid discharge 39 and / or the tangential line through the ninth boundary point of the boundary 73 of the fluid suction 41 to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation preferably has a plane angle of at least 50° (fifty degrees), preferably of at least 60° (sixty degrees), more preferably of at least 70° (seventy degrees) and / or of at most 130° (one hundred and thirty degrees), preferably of at most 120° (one hundred and twenty degrees), more preferably of at most 110° (one hundred and ten degrees).Further preferably, the longitudinal direction of the fluid supply opening 38 and / or the longitudinal direction of the fluid discharge 39 and / or the longitudinal direction of the fluid suction 41 to the cleaning direction G in a positive mathematical sense of rotation has a plane angle of at least 50° (fifty degrees), preferably of at least 60° (sixty degrees), more preferably of at least 70° (seventy degrees) and / or of at most 130° (one hundred and thirty degrees), preferably of at most 120° (one hundred and twenty degrees), more preferably of at most 110° (one hundred and ten degrees).

[0154] The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has at least one wiper 52. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has the at least one wiper 52 after the at least one cleaning region 37. For example, the at least one cleaning element 31 has at least one spatial region 54 in which at least one wiper 52 can be arranged. In particular, the at least one spatial region 54 has a guide rail and / or groove into which the at least one wiper 52 can be introduced and / or in which the at least one wiper 52 is arranged if it is present. A projection of the at least one wiper 52 in the projection plane preferably at least partially superimposes the projection of the at least one sliding surface 32 in the projection plane. The at least one wiper 52 is preferably arranged in alignment with the at least one sliding surface 32 with respect to the cleaning direction G.Preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 additionally has at least one wiper 52 downstream of the at least one cleaning region 37, opposite to the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the at least one wiper 52 and / or the spatial region 54 of the at least one wiper 52 is arranged downstream of the at least one edge 51, opposite to the cleaning direction G. Preferably, a longitudinal extension of the at least one wiper 52 forms an acute or obtuse angle, preferably an angle other than 90°, with the cleaning direction G and / or with the central axis 53 of the at least one cleaning element 31. This preferably improves the removal of the wiped-off cleaning fluid and / or the pressure fluid and / or the contaminants. Preferably, the at least one wiper 52 is designed as a wiper lip, for example made of rubber, preferably of at least one silicone-rubber mixture.Preferably, the at least one wiper 52 does not come into contact with the at least one nozzle surface 09 of the at least one print head 08. Preferably, the at least one wiper 52 does not come into direct contact with the at least one nozzle surface 09 of the at least one print head 08. Further preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 has at least two wipers 52, which are preferably arranged at a distance from one another orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and / or which each come into direct contact with at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08. Preferably, the at least two wipers 52 are spaced from one another by a distance which corresponds to the length of the nozzle surface 09 in the x-direction. Further preferably, the at least one wiper 52 only comes into contact with the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08.The at least one wiper 52 preferably projects in the vertical direction, in particular in the z-direction, beyond the surface of the at least one cleaning region 37. Contact of the at least one wiper 52 with the at least one contact surface 11 is preferably ensured by pressing the at least one wiper 52 against it. For example, the at least one wiper 52 is pressed against the at least one contact surface 11 by at least 0.2 mm (zero point two millimeters) and / or by a maximum of 0.6 mm (zero point six millimeters). Advantageously, the at least one wiper 52 removes residues such as pressurized fluid, cleaning agent, and / or dirt that was not removed by the at least one cleaning region 37. In particular, the at least one wiper 52 assists in drying the at least one contact surface 11 after cleaning has been completed.Advantageously, the at least one wiper 52 is arranged in such a way that damage to the at least one nozzle surface 09 by the wiper 52 is avoided.

[0155] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the cleaning element 31 in question comprises at least one cleaning region 37, whereby at least one print head 08 of at least one nozzle bar 04 can preferably be cleaned and / or cleaned. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the cleaning element 31 in question preferably comprises at least two cleaning regions 37. The at least two cleaning regions 37 in question are preferably connectable and / or connected by at least one connecting element 42. Thus, by means of the one cleaning head 31 in question, which comprises at least two connectable and / or connected cleaning regions 37, it is preferably possible to clean and / or clean at least two print heads 08, wherein the at least two print heads 08 are preferably arranged in at least two different rows of print heads 08 in the y-direction.

[0156] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one printing unit 01 of the printing press comprises at least one nozzle bar 04 with at least two adjacently arranged print heads 08, which delimit the at least one positioning gap 07, with at least one feed device 13 assigned to the respective positioning gap 07 and / or at least one cleaning device 18 assigned to the respective print head 08 of the nozzle bar 04.

[0157] For example, the at least one feed device 13 is used in an operating state of the printing press, wherein at least one printing substrate 03 is printable and / or is being printed with at least one printing fluid. By expelling at least one fluid, for example a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or a liquid, through the outlet opening 17 of the respective feed device 13, the penetration and / or deposition of, for example, printing fluid in the respective positioning gap 07 is preferably hindered and / or prevented.

[0158] In a preferred embodiment of the at least one cleaning element 31, the cleaning element 31 has at least two cleaning areas 37, preferably four cleaning areas 37. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has exactly as many cleaning areas 37 as the number of rows of print heads, arranged side by side in particular in the x-direction, that the nozzle bar 04 assigned to this cleaning element 31 comprises. The at least two cleaning areas 37 are preferably arranged orthogonally to the cleaning direction G and / or orthogonally to the y-direction and / or side by side in the x-direction. Thus, at least two rows of print heads 08, preferably four rows of print heads 08, more preferably all rows of print heads 08 of a nozzle bar 04, are and / or can be cleaned simultaneously and / or with the at least one cleaning element 31.

[0159] For example, the at least one cleaning element 31, preferably when it comprises at least two cleaning areas 37, has at least one sliding surface 32 in each case in front of a first cleaning area 37 in the x-direction and / or after a last cleaning area 37 in the x-direction. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has no additional sliding surface 32 between its first and last cleaning area 37. For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one cleaning element 31, preferably when it comprises at least two cleaning areas 37, has at least one guide surface 36 in each case in front of a first cleaning area 37 in the x-direction and / or after a last cleaning area 37 in the x-direction. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably has no additional guide surface 36 between its first and last cleaning area 37.

[0160] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one nozzle bar 04 comprises at least two rows of print heads 08. Preferably, the at least two rows of print heads 08 are each arranged at an angle of at least 1° (one degree), preferably of at least 3°, more preferably of 4°, to one another. This is particularly the case when a curved and / or cylindrical printing material guide element 02 is opposite the at least one nozzle bar 04. Preferably, the at least two rows of print heads 08 are each arranged at an angle of at least 1° (one degree), preferably of at least 3°, more preferably of 4°, to one another with respect to a normal vector of the respective exit surfaces 09.

[0161] Preferably, a surface of the cleaning element 31, which comprises the at least one fluid supply 38 and the at least one fluid discharge 39 and the at least one fluid suction 41, preferably the plane of the surface of the respective cleaning region 37, is arranged parallel to the at least one exit surface 09 of the at least one print head 08, which is assigned to this surface and / or to this cleaning region 37. More preferably, this surface and / or this cleaning region 37 is directed toward this at least one exit surface 09. Preferably, the normal vectors of at least two surfaces of the cleaning element 31, which each comprise at least one fluid supply 38 and at least one fluid discharge 39 and at least one fluid suction 41, preferably the surfaces of the at least two cleaning regions 37 of the cleaning element 31, form an angle of at least 1° (one degree), preferably of at least 3°, more preferably of 4°, to one another.

[0162] Preferably, at least one throttle is arranged in the fluid supply 38, in particular in a channel of the fluid supply 38. The at least one throttle is preferably designed to regulate the supply of cleaning agent to the at least one fluid supply opening 38, in particular depending on the angular position and / or inclination of the respective cleaning area 37.

[0163] For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least two cleaning areas 37 of a cleaning element 31 are arranged offset from one another in the cleaning direction G. They thereby preferably represent an offset of the existing rows of print heads 08 relative to one another.

[0164] The printing press is cleaned. The at least one print head 08 of at least one nozzle bar 04 of the printing press is cleaned by the at least one cleaning device 18. The at least one cleaning device 18 ejects cleaning fluid by means of the at least one fluid supply 38 of the at least one cleaning element 31. The at least one contact surface 11 is wetted with cleaning fluid by the at least one fluid supply 38. Preferably, the at least one fluid supply 38 sprays cleaning fluid onto the at least one contact surface 11. Preferably, the at least one nozzle surface 09 and the at least one contact surface 11 and the at least one positioning gap 07 are wetted with cleaning fluid from the at least one fluid supply 38.

[0165] For cleaning, the at least one cleaning element 31 and / or the at least one cleaning unit 26 is preferably placed against the at least one print head 08. The at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08 arranged in a cleaning position comes into direct contact with the at least one sliding surface 32 of the at least one cleaning element 31. In at least one cleaning process, at least the at least one cleaning element 31 and / or the at least one cleaning unit 26 is moved in the cleaning direction G. For example, the respective cleaning element 31 and / or the respective cleaning unit 26 has a constant speed along the cleaning direction G. Preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 is arranged above the at least one sealing element 56, preferably within the at least one cross member 22.Preferably, the at least one cleaning element 31 is moved over the sealing element 56 along the cleaning direction G during cleaning.

[0166] The at least one fluid supply opening 38 ejects cleaning agent, which comes into contact with the at least one outlet surface 09 and / or the at least one contact surface 11 and / or the at least one positioning gap 07 of the respective nozzle bar 04. The cleaning agent preferably cleans the at least one outlet surface 09 and / or the at least one contact surface 11 and / or the at least one positioning gap 07.

[0167] The at least one fluid discharge 39, for example, sucks away the cleaning agent and / or dirt, for example following the cleaning of the exit surface 09 and / or the contact surface 11 and / or the positioning gap 07 in a preferably first removal step, preferably by applying negative pressure. Cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or pressurized fluid are sucked away through the at least one first fluid discharge 39 having at least one discharge opening for the removal of cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or pressurized fluid from the at least one cleaning element 31.Since the at least one discharge opening of the at least one first fluid discharge 39 encloses the at least one outlet opening of the at least one fluid supply 38 in the area of ​​the surface of the at least one cleaning element 31, cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or pressure fluid are preferably sucked off counter to the cleaning direction G upstream of the at least one fluid supply 38 and / or counter to the cleaning direction G downstream of the at least one fluid supply 38 and / or orthogonal to the cleaning direction G upstream of and / or downstream of the at least one fluid supply 38.

[0168] After removal by means of the at least one first fluid removal 39, any cleaning fluid and / or remaining contaminants and / or remaining printing fluid remaining on the at least one print head 08 and / or in at least one positioning gap 07 are preferably suctioned away by at least one second fluid removal 41 having at least one discharge opening for removing cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or printing fluid. In a second removal step, the fluid suction 41 preferably suctions away, for example, the cleaning agent and / or dirt that remained and / or adhered to the exit surface 09 and / or the contact surface 11 and / or in the positioning gap 07, for example, after the first removal step.

[0169] The at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08 arranged in a cleaning position preferably comes into direct contact with the at least one sliding surface 32 of the at least one cleaning element 31, counter to the cleaning direction G, only before the at least one second fluid discharge 41. The at least one cleaning element 31 preferably releases contact with the at least one contact surface 11 of the at least one print head 08, counter to the cleaning direction G, after the at least one second fluid discharge 41, preferably after the last unit that sucks off cleaning fluid and / or contamination and / or printing fluid. The contact is preferably released by means of the at least one edge 51 and / or by means of at least one ramp 34 with a negative gradient.

[0170] Preferably, the at least one contact surface 11 is wiped by means of the at least one wiper 52, preferably by means of the at least one wiper lip, preferably following cleaning with the at least one fluid supply 38 and / or with the at least one first fluid discharge 39 and / or with the at least one second fluid discharge 41.

[0171] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning element 31 and / or the cleaning unit 26 is preferably slowed down and / or stopped in its speed in the cleaning direction G at at least one position, which is assigned, for example, to a positioning gap 07, whereby, for example, cleaning of the respective positioning gap 07 can be carried out. Preferably, the at least one supply device 13 expels a fluid, for example a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or a liquid, through the at least one outlet opening 17 during the at least one cleaning process. Thus, penetration and / or deposition of the cleaning agent in the respective positioning gap 07 is made more difficult and / or prevented during the cleaning process.For example, intensive cleaning of the at least one positioning gap 07 in question is preferably carried out, wherein the cleaning element 31 and / or the cleaning unit 26 is slowed down and / or stopped in its speed in the cleaning direction G, preferably at the at least one position which is preferably assigned to the respective positioning gap 07, and / or the supply device 13 ejects at least one fluid, for example a gas and / or a gas mixture, in particular air, and / or a liquid. List of reference symbols

[0172] 01Printing unit, non-impact printing unit, inkjet printing unit 02Printing material guide element 03Printing material 04Nozzle bar 05- 06Positioning guide 07Positioning gap 08Printing head, inkjet printing head 09Exit surface, nozzle surface 10- 11Contact surface, distance surface 12- 13Feeding device, nozzle, cleaning nozzle 14Feeding element 15- 16Outlet element, limiting element 17Outlet opening, recess 18Cleaning device 19Guide system 20- 21Cleaning drive 22Collecting tray 23Support device, first, positioning aid 24Support device, second, cleaning aid 25- 26Cleaning unit 27Carrier 28Mounting element 29Power element 30- 31Cleaning element, cleaning head 32Sliding point, Sliding surface 33Ramp, first, entrance ramp 34Ramp, second, exit ramp 35- 36Guide device, guide surface 37Cleaning area 38Fluid supply, fluid supply opening 39Fluid discharge, first; Fluid discharge; Fluid discharge opening, first 40- 41Fluid discharge, second; Fluid suction;Second fluid discharge opening 42Connecting element 43Outlet element, opening element 44Cleaning guide 45- 46Positioning angle 47Opening angle 48Discharge angle 49Suction angle 50- 51Edge 52Wiper 53Central axis 54Spatial area of ​​the wiper (52) 55- 56Sealing element 57Support 58Limitation point (38) 59Limitation point (38) 60- 61Limitation point (39; 32) 62Limitation point (39; 32) 32) 63Limitation point (39; 64Limitation point (39; 32) 65- 66Limitation point (39) 67Limitation point (39) 68Limitation point (41) 69Limitation point (41) 70- 71Limitation (38) 72Limitation (39) 73Limitation (41) ; xx-direction yy-direction zz-direction TTransport direction ACross direction LDischarge direction GRemoval direction

Claims

1. Cleaning device (18) for cleaning at least one nozzle surface (09) and at least one contact surface (11), designed as a spacer surface, of at least one print head (08), the cleaning device (18) having at least one cleaning element (31), the at least one cleaning element (31) having at least one fluid supply means (38) with at least one outlet opening for cleaning fluid, the at least one cleaning element (31) having at least one sliding surface (32), the at least one cleaning element (31) being designed to come into direct contact, by means of the at least one sliding surface (32), with the at least one contact surface (11) of the at least one print head (08) when the latter is arranged in a cleaning position, the at least one sliding surface (32) having a greater extension in a cleaning direction (G) than orthogonal to the cleaning direction (G), the cleaning direction (G) being a direction (G) in which the at least one cleaning element (31) of the at least one cleaning device (18) is movably arranged and / or is designed to move in order to carry out a cleaning step, the at least one cleaning element (31) having at least one first fluid removal means (39) with at least one removal opening for removing cleaning fluid and / or dirt and / or printing fluid, the at least one first fluid removal means (39) having at least one boundary (72) of the first fluid removal means (39), a projection plane being arranged orthogonal to the cleaning direction (G), the at least one sliding surface (32) being projected into the projection plane, the boundary (72) of the at least one removal opening of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) having at least one first boundary point (61; 63) and at least one second boundary point (62; 64), which boundary points (61; 62; 63; 64), in a projection of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) into the projection plane, are arranged on at least one boundary point (61; 62; 63; 64) of the at least one sliding surface (32) at a shortest distance from at least one central axis (53) of the at least one cleaning element (31), the central axis (53) of the at least one cleaning element (31) being an axis parallel to the cleaning direction (G) which splits the at least one cleaning element (31) into two parts, a plane spanned by the central axis (53) and a z-direction splitting the at least one fluid supply means (38) into two parts, a normal vector of a plane of the nozzle surface (09) of a print head (08) to be cleaned being parallel to the z-direction, the boundary (72) of the at least one removal opening of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) having at least one further boundary point (66; 67) which is at a greater distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis (53) than the first boundary point (61; 63) and the second boundary point (62; 64) and which is arranged between the first boundary point (61; 63) and the second boundary point (62; 64) along the extension of the first fluid removal means (39) in the cleaning direction (G), the boundary (72) of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) being arc-shaped between the at least one first boundary point (61; 63) and the at least one second boundary point (62; 64), which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction (G), characterized in that the boundary (72) of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) is designed such that, in the projection plane, all points on the at least one sliding surface (32) orthogonal to the cleaning direction (G) are superposed by at least one boundary point of the boundary (72) between the first boundary point (61; 63) and the further boundary point (66; 67).

2. Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one boundary point (58; 59) of a boundary (71) of the at least one fluid supply means (38) in the projection plane is arranged further from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis (53) of the at least one cleaning element (31) than the at least one boundary point (61; 62; 63; 64) of the at least one sliding surface (32) at the shortest distance from the at least one plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis (53).

3. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two outermost boundary points (58; 59) of the boundary (71) of the at least one fluid supply means (38) in the projection plane are arranged mirror-symmetrical to each other in relation to the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis (53), in that the at least one first boundary point (61; 63) of the boundary (72) of the first fluid removal means (39) is arranged upstream of the outermost boundary point (58; 59) of the at least one fluid supply means (38) counter to the cleaning direction (G), and in that the at least one second boundary point (62; 64) of the boundary (72) of the first fluid removal means (39) is arranged downstream of the outermost boundary point (58; 59) of the at least one fluid supply means (38) counter to the cleaning direction (G).

4. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one cleaning element (31) has at least one second fluid removal means (41) with at least one removal opening for removing cleaning fluid and / or dirt and / or printing fluid, and in that a projection of the at least one second fluid removal means (41) into the projection plane at least partially superposes the projection of the at least one sliding surface (32) into the projection plane.

5. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one cleaning region (37) has the at least one fluid supply means (38) and / or the at least one first fluid removal means (39) and / or the at least one second fluid removal means (41), and in that the surface of the at least one cleaning element (31) has, adjacent to the at least one cleaning region (37) counter to the cleaning direction (G), a reduced height compared to the height of the surface of the at least one cleaning region (37).

6. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that a longitudinal direction of the at least one fluid supply means (38) has, relative to the cleaning direction (G), an opening angle (47) which is acute-angled or obtuse-angled, and / or in that a longitudinal direction of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) has, relative to the cleaning direction (G), a removal angle (48) which is acute-angled or obtuse-angled, and / or in that a longitudinal direction of the at least one second fluid removal means (41) has, relative to the cleaning direction (G), an aspiration angle (49) which is acute-angled or obtuse-angled.

7. Printing machine, the printing machine having at least one nozzle bar (04) with at least one print head (08), the at least one print head (08) having at least one nozzle surface (09) and at least one contact surface (11), designed as a spacer surface, characterized in that the printing machine has at least one cleaning device (18) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, and in that the at least one cleaning device (18) is designed to clean the at least one nozzle surface (09) and the at least one contact surface (11).

8. Printing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one fluid supply means (38) has a length in the projection plane orthogonal to the cleaning direction (G), which length exceeds the length of the at least one nozzle surface (09) orthogonal to the cleaning direction (G).

9. Method for cleaning a printing machine, at least one print head (08) of at least one nozzle bar (04) of the printing machine being cleaned by at least one cleaning device (18), the at least one print head (08) having at least one nozzle surface (09) and at least one contact surface (11), designed as a spacer surface, the at least one cleaning device (18) ejecting cleaning fluid by means of at least one fluid supply means (38) of at least one cleaning element (31), the at least one contact surface (11) being wetted with cleaning fluid by the at least one fluid supply means (38), the at least one cleaning device (18) cleaning the at least one nozzle surface (09) and the at least one contact surface (11), the at least one contact surface (11) of the at least one print head (08) arranged in a cleaning position coming into direct contact with at least one sliding surface (32) of the at least one cleaning element (31), a cleaning direction (G) being a direction (G) in which the at least one cleaning element (31) of the at least one cleaning device (18) is movably arranged and / or moves in order to carry out a cleaning step, cleaning fluid and / or dirt and / or printing fluid being aspirated by at least one first fluid removal means (39) of the at least one cleaning element (31) having at least one removal opening for removing cleaning fluid and / or dirt and / or printing fluid, a projection plane being arranged orthogonal to the cleaning direction (G), the at least one sliding surface (32) being projected into the projection plane, a boundary (72) of the at least one removal opening of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) having at least one first boundary point (61; 63) and at least one second boundary point (62; 64), which boundary points (61; 62; 63; 64), in a projection of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) into the projection plane, are arranged on at least one boundary point (61; 62; 63; 64) of the at least one sliding surface (32) at a shortest distance from at least one central axis (53) of the at least one cleaning element (31), the central axis (53) of the at least one cleaning element (31) being an axis parallel to the cleaning direction (G) which splits the at least one cleaning element (31) into two parts, a plane spanned by the central axis (53) and a z-direction splitting the at least one fluid supply means (38) into two parts, the boundary (72) of the at least one removal opening of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) having at least one further boundary point (66; 67) which is at a greater distance from the plane spanned by the z-direction and the central axis (53) than the first boundary point (61; 63) and the second boundary point (62; 64) and which is arranged between the first boundary point (61; 63) and the second boundary point (62; 64) along the extension of the first fluid removal means (39) in the cleaning direction (G), the boundary (72) of the at least one first fluid removal means (39) being arc-shaped between the at least one first boundary point (61; 63) and the at least one second boundary point (62; 64), which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction (G), characterized in that, in the projection plane, all points on the at least one sliding surface (32) orthogonal to the cleaning direction (G) are superposed by at least one boundary point of the boundary (72) between the first boundary point (61; 63) and the further boundary point (66; 67).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one fluid supply means (38) has at least one point which is at a shortest distance from the at least one contact surface (11), and in that this point is arranged in alignment with the at least one contact surface (11) in the z-direction during the cleaning process.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one contact surface (11) of the at least one print head (08) arranged in a cleaning position comes into direct contact with the at least one sliding surface (32) of the at least one cleaning element (31) only upstream of a second fluid removal means (41) of the at least one cleaning element (31) counter to the cleaning direction (G).