Device for releasing a textile from a printing plate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for releasing a textile from a printing plate, in particular in direct printing and / or screen printing and / or with several colors, comprising a lifting device which has a gripper for gripping a first end of the textile and a first axis of movement for lifting the gripper; and a release slide which can be inserted via a second axis of movement between the printing plate and the first end of the textile lifted by the lifting device in order to release the textile from the printing plate.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for releasing a textile from a printing plate, in particular in direct printing and / or screen printing and / or with multiple colors.

[0002] In the textile printing industry, particularly in the area of ​​direct printing / screen printing, complex multi-color print motifs are frequently used. The textile must not slip on the printing plate between the individual printing stations, as this would otherwise result in distortion of the printed image or blurring of the print. Prior art US6484629 discloses a device for removing a textile from a printing plate, particularly in direct printing and / or screen printing and / or with multiple colors.

[0003] To counteract this, a double-sided adhesive film is applied between the printing plate and the textile. This prevents the textile from slipping during printing, but has a detrimental effect on the textile's removal and transfer to the drying tunnel belt. Automatic removal is currently not possible for multi-color printing. Manual removal is usually inconvenient and time-consuming for the operator due to the position of the printing plate. Furthermore, it carries the risk of damaging the still-fresh print image due to uneven stress on the textile during removal.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for detaching a textile from a printing plate, which replaces the manual detachment practiced previously.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0006] The present invention comprises a device for releasing a textile from a printing plate, comprising a lifting device which has a gripper for gripping a first end of the textile and a first movement axis for lifting the gripper, and a detachment slide which can be inserted via a second movement axis between the printing plate and the first end of the textile lifted by the lifting device in order to release the textile from the printing plate.

[0007] The gripper grips and secures the textile at the first, preferably lower, end and lifts it sufficiently so that the release slider can move between the textile and the printing plate. This evenly separates the textile from the adhesive film, allowing the textile to be removed manually or automatically in the next step.

[0008] The device according to the invention can be positioned at a suitable location relative to the printing plate, thus eliminating the limited accessibility associated with previous manual removal. Furthermore, the textile is removed evenly by the removal slide, thus preventing damage to the printed image.

[0009] The device according to the invention can be combined with a device for automatically removing the textile from the printing plate and thus allows such automatic removal even with multi-color prints by detaching the textile from the adhesive film / printing plate before removal. After detaching the textile, it can then be automatically removed and transferred to a drying tunnel. However, the device according to the invention also facilitates manual removal of the textile.

[0010] The device according to the invention can be used in particular for direct printing and / or screen printing and / or for printing with multiple colors.

[0011] Furthermore, the device according to the invention can be used in particular when the textile adheres to the printing plate during printing and is fixed to the printing plate in particular via at least one adhesive layer and in particular a two-sided adhesive film.

[0012] Furthermore, the device according to the invention can be used in particular for printing a textile that is mounted on the printing plate with a lower opening and thus surrounds it. The release slide is preferably inserted into this lower opening, with the first end corresponding to the lower end of the textile.

[0013] The device according to the invention can be used in particular for printing T-shirts.

[0014] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the gripper is a mechanical gripper with two clamping elements between which the first end of the textile can be clamped. In particular, the clamping elements can be clamping strips.

[0015] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the detachment slide comprises a push plate which can be moved linearly via a telescopic rail structure.

[0016] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, a front edge of the detachment slider, in particular of the push plate, has a bevel in order to lift and release the textile.

[0017] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a size adjustment mechanism, by which the position of the lifting device can be adjusted to the position of a first end of the textile. This allows different textiles that end at different positions on the printing plate to be printed.

[0018] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the position of the lifting device is adjustable via the size adjustment in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the second movement axis of the detachment slide.

[0019] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the size adjustment comprises a third movement axis, via which the position of the lifting device can be adjusted in a direction transverse to the direction of the first movement axis. The third movement axis can be manually and / or motor-adjustable.

[0020] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the position of the lifting device is adjusted relative to an assembly that includes the bearing of the detachment slide, whereby the bearing of the detachment slide is preferably not adjusted in its position. Adjusting the movement of the detachment slide to the size of the textile is usually not necessary or can be achieved by adjusting the travel path of the detachment slide.

[0021] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the position of the lifting device on a support arm, which carries a bearing of the detachment slide, can be adjusted by means of the size adjustment.

[0022] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the size adjustment comprises a sensor that detects the position of the first end of the textile, and a controller that adjusts the position of the lifting device to the position of the first end of the textile based on the sensor data. In particular, the controller actuates an actuator for the size adjustment.

[0023] The sensor can in particular be a vision sensor and / or a camera detection.

[0024] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the size adjustment allows a manual specification of the position of the lifting device, in particular via a separate input element or a control panel.

[0025] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the size adjustment device comprises a projector for projecting a marking, wherein the marking preferably indicates the position at which the first end of the textile must be arranged in order to be gripped with the current size adjustment setting. This allows, in particular, for easier manual adjustment of the position.

[0026] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the gripper comprises a gripping factor via which it is motor-actuated.

[0027] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first movement axis comprises an actuator via which it is motor-actuated.

[0028] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the second movement axis comprises an actuator via which it is motor-operated.

[0029] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the third movement axis comprises an actuator via which it is motor-operated.

[0030] The actuators can, for example, be electrical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic actuators.

[0031] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a controller which controls the actuators of the gripper and / or the first and / or second and / or third movement axis.

[0032] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the control takes place automatically.

[0033] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the actuator(s) are controlled in such a way that the device carries out the actions and / or method steps described above and below.

[0034] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the controller has an interface for coupling to the controller of a printing press and / or a device for handling printing plates with textiles applied thereto. In particular, the controller of the device according to the invention can be controlled via such an interface.

[0035] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the control is designed such that the device carries out the following method, in particular automatically: Gripping the first side of the textile via the gripper; lifting the first side of the textile by moving the gripper by means of the first movement axis; inserting the detachment slider via a second movement axis between the printing plate and the first end of the textile lifted by the lifting device and releasing the textile from the printing plate.

[0036] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the control is further carried out in such a way that after the detachment slider has been pushed in and the textile has been detached, the detachment slider is moved back via a second movement axis.

[0037] The device according to the invention can be integrated into a device for handling printing plates or a printing press, in particular as the penultimate station of such a handling device and / or printing press and / or after the last printing station and / or before the removal station.

[0038] The present invention further comprises a device for handling printing plates of a printing machine, which device comprises a device for releasing a textile from a printing plate as described above.

[0039] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the device for handling printing plates comprises a movement axis, via which a printing plate can be moved into the area of ​​the device for releasing a textile from the printing plate. Furthermore, the printing plate with the released textile can be moved further along the movement axis to a removal station.

[0040] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the printing plate can be moved by the handling device to at least one printing station and preferably to several printing stations.

[0041] In particular, the printing plate with the textile can be moved by the device for handling printing plates to one or more printing stations and then to a station formed by the device for removing the textile.

[0042] The device for handling printing plates can in particular comprise a turntable with several holders for printing plates, and transport the printing plates in a timed manner from one station to the next.

[0043] The present invention further comprises a printing machine with a device for handling printing plates and / or with a device for releasing a textile as described above.

[0044] The printing machine may also have a drying station onto which the textiles are placed after being removed from the printing plates.

[0045] When reference is made to a motion axis in the context of the present invention, this refers to a mechanical guide that allows movement in at least one direction and / or around at least one axis. However, a motion axis can also enable more complex movements.

[0046] In particular, a movement axis according to the present invention may comprise one or more linear axes and / or rotary axes.

[0047] In particular, the above-described axes of movement of the device according to the invention for detaching a textile are each formed by a linear axis.

[0048] According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, the controller comprises a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory on which a program with commands is stored. When executed on the microprocessor, these commands control the device, and in particular, control it in such a way that it performs the activities described in the present application and / or exhibits the functions. Alternatively, the controller can also be implemented in hardware or mechanically. The controller is preferably connected to the actuators and, if applicable, sensors via signal lines.

[0049] The present invention further comprises methods for operating a printing machine as just described, comprising the steps of: Applying a textile to a printing plate, in particular gluing the textile; printing the textile, in particular by direct printing and / or screen printing and / or with multiple colors; gripping the first side of the textile via the gripper; lifting the first side of the textile by moving the gripper by means of the first movement axis; inserting the release slider via a second movement axis between the printing plate and the first end of the textile lifted by the lifting device and releasing the textile from the printing plate; and preferably: moving the release slider back via a second movement axis.

[0050] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the device for releasing a textile is automatic.

[0051] The present invention will now be described in more detail using an embodiment and drawings: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention for detaching a textile in a starting position in which the textile adheres to the printing plate, Fig. 2 shows the Fig. 1 shown embodiment in an intermediate position in which the gripper picks up the first end of the textile, and Fig. 3 in Fig. 1 and 2 The embodiment shown is in a working stroke in which the release slide is inserted between the textile and the printing plate and releases the textile from the printing plate.

[0052] Fig. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention for detaching a textile, which can be integrated into a printing machine, in particular in the field of direct printing / screen printing, for example as the penultimate station before removal.

[0053] Reference numeral 20 indicates part of a device for handling printing plates of the printing press, by which the printing plates are moved from one station to the next. For example, this may be a turntable with several arms on which the printing plates are arranged.

[0054] To produce complex multi-colored print motifs, the textile 32 must not slip between the individual printing stations on the printing plate 30, as this would otherwise result in distortion of the printed image or blurring of the print. To counteract this, a double-sided adhesive film 31 is applied between the printing plate 30 and the textile 32. This prevents the textile from slipping during printing.

[0055] The device 10 is used to detach the textile 32 from the printing plate 30 after printing. It comprises a lifting device with a gripper 11 and a movement axis 14 for lifting the gripper 11. The gripper 11 grips and secures the textile 32 at the lower end 33. By lifting the gripper 11, it "lifts" or raises the lower end 33 of the textile far enough so that the removal slider 12 of the device can move between the textile 32 and the printing plate 30. In doing so, it evenly detaches the textile 32 from the adhesive film 31, allowing the textile to be removed manually or automatically in the next step.

[0056] The device allows for automated detachment of the textile from the adhesive film / printing plate, thus enabling subsequent automatic removal, even with multi-color prints. However, it can also be combined with manual removal. After removal, the textile can be transferred to a drying tunnel belt.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment, the gripper 11 comprises a receptacle and clamping / fixing of the textile 32 at the lower end 33 (usually on the side facing the printing press), which is strong enough to withstand the tensile force exerted by the release slide 12. In the exemplary embodiment, it is a mechanical gripper with two clamping jaws or clamping bars 19, between which the lower end 33 is clamped. The movement axis 14 lifts the gripper in the exemplary embodiment perpendicular to the extension of the printing plate 30 and / or the direction of movement of the release slide. It is preferably motor-driven.

[0058] The release slider 12 comprises a pusher plate on a telescopic rail assembly 15 and is driven by an actuator (electric or pneumatic) and inserted between the pressure plate 30 and the textile 32. The pusher plate has a beveled edge 13 at the front to lift and release the textile, while simultaneously holding it by the gripper 11. When the release slider 12 is pushed back, the textile is placed back onto the pressure plate 30 with the adhesive film 31, with the difference that this time, due to the lack of pressure force, no adhesion to the adhesive film 31 is established.

[0059] Subsequently, the printing plate 30 with the released textile is transported by the device 20 to a removal station, in particular by further rotating the device 20.

[0060] The device is preferably operated automatically. A controller (not shown) is provided for this purpose, which controls the device's actuators accordingly.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment, the device 10 for releasing the textile comprises a (preferably automatic) size adjustment 16, by means of which the gripper 10 of the lifting device is aligned with the lower edge 33 of the textile 32 to be printed.

[0062] For a T-shirt, for example, the lifting device is moved depending on the size of the shirt. For this purpose, the lifting device in the exemplary embodiment can be moved linearly along a support arm 17, in particular via an actuator 18.

[0063] The position value for the adjustment axis can be specified either by a vision sensor / camera detection or by a manually adjustable value (e.g., using a laser line and encoder value, or by operator input on the control panel). Therefore, the size setting of the lifting and clamping mechanism adjusts depending on the size / length of the textile.

[0064] Furthermore, the travel path of the detachment slider can be adjusted to the size of the textile.

Claims

1. Device for detaching a textile (32) from a printing plate (30), in particular in the case of direct printing and / or screen printing using a plurality of colours, comprising: a lifting device which comprises a gripper (11) for gripping a first end (33) of the textile (32), and a first movement axis (14) for lifting the gripper (11); and a detachment slider (12), which can be inserted, via a second movement axis, between the printing plate (30) and the first end (33) of the textile (32), lifted by the lifting device, in order to detach the textile (32) from the printing plate (30).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the gripper (11) is a mechanical gripper having two clamping elements (19), between which the first end (33) of the textile (32) can be clamped.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detachment slider (12) comprises a thrust plate which is linearly displaceable via a telescopic rail structure (15).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a front edge (13) of the detachment slider (12) comprises a chamfer, in order to lift and detach the textile.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a size adjustment means (16) by which the position of the lifting device can be adjusted to the position of a first end (33) of the textile (32), wherein the position of the lifting device is preferably adjustable in a direction in parallel with the extension direction of the second movement axis of the detachment slider (12).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the position of the lifting device on a carrier arm (17) which carries a bearing of the detachment slider (12) is adjustable by the size adjustment means (16).

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the size adjustment means (16) comprises a sensor which acquires the position of the first end (33) of the textile (32), and a controller which adjusts the position of the lifting device, on the basis of the data of the sensor, to the position of a first end (33) of the textile (32), wherein the sensor is preferably a vision sensor and / or camera detection means.

8. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the size adjustment means (16) allows for a manual specification of the position of the lifting device, in particular via a separate input element or a control panel, and / or wherein the size adjustment means (16) comprises a projector for projecting a marking, wherein the marking preferably shows the position at which the first end (33) of the textile (32) must be arranged in order to be gripped in the current setting of the size adjustment means.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper (11) comprises a gripping actuator, via which it is operated, and / or wherein the first and / or the second movement axis comprise an actuator, via which they are operated.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a controller which controls actuators of the gripper (11) and / or of the first and / or second movement axis, in particular automatically, wherein the controller preferably comprises an interface for coupling to the controller of a printing machine and / or of a device for handling printing plates having textiles applied thereto.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to carry out the following method: - gripping the first side (33) of the textile (32) using the gripper (11); - lifting the first side (33) of the textile (32) by moving the gripper (11) by means of the first movement axis; - inserting the detachment slider (12), via a second movement axis, between the printing plate (30) and the first end (33) of the textile (32), lifted by the lifting device, and detaching the textile (32) from the printing plate (30); and preferably: - returning the detachment slider (12) via a second movement axis.

12. Device (20) for handling printing plates of a printing machine, comprising a device (10) for detaching a textile (32) from a printing plate (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (20) for handling printing plates (30) preferably comprises a movement axis via which a printing plate (30) can be moved into the region of the device (10) for detaching a textile (32) from the printing plate (30), wherein the printing plate (30) can be moved by the device (20) for handling preferably to at least one printing station and preferably to a plurality of printing stations.

13. Printing machine, comprising a device (20) for handling printing plates according to claim 12, and / or comprising a device for detaching a textile according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. Method for operating a printing machine according to claim 13, comprising the steps of: - applying a textile (32) to a printing plate (30); - printing the textile (32), in particular by direct printing and / or screen printing and / or using a plurality of colours; - gripping the first side (33) of the textile (32) using the gripper (11); - lifting the first side (33) of the textile (31) by moving the gripper (11) by means of the first movement axis; - inserting the detachment slider (12), via a second movement axis, between the printing plate (30) and the first end (33) of the textile (32), lifted by the lifting device, and detaching the textile (32) from the printing plate (30); and preferably: - returning the detachment slider (12) via a second movement axis.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the operation of the device for detaching a textile takes place automatically.

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