Fitting, plant and method for sublimation printing of hollow bodies, in particular containers such as bottles, flasks, and jars

Abstract

A fitting (47) for sublimation printing of hollow bodies extends along a longitudinal axis (A3) and has a first portion (29) comprising a face (30) configured to be disposed abutting an edge of an opening of the hollow body (6), and a face (31) configured to be wrapped and enclosed by a film (13) together with the hollow body (6) so as to form a microchannel network between the film (13), on one side, and the hollow body (6) and the fitting (47), on the other side; a portion (32) configured to be inserted inside the hollow body (6) through the opening; a portion (33) configured to be connected to a connector; and a channel (34) that passes through the portions (29; 33) to fluidically connect the connector to the microchannel network at the second face (31).

Description

[0001] FITTING, PLANT AND METHOD FOR SUBLIMATION PRINTING OF HOLLOW BODIES , IN PARTICULAR CONTAINERS SUCH AS BOTTLES , FLASKS , AND JARS"

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102023000003048 filed on February 22 , 2023 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present invention concerns a fitting for sublimation printing of hollow bodies , in particular for printing outer surfaces of hollow containers like bottles , flasks and j ars made of glass , ceramic or similar materials .

[0006] STATE OF THE ART

[0007] Speci fic equipment and procedures are known for printing designs by hot trans fer using sublimation inks .

[0008] In this field there is a growing demand for greater attention to the quality aspects of sublimation printing such as , for example , definition of the graphics and the precision of af fixing designs or words relative to speci fic reference points of the hollow body .

[0009] In particular, the document WO 2021 / 260613 Al teaches how to af fix designs to vitreous hollow bodies and similar, such as bottles or flasks , by means of a sublimation printing process with high quality levels in terms of definition of the designs and precision of af fixing thereof . The process described in said document entails the provision of a sleeve , which has an irregular inner face and is obtained from a sheet of film, generally PET or PETG, wrapped to form a cylinder and sealed on the edges with adhesive or solvent of said polymer by means of a seaming machine and bearing a design along its irregular inner face . The design is produced using an ink which is trans ferred onto the hollow body to be decorated .

[0010] The process entails arranging the sleeve around the hollow body, applying heat to the sleeve so as to cause it to heat-shrink and adhere to the hollow body, applying heat at a sublimation temperature of the ink to the sleeve and to the hollow body to sublimate the ink particles and trans fer the design onto the hollow body, simultaneously drawing of f the excess gas produced in the sublimation through the microchannels between the heatshrink sleeve and the hollow body . The microchannels between the hollow body and the heat-shrink sleeve are formed due to the fact that the sleeve has a rough inner face designed to form the microchannels once the sleeve has been heat-shrunk to form a film adhering to the hollow body .

[0011] The process described in WO 2021 / 260613 Al is particularly satis factory in terms of quality; however, one of the problems encountered in sublimation printing is that of combining a high quality level with an ef ficient industriali zation of the production process in order to reduce the production costs .

[0012] SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION

[0013] One obj ect of the present invention is to provide a fitting for use in a sublimation printing process of hollow bodies , in particular for printing the outer surfaces of hollow containers like bottles , flasks and j ars , which is free from the drawbacks of the known art .

[0014] In accordance with the present invention, a fitting is provided for the sublimation printing of hollow bodies , in particular of containers such as , for example , bottles , flasks and j ars , and having at least one opening, the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising :

[0015] - a first portion comprising a first face configured to be arranged abutting an edge of an opening of the hollow body, and a second face configured to be wrapped and enclosed by a film together with the hollow body so as to form a microchannel network between the film on one side , and the hollow body and the fitting on the other side ;

[0016] - a second portion configured to be coupled to the hollow body at the opening;

[0017] - a third portion configured to be connected to at least one connector ; and

[0018] - a channel that passes through the first and the third portion to fluidically connect the connector to the microchannel network at the second face .

[0019] Thanks to the fitting subj ect of the present invention, it is possible to establish a fluidic communication between the connector and the microchannels and, at the same time , provide a support for the hollow body by arranging the edge of the opening resting on the first face and avoiding oscillations by inserting the second portion in the hollow body and centring the hollow body relative to the fitting . It follows that the fitting subj ect of the present invention plays a key role in automation of the sublimation process .

[0020] In particular, the first portion has a gripping zone along the longitudinal axis to allow the fi lm to wedge and exert a force parallel to the longitudinal axis between the first face and the edge of the opening of the hollow body to make the fitting integral with the hollow body, said gripping zone being substantially defined by a recess of the second face .

[0021] In this way, the fitting, the hollow body and the film are integral with one another and fluidically connected .

[0022] In particular, the first portion comprises a permeable disc, which defines in part said second face and is in direct communication with the channel , in particular the porous disc defining the first face .

[0023] In this way, the porous disc is in direct communication with the microchannels arranged along the second face .

[0024] In particular, the second portion comprises elastic elements to exert a radial force between the second portion and the hollow body and thus retain and centre the hollow body and the fitting along the longitudinal axis .

[0025] In particular, the third portion comprises a further connector configured to be inserted inside the connector and provide the fluidic continuity between the microchannels , the fitting and the container .

[0026] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide a plant for sublimation printing of hollow bodies , in particular for printing the outer surfaces of hollow containers like bottles , flasks and j ars , which is free from the drawbacks of the known art .

[0027] In accordance with the present invention, a sublimation printing plant is provided for printing hollow bodies , in particular a printing plant for printing the outer surfaces of hollow containers like bottles , flasks and j ars , the plant comprising :

[0028] - a sublimation printing plant for printing hollow bodies , in particular a printing plant for printing the outer surfaces of hollow containers like bottles , flasks and j ars , the plant comprising : an assembly station configured to support the fitting identi fied above and inserted in the hollow body and to support a sleeve made of heat-shrinkable material at a predefined height relative to the fitting;

[0029] - a heat-shrinking station configured to heat-shrink the sleeve around the fitting so as to form a film around the fitting and the hollow body and form an assembly composed of the fitting, the hollow body and the film and in which a microchannel network extends between the film on one side and the hollow body and the fitting on the other side ; and

[0030] - a sublimation station configured to apply heat to said assembly and draw of f the gases from the microchannel network of the assembly through the fitting .

[0031] In this way the fitting can be usefully employed in all the main phases of the sublimation process both as a support element and as a fluidic connection element with the microchannels .

[0032] In particular, the plant comprises a disassembly station configured to feed gas into said microchannels of the assembly through the fitting at a pressure such as to detach the film from the hollow body to facilitate subsequent removal or at a pressure such as to tear the film .

[0033] In this way, the fitting can also be applied in the disassembly station, considerably facilitating the movement of the hollow bodies .

[0034] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide a method for the sublimation printing of hollow bodies , in particular for printing the outer surfaces of hollow containers like bottles , flasks and j ars , which is free from the drawbacks of the known art .

[0035] In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided which entails :

[0036] - coupling the fitting identi fied above to the hollow body;

[0037] - arranging a sleeve made of heat-shrink material around the hollow body and the fitting;

[0038] - heat-shrinking the sleeve around the fitting to form a film around the fitting and the hollow body and a microchannel network between the film on one side , and the hollow body and the fitting on the other side , the hollow body, the fitting and the film forming an integral assembly; and

[0039] - applying heat to said assembly and simultaneously drawing of f the excess gases from the microchannel network through the fitting .

[0040] The method also entails feeding gas into the microchannels through the fitting at a pressure such as to detach the film from the hollow body to facilitate subsequent removal or at a pressure such as to tear the film .

[0041] It is evident that the fitting makes the gas draw-of f and feeding process particularly ef ficient .

[0042] The method also entails clamping the film at the fitting to prevent any fluidic communication with the outside and make the gas draw-of f and feeding phases more ef ficient .

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear clear from the following description of non-limiting embodiment examples thereof , with reference to the Figures of the attached drawings , in which :

[0045] - Figure 1 is a schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of a sublimation printing plant , produced in accordance with the present invention;

[0046] - Figure 2 is a section view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the plant of Figure 1 ;

[0047] - Figure 3 is a section view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the plant of Figure 1 ;

[0048] - Figure 4 is a section view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of Figure 3 ;

[0049] - Figure 5 is an exploded section view, on a further enlarged scale , of a detail of Figure 4 ;

[0050] - Figure 6 is a section view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of a fitting produced in accordance with the present invention;

[0051] - Figure 7 is a perspective view, partly exploded and on a reduced scale , of the fitting of Figure 6 ;

[0052] - Figure 8 is a section view, with parts removed for clarity, of a variation of the fitting of Figure 6 ; and

[0053] - Figure 9 is a section view, with parts removed for clarity, of a further variation of the fitting of Figure 6 .

[0054] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0055] In Figure 1 the reference number 1 indicates a sublimation printing plant for printing hollow bodies . The plant 1 comprises in sequence an assembly station 2 ; a heat-shrink station 3 ; a sublimation station 4 , and a disassembly station 5 . The heatshrink station 3 and the sublimation station 4 comprise respective heating elements Hl and H2 to reach the heat-shrink and sublimation temperatures respectively . The sublimation station 4 comprises a draw-of f system comprising a suction pump Pl and a relative mani fold Cl while the disassembly station 5 comprises a pumping system comprising a pump P2 and a relative mani fold C2 .

[0056] With reference to Figure 2 , in the assembly station 2 , a hollow body 6 , in the case illustrated a bottle , of which only the part at the opening thereof is illustrated in Figure 2 , is coupled to a fitting 7 and to a sleeve 8 which is arranged around the hollow body 6 and the fitting 7 .

[0057] The sleeve 8 is made of heat-shrink material with an irregular inner surface along which an image and / or words have been printed by means of sublimation inks in accordance with the description and claims of the patent application WO 2021 / 260613 Al . Alternatively, the inner surface of the sleeve 8 is smooth while the hollow body 6 has an irregular rough outer surface .

[0058] The plant 1 comprises a support device 9 , which is configured to support the fitting 7 and the hollow body 6 coupled at the lower free end to the fitting 7 and, separately, the sleeve 8 . For this purpose , the support device 9 comprises a support plate 10 for the sleeve 8 and a connector 11 on which the fitting 7 is engaged and supported . The connector 11 is defined substantially by a tube extending along a longitudinal axis Al and is arranged in an opening of the plate 10 in a selectively adj ustable manner relative to the plate 10 so as to vary the distance between the support surface of the connector 11 and the support surface of the plate 10 . The support device 9 further comprises a clamping mechanism 12 integral with the plate 10 and configured to block the connector 11 in a given position relative to the plate 10 .

[0059] The support device 9 is configured to be mounted in a pocket of a pocket conveyor (not shown in the attached Figures ) to advance the support device 9 to the assembly station 2 and the heatshrink station 3 ( Figure 1 ) , in which heat is supplied to the hollow body 6 by means of the heating elements Hl ( Figure 1 ) , to the fitting 8 and to the sleeve 8 so as to cause heatshrinking of the sleeve 8 to the point that the sleeve 8 adheres to the hollow body 6 and to the fitting 7 so as to form a film 13 that covers the hollow body 6 and, in part , the fitting 7 .

[0060] In this way, the hollow body 6 , the fitting 7 and the film 13 are made integral with one another and form an assembly 14 which undergoes respective treatments in the successive sublimation station 4 and disassembly station 5 ( Figure 1 ) .

[0061] With reference to Figure 3 a pocket conveyor 15 is illustrated provided with a plurality of pockets 16 , only two of which are shown in Figure 3 . Each pocket 16 has the function of housing a support device 17 and the assembly 14 and fluidically connecting the microchannels between the film 13 and the hollow body 6 with the mani fold Cl subj ect to a controlled under pressure . This interstitial space is formed of microchannels determined by the inner irregular face of the s leeve 8 as , for example , in accordance with the description in the document WO 2021 / 260613 Al or by the irregular surface of the hollow body 6 and / or by the irregular rough outer face of the hollow body 6 .

[0062] The pocket conveyor 15 can be used to advance the assemblies 14 both into the sublimation station 4 and into the disassembly station 5 ( Figure 15 ) in which the pocket conveyor 15 is fluidically connected to the mani fold C2 ( Figure 1 ) subj ected to a controlled overpressure . With reference to Figure 4 , the support device 17 is coupled to the pocket 16 and to the fitting 7 and has the function of clamping the film 13 against the fitting 7 so as to prevent fluidic communication between the external environment and the microchannels and, i f necessary, the inside of the hollow body 6 .

[0063] With reference to figure 5 , the support device 17 comprises a tubular body 19 , which extends around a longitudinal axis A2 , has a lower portion configured to provide a shape coupling with the pocket 16 and has a seat 20 configured to support the assembly 14 and house part of the fitting 7 . The seat has a connector 21 , in this case a hole , configured to house a free end of the fitting 7 ; an abutment 22 for the fitting; a cylindrical face 23 to precision-support the fitting 7 and a housing compartment 24 for a clamping element 25 , in this case an 0-ring, kept in position by a ring nut 26 by the interposition of a washer 27 .

[0064] The clamping element 25 has the function of sealing the microchannels at the fitting 7 . The support device 17 furthermore has a toothed crown 28 along the outer face of the tubular body 19 to mesh with a gear wheel or rack, not illustrated, to rotate the support device 17 around the longitudinal axis A2 relative to the pocket 16 during advancement of the pocket 16 . The rotation of the device 17 relative to the pocket 16 is made possible by the fact that the coupling between the support device 17 and the pocket 16 is axially symmetric .

[0065] In accordance with a variation not illustrated, the pockets 16 are omitted and the supports 17 define the pockets of the pocket conveyor 15 . According to this variation, the supports 17 are not able to rotate .

[0066] With reference to Figure 6 , the fitting 7 extends along a longitudinal axis A3 and comprises a portion 29 having a face

[0067] 30 configured to be arranged resting on an edge of the hollow body 6 ( Figure 4 ) delimiting the opening, and a face 31 extending around the longitudinal axis A3 and configured to be at least in part covered by the film 13 ( Figure 4 ) ; a portion 32 configured to be coupled to the hollow body 6 ( Figure 4 ) ; a portion 33 configured to be connected to the support devices 9 ( Figure 2 ) and 17 ( Figure 4 ) ; and a channel 34 , which extends through the portions 29 and 33 to fluidically connect the face

[0068] 31 to the connectors 11 ( Figure 2 ) and 21 ( Figure 5 ) and to the mani folds Cl and C2 ( Figure 1 ) .

[0069] The portion 29 has a gripping zone 35 along the longitudinal axis A3 and along which, in use , the film 13 adheres to exert a force along the longitudinal axis A3 and make the fitting 7 integral with the hollow body 6 ( Figure 4 ) . In this case , the gripping zone 35 is substantially defined by a recess of the face 31 . The portion 29 comprises a permeable disc 36 , which defines part of the face 31 and is in communication with the channel 34 . In the embodiment i llustrated in Figures 6 and 7 , the permeable disc 36 also defines the face 30 . The permeability of the disc can be provided by openings in the disc, communicating porosities of the disc, knurling of the disc along the face 31 so as to create channels that allow the passage of air and, more generally, gases .

[0070] The portion 32 comprises elastic elements 37 configured to exert a radial force between the portion 32 and the hollow body 6 ( Figure 4 ) .

[0071] The portion 33 comprises a connector 38 configured to be inserted into the connector 11 of the support device 9 and into the connector 21 of the support device 17 .

[0072] In construction terms and with reference to Figures 6 and 7 , the fitting 7 compri ses a tubular body 39 defining the portion 29 ; a tubular body 40 keyed in part into the tubular body 39 and defining the connector 38 ; and a cylindrical body 41 keyed into the tubular body 39 and defining the portion 32 . The cylindrical body 41 has a shoulder 42 to block the permeable disc 36 between the cylindrical body 41 and the tubular body 39 , an axial hole and a diametral hole arranged at the permeable disc 36 ( or above it , namely inside the hollow body) and intersecting the axial hole to define part of the channel 34 .

[0073] The elastic elements 37 are fixed to the cylindrical body 41 by means of a fixing element 43 .

[0074] Figure 8 illustrates a fitting 44 which, like the fitting 7 , has portions 29 , 32 and 33 ; the tubular bodies 39 and 40 and the permeable disc 36 are the same in terms of both shape and dimensions as the analogous components of the fitting 7 . Unlike the fitting 7 , the fitting 44 comprises a tubular body 45 , which is coupled to the tubular body 39 , is configured to clamp the permeable disc 36 against the tubular body 39 and defines the face 30 and part of the face 31 . The tubular body 45 is connected to the tubular body 39 and to the permeable disc 36 and is flared in order to increase the mean radius of the face 30 . Downstream of the face 30 along the longitudinal axis A3 it has a constant diameter to define the portion 32 configured to be inserted in the opening of a hollow body .

[0075] The fitting 44 comprises a tubular body 46 keyed into the tubular bodies 39 and 45 and defines part of the channel 34 .

[0076] Figure 9 shows a fitting 47 associated with a hollow body 6 by means of the film 13 to form the assembly 14 .

[0077] The fitting 47 has in common with the fittings 7 and 44 the permeable disc 36 , the tubular body 39 , and the connector 38 .

[0078] The fitting 47 comprises a tubular body 48 , which is coupled to the tubular body 39 , is configured to clamp the permeable disc 36 against the tubular body 39 and defines the face 30 and part of the face 31 . The tubular body 48 is connected to the tubular body 39 and to the permeable disc 36 ; starting from the permeable disc 36 , its diameter is progres sively reduced so as to reduce the mean radius of the face 30 .

[0079] The fitting 47 comprises a tubular body 49 keyed into the tubular bodies 38 and 48 to j oin them and define part of the channel 34 ; and a tubular body 50 keyed into the tubular body 48 to define the portion 32 configured to be housed inside the hollow body 6 and defines part of the channel 34 .

[0080] In fact , the fittings 7 , 44 and 47 are suitable for being coupled with respective hollow bodies having dimensions di f ferent from one another but all couplable to the support devices 9 ( Figure 2 ) and 17 of Figure 3 .

[0081] In use , the fittings 7 , 44 and 47 perform di f ferent functions :

[0082] - define a coupling with the hol low body 6 so as to allow the fitting to support the hollow body 6 in the decoration process ;

[0083] - connect the hollow body 6 to a suction pump or a gas pumping compressor ; and

[0084] - allow a film to be sealed to the fitting in order to prevent or limit the leaks between the film and the fitting so as to circumscribe suction of the gas from the microchannels and possibly from the inside of the hollow body 6 that defines an important vacuum source and, analogously, feeding of the gases to the microchannels and, possibly, to the inside o f the hollow body 6 .

[0085] Lastly, it is evident that the present invention comprises further variations of the embodiments described included in the protective scope of the attached claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fitting for sublimation printing of hollow bodies, in particular containers such as bottles, flasks, jars, and having at least one opening, the fitting (7; 44; 47) extending along a longitudinal axis (A3) and comprising:- a first portion (29) comprising a first face (30) configured to be disposed abutting an edge of an opening of the hollow body (6) , and a second face (31) configured to be wrapped and enclosed by a film (13) together with the hollow body (6) so as to form a microchannel network between the film (13) , on one side, and the hollow body (6) and the fitting (7; 44; 47) , on the other side ;- a second portion (32) configured to be coupled to the hollow body (6) at said opening;- a third portion (33) configured to be connected to at least one connector (11; 21) ; and- a channel (34) extending through at least the first portion (29) and the third portion (33) to fluidically connect the connector (11; 21) to the microchannel network at the second face ( 31 ) .

2. The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion (29) has a gripping zone (35) along the longitudinal axis (A3) to allow the film (13) to wedge and exert a force parallel to the longitudinal axis (A3) between the first face (30) and the edge of the opening of the hollow body (6) and make the fitting (7; 44; 47) integral with the hollow body (6) , said gripping zone (35) being substantially defined by a recess of the second face ( 31 ) .

3. The fitting as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (29) comprises a permeable disc (36) , which partially defines said second face (31) and is in direct communication with the channel (34) , the permeable disc (36) in particular defining the first face (30) .

4. The fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion (32) comprises elastic elements (37) for exerting a radial force between the second portion (32) and the hollow body (6) .

5. The fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third portion (33) comprises a further connector (38) configured to be inserted within the connector (11; 21) .

6. The fitting as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, and comprising a first tubular body (39) defining part of the second face (31) ; and a second tubular body (40) keyed in part into the first tubular body (39) and defining in part the third portion ( 33 ) .

7. The fitting as claimed in claim 6, and comprising a cylindrical body (41) keyed into the first tubular body (39) and partly defining said second portion (32) ; the cylindrical body (41) having a shoulder (42) configured to block the permeable disc (36) between the cylindrical body (41) and the first tubular body (39) ; said channel (34) extending through the cylindrical body (41) .

8. The fitting as claimed in claim 6 or 7, and comprising a third tubular body (45; 48) , which is coupled to the first tubular body (39) , is configured to clamp the permeable disc (36) against the first tubular body (39) and defines the first face (30) and part of the second face (31) .

9. The fitting as claimed in claim 8, and comprising a fourth tubular body (46; 49) keyed into the first and third tubular bodies (39, 45; 39, 48) , said channel (34) extending through said fourth tubular body (45; 48) .

10. A hollow body sublimation printing plant, in particular a plant for printing the outer surfaces of hollow containers such as bottles, flasks and jars, the plant (1) comprising:- an assembly station (2) configured to support the fitting (7; 44; 47) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and coupled to the hollow body (6) and supporting a sleeve (8) made of heat- shrinkable material at a predetermined height relative to the fitting (4; 44; 47) ;- a heat-shrink station (3) configured to shrink the sleeve (8) around at least a portion of fitting (7; 44; 47) so as to form a film (13) around the fitting (7; 44; 47) and the hollow body (6) and to form an assembly (14) comprising the fitting (7; 44; 47) , the hollow body (6) and the film (13) and wherein a microchannel network extends between the film (13) , on one side, and the hollow body (6) and the fitting (7; 44; 47) on the other side; and- a sublimation station (4) configured to apply heat to said assembly and draw gases from the microchannel network of the assembly (14) through the fitting (7; 44; 47) .

11. A plant as claimed in claim 10, and comprising a disassembly station (5) configured to feed gases into said microchannels of the assembly (14) through the fitting (7; 44; 47) at a pressure such as to detach the film from the hollow body (6) or at a pressure such as to tear the film.

12. The plant as claimed in claim 10 or 11, and comprising at least one support device (9; 17) configured to support the fitting (7; 44; 47) and the hollow body (6) in at least one of said stations (2, 3, 4, 5) , in particular the support device (9, 17) comprises a connector (11; 21) configured to realize a fluidic communication with said fitting (7; 44; 47) .

13. The plant as claimed in claim 12, wherein the support device (9; 17) has a seat suitable for accommodating, at least in part,the third portion (33) of the fitting (7; 44; 47) , in particular the support device (9; 17) has a support surface of said fitting (7; 44; 47) .

14. A method of sublimation printing of hollow bodies, in particular a method of printing the outer surfaces of containers such as bottles, flasks and jars, the method comprising:- coupling the fitting (7; 44; 47) as claimed in any one of the claims from 1 to 9 to the hollow body (6) ;- placing a sleeve (8) made of heat-shrinkable material around the hollow body (6) and the fitting (7; 44; 47) ;- heat-shrinking the sleeve (8) around the fitting and the hollow body (6) to form a film (13) which forms an assembly (14) comprising the fitting (4; 44; 47) , the hollow body (6) and the film (13) , and a microchannel network between the film (13) on one side and the hollow body (6) and the fitting (7; 44; 47) on the other side; and- applying heat to said assembly (14) and simultaneously drawing off excess gases from the microchannel network through the fitting (7; 44; 47) .

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, and comprising feeding gas into the microchannels through the fitting (7; 44; 47) at a pressure such that it tears the film (13) .

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