Digital printing device for a packaging machine and a packaging machine having the digital printing device

Abstract

A digital printing device (5) for a packaging machine (1) for manufacturing a package (2), the digital printing device (5) including a control unit (6) for controlling the digital printing device (5), a conveying device (7), and a digital printing unit (8). The conveying device (7) includes a planar motor (10) having a plurality of carriers (11) configured to receive respective packages (2) at an inlet station (15) and send out the respective packages (2) to an outlet station (16). The digital printing unit (8) is arranged adjacent to the planar motor (10) at a printing station (17). The control unit (6) is configured to selectively control the movement of the carriers (11) so as to selectively direct one or more carriers (11) to the printing station (17) and then to a discharge station (17). The digital printing unit (8) is configured to print information and / or a message and / or a decoration on a package (2) directed to the printing station (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital printing device for a packaging machine of a package. In particular, the present invention relates to a digital printing device for a packaging machine for enabling partial or total customization of a package manufactured by a packaging machine.

[0002] Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, in a package, in particular a package formed from a multilayer packaging material, and more particularly to a packaging machine having at least one digital printing device capable of customizing part or all of the package.

Background Art

[0003] As is well known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made from sterilized packaging materials, in particular sealed packages.

[0004] As a typical example, there is a parallelepiped package for a pourable food product known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a laminated strip-shaped packaging material. This packaging material has a multilayer structure including a base layer of carton and / or paper, and both sides are covered with layers of heat-sealing plastic material, such as polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packaging for long-term storable products, the packaging material includes a layer of oxygen barrier material, such as aluminum foil, which layer overlaps with a layer of heat-sealing plastic material and is further covered with another layer of heat-sealing plastic material to finally form the inner surface of the package that contacts the food.

[0005] This type of package is usually produced by a fully automatic packaging machine that forms and fills the package from a multilayer packaging material. Such an automatic packaging machine is associated with a very high production speed (more than 10,000 or more per hour).

[0006] Recently, in this field, there has been a desire to customize, for example, by attaching specific information, messages, photos, etc. to packages.

[0007] However, the customization of packages should not impede the significant processing speed of the packaging machine.

[0008] Therefore, in this field, there is a desire to provide a packaging machine that can produce customized packages without reducing the production speed of the packaging machine.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital printing device for a packaging machine that can customize part or all of the packages manufactured by the packaging machine, and in particular, to provide the digital printing device simply and at low cost.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide, simply and at low cost, a packaging machine having a digital printing device for a packaging machine, in particular, a digital printing device that can customize part or all of the packages manufactured by the packaging machine.

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a digital printing device as described in independent claim 1.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the digital printing device are described in the claims that are directly or indirectly dependent on claim 1.

[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine as described in claims 14 and 15.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] Two non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Reference numeral 1 generally indicates a packaging machine for manufacturing a package 2 filled with a pourable product, particularly a pourable food product such as (pasteurized) milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, salt, sugar, etc.

[0017] The packaging machine 1 can be configured to manufacture a package 2 filled with a pourable product and having customized information and / or messages and / or decorations.

[0018] More particularly, the packaging machine 1 can be configured to manufacture the package 2 from a packaging material having a multi-layer configuration.

[0019] Even more particularly, the packaging material can comprise at least one layer of a fibrous material such as paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of a heat-sealing plastic material such as polyethylene that interpose the layers of fibrous material between each other. One of these two layers of heat-sealing plastic defines the inner surface of the body 2 that contacts the pourable product.

[0020] Furthermore, the packaging material may comprise a layer of a gas-barrier and light-barrier material, such as an aluminum foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, disposed in particular between one of the layers of the heat-sealing plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferably, the packaging material may comprise a further layer of heat-sealing plastic material interposed between the layer of gas-barrier and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

[0021] More particularly, the packaging material may be provided in the form of a web 3.

[0022] Each package 2 obtained by the packaging machine 1 may comprise a longitudinal seam portion and a pair of respective first and second transverse seal bands disposed in particular on opposite sides of the package 2. In particular, the first transverse seal band may define a transverse upper seal band and the second transverse seal band may define a transverse lower seal band.

[0023] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the packaging machine 1 may comprise - a package filling device 4 for filling the package 2, in particular for forming and filling the package 2, and more particularly for forming the package 2 from a multilayer packaging material and filling the package 2; - at least one digital printing device 5 for selectively printing on part or all of the package 2, in particular for printing information and / or messages and / or decorations, and in particular for printing to customize part or all of the package 2. may be provided.

[0024] In particular, the digital printing device 5 may be arranged downstream of the package filling device 4, i.e., in use, the digital printing device 5 receives the package 2 from the package filling device 4.

[0025] Preferably, the digital printing device 5 may be configured to selectively print desired information, messages and / or decorations on some or all of the packages 2.

[0026] Examples of information and / or messages relate to personalized messages such as the place of manufacture, the date and / or time of manufacture, the type of product, the type of packaging material, name, poem, one or more sentences, etc.

[0027] Furthermore, the information and / or message can be coded.

[0028] Examples of decorations can include pictures, photos, barcodes (2D or 3D), etc.

[0029] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the digital printing apparatus 5 includes - a control unit 6 for controlling the operation of the digital printing apparatus 5 itself, - a transport device 7 operably connected particularly to the control unit 6, - a digital printing unit 8 configured to print information and / or message and / or decoration on the package 2 and operably connected particularly to the control unit 6. It is provided with.

[0030] Advantageously, the digital printing apparatus 5 may be configured to scan the package 2 and particularly include a scanning unit 9 operably connected to the control unit 6. In particular, the scanning unit 9 may be configured to scan the package 2 before the digital printing unit 8 prints on the package 2.

[0031] Preferably, the control unit 6 may be configured to control the operation of the transport device 7 so as to selectively advance the package 2 to the digital printing unit 8, particularly also to the scanning unit 9 before advancing the package 2 to the digital printing unit 8.

[0032] Preferably, the control unit 6 can be configured to control the operation of the digital printing unit 8, in particular such that the digital printing unit 8 prints the desired information and / or message and / or decoration on the package 2. In particular, the control unit 6 can at least temporarily digitally store the information and / or message and / or decoration to be printed.

[0033] More preferably, the control unit 6 can be configured to control the operation of the digital printing unit 8 according to the scan result obtained by the scanning unit 9.

[0034] More specifically, the conveying device 7 comprises a planar motor 10 having a plurality of carriers 11 configured to receive the package 2 at the inlet station 15 and send out the package 2 to the outlet station 16.

[0035] In particular, the control unit 6 can be operably connected to the planar motor 10 and configured to control the operation of the planar motor 10, in particular the movement of the carriers 11.

[0036] Preferably, the control unit 6 can be configured to selectively control the movement of each carrier 11.

[0037] In particular, the control unit 6 can be configured to selectively control the movement of each carrier 11 independently of the other carriers 11. In this context, independently means that the control unit 6 can accelerate and decelerate each carrier 11 in a selective manner different from the acceleration and deceleration of the other carriers 11. Further, the control unit 6 can control the movement of each carrier 11 so as to avoid an undesired collision with one or more other carriers 11.

[0038] Returning further to FIG. 2, the digital printing unit 8 is arranged adjacent to the planar motor 10 at the printing station 17.

[0039] Preferably, the scanning unit 9 can be arranged adjacent to the planar motor of the scanning station 18.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 6 is configured to selectively control the movement of the carrier 11 such that at least some of the carriers 11 are selectively guided to the printing station 17 and then to the discharge station 16. Preferably, the control unit 6 is configured to selectively control the movement of the carrier 11 such that one or more of the carriers 11 are selectively directed to the scanning station 18, then to the printing station 17, and then to the discharge station 16.

[0041] In particular, the control unit 6 is configured to control the movement of the carrier 11 such that only the carriers 11 carrying the package 2 to which the desired information and / or message and / or decoration is to be applied are directed to the printing station 17.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 6 can be configured to control the movement of the carrier 11 such that the carriers 11 carrying the packages 2 that do not require printing of the desired information and / or message and / or decoration are directed to the discharge station 16 (without passing through the printing station 17), in particular directly.

[0043] In other words, the control unit 6 is configured to selectively move the carrier 11, in particular directly, along a first path P from the inlet station 15 to the outlet station 16 or along a second path Q different from the first path Q from the inlet station 15 to the printing station 17, in particular from the inlet station 15 to the printing station 17, through the scanning station 18, and from the printing station 17 to the outlet station 16.

[0044] Preferably, the first virtual line extending from the entrance station 15 to the printing station 17 and the second virtual line extending from the printing station 17 to the exit station 16 represent / stipulate an angle different from 180° or a multiple of 180°. In other words, the second path Q cannot be represented by a straight line.

[0045] As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the digital printing unit 8 is configured to print information and / or decoration on these packages 2 that are guided to the printing station 17 during use.

[0046] Furthermore, the scanning unit 9 can be configured to scan all of these packages 2 directed to the scanning station 18 before these packages 2 are directed to the printing station 17. In particular, by scanning the packages 2 before printing, it becomes possible to perform printing with high precision and print on the desired portions of each package 2.

[0047] Preferably, the scanning unit 9 can be configured to send information regarding the scan results for the scanned packages 2 to the control unit 6.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 6 can be configured to control the digital printing unit 8 according to the scan results so as to print information and / or messages and / or decoration at the determined positions of the packages 2.

[0049] More specifically, the digital printing unit 8 may include one or more digital printers. In particular, each digital printer is operably connected to the control unit 6 such that the control unit 6 can control the operation of each digital printer.

[0050] According to some possible embodiments, the digital printer can be operated to print the desired information and / or message and / or decoration on different packages 2 (substantially) simultaneously.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the digital printer may be operated such that the information and / or messages and / or decorations of the finalized package 2 are obtained from printing operations from different digital printers.

[0052] Each digital printer may comprise one or more print heads.

[0053] Referring particularly to FIG. 3, each carrier 11 may comprise a support surface 19 for carrying the respective package 2.

[0054] In particular, each package 2 may extend along the longitudinal axis A, and the first transverse axis B and the second transverse axis C are perpendicular to each other. Preferably, the length of the package 2 along the longitudinal axis A may be greater than the respective lengths along the first transverse axis B and the second transverse axis C.

[0055] Preferably, each package 2 may be arranged on the respective carrier 11 such that the respective longitudinal axis A is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the support surface 19.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each carrier 11 may be configured to rotate the respective package 2 about the axis of rotation E at the printing station 17, in particular at the scanning station 18, particularly through control by the control device 6.

[0057] Preferably, each carrier 11 is configured to rotate itself about the axis of rotation E in order to rotate the respective package 2 about the axis of rotation E.

[0058] More particularly, the axis of rotation E may be transverse, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the respective support surface 19.

[0059] More specifically, the control unit 6 may be configured to control the movement of each carrier 11 along three linear axes and around three axes of rotation. In other words, each carrier 11 has six degrees of freedom.

[0060] More specifically, the control unit 6 may be configured to control the movement of each carrier 11 along a first linear axis X, a second linear axis Y perpendicular to the first linear axis X, and a third linear axis Z perpendicular to the first linear axis X and the second linear axis Y. In this way, the position of each carrier 11 (and each associated package 2) in three-dimensional space can be controlled.

[0061] Furthermore, each control unit 6 may be configured to control the angular movement of each carrier 11 around a rotation axis E, a second rotation axis F perpendicular to the rotation axis E, and a third rotation axis G perpendicular to the rotation axis E and the second rotation axis F. Thereby, the angular position of the carrier 11 (and the angular position of each associated package 2) can be controlled.

[0062] By providing six degrees of freedom, it becomes possible to accurately control the angular position and spatial position of the package 2, and in particular, the scanning and / or printing operations can be improved.

[0063] In particular, referring to FIG. 2, the planar motor 10 may include a planar control module 20 operably coupled to the control unit 6 in particular.

[0064] Preferably, the planar control module 20 may include a plurality of coils configured to generate a local electromagnetic field for selectively moving the carrier 11.

[0065] The control unit 6 may be configured to control a plurality of coils to control the movement of the carrier 11 along the first linear axis X, the second linear axis Y, and the third linear axis Z, and around the rotation axis E, the second rotation axis F, and the third rotation axis G in particular.

[0066] More specifically, the control unit 6 may be configured to control the carrier 11 along the third linear axis Z so as to lift the carrier 11 from the planar control module 20. In particular, with the power supply of the coil turned off, the carrier 11 is placed on the planar control module 20.

[0067] Furthermore, the planar control module 20 may extend along a first axis, in particular an axis parallel to the first linear axis X, and a second axis, in particular an axis parallel to the second linear axis Y.

[0068] Advantageously, each carrier 11 may comprise at least one magnetic element and / or ferromagnetic element that enables the interaction of each carrier 11 with the local electromagnetic field generated by the coil.

[0069] The control unit 6 may be configured to selectively control the movement of each carrier along the first axis and the first linear axis X and along the second axis and the second linear axis Y by controlling the interaction of at least one magnetic element and / or ferromagnetic element of each carrier 11 with the local electromagnetic field.

[0070] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the conveying device 7 may also - an inlet conveyor 21 that supplies the package 2 to the inlet station 15, where the package 2 is transferred onto the respective carriers 11, and - an outlet conveyor 22 that receives the package 2 at the outlet station 16, in particular, in use, receives the package 2 from the respective carriers 11. may be provided.

[0071] More specifically, the inlet conveyor 21 may be configured to advance the package 2 from the package filling device 4 to the planar motor 10.

[0072] Advantageously, the inlet conveyor 21 may comprise one or more inlet tracks 23, and in the specific example of FIG. 2, one inlet track is shown.

[0073] The inlet track 23 may comprise a conveyor belt on which the package 2 is placed in use.

[0074] According to some possible embodiments, the outlet conveyor 22 can be configured to advance the package 2 from the outlet station 16 to an end-of-line processing device.

[0075] Preferably, the outlet conveyor 22 can comprise a delivery track 24.

[0076] The delivery track 24 can comprise a conveyor belt for advancing the package 2.

[0077] Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the package filling device 4 is configured to manufacture the package 2 and fill the package 2 with a pourable product.

[0078] More specifically, the package filling device 4 can be configured to manufacture the package 2 by forming a tube 30 from a web 3, sealing the tube 30 longitudinally, filling the tube 30 with a pourable product, sealing the tube 30 transversely, and cutting it.

[0079] Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the package filling device 4 - a conveying unit 31 for advancing the web 3 (in a known manner) along a web advancing path P to a forming station 8; - an isolation chamber 32 having an internal environment, in particular an internal sterile environment containing a sterile gas, and being separated from an (hostile) external environment; - a tube forming and sealing device 33 configured to form a tube 30 from the web 3 advancing within the internal environment and to seal the tube 30 longitudinally within the internal environment; - a filling device 34 for filling the tube 30 with a pourable product; - a package forming unit 35 configured to form a forward tube 30 for forming the package 2, to seal it transversely, and to cut it transversely during use; can comprise.

[0080] Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 may include a sterilization unit configured to sterilize the advancing web 3 during use at a sterilization station.

[0081] During use, the packaging machine 1 manufactures a package 2 filled with a pourable product.

[0082] The operation of the packaging machine 1 includes at least - a step of filling the package 2 with a pourable product, particularly performed by the package filling device 7, and - a step of selectively printing information and / or messages and / or decorations on the package 2, particularly by the digital printing device 5. It comprises.

[0083] Furthermore, the operation of the packaging machine 1 may include a step of forming the package 2, particularly by the execution of the package filling device 7.

[0084] In particular, the steps of filling and forming the package 2 may be performed simultaneously.

[0085] More specifically, between the forming step and the filling step, a tube is formed from the advancing web 3, sealed longitudinally, filled with a pourable product, and sealed and cut transversely.

[0086] Preferably, the printing step may be performed after the filling step, particularly after the filling and forming steps.

[0087] According to some preferred embodiments, the operation of the packaging machine 1 may include a supply step in which the package 2 is supplied from the package filling device 7 to the digital printing device 5, particularly.

[0088] More specifically, during the step of selectively printing, - a sub-step of loading the package 2 onto respective carriers 11 at the inlet station 15, - a sub-step of selectively moving some or all of the carriers 11 to the printing station 17, - A sub-step of printing information and / or messages and / or decorations on the package 2 moved to the printing station 17 is executed. is executed.

[0089] Advantageously, the step of selectively printing may comprise a sub-step of scanning the package 2 before executing the sub-step of printing.

[0090] Preferably, during the sub-step of selectively moving, the carrier 2 (and each respective package 2 associated therewith) may first be moved to the scanning station 18 and then to the printing station 19.

[0091] Furthermore, after the sub-step of printing, the carrier 11 (and each respective package 2 associated therewith) is moved to the discharge station 16.

[0092] Furthermore, during the step of printing, a further sub-step of movement is also executed, in which some carriers 11 are moved from the inlet station 15 to the outlet station 16 without passing through the printing station 17.

[0093] More specifically, during the sub-step of printing, any movement of the carrier 11 is controlled by the control unit 6 by controlling a local electromagnetic field selectively generated by the coil.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 4, the number 5' indicates an alternative embodiment of the digital printing apparatus according to the present invention. Since the digital printing apparatus 5' is similar to the digital printing apparatus 5, the following description is limited to the differences between the two, and for the same or corresponding parts, the same reference is used as much as possible.

[0095] In particular, the digital printing apparatus 5' is different from the digital printing apparatus 5 in that the outlet conveyor 22 comprises a first delivery track 24 and a second delivery track 24' offset from the first delivery track 24.

[0096] Furthermore, the control unit 6 is configured to move the carrier 11 such that packages 2 printed by the digital printing unit 8 during use are supplied to the second delivery track 24', and packages 2 not printed by the digital printing unit 8 during use are supplied to the first delivery track 24.

[0097] Since the operation of the digital printing device 5' is similar to that of the digital printing device 5, the following description will be limited to the differences between the two.

[0098] In particular, during the step of selectively printing, the packages 2 to be printed are supplied to the second delivery track 24' after the sub-step of printing, and the other packages 2 not to be printed are supplied to the first delivery track 24.

[0099] The advantages of the digital printing devices 5 and 5' and / or the packaging machine 1 according to the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.

[0100] In particular, the digital printing devices 5 and 5' enable the packages 2 to be selectively customized without reducing the overall production speed.

[0101] However, modifications may be made to the digital printing devices 5 and / or the packaging machine 1 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0102] According to some possible non-illustrated embodiments, the packaging machine 1 may comprise a plurality of digital printing devices 5.

[0103] In particular, each digital printing device 5 may be arranged to receive a part of a plurality of manufactured packages 2 and / or to print on a part of the whole of the manufactured packages 2.

[0104] According to one or more embodiments, each carrier 11 may receive each package 2 as illustrated in the figure, or a plurality of carriers 11, preferably two carriers 11, may be configured to jointly receive one package 2. That is, one package 2 may be picked up by a plurality of carriers 11 and moved through the conveying device 7.

[0105] The carrier 11 may include respective holding elements configured to hold the package 2 at a predetermined position between the carriers 11. The carrier 11 may receive the package 2 by applying pressure to the respective holding elements on the opposite side of the package 2.

[0106] Advantageously, by the above operation, the conveying device can be adapted to packages 2 of different dimensions.

Claims

1. A digital printing device (5) for a packaging machine (1) that manufactures packages (2), A control unit (6) that controls the digital printing apparatus (5), Conveying device (7), Digital printing unit (8), Equipped with, The transport device (7) is equipped with a planar motor (10) having multiple carriers (11) to receive the package (2) at the entrance station (15) and send the package (2) to the exit station (16). The digital printing unit (8) is located in the printing station (17). The control unit (6) selectively controls the movement of the carriers (11) so that one or more carriers (11) are selectively directed toward the printing station (17) and then toward the discharge station (17). The digital printing unit (8) prints information and / or messages and / or decorations onto the package (2) directed toward the printing station (17). Digital printing apparatus (5).

2. Each carrier (11) is configured to receive its own package (2), or multiple carriers (11), preferably two carriers (11), are configured to jointly receive the package (2). The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The system further comprises a scan unit (9), the scan unit (9) being positioned adjacent to the planar motor (10) in the scan station (18), and scanning the package (2), The control unit (6) selectively controls the movement of each of the carriers (11) so as to selectively direct the carrier (11) towards the scan station (18), then towards the printing station (17), and then towards the discharge conveyor (16). The control unit (6) controls the operation of the digital printing unit (8) according to the scan results obtained by the scan unit (9). The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. Each carrier (11) rotates the package (2) around the rotation axis (E) in the scan station (18). The digital printing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The control unit (6) controls the movement of the carrier (11) along the three linear axes and around the three rotational axes. The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The control unit (6) selectively moves the carrier (11) along a first path (P) from the entrance station (15) to the exit station (16), or along a second path (Q) from the entrance station (15) to the printing station (17), and along a second path (Q) from the printing station (17) to the exit station (16). The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. A first virtual line extending from the entrance station (15) to the printing station (17) and a second virtual line extending from the printing station (17) to the exit station (16) represent and / or define an angle different from 180° or a multiple of 180°. The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The planar motor (10) includes a planar control module (20) which includes a plurality of coils configured to generate a local electromagnetic field for selectively moving the carrier (11), Each carrier (11) comprises at least one magnetic element and / or ferromagnetic element, The planar control module (20) extends along the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y), The control unit (6) selectively controls the movement of each carrier (11) along the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y) by controlling the local electromagnetic field interaction with at least one magnetic element and / or ferromagnetic element of each carrier. The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned conveying device (7) further, An entrance conveyor (21) that supplies the package (2) to the entrance station (15), The system includes an exit conveyor (22) that receives the package (2) at the exit station (16), The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. The exit conveyor (22) comprises a first discharge track (24) and a second discharge track (24') offset from the first discharge track (24). The digital printing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The control unit (6) moves the carrier (11) such that packages (2) to be printed by the digital printing unit (8) during use are supplied to the second feed track (24'), and packages (2) not to be printed by the digital printing unit (8) during use are supplied to the first feed track (24). The digital printing apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The digital printing unit (8) comprises a plurality of digital printers. The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

13. Each carrier (11) has a support surface (19) configured to carry its respective package (2), The digital printing apparatus according to claim 1.

14. A packaging machine (1) for manufacturing a package (2) filled with a pourable product, A package filling device (4) for filling the package (2) with a product that can be poured into it, The at least one digital printing apparatus (5) according to claim 1, A packaging machine (1) equipped with the following:

15. The package filling device (4) fills and manufactures packages (2) from multilayer packaging material. The packaging machine according to claim 14.

Images