Support device, printing plant and printing method for sublimation printing of bodies to be externally decorated

Abstract

A support device for sublimation printing on a body to be decorated externally comprises a base (11) having a central opening (13) extending about a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with a support surface (12) configured to support a heat-shrink sleeve (7) around an object to be decorated (9), and a support element (15) configured to support the object to be decorated and extending through the central opening (13) of the base (11) so as to be slidable relative to the base (11) and selectively lockable along the longitudinal axis (A) to adjust the position of the object to be decorated (9) relative to the heat-shrink sleeve (7).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 2023000003033, filed February 22, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to a support device for sublimation printing of decorated objects, in particular hollow containers such as bottles, vials or jars made of glass, ceramic or similar materials.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a printing plant comprising said support device and to a printing method for sublimation printing of bodies to be decorated externally. [Background technology]

[0004] Specific equipment and procedures for heat transfer decoration with sublimation inks are known.

[0005] In this field, there is an increasing demand for greater attention to the qualitative aspects of dye-sublimation printing, such as, for example, the definition of the graphics and the precision with which the decoration or lettering is applied relative to specific reference points on the object to be decorated.

[0006] In particular, U.S. Patent No. 5,929,633 teaches a method for applying decorations to objects made of glassy materials, such as bottles and vials, and similar materials, using a dye-sublimation printing process with high quality standards in terms of the definition of the decoration and the precision with which it is applied. The process described in this patent makes it possible to produce sleeves, typically obtained from a sheet of PET or PETG film, rolled to form a cylinder with an irregular inner surface and bonded on the edges using a tubing machine with a polymer adhesive or solvent, carrying graphics along the irregular inner surface of the sleeve. The graphics are made with ink intended to be transferred onto the object to be decorated.

[0007] The process includes the steps of placing a sleeve around an object to be decorated, applying heat to the sleeve to thereby heat-shrink the sleeve and determine adhesion of the sleeve to the object to be decorated, transferring heat to the sleeve and the object to be decorated at the ink sublimation temperature to sublimate the ink particles to cause the transfer of graphics onto the object to be decorated, and simultaneously extracting excess gases generated by sublimation via a barrow placed between the heat-shrunk sleeve and the object to be decorated. The barrow present between the object to be decorated and the heat-shrinkable sleeve is formed by the sleeve having a rough inner surface, the inner surface being designed to form a barrow when the sleeve is heat-shrunk to form a film that adheres to the object to be decorated.

[0008] However, to meet the high quality standards required by the process described in US Pat. No. 5,649,999, the film needs to be applied precisely to a given location on the object to be decorated with very small dimensional tolerances.

[0009] This need is even more essential when the object to be decorated has a shape with an irregular outer contour. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 260613 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The object of the present invention is to produce a support device for sublimation printing of decorated objects, in particular hollow containers such as bottles, vials or jars, which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to the invention, there is provided a support device for sublimation printing of the body of a container, preferably a bottle, vial or jar, to be decorated externally, the support device comprising: a base having a central opening extending about a longitudinal axis and provided with a support surface configured to support a heat shrink sleeve around an object to be decorated; a support element configured to support the item to be decorated, the support element extending through a central opening in the base so as to be slidable and selectively lockable relative to the base along a longitudinal axis to adjust the position of the item to be decorated relative to the heat shrink sleeve; Equipped with.

[0013] The present invention makes it possible to precisely adjust the position of the heat shrink sleeve relative to the item to be decorated so as to adhere to the small dimensional tolerances required in dye sublimation printing procedures.

[0014] In this way it is possible to produce decorated bodies with an outer decoration of high quality and precision, even when the object to be decorated has a shape with an irregular outer contour.

[0015] In particular, the base includes a linkage configured to be mounted within a pocket of a pocket conveyor so that the support device advances along the at least one processing station.

[0016] In this way, the assembly formed by the support device, the heat shrink sleeve and the item to be decorated can be transported between processing stations of a sublimation printing plant.

[0017] In particular, the linkage comprises a motion transmission member, preferably a gear, configured to transmit rotational motion about the longitudinal axis to the base.

[0018] In this way, during the transfer of heat to the assembly formed by the support device, the heat shrink sleeve and the object to be decorated, it is possible to rotate said assembly in order to expose all surfaces of the assembly to the transferred heat and thereby heat the assembly uniformly.

[0019] In particular, the support device comprises a clamping mechanism that is integral with the base and configured to lock the support element in a given position relative to the support surface of the base.

[0020] In this way it is possible to lock the heat shrink sleeve in a given position relative to the item to be decorated.

[0021] In particular, the support element comprises a fitting, which is arranged at an end of the support element and is configured to connect with and support the object to be decorated.

[0022] More specifically, the fixture comprises a first part having a first surface configured to be placed against the edge of an opening in the object to be decorated, a second part configured to be connected to the object to be decorated at said opening in the object to be decorated, and a third part connected to the support element.

[0023] In this way it is possible to integrally connect the support device to the object to be decorated.

[0024] In particular, the second part comprises a cylindrical body connected to the first part and configured to be inserted into an opening in the object to be decorated, and an elastic element arranged around the cylindrical body and configured to exert a radial force between the second part and the object to be decorated.

[0025] In this way, the item and fixture can be held and centered along the longitudinal axis.

[0026] In particular, the third part comprises a tubular connector configured to be inserted into the support element.

[0027] In effect, the tubular connector allows selective connection / disconnection of the fitting to the support element.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to provide a printing plant for sublimation printing of bodies to be decorated from the outside, preferably for printing on containers such as bottles, vials or jars, which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0029] According to the invention, a printing plant is provided for sublimation printing of bodies to be decorated externally, preferably for printing on containers such as bottles, vials or jars, comprising: an assembly station configured to allow assembly of the object to be decorated and the heat shrink sleeve to a support device so as to position the heat shrink sleeve around the object to be decorated at a predetermined height relative to the object; a heat shrinking station configured to heat shrink the sleeve, thereby forming a film that fits around at least a portion of the item to be decorated and the support device, to create an assembly comprising the support device, the item to be decorated, and the film, with a burrow netting extending between the film on one side and the item to be decorated and the support device on the other side; Equipped with.

[0030] In this way, it is possible to achieve a high level of quality decoration on the object to be decorated, even if the object has a shape with an irregular outer contour.

[0031] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for sublimation printing of the body of a container, preferably a bottle, vial or jar, to be decorated externally, which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0032] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for sublimation printing of the body of a container, preferably a bottle, vial or jar, to be decorated externally, said method comprising the steps of: adjusting the position of the support element relative to the support surface along a longitudinal axis in accordance with the shape and size of the object to be decorated and the graphics to be transferred, which are printed with sublimation ink along the inner surface of the heat shrink sleeve; connecting the item to be decorated to a support element; fitting the heat shrink sleeve around the object to be decorated so that the heat shrink sleeve is positioned in contact with a support surface; Includes.

[0033] This method allows for easy and fast changes to the settings of the support device depending on the type of item to be decorated and the graphics printed on the heat-shrinkable sleeve, thus enabling the printing plant to be quickly reconfigured for producing different types of items to be decorated.

[0034] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting example embodiments thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram, with parts removed for clarity, of a sublimation printing plant provided in accordance with the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the plant of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of FIG. 2 in a first operational configuration; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of the detail of FIG. 2 in a second operational configuration; [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of FIG. 2 in a third operational configuration; [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of a support device for the plant of FIG. 1 provided in accordance with the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] With reference to Figure 1, reference number 1 indicates as a whole a sublimation printing plant for a body to be externally decorated. Plant 1 comprises, in order, an assembly station 2, a heat shrinkage station 3, a sublimation station 4, and a decomposition station 5. Heat shrinkage station 3 comprises a heating element H1 for reaching the heat shrinkage temperature, and sublimation station 4 comprises a heating element H2 for reaching the sublimation temperature. Sublimation station 4 comprises a suction system with a suction pump P1 and an associated collector C1, and decomposition station 5 comprises a pumping system with a pump P2 and an associated collector C2.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, the plant 1 comprises a support device 6 configured to support a heat shrink sleeve 7 around the object to be decorated (not visible in the accompanying drawings), and a conveyor 8, preferably a belt conveyor, for transporting the assembly formed by the support device 6, the heat shrink sleeve 7 and the object to be decorated.

[0038] In particular, the support devices 6 and conveyors 8 are utilized within the assembly station 2 and the heat shrinking station 3 of the plant 1. More specifically, the plant 1 includes a plurality of support devices 6 aligned on and transported by the conveyors 8.

[0039] The sleeve 7 is made of a heat shrink material having an irregular inner surface along which images and / or text are printed using sublimation inks in accordance with what is described and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 5,649,999.

[0040] Alternatively, the inner surface of the heat shrink sleeve 7 is smooth, while the object to be decorated has an irregular, rough outer surface.

[0041] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the item 9 to be decorated is connected to a support device 6 and a heat shrink sleeve 7 disposed around the item 9 to be decorated.

[0042] As described and illustrated herein, and this is not intended to be a limitation of the invention, the object to be decorated 9 is a hollow container such as a bottle having an opening 10. It is understood that other types of objects to be decorated, such as jars and vials, are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] The support device 6 comprises a base 11 having a central opening 13 extending about a longitudinal axis A and provided with a support surface 12 configured to support the heat shrink sleeve 7 around the item 9 to be decorated, and a support element 15 configured to support the item 9 and extending through the central opening 13 of the base 11 so as to be slidable and selectively lockable relative to the base 11 along the longitudinal axis A to adjust the position of the item 9 relative to the heat shrink sleeve 7.

[0044] As described and illustrated herein, the support element 15 comprises a fixture 14 that is disposed at the end of the support element 15 and is configured to connect to and support the object 9 to be decorated.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the support surface 12 of the base 11 comprises a flat wall 37 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis A.

[0046] Furthermore, the support device 6 comprises a clamping mechanism 16 which is integral with the base 11 and which is configured to lock the support element 15 in a given position relative to the flat wall 37 .

[0047] In practice, the support element 15 is movable along the longitudinal axis A between an extended position (Figure 3) and a retracted position (Figure 4) to adjust the position of the object 9 along the longitudinal axis A relative to the heat shrink sleeve 7.

[0048] In particular, base 11 includes a connection 17 configured to be mounted within the housing of conveyor 8 (FIG. 2) so that support device 6 advances along assembly station 2 and heat shrink station 3 (FIG. 1).

[0049] More specifically, the linkage 17 comprises a pivot 18 extending along a longitudinal axis A and a motion transmission member 19, preferably a gear, configured to transmit rotational motion about the pivot 18 to the base 11. In practice, the motion transmission member 19 is configured to mesh with a gear or rack, not shown in the accompanying figures, so as to rotate the support device 6 about the longitudinal axis A relative to the housing of the conveyor 8 (FIG. 2) during advancement of the support device 6.

[0050] 5, the heat shrinking station 3 (FIG. 1) is configured to distribute heat to the assembly formed by the support device 6, the heat shrink sleeve 7, and the object to be decorated 9 using a heating element H1 (FIG. 1) to determine the heat shrinking of the heat shrink sleeve 7 to the extent that the heat shrink sleeve 7 adheres to the object to be decorated 9 and the fixture 14 to form a film 20 that covers the object to be decorated 9 and a portion of the fixture 14. In this way, the object to be decorated 9, the support device 6, and the film 20 are integrated with each other to form an assembly 21 that undergoes subsequent treatment in the sublimation station 4 and the decomposition station 5 (FIG. 1), respectively.

[0051] 6, the support device 6 extends along a longitudinal axis A and comprises a channel 22 through which the support element 15 and the fitting 14 pass. In practice, the support element 15 comprises a tubular body 23 extending along the longitudinal axis A.

[0052] The fixture 14 comprises a portion 24 provided with a surface 25 configured to be placed against the edge 26 of the opening 10 in the object to be decorated 9, a portion 27 configured to be connected to the object to be decorated 9 at the opening 10, and a portion 28 connected to the support element 15.

[0053] Furthermore, the portion 24 comprises a surface 29 which is adapted to be wrapped and surrounded by the film 20 together with the object to be decorated 9 so as to form a barrow net, not visible in the accompanying drawings, between the film 20 on one side and the object to be decorated 9 and the fixture 14 on the other side.

[0054] In particular, part 27 comprises a cylindrical body 30 connected to part 24 and configured to be inserted into opening 10 of the object to be decorated 9, and an elastic element 31 arranged around cylindrical body 30 and configured to exert a radial force between part 27 and the object to be decorated 9.

[0055] According to the invention, the portion 28 comprises a tubular connector 32 adapted to be inserted into the support element 15 .

[0056] In particular, portion 24 has a gripping area 33 along longitudinal axis A along which, in use, film 20 exerts a force along longitudinal axis A, thereby adhering to unite fixture 14 with object 9 to be decorated. In this case, gripping area 33 is substantially defined by a recess in surface 29.

[0057] Portion 24 further comprises a permeable disc 34, which defines a portion of surface 29 and communicates with channel 22. As described and illustrated herein, permeable disc 34 also defines surface 25. The permeability of permeable disc 34 can be provided by openings in the disc, holes in the disc, or raised portions in the disc that create channels that allow the passage of air, or more generally gases.

[0058] From a structural point of view, the fitting 14 comprises a tubular body 35 which defines the portion 24. In particular, the elastic element 31 is fixed to the cylindrical body 30 by means of a fixing element 36.

[0059] In use, and referring to Figure 3, at assembly station 2 (Figure 1), support device 6 is mounted in its housing of conveyor 8, after which item 9 is mounted on fixture 14 of support device 6. In particular, item 9 is connected to fixture 14 so that edge 26 of opening 10 in item 9 abuts face 25 of portion 24. Elastic element 31 inserted in opening 10 exerts a radial force between item 9 and portion 27, helping to hold item 9 to fixture 14. At this point, heat shrink sleeve 7 is placed on flat wall 37 around item 9.

[0060] 4, once the heat shrink sleeve 7 and item 9 to be decorated are connected to the support device 6, the support element 15 is moved along the longitudinal axis A to position the item 9 at a predetermined height relative to the heat shrink sleeve 7. The clamping mechanism 16 is then activated to lock the support element 15 in place.

[0061] At this point, referring to FIG. 5 , heat is transferred to the heat shrink sleeve 7 in the heat shrink station 3 and to the object 9 connected to the support device 6 to cause the heat shrink sleeve 7 to heat shrink to form a film 20 that fits around the object 9 and at least a portion of the fixture 14.

[0062] Subsequently, the heating element H2 (FIG. 1) heats the assembly 21 comprising the support device 6, the object to be decorated 9 and the film 20 to a sublimation temperature, thereby transferring the sublimation ink of the film 20 onto the outer surface of the object to be decorated 9.

[0063] At the same time, pump P2 (FIG. 1) draws excess gas from the barrow network via channels 22 passing through support element 15.

[0064] Finally, it is clear that the present invention includes further variants of the above-described embodiments that fall within the protective scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Sublimation Printing Plant 2 Assembly Station 3 Heat Shrink Station 4 Sublimation Station 5 Disassembly Station 6 Support device 7 Heat shrink sleeve 8 Conveyor 9 Decorated object 10 Opening 11. Base 12 Support surface 13 Central opening 14 Mounting fixture 15 Supporting Elements 16 Clamping mechanism 17 Connecting part 18 Pivot 19 Motion transmission member 20 Film 21 Assembly 22 channels 23 Tubular body 24 First Part 25 First Side 26 Edge 27 Second Part 28 Third Part 29 Second Side 30 Cylinder 31 Elastic Elements 32 Tubular Connector 33 Grasping area 34 Transparency disc 35 Tubular body 36 Fixed Elements 37 flat wall A vertical axis C1 Collector C2 Collector H1 heating element H2 heating element P1 suction pump P2 Pump

Claims

1. A support device for sublimation printing of the body of a container, preferably a bottle, vial, jar or similar, to be decorated externally, said support device (6) comprising: a base (11) having a central opening (13) extending about a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with a support surface (12) configured to support a heat shrink sleeve (7) around the object (9) to be decorated; a support element (15) configured to support the item (9) to be decorated and extending through the central opening (13) of the base (11) to be slidable and selectively lockable relative to the base (11) along the longitudinal axis (A) to adjust the position of the item (9) relative to the heat shrink sleeve (7); A support device comprising:

2. 2. A support device according to claim 1, wherein the support element (15) comprises a tubular body (23) extending along the longitudinal axis (A).

3. 3. A supporting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support surface (12) of the base (11) comprises a flat wall (37).

4. 4. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the base (11) comprises a coupling (17) configured to be mounted within the housing of a conveyor (8) so that the support device (6) advances along at least one processing station (2, 3, 4, 5).

5. 5. The support device according to claim 4, wherein the coupling (17) comprises a motion transmission member (19), preferably a gear, configured to transmit a rotational motion about the longitudinal axis (A) to the base (11).

6. 6. The support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a clamping mechanism (16) that is integral with the base (11) and configured to lock the support element (15) in a given position relative to the support surface (12) of the base (11).

7. 7. The support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support element (15) comprises a mounting (14), the mounting (14) being arranged at an end of the support element (15) and configured to connect with and support the object (9) to be decorated.

8. 8. The support device of claim 7, comprising a channel (22) extending along said longitudinal axis (A) and through which said support element (15) and said fitting (14) pass.

9. 9. The support device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the mounting fixture (14) comprises a first part (24) provided with a first surface (25) configured to be placed in abutment against an edge (26) of an opening (10) of the object (9) to be decorated, a second part (27) configured to be connected to the object (9) at the opening (10) of the object (9), and a third part (28) connected to the support element (15).

10. 10. The supporting device according to claim 9, wherein the first part (24) of the fixture (14) has a second surface (29) configured to be wrapped and surrounded by the film (20) together with the object to be decorated (9) so as to form a Burrow net between the film (20) on one side and the object to be decorated (9) and the fixture (14) on the other side.

11. 11. A supporting device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second part (27) comprises a cylindrical body (30) connected to the first part (24) and configured to be inserted into the opening (10) of the object (9) to be decorated.

12. 12. The supporting device according to claim 11, wherein the second part (27) comprises an elastic element (31) arranged around the cylindrical body (30) and configured to exert a radial force between the second part (27) and the object (9) to be decorated.

13. The support device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the third part (28) comprises a tubular connector (32) configured to be inserted into the support element (15).

14. A printing plant (1) for sublimation printing of bodies to be decorated externally, preferably for printing on containers such as bottles, vials or jars, said printing plant comprising: an assembly station (2) configured to allow the attachment of the object (9) and the heat-shrinkable sleeve (7) to the support device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, so as to position the heat-shrinkable sleeve (7) around the object (9) at a predetermined height relative to the object (9); a heat shrinking station (3) configured to heat shrink the sleeve (7), thereby forming a film (20) that fits around at least a portion of the item to be decorated (9) and the support device (6), to create an assembly (21) comprising the support device (6), the item to be decorated (9), and the film (20), with a Burrow net stretching between the film (20) on one side and the item to be decorated (9) and the support device (6) on the other side; A printing plant comprising:

15. 15. A printing plant according to claim 14, comprising a sublimation station (4) configured to apply heat to the assembly (21) and to extract gas from the burrow network of the assembly (21) via the support device (6).

16. 16. A printing plant according to claim 15, comprising a decomposition station (5) configured to supply gas into the barrow of the assembly (21) via the support device (6) with a pressure such that the film (20) is detached from the object (9) to be decorated or with a pressure such that the film (20) is peeled off.

17. A sublimation printing method for the body of a container, preferably a bottle, a vial, a jar or the like, to be decorated from the outside, said printing method comprising: adjusting the position of the support element (15) relative to the support surface (12) along the longitudinal axis (A) according to the shape and size of the object (9) to be decorated and the graphics to be transferred printed with sublimation ink along the inner surface of the heat-shrinkable sleeve (7); connecting the object (9) to the support element (15); fitting the heat shrink sleeve (7) around the object (9) to be decorated so that the heat shrink sleeve (7) is placed in contact with the support surface (12); Sublimation printing method, including.

18. 18. A printing method according to claim 17, comprising the step of heat-shrinking the sleeve (7) around the support device (6) and the item (9) to be decorated, thereby forming a film (20) that fits around at least a part of the item (9) to be decorated and the support device (6), to create an assembly (21) comprising the support device (6), the item to be decorated (9) and the film (20), wherein a burrow netting extends between the film (20) on one side and the item to be decorated (9) and the support device (6) on the other side.

19. 19. A printing method according to claim 18, comprising the steps of heating the assembly (21) to a sublimation temperature, thereby transferring the sublimation ink from the film (20) onto the outer surface of the object to be decorated (9), and simultaneously sucking excess gas from the burrow net through the support element (15).

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