Apparatus and method for digitally printing carton-based materials

A compact apparatus and method for digital printing on packaging machines address the challenge of integrating digital printing into existing packaging lines by rotating and tensioning the web, allowing on-site printing with minimal modifications, ensuring efficient and cost-effective production of carton-based packaging materials.

JP7882654B2Inactive Publication Date: 2026-06-30TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
Filing Date
2020-05-06
Publication Date
2026-06-30
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing packaging machines require expensive modifications to integrate digital printing, limiting the cost-effective implementation of digital printing for carton-based packaging materials, especially for liquid food products.

Method used

A compact apparatus and method for digitally printing carton-based packaging materials, utilizing a web supply assembly with drive units and web orientation devices to rotate and tension the web, allowing on-site printing without significant modifications to existing packaging machines, incorporating print and curing devices for food-grade ink application.

Benefits of technology

Enables cost-effective, compact digital printing of packaging materials with minimal modifications to existing machinery, ensuring efficient handling of interruptions and speed changes, maintaining production quality and reducing the risk of contamination.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An apparatus (200) is provided for digitally printing carton-based packaging material for packages (112) that hold liquid food products. The packaging material has a first side (204) adapted to form an exterior surface of the package (112) and a second side (206) adapted to form an interior surface of the package (112). The apparatus (200) includes an inlet (207) configured to receive a web (102) of packaging material, an outlet (227) configured to move the web (102) out of the apparatus (200), and web feed assemblies (208a, 208b, 208c, 210, 211, 212) arranged to feed the web (102) from the inlet (207) through the apparatus (200) to the outlet (227) in a web feed direction (A). 19, 224, 225), a web feed assembly (208a, 208b, 208c, 210, 211, 219, 224, 225) including at least one drive unit (210, 211, 224, 225) and at least one web directing device (208a, 208b, 208c, 219), a plurality of printheads arranged to apply food-grade ink onto the first side (204) of the web (102). a first web rotation arrangement (22) for rotating the web (102) after it is received through the inlet (207) so that a first side (204) of the web (102) faces the print head; 8) and a second web rotating arrangement (230) for rotating the web (102) after the food-grade ink has been applied by the print head, the first web rotating arrangement (228) providing a first slack upstream of the plurality of print bars (216a, 216b, 216c, 216d) and the second web rotating arrangement (230) providing a second slack downstream of the plurality of print bars (216a, 216b, 216c, 216d).
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