Rotary Container Printing Stations for High-Speed Direct Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for direct printing on containers or labels suffer from low productivity, hindering their adoption in large industrial settings.

Innovation Solution

A machine with at least two rotary information printing stations, a container feeding and picking system, and alternating activation of printing and drying steps to enhance productivity, allowing direct printing on containers or labels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If direct printing on containers is implemented, then label material is saved and equipment is simplified, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel materialVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing system is divided into multiple independent printing stations (first printing station, second printing station, etc.), each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple containers simultaneously, thereby increasing overall productivity while maintaining the direct printing approach that eliminates label material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containers are pre-positioned on a rotating carousel at specific locations before printing begins. The printing stations are pre-configured with printing heads positioned at optimal locations. This preliminary arrangement ensures that containers are ready for immediate printing without delays, maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple printing stations are added in series, then productivity is increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capacityVSAvoidmachine structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple printing stations are merged into a single integrated system sharing common infrastructure elements including the rotating carousel, container feeding mechanism, and control system. This merging approach increases productivity through parallel processing while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by reusing existing components across stations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating carousel serves multiple functions: it positions containers for printing, transports containers between printing stations, and provides a stable mounting platform. The feeding system and picking system are designed to work with any number of printing stations, making them universal components that adapt to the system's productivity requirements without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4116103B1Machine for printing information on a container

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SMI SPA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of packaging liquids or semi-liquids in containers, and in particular, to a machine provided with a system for printing information directly on a container or label applied to said container. In particular, the invention relates to a machine (1) for printing information on a container or blank label applied to said container, comprising: - at least one rotary information printing station (2, 2'); - a system (3) for feeding containers to said at least one rotary information printing station (2, 2'); - a system (4) for picking the printed containers from said at least one rotary information printing station (2, 2').