BRPI0707051A2 - method for informing master packages and device for carrying out said method - Google Patents

Abstract

METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKAGES AND DEVICE FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE SAID METHOD. is a method for creating packages that are made up of several units, packaging, wrapping units, packaging with a film material. According to this method, the film material is printed with the AED (automatic input device), at least one unit, printing immediately before the process involving it. Such a unit, printing located at least between the source and the packaging station in the direction of the course of the film material.

Description

Report of the Patent of the Invention Privilege for "METHOD FOR MAIN PACKAGING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE METHOD"

The invention relates to a method for forming master packs comprising several pack units according to the generic concept of claim 1, and to a device for carrying out such method according to the generic concept of claim 22.

Master packaging devices comprising various packaging units by wrapping with a retractable plastics film material taken from a stock, ie a spool, as well as by penetrating the plastics film material to create a retracted casing which keeps the United master packs in the form of a retracted plastic film are known in various embodiments. Packaging units in this case are packaging, for example, filled with a product and sealed, such as bottles, cans, packaging made of single or multi-layer flat material.

To form the master packs, several packaging units are respectively grouped together to form a master packet group and then wrapped or wrapped with the reusable plastic film material. The unpacking of the master packaging units can be done, for example, into or on tub-shaped or flat (e.g. over-tray) holders made of a suitable material. Regardless of the type of packaging units and the type of formation of the packaging units, it is also usual that it is employed as a plastic film material already stamped, whose printing or arrangement, among other things, is quite different as to the product and / or brands. As regards plastic and / or graphic and / or chromatic and / or content configuration, it is therefore necessary, among other things, to generally exchange the plastic film material for the packaging of packaging units for different products forming master packaging.

In addition, a printhead designed for printing the flat print product is known, and whereby a multitude of print dots can be produced in a line, well juxtaposed or with a minimum distance to each other, for example with at least one hundred and fifty dots. per inch on a product surface to actually print through numerous individually controlled individual nozzles. The active print width of this printhead, which is also known as the "Tonejet", depends on the computing ability of a computer that controls the printhead. Therefore, 1.7 - 6.8 inch wide printhead (corresponding to 256 Bit control and 1024 Bit control) can be used. Through this printhead it is possible to print a dimensional print with sufficiently large area through relative movement between the surface to be printed and the printhead only in a single axial direction.

It is the task of the invention to provide a method whereby it is possible to rationalize master packages composed respectively of several packaging units, which are held together by a stamped, retracted plastic film with a different arrangement and a different pattern. To solve this task a method has been created according to claim 1. A device for performing the method is object of claim 22.

A particular feature of the method according to the invention is that not only is ancillary information applied to the overall presentation of the respective master packaging, but also an essential part of the plastic film pattern that holds the master packaging together, and which surrounds the packaging units. , and consequently, a portion of the master packaging arrangement, should be made immediately prior to the formation of the respective master packaging in a printing unit on the plastic film material taken from a feed spool. In this case, it is possible to change the arrangement of the master pack using one and the same split or plastic film material by simply adjusting or converting the printing unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing unit is designed so that it produces the respective typography on the plastic film material as a function of control through an electronic control unit or a computer, in fact according to a mask. impression created in software by a data record, and stored, for example, in a control device or computer memory. By changing this print mask, it is possible to change or adapt the arrangement of the master packaging without any problem, true to any aspect, ie content, graphic, chromatic, image, but also regarding the size and shape of the respective print. . The invention offers, among other things, the possibility to change and / or upgrade without any problem, when necessary, the respective arrangement of the master packaging, for example depending on the product in question and / or its brand. In addition, there is the possibility to deselect and use the master packaging arrangement required for the product for stamping plastic film material, to properly adapt or select the size of the stamp to the size of the master package, but also to modify the stamp or parts of the stamp during printing. ongoing process.

The print unit preferably has at least one printhead, which is preferably designed as a "Tonejet" printhead or as a printhead corresponding to a "Tonejet" printhead. Such a printhead has in one section of print, when printing of the area to be stamped is arranged at a minimum distance from that area, numerous individual nozzles, which are provided on a longitudinal axis of the printhead and by an electrode assigned to each aperture. Nozzle The print ink on the printhead exits at each individual nozzle or the respective nozzle opening only when during activation of an individual nozzle the electrode assigned to it is activated by an electrical voltage whose polarity or voltage potential derives from polarity and / or printhead or ink in the printhead so that a certain amount of printing ink is released from the individual nozzle aperture activated by electrostatic forces. Such a head is hereinafter also referred to as an "electrostatic head".

Packaging units in the sense of the invention are, in turn, any packages filled for example with a product and closed, such as bottles, cans, tubes, packages made of carton or other flat material, such as a material. Master packaging units are, in the sense of the invention, several packaging units held together forming a group, with or without a support that holds or partially housing such packaging units. Master packaging, in the sense of the invention, are units which are held together or held by a plastics film material by wrapping and then by shrinkage of that material, i.e. through a retracted plastic film.

The invention is further explained below with the aid of figures in an example embodiment, where:

Figure 1 shows in schematic representation a master packaging device containing respectively several packaging units;

Figure 2 shows in schematic representation the printheads designed as electrostatic printheads of a printing unit, together with the plastic film material to be stamped;

Figure 3 shows one of the printheads of the print unit in Figure 2.

In figures (1) is a device for making master packaging by grouping several master packaging units 2 together forming a master packaging arrangement and for joining each master packaging arrangement 3 into a master packaging 4 by means of a retracted plastic film which surrounds the master packaging unit 3.The device (1) has, in a device housing 6, among other things, a conveyor 7 which travels an internal horizontal path, whereby the packaging units 2 are moved in a horizontal direction of the transport A through the device, in fact, in a multi-lane conveyor flow, in which at least two packing units 2 are arranged side by side in a transverse direction of transport A.

As illustrated in Figure 1 in detail, the packaging units 2 of the device 1 in an inlet 81 are already conducted as a multi-lane transport stream and then arrive at an accumulation section 9 formed by the conveyor 7, in which the packaging units 2 also follow each other compact in the direction of transport A. In a separator unit 10 subsequent to accumulation section 9, groups of packaging units are respectively formed, which then arrive at station 11 as master packaging unit 3, in which each master packaging unit 3 It is surrounded by a length of plastic film material 51 of the plastic film material, which then forms by shrinkage in a shrink tunnel 12 the retractable shrink film 5, which holds the respective master package 4 together. another application via a non-illustrated carrier subsequent to output 8, 2 of the device 1. In order to produce the individual master packaging units 3 there is provided in the separating station 10 an additional conveyor 13 composed, in the embodiment shown, of two rotationally driven conveyor belts and forming respectively a closed loop. These are arranged by the planes of their loops vertically on both sides of the conveyor path formed by the conveyor 7. Between the conveyor belts 14 are provided at various distances 15, which serve as a dragging device of the packaging units 2, and so far apart that with each bar 15 is taken from the accumulation section 9 respectively a master packing group 13 in the transport direction A.

The sheet-like plastic film material 5.1 is prepared as a spool-like 5.2 form over a mandrel or a clamping device5.3 and pulled from that spool in a rolling or conveying direction B during operation of the device 1. Starting from spool 5.2 5.1 plastic film material is conveyed to a printing station 18 using numerous bypass cylinders, primarily through different devices 16 and 17, among other things, for length adaptation and / or conservation of a sheet tension against the transport direction. A, whereby the sheet-like 5.1 plastic film material moves to a deviation in the transport direction A, wherein such material is stamped in the manner described below in more detail. In the direction b of the 5.1 plastic film material b is followed by the printing station 18 a cutting station 19 in which the stamped 5.1 plastic film material is cut to the required length for wrapping a master packaging unit and then driven through. a conveyor 20 to wrapping station 11.

The feed reel 5.2, the units 16 and 17, the printing station 18, the cutting station 19 as well as the transport element 10 are located within the housing of the device 6 below the transport path formed by the carrier 7.

A feature of device 1 is primarily that sealing of the 5.1 plastic film material is performed on device 1 immediately prior to the use of such material. In this case, it is possible to use a 5.1 plastic film as plastic film material, which will first be provided with the desired direct print for the master packaging 4.

The printing station 18, in more detail in the embodiment illustrated in the rolling or conveying direction B of the plastic film material 5.1, is successively composed of a preheating unit21, a printing unit subsequent to the preheating unit21, of a unit 23 subsequent to the print unit 22 for drying the respective direct print or print image, in fact, depending on the print ink used for the printing, heating or heat treatment or UV treatment, etc.

Another essential feature of device 1 is the formation of the printing unit 22. This according to figures 2 and 3 comprises various printheads 24 which are housed above or above the printing plane formed by the film material. 5.1 plastic in a transverse or vertical direction with respect to rolling direction B of 5.1 plastic film material at a minimum distance. In the decryption form illustrated this print plane is a horizontal plane.

For the highest possible print performance (number of print applications per unit of time) with the best possible print quality, printheads 24 are designed in this way as electrostatic heads. For multicolored printing at least three printheads are provided, each of which serves to print a color set from a multi-color print. Printheads therefore contain different inks in their color scheme, for example red, blue and yellow. It is also possible to provide other printheads 24 in the print unit 22, for example a fourth printhead 24 for black ink.

As also shown in Figures 2 and 3, each printhead is basically comprised of a housing 25 which forms, among other things, a closed inner compartment 26 for housing fluid or viscous printing inks. Each shell 25 is designed such that the inner compartment 26 narrows to a funnel or decay shape relative to an inner segment of the shell 25.1. In this housing segment 25.1, which extends over the entire length of each printhead 26 or its housing 25 and which is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the printhead or DL housing, and thus also parallel to the printing plane , a plurality of individually controllable nozzles 27 are provided for controlled print release actually in at least one series towards the longitudinal axis of the DL printhead successively and in a compact arrangement, so that 150 individual nozzles 27 e.g. inch or more are formed in the carcass segment 25.1. Through the carcass segment 25.1 facing the individual nozzles 27 each printhead 24 is housed above the 5.1 plastic film material to be stamped or the printing plane within the predetermined minimum distance already mentioned. 5.1 plastic film material is passed during stamping in roll direction B continuously or in cycle with the respective printhead 24. Through the aforementioned orientation of the printheads 24 the forward or roll direction B is oriented in the transverse, preferably vertical direction. relative to the longitudinal axis of the DL printhead. In the illustrated embodiment the printheads 24 are arranged parallel to each other by their longitudinal axes DL in a horizontal direction, actually preferably in a common horizontal plane.

Each individual nozzle 27 is comprised of an aperture 28 and a needle-shaped electrode 29 assigned to that aperture 28, which is arranged axially to the axis of the respective aperture 28 and terminates within the inner compartment of housing 26 with a minimum distance from that aperture 28.

Each printhead 24 is also designed such that even during the printing process the printing ink housed in the inner housing compartment 26 is under a certain hydrostatic pressure against the openings 28 of the individual nozzles 27. The cross section of the openings 28 is selected. , taking into account the viscosity and / or surface tension of the printing ink, such that in the case of unattended individual filter 27 no printing ink will escape from the openings 28 despite hydrostatic pressure.

The electrodes 29 may be individually controlled via a control device 30, in fact such that with non-activated individual nozzle 27 the corresponding electrode 29 is located on. same electrical potential of the printing ink in the housing interior 26. During activation of an individual nozzle 27 the voltage potential of the respective electrode 29 is changed in a short time or by impulse by corresponding activation or control by the control device 30 so that through opening 28, printing ink is cast to produce printing dots 31 on the plastic film material 5.1.

As the printheads 24 are disposed along their longitudinal axis DL in a transverse or vertical direction with respect to the forward or reverse direction B of the 5.1 plastic film material, the printing work on the 5.1 plastic film material is performed in series respectively. extend vertically with respect to the longitudinal extent or the rolling direction B of the plastics film material 5.2 over the entire width of the area to be stamped, for example over a large part of the plastics material width 5.1, actually advancing in feed or roll direction B of plastic film material 5.1. The activation of the individual nozzles27 can be done with high speed. In addition for stamping only a single relative movement is required between the 5.1 plastic film material and its printhead 24, namely only the advance movement of the 5.1 plastic film material. For these reasons, high print performance can be achieved. The respective print image is digitally generated on the control device 30 via the corresponding control of the individual nozzles 27 and is stored on the control device 30 in a local memory as a digital data record.

The stamping of the 5.1 plastic film material in the printing unit 22 is done for example so that the direct printing and / or the graphic and / or chromatic configuration or arrangement of the 5.1 plastic film material is fully managed through the printing unit 22 on top of the printing unit. plastic film material 5.1, or through the printing unit 22 a direct print already existing on plastic film material 5.1 is supplemented as desired, for example by placing a written, chromatic and / or graphic addendum. By stamping the plastic film material, first in device 1, that is, immediately prior to the use of this material to form the master package 4, as well as by controlling the printing unit 22 or the printheads 24 disposed therein by the electronic control unit 30 By using print formats or printing masks stored in digital form or by data processing, different advantageous possibilities are obtained, for example the possibility of fast adapting device 1 to different products, adjusting and / or adapting the device. size of the respective print directly to the size of the master packaging 4, etc. In addition, a change can be made without any problem of direct printing on the plastic film material 5.1 only by means of a new programming or by a program change of the electronic control device 30. There is also a special possibility to change the print and therefore the arrangement Master Pack 4 during an ongoing process, for example to reconfigure the print image for each Master Pack 4, especially also so that each print image is then composed of a constant component, which remains the same and content and / or information. variables. The sealed printing components are, for example, numeric or alphanumeric information, for example information regarding the date of manufacture and / or minimum validation date or information in the form of a numeric code, etc. It is understood that the advance movement of the media 5.1 plastic film is regulated at least in the printhead range 24 through the electronic control device 30, in fact synchronously with the printhead control 24, for a precise, high quality print image. It is also understood that in the printhead range 24 there are provided centering and guide means for the 5.1 plastic film material to optimally align this material with respect to the printheads 24, especially also to accurately maintain the predetermined distance between the printheads 24and the 5.1 plastic film material.

In the preheating unit 21 preceding the printing unit 22 or the printhead housed therein 24, the 5.1 plastic film material is preheated such that the color set printing ink produced by the individual printheads 24 hardens or dries. insofar as unwanted mixing of each of the printing inks is avoided. The preheating device 21 may also have other elements for improving the direct contrast and / or sharpness print, for example an illustrated Corona element, whereby the 5.1 plastic film material is electrostatically charged at least on its side to be printed before. of the stamping itself.

In the unit 23 subsequent to the forward or scroll printing unit 22 B1 is dried or cured of the printing ink, in fact by heating or by another suitable procedure, for example by curing under UV light.

The invention has been described above in an example embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without the inventive idea underlying the invention being abandoned.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 - Packing Device

2 - Packing Unit

3 - Packing unit group or master packing unit

4 - Master Pack

5 - Retractable plastic film

5.1 - plastic film material

5.2 - power coil

5.3 - Mandrel or clamping device

6 - device frame7 - internal conveyor

8.1 - entry

8.2 - exit

9 - accumulation path

10 - separating unit

11 - unit for wrapping master packaging units 3

12 - retraction tunnel

13 - additional carrier

14 - Conveyor Belt

15-bar

16, 17 - Equipment for regulating sheet tension or plastic film storage unit

18 - printing station

19 - cutting station

20 - power unit

21 - preheating unit

22 - printing unit

23 - printing ink drying unit

24 - printhead

25 - carcass

25.1 - carcass segment

26 - inner compartment

27 - individual nozzle

28 - opening

29 - electrode

30 - Electronic Control Device

31 - printing point

A - packing units transport direction 2

B - direction of advance or roll of 5.1 plastic film material

Claims (29)

1. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKAGING (4), consisting of several individual packaging units (2), by wrapping it with a continuous foil-printed plastic film (5.1) in a packing station (11) to which is the plastic film detached from a spool (5.2), wherein the printing of the plastic film (5.1) is done on a printing unit (22) preceding the packaging station (11) in the transport direction (B) of the plastic film, This printing is at least partly unicolored or multicolored, whose plastic film taken from the spool (5.2) is a neutral, non-printing plastic film, printing using at least one printing unit (22), which generates the printing or printing. print is dependent on an electronic command (30), where this printable print is generated depending on electronically installed printing masks or software on the control device (30), CHARACTERIZED by the fact whether the printing is done under a moving motion between the plastic film (5.1) and the printing unit (22) or at least by means of a printhead (24) of the printing unit. The method for forming master packs according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic film (5.1) is moved relative to the print unit (22) or relative to at least one printhead (24). provided there. A method for forming master packs according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one printing unit (22) is provided with at least one electrostatic printhead (24) with a series of individual nozzles. (27), individually operable, for controlled printing ink supply, and the individual nozzles (27) are installed in a longitudinal printhead (DL) axis, arranged in a row thereafter. 4. METHOD FOR FORMAINING MASTER PACKAGING ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT THE PRINT TO BE PRINTED IS CHANGED AT LEAST PARTIALLY DURING THE MAIN PACKAGE (4). 5. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKINGS, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, CHARACTERIZED BY THE fact that the plastic film (1a) is printed line by line in a diagonal direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the plastic film or diagonally with respect to the direction. conveyor (B) of the plastic film, and this, for example, along the entire width or a large part of the width of the plastic film (5.1). 6. METHOD FOR FORMAINING MASTER PACKAGING ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRELIMENTARY APPLICATIONS, characterized in that the relative movement between at least one printhead (24) and the plastic film (5.1) occurs diagonally or vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the printhead (DL). 7. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKINGS, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, characterized by the fact that the plastic film (5.1) is oriented horizontally or substantially horizontally during printing. 8. METHOD FOR FORMAINING MASTER PACKAGING ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, characterized in that at least one printhead (24) is installed above the plastic film (5.1) to be printed. 9. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKAGES, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, CHARACTERIZED BY THE ATTENTION THAT AT LEAST TWO, PREFERELY THREE PRINTING HEADS (24). 10. METHOD FOR FORMATION OF MASTER PACKAGES, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that a set of inks is generated for each printhead (24) for color printing. 11. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKINGS, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, CHARACTERIZED BY THE fact that the printing ink, after its application on the plastic film (5.1), is subjected to drying or fixing by energy application, such as , heating and / or ultraviolet light. 12. METHOD FOR FORMAINING MASTER PACKAGING ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, characterized in that the plastic sheet (5.1) is loaded already heated and / or static prior to printing. 13. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKINGS, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the respective length of plastic foil (5.1), necessary for forming a master package (4), is separated into a cutting station (19). , and the printing of the plastic sheet (5.1) occurs prior to separation. 14. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKAGING ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, characterized in that the respective length of plastic foil (5.1) required for forming a master package (4) is separated into a cutting station (19). , and the printing of the plastic sheet (5.1) occurs after separation. 15. METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF MASTER PACKINGS, ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PRECEDING APPLICATIONS, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT THE PLASTIC SHEET (5.1), AFTER IT IS INVOLVED AS A PLASTIC SHEET OR PACKAGE (5) INVOLVING THE UNITS shrinkage process by thermal effect. 16. MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE (4), consisting of several individual packaging units (2), by means of its wrapping with a plastic foil in a packing station or packaging (11), which is fed by continuous plastic foil removing a spool (5.2) on a feed device (B), wherein, between the spool (5.2) and the packing station (11), at least one printing unit (22) for printing the plastics sheet (5.1) ), wherein at least one printing unit (22) is designed for single- or multi-colored printing of the plastic sheet (5.1) and wherein the printing cap is generated depending on an electrical control device (3), characterized by the fact that means are provided for generating relative movement between the plastic sheet (5.1) and at least one print unit (22) or at least one printhead (24) of that print unit (22) during printing. A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that it has an advance device, whereby the plastic sheet (5.1) is moved at least in the direction of at least one printing unit (22) or at least one printhead (24) there. A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one printing unit (22) is provided with at least one electrostatic printhead (24) with a plurality of individual nozzles (27). ), individually actuable, for the controlled feeding of printing ink, and the individual nozzle nozzles (27) are housed in a longitudinal axis of the printhead (DL) arranged in a row in sequence. MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one printhead (24) is arranged with a printhead longitudinal axis (DL) diagonally or vertically disposed relative to each other. feedrate (B) _ of the plastic sheet (5.1). A master packaging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one print unit (22) generates the print pattern depending on electronic or software installed print masks on the control device (20). 3). A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing unit (22) or at least one printing head (24) of that unit prints the continuous plastic sheet (5.1), line by line. , diagonally to a continuous longitudinal direction and this, for example, along the entire width or a large part of that width. A device for forming master packs according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic sheet (5.1) is housed horizontally or substantially horizontally during printing. A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one printhead (24) is installed above the plastics sheet (5.1). A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two printheads, preferably by at least three printheads (24). A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printhead of each printhead (24) is provided with a print ink set to generate a tinted print. A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means (23) for drying the printing ink after its application onto the plastic sheet (5.1) by applying energy, such as by heating and / or ultraviolet light. A device for forming master packs according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means (21) for heating and / or electrostatic charging of the plastics sheet (5.1) prior to printing. A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the continuous plastic sheet (5.1) is carried to a cutting station (19) for cutting at each of the packing stations ( 11) to form the master package, wherein at least one printing unit (22) is provided in the direction of transport (B) of the plastic sheet (5.1) before or after the cutting station (19). A MASTER PACKAGING DEVICE according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a transport route comprising at least one conveyor (7) on which the individual packaging units (2) are conveyed to the device in an inlet. (8.1) are grouped together to form a master packaging unit (3), which is then wrapped with the plastic sheet (5.1) in the packaging station (11), and by at least one printing unit (22), which is housed under the transport route, and is preferably preferably together with the plastic foil wrapped around the coil (5.2) or a support (5.3) of such material