DE102024104575A1 - Method and device for single- or double-sided printing of print media - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for printing on print media, comprising a transport device with a first receiving location and a second receiving location; wherein the transport device can be conveyed back and forth along a conveyor path between a first and a second position; a printer on the conveyor path that can print a first or a second side of one or more print media located on the transport device when the transport device passes the printer; an input conveyor for the print media, which feeds one of the print media to the first receiving location when the first receiving location is in the first position; and an output conveyor for the print media from the second receiving location when the second receiving location is in the second position. a turning device near the first or the second position, for picking up the print medium located at the first pick-up point of the transport device, turning the picked-up print medium, and placing the turned-over print medium on the second pick-up point of the transport device.

Description

This discloses a method and device for single- or double-sided printing on print media. Details are defined in the claims; however, the description also contains relevant information on the structure and mode of operation, as well as variants of the method and device components.

background

Print media of the type discussed here are, in particular, flat objects in the form of security or identification documents such as ID cards, credit cards, bank cards, cash payment cards, labels, access badges, so-called holder pages of passports, identity cards, driver's licenses, and the like. These print media are at least partially flexible, elastic, and made of paper, plastic, metal, wood, or the like. These print media contain alphanumeric or graphic information that can be applied to one or both sides. One variant of the print media of the type discussed here are identification cards in the so-called ID-1, ID-2, or ID-3 format, as defined in the ISO 7810 standard "Identification Cards - Physical Characteristics." The ID-1 card is widely used as a card in payment transactions.

Print media of the type discussed here can also be designed as magnetic stripe cards. These allow digital encoding of the data printed on the card or other data on a magnetic stripe located on the back of the card.

Print media of the type discussed here can also be designed as chip cards, which contain an integrated circuit in the card body with elements for data transmission, storage, and processing. Data can be transferred via contacts on the card's surface or contactlessly using electromagnetic fields. Contactless chip cards avoid problems caused by contamination or wear of the contacts, or electrostatic discharges.

Items of the type presented here that are used as security or identification documents are generally manufactured centrally in their raw form, i.e., without personalization data, and then personalized in a decentralized manner, for example, at registration offices, government agencies, or companies authorized to issue such documents. During personalization, personalization data that individually identifies the respective holder of the security or identification document in the form of text, numeric, and/or image data (e.g., the holder's name and address, date of birth, place of birth, photo of the holder, biometric data of the holder, etc.), as well as the date of issue and validity of the document, are incorporated into the security or identification document. This text, numeric, and/or image data is at least partially directly readable by a viewer. The solution presented here is intended and intended for use both for applying the personalization data to the items and for their raw design.

State of the art

To print on both sides of the media described here, it is possible to print on one side with a first printer, then turn it over, and print on the other side with a second printer. This solution is costly and space-intensive due to the two printers. Alternatively, the media described here is fed through a printer on an outward path and printed on one side, returned around the printer on a return path, turned over, fed through the same printer again on the outward path, and printed on the other side. This avoids the need for a second printer.

For example, the US 2014 0 063 086 A1 a card return path along which a plastic card, which has been fed through a printing station and printed on the first side, is deflected from a primary card movement path downstream of the printing station and returned to a primary card movement path at a location upstream of the printing station to be fed through the printing station again. A card that has been printed on its "A" side is deflected from the primary card movement path and drops into an output hopper. Each card is flipped to its "B" side and returned to the input hopper for subsequent B-side printing. Here, a plurality of the received plastic cards are recirculated through the printing station for reprinting using the card return path so that their second side can also be printed. This device is suitable for industrial mass production with a processing speed of several thousand (20,000 or more) cards per hour.

The document US 2014 0 182 768 A1 discloses the use of a smart card programming mechanism in production lines for producing plastic cards with embedded chips. For this purpose, an encoder is provided upstream of a printing station, which reads the chip embedded in a plastic card. The embedded chip is personalized or programmed contactlessly. In the card processing system, the individual processing mechanisms are arranged downstream of the card feed. The card feed mechanism is arranged upstream of the card printing mechanism and upstream of the smart card programming mechanism, and the card output mechanism is arranged downstream of the card printing mechanism and downstream of the smart card programming mechanism. The card return movement path of the printing station intersects the primary card movement path at a first intersection point, which is arranged downstream of the printing station and upstream of the card output, and at a second intersection point, which is arranged downstream of the smart card programming mechanism and upstream of the printing station.

Printing, especially personalizing, such flat objects, especially cards, is usually done on both sides (front and back). However, cards with single-sided printing are also often required. Labeling systems such as a drop-on-demand (DoD) inkjet printer with a single-pass printing process are, for example, known from the EP 3 130 646 B1 Such a single-pass printer has multiple print heads aligned in the conveying direction of the flat objects to be printed. Each print head, connected to an ink reservoir, has a plurality of print nozzles for printing a specific color (cyan, magenta, white, black, etc.). Each print head extends transversely to the conveying direction across the entire width of the flat objects. With such printing systems, due to a lack of appropriately complex mechanics and control systems, the flat objects cannot be stopped and turned under the print heads. The costs for the printing system components (printer, ink drying station, etc.) are high. For small and medium production volumes, double or multiple printing lines are not economical. For two such marking systems arranged one behind the other for the front and back of such flat objects, a length/footprint of the production system is required, which is not always available. Furthermore, the costs for this are not always economically justifiable.

In industrial production, it is necessary to print such media on one or both sides at high throughput. Such card processing systems can be designed for issuing relatively small quantities (10 or several hundred per hour) as desktop processing machines, as described in the US patents US 7,434,728 B1 and US 7,398,972 B1 or, on the other hand, for large-scale production (several hundred or thousand per hour) with several processing stations and modules, as described in the US Patents US 4,825,054 B1 , US 5,266,781 B1 , US 6,783,067 B1 and US 6,902,107 B1 are described.

The US 2014 0 063 086 A1 or the DE 2020 160 086 03 U1 The arrangement described feeds each card to the print station along a primary card movement path and then returns each double-sided card individually to the front of the print station via the card return path. This has disadvantages. For example, the length of the card return path in relation to the speed of the double-sided cards along the card return path and their number on the return path (for single- and double-sided cards) influences the order of the cards at the print station exit. In addition, the length of time each card spends at each of the numerous stations along the primary card movement path influences the printing process, making the order of the cards at the print station exit more difficult to determine.

To avoid such disadvantages, a device and method for single- or double-sided printing of flat objects are disclosed here. The presented solution is advantageous for small and medium batch volumes, but also for higher throughputs.

Technological background is in the documents EP 0 580 280 B1 , US 2014 0 063 080 A1 , EP 0 840 181 B1 , US 5,666,629 A , US 8 608 163 B1 , DE 30 49 607 A1 , JP 2011 131 952 A , US 2014 10182 768 A1 , US 6,783,067 B2 , FR 2 827 807 A1 , US 2009 0 152 790 A1 , US 5 337 134 A , WO 93 04 433 A1 , JP S58-167 347 A , US 6,308,886 B1 , DE 195 26 087 A1 , EP 2 507 749 B1 , EP 2 018 973 A1 , WO 2015 077 218 A1 , US 2002 0 141 791 A1 , JP 3 162 856 B2 , DE 10 338 949 A1 , WO 2004 065 124 A2 , CN 204 414811 U , US 2014 0 063 086 A1 , US 2001 0024228 A1 , EP 835 739 A2 , DE 3 236 884 A1 , DE 3 704 059 A1 , US 6,695,205 B1 , US 5,943,238 B1 , US 6,105,493 B1 and the US 2013/0 220 984 A1 A company brochure from Atlantic Zeiser GmbH shows a device called "persomaster - EMV Banking Card Personalization System - First with DoD Inkjet Technology," September 29, 2015.

Solution

1. a. Bereitstellen einer Transport-Einrichtung auf einer Förderstrecke, wobei die Transport-Einrichtung wenigstens eine erste und wenigstens eine zweite Aufnehm-Stelle für Druck-Medien hat;
2. b. Bereitstellen eines Druckers an der Förderstrecke, und wobei die Transport-Einrichtung dazu eingerichtet ist, entlang der Förderstrecke zwischen einer ersten Position aufstromseitig des Druckers und einer zweiten Position abstromseitig des Druckers derart hin und her gefördert zu werden, dass beim Passieren des Druckers wenigstens ein auf der Transport-Einrichtung befindliches Druck-Medium bedruckt werden kann;
3. c. Beschicken der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung mit einem Druck-Medium, wenn sich die Transport-Einrichtung auf der Förderstrecke in der ersten Position befindet;
4. d. Fördern der Transport-Einrichtung entlang der Förderstrecke von der ersten zu der zweiten Position, und Bedrucken des auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums auf seiner ersten Seite, wenn die Transport-Einrichtung den Drucker passiert;
5. e. Aufnehmen des auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums von der Transport-Einrichtung;
6. f. Wenden des aufgenommenen Druck-Mediums; und
7. g. Ablegen des gewendeten Druck-Mediums auf der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung derart, dass das auf der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung abgelegte Druck-Medium auf seiner zweiten Seite bedruckt werden kann, wenn die Transport-Einrichtung den Drucker passiert;
8. h. Fördern der Transport-Einrichtung mit dem auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Medium entlang der Förderstrecke von der zweiten Position zurück zu der ersten Position;
9. i. Beschicken der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung mit einem weiteren Druck-Medium;
10. j. Fördern der Transport-Einrichtung von der ersten zu der zweiten Position, Bedrucken einer ersten Seite des auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums und Bedrucken einer zweiten Seite des an der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums, wenn die Transport-Einrichtung den Drucker passiert; und
11. k. Entnehmen des auf der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums von der Transport-Einrichtung.

A process for single-sided or double-sided printing on print media includes the following steps:

1. a. Providing a transport device on a conveyor line, wherein the transport device has at least one first and at least one second receiving location for print media;
2. b. Providing a printer on the conveyor line, and wherein the transport device is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor line between a first position upstream of the printer and a second position downstream of the printer such that, when passing the printer, at least one print medium located on the transport device can be printed;
3. c. feeding the first receiving point of the transport device with a pressure medium when the transport device is in the first position on the conveyor line;
4. d. conveying the transport device along the conveying path from the first to the second position, and printing the print medium located on the first receiving position of the transport device on its first side as the transport device passes the printer;
5. e. Picking up the print medium located on the first pick-up point of the transport device from the transport device;
6. f. Turning the recorded print medium; and
7. g. Placing the turned print medium on the second receiving position of the transport device in such a way that the print medium placed on the second receiving position of the transport device can be printed on its second side when the transport device passes the printer;
8. h. conveying the transport device with the pressure medium located on the first receiving point of the transport device along the conveying path from the second position back to the first position;
9. i. Feeding the first receiving point of the transport device with another printing medium;
10. j. Conveying the transport device from the first to the second position, printing a first side of the print medium located at the first receiving position of the transport device, and printing a second side of the print medium located at the second receiving position of the transport device as the transport device passes the printer; and
11. k. Removing the print medium located on the second pickup point of the transport device from the transport device.

For continuous operation, steps (e.) to (k.) are repeated.

In the above variant, the printing medium is turned downstream of the printer. In the following variant, the printing medium is turned upstream of the printer.

1. a. Bereitstellen einer Transport-Einrichtung auf einer Förderstrecke, wobei die Transport-Einrichtung wenigstens eine erste und wenigstens eine zweite Aufnehm-Stelle für ein Druck-Medium aufweist;
2. b. Bereitstellen eines Druckers entlang der Förderstrecke, wobei die Transport-Einrichtung dazu eingerichtet ist, entlang der Förderstrecke zwischen einer ersten Position aufstromseitig des Druckers und einer zweiten Position abstromseitig des Druckers derart hin und her gefördert zu werden, dass beim Passieren des Druckers wenigstens ein auf der Transport-Einrichtung befindliches Druck-Medium bedruckt werden kann;
3. c. Beschicken der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung mit einem Druck-Medium, wenn sich die Transport-Einrichtung auf der Förderstrecke in der ersten Position befindet;
4. d. Fördern der Transport-Einrichtung entlang der Förderstrecke von der ersten Position zu dem Drucker, und Bedrucken des auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums auf seiner ersten Seite, wenn die Transport-Einrichtung den Drucker passiert;
5. e. Fördern der Transport-Einrichtung mit dem auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Medium entlang der Förderstrecke von dem durchlaufenen Drucker zurück zu der ersten Position;
6. f. Aufnehmen des auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums von der Transport-Einrichtung;
7. g. Wenden des aufgenommenen Druck-Mediums; und
8. h. Ablegen des gewendeten Druck-Mediums auf der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung derart, dass das auf der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung abgelegte Druck-Medium auf seiner zweiten Seite bedruckt werden kann, wenn die Transport-Einrichtung den Drucker passiert;
9. i. Beschicken der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung mit einem weiteren Druck-Medium;
10. j. Fördern der Transport-Einrichtung von der ersten zu der zweiten Position, Bedrucken einer ersten Seite des an der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums und Bedrucken einer zweiten Seite des an der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums, wenn die Transport-Einrichtung den Drucker passiert; und
11. k. Entnehmen des an der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums von der Transport-Einrichtung;

Für einen fortlaufenden Betrieb werden die Schritte (e.) bis (k.) wiederholt.Such a process for single- or double-sided printing of print media includes the following steps:

1. a. Providing a transport device on a conveyor line, wherein the transport device has at least one first and at least one second receiving point for a printing medium;
2. b. Providing a printer along the conveyor line, wherein the transport device is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor line between a first position upstream of the printer and a second position downstream of the printer such that, when passing the printer, at least one print medium located on the transport device can be printed;
3. c. feeding the first receiving point of the transport device with a pressure medium when the transport device is in the first position on the conveyor line;
4. d. conveying the transport device along the conveying path from the first position to the printer, and printing the print medium located on the first receiving position of the transport device on its first side as the transport device passes the printer;
5. e. conveying the transport device with the print medium located on the first receiving point of the transport device along the conveying path from the printer passed through back to the first position;
6. f. Picking up the print medium located at the first pick-up point of the transport device from the transport device;
7. g. Turning the recorded print medium; and
8. h. Placing the turned print medium on the second receiving point of the transport device in such a way that the second the print medium placed at the receiving point of the transport device can be printed on its second side when the transport device passes the printer;
9. i. Feeding the first receiving point of the transport device with another printing medium;
10. j. Conveying the transport device from the first to the second position, printing a first side of the print medium located at the first receiving position of the transport device, and printing a second side of the print medium located at the second receiving position of the transport device as the transport device passes the printer; and
11. k. Removing the print medium located at the second pick-up point of the transport device from the transport device;

For continuous operation, steps (e.) to (k.) are repeated.

1. a. einer Transport-Einrichtung, wobei die Transport-Einrichtung wenigstens eine erste Aufnehm-Stelle für ein Druck-Medium und wenigstens eine zweite Aufnehm-Stelle für ein Druck-Medium aufweist; und wobei die Transport-Einrichtung dazu eingerichtet ist, entlang einer Förderstrecke zwischen einer ersten und einer zweiten Position hin und her gefördert zu werden;
2. b. einem Drucker, der an der Förderstrecke zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Position angeordnet ist, wobei der Drucker dazu eingerichtet ist, eine erste oder eine zweite Seite einer oder mehrerer, auf der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle und/oder der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlicher Druck-Medien zu bedrucken, wenn die Transport-Einrichtung entlang der Förderstrecke zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Position hin und her gefördert wird und dabei den Drucker passiert;
3. c. einem Eintragsförderer für die Druck-Medien, der der Förderstrecke nahe der ersten Position zugeordnet ist, und der Eintragsförderer dazu eingerichtet ist, eines der Druck-Medien der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung zuzuführen, wenn sich die Transport-Einrichtung in der ersten Position befindet; und
4. d. einem Austragsförderer für die Druck-Medien, der der Förderstrecke nahe der zweiten Position zugeordnet ist, und der Austragsförderer dazu eingerichtet ist, eines der Druck-Medien von der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung abzuführen, wenn sich die Transport-Einrichtung in der zweiten Position befindet;
5. e. einer Wende-Einrichtung für die Druck-Medien, die der Förderstrecke nahe der ersten oder der zweiten Position zugeordnet ist, und die Wende-Einrichtung eingerichtet ist zum
   • - Aufnehmen des an der ersten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung befindlichen Druck-Mediums von der Transport-Einrichtung; und/oder
   • - Wenden des aufgenommenen Druck-Mediums; und/oder
   • - Ablegen des gewendeten Druck-Mediums auf der zweiten Aufnehm-Stelle der Transport-Einrichtung; und mit
6. f. einer Steuer-Einrichtung, eingerichtet und programmiert zum Ansteuern der Transport-Einrichtung und/oder der Förderstrecke, des Druckers, des Eintragsförderers, des Austragsförderers und/oder der Wende-Einrichtung.

A device for single-sided or double-sided printing of print media, in particular according to one of the two above-mentioned procedures, is equipped with

1. a. a transport device, wherein the transport device has at least one first receiving location for a print medium and at least one second receiving location for a print medium; and wherein the transport device is configured to be conveyed back and forth along a conveying path between a first and a second position;
2. b. a printer arranged on the conveyor path between the first and the second position, wherein the printer is configured to print a first or a second side of one or more print media located on the first receiving location and/or the second receiving location of the transport device when the transport device is conveyed back and forth along the conveyor path between the first and the second position and in the process passes the printer;
3. c. an input conveyor for the print media, which is assigned to the conveyor line near the first position, and the input conveyor is configured to feed one of the print media to the first receiving point of the transport device when the transport device is in the first position; and
4. d. a discharge conveyor for the print media, which is assigned to the conveyor line near the second position, and the discharge conveyor is configured to remove one of the print media from the second receiving point of the transport device when the transport device is in the second position;
5. e. a turning device for the printing media, which is assigned to the conveying path near the first or the second position, and the turning device is arranged to
   • - Picking up the print medium located at the first pick-up point of the transport device from the transport device; and/or
   • - Turning the recorded print medium; and/or
   • - Placing the turned print medium on the second pick-up point of the transport device; and with
6. f. a control device, configured and programmed to control the transport device and/or the conveyor line, the printer, the input conveyor, the output conveyor and/or the turning device.

There are several options for printing a card on either the front or back. For example, if the card is placed with its front side facing the first pickup point of the transport device, the card can be ejected for printing on the front side after the first pass through the printer. If only the back side is to be printed, the card passes through the printer with its front side facing up but is not printed on. Only after being turned over is it printed on the second pass and then ejected. For the variant with the card being turned upstream of the printer, the process must be adapted accordingly.

In one variant of the device, the transport device has several first receiving points for print media and several second receiving points for print media. The first and second receiving points can be arranged adjacent to each other. In one variant, the first and second receiving points are each arranged transversely to the conveying direction, so that—depending on the direction in which the transport device is conveyed—either the first or the second receiving points pass the printer first at the same time.

In one variant, the first and second receiving points of the transport device are designed to fix a pressure medium with a controlled negative pressure available on their surfaces when the transport device is moved along the conveyor line is conveyed back and forth between the first and second positions.

In one variant, the conveyor line is designed as a circulating conveyor belt which is configured to convey the transport device back and forth; or as a drive belt to which the transport device is connected; or the transport device is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor line by a spindle/nut drive.

In one variant, the printer on the conveyor line is designed as an inkjet printer, a DoD printer, a transfer printer, or the like for printing on one side of the print medium. In one variant, a device for coating the print medium over the printed image is provided, which device is designed as an inkjet printer, a DoD printer, a transfer printer, or the like.

The device disclosed here can be implemented in different configurations; the two variants in which the turning takes place either upstream or downstream of the printer have already been mentioned.

In other variants, a device for cleaning the pressure medium is located on the conveyor line. This cleaning of the pressure medium can be done using compressed air, brushes, or similar devices, before or after the transport device is loaded with the pressure medium.

In further variants, a device for feeding the transport device with the print medium is provided. This feeding of the transport device with the print medium can be done via a controlled-opening magazine, from which the print media are dispensed individually and deposited on the transport device. This feeding of the transport device with the print medium can also be done via a conveyor belt, with which the print media is conveyed in a timed manner from a previous processing stage and deposited individually on the transport device.

In further variants, a device for aligning the pressure medium on the transport device in and/or transverse to the conveying direction is located on the conveyor line. This alignment of the pressure medium can be achieved – for example, when the vacuum is switched off at the surfaces of the first and second receiving points of the transport device – by controlled slides that laterally engage the respective pressure medium, or by angles that engage in two diagonal corners of the pressure medium and position the respective pressure medium.

In other variants, a device for plasma treatment of the printing medium is located on the conveyor line. This plasma treatment of the printing medium can take place before or after the alignment of the printing medium, and before printing.

In other variants, a device for drying the printed image is provided. This drying (pinning) of the printed image naturally occurs after the transport device has conveyed the respective print medium through the printer and one of the two sides of the print medium has been coated with a print image. This device for drying the printed image is located on the conveyor line upstream of the device for coating the print medium.

In further variants, a device for drying the printed image and the coating is located on the conveyor line downstream of the device for coating the printing medium above the printed image. This device for drying the printed image and the coating is tailored to the ink layer of the printed image and the (varnish) material of the coating of the printing medium. In one variant, the drying device is designed as a UV lamp, provided that the ink of the printed image and the coating material are curable by UV light.

In further variants, the printer is in particular a single-pass inkjet printer which has a plurality of print heads for ultraviolet (UV) curable ink arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the print media to be printed, and comprises one or more reservoirs with an ultraviolet (UV) curable ink of different colors.

In other variants, a device for turning the printing medium is located on the conveyor line either upstream or downstream of the printer. This turning of the printing medium can be achieved using grippers, suction lifters, or similar devices.

In further variants, a device for removing the pressure medium located at the second receiving point of the transport device from the transport device is located on the conveyor line downstream of the drying device. This device for removing the pressure medium from the transport device is used to pass the print medium on to a subsequent processing stage.

In further variants, a device for an inlet inspection is located on the conveyor line downstream or upstream of the device for feeding the transport device with the pressure medium or the cleaning device. In further variants, a device for an outlet inspection is located on the conveyor line downstream of the drying device.

The solution presented here avoids unnecessary transport distances during continuous operation due to the at least two pick-up points (at least one first and at least one second pick-up point) of the transport device when printing on both sides of the print media. A transport device with only one pick-up point must pass through the printer (back and forth) four times to dispense a double-sided card and return to its starting position. The solution presented here, with a transport device with two pick-up points, produces 1.5 cards in steady-state operation (as soon as both pick-up points are loaded with print media) with the same number of movements.

The alignment process is similar. With a transport setup with two pick-up points, two print media are aligned on both sides in three alignment processes. These savings compensate for disadvantages such as a slightly longer transport time due to a longer transport setup.

It should be understood that the solution presented here is also suitable for single-sided printing of print media. For this purpose, the print media is turned over after printing (pre-drying, coating, drying), turned in the second position onto the second pick-up point of the transport device, and then immediately removed from the transport device in the second position.

Short description of the drawing

• 1 veranschaulicht schematisch eine Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum ein- oder beidseitigen Bedrucken einer Mehrzahl von Druck-Medien.
• 1a - 1g veranschaulichen schematisch den Ablauf eines beidseitigen Bedruckens einer Mehrzahl von Druck-Medien in einer ersten Variante.
• 2a - 2g veranschaulichen schematisch den Ablauf eines beidseitigen Bedruckens einer Mehrzahl von Druck-Medien in einer zweiten Variante.

Further objects, features, advantages, and possible applications will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments and the accompanying drawings. All described and/or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, constitute the subject matter disclosed herein, regardless of their grouping in the claims or their dependencies. Possible modifications will also become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings. The figures schematically show variants of the device and method discussed herein.

• 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a device for single-sided or double-sided printing of a plurality of print media.
• 1a - 1g schematically illustrate the process of double-sided printing on a plurality of print media in a first variant.
• 2a - 2g schematically illustrate the process of double-sided printing on a plurality of print media in a second variant.

Detailed description of the drawing

1 shows a device 10 for single-sided or double-sided printing on a plurality of print media M. In the illustration shown, the print media M are implemented as identification (ID) cards made of plastic. The device 10 has a transport device 20 which transports the print media M on a rectilinear conveyor line 40. The conveyor line 40 conveys the print media M located on the transport device 20 as individual objects. In one variant, the conveyor line 40 is a circulating or belt conveyor in which one or more endless conveyor belts are guided over one or more driven and non-driven rollers. In the variant illustrated here, a rail conveyor is provided as the transport device 20, which can be moved in a controlled manner along a transport rail and transports one or more print media M.

In the illustrated variant, the transport device 20 has a first receiving point 22 for a printing medium M and a second receiving point 24 for a printing medium M, wherein the receiving points 22, 24 are arranged adjacent to each other. The two receiving points 22, 24 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line 40. The transport device 20 is designed to move along the conveyor line 40 between a first position 42 (in 1 left) and a second position 44 (in 1 right) to be conveyed back and forth. In variants not further illustrated here, the transport device 20 has a plurality of first receiving points 22 and a plurality of second receiving points 24 for print media M. For example, two or more adjacently arranged first receiving points 22 and an equal number (two or more) adjacently arranged second receiving points 24 for print media M can be realized. In these variants, too, the first receiving points 22 and the two ten receiving points 24 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line 40.

The first and second receiving points 22, 24 of the transport device 20 have openings on their surfaces receiving the print media M, at which a controlled (switchable on/off) negative pressure is available to fix a print medium M in each case. This ensures that the print media M do not change their position and orientation when the transport device 20 is conveyed back and forth along the conveyor path 40 between the first position 42 and the second position 44.

The conveyor line 40 has on one inflow side (in 1 left) an input conveyor 40a for the print media M. The input conveyor 40a serves to individually apply the unprinted print media M upstream of a printer 30 in the first position 42 to the first receiving point(s) 22 of the transport device 20.

The conveyor line 40 has on one downstream side (in 1 right) a discharge conveyor 40b for the print media M. The discharge conveyor 40b serves to individually pick up and transport away the printed print media M downstream of the printer 30 in the second position 44 from the second pick-up point(s) 24 of the transport device 20.

The conveyor line 40 conveys the print media M located on the transport device 20 as individual items or in groups in a general conveying direction F from the input conveyor 40a to the output conveyor 40b. The print media M are printed between these two conveyors.

In the variant illustrated here, the printing media M is cleaned 50 before being transferred from the input conveyor 40a to the conveyor line 40.

In a further variant, not illustrated in detail here, the cleaning 50 of the printing media M takes place after they have been individually applied by the input conveyor 40a to the conveyor line 40, more precisely to the first receiving point(s) 22 of the transport device 20.

After the individual printing media M have been applied to the first receiving point(s) 22 of the transport device 20, the printing medium M is aligned 70 on the transport device 20 in and/or transversely to the conveying direction of the printing media M, as indicated by the directional arrows on the alignment device 70. Two grippers are used for this purpose, which, with the negative pressure released, position the printing medium M correctly on the surface of the first receiving point 22. The negative pressure on the surface of the first receiving point 22 is then activated, so that the printing medium M does not slip on the receiving point 22 during transport by the transport device 20.

Subsequently, the transport device 20 with the printing medium M held on the first receiving point 22 passes a device for plasma treatment 60 of the printing medium M. This serves to further clean the printing medium M before it is printed.

Next, the transport device 20 with the print medium M held on the first receiving point 22 and/or on the second receiving point 24 passes a printer 30 for printing the upper side of the respective print medium M. In this variant, this printer 30 is designed as a DoD printer (drop on demand), as an inkjet printer, as a transfer printer or the like.

This is followed by a device 80 for drying the printed image, which next passes the transport device 20 with the print medium M held on the first receiving point 22 and/or the print medium M held on the second receiving point 24.

The transport device 20, with the print medium M held at the first receiving location 22 and/or the print medium M held at the second receiving location 24, next passes a device 90 for coating the print medium M over the printed image. This device 90 for coating the print medium M over the printed image is also designed as an inkjet printer, a DoD printer, a transfer printer, or the like.

Next, the transport device 20, with the print medium M held at the first receiving location 22 and/or the print medium M held at the second receiving location 24, moves through a device 100 for drying the printed image and the coating. If the printer 30 dispenses ultraviolet (UV)-curable printing ink or printing ink, and the coating varnish of the printed image is also ultraviolet (UV)-curable, the device 100 for drying the printed image and the coating has a UV light source.

Now the transport device 20 with the print medium M held on the first receiving point 22 becomes a device for turning 110 of the printing medium M. Here, the printing medium M located on the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 is picked up by the transport device 20, the picked up printing medium M is turned over, and the turned over printing medium M is placed on the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20. The negative pressure on the surface of the second receiving point 24 is then activated, so that the printing medium M does not slip on the second receiving point 24 during transport by the transport device 20.

Downstream of the turning device 110 is the discharge conveyor 40b for the print media M. The discharge conveyor 40b serves to individually pick up the printed print media M downstream of the printer 30 in the second position 44 from the second pick-up point(s) 24 of the transport device 20 and to transport them away for further processing of the print media M. The discharge conveyor 40b for the print media M is assigned to the conveyor line 40 near the second position (44). The discharge conveyor 40b is configured to remove one of the print media M from the second pick-up point(s) 24 of the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 is in the second position 44.

• Schritt a. (1a) enthält das Bereitstellen einer Transport-Einrichtung 20 auf einer Förderstrecke 40. Die Transport-Einrichtung 20 hat wenigstens eine erste Aufnehm-Stelle 22 für ein Druck-Medium M und wenigstens eine zweite Aufnehm-Stelle 24 für ein Druck-Medium M.
• Schritt b. (1a) enthält das Bereitstellen eines Druckers 30 an der Förderstrecke 40 für die Transport-Einrichtung 20. Die Transport-Einrichtung 20 ist dazu eingerichtet, entlang der Förderstrecke 40 zwischen einer ersten Position 42 aufstromseitig des Druckers 30 und einer zweiten Position 44 abstromseitig des Druckers 30 derart hin und her gefördert zu werden, dass beim Passieren des Druckers 30 wenigstens ein auf der Transport-Einrichtung 20 befindliches Druck-Medium M bedruckt werden kann.

In the 1a - 1g A process for double-sided printing on print media M is illustrated. Only the insertion, printing, turning, and ejection of the print media M are illustrated. The drying, coating, and drying of the print image and the coating are omitted here for clarity. The process comprises the following steps:

• Step a. ( 1a) includes providing a transport device 20 on a conveyor line 40. The transport device 20 has at least one first receiving point 22 for a printing medium M and at least one second receiving point 24 for a printing medium M.
• Step b. ( 1a) includes providing a printer 30 on the conveyor line 40 for the transport device 20. The transport device 20 is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor line 40 between a first position 42 upstream of the printer 30 and a second position 44 downstream of the printer 30 such that, when passing the printer 30, at least one print medium M located on the transport device 20 can be printed.

As soon as a printing medium M is located on the first and/or second receiving point 22, 24 on the transport device 20, the negative pressure on the surface of the respective receiving point 22, 24 is activated so that the printing medium M does not slip on the respective receiving point 22, 24 during transport through the transport device 20.

Step c. ( 1a) includes feeding the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 with a pressure medium M by means of the input conveyor when the transport device 20 is in the first position 42 on the conveyor line 40.

Step d. ( 1b) includes conveying the transport device 20 along the conveying path 40 from the first position 42 to the second position 44, and printing the print medium M located on the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 on its first side 1S when the transport device 20 passes the printer.

Step e. ( 1c ) includes picking up the print medium M located on the first pick-up point 24 of the transport device 20 from the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 is located on the conveyor line 40 in the second position 44.

Step f. ( 1c ) includes turning the received pressure medium M when the transport device 20 is in the second position 44 on the conveyor line 40.

Step g. ( 1c ) includes depositing the turned print medium M on the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 is located on the conveyor path 40 in the second position 44 such that the print medium M deposited on the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 can be printed on its second side 2S when the transport device 20 next passes the printer 30 in the conveying direction.

Step h. ( 1d ) includes conveying the transport device 20 with the print medium M located at the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 along the conveying path 40 from the second position 44 back to the first position 42. As mentioned, the second side 2S of the print medium M deposited on the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 is not yet printed.

Step i. ( 1e) includes feeding the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 with a further pressure medium M when the transport device 20 is in the first position 42 on the conveyor line 40.

Step j. ( 1f) includes conveying the transport device 20 from the first position 42 to the second position 44, printing a first side 1S of the print medium M located at the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 and printing a second side 2S of the print medium M located at the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 passes the printer 30 in the conveying direction.

Step k. ( 1g) includes the removal of the printing medium M located at the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 from the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 is located in the second position 44 on the conveyor line 40.

In continuous operation, steps e. to k. are then carried out according to the 1c to 1g repeated continuously.

• Schritt a. (2a) enthält das Bereitstellen einer Transport-Einrichtung 20, wobei die Transport-Einrichtung 20 wenigstens eine erste Aufnehm-Stelle 22 für ein Druck-Medium M und wenigstens eine zweite Aufnehm-Stelle 24 für ein Druck-Medium M aufweist.

In the 2a - 2g An alternative method for double-sided printing of print media M is illustrated. Only the insertion, printing, turning, and removal of the print media M are illustrated. The drying, coating, and drying of the print image and the coating are omitted here for clarity. These steps are described in connection with the description of the device and 1 explained in more detail. The procedure includes the following steps:

• Step a. ( 2a) includes providing a transport device 20, wherein the transport device 20 has at least one first receiving location 22 for a print medium M and at least one second receiving location 24 for a print medium M.

Step b. ( 2a) includes providing a printer 30 along a conveyor path 40 for the transport device 20, wherein the transport device 20 is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor path 40 between a first position 42 upstream of the printer 30 and a second position 44 downstream of the printer 30 such that when passing the printer 30 at least one print medium M located on the transport device 20 can be printed.

Step c. ( 2a) includes feeding the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 with a pressure medium M when the transport device 20 is in the first position 42 on the conveyor line 40.

As soon as a printing medium M is located on the first and/or second receiving point 22, 24 on the transport device 20, the negative pressure on the surface of the respective receiving point 22, 24 is activated so that the printing medium M does not slip on the respective receiving point 22, 24 during transport through the transport device 20.

Step d. ( 2b) includes conveying the transport device 20 along the conveying path 40 from the first position 42 to the printer 30, and printing the print medium M located on the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 on its first side 1S when the transport device 20 passes the printer 30.

Step e. ( 2c ) Conveying the transport device 20 with the print medium M located at the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 along the conveying path 40 from the printer 30 back to the first position 42.

Step f. ( 2d ) includes picking up the print medium M located at the first pick-up point 22 of the transport device 20 from the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 is located in the first position 42 on the conveyor line 40.

Step g. ( 2d ) includes turning the received pressure medium M when the transport device 20 is in the first position 42 on the conveyor line 40.

Step h. ( 2d ) includes depositing the turned print medium M at the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 is located on the conveyor line 40 in the first position 42, such that the print medium M deposited on the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 can be printed on its second side 2S when the transport device 20 passes the printer 30.

Step i. ( 2e) includes feeding the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 with a further pressure medium M when the transport device 20 is in the first position 42 on the conveyor line 40.

Step j. ( 2f) includes conveying the transport device 20 from the first position 42 to the second position 44, printing a first side 1S of the print medium M located at the first receiving point 22 of the transport device 20 and printing a second side 2S of the print medium M located at the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 the printer 30 in the conveying direction from the first position 42 to the second position 44.

Step k. ( 2g) includes the removal of the printing medium M located at the second receiving point 24 of the transport device 20 from the transport device 20 when the transport device 20 is located in the second position 44 on the conveyor line 40.

In continuous operation, steps e. to k. are then carried out according to the 2d to 2g repeated continuously.

The variants of the device described above, as well as their construction and operating aspects, serve only to better understand the structure, functionality, and properties; they do not limit the disclosure to the exemplary embodiments. The figures are partly schematic, with essential properties and effects sometimes shown significantly enlarged to clarify the functions, operating principles, technical configurations, and features. Each function, principle, technical configuration, and feature disclosed in the figures or in the text can be freely and arbitrarily combined with all claims, each feature in the text and in the other figures, other functions, principles, technical configurations, and features contained in this disclosure or resulting therefrom, so that all conceivable combinations can be assigned to the described procedure. This also includes combinations between all individual embodiments in the text, i.e., in every section of the description, in the claims, and also combinations between different variants in the text, in the claims, and in the figures. The claims also do not limit the disclosure and thus the possible combinations of all the features shown with each other. All disclosed features are also explicitly disclosed individually and in combination with all other features.

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

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Claims (9)

A method for single-sided or double-sided printing of print media (M), comprising the following steps: a. Providing a transport device (20) on a conveyor line (40), wherein the transport device (20) has at least one first receiving location (22) for a print medium (M) and at least one second receiving location (24) for a print medium (M); b. Providing a printer (30) along the conveyor line (40) for the transport device (20), wherein the transport device (20) is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor line (40) between a first position (42) upstream of the printer (30) and a second position (44) downstream of the printer (30) such that, upon passing the printer (30), at least one print medium (M) located on the transport device (20) can be printed; c. Supplying the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) with a print medium (M) when the transport device (20) is in the first position (42) on the conveyor path (40); d. Conveying the transport device (20) along the conveyor path (40) from the first position (42) to the second position (44), and printing the print medium (M) located at the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) on its first side (1S) when the transport device (20) passes the printer; e. Picking up the print medium (M) located at the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) from the transport device (20); f. Turning over the picked-up print medium (M); and g. Placing the turned print medium (M) on the second receiving position (24) of the transport device (20) such that the print medium (M) deposited on the second receiving position (24) of the transport device (20) can be printed on its second side (2S) when the transport device (20) passes the printer (30); h. Conveying the transport device (20) with the print medium (M) located at the second receiving position (24) of the transport device (20) along the conveyor path (40) from the second position (44) back to the first position (42); i. Supplying the first receiving position (22) of the transport device (20) with another print medium (M); j. Conveying the transport device (20) from the first position (42) to the second position (44), printing a first side (1S) of the print medium (M) located at the first receiving location (22) of the transport device (20), and printing a second side (2S) of the print medium (M) located at the second receiving location (24) of the transport device (20) as the transport device (20) passes the printer (30); and k. Removing the print medium (M) located at the second receiving location (24) of the transport device (20) from the transport device (20); l. Repeating steps ee to k. A method for single-sided or double-sided printing of print media (M), comprising the following steps: a. Providing a transport device (20) on a conveyor line (40), wherein the transport device (20) has at least one first receiving point (22) for a print medium (M) and at least one second receiving point (24) for a print medium (M); b. Providing a printer (30) along the conveyor line (40) for the transport device (20), wherein the transport device (20) is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor line (40) between a first position (42) upstream of the printer (30) and a second position (44) downstream of the printer (30) in such a way that, upon passing the printer (30), at least one print medium (M) located on the transport device (20) can be printed; c. Supplying the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) with a print medium (M) when the transport device (20) is in the first position (42) on the conveying path (40); d. Conveying the transport device (20) along the conveying path (40) from the first position (42) to the printer (30), and printing the print medium (M) located at the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) on its first side (1S) when the transport device (20) passes the printer (30); e. Conveying the transport device (20) with the print medium (M) located at the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) along the conveying path (40) from the second position (44) back to the first position (42); f. Picking up the print medium (M) located at the first pick-up point (22) of the transport device (20) from the transport device (20); g. Turning the picked-up print medium (M); and h. Depositing the turned print medium (M) at the second pick-up point (24) of the transport device (20) such that the print medium (M) deposited at the second pick-up point (24) of the transport device (20) can be printed on its second side (2S) when the transport device (20) passes the printer (30); i. Feeding the first pick-up point (22) of the Transport device (20) with a further print medium (M); j. Conveying the transport device (20) from the first position (42) to the second position (44), printing a first side (1S) of the print medium (M) located at the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) and printing a second side (2S) of the print medium (M) located at the second receiving point (24) of the transport device (20) when the transport device (20) passes the printer (30); and k. Removing the print medium (M) located at the second receiving point (24) of the transport device (20) from the transport device (20); l. Repeating steps (e) to (k). A device for single-sided or double-sided printing of print media (M), comprising: a. a transport device (20), wherein the transport device (20) has at least one first receiving point (22) for a print medium (M) and at least one second receiving point (24) for a print medium (M); and wherein the transport device (20) is configured to be conveyed back and forth along a conveying path (40) between a first position (42) and a second position (44); b. a printer (30) arranged along the conveyor path (40) between the first position (42) and the second position (44), wherein the printer (30) is configured to print a first side (1S) or a second side (2S) of one or more print media (M) located at the first receiving point (22) and/or the second receiving point (24) of the conveyor device (20) when the conveyor device (20) is conveyed back and forth along the conveyor path (40) between the first position (42) and the second position (44) and in the process passes the printer (30); c. an infeed conveyor (40a) for the print media (M), which is assigned to the conveying path (40) near the first position (42), and the infeed conveyor (40a) is configured to feed one of the print media (M) to the first receiving point (22) of the transport device (20) when the transport device (20) is in the first position (42); and d. an outfeed conveyor (40b) for the print media (M), which is assigned to the conveying path (40) near the second position (44), and the outfeed conveyor (40b) is configured to remove one of the print media (M) from the second receiving point (24) of the transport device (20) when the transport device (20) is in the second position (44); e. a turning device (50) for the print media (M), which is assigned to the conveyor line (40) near the first position (42) or the second position (44), and the turning device (50) is configured to - pick up the print medium (M) located at the first pick-up point (22) of the transport device (20) from the transport device (20); and/or - turn the picked-up print medium (M); and/or - deposit the turned print medium (M) at the second pick-up point (24) of the transport device (20); and with f. a control device (ECU), configured to control the transport device (20) and/or the conveyor line (40), the printer (30), the input conveyor (40a), the output conveyor (40b), and/or the turning device (50), and programmed to carry out the steps of the method according to Claim 1 or 2 to execute. The device with the features according to Claim 3 , wherein the transport device (20) has a plurality of first receiving points (22) for print media (M) and a plurality of second receiving points (24) for print media (M). The device with the features according to Claim 2 , 4 or 4 , wherein the first and second receiving locations (22, 24) are arranged adjacent to one another. The device having the features according to one of the Claims 3 until 5 , in which the first and second receiving points (22, 24) of the transport device (20) are designed to fix a pressure medium (M) in each case by means of negative pressure available on their surfaces when the transport device (20) is conveyed back and forth along the conveying path (40) between the first position (42) and the second position (44). The device having the features according to one of the Claims 3 until 6 , in which the conveyor line (40) is designed as a circulating conveyor belt which is configured to convey the transport device (20) back and forth; or as a drive belt to which the transport device (20) is connected; or the transport device (20) is configured to be conveyed back and forth along the conveyor line (40) by a spindle/nut drive. The device having the features according to one of the Claims 3 until 7 , in which the printer (30) for printing (30) one side of the print medium (M) is designed as an inkjet printer, as a DoD printer, as a transfer printer or the like; and/or a device for coating (90) the print medium (M) over the printed image is designed as an inkjet printer, as a DoD printer, as a transfer printer or the like The device having the features according to one of the Claims 3 until 8 , in which a device for cleaning (50) the printing medium (M), and/or an input conveyor (40a) for feeding the transport device (20) with the printing medium (M), and/or a device for aligning (70) the printing medium (M) on the transport device (20) in and/or transversely to the conveying direction, and/or a device for plasma treatment (60) of the printing medium (M), and/or a device for drying (80) the printed print image, and/or a device for coating (90) the printing medium (M), and/or a device for (through-)drying (100) the printed print image and the coating, and/or a device for turning (110) the printing medium (M), and/or a discharge conveyor (40b) for passing the printing medium (M) on to a subsequent processing are intended.