GB2372962A - A printing process and apparatus - Google Patents
A printing process and apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2372962A GB2372962A GB0105377A GB0105377A GB2372962A GB 2372962 A GB2372962 A GB 2372962A GB 0105377 A GB0105377 A GB 0105377A GB 0105377 A GB0105377 A GB 0105377A GB 2372962 A GB2372962 A GB 2372962A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- printing
- pad
- moulded plastics
- plastics component
- station
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 61
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 19
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- SGPGESCZOCHFCL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tilisolol hydrochloride Chemical compound [Cl-].C1=CC=C2C(=O)N(C)C=C(OCC(O)C[NH2+]C(C)(C)C)C2=C1 SGPGESCZOCHFCL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 4
- 241000237519 Bivalvia Species 0.000 claims 1
- 241001302210 Sida <water flea> Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000020639 clam Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 210000001072 colon Anatomy 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000010813 municipal solid waste Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005202 decontamination Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000003588 decontaminative effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000003472 neutralizing effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 102000010029 Homer Scaffolding Proteins Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108010077223 Homer Scaffolding Proteins Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241000282887 Suidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035620 dolor Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
- B41F17/001—Pad printing apparatus or machines
Landscapes
- Printing Methods (AREA)
Abstract
Plastics components are formed in a moulding machine (10). The moulded plastics components are delivered to a printing carousal (20) and each moulded plastics component is mounted in a desired orientation on a holder at a loading station (24) of the carousel (20). The carousel (20) is rotated for delivering the moulded plastics component through a decontamination station (25) having a charged atmosphere for neutralising static attraction of particles to the moulded plastics component, said particles being blown away when neutralised. After decontamination, the moulded plastics component is delivered to a printing station (30) at which the uppermost surface of the moulded plastics component is engaged by a flexible printing pad to transfer an ink design from the printing pad to the moulded plastics component. Downstream of the printing station, the ink design on the moulded plastics component is dried by a hot air blower (35). At an unloading station (38), the moulded plastics component is removed from the holder and delivered to a packaging station (39). After applying the ink design to the moulded plastics component, the printing pad is delivered to a cleaning station (42) at which any residual ink is removed from the printing pad prior to recharging the printing pad with another ink design at an inking station (37) for printing on the next moulded plastics component delivered to the printing station (30).
Description
"A panting process and tppanxtua* Introduction This inwntion relates to moulded plastics components and to a process and apparatus for printing on moulded plastics components.
The invenCon is paniculany concamed with printing on a surface of moulded pkmft components by means of a tampo'or tampon* printing system. Such a system has been previously described in our earlier patent appiication-Pubtication No. GB 2315242. The present invention is concerned with providing an improved pmcou for achieving a high quay printing on moulded plastics components such as lenses for nwboo tdephones and the mea. ments ofJ According to the invention, there is provided a process for printing a moulded plastics component comprising the steps :mounting the moulded plastics component in an assodatad holder, suppating the moutded plastics component in a desimd orientation on the holder with an upwafdty fadng print receiving sunaoe, delivering the holder through a charged atmosphere for neutralising static attraction of parotides to the moulded plastics component. blowing air over the printing surface to remove the particles from the moulded plastics component after neutratising the static charge attraction, at an inking station, applying an ink design to a flexible printing pad. moving the printing pad over the holder and engaging the pad with an uppermost surface of the moulded plastics component for transfemng the ink design to the uppermost surface of moulded plastics component,
removing the moulded plastics component from the holder and dotivanng the moulded plastics component to a packaging station, moving the printing pad to a deaning station. at the deaning station, deaning an ink receiving surface of the printing pad by engaging said ink receiving surface with an adhesive coated tape to transfer any residual ink from the printing pad to said adhesive coated tape, and recharging the printing pad by applying a fresh ink design to the printing pad downstream of the deaning station priorto execution of a further printing cyde.
In one embodiment of the invention, at the dearing station, the process indudoe leading the adhesive tape from a supply reel over an anvil plate and winding up used tape on a waste spool, the tape having a smooth face and an adhesive coated face. the smooth face being slideably engaged with a top surface of the anA plate, pressing the pad downwardly to engage an uppermost adhesive coated face of the tape. pressing the tape against the anvil plate, the adhesive coated face of the tape removing the msidual ink from the pad, ring the pad away from the tape. and incrementally advancing the tape for presenting a dean portion of the tape at the mM planta.
In a further embodiment, the printing on the moulded plastics component is carried out In multiple stages by printing india in one or more ink cotourt on the uppermost surface of the moulded plastics component and subsequently overprinting said indida with another contrasting ink colour forming a background f) e ! d about the indiaa.
Conveniently. the process may indude the step of partially drying the ink on the I printing pad by directing a drying air stream at the ink recaMng surface of the pu pad prior to engaging the printing pad with the uppermost surface of the moulded plastics component In another embodiment, the process includes creating the charged atmosphere for
neutratising state attraction of parades to the moulded pianos component by means of a deioniser which is operable to generate a charged atmosphere through which the component is delivered, and passing air from an air supply through a fitter for tittering impurities from the air and removing water vapour from the air, and directing a stream of dry tittered air towards the moulded ptastics component ! n the holder.
Petaned DescriPtion of the InvenCen The invention wit) be more dearly undefstood by the following descnption of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.
Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a moulded pwsks comporont semrding ID the invention : Fig. 2 is a rear alevational view of the moulded plasdm component Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the moulded plastics component Fig. 4 is a front elevational ! ww of another moutded ptastics component of de inwantion ; Fig. 5 evaik'nai\ < ewofthemouidedp ! a8ticscomponentofF ! g. 4 : Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the moulded ptastics component of Fig. 4 ; Fig. 7 is a flowchart ittustrsting a process for manufacturing the mouktad plastics component according to the hventton ; Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of printing apparatus used in the production of the moulded plastics components according to the invention : Fig. 9 is a schematic itlustration of a printing pad dearer forming portion oftha apparatus : and
Fig. 10 is a schematic illustratton of a deioniser forming a portion of apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof. there is illustrated a moulded plastics component. in this case, a plastics lens, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The lens 1 has a dear plastics body 2 with a front face 3 and a rear face 4. A printed design is provided on the raarface 4 in the form of tettenng 5, numerals and/or logos 6 or ft Ike in a first print colour. This is ovwpnnted on the rear face 4 by a border 7 in a contrasting colour which defines a transparent window 8 in the body 2. A sealing grommet 9 is applied to the rear face 4 of the lens body 2 and has an adhesive face for attachment to a cover or housing for 8 mobile phone. The front face 3 of the body 2 is covered with a dear plastics protective peetaway sheet. The rear face 4 of the lens body 2 is also covered with a removable protective sheet which can be removed prior to mounting of the tens body 2 to a mobile phone housing. Figs. 4 to 6 show another plastics lens with parts similar 10 the lens of Pigs. 1 to 3 being assigned the same reference numerals.
A process for manufacturing the tens 1 will now be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. In a moulding machine 10. the tens body 2 is moulded in a desired shape. Lem bodies 2 are delivered to a printing carousel 20. The printing carousel 20 is mounted on a support and carries a number of holders 22 spared-apart adjacent a periphery of the carousel 20. At a loading station 24, a lens body 2 Is mounted with Its outer or front face down on a holder 22. The carousel 20 is then tnoementat ! y advanced to present the holder 22 at a decontamination station 25.
At the decontamination station 25, a deioniser 26 generates a charged enwonment around its tip 27 adjacent the holder 22. the resulting positive and negative tons acting on the lens body 2 on the holder 22 and the particles adhered to the lens body 2 ID neutralise them. Thus, as the holder 22 is positioned beneath the deioniser 26, any partides which have adhered by static etectndty to the tens body 2 are no bnoer attracted to the lens body 2, being neutral, ; ed by the ions generated by the dwwftw 26. Simultaneously, the deioniser 26 blows air onto a top surface of the lens body 2 so
that the parotides which have been neutra ! ised by the deiontser 26 are blown away from the lens body 2.
The doioniser 26 is nlustrated schematically in Fig. 10. Air ? delivered from an air supply through an inlet pipe 50 through a titter 51 which removes Impurities frwn the air and also removes ffowwm from the air. The purified dry air Is then detivefed through a manifold 52 having an outlet distributor 53 with a plurality of dowrmardy dkecwd openings 54 for difecang an air stream dcwnwardty towards a lens body 2 in a hoMer 22 on the carousel 20 as It passes beneath the dell 26. A dolor head 56 is supp power fum cables 57. The dsiomw head 56 genen a charged environment about its tip 58 which is directed downardiy towards the carouset mvang MMMaadr & ons a & g onthe M body 2 andan partieiaa adhered to the lens body 2 by static elowcky to neutralise them. Subsequent, air discharged from the distributor 53 is bkwn across the top printing surface (reartace 4) of the lens body 2 to btow away any neutralised panMes teavhg a dean surface r printing on the tens body 2. The deioniser components are housed wthtn an outer casing 59.
Immediately downstream of the decontamination station 25 is a printing station 30. After deccntamination, the holder 22 with the lens body 2 is advanced by the cwouso 20 to the printing station 30. Ath9phg ston 30, one or M'maepd & pads 32 carrying designs in ink, are tcwered to engage a top (rear) faca 4 of the) ena body 2 to thus transfer a desired ink design to the raw face 4 of the We body 2. Typically, the printing of the tans body 2 is carried out in two swgn. In a first step. 8 rircokturedirwithwnt ! ng. dMignortogoMappiiedtothenfa4ofthed plastics tens body 2. Then. a second printing pad 32 Is positioned over the tens body 2 and applies a second cdmmd Ink in a contrasting cotour such at Mack, on tDp of the first printing thus defining the border 7 on the lens body 2.
The carouse ! 20aaah) nemeBnda6thoMef22tMM from fit pfft station 30 with a hot air Mower 35 directing a heated air stream at the lens body 2 for drying the ink on the lens body 2. The printed lens body 2 is than removed from the holder 22 at an unloading station 38. The lenses 1 are then dettverea for package 39.
A number of the printing pads 32 are mounted on a rotatable star-shaped support 40 which rotates to position each printing pad 32 in turn, firstly, at an inking station 37, at which a desired ink design is applied to a downward fadng surface of the printing pad 32. Then, rotation of the support 40 (in an aSdXise dilim, s iNS in Rg. 7) moves the inked printing pad 32 to the printing station 30, poNtiontng said hhad printing pad 32 over the decontaminated lens body 2 in the holder 22 at the printing station 30. The support 40 is towered for engaging the inked printhTg pad 32 with an uppermost surface of the lens body 2 to transfer the ink design from the printing pad 32ontothe lens body 2. Before applyingtheink design to thatens body 2. the nkon the printing pad 32 may be partially dried by passing the printing pad 32 through a drying air stream located between the inking station 37 and the pnnt ! ng ttat ! on 30. This is pantcutany advantageous when overpnning a first print design with a second print design. Altar applying an inked design to the lens body 2, the support 40 Am rafting the printing pad 32 upwardly away from the lens body 2 and rotates the printing pad 32 to a deaning station 42.
At the deaning station 42, a cleaning tape 43 is led over an anvil plate 44 between a supply reel 45 and a waste take-up reet46. An uppermostsurface 47ofthetape43b coated in an adhesive so that when the support 40 is Iowered, the prnSng pad 32 engages with the tape 43, pressing the tape against the arM1 plate 44, any nasdual ink onthe prin6n pad 32wit betransfen'edtothe tape 43. Therafter, whenthasuppott 40 is raised, the printing pad 32 is again rotated on the support 40 to the inking station 37 at which it is charged with ink prior to transfer of the ink to a tens body 2 as described above. The deaning tape 43 is advanced to present a dean portion at the anvl plate 44.
The invention is not Mmnsd to to embodlmenu herein desaibed wh-ch rnay be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended daims.
Claims (7)
- CLAMS 1. A process for printing a moulded plastics component comprising the stops :mounting the moulded plastics component in an 8' hOlder, supporting the moulded plastics component in a desired onentation on the holder with an upwardly facing print receiving surface, delivering the holder through a charged atmosphent for roubagft static atlradion of particles to the moulded plastics component, blowing air over the prinCng surfaca to remove the panides ftm the moutded ptascs oomponont attar noutratising the static change attraction, at an inking staoon, apwng an ink design to a ftwibte pI. ding pad, moving the printing pad over the holder and engaging the pnnSng pad with an uppermost surfaCe of the moulded ptastics component for transfemng the ink design to the uppermost surface of the mouMed plastics component, removing the moulded ptasttcs component from the hotder and delivering the moulded plastics component to a deaning station, moving the printing pad to a deaning station, at the deaning station, deaning an ink receiving surface of the prkft pad by engaging said ink receiving surface who an adhesive coated tape to transfer any residual ink from the print pad to said adheSive coated tape. and recharging the pfirfdng pad by applying a trash ink design to the pfintina pad downstream of the deaning station prior to execution of a furtherprinting cycle
- 2. A process as dammed in daim 1, wherein at the deaning station, the process includes leading the adhesive tape from a supply feel over an anvit plate and winding up used tape on a waste spool, the tape having a smooth face and an adhesive coated face. the smooth face being sida* engaged with a top surface of te arrvil pl, pbsing X pad downwardly to engage an uppermost adhesive coated face of the tape, pressing the tape against the anvil plate, the adhesive coated face of the tape removing the msidual Ink ftm the pad, fining the pad away from the tape. and incrementally advancing tho tape for presenting a dean portion of the tape at the anvil p) ate.
- 3. Aprocessasda) med in daim 1ordaim 2, whenthepnnting on themou ! dod plastics component is carried out in multiple stages by printing indida in one or more ink colours on the uppermost surface of the moulded ptastics mmponent and subsequently overpnniing said indiana with another contrasting ink colon forming a background field about the indida.
- 4. A process as dammed in any preceding daim. wherein the process hdudes to step of partially drying the ink on the printing pad by dirdeng a dt r stream at the ink receiving surface of the pad prior to engaging the printing pad with the uppermost surface of the moulded plastics component.
- S. A process as daimed in any preceding daim, wherein the process induds creating the duvged atmosphere for neutra ! is ! ng static attraction of particles to the moulded plastics mmponent by means of a deioniser which is operable to generate a charged atmosphere through which the component is de ! ivered, and passing air through a fitter for firing imputes from the air and removing water vapour from the air. and directing a stream of dry filtered air towards the moulded plastics component in the holder.
- 6. A process for printing a moulded plastics component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- 7. A moulded plastics component whenever produced according to the process as daimed in any preceding claim.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0105377A GB2372962B (en) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-05 | A printing process and apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0105377A GB2372962B (en) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-05 | A printing process and apparatus |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0105377D0 GB0105377D0 (en) | 2001-04-18 |
| GB2372962A true GB2372962A (en) | 2002-09-11 |
| GB2372962B GB2372962B (en) | 2004-10-27 |
Family
ID=9909983
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0105377A Expired - Fee Related GB2372962B (en) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-05 | A printing process and apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2372962B (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007042890A3 (en) * | 2005-10-07 | 2007-08-30 | Itw Morlock Gmbh | Pad printing machine |
| WO2007069023A3 (en) * | 2005-12-17 | 2007-09-13 | Itw Morlock Gmbh | Pad printing machine |
| DE102008012505A1 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2009-09-10 | Krones Ag | Stretch blow molding machine with printing device |
| WO2009153685A3 (en) * | 2008-06-21 | 2010-03-18 | Itw Morlock Gmbh | Pad printing machine |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1137418A (en) * | 1966-03-18 | 1968-12-18 | William Charles Herbert | Paper cleaning apparatus |
| EP0245526A1 (en) * | 1986-04-29 | 1987-11-19 | Eltex-Elektrostatik Gesellschaft mbH | Dust-removing probe for moving webs, especially for paper webs |
-
2001
- 2001-03-05 GB GB0105377A patent/GB2372962B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1137418A (en) * | 1966-03-18 | 1968-12-18 | William Charles Herbert | Paper cleaning apparatus |
| EP0245526A1 (en) * | 1986-04-29 | 1987-11-19 | Eltex-Elektrostatik Gesellschaft mbH | Dust-removing probe for moving webs, especially for paper webs |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007042890A3 (en) * | 2005-10-07 | 2007-08-30 | Itw Morlock Gmbh | Pad printing machine |
| WO2007069023A3 (en) * | 2005-12-17 | 2007-09-13 | Itw Morlock Gmbh | Pad printing machine |
| DE102008012505A1 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2009-09-10 | Krones Ag | Stretch blow molding machine with printing device |
| EP2098355A3 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2014-05-07 | Krones AG | Stretch blow moulding with printer |
| DE102008012505B4 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2019-02-21 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Stretch blow molding machine with printing device |
| WO2009153685A3 (en) * | 2008-06-21 | 2010-03-18 | Itw Morlock Gmbh | Pad printing machine |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2372962B (en) | 2004-10-27 |
| GB0105377D0 (en) | 2001-04-18 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6729656B2 (en) | Debit card having applied personal identification number (PIN) and scratch-off coating and method of forming same | |
| JPH1071813A (en) | Manufacture of decal of vulcanized tire and tire including colored motifs | |
| EP1263612B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for producing a marking on an ophthalmic lens having a low surface energy | |
| DE59705136D1 (en) | Recording material for ink jet printing processes | |
| AUPN623895A0 (en) | A manufacturing process for lift print heads with nozzle rim heaters | |
| GB2372962A (en) | A printing process and apparatus | |
| IL121800A (en) | Process for identifying a target on a substrate formed by lithographic processes | |
| DE59701516D1 (en) | PRINTING METHOD FOR PRINTING A CARRIER MATERIAL | |
| HK1051340A1 (en) | Abrasive surface and article and methods for making them | |
| EP0754530A3 (en) | Green tire supply facility for a tire vulcanizing system | |
| WO2001096123A1 (en) | Method of printing an image onto a three-dimensional surface | |
| JP2001048136A (en) | Method and device for making pattern and/or mark on glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic product | |
| DE69818528D1 (en) | Method and device for manufacturing vehicle number plates | |
| IE20010201A1 (en) | A printing process and apparatus | |
| US7572348B2 (en) | Method and device for printing objects | |
| IES20010200A2 (en) | A printing process and apparatus | |
| EP0763427A3 (en) | Method for controlling the production of images on a printing plate carrier for a printing machine | |
| US2202464A (en) | Process for graining surfaces of irregularly shaped objects | |
| US4937177A (en) | Method of preparing and printing custom artwork | |
| US5185225A (en) | Letterpress for transferring and method of transferring by use of the letterpress for transferring | |
| IES20010199A2 (en) | Moulded plastics lens | |
| JPH11105083A (en) | Resin injection mold structure | |
| JP2584066B2 (en) | Transparent organic thin film remover for pellicle cover | |
| JPH10250299A (en) | Decorative article and its production | |
| JPH1016497A (en) | Sheet with pattern |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20090305 |