RU2404065C1 - Device and method of containers sealing - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: printing industry. ^ SUBSTANCE: device and method are proposed for sealing, in particular multicolour sealing, of containers, at least at one external surface by an imprint formed by at least one printed pattern with application of at least one printing device, with at least two printing heads operating according to jet principle to create partial printed patterns of a printed pattern applied onto external surface of containers, at least in a single printing stage, and also with application of a transport element, with which the containers move in transport direction in process of sealing, besides printing sets at least at one phase of at least one printing stage move together with the transport element. ^ EFFECT: invention provides for the possibility to seal containers by an imprint of high quality with high efficiency. ^ 66 cl, 25 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a device in accordance with the restrictive part of paragraphs 1, 30 or 31 of the claims, as well as to a method in accordance with the restrictive part of paragraphs 41, 58 or 60 of the claims, and particularly to a device and method for applying mainly a multi-color print directly on the outer surfaces capacities.

Containers in the sense of the invention are, in particular, made in the form of packaging containers for products of various kinds, and especially bottles or bottle-shaped containers, or cans, or can-shaped containers. Printing inks or inks, in the sense of the invention, are such inks or inks, in particular in liquid or slightly viscous form, which can be processed by printheads that are digitally controlled and operate by inkjet principle.

The printheads in the sense of the invention are, in particular, printheads that comprise a plurality of print nozzles for dispensing printing ink or printing ink, for example at least in one row, are individually operable for dispensing printing ink or printing ink and comprise for this purpose, a pressure-generating element at each nozzle opening, for example, in the form of a piezoelectric electrode.

Devices for sealing containers using inkjet printheads and with relative movement between the printheads and respective containers are known. In one device of the container known from WO 2004/009360, when sealed, they are respectively arranged on a mandrel designed as a stand. Several printheads are distributed around the mandrel, with the help of which, when it is rotated, a printed pattern consisting of several colors is applied to the corresponding container. The mandrels are located on a transportable element driven by rotation, by which the containers, when sealing, move along the transport section formed between the inlet and outlet of the containers.

The objective of the invention is to provide a device that, at high productivity, would ensure that the containers are sealed with a high-quality print formed by at least one printed pattern. This problem is solved by means of a device in accordance with paragraphs 1, 30 or 31 of the claims. A method for sealing containers is the subject of claims 41, 58 or 60.

According to the invention, the sealing of the containers takes place on their outer surface by applying printing ink or printing ink by the print heads directly to the outer surface of the containers or by the transfer method using transfer elements or transfer pads on which the print pattern is applied by the print heads and then transferred to the containers.

Embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention are given in the following description of examples and in the drawings. Moreover, all described and / or depicted features by themselves or in any combination are, in principle, the subject of the invention, regardless of their combination in the claims and their subordination. Also, the content of the claims is an integral part of the description.

The invention is explained in more detail with the help of drawings, namely, with examples of devices for multicolor sealing of containers on their outer surface rotationally symmetrically around the axis of the containers, for example, on a conical shape or in the form of a circular cylinder on the outer surface. In the drawings depict:

figure 1 and 2 is a device in a schematic perspective view and in a top view;

figure 3 is a top view of the part driven in rotation around the vertical axis of the machine rotor of the device of figures 1 and 2;

figure 4-6 is the same as in figure 1-3, in another embodiment of the invention;

7 and 8 - in a schematic perspective view and in a top view of another embodiment of the proposed device;

Fig.9 is a top view of part of the transport system of the device of Fig.7 and 8 with printing mechanisms;

figure 10 and 11 is a schematic perspective view and a top view of another embodiment of the proposed device;

Fig - in various positions and in a plan view driven in rotation around the vertical axis of the machine rotor together with several printing heads of the printing unit in different operating conditions;

Fig and 14 - in a schematic perspective view and top view of another embodiment of the proposed device;

Fig. 15 shows, in various positions, a part of the conveyor of Figs. 13 and 14 together with a printing unit comprising several printheads in different operational states;

Fig and 17 - in a schematic perspective view and top view of another embodiment of the proposed device;

Fig and 18 - in a schematic perspective view and in top view, another embodiment of the proposed device;

Fig.20 and 21 in a schematic perspective view and in top view another embodiment of the proposed device;

Fig. 22 shows, in various positions, different operational states of the device of Figs. 20 and 21, namely, in a partial schematic plan view from above.

Figure 1-3 shows a device 1 for multi-color sealing of containers 2 on their outer or lateral surface, and preferably on a section rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the containers on their outer surface, for example, on the outer surface section in the form of a circular cylinder or a truncated cone or mainly in the form of a circular cylinder or a truncated cone.

Tanks 2 are supplied to the device 1 according to the schematically indicated position 3 conveyor vertically standing, i.e. oriented with its axis in the vertical direction, and with a single-strand flow, namely in the transport direction indicated by arrow T, and after passing through the corona tunnel 4 and the distribution screw 5, they reach the rotor 7 of device 1. Around the circumference of the rotor 7, rotated along the arrow R around the vertical the axis of the machine MA, at different angular distances with an offset around the axis of the MA, the printed sections 8 are formed, consisting, respectively, mainly of the stand 9 for containers in the form of a rotating plate, made with the possibility directs rotation about an axis parallel to the machine MA, the printing apparatus 10 and the device 11 for drying and / or curing printing ink or printing ink. Each printing apparatus 10 includes, in this embodiment, four printheads 10.1-10.4 for forming different color sets of multicolor printing or multicolor printing drawing, as well as an additional printhead 10.5 for surface printing or applying a transparent protective or coating layer, for example, a coating varnish, on a print pattern created by the printheads 10.1-10.4.

The printheads 10.1-10.4 are digitally-controlled printheads of the type of inkjet printheads, for example, available on the market under the name “XAAR” or “Haag500”. The printheads 10.1-10.5 consist respectively of a housing with a plurality of individually controlled printing nozzles for dispensing printing ink or printing ink in a distribution and quantity corresponding to a given printing pattern or color set onto a printing substrate, i.e. in this case, on the sealed outer surface of the containers. Oriented horizontally or substantially horizontally by the printing nozzles on each axis 10.1-10.5 on each printhead, at least one row parallel to or substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the machine MA. The delivery of ink or printing ink is carried out, for example, by appropriate control of the electrodes or piezoelectric elements in the printheads 10.1-10.5, namely, for example, with a frequency of up to 50 kHz and a relative speed between each printhead and the printable surface of 560 mm / s. The number of print nozzles per printhead is, for example, 500 with a print width of about 70 mm. The printheads 10.1-10.4 contain printing ink or printing inks of different colors, such as yellow, magenta, cyan and black.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the printheads 10.1-10.5 of all the printing sections 8 are located on a common circumference of the machine axis MA, namely, in such a way that the printheads of all the printing apparatuses 10 moving together with the rotary rotor 7 are in relation to the axis The MA of the machine within the circular path along which the supports move 9. Thus, the printing nozzles of all the printheads 10.1-10.5 are directed with their axes with respect to the axis of the MA of the machine always radially outward, so that the centrifugal force during rotation of the rotor 7 can uet issuance of ink or ink printed on the container 2.

The printing apparatus 10 of each printing section 8 is arranged to rotate together with the rotor 7, and for changing the print heads, it can also be stepped around the machine axis MA or switched in the direction of rotation of the rotor and against this direction of rotation, so that each print head 10.1- 10.5, when sealing the container 2 at least once, it can be moved to the print position, in which this print head with its print nozzles at a small distance, for example less than 1 mm, is immediately adjacent It stands with a container 2 standing vertically on a stand 9. A device 11 is arranged around the axis of each stand with an offset of about 90 ° relative to the printing apparatus 10, which carries out drying of the ink or printing ink by means of energy or thermal radiation and / or UV radiation. In the device 1, the devices 11 are located on a common circumference covering the axis MA of the machine MA, the radius of which is equal to or approximately equal to the distance from the axes of the supports 9 to the axis MA of the machine, namely in such a way that in the direction of rotation R of the rotor each device 11 is ahead of the corresponding stand 9.

For sealing, the containers 2 are transferred individually by means of a transport sprocket 6 to the printing section 8, in which then, with the controlled rotational movement of the stand 9 and, thus, with the controlled rotational movement of the containers 2 around their axis, the multicolor printing units are sequentially printed using the printheads 10.1-10.4 printing color sets, after which a protective or coating layer is applied using the print head 10.5.

In more detail, the sealing of each container 2 occurs so that after transferring to the printing section 8 with the print heads 10.1-10.5 translated to the print position, a color set corresponding to the print head is printed on the outer surface of the container and a finishing coating layer is applied, and that when printing each color set and, it is also possible, even when the printing apparatus 10 is switched over by one step of the print head or onto one print head, drying of the applied printing ink or printed blacks takes place l using the device 11. In each printing step, i.e. in the process of printing an appropriate color set or applying a coating layer and drying the printing ink or coating layer, each container 2 is rotated 360 °. Each step of printing with drying is carried out, for example, in the angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor 7 of about 50 °, so that the sealing of the containers 2 is reliably completed before they reach the exit where they are pushed onto the conveyor 13 by the transport sprocket 12. Return of the printing apparatus 10 in the initial position occurs in the angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor 7 between the transport sprockets 12 and 6. As a result of processing in the corona tunnel 4 due to the static electrification of the containers 2 on their outer surface rhnosti achieved or improved sharper print pattern.

In the direction R of rotation of the rotor immediately in front of the transport sprocket 12, an optoelectronic monitoring system 14 is located, with which the impression is checked on the containers 2 moving past it and continuing to rotate around its axis, so that defective impression containers can be rejected by means of the conveyor 13.

4-6, as another embodiment, a device 1a is shown which differs from device 1 mainly only in that, on separate printing sections 8, instead of printing devices 10, printing devices 10a are located, which comprise print heads 10.1-10.5 on the holder 15 mounted rotatably for changing the print heads around an axis parallel to the axis of the machine MA. The printheads 10.1-10.5 are located at an equal angular distance on the periphery of the holder 15. The holders 15, in turn, are within the trajectory of the supports 9, so that each one brought to the print position, i.e. directly adjacent to the sealed container 2, the print head with its print nozzles is oriented radially outward with respect to the axis MA of the machine. The sealing of the containers 2 is carried out using the device 1a also in the angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor 7 between the transport sprocket 6 and the control system 14, and for each color set and for the protective or coating layer, the corresponding print head is rotated to the printing position. In the printing process, the printing ink and the protective or coating layer are dried using the device 11. At the printing stages (applying color sets, protective or coating layer and drying), each container 2 is rotated 360 °.

7 and 8, as another embodiment, the device 1b is shown, which differs from the device 1 mainly only in that instead of the rotor 7, a transport system 16 is provided, which, at least on one, forms a closed loop and driven to infinite the rotation of the transport element contains at equal intervals printing sections 8, respectively, with a stand 9 for capacity, a printing apparatus 10 and a device 11 for drying printing ink or printing ink.

The containers 2 are supplied to the device 1b via a conveyor 3 with a corona tunnel 4 and are transmitted separately by means of a transport sprocket 6 to the printing section 8, by means of which each container 2 then moves along the transport section 17 of the transport system 16 in the transport direction TS. The sealed containers 2 are transferred to the conveyor 13 by means of the transport sprocket 12 forming the outlet for them.

Sealing of containers 2 with separate printing inks or color sets of multi-color printing, as well as the application of a protective or coating layer, occur in the same way as described in connection with the device 1. To this end, the printing apparatuses 10 moving together with the transport system 16 or their printheads 10.1-10.5 move and rotate to change the printheads relative to the transport system 16 in the transport direction TS and against it and are located on the inner side of the hinge formed by the transport system 16.

The devices 11 of all the printing sections 8 are located on one common loop line, which also intersects the vertical axis of rotation of the supports 9, and the supports 9 in the transport direction TS are ahead of the corresponding device 11.

In more detail, the sealing of the containers 2 occurs in such a way that when switching the printheads 10.1-10.5, the corresponding color set and a protective or coating layer are applied, which during printing, possibly also during the switching of the printheads, drying of the printing ink and the protective or coating layer using the corresponding device 11, and each container 2 is rotated with the stand 9 360 °.

10-12, as another embodiment, a device 1 s for multi-color sealing of containers 2 is shown. Device 1 s differs from device 1 in that a plurality of supports 9 for containers are arranged around the circumference of the rotor 7 at an equal angular distance around the vertical axis of the machine MA , however, these supports 9 are not part of the printing sections with their own printing apparatuses.

On the contrary, the device 1 s has a single printing apparatus or unit 18 with several blocks 18.1-18.5, each of which contains several printheads 19, namely, in this embodiment, two printheads. The printheads 19 are made in the same way as the printheads 10.1-10.5. Each printhead unit 18.1-18.5 or its printheads 19 serves in more detail as described below for simultaneously applying color sets corresponding to each ink unit and protective or coating layer to the number of containers 2 corresponding to the number of printheads 19, i.e. in this embodiment, for simultaneous application to two containers 2.

Blocks 18.1-18.5 are made with two input and output devices 20 for drying the corresponding print and printing ink or printing ink, for example, by inputting energy by heating and / or UV light, each print head having one device 20. Blocks 18.1-18.5 with their printheads 19 and devices 20 are located on a common holder 21. made with the possibility of reciprocating motion and rotation around the axis of the machine MA on the stroke corresponding to one division of the machine, as indicated, in particular, on fi .12 arrow TR1, TR2. The printing unit 18, formed by blocks 18.1-18.5 and the holder 21, is therefore made pendulum. With respect to the axis of the machine MA, it is within the trajectory of movement along which the stands 9 move when the rotor 7 rotates. The individual printheads 19 are arranged so that their print nozzles are arranged in a row parallel to or mainly parallel to the axis of the machine MA are directed radially outward with respect to this axis, so that when the rotor 7 is rotated, centrifugal force contributes to the delivery of printing ink or printing ink.

The distance between the print heads 19 in each block 18.1-18.5 and the distance between adjacent print heads 19 next to each other in the circumference of the rotor 7 of the blocks 18.1-18.5 are equal to the angular distance between two adjacent stands 9. The device 20 in the activated or failed state in a top view on the rotor 7 are offset relative to the printheads 19 by 90 ° and are located on the circumference of the machine MA, which covers the axis MA, also intersecting the axis of rotation of the supports 9, namely, ahead of the corresponding rotor direction R 9 th stand or placed on its container 2. Each unit 18.1-18.4 for one color or one set of colors, namely yellow, magenta, cyan and black. Block 18.5 and its printheads 19 serve to apply or print a protective or coating layer.

Blocks 18.1-18.5 are located one after another in the direction R of rotation of the rotor in the order of their reference positions, i.e. in the direction R of rotation of the rotor, block 18.1 is the first block, and block 18.5 is the last block of the printing unit 18.

The multi-color sealing of each container 2 is carried out in several successive stages in which sealing, i.e. the application of this color set and the protective or coating layer, as well as drying occur during rotation of the containers 2 around its axis, for example 360 °. Separate printing steps are carried out by blocks 18.1-18.5 sequentially on each tank, namely by each block 18.1-18.5 simultaneously on two containers 2. At each printing step, the printing unit 18 moves in one direction and synchronously with the rotor 7 (arrow TR1). The devices 20 are summed up and activated, so that at each printing step, the created color sets are also dried.

At the end of each printing stage and before the start of a new printing stage, the printing unit 18 with the retracted devices 20 rotates back against the direction R of rotation of the rotor by one division of the machine to its original position (arrow TR2), in which then due to the rotational movement of the rotor 7 for the next printing stage next to the print heads 19 of the block 18.1 is an unsealed container 2, and next to the print heads 19 of the blocks 18.2-18.5 is a container 2, which at the previous stage of printing was already sealed by the print heads 19 of the block 18.1-18.4. At the next printing stage, the pendulum printing unit 18 is again rotated by one machine division in one direction and synchronously with the rotational movement of the rotor 7 (arrow TR1), and at the end of this printing stage, it is rotated back by one machine division to its original position (arrow TR2). In this case, one division of the machine is the double distance between two supports 9.

The multi-color sealing of the containers 2 is completed before they reach the transport sprocket 12 forming an exit for them, so that in the device 1 c in the direction R of rotation of the rotor in front of the transport sprocket 12 there is a control system 14, for example optoelectronic, namely to check the print on passing by her and at the same time rotating containers 2, so that containers with missing or defective prints can later be rejected on the conveyor 13.

On Fig-15, as another option, the device Id is shown, which differs from the device 1 c, primarily in that instead of the rotor 7, a transport system 16 is provided, which forms a closed loop and is driven in endless rotation. On this transport system 16 are stands 9 for containers. On the transport section 17 of the transport system 16, on which the multi-color sealing of the containers 2 takes place, there is a printing unit 18a consisting of several blocks of print heads, namely, a total of six blocks 18.1-18.6, of which on each side of the transport section 17 three blocks 18.1-18.3 and 18.4-18.6 are located. Stands 9 are located in the transport system 16 at equal intervals.

Blocks 18.1-18.6 are made in the same way as blocks 18.1-18.5 of the device 1 s, i.e. each block 18.1-18.6 contains two spaced apart by half the division of the machine, the printheads 19 and two also spaced apart by half the division of the machine of the device 20. The printheads 19 and the device 20, located next to each other on the side of the transport section 17 blocks 18.1-18.3 and 18.4-18.6, spaced from each other, respectively, by half the division of the machine.

The printing unit 18a and the blocks 18.1-18.6 located on the holder (not shown) are arranged to move by means of a drive (not shown) synchronously and in the same direction with the movement of the transport system 16 by one division of the machine from its initial position in the transport direction TS, as well as against it back to its original position, and this pendulum movement is synchronized with the movement of the transport system 16 so that after returning to its original position, each print head 19 is again located with its printing oplam directly opposite the stand 9 and the container 2 located on it.

The sealed containers 2 are fed to the Id device via a conveyor 3 with a corona tunnel 4 and transmitted individually by means of a transport sprocket 6 to the stand 9. After sealing the containers 2 in the transport section 17, they are removed from the stands 9 by the transport sprocket 12 and sent further to the conveyor 13.

The sealing of containers 2 is also carried out in several successive stages, moreover, at each printing stage, the number of containers 2 corresponding to the number of print heads 19 blocks 18.1-18.6 every two containers 2 in the Id device are sealed simultaneously with two different colors corresponding to the blocks (on blocks 18.1 / 18.4, 18.3 / 18.5) and forming a protective or coating layer with varnish or printing ink (on blocks 18.3 / 18.6). At each printing step, the print heads 19 of blocks 18.1-18.6 are adjacent to one tank 2. Sealing occurs when the containers rotate, for example 360 °, with the devices 20 activated, so that the printing ink applied by the print head 19 is dried next to this print head in the direction of rotation the corresponding capacity 2 by the device 20, before at the same printing step by means of the next print head 19, the printing ink or printing ink and varnish will be applied. At each printing step, the printing unit 18a moves in one direction and synchronously with the transport unit. At the end of the printing stage, the printing unit 18a returns to its original position, so then, at the next printing stage, using the blocks 18.1 and 18.4, the printing is performed on the containers not yet sealed 2, and with the help of the blocks 18.2, 18.3 and 18.5, 18.6, the printing on those containers 2 which at the previous printing stage were already sealed using blocks 18.1,18.4 and 18.2,18.5.

While in the above-described devices 1-ld, the multi-color sealing of the containers 2 on their outer surface is carried out directly using printing apparatuses and their print heads, FIGS. 16 and 17 show a device 1e for multi-color sealing of the containers 2 by the transfer method. Multicolor sealing also takes place on the outer or lateral surface of the containers and in this case, advantageously, on a portion of the outer surface rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of the containers, for example, on a portion in the form of a circular cylinder or a truncated cone.

The containers 2 are fed to the device 1e via the conveyor 30 with vertically standing and single-hand flow, namely in the transportation direction T, and after passing the crown tunnel 31 and the distribution screw 32 located on the conveyor 30 and through the transport sprocket 33 to the rotor or rotary table 34. On the rotor 34 containers 2 are held rotatably around their axis on supports (not shown) and during sealing move with the rotor 34 in a circular transport section. Sealed containers are removed from the rotor 34 by the transport sprocket 35 and sent further to the conveyor 36.

Multi-color sealing of the containers 2 is carried out using transfer pads 37 located around the circumference of the transfer drum 38, driven in rotation around the axis MA of the machine, namely in the direction R of rotation of the rotor 34, however, with a speed higher than its rotation speed. The transfer pads 37 are located on the transfer drum 38 with the possibility of radial adjustment to the axis of the machine MA, namely between the failed, lying radially further outward position and retracted, lying radially further inward position. In addition, the transfer pads 37 are arranged so that they, with their outer surface, curved in the form of an arc of a circle around the axis MA of the machine, move within the circular path of movement of the containers 2 or supports 9 between the transport sprockets 33, 35.

In the direction R of rotation of the rotor 34 or the transfer drum 38, a printing apparatus 39 is located in front of the transport sprocket 33, by which a printed pattern is applied to the outer surface of the transfer pads 37. The printing apparatus 39 consists of several printing heads 39.1-39.4, following one after another in the direction of rotation of the rotor, for various inks, for example yellow, magenta, cyan and black, and for creating different color sets.

The printheads 39.1-39.4 are digitally controlled printheads of the type of inkjet printheads, for example, those available on the market under the name “XAAR” or “Haag500”. The printheads 39.1-39.4 consist respectively of a housing with a plurality of individually controlled printing nozzles for dispensing printing ink or printing ink in a distribution and quantity corresponding to a given printing pattern or color set onto a printing substrate, i.e. in this case, on the sealed outer surface of the transfer pad moving past the printing apparatus 39. Oriented horizontally or substantially horizontally by the printing nozzles on their axes are located on each printhead 39.1-39.4 at least in one row parallel to or substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the machine MA. The delivery of printing ink or printing ink is achieved by appropriate control of the electrodes or piezoelectric elements or piezoelectric actors in the printheads, namely, for example, with a frequency of up to 50 kHz and a relative speed between each printhead and the printing surface of the transfer pad of about 560 mm / s. nozzles per printhead are, for example, 500 with a print width of about 70 mm. The printheads 39.1-39.4 contain printing inks or inks of different colors, such as yellow, magenta, cyan and black.

In the direction of rotation R of the rotor, in front of the printing apparatus 39, there is a cleaning section 40, for example in the form of a cleaning roller, by which the printing or transfer pads 37 are removed from printing ink or printing ink before applying a new printing pattern.

On the portion of the rotor 34 used for sealing containers 2, corresponding in this embodiment to an angular range of about 180 °, behind the inlet sprocket 33 there is a device 41 for applying a protective or coating layer of varnish to the corresponding print on the container, followed by the device in the direction of rotation R of the rotor 42 for drying the print on the container, including a protective or coating layer, for example by entering energy, for example, heating or UV light, and immediately after the output sprocket 35, there is an optoelectric control system 43, by which the sealed containers are rotated about their vertical axis and checked against the quality of the print, so that the containers 2 with the defective print can be rejected onto the conveyor 36.

In more detail, the sealing of the containers 2 by means of the device 1e takes place in such a way that the transfer pads supplied with printed drawings on the outer surface due to the transfer drum 38 rotating slightly faster than the rotor 34 of the transfer drum 38 are rolled through the containers 2, which are transmitted individually by the input sprocket 33 to the rotor 34 or on the stands located on it, i.e. the containers are run in by transfer pads due to rotation around their vertical axis, as a result of which the printed pattern is transferred from the corresponding transfer pad to the container 2. Even during the run-in, the corresponding transfer pad 37, i.e. even within the transfer section, the containers 2 move past the device 41, with which a varnish forming a protective or coating layer is applied to the container rotating around its axis, namely, continuously to the part of the print already formed on the outer surface of the container due to rolling on the transfer pad 37 .

The devices 41, 42 and the control system 43, without rotating together with the rotor 34, are located on the periphery of the trajectory of movement of the tanks 2.

After the printed pattern is completely transferred from the transfer pad 37 to the outer surface of the corresponding container 2 or after a full roll-over of the container along the corresponding transfer pad 37 and after the protective or coating layer has been completely applied, the transfer pad 37 is rotated back, and the container 2, rotating around its axis, moves due to the drive stand 9 past the device 42 for drying the impression and past the control system 43, after which it is pushed by the transport sprocket 35 onto the conveyor 36.

After passing the transport sprocket 35, the transfer pads 37 are again brought in, i.e. move radially outward, for cleaning to the cleaning section 40 and for applying a new printed pattern to the printing apparatus 39.

As a result of processing the containers 2 in the corona tunnel 31 due to their electrostatic electrification, there is a significant improvement obtained by the method of transferring a multi-color overprint on the outer surfaces of the containers.

On Fig and 19 in a very schematic form shows the device If, also made for multi-color printing by transfer method on the outer surfaces of the containers 2. Sealing of the containers 2 is carried out in this device on forming a closed loop, driven into endless rotation of the transport system 44 or on it, mainly a linear transport section 45. On the transport system 44, stands 46 for containers are arranged at equal intervals. The sealed containers 2 are supplied to the transport section 45 via the conveyor 30 with the corona tunnel 31 and transferred separately by means of the transport sprocket 33 to the stand 46, by means of which the corresponding container 2, which is held rotatably around its axis during sealing, moves in the transport direction TS to the transport sprocket 35, which removes the sealed containers 2 from the transport system 44 and directs them further to the conveyor 36.

For multi-color sealing of the containers 2, a printing device 47 with a plurality of transfer elements or transfer pads 48 located on the transport section 45 is used, which are located on the auxiliary conveyor 49 forming a closed loop, rotating with it. The auxiliary conveyor 49 containing transfer pads 48 forms a vertical loop, which with its upper horizontal branch 49.1 is parallel to the transport section 45 directly next to it on one side. In their initial position, for example, mainly rectangular and oriented with its longitudinal extent in the direction of rotation or movement of the auxiliary conveyor 49, the transfer pads 48 are located with their surface sides in planes perpendicular to the loop plane of the auxiliary conveyor 49.

The auxiliary conveyor 49 is driven so that its upper branch 49.1 moves in the transport direction TS of the transport section 45, but with a higher speed compared to the transport section 45.

On the upper branch 49.1, in the transport direction TS, a cleaning section 50 is arranged one after another in the form of a cleaning roller for removing residual printing ink from the transfer pads 48 and the printing apparatus 51. The latter consists of several print heads 51.1-51.5 that are next to each other in the transport direction TS. which are made, for example, identical to the printheads 39.1-39.5, but are arranged so that their print nozzles are oriented in their vertical axes, and the rows of each print nozzle formed by the print nozzles the heads are oriented horizontally perpendicularly or transversely to the transport direction TS. By means of the printing apparatus 51 located above the movement path of the transfer pads 48, each passing by the transfer pad 48 is sealed on a horizontal side on the upper side. After sealing, each transfer pad 48 is mounted in such a way that it has its printed side on a vertical plane parallel to the transport direction TS, so that each sealable container 2, rotating around its vertical axis, rolls around the transfer pad 48, resulting in a printed pattern transferred from it to the outer surface of the tank. At the same time, with the help of device 52, a protective or coating layer is applied, and with the help of device 53, the print is dried.

The device 14 provides, among other things, the advantage that the inkjet printheads of the printing apparatus 51 can be located in an optimum position for their operation, namely with their printing nozzles above the path of the transfer pads 48 and with downward oriented axes of the printing nozzles.

After transferring the printed pattern, the corresponding transfer pad 48 is again rotated back to its original position.

On Fig-22 in a very schematic form depicts a device lg, made similarly to devices 1, la-Id for multi-color sealing of containers 2 on their outer surface by directly applying on it printing ink or printing ink. The sealing of containers 2 takes place in this device on a transport element in the form of a rotor 54, which is rotated around the vertical axis of the machine (arrow R) and on which, at equal angular distance and offset relative to each other, stands 55 for vertically standing , i.e. oriented containers with their axis in the vertical direction 2. Within the path of movement of the supports 55, an annular holder 56 is arranged coaxially with the axis of the machine, on which the printheads are located at the same pitch or at the same angular distance by which the supports 55 are separated from each other. 57.1-57.4 for printing inks or inks of different colors, namely yellow (printhead 57.1), magenta (printhead 57.2), cyan (printhead 57.3) and black (printhead 57.4), as well as additional printheads 57.5 for applying a protective coating or lacquer. The printheads 57.1-57.5 are located on the holder 56 in groups, namely, in such a way that each group includes the printheads 57.1-57.5 once, and the printheads 57.1-57.5 are located in each group in the same sequence, i.e., for example , one after the other in the order of their reference positions in the direction of the periphery of the holder 56, for example, against the direction R of rotation of the rotor 54. The printheads 57.1-57.5 are arranged so that at each printing step (for example, positions a and c in FIG. 22) each the head 57.1-57.5 is located in printing directly opposite the container 2 or its side surface. The printheads 57.1-57.5 form together with the holder 56 a printing apparatus 57.

To seal the containers 2 are fed through the corona tunnel 4 and the distribution screw 5 to the inlet or transport sprocket 6 (arrow T), and from it are separately transmitted in the formed section 55 of the printing section. Sealed containers 2 are removed on the output or transport sprocket 12 and fed through the conveyor 13 for further processing.

When transporting by means of a rotor 54 between the inlet 6 and the outlet 12 sprockets, the containers 2 are multi-colored. The color sets forming the corresponding multi-color printing and the subsequent coating layer are sequentially applied by the print heads 57.1-57.4 and the print head 57.5 respectively to c supports 55 capacity 2, for example, with a controlled rotational movement of 360 °.

In more detail, the sealing of each container 2 occurs so that after transmission from the input sprocket 6 to the stand 55 in the first angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor 54, i.e. at the first printing stage, it is located in the print position opposite the print head to create a first color set, for example, print head 57.1 (Fig. 22, position a). At this stage of printing, the holder 56 moves in one direction and synchronously with the rotor 54. When applying the color set, the container 2 rotates 360 ° with control around its vertical axis, and at the same time, the applied ink or printed ink is dried / dried using a suitable, suitable each printhead 57.1-57.5 of the device 58.

The next printing step for applying a different color set or coating layer after the first or correspondingly different printing step starts due to the stand 55 or all printheads 57.1-57.5 stop for a short time or move one division against the direction of rotation R, so that containers “overtake” the printheads 57.1-57.5 by one division (the distance between the printheads) (Fig. 22, position b), and opposite each tank 2 in the print position there is another printhead, for example after the printhead heads 57.1, the print head 57.2, after the print head 57.2, the print head 57.3, after the print head 57.3, the print head 57.4 or after the print head 57.4, the print head 57.5 (Fig. 22, position c). It is understood that also at any subsequent printing step following the previous printing step, which is carried out in the angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor 54, the holder 56 and the print heads 57.1-57.5 move synchronously with the rotor 54 at the same speed and in the same direction.

Sealed containers 2 move with a rotor 54 to completely harden the printing ink and the coating layer past the hardening section 59, and then before reaching the output sprocket 12 - past the section or control system 14, with which the impression is checked on the past moving along it and continuing to rotate around its vertical axis containers, so that on the conveyor 13 can be rejected containers with a defective print.

The number of supports 55 on the rotor 54 is an integer multiple of the number of print heads 57.1-57.5 of each group in the device lg. In accordance with this also the angular distance or the step by which the stands 55 are separated from each other in the device lg is 360 ° / (nl × n2), where

- n1 = number of printheads 57.1-57.5 of each group, namely, for example, five;

- n2 = number of printhead groups on holder 56.

Above, the authors proceeded from the fact that the change of printheads between two consecutive printing steps occurs due to short-term braking of the holder 56, so that the containers “overtake” the printheads 57.1-57.5. Of course, in principle, the change of the printheads is also possible in the opposite way due to the short-term acceleration of the holder 56, so that during the change of the printheads the latter “overtake” the supports 55 or containers 2. In any case, however, the holder 56 at the printing stage after changing the printheads heads and before their new change is rotated in one direction and synchronously with the rotor 54.

For simplicity, the holder 56 is shown in FIGS. 20-22 in the form of a ring. However, in the practical implementation of the device lg, it can have any suitable implementation. So, for example, in particular, you can make the holder 56 of at least two parts, namely consisting of at least one moving together with the rotor 54 of the first element and at least one located on this element and guided him an additional element, which for the corresponding change of printheads is made with the possibility of switching relative to the first element around the vertical axis of the machine due to a stepwise rotation by one division (the distance between the printheads is 57.1-57.5), namely, for example measures against the direction R of rotation of the rotor or in this direction of rotation.

The lg device also has the advantage that at least a large part of the rotational angle of the rotor 54 is available for the printing process, the number of printheads 57.1-57.5 can nevertheless be kept small, so that the total number printheads 57.1-57.5 is equal to the number of supports 55, and the corresponding change of printheads can occur due to short strokes of movement.

Also in the device lg, the printheads 57.1-57.5 are located on the rotor 54 within the path of the containers, so that the centrifugal force of the rotating rotor 54 and the holder 56 of the printheads contribute to the printing of drawings or their color sets.

The invention has been described above with examples of its implementation. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the idea underlying the invention.

So, above, the authors proceeded from the fact that during the sealing of the container 2 with their bottom standing on a stand or on the surface of the rotor or transport system. Of course, embodiments are also possible in which the containers 2 are otherwise held in the sealing process, for example, being hung from the neck flange provided in the neck area.

The authors also proceeded above from the fact that during the sealing process, the corresponding color set is dried. In principle, there is also the possibility of drying only when the corresponding color set is applied to the outer surface of the container.

List of Reference Items

1, 1a-1f - device

2 - capacity

3 - conveyor

4 - corona tunnel

5 - distribution screw

6 - input or transport sprocket

7 - rotor

8 - printing section

9 - stand for capacity

10,10a - printing apparatus

10.1-10.5 - printhead

11 - device for drying ink or printing ink

12 - output or transport sprocket

13 - transport system

14 - control system

15 - holder

16 - transport system

17 - transport path

18, 18a - printing apparatus

19 - print head

20 - device for drying printing ink or printing ink

21 - holder

30 - conveyor

31 - corona tunnel

32 - distribution screw

33 - input or transport sprocket

34 - rotor

35 - output or transport sprocket

36 - conveyor

37 - transfer pad

38 - transfer drum

39 - printing apparatus

39.1-39.5 - printhead

40 - cleaning section

41 - device for applying a protective or coating layer

42 - device for drying

43 - control system

44 - transport system

45 - transport route

46 - stand for capacity

47 - printing device

48 - transfer pad

49 - auxiliary conveyor

49.1 - the upper branch of the loop

50 - cleaning section

51 - printing apparatus

51.1-51.5- printhead

52 - device for applying a protective or coating layer

53 - device for drying

54 - rotor

55 - stand for capacity

56 - printhead holder

57 - printing apparatus 57.1-57.5 - printhead

58 - device for drying

59 - hardening section

T, TS - transport direction

R - direction of rotation of the rotor

MA - machine axis

TR1, TR2 - direction of rotation of the pendulum printing apparatus 18

Claims (66)

1. Device for sealing, in particular multi-color sealing, containers (2) on at least one outer surface with an impression formed by at least one printing pattern, containing at least one printing apparatus (10, 10a, 18, 18a, 57) with at least two inkjet printheads (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) to create partial printed patterns of at least the printed pattern applied to the outer surface of the containers , at one stage of printing, as well as a transport element (7, 16, 5 4) with which the containers (2) during the sealing process move in the transport direction (R, TS), moreover, the printing apparatuses (10, 10a, 18, 18a, 57) or their print heads (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19 , 57.1-57.5), in at least one phase of at least one printing stage, they move with a transport element (7, 16, 54), characterized in that the print heads (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) for their change or change of partial printing, they are made with the possibility of approaching and retracting in such a way that one printhead located in the printing position at the corresponding capacity (2) (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6 , 19, 57.1-57.5) can be retracted from the print position, and the other printhead (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) can be brought to the print position. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that means (9) are provided for rotating the containers (2) around their axis during the sealing process. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the printheads (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) are made for printing partial printed drawings in the form of different color sets of a multicolor printed pattern. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport element (7, 16, 54) forms between the input (6) and the output (12) for containers (2) a transport section (17) along which they move during the sealing process . 5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the transport element (7, 16, 54) there are many printing sections (8, 55) for each container (2). 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that each printing section (8) located on the transport element (7, 16, 54) contains at least one stand (9) for accommodating the container (2). 7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, 6, characterized in that each printhead (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) or one group of printheads is equipped with a device (11, 20) for drying applied to the surface of the containers of printing ink or printing ink and the corresponding partial printing drawing. 8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, 6, characterized in that each printing section (8) on the transport element (7, 16) is equipped with its own printing apparatus (10, 10a) with several printheads (10.1-10.5) at the same time, for changing partial printing, printheads (10.1-10.5) are mounted on the transport element with the possibility of adjustment or switching. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the printheads (10.1-10.5) are mounted on the transport element (7, 16) with the ability to configure or switch in the transport direction (R, TS) and against the transport direction (R, TS) . 10. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, 6, 9, characterized in that for changing partial printing, the print heads (10.1-10.5) of each printing section (8) are mounted on the transport element (7) with the possibility of rotation, mainly around axis offset relative to the axis of the corresponding container. 11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, 6, 9, characterized in that in the case of an infinitely rotating transport element (7, 16, 54), the printing apparatuses (10, 10a, 18, 18a, 57) are arranged so that at least in the print position of the print heads (10.1-16.1; 19) the delivery of printing ink or printing ink is supported by the centrifugal forces created by the movement of the transport element (7, 16, 54). 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the printheads (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) located in the print position are located within the trajectory of the containers (2) with their print nozzles. 13. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that each printing section (8, 55) is given a device (11, 20) for drying printed ink or printing ink containers applied to the outer surface. 14. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that if there are a large number of supports (9) located on the transport element (7, 16) or the printing sections formed by them (8), at least one common to all printing sections is provided a printing unit or a printing apparatus (18, 18a), past which containers (2) move, which contains at least two printheads (19) for creating various partial printing patterns and is mounted with the possibility of synchronous with the movement of the transport element (7, 16) movement with him for the worker od (TR1) from the starting position, and for the return stroke (TR2) of returning to the initial position against the transport direction (R, TS) of the transport element (7, 16), so that at least one sealing occurs for each working stroke located in the printing section of the container (2) with the corresponding partial printed pattern. 15. The device according to 14, characterized in that the distance between at least two printheads (21) is equal to the distance between the printing sections (8) or supports (9) on the transport element (7, 16). 16. The device according to 14 or 15, characterized in that the printing apparatus (18, 18a) contains for each partial printed drawing at least one block (18.1-18.6) with at least two printheads (19 ) for simultaneously sealing at least two containers (2). 17. The device according to p. 16, characterized in that the distance between the printheads (19) in the transport direction (R, TS) of the transport element (7) is equal to the distance between the printing sections (8) or supports (9) on the transport element (7 , 16). 18. The device according to one of paragraphs.14, 15 or 17, characterized in that at least one printing apparatus (18, 18a) is configured to rotate the stroke from the initial position to the final position and from it back to the appropriate division of the machine in the initial position, while the division of the machine is equal to the axial or angular distance between two adjacent printing sections (8) or supports (9) on the transport element (7, 16) multiplied by the number of printheads (19) in each block (18.1-18.6 ) 19. The device according to p. 18, characterized in that for each printhead (19) of the blocks (18.1-18.6), a device (20) is provided for drying or setting the ink or printing ink. 20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that the device (20) for drying printing ink or printing ink is made with the possibility of supply and removal. 21. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one pendulum printing unit or printing apparatus (18) is located within and / or outside the rotatable transport element (7, 16). 22. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the presence of a plurality of supports (55) located on the transport element (54) or the printing sections formed by them, at least one printing apparatus or printing unit common to all printing sections is provided ( 57), containing at least two groups with at least two printheads (57.1-57.5) per group for creating various partial printed drawings and at the printing stage for creating each partial printed drawing made with the possibility of movement in one direction and synchronously with the movement of the transport element (54), so that at each printing stage, at least one print head (57.1-57.5) of each group is in the print position of one container (2), while to change the print heads the printing unit (57) or the print heads (57.1-57.5) can be slowed down or accelerated in this way, and after changing the print heads it is again synchronized with the movement of the transport element (54) so that after changing the print heads one print head (57.1-57.5 ) of each group again on goes in the print position with the appropriate capacity (2). 23. The device according to item 22, wherein the transport element (54) is a rotatable transport element, mainly a rotor (54). 24. The device according to p. 22 or 23, characterized in that the printheads (57.1-57.5) of the printing unit (57) are made with the possibility of movement along a closed path. 25. The device according to p. 24, characterized in that the printheads (57.1-57.5) are located on the rotation-driven holder (56). 26. The device according to one of paragraphs.22, 23 or 25, characterized in that the distance between the printheads (57.1-57.5) in the direction of movement of the printing unit (57) or the printheads (57.1-57.5) corresponds to the mutual distance between the stands (55 ) or the printing sections formed by them in such a way that at each printing step, each printhead (57.1-57.5) is in the print position with respect to the printing section or to the container located on it (2). 27. The device according to p. 26, characterized in that the number of printheads (57.1-57.5) is equal to the number of supports (55) or the printed sections formed by them. 28. The device according to p. 26, characterized in that the number of printing sections (57.1-57.5) is equal to an integer multiple of the number of supports (55) or the printed sections formed by them on the transport element (54). 29. The device according to one of paragraphs.22, 23, 25, 27, 28, characterized in that the number of supports (55) or the print sections formed by them on the transport element (54) is an integer multiple of the number of print heads (57.1-57.5) of a print unit (57). 30. A device for sealing, mainly for multi-color sealing, containers (2) by means of transfer printing, comprising at least one printing apparatus (39, 51) with at least two ink-jet printing heads (39.1-39.5 ; 51.1-51.5) for creating on the moving past printing apparatus (39, 51) transfer pads (37, 48) of printed drawings consisting respectively of at least two partial printed drawings and transferred to containers (2) due to their rolling on the transfer plot, conveyor (34, 44 ), on which containers (2) move during sealing in the transport direction (R, TS), and an auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) with many transfer pads (37, 48) moving in a closed conveyor on the auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) trajectories, characterized in that the conveyor (34, 44) is a rotor (34) driven around the vertical axis (MA) of the machine, and the auxiliary conveyor is an element (38) driven around the machine axis (MA) in the form of a wheel or drum. 31. A device for sealing, mainly for multi-color sealing, containers (2) by means of transfer printing, comprising at least one printing apparatus (39, 51) with at least two ink-jet printing heads (39.1-39.5 ; 51.1-51.5) for creating on transfer surfaces of a printing apparatus (39, 51) transfer pads (37, 48) of printed drawings consisting respectively of at least two partial printed drawings and transferred to containers (2) by means of them conversion run-in the second section, a transport element (34, 44), on which containers (2) move during sealing in the transport direction (R, TS), and an auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) with many transfer pads (37, 48) moving on auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) in a closed path, characterized in that the transfer pads (37, 48) are located on the auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) with the possibility of control or rotation so that when passing by the printing apparatus (39, 51) they are oriented horizontally by their translated surface of or substantially horizontally, and in the printing position pressed against its surface to transfer the lateral surface of the upright containers (2). 32. The device according to p. 31, characterized in that when passing by the printing apparatus (39, 51), transfer pads (48) are located under it or under the print heads (51.1-51.5). 33. The device according to item 30 or 31, characterized in that on the path of the auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) in front of the printing apparatus (39, 51) there is a section (40, 50) for cleaning the transfer pads (37, 48). 34. The device according to p. 33, characterized in that the auxiliary conveyor (49) is made with the possibility of rotation around at least one horizontal axis of the transport element, for example a transport wheel, or at least one forming a vertical or, basically a vertical loop transport element. 35. The device according to item 30 or 31, characterized in that the auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) is driven to move the transfer pads (37, 48) on the transfer section parallel to the transport direction (R, TS) of the conveyor (34, 44), however, at a speed different from the direction and / or magnitude of the transport speed of the transport element (34, 44). 36. The device according to clause 35, wherein the transport element for containers is a rotor (7) or a rotary table or transport system (16) driven by rotation around the vertical axis of the machine, with at least one transport loop an element. 37. The device according to one of claims 1, 30, 31, characterized in that at least one printhead (10.5, 19) is used to apply a protective or coating layer to the corresponding printed pattern. 38. The device according to one of claims 1, 30, 31, characterized in that in the transport direction (R, TS) next to the transfer section on the periphery of the transport element (34, 44) for containers, but without the possibility of movement together with it is located at least one device (41, 52) for applying a protective or coating layer to the corresponding printed pattern and / or device (42, 53) for drying the corresponding printed pattern and / or protective or coating layer by rotating containers (2) around their axis. 39. The device according to § 38, characterized in that on the transport element (34, 44) for containers in front of the exit (12, 35) there is a monitoring system (14, 43) for checking the corresponding impression on the containers. 40. The device according to claim 39, characterized in that a conveyor (3, 30) comprising a corona tunnel (4, 31) is provided for supplying containers (2) to the inlet (6, 33) for them in the device (1, 1a-1f ) 41. The method of sealing, mainly multi-color sealing, containers on their outer surface with a print formed by at least one printing pattern, using at least one printing apparatus (10, 10a, 18, 18a, 57), at least at least with two inkjet printheads (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) to create partial printed patterns applied to the outer surface of the containers of the printed pattern, at least in one printing step, and in the process sealing containers (2) move on and the transport element (7, 16, 54) in the transport direction (R, TS), and the printing apparatuses (10, 10a, 18, 18a, 57) during at least one phase of at least one printing step move together with the transport element (7, 16, 54), characterized in that after printing a partial drawing and before printing another partial drawing, the printheads are changed, namely, in such a way that one printing in the printing position of the corresponding container (2) the head (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) is diverted from the print position, and the other print head ku (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) is brought into the printing position. 42. The method according to paragraph 41, wherein in the process of sealing the containers are rotated around their axis, for example, through an angle of 360 °. 43. The method according to paragraph 41 or 42, characterized in that the printing steps cause partial printed patterns in the form of different color sets of a multicolor printed pattern and / or in the form of at least one protective or coating layer covering the printed pattern. 44. The method according to item 43, wherein the sealing of the containers (2) is carried out in the corresponding printing section provided with many of the same printing sections (8) on the transport element (7, 16), and each printing section (8) is attached own printing apparatus (10, 10a) with several printheads (10.1-10.5), while for the corresponding change of partial printing or printheads (10.1-10.5) they are moved relative to the printing section or their print position in the transport direction (R, TS) and against it and / or turn or rotate in the circumference of the axis, for example around an axis offset from the axis of the corresponding container (2). 45. The method according to paragraph 41, wherein when printing partial printed drawings, the printheads (10.1-10.5, 18.1-18.6, 19, 57.1-57.5) are positioned respectively so that the application of printing ink or printing ink and / or protective or the cover layer is carried out with the support of centrifugal forces created by the movement of the transport element (7). 46. The method according to item 45, wherein the corresponding partial printed pattern and / or protective or coating layer is dried immediately after application. 47. The method according to item 45, wherein the mass forming the corresponding partial printing pattern ink or printing ink and forming a protective or coating layer, the mass is continuously dried during application. 48. The method according to item 46 or 47, characterized in that the drying is carried out by introducing energy, for example by heating and / or UV light. 49. The method according to p. 48, characterized in that in the case of a plurality of print positions formed on the transport element (7, 16), the sealing of the containers (2) is carried out using at least one printing unit (18) common to all printing positions , 18a), past which containers move for sealing and which contains at least two printheads (19), while to create a partial pattern using the printheads, the printing unit (18, 18a) is pulled out together with the transport element (7, 16) from the starting position for the stroke (TR1), and for the return stroke (TR2) is returned to its original position against the transport direction (R, TS) of the transport element (7, 16). 50. The method according to 49, characterized in that after each working stroke (TR1), the printing unit (18, 18a) is returned to its original position so that there is one container (2) in the print head in the print position (19) . 51. The method according to item 49 or 50, characterized in that after each working stroke (TR1), at least two containers (2) are sealed with different partial printed drawings. 52. The method according to item 51, wherein at least two groups, respectively consisting of at least two containers (2) with different partial printed drawings, are sealed for each working stroke. 53. The method according to claim 52, characterized in that for each working stroke using at least one printhead (19), at least one, not yet sealed with a printing unit or printing apparatus (18, 18a) the container is applied with a first partial printing pattern, and with the help of at least one second printhead, at least one partial printed pattern is already provided with a partial printing pattern, and after each working stroke (TR1), a printed the aggregate (18, 18a) is returned to its original position such that at least one of the first printheads (19) has a container (2) in the print position that has not yet been sealed with a printing unit or printing apparatus (18, 18a), and at least one other printhead (19) in the print position is a container (2), already sealed with a printing unit or printing apparatus (18, 18a). 54. The method according to one of claims 49, 50, 52, 53, characterized in that for each working stroke (TR1) and return stroke (TR2), the printing unit or printing apparatus (18, 18a) is rotated by a stroke that is equal to the axial or the angular distance between the two positions (9) of the print on the transport element (16, 17) or its integer multiple. 55. The method according to paragraph 41, wherein in the presence of a plurality of supports (55) located on the transport element (54) for containers or for the printed sections formed by them, at least one printing apparatus or a printing apparatus common to all printing sections is used an aggregate (57) containing at least two groups of at least two printheads (57.1-57.5), respectively, each to create different partial printed patterns, at each printing step a printing unit (57) to create each partial printed pattern drawing is driven into in the same direction and synchronously with the movement of the transport element (54), so that at each printing step, at least one printhead (57.1-57.5) of each group is in the print position at the container (2), while changing the printheads their movement or the movement of the printing unit (57) is slowed down or accelerated, and after changing the printheads they are again synchronized with the movement of the transport element (54) so that after changing the printheads one printhead (57.1-57.5) of each group is again in the print position from appropriate capacity (2). 56. The method according to p. 55, characterized in that the braking or acceleration is carried out by briefly superimposing the movement of the printing unit (57) synchronous with the transport element (54) or the print heads (57.1-57.5) on another component of the movement against the transport direction (R ) transport element (54) or in this transport direction (R). 57. The method according to item 55 or 56, characterized in that the printheads (57.1-57.5) of the printing unit (57) move along a closed path. 58. The method of sealing, mainly multi-color sealing, containers (2) by means of transfer printing using a printing apparatus (39, 51), with at least two inkjet printing heads (39.1-39.5; 51.1-51.5), using which onto the moving past printing apparatus (39, 51) transfer pads (37, 48) are printed patterns consisting of at least two partial printed patterns, which are then transferred to containers (2) by rolling them over the transfer pads, during sealing containers (2) move on the transport element (34, 44), and transfer pads - using an auxiliary conveyor (38, 49), characterized in that containers (2) with a conveyor (34, 44) and transfer pads (37, 48) with an auxiliary conveyor (38, 49) move along a circular path around a vertical axis. 59. The method according to p, characterized in that the transfer pads move along a circular path of movement within the circular path of movement of containers (2). 60. The method of sealing, mainly reusable sealing, containers (2) by means of transfer printing using at least one printing apparatus (39, 51), with at least two ink-jet printing heads (39.1-39.5; 51.1 -51.5), with which printed drawings consisting of at least two partial printed drawings are applied to the transfer pads (37, 48) moving past the printing apparatus (39, 51) and then transferred to containers (2) by means of them rolling over transfer pads, cast characterized in that the sealing of the transfer pads (37, 48) is carried out in the printing position, in which the transfer surface of the respective transfer pads (37, 48) is located in a horizontal or mainly horizontal plane, while before transferring the corresponding printed pattern, the transfer pads ( 37, 48) are turned into the translation position, in which the corresponding transfer surface is adjacent to the side surface of the vertically standing containers (2). 61. The method according to p. 60, characterized in that in the process of sealing the containers (2) are moved on a transport element (34, 44), and the transfer pads with an auxiliary conveyor (38, 39). 62. The method according to p. 60 or 61, characterized in that before transferring the corresponding printed pattern, the transfer pads (37, 48) are rotated into a horizontal or mainly horizontal position of the translation. 63. The method according to item 62, wherein the sealing of the transfer pads (37, 48) is carried out using the printheads (51.1-51.5) located above the corresponding transfer surface. 64. The method according to item 62, wherein the rotation of the transfer pads (37, 48) is carried out around at least one axis in parallel or mainly parallel to the direction of their movement. 65. The method according to p. 58 or 60, characterized in that the transfer pads (37, 48) move to transfer printed patterns parallel to the transport direction (R, TS) of the containers (2), but with a speed, direction and / or value of which differ from the direction and / or value of the transport speed of the containers (2). 66. The method according to one of paragraphs.41, 58, 60, characterized in that before the sealed containers (2) are processed in the corona tunnel (4, 31).

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