(19) TZZ_¥ _T

(11) EP 1 853 427 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.: of the grant of the patent: B41M 5/00 (2006.01) B41J 3/407 (2006.01) 09.04.2014 Bulletin 2014/15 B41J 11/00 (2006.01)

(21) Application number: 05813087.3 (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/038461 (22) Date of filing: 26.10.2005 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/073538 (13.07.2006 Gazette 2006/28)

(54) WITH DIGITAL IMAGES DRUCKKUNSTSTOFFBEHÄLTER MIT DIGITALEN BILDERN IMPRESSION DE CONTENANTS PLASTIQUES AVEC DES IMAGES NUMERIQUES

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventor: UPTERGROVE, Ronald, L. AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR Northville, MI 48168 (US) HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (74) Representative: Weiss, Peter Designated Extension States: Dr. Weiss & Arat AL BA HR MK YU Zeppelinstrasse 4 78234 Engen (DE) (30) Priority: 30.12.2004 US 640605 P 02.09.2005 US 219411 (56) References cited: EP-A2- 0 209 896 WO-A1-99/08935 (43) Date of publication of application: US-A- 3 490 363 US-A- 6 135 654 14.11.2007 Bulletin 2007/46 US-A1- 2002 097 280 US-B1- 6 769 357 US-B2- 6 513 435 (60) Divisional application: 13169055.4 / 2 657 040 Remarks: Thefile contains technical information submitted after (73) Proprietor: Plastipak Packaging Inc. the application was filed and not included in this Plymouth, MI 48170 (US) specification

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 1 853 427 B1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 1 853 427 B1 2

Description rality of independently movable print heads is provided at each printing location, wherein said print heads are BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION separately movable perpendicular to the direction of con- tainer flow, and providing a sensor which determines the [0001] The present invention relates to a method of 5 location of the surface to be printed and pro- printing digital images onto curved plastic containers. vides electronic feedback to an articulation device which [0002] Conventional techniques for printing onto movesthe printheads independentof each other tomain- curved plastic containers are subject to significant draw- tain a constant distance between the container surface backs. For example, it is difficult to obtain proper regis- to be printed and the print heads. First a first digital image tration between colors, and changing images, designs or 10 is printed on a first printing area on said curved surface wording is expensive and time consuming. of each container at said first printing location; and sec- [0003] Inkjet printing with multiple nozzles is useful for ond a second digital image is printed on a second printing flat surfaces. However, it is difficult to satisfactorily use area on said curved surface of each container at said multiple nozzles on curved surfaces. second printing location. The first digital image is a mul- [0004] It would be highly desirable to print a digitally 15 ticolour image printed at the first printing location in one generated image directly onto a plastic container, partic- pass, and the second digital image is a multicolour image ularly a curved plastic container, wherein the printing can printed at the second printing location in one pass be done at a reasonable speed and at a reasonable cost. [0008] The steps of digitally printing the digital image [0005] The WO99/08935 A1 discloses a method for directly onto the plastic container prints the digital images printing on plastic during a process for producing 20 directly onto a preformed container, for example onto an a packaging system comprising a first step consisting in injection molded or blow molded container, such as pol- applying a first substance onto a selected surface area yethylene terephthalate (PET) or high density polyethyl- of the packaging system by use of first application means, ene (HDPE). The digital printing operation may print the the selected surface area and the hollow body being both digital image directly onto the plastic container as by jet- in motion relative to the first application means and the 25 tingink through an inkjet print headand onto the container selected surface area being solely in contact with the first surface. The ink may be a UV-reactive ink, in which substance during the first step. The process also com- after printing the ink may be cured by exposure to UV prises a second step which consists in applying a second light. One may also, for example, treat the container sur- substance onto the selected surface area by use of the face to be printed prior to the printing operation, as by second application of means after completion of the first 30 flame treatment, or plasma jet treat- step, the selected surface area and the hollow body being ment. both in motion relative to the second application means [0009] Further features of the present invention will be and the selected surface area being solely in contact with discussed hereinbelow. the second substance during the second step, the proc- ess taking place at a continuous line speed. 35 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention will be more readily un- derstandable from a consideration of the following illus- [0006] The present invention provides for printing dig- trative drawings, wherein: ital images or indicia directly onto a plastic container, 40 particularly a curved, plastic container, and accomplish- Figure 1 is a top view of the container conveyer with ing this in a continuous operation at a reasonable speed containers; and at a reasonable cost. Full color digital graphic images Figure 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the or indicia may be directly printed onto containers at mul- container flow and treatment; tiple areas thereon. 45 Figure 3 is a side view of an alternate embodiment [0007] In accordance with the present invention a se- of the container flow and treatment; ries of plastic containers are firmly held and moved to Figure 4 is a side view of the container clamp as- and from a first digital printing location and a first digital sembly; and image is printed thereon at the first printing location on Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of an alternate em- a first printing area on the containers, with the containers 50 bodiment of the container flow and treatment. held at the top thereof and at a second position spaced from the top thereof, preferably at the base. Desirably, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBOD- the containers are moved from the first digital printing IMENTS location to a second digital printing location and a second digital image printed thereon on a second printing area 55 [0011] As can be seen from Figures 1 - 3, a conveyer on the containers spaced from the first printing area, with assembly 10 is provided to move the containers 11 the containers held at the top thereof and at a second through the treatment procedure in the direction of flow area spaced from the top, preferably at the base. A plu- 12. The containers 11 enter the conveyer assembly from

2 3 EP 1 853 427 B1 4 infeed conveyer 14 at container entry 16 and are secured face 38, desirably an area opposed to the first container in container clamp assembly 18. The clamp assembly surface, as 180° therefrom. secures the containers 11 at two spaced areas, as shown [0018] After rotation the containers 11 with container in Figures 1 and 4, by container base holder 20 and con- first surface 38 having printing thereon are moved tainer top holder 22. It is preferred to hold the container 5 through a second pre-treatment area A-2 where the sur- at the top and bottom, although one could employ a top face energy of the container on the container second holder plus a second holder spaced therefrom, as on the surface 44 is raised as at the first pre-treatment area A- sidewall. This prevents the containers from moving in 1. The containers will then pass the second printing site any direction except for the direction of container flow 46, area B2, wherein the second printing will be per- 12. The base holder 20 and top holder 22 are synchro- 10 formed on the second surface 44 of the containers. nized to maintain the same velocity and relationship to [0019] Similar to first printing site 30, printing at the each other at all times. Naturally, a commercial operation second printing site may be a direct drop on demand may have more than one conveyer assembly line. inkjet head as shown in Figure 3 or an indirect drop on [0012] As can be seen, particularly in Figures 2 and 3, demand inkjet pad 40 as shown in Figure 2. Also, at the the containers 11 are curved, as for example, round or 15 second printing site 46 U.V. ink will be applied directly to oval, and have a container radius or curved portion 24. the second surface 44 of the containers in one pass, as The container track 26 also contains a radius of the multicolor graphics of high quality, as desired. curved portion 28 at the first printing site 30 which should [0020] The printed containers will then pass through a substantially equal the container radius 24 to be printed second curing station C-2 which will cure the ink or inks in order to facilitate the digital printing operation. 20 applied at the second printing site. Here again, this may [0013] Upon clamping container 11 at the container be an ultra violet light source other radiant curing method. entry 16 internal pressure is applied to the inside of the [0021] The container clamp assembly 18 will then re- container via air pressure means 32 and pressure line lease the containers, printed on two sides or two locations 34 (Figure 4) through the clamp assembly 18, as for ex- and pass them on to an out-feed conveyer or storage ample, through top holder 22. Preferably, a pressure reg- 25 and return to repeat the cycle. ulator 36 is provided to regulate the air pressure, as for [0022] In the printing procedure it is desirable to main- example, from 5.99-4.79 Pa (0.125 -10.0 psi). This inter- tain a plurality of print heads at a constant distance and nal pressure will be maintained throughout the treatment perpendicularity from the non-planar container surface procedure and provides a consistent distance of the con- during the printing process. A plurality of print heads may tainer surface from the inkjet head and/or a consistent 30 be desirably articulated during the printing process to contact pressure for the container surface to the ink roller maintain a constant distance and perpendicularity from if the indirect inkjet method is used. the non-planar container surface. A plurality of sensors [0014] As the containers enter the track curved portion may be used to measure the curvature of the non-planar or radius 28 they first pass through a first pre-treatment surface and to control the articulation of the plurality of location A-1, see Figures 2 and 3. The pre-treatment lo- 35 print heads to maintain the constant distance and per- cation will serve to raise the surface energy of the con- pendicularity from the non-planar surface. The print tainer on the first container surface 38 to insure ink ad- headsand/or containerare desirably moved ata constant hesion thereon, as for example, a heat treatment or co- velocity relativeto thenon-planar surface duringthe print- rona treatment. ing process. Also real time control is preferably provided [0015] The containers will then pass the first printing 40 to the printing control system to determine the relative site 30, area B-1 in Figures 2 and 3. The containers will position of the non-planar surface to the printing process. then have the first printing applied on the first container The foregoing features provide improved digital printing surface 38 at printing site 30, which may be a direct drop on the curved container surface. ondemand inkjethead as shownin Figure 3, or an indirect [0023] Thus, for example, as shown in Figure 5 which drop on demand inkjet pad 40 as shown in Figure 2. U.V. 45 shows an enlarged view of the first printing site 30, area ink will be applied directly to the first surface 38 of the B-1, the conveyer system or container track 26 can be containers in one pass. The inkjet may apply multicolor straight. The containers 11 with their container radius or graphics of high quality as desired. curved portions 24 pass under print heads 50 which are [0016] The printed containers will then pass through a each separately movable up and down perpendicular to first curing station C-1, which will cure the ink or inks50 the direction of the container flow 52 in the direction of applied at the first printing site 30. This may be an ultra print head movement 54 by suitable motive means as violet light source or other radiant curing method. articulation device 56. A constant distance or spacing [0017] The containers 11 then enter a straight section between the container surface to be printed and the print 42 of container track 26 where they are rotated, as for heads is therefore maintained by the use of measuring example, 180°, to expose second surface 44 of the con- 55 device or sensor 58, such as a laser sensor, which de- tainers to the second printing site 46, as by the clamp termines the location of the surface to be printed and assembly 18 or other rotating means. The second con- provides electronic feedback to the articulation device 56 tainer surface 44 is spaced from the first container sur- for appropriately moving the print heads. Thus, as the

3 5 EP 1 853 427 B1 6 containers pass under the print heads each head may age printed at the second printing location (46) move up and down as desired independent of each other in one pass. and coordinated to the desired printing location. Subse- quent processing will proceed in a manner after that 2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said first shown in Figures 2 and 3 with a straight container track, 5 and second printing locations are spaced from each desirably rotating the container, and printing at the sec- other. ond printing side. [0024] Thus, the present invention provides an im- 3. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said track proved procedure for printing digital images or indicia (26) includes at least one curved portion (28), where- directly onto a curved plastic container. The procedure 10 in at least the first printing location (30) is adjacent is continuous and efficient and enables two sides or two the track curved portion (28). areas to be efficiently printed. [0025] It is to be understood that the invention is not 4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein said track limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, (26) includes two curved portions (28), with the first which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best 15 and second printing location being adjacent a sep- modes of carrying out the invention, and which are sus- arate track curved portion. ceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is 5. A method according to Claim 4 wherein the radius intended to encompass all such modifications which are of the track curved portion (28) equals the container within its scope as defined by the claims. 20 radius (24) to be printed.

6. A method according to Claim 1, including providing Claims internal pressure to the container (11) during the printing steps. 1. A method for printing digital images on plastic con- 25 tainers (11) having curved surfaces (38, 44), which 7. A method according to Claim 6, including holding comprises: said containers (11) during printing by a clamp as- sembly (18), and applying pressure to the container providing a series of hollow plastic containers (11) through the clamp assembly (18). (11) each having a curved external surface (38, 30 44); 8. A method according to Claim 1, including regulating moving said containers (11) along a track (26) air pressure within the containers (11) during printing and past a first and second digital printing loca- to from 8,62 hPa - 689,48 hPa (0.125 to 10.0 psi). tion (30, 46); providing a plurality of independently movable 35 9. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said con- print heads (50) at each printing location (30, tainers (11) pass through a curing step after printing. 46), wherein said print heads (50) are separately movable perpendicular to the direction of con- 10. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said con- tainer flow (12, 52), and providing a sensor (58) tainers (11) are rotated after the first printing step which determines the location of the container 40 and before the second printing step to expose said surface (38, 44) to be printed and provides elec- second printing location to said second printing. tronic feedback to an articulation device (56) which moves the print heads (50) independent 11. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said track of each other to maintain a constant distance (26) is a straight track. between the container surface (38, 44) to be 45 printed and the print heads (50); 12. A method according to Claim 1, including moving the first printing a first digital image on a first printing print heads (50) and curved container surface (38, area (B-1) on said curved surface (38, 44) of 44) to maintain a constant distance with respect to each container (11) at said first printing location each other. (30); and 50 second printing a second digital image on a sec- 13. A method according to Claim 10, wherein the first ond printing area (B-2) on said curved surface and second digital images are printed on opposed (38, 44) of each container (11) at said second sides of each container (11). printing location (46); characterized in that 55 thefirst digital image isa multicolourimage print- Patentansprüche ed at the first printing location (30) in one pass, and the second digital image is a multicolour im- 1. Verfahrenzum Druckenvon Digitalbildern auf Kunst-

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stoffbehälter (11) mit gekrümmten Oberflächen (38, 6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, das den Schritt des Be- 44), das die folgenden Schritte aufweist: reitstellens eines Innendruckes im Behälter (11) während der Druckschritte einschließt. Bereitstellen einer Reihe von hohlen Kunststoff- behältern (11), die jeweils eine gekrümmte äu- 5 7. Verfahrennach Anspruch6, das dieSchritte desHal- ßere Oberfläche (38, 44) aufweisen; tens der Behälter (11) während des Druckens mittels Bewegen der Behälter (11) längs einer Lauf- einer Klemmbaugruppe (18) und des Anwendens ei- bahn (26) und vorbei an einer ersten und zwei- nes Druckes auf den Behälter (11) durch die Klemm- ten Digitaldruckstation (30, 46); baugruppe (18) einschließt. Bereitstellen einer Vielzahl von unabhängig be- 10 weglichen Druckköpfen (50) an jeder Drucksta- 8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, das den Schritt des Re- tion (30, 46), wobei die Druckköpfe (50) separat gulierens des Luftdruckes innerhalb der Behälter senkrecht zur Richtung des Behälterflusses (12, (11) während des Druckens von 8, 62 hPa bis 689, 52) beweglich sind, und Bereitstellen eines Sen- 48 hPa (0,125 bis 10,0 psi) einschließt. sors (58), der die Stelle der zu bedruckenden 15 Behälteroberfläche (38, 44) bestimmt und eine 9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Behälter elektronische Rückkopplung zu einer Gelenk- (11) nach dem Drucken einen Aushärtungsschritt vorrichtung (56) liefert, die die Druckköpfe (50) durchlaufen. unabhängig voneinander bewegt, um einen konstanten Abstand zwischen der zu bedru-20 10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Behälter ckenden Behälteroberfläche (38, 44) und den (11) nach dem ersten Druckschritt und vor dem zwei- Druckköpfen (50) aufrecht zu erhalten; ten Druckschritt gedreht werden, um die zweite erstes Drucken eines ersten Digitalbildes auf ei- Druckstation für das zweite Drucken freizugeben. ne erste Druckfläche (B-1) auf der gekrümmten Oberfläche (38, 44) eines jeden Behälters (11) 25 11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Laufbahn an der ersten Druckstation (30); und (26) eine geradlinige Laufbahn ist. zweites Drucken eines zweiten Digitalbildes auf eine zweite Druckfläche (B-2) auf der gekrümm- 12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, das den Schritt des Be- ten Oberfläche (38, 44) eines jeden Behälters wegens der Druckköpfe (50) und der gekrümmten (11) an der zweiten Druckstation (46); 30 Behälteroberfläche (38, 44) einschließt, um einen dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass konstanten Abstand mit Bezugnahme zueinander das erste Digitalbild ein mehrfarbiges Bild ist, aufrecht zu erhalten. das an der ersten Druckstation (30) in einem Arbeitsgang aufgedruckt wird, und das zweite 13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, bei dem das erste und Digitalbild ein mehrfarbiges Bild ist, das an der 35 das zweite Digitalbild auf gegenüberliegenden Sei- zweiten Druckstation (46) in einem Arbeitsgang ten eines jeden Behälters (11) aufgedruckt werden. aufgedruckt wird.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die erste und Revendications die zweite Druckstation voneinander beabstandet 40 sind. 1. Procédé d’impression d’images numériques sur des contenants en plastique (11) présentant des surfa- 3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Laufbahn ces courbes (38, 44), qui comprend le fait de : (26) mindestens einen gekrümmten Abschnitt (28) einschließt, wobei mindestens die erste Druckstati- 45 prévoir une série de contenants creux en matiè- on (30) dem gekrümmten Abschnitt (28) der Lauf- re plastique (11) présentant, chacun, une surfa- bahn benachbart ist. ce extérieure courbe (38, 44) ; déplacer lesdits contenants (11) le long d’une 4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, bei dem die Laufbahn piste (26) et au-delà d’un premier et d’un deuxiè- (26) zwei gekrümmte Abschnitte (28) umfasst, wobei 50 me emplacement d’impression numérique (30, die erste und die zweite Druckstation einem sepa- 46) ; raten gekrümmten Abschnitt der Laufbahn benach- prévoir une pluralité de têtes d’impression dé- bart sind. plaçables indépendamment (50) à chaque em- placement d’impression (30, 46), où lesdites tê- 5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, bei dem der Radius des 55 tes d’impression (50) peuvent être déplacées gekrümmten Abschnittes (28) der Laufbahn dersel- séparément perpendiculairement à la direction be ist wie der des zu bedruckenden Behälterradius de flux de contenants (12, 52), et prévoir un cap- (24). teur (58) qui détermine l’emplacement de la sur-

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face du contenant (38, 44) à imprimer et fournir 9. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits une rétroaction électronique à un dispositif d’ar- contenants (11) passent par une étape de durcisse- ticulation (56) qui déplace les têtes d’impression ment après l’impression. (50) indépendamment l’une de l’autre pour maintenir une distance constante entre la sur- 5 10. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits face du contenant (38, 44) à imprimer et les têtes contenants (11) sont tournés après la première éta- d’impression (50) ; pe d’impression et avant la deuxième étape d’im- tout d’abord imprimer une première image nu- pression, pour exposer ledit deuxième emplacement mérique sur une première zone d’impression (B- d’impression à la deuxième impression. 1) sur ladite surface courbe (38, 44) de chaque 10 contenant (11) audit premier emplacement d’im- 11. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite pression (30) ; et piste (26) est une piste droite. en deuxième lieu imprimer une deuxième image numérique sur une deuxième surface d’impres- 12. Procédé selon la revendication 1, comportant le fait sion (B-2) sur ladite surface courbe (38, 44) de 15 de déplacer les têtes d’impression (50) et la surface chaque contenant (11) audit deuxième empla- courbe du contenant (38, 44), pour maintenir une cement d’impression (46) ; distance constante entre elles. caractérisé par le fait que la première image numérique est une image po- 13. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel les lychrome imprimée au premier emplacement 20 première et deuxième images numériques sont im- d’impression (30) en un seul passage, et la primées sur des côtés opposés de chaque contenant deuxième image numérique est une image po- (11). lychrome imprimée au deuxième emplacement d’impression (46) en un seul passage. 25 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits premier et deuxième emplacements d’impression sont espacés l’un de l’autre.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite 30 piste (26) comporte au moins une partie courbe (28), dans lequel au moins le premier emplacement d’im- pression (30) est adjacent à la partie de piste courbe (28). 35 4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, dans lequel ladite piste(26) comporte deuxparties courbes (28),le pre- mier et le deuxième emplacement d’impression étant adjacentsà une partie de piste courbe séparée. 40 5. Procédé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le rayon de la partie de piste courbe (28) est égal au rayon du contenant (24) à imprimer.

6. Procédé selon la revendication 1, comportant le fait 45 de prévoir une pression interne au contenant (11) pendant les étapes d’impression.

7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, comportant le fait de retenir lesdits contenants (11) pendant l’impres- 50 sion par un ensemble de serrage (18), et d’appliquer une pression sur le contenant (11) par l’intermédiaire de l’ensemble de serrage (18).

8. Procédé selon la revendication 1, comportant le fait 55 de réguler la pression d’air à l’intérieur des conte- nants (11) lors de l’impression de 8,62 hPas à 689,48 hPas (0,125 à 10,0 psi).

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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• WO 9908935 A1 [0005]

10