EP0534337A2 - Printing device for continuously moving objects, in particular parcels, stacks of wrapped magazines or the like - Google Patents

Printing device for continuously moving objects, in particular parcels, stacks of wrapped magazines or the like Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0534337A2
EP0534337A2 EP92116083A EP92116083A EP0534337A2 EP 0534337 A2 EP0534337 A2 EP 0534337A2 EP 92116083 A EP92116083 A EP 92116083A EP 92116083 A EP92116083 A EP 92116083A EP 0534337 A2 EP0534337 A2 EP 0534337A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
ink jet
matrix print
printing device
objects
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP92116083A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0534337B1 (en
EP0534337A3 (en
Inventor
Horst Schwede
Roland Schwede
Helmut Schmetzer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SCHWEDE, HORST
SCHWEDE, ROLAND
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Individual
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Publication of EP0534337A2 publication Critical patent/EP0534337A2/en
Publication of EP0534337A3 publication Critical patent/EP0534337A3/xx
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Publication of EP0534337B1 publication Critical patent/EP0534337B1/en
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/304Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
    • B41J25/308Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface with print gap adjustment mechanisms
    • B41J25/3082Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface with print gap adjustment mechanisms with print gap adjustment means on the print head carriage, e.g. for rotation around a guide bar or using a rotatable eccentric bearing
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/304Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/304Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
    • B41J25/308Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface with print gap adjustment mechanisms
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/28Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes, envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers
    • B41J3/286Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes, envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers on boxes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a printing device for continuously moving objects and in particular for packages, packaged magazine stacks or the like.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a printing device for continuously moving objects and in particular for packages, packaged magazine stacks or the like, with the objects directly, fully automatically and without interrupting their transport
  • the solution to this problem is specified in the features of claim 1.
  • An advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can be integrated "seamlessly", for example, in a fully automatic printing, sorting, bundling and packaging line for magazines by the contactless printing of the objects in question during their forward movement.
  • a matrix print head the same print head can be used to apply a wide variety of information, such as different addressees, magazine titles, number of copies and the like, to the various magazine stacks without any noteworthy conversion work.
  • the printing device can adapt fully automatically to different stack heights (if the top of the stack is printed) or stack widths (if a side surface of the stack is printed) due to its scanning device and the adjustment drive controlled by it for the adjustment of the matrix print head.
  • the scanner also prevents the matrix print head from coming into contact with a stack and thus being damaged. This also prevents an interruption in the stack flow. This increases the reliability of the device.
  • continuous detection of the shape of the surface to be printed on each object and a coordinated tracking of the print head while this surface is running past the print head are possible. This means that clean imprints can also be applied to extremely uneven surfaces of objects, as is often the case with particularly high stacks of magazines.
  • the printing device 1 is assigned a transport table 2, which carries a conveyor belt 5 via two rotatably mounted deflection rollers 3, 4.
  • the deflection roller 3 has a rotary drive in the form of a motor 3 '.
  • the transport table 2 with conveyor belt 5 can also be part of an elongated transport path of a printing, cutting, sorting and bundling line for newspapers or magazines.
  • the conveyor belt 5 brings magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c of different heights, which are wrapped with packing paper for dispatch, to the printing device 1 in the transport direction 7.
  • the printing device 1 has a frame 8 with a foot 9 and an upstanding stand 10, which is continued in two horizontal, mutually parallel arms 11, 12.
  • an infrared (IR) distance sensor 14 is attached as a scanning device for the position of the top side 15 of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c to be printed.
  • the IR distance sensor 14 is arranged approximately centrally with respect to the width of the conveyor belt 5 vertically above it at a height which is greater than the desired maximum height of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c.
  • an ultrasound distance sensor can also be used. Both types of sensors are non-contact measuring devices that have high measuring accuracy and operational reliability.
  • the vertically arranged adjustment arm 17 is attached to the free end 16 of the second boom 12, which lies behind the first boom 11 in relation to the transport direction 7. This is mounted on the boom 12 so as to be displaceable in the vertical adjustment direction 18 by means of an adjustment drive in the form of a pneumatic piston-cylinder drive 24.
  • pneumatic piston-cylinder drives of the adjustment arm are commercially available and therefore sophisticated, reliable and problem-free drives.
  • the adjustment arm 17 carries a carrier 19 which runs horizontally and transversely to the transport direction 7 and on which three ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c are arranged with the ink jet direction pointing vertically downward.
  • Such print heads are commercially available and achieve a high-contrast and thus easily recognizable print image. In addition, they are characterized by particular reliability.
  • Each inkjet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c is assigned to one of the three print lines 21a, 21b, 21c on the top 15 of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c.
  • the adjustment arm 17 is continuously adjustable between an upper and lower end position.
  • the inkjet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c are located vertically above the conveyor belt 5, which, analogously to the arrangement of the IR distance sensor 14, is greater than the desired maximum height of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c.
  • the inkjet matrix print heads are located one to a few centimeters above the conveyor belt 5, so that even very low stacks of magazines or, for example, only one packaged individual copy of a magazine can be printed.
  • a central, microprocessor-controlled control unit 22 is also attached to the stand 10 of the printing device 1, by means of which the entire printing device 1 can be controlled. In particular, it is possible to centrally control the pressure of the print heads and the control of their adjustment drives by evaluating the measurement signals of the scanning device (IR distance sensor 14).
  • the microprocessor control also opens up the possibility of calling up texts, print images or the like stored in data memories by means of corresponding work commands and the various stacks of magazines to be printed on by the printing device individually - for example in accordance with the number of copies, the respective addressee or the respective magazine title - to print.
  • the control unit 22 is connected on the input side to the measurement signals of the IR distance sensor 14.
  • Outputs of the control unit 22 are connected to corresponding valves of the pneumatic adjustment drive of the adjustment arm 17 and to the corresponding inputs of the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c for their pressure control. Since the control of the commercial pneumatic drives or the pressure control of the commercially available inkjet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c is known, a more detailed description is unnecessary.
  • Texts to be printed on top 15 of magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c can be entered into control unit 22 via a corresponding keyboard (not shown). Such texts can also be stored on internal or external data memories and can be called up for printing out by means of appropriate control commands, which may be introduced via online connections to central control units of a production line for magazines.
  • the printing device 1 has the following functional sequence: As soon as a stack of magazines 6a, 6b, 6c enters the scanning area vertically below the IR distance sensor 14, the output signal of the IR distance sensor 14 changes from a value which corresponds to its distance from the conveyor belt 5 to a value which corresponds to its distance from the top 15 of the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c corresponds. An output signal which corresponds to a very high distance value is emitted when the very low magazine stack 6c is passed through, whereas an output signal which corresponds to a very low distance value is emitted in the very high magazine stack 6a.
  • the control unit 22 which in turn requires the adjustment arm 17 via the pneumatic adjustment drive within the period of time that the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c needs to move forward from the IR distance sensor 14 to the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c , to a height at which the print heads 20a, 20b, 20c are arranged approximately half to one centimeter above the top 15 of the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c.
  • the time is also sufficient defined, at which the leading edge 23 of the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c has passed the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c.
  • the non-contact printing action of the print heads 20a, 20b, 20c can begin, which in each case apply the assigned print line 21a, 21b, 21c by spraying ink onto the top of the magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c.
  • the corresponding conveyor belt speed can also be recorded via a tachometer generator 25, which is coupled to the motor 3 'and connected to the control unit 22 via a signal line 26.
  • the latter evaluates the speed of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c and can use them to precisely control the start time of the printing process after receiving a corresponding signal from the IR distance sensor 14.
  • top 15 of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c is continuously detected as they pass the IR distance sensor 14, a non-planar shape of the top 15 can also be registered and the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c during the delayed printing process of the actual ones Shape of the top 15 to be tracked.
  • the working spaces 28, 29 of the cylinder 30 of the piston-cylinder drive 24 arranged on both sides of the piston 27 are each connected to a multi-way control valve 33 via a pneumatic line 31, 32. This is in turn connected via a further pneumatic line 34 to a pressure source in the form of a pump 35 which supplies a constant supply pressure p max .
  • the multi-way control valve 33 is provided with an atmosphere connection 36, with which it can be connected to the atmosphere.
  • the multi-way control valve 33 is connected to the control unit 23, which controls the control valve 33, via an electrical control line 37 controls such that the pressure values in the two working spaces 28, 29 of the cylinder 30 are independently adjustable to values between the supply pressure p max of the pump 35 and atmospheric pressure p atm .
  • the acceleration and thus the adjustment speed with which the adjustment arm 17 is moved into its printing position can be adapted to the practical requirements via these different pressure values in the two working spaces 28, 29.
  • the lower working space 29 is acted upon by the supply pressure p max
  • the atmospheric pressure is set by means of the multi-way control valve 33.
  • the multi-way control valve 33 also has throttling properties in that pressure values can be set in the two working spaces 28, 29 which are between the supply pressure p max and the atmospheric pressure p atm .
  • an incremental position detection device 38 is provided on the adjustment arm 17, which on the one hand carries a marking bar in the form of a so-called glass scale 39 arranged on the adjustment arm 17.
  • the latter has markings 40 arranged equidistant from one another in the adjustment direction 18.
  • the position detection direction 38 has a marking sensor 41 which is arranged in a fixed position on the arm 11 and which incrementally detects the passage of each marking 40 and transmits it to the control unit 22 in the form of a corresponding electrical signal via the signal line 42.
  • the control unit 22 can process the transmitted signals in the manner customary with incremental position detection devices and determine the position of the adjusting arm 17 at any time.

Abstract

A printing device for continuously moving objects, in particular parcels, stacks of packed magazines or the like, has a transport path (conveyor belt 5), along which the objects (stacks of magazines 6a, 6b, 6c) can be transported at a defined feed speed. By means of an adjustable matrix print head, (ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c), printing can take place on the surface of the objects to be printed without contact when they pass by the print head. A scanning device (IR distance sensor 15) is mounted with spacing upstream of the print head relative to the direction of transport (7) of the objects. The scanning device scans the position of the surface of the objects to be printed in each case and positions the print head in accordance with the position of the surface of the objects to be printed by appropriate actuation of an adjusting drive of the print head. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Bedruckvorrichtung für fortlaufend vorwärts bewegte Gegenstände und insbesondere für Pakete, verpackte Zeitschriftenstapel oder dergleichen.The invention relates to a printing device for continuously moving objects and in particular for packages, packaged magazine stacks or the like.

Beim Lagern oder beim Versand von verpackten Zeitschriftenstapeln, die im folgenden der Einfachheit halber durchgehend als Beispiel für die in Rede stehenden Gegenstände benannt werden, besteht grundsätzlich das Problem, daß auf der Packhülle des Zeitschriftenstapels Informationen über den Inhalt, den Adressaten u. dgl. des Zeitschriftenstapels vorhanden sein müssen. Dazu werden beispielsweise entsprechend bedruckte Aufkleber verwendet. Auch ist es bekannt, in Klarsichtfolien eingeschweißten Zeitschriftenstapeln auf deren Oberseite ein Deckblatt mit den entsprechenden Informationen beizulegen, das durch die transparente Plastikhülle ablesbar ist. Nachteilig dabei ist, daß dies nur bei durchsichtigen Umhüllungen aus Kunststoff funktioniert. Darüber hinaus ist die automatische Handhabung des einzelnen Beiblattes bei einem maschinellen Stapeln und Verpacken von Zeitschriften problematisch, insbesondere im Hinblick darauf, daß verschiedene Zeitschriftenstapel unterschiedliche Höhen aufweisen können.When storing or shipping packaged magazine stacks, which for the sake of simplicity are consistently named below as an example of the objects in question, there is basically the problem that information about the content, the addressees and the like is on the wrapping of the magazine stack. Like. The stack of magazines must be available. Appropriately printed stickers are used for this purpose, for example. It is also known to enclose a cover sheet with the corresponding information on the top side of the magazine stacks which are welded in transparent films and which can be read through the transparent plastic cover. The disadvantage here is that this only works with transparent plastic envelopes. In addition, the automatic handling of the individual supplementary sheet in the case of machine stacking and packaging of magazines is problematic, in particular in view of the fact that different magazine stacks can have different heights.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Bedruckvorrichtung für fortlaufend vorwärts bewegte Gegenstände und insbesondere für Pakete, verpackte Zeitschriftenstapel oder dergleichen zu schaffen, mit der Gegenstände direkt, vollautomatisch und ohne Unterbrechung ihres Transport-
Die Lösung dieser Aufgabe ist in den Merkmalen des Patentanspruches 1 angegeben. Vorteilhaft bei der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist dabei, daß sie durch das berührungslose Bedrucken der in Rede stehenden Gegenstände während deren Vorwärtsbewegung gewissermaßen "nahtlos" beispielsweise in eine vollautomatische Druck-, Sortier-, Bündelungs- und Verpackungsstraße für Zeitschriften integriert werden kann. Durch die Verwendung eines Matrix-Druckkopfes können mit ein- und demselben Druckkopf verschiedenste Informationen, wie unterschiedliche Adressaten, Zeitschriftentitel, Exemplarzahlen und dergleichen auf die verschiedenen Zeitschriftenstapel ohne nennenswerte Umstellungsarbeiten aufgebracht werden. Weiterhin kann sich die Bedruckvorrichtung durch ihre Abtasteinrichtung und den von dieser gesteuerten Verstellantrieb für die Verstellung des Matrix-Druckkopfes an verschiedene Stapelhöhen (falls die Oberseite des Stapels bedruckt wird) oder Stapelbreiten (falls eine seitliche Fläche des Stapels bedruckt wird) vollautomatisch anpassen. Die Abtasteinrichtung verhindert zudem, daß der Matrix-Druckkopf in Berührung mit einem Stapel gelangt und somit beschädigt werden kann. Auch wird eine Unterbrechung des Stapelflusses dadurch vermieden. Dadurch wird die Zuverlässigkeit der Vorrichtung erhöht. Besonders erwähnenswert ist auch der Vorteil, daß bei einer entsprechenden Auslegung des Verstellantriebes und der Abtasteinrichtung eine kontinuierliche Erfassung der Form der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche eines jeden Gegenstandes und ein darauf abgestimmtes Nachführen des Druckkopfes während des Vorbeilaufens dieser Oberfläche am Druckkopf möglich sind. Damit können auch auf stark unebenen Oberflächen von Gegenständen, wie dies oft bei insbesondere hohen Zeitschriftenstapeln der Fall ist, saubere Aufdrucke aufgebracht werden.
The invention has for its object to provide a printing device for continuously moving objects and in particular for packages, packaged magazine stacks or the like, with the objects directly, fully automatically and without interrupting their transport
The solution to this problem is specified in the features of claim 1. An advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can be integrated "seamlessly", for example, in a fully automatic printing, sorting, bundling and packaging line for magazines by the contactless printing of the objects in question during their forward movement. By using a matrix print head, the same print head can be used to apply a wide variety of information, such as different addressees, magazine titles, number of copies and the like, to the various magazine stacks without any noteworthy conversion work. Furthermore, the printing device can adapt fully automatically to different stack heights (if the top of the stack is printed) or stack widths (if a side surface of the stack is printed) due to its scanning device and the adjustment drive controlled by it for the adjustment of the matrix print head. The scanner also prevents the matrix print head from coming into contact with a stack and thus being damaged. This also prevents an interruption in the stack flow. This increases the reliability of the device. It is also particularly worth mentioning the advantage that, with an appropriate design of the adjustment drive and the scanning device, continuous detection of the shape of the surface to be printed on each object and a coordinated tracking of the print head while this surface is running past the print head are possible. This means that clean imprints can also be applied to extremely uneven surfaces of objects, as is often the case with particularly high stacks of magazines.

Weitere Merkmale, Einzelheiten und Vorteile der Erfindung sind den Unteransprüchen und der folgenden Beschreibung entnehmbar, in der ein Ausführungsbeispiel des Erfindungsgegenstandes anhand der beiliegenden Zeichnungen näher erläutert wird. Es zeigen

Fig. 1
eine schematische Perspektivdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Druckvorrichtung und
Fig. 2
eine schematische Seitenansicht des Verstellantriebes für die Druckeinheit der Druckvorrichtung.
Further features, details and advantages of the invention can be found in the subclaims and the following description, in which an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it
Fig. 1
is a schematic perspective view of a printing device according to the invention and
Fig. 2
is a schematic side view of the adjustment drive for the printing unit of the printing device.

Der Bedruckvorrichtung 1 ist ein Transporttisch 2 zugeordnet, der über zwei drehbar gelagerte Umlenkrollen 3, 4 ein Förderband 5 trägt. Die Umlenkrolle 3 weist einen Drehantrieb in Form eines Motors 3' auf. Der Transporttisch 2 mit Förderband 5 kann auch Teil einer langgestreckten Transportbahn einer Druck-, Schneide-, Sortier- und Bündelungsstraße für Zeitungen oder Zeitschriften sein.The printing device 1 is assigned a transport table 2, which carries a conveyor belt 5 via two rotatably mounted deflection rollers 3, 4. The deflection roller 3 has a rotary drive in the form of a motor 3 '. The transport table 2 with conveyor belt 5 can also be part of an elongated transport path of a printing, cutting, sorting and bundling line for newspapers or magazines.

Durch das Förderband 5 werden unterschiedlich hohe Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c, die zum Versand mit Packpapier umhüllt sind, in Transportrichtung 7 an die Bedruckvorrichtung 1 herangeführt.The conveyor belt 5 brings magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c of different heights, which are wrapped with packing paper for dispatch, to the printing device 1 in the transport direction 7.

Die Bedruckvorrichtung 1 weist ein Gestell 8 mit einem Fuß 9 und einem nach oben ragenden Ständer 10 auf, der sich in zwei horizontale, zueinander parallele Ausleger 11, 12 fortsetzt. Am freien Ende 13 des in Transportrichtung 7 gesehen ersten Auslegers 11 ist ein Infrarot-(IR-)Abstandssensor 14 als Abtasteinrichtung für die Lage der zu bedruckenden Oberseite 15 der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c angebracht. Der IR-Abstandssensor 14 ist etwa mittig bezüglich der Breite des Förderbandes 5 vertikal über diesem in einer Höhe angeordnet, die größer ist als die gewünschte Maximalhöhe der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c. Statt eines IR-Abstandssensors 14 kann auch ein Ultraschall-Abstandssensor verwendet werden. Bei beiden Sensortypen handelt es sich um berührungslos messende Abtasteinrichtungen, die eine hohe Meßgenauigkeit und Betriebssicherheit aufweisen.The printing device 1 has a frame 8 with a foot 9 and an upstanding stand 10, which is continued in two horizontal, mutually parallel arms 11, 12. At the free end 13 of the first arm 11 seen in the transport direction 7, an infrared (IR) distance sensor 14 is attached as a scanning device for the position of the top side 15 of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c to be printed. The IR distance sensor 14 is arranged approximately centrally with respect to the width of the conveyor belt 5 vertically above it at a height which is greater than the desired maximum height of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c. Instead of an IR distance sensor 14, an ultrasound distance sensor can also be used. Both types of sensors are non-contact measuring devices that have high measuring accuracy and operational reliability.

Am freien Ende 16 des bezogen auf die Transportrichtung 7 hinter dem ersten Ausleger 11 liegenden zweiten Ausleger 12 ist der vertikal angeordnete Verstellarm 17 angebracht. Dieser ist mittels eines Verstellantriebes in Form eines pneumatischen Kolben-Zylinder-Antriebes 24 in vertikaler Verstellrichtung 18 verschiebbar am Ausleger 12 gelagert. Solche pneumatischen Kolben-Zylinder-Antriebe des Verstellarmes sind handelsübliche und damit ausgereifte, zuverlässig und unproblematisch ansteuerbare Antriebe. An seinem unteren Ende trägt der Verstellarm 17 einen horizontal und quer zur Transportrichtung 7 verlaufenden Träger 19, an dem in Transportrichtung 7 nebeneinander drei Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c mit vertikal nach unten weisender Tintenstrahlrichtung angeordnet sind. Derartige Druckköpfe sind handelsüblich und erzielen ein kontrastreiches und damit gut erkennbares Druckbild. Darüber hinaus zeichnen sie sich durch besondere Zuverlässigkeit aus. Jeder Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c ist jeweils einer der drei Druckzeilen 21a, 21b, 21c auf der Oberseite 15 der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c zugeordnet.The vertically arranged adjustment arm 17 is attached to the free end 16 of the second boom 12, which lies behind the first boom 11 in relation to the transport direction 7. This is mounted on the boom 12 so as to be displaceable in the vertical adjustment direction 18 by means of an adjustment drive in the form of a pneumatic piston-cylinder drive 24. Such pneumatic piston-cylinder drives of the adjustment arm are commercially available and therefore sophisticated, reliable and problem-free drives. At its lower end, the adjustment arm 17 carries a carrier 19 which runs horizontally and transversely to the transport direction 7 and on which three ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c are arranged with the ink jet direction pointing vertically downward. Such print heads are commercially available and achieve a high-contrast and thus easily recognizable print image. In addition, they are characterized by particular reliability. Each inkjet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c is assigned to one of the three print lines 21a, 21b, 21c on the top 15 of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c.

Mittels seines Verstellantriebes ist der Verstellarm 17 stufenlos zwischen einer oberen und unteren Endposition verstellbar. In der oberen Endposition des Verstellarmes 17 befinden sich die Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c in einer Höhe vertikal über dem Förderband 5, die analog der Anordnung des IR-Abstandssensors 14 größer ist als die gewünschte Maximalhöhe der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c. In seiner unteren Endposition befinden sich die Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe einen bis wenige Zentimeter oberhalb des Förderbandes 5, so daß auch sehr niedrige Zeitschriftenstapel oder auch beispielsweise nur ein verpacktes Einzelexemplar einer Zeitschrift bedruckt werden kann.By means of its adjustment drive, the adjustment arm 17 is continuously adjustable between an upper and lower end position. In the upper end position of the adjusting arm 17, the inkjet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c are located vertically above the conveyor belt 5, which, analogously to the arrangement of the IR distance sensor 14, is greater than the desired maximum height of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c. In its lower end position, the inkjet matrix print heads are located one to a few centimeters above the conveyor belt 5, so that even very low stacks of magazines or, for example, only one packaged individual copy of a magazine can be printed.

Am Ständer 10 der Bedruckvorrichtung 1 ist weiterhin eine zentrale, Mikroprozessor-gesteuerte Steuereinheit 22 angebracht, mittels der die gesamte Bedruckvorrichtung 1 steuerbar ist. Insbesondere ist es möglich, die Drucksteuerung der Druckköpfe und die Steuerung deren Verstellantriebes unter Auswertung der Meßsignale der Abtasteinrichtung (IR-Abstandssensor 14) zentral vorzunehmen. Durch die Mikroprozessor-Steuerung ist darüber hinaus die Möglichkeit eröffnet, in Datenspeichern gespeicherte Texte, Druckbilder oder dergleichen durch entsprechende Arbeitsbefehle abzurufen und die verschiedenen, von der Bedruckvorrichtung zu bedruckenden Zeitschriftenstapel individuell - etwa entsprechend der jeweiligen Exemplaranzahl, des jeweiligen Adressaten oder des jeweiligen Zeitschriftentitels - zu bedrucken. Die Steuereinheit 22 ist zur Aufnahme der Meßsignale des IR-Abstandssensors 14 eingangsseitig mit diesem verbunden. Ausgänge der Steuereinheit 22 sind mit entsprechenden Ventilen des pneumatischen Verstellantriebes des Verstellarmes 17 sowie mit den entsprechenden Eingängen der Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c zu deren Drucksteuerung verbunden. Da die Ansteuerung der handelsüblichen pneumatischen Antriebe bzw. die Drucksteuerung der handelsüblichen Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c bekannt ist, erübrigt sich eine genauere Beschreibung.A central, microprocessor-controlled control unit 22 is also attached to the stand 10 of the printing device 1, by means of which the entire printing device 1 can be controlled. In particular, it is possible to centrally control the pressure of the print heads and the control of their adjustment drives by evaluating the measurement signals of the scanning device (IR distance sensor 14). The microprocessor control also opens up the possibility of calling up texts, print images or the like stored in data memories by means of corresponding work commands and the various stacks of magazines to be printed on by the printing device individually - for example in accordance with the number of copies, the respective addressee or the respective magazine title - to print. The control unit 22 is connected on the input side to the measurement signals of the IR distance sensor 14. Outputs of the control unit 22 are connected to corresponding valves of the pneumatic adjustment drive of the adjustment arm 17 and to the corresponding inputs of the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c for their pressure control. Since the control of the commercial pneumatic drives or the pressure control of the commercially available inkjet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c is known, a more detailed description is unnecessary.

Über eine entsprechende (nicht dargestellte) Tastatur an der Steuereinheit 22 können in diese auf die Oberseite 15 der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c aufzudruckende Texte eingegeben werden. Solche Texte können auch auf internen oder externen Datenspeichern gespeichert sein und über entsprechende Steuerbefehle, die gegebenenfalls über On-line-Verbindungen mit zentralen Steuereinheiten einer Produktionsstraße für Zeitschriften herangeführt werden, zum Ausdruck abgerufen werden.Texts to be printed on top 15 of magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c can be entered into control unit 22 via a corresponding keyboard (not shown). Such texts can also be stored on internal or external data memories and can be called up for printing out by means of appropriate control commands, which may be introduced via online connections to central control units of a production line for magazines.

Die Bedruckvorrichtung 1 weist folgenden Funktionsablauf auf:
Sobald ein Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c in den Abtastbereich vertikal unter den IR-Abstandssensor 14 einläuft, ändert sich das Ausgangssignal des IR-Abstandssensors 14 von einem Wert, der dessen Abstand vom Förderband 5 entspricht, auf einen Wert, der dessen Abstand zur Oberseite 15 des entsprechenden Zeitschriftenstapels 6a, 6b, 6c entspricht. So wird beim Hindurchlaufen des sehr niedrigen Zeitschriftenstapels 6c ein Ausgangssignal abgegeben, das einem sehr hohen Abstandswert entspricht, wogegen bei dem sehr hohen Zeitschriftenstapel 6a ein Ausgangssignal abgegeben wird, das einem sehr niedrigen Abstandswert entspricht. Durch die sprungshafte Änderung des Meßsignales beim Einlaufen des entsprechenden Zeitschriftenstapels 6a, 6b, 6c in den Abtastbereich des IR-Abstandssensors 14 wird auch die Lage der Vorderkante 23 des Zeitschriftenstapels 6a, 6b, 6c angezeigt. Das entsprechende Meßsignal wird von der Steuereinheit 22 ausgewertet, die wiederum den Verstellarm 17 über den pneumatischen Verstellantrieb innerhalb des Zeitraums, den der entsprechende Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c zur Vorwärtsbewegung vom IR-Abstandssensor 14 zu den Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfen 20a, 20b, 20c benötigt, auf eine Höhe einstellt, bei der die Druckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c etwa einen halben bis einen Zentimeter über der Oberseite 15 des entsprechenden Zeitschriftenstapels 6a, 6b, 6c angeordnet sind. Da die Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c durch das Förderband 5 mit einer definierten Vorschubgeschwindigkeit transportiert werden, ist auch der Zeitpunkt hinreichend definiert, an dem die Vorderkante 23 des entsprechenden Zeitschriftenstapels 6a, 6b, 6c an den Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfen 20a, 20b, 20c vorbeigelaufen ist. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt kann die berührungslose Druckaktion der Druckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c beginnen, die jeweils die zugeordnete Druckzeile 21a, 21b, 21c durch Aufspritzen von Tinte auf die Oberseite des Zeitschriftenstapels 6a, 6b, 6c aufbringen.
The printing device 1 has the following functional sequence:
As soon as a stack of magazines 6a, 6b, 6c enters the scanning area vertically below the IR distance sensor 14, the output signal of the IR distance sensor 14 changes from a value which corresponds to its distance from the conveyor belt 5 to a value which corresponds to its distance from the top 15 of the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c corresponds. An output signal which corresponds to a very high distance value is emitted when the very low magazine stack 6c is passed through, whereas an output signal which corresponds to a very low distance value is emitted in the very high magazine stack 6a. Due to the sudden change in the measurement signal when the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c enters the scanning area of the IR distance sensor 14, the position of the front edge 23 of the magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c is also displayed. The corresponding measurement signal is evaluated by the control unit 22, which in turn requires the adjustment arm 17 via the pneumatic adjustment drive within the period of time that the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c needs to move forward from the IR distance sensor 14 to the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c , to a height at which the print heads 20a, 20b, 20c are arranged approximately half to one centimeter above the top 15 of the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c. Since the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c are transported by the conveyor belt 5 at a defined feed rate, the time is also sufficient defined, at which the leading edge 23 of the corresponding magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c has passed the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c. At this point in time, the non-contact printing action of the print heads 20a, 20b, 20c can begin, which in each case apply the assigned print line 21a, 21b, 21c by spraying ink onto the top of the magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c.

Im Zusammenhang mit der Vorschubgeschwindigkeit der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c ist darauf hinzuweisen, daß die entsprechende Förderbandgeschwindigkeit auch über einen Tachogenerator 25 zu erfassen ist, der an den Motor 3' gekoppelt und über eine Signalleitung 26 mit der Steuereinheit 22 verbunden ist. Letztere wertet die Geschwindigkeit der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c aus und kann daraus exakt den Startzeitpunkt des Druckvorganges nach Erhalt eines entsprechenden Signals von dem IR-Abstandssensor 14 steuern.In connection with the feed speed of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c, it should be pointed out that the corresponding conveyor belt speed can also be recorded via a tachometer generator 25, which is coupled to the motor 3 'and connected to the control unit 22 via a signal line 26. The latter evaluates the speed of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c and can use them to precisely control the start time of the printing process after receiving a corresponding signal from the IR distance sensor 14.

Da die Oberseite 15 der Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c während ihrem Vorbeilaufen am IR-Abstandssensor 14 kontinuierlich erfaßt wird, kann auch eine nicht ebene Form der Oberseite 15 registriert und die Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c während des zeitlich verzögerten Druckvorganges der tatsächlichen Form der Oberseite 15 nachgeführt werden.Since the top 15 of the magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c is continuously detected as they pass the IR distance sensor 14, a non-planar shape of the top 15 can also be registered and the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c during the delayed printing process of the actual ones Shape of the top 15 to be tracked.

Aus Fig. 2 wird die Ansteuerung des Kolben-Zylinder-Antriebes 24 sowie die Erfassung der Position des Verstellarmes 17 und damit der Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c gegenüber der Transportbahn (Förderband 5) deutlich.From Fig. 2, the control of the piston-cylinder drive 24 and the detection of the position of the adjusting arm 17 and thus the ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c relative to the transport path (conveyor belt 5) is clear.

Die beiderseits des Kolbens 27 angeordneten Arbeitsräume 28, 29 des Zylinders 30 des Kolben-Zylinder-Antriebes 24 sind jeweils über eine pneumatische Leitung 31, 32 mit einem Mehrwege-Regelventil 33 verbunden. Dieses ist wiederum über eine weitere pneumatische Leitung 34 mit einer Druckquelle in Form einer Pumpe 35 verbunden, die einen konstanten Versorgungsdruck pmax liefert. Daneben ist das Mehrwege-Regelventil 33 mit einem Atmosphärenanschluß 36 versehen, mit dem es mit der Atmosphäre verbindbar ist. Über eine elektrische Steuerleitung 37 ist das Mehrwege-Regelventil 33 mit der Steuereinheit 23 verbunden, die das Regelventil 33 derart steuert, daß die Druckwerte in den beiden Arbeitsräumen 28, 29 des Zylinders 30 unabhängig voneinander auf Werte zwischen dem Versorgungsdruck pmax der Pumpe 35 und Atmosphärendruck patm einstellbar sind. Über diese unterschiedlichen Druckwerte in den beiden Arbeitsräumen 28, 29 kann die Beschleunigung und damit Verstellgeschwindigkeit, mit dem der Verstellarm 17 in seine Druckposition gefahren wird, den praktischen Anforderungen angepaßt werden. Es wird bei einem großen notwendigen Verfahrweg des Verstellarmes 17 beispielweise in Richtung vertikal nach oben der untere Arbeitsraum 29 mit dem Versorgungsdruck pmax beaufschlagt, wogegen im oberen Arbeitsraum 28 mit Hilfe des Mehrwege-Regelventils 33 Atmosphärendruck eingestellt wird. Damit herrscht zwischen beiden Arbeitsräumen 28, 29 ein maximal möglicher Differenzdruck, so daß die Verstellung des Verstellarmes 17 mit maximaler Beschleunigung und damit Geschwindigkeit erfolgt. Um eine zielgenaue Positionierung des Verstellarmes 17 zu erreichen, kann über die Steuereinheit 22 gegen Ende des Verstellweges der (niedrige) Druck im oberen Arbeitsraum 28 erhöht und der (hohe) Druck im Arbeitsraum 29 erniedrigt werden, damit der Verstellarm 17 abgebremst in seine Sollposition einfährt. Insofern weist das Mehrwege-Regelventil 33 also auch Drosseleigenschaften auf, indem in den beiden Arbeitsräumen 28, 29 Druckwerte eingestellt werden können, die zwischen dem Versorgungsdruck pmax und dem Atmosphärendruck patm liegen.The working spaces 28, 29 of the cylinder 30 of the piston-cylinder drive 24 arranged on both sides of the piston 27 are each connected to a multi-way control valve 33 via a pneumatic line 31, 32. This is in turn connected via a further pneumatic line 34 to a pressure source in the form of a pump 35 which supplies a constant supply pressure p max . In addition, the multi-way control valve 33 is provided with an atmosphere connection 36, with which it can be connected to the atmosphere. The multi-way control valve 33 is connected to the control unit 23, which controls the control valve 33, via an electrical control line 37 controls such that the pressure values in the two working spaces 28, 29 of the cylinder 30 are independently adjustable to values between the supply pressure p max of the pump 35 and atmospheric pressure p atm . The acceleration and thus the adjustment speed with which the adjustment arm 17 is moved into its printing position can be adapted to the practical requirements via these different pressure values in the two working spaces 28, 29. With a large necessary travel of the adjusting arm 17, for example in the direction vertically upward, the lower working space 29 is acted upon by the supply pressure p max , whereas in the upper working space 28 the atmospheric pressure is set by means of the multi-way control valve 33. Thus there is a maximum possible differential pressure between the two working spaces 28, 29, so that the adjustment of the adjusting arm 17 takes place with maximum acceleration and thus speed. In order to achieve a precise positioning of the adjusting arm 17, the (low) pressure in the upper working space 28 can be increased and the (high) pressure in the working space 29 can be lowered via the control unit 22 towards the end of the adjustment path, so that the adjusting arm 17 retracts into its desired position when braked . In this respect, the multi-way control valve 33 also has throttling properties in that pressure values can be set in the two working spaces 28, 29 which are between the supply pressure p max and the atmospheric pressure p atm .

Um die Position der Druckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c gegenüber dem Förderband 5 und deren Verstellweg erfassen zu können, ist am Verstellarm 17 eine inkrementale Positionserfassungseinrichtung 38 vorgesehen, die einerseits eine Markierungsleiste in Form eines am Verstellarm 17 angeordneten sogenannten Glasmaßstabes 39 trägt. Letzterer weist in Verstellrichtung 18 äquidistant zueinander angeordnete Markierungen 40 auf. Andererseits weist die Positionserfassungsrichtung 38 einen orstfest am Ausleger 11 angeordneten Markierungssensor 41 auf, der das Vorbeilaufen einer jeden Markierung 40 inkremental erfaßt und in Form eines entsprechenden elektrischen Signales über die Signalleitung 42 der Steuereinheit 22 übermittelt. Insofern kann die Steuereinheit 22 in der bei inkrementalen Positionserfassungseinrichtungen üblichen Weise die übermittelten Signale verarbeiten und zu jedem Zeitpunkt die Position des Verstellarmes 17 bestimmen.In order to be able to detect the position of the print heads 20a, 20b, 20c relative to the conveyor belt 5 and their adjustment path, an incremental position detection device 38 is provided on the adjustment arm 17, which on the one hand carries a marking bar in the form of a so-called glass scale 39 arranged on the adjustment arm 17. The latter has markings 40 arranged equidistant from one another in the adjustment direction 18. On the other hand, the position detection direction 38 has a marking sensor 41 which is arranged in a fixed position on the arm 11 and which incrementally detects the passage of each marking 40 and transmits it to the control unit 22 in the form of a corresponding electrical signal via the signal line 42. In this respect, the control unit 22 can process the transmitted signals in the manner customary with incremental position detection devices and determine the position of the adjusting arm 17 at any time.

Claims (10)

Bedruckvorrichtung für fortlaufend vorwärtsbewegte Gegenstände, insbesondere für Pakete, verpackte Zeitschriftenstapel oder dergleichen mit - einer Transportvorrichtung, umfassend -- einen Antrieb (Drehantrieb 3') und -- eine von diesem angetriebene Transportbahn (Förderband 5), längs der die Gegenstände (Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c) mit definierter Geschwindigkeit fortlaufend transportierbar sind, - einer Druckeinheit, umfassend -- mindestens einen Matrix-Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c), der oberhalb der Transportbahn (Förderband 5) angeordnet ist, und der die zu bedruckende Fläche (Oberseite 15) der Gegenstände (Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c) bei deren Vorbeilaufen am Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) berührungslos bedruckt, und -- einen Verstellantrieb (Kolben-Zylinder-Antrieb 24) für den Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c), mittels dem die Stellung des Druckkopfes (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) an die Lage der jeweils zu bedruckenden Fläche (Oberseite 15) der Gegenstände (Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c) anpaßbar ist, sowie - einer Abtasteinrichtung, -- die dem Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) bezogen auf die Transportrichtung (7) der Gegenstände (Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c) mit Abstand vorgelagert ist, -- die die Lage der jeweils zu bedruckenden Fläche (Oberseite 15) der Gegenstände (Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c) abtastet und -- mittels der der Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) der Lage der zu bedruckenden Fläche (Oberseite 15) der Gegenstände (Zeitschriftenstapel 6a, 6b, 6c) durch entsprechende Ansteuerung des Verstellantriebs (Kolben-Zylinder-Antrieb 24) nachführbar ist Printing device for continuously moving objects, in particular for packages, packaged magazine stacks or the like - A transport device comprising - A drive (rotary drive 3 ') and a transport path (conveyor belt 5) driven by the latter, along which the objects (magazine stacks 6a, 6b, 6c) can be transported continuously at a defined speed, - A printing unit comprising - At least one matrix print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c), which is arranged above the transport path (conveyor belt 5), and which is to be printed on the surface (top 15) of the objects (magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c) printed past the print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) without contact, and - An adjustment drive (piston-cylinder drive 24) for the print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c), by means of which the position of the print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) to the position of the surface to be printed in each case (Top 15) of the objects (magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c) is adaptable, and - a scanner, - which is located in front of the print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) in relation to the transport direction (7) of the objects (magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c) at a distance, - which scans the position of the surface to be printed on (top side 15) of the objects (magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c) and - By means of which the print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) the position of the surface to be printed (top 15) of the objects (magazine stack 6a, 6b, 6c) can be tracked by appropriate actuation of the adjustment drive (piston-cylinder drive 24) is Bedruckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abtasteinrichtung und jeder Matrix-Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) vertikal über der Transportbahn (Förderband 5) angeordnet sind und daß jeder Matrix-Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) in vertikaler Richtung verstellbar ist.Printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the scanning device and each matrix print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) are arranged vertically above the transport path (conveyor belt 5) and that each matrix print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) is adjustable in the vertical direction. Bedruckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder Matrix-Druckkopf als Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf (20a, 20b, 20c) ausgebildet ist.Printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each matrix print head is designed as an ink jet matrix print head (20a, 20b, 20c). Bedruckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in Transportrichtung (7) nebeneinander eine der Anzahl von zu druckenden Zeilen entsprechende Anzahl von Matrix-Druckköpfen (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c) angeordnet ist.Printing device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a number of matrix print heads (ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c) corresponding to the number of lines to be printed is arranged next to one another in the transport direction (7). Bedruckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Verstellantrieb einen Verstellarm (17) aufweist, der von einem pneumatischen Kolben-Zylinder-Antrieb (24) beaufschlagt ist.Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustment drive has an adjustment arm (17) which is acted upon by a pneumatic piston-cylinder drive (24). Bedruckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abtasteinrichtung einen Infrarot-Abstandssensor (14) umfaßt.Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the scanning device comprises an infrared distance sensor (14). Bedruckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abtasteinrichtung einen Ultraschall-Abstandssensor umfaßt.Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the scanning device comprises an ultrasonic distance sensor. Bedruckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, gekennzeichnet durch eine zentrale, Mikroprozessor-gesteuerte Steuereinheit (22), die zur Aufnahme von Meßsignalen der Abtasteinrichtung (Infrarot-Abstandssensor 14) eingangsseitig mit dieser verbunden ist und die zur Steuerung des Verstellantriebes unter Auswertung der Meßsignale der Abtasteinrichtung (Infrarot-Abstandssensor 14) bzw. zur Drucksteuerung der Druckköpfe (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c) ausgangsseitig mit dem Verstellantrieb (Kolben-Zylinder-Antrieb 24) für den Verstellarm (17) bzw. jedem Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) verbunden ist.Printing device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized by a central, microprocessor-controlled control unit (22) which is connected on the input side to receive measurement signals of the scanning device (infrared distance sensor 14) and which controls the adjustment drive by evaluating the measurement signals the scanning device (infrared distance sensor 14) or for pressure control of the print heads (ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c) on the output side with the adjustment drive (piston-cylinder drive 24) for the adjustment arm (17) or each print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) is connected. Bedruckvorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiderseits eines Kolbens (27) angeordneten Arbeitsräume (28, 29) des Kolben-Zylinder-Antriebes (24) des Druckkopfes (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckkopf 20a, 20b, 20c) jeweils mit einem von der Steuereinheit (22) steuerbaren Mehrwege-Regelventil (33) verbunden sind, das weiterhin mit einer Druckquelle (Pumpe 35) und mit der Atmosphäre verbunden ist und mittels dem die Druckwerte in beiden Arbeitsräumen (28, 29) des Kolben-Zylinder-Antriebes (24) unabhängig voneinander auf Werte zwischen dem Versorgungsdruck (pmax) der Druckquelle (Pumpe 35) und Atmosphärendruck (patm) einstellbar sind.Printing device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the working spaces (28, 29) of the piston-cylinder drive (24) of the print head (ink jet matrix print head 20a, 20b, 20c) arranged on both sides of a piston (27) each have one of the control units (22) controllable multi-way control valve (33) are connected, which is further connected to a pressure source (pump 35) and to the atmosphere and by means of which the pressure values in both working spaces (28, 29) of the piston-cylinder drive (24) are independently adjustable to values between the supply pressure (p max ) of the pressure source (pump 35) and atmospheric pressure (p atm ). Bedruckvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, gekennzeichnet durch eine inkrementale Positionserfassungseinrichtung (38) zur Erfassung der Position des Druckkopfes (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b, 20c) gegenüber der Transportbahn (Förderband 5), bestehend aus einer Markierungsleiste (Glasmaßstab 39) an einem den Druckkopf (Tintenstrahl-Matrixdruckköpfe 20a, 20b 20c) tragenden Verstellarm (17) und einem ortsfesten Markierungssensor (41).Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by an incremental position detection device (38) for detecting the position of the print head (ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b, 20c) relative to the transport path (conveyor belt 5), consisting of a marking bar (glass scale 39) an adjusting arm (17) carrying the print head (ink jet matrix print heads 20a, 20b 20c) and a fixed marking sensor (41).
EP92116083A 1991-09-25 1992-09-21 Printing device for continuously moving objects, in particular parcels, stacks of wrapped magazines or the like Expired - Lifetime EP0534337B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4131911A DE4131911A1 (en) 1991-09-25 1991-09-25 PRINTING DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUSLY FORWARD-MOVING OBJECTS, ESPECIALLY FOR PACKAGES, PACKED MAGAZINE PACKS OR THE LIKE
DE4131911 1991-09-25

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EP0534337A2 true EP0534337A2 (en) 1993-03-31
EP0534337A3 EP0534337A3 (en) 1994-01-05
EP0534337B1 EP0534337B1 (en) 1999-06-23

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EP0666180A2 (en) * 1994-02-08 1995-08-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
EP0764543A1 (en) * 1995-09-21 1997-03-26 Nec Corporation Printer apparatus for printing on both surfaces of paper or the like
EP0787586A1 (en) * 1994-10-20 1997-08-06 Omron Corporation Printing device and postage franking machine
WO1997042086A1 (en) * 1996-05-03 1997-11-13 Willett International Limited Robot mounted printhead
US5819663A (en) * 1995-09-06 1998-10-13 Quad/Tech, Inc. Gripper conveyor with preliminary ink jet
EP1604828A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-14 B.V. Korthofah Printing head assembly comprising a movable closure member
NL2010748C2 (en) * 2013-05-02 2014-11-04 Nico Petrus Cornelis Dernison SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION.
CN105269989A (en) * 2014-07-10 2016-01-27 精工爱普生株式会社 Printer
WO2018108391A1 (en) 2016-12-12 2018-06-21 Sicpa Holding Sa Marking assembly and method
CN111619857A (en) * 2020-06-13 2020-09-04 江永网农电子商务有限公司 Candy packaging machine
CN115534538A (en) * 2022-10-10 2022-12-30 汝州市亚旭包装装潢有限公司 Controllable code spraying device for carton facial tissue production

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DE4424528A1 (en) * 1994-07-12 1996-01-18 Brain Power Consulting Ag Colour printing onto outer surface of three=dimensional rotation body
DE29616019U1 (en) * 1996-09-16 1996-12-05 Pkv Planung Konstruktion Verka Tray packaging system for folding boxes
DE19813859B4 (en) * 1998-03-27 2004-02-26 "Wolke" Inks & Printers Gmbh Device for printing packaging
CN103419977A (en) * 2012-05-19 2013-12-04 成都中牧生物药业有限公司 Medicine bottle box code printing device with adjusting support
CN104691865A (en) * 2013-12-04 2015-06-10 铜陵市永生机电制造有限责任公司 Production line for automatically marking flow card number on capacitor
CN107498984A (en) * 2017-09-15 2017-12-22 湖州博润实业有限公司 A kind of compact simplified flat plate printing device used for textiles
DE102017128209A1 (en) * 2017-11-29 2019-05-29 Multivac Marking & Inspection Gmbh & Co. Kg PRESSURE DEVICE WITH A PROCESSING UNIT FOR SPINNING PIGMENTED THERMAL INKJET INKS

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Cited By (20)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0666180A3 (en) * 1994-02-08 1997-12-17 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US6068374A (en) * 1994-02-08 2000-05-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
EP0666180A2 (en) * 1994-02-08 1995-08-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
EP0787586A4 (en) * 1994-10-20 1998-04-01 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Printing device and postage franking machine
EP0787586A1 (en) * 1994-10-20 1997-08-06 Omron Corporation Printing device and postage franking machine
US5819663A (en) * 1995-09-06 1998-10-13 Quad/Tech, Inc. Gripper conveyor with preliminary ink jet
US6019047A (en) * 1995-09-06 2000-02-01 Quad/Tech, Inc. Gripper conveyor with preliminary ink jet
US5746526A (en) * 1995-09-21 1998-05-05 Nec Corporation Printer apparatus for printing on both surfaces of paper or the like
EP0764543A1 (en) * 1995-09-21 1997-03-26 Nec Corporation Printer apparatus for printing on both surfaces of paper or the like
WO1997042086A1 (en) * 1996-05-03 1997-11-13 Willett International Limited Robot mounted printhead
US5931098A (en) * 1996-05-03 1999-08-03 Willett International Limited Robot mounted printhead
WO2005120836A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-22 B.V. Korthofah Printing head assembly and system comprising such a printing head assembly
EP1604828A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-14 B.V. Korthofah Printing head assembly comprising a movable closure member
NL2010748C2 (en) * 2013-05-02 2014-11-04 Nico Petrus Cornelis Dernison SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION.
CN105269989A (en) * 2014-07-10 2016-01-27 精工爱普生株式会社 Printer
WO2018108391A1 (en) 2016-12-12 2018-06-21 Sicpa Holding Sa Marking assembly and method
US10737487B2 (en) 2016-12-12 2020-08-11 Sicpa Holdings Sa Marking assembly and method
CN111619857A (en) * 2020-06-13 2020-09-04 江永网农电子商务有限公司 Candy packaging machine
CN115534538A (en) * 2022-10-10 2022-12-30 汝州市亚旭包装装潢有限公司 Controllable code spraying device for carton facial tissue production
CN115534538B (en) * 2022-10-10 2023-10-17 汝州市亚旭包装装潢有限公司 Controllable code spraying device for carton facial tissue production

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE4131911A1 (en) 1993-04-08
EP0534337B1 (en) 1999-06-23
DE59209715D1 (en) 1999-07-29
EP0534337A3 (en) 1994-01-05

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