DEVICE FOR SORTING OUT CONTAINERS WHICH WERE APPLIED AN INCORRECT PRINT BY A DIRECT PRINTING MACHINE

Abstract

The invention provides a device for sorting out containers which were applied an incorrect print by a direct printing machine. The device comprises a transport device for transporting pucks, which are adapted to transport containers, along a transport path away from the direct printing machine, where the transport path comprises at least a primary transport path and a secondary transport path, an inspection device for inspecting the print on the containers, a decoupling device, in particular comprising a pusher system or a slider system, for decoupling pucks from the primary transport path to the secondary transport path, and a control device adapted to control the decoupling device such that pucks with containers, for which the inspection device has detected an incorrect print, are decoupled to the secondary transport path.

Claims

1. Device for sorting out containers which were applied an incorrect print by a direct printing machine, comprising a transport device for transporting pucks, which are adapted to transport containers, along a transport path away from the direct printing machine, where the transport path comprises at least a primary transport path and a secondary transport path, an inspection device for inspecting the print on the containers, a decoupling device for decoupling pucks from the primary transport path to the secondary transport path, and a control device adapted to control the decoupling device such that pucks with containers for which the inspection device has detected an incorrect print are decoupled to the secondary transport path.

2. Device according to claim 1, where the decoupling device is arranged in a decoupling section, where a guide and/or at least one puck lock are further arranged in the decoupling section.

3. Device according to claim 2, where the secondary transport path and or the primary transport path are adapted to transport pucks to a removal section.

4. Device according to claim 3, where the primary transport path is adapted to transport pucks to the removal section and where the device comprises a first deflection device, which is configured such that whether pucks are transported from the primary transport path or from the secondary transport path into the removal section is adjustable by means of the first deflection device.

5. Device according to claim 4, where the control device is adapted to control the first deflection device such that only pucks from the primary transport path or only pucks from the secondary transport path enter the removal section in a predetermined period of time.

6. Device according to claim 1, where the secondary transport path is adapted to transport the pucks to a merging device, where the merging device is adapted to merge pucks into the primary transport path in the direction of transport upstream of the inlet of the direct printing machine.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the device comprises a second deflection device which is adapted such that it is adjustable whether pucks are transported from the removal section to the merging device or to another system region.

8. Device according to one of the claim 4, where the first and/or the second deflection device can each comprise at least a switch and/or at least a guide and/or at least a puck lock.

9. Device according to claim 1, where the decoupling device comprises a pusher system, where the pusher system is adapted to push the pucks from a conveyor belt of the primary transport path onto a conveyor belt of the secondary transport path.

10. Method for sorting out containers which were applied an incorrect print by a direct printing machine, comprising transporting pucks, which are adapted to transport containers and in which containers which were applied a print are standing, along a transport path away from the direct printing machine, where the transport path comprises at least a primary transport path and a secondary transport path, inspecting the print on the containers, and decoupling pucks with containers, for which it was detected that they were applied an incorrect print, from the primary transport path to the secondary transport path.

11. Method according to claim 10, comprising providing a supply of pucks from the secondary transport path and optionally from the primary transport path to a removal section and removing containers from the pucks manually and/or by machine in the removal section.

12. Method according to claim 11, where only pucks from the primary transport path or from the secondary transport path are supplied to the removal section in a predetermined period of time.

13. Method according to claim 12, where with containers which were applied a correct print are supplied to the removal section and pucks with containers which were applied an incorrect print are stored in the secondary transport path until there is no more room for pucks in the secondary transport path, and subsequently the stored pucks, but no pucks from the primary transport path, are transported to the removal section.

14. Method according to claim 13, where empty pucks from the removal section are merged in a merging section into the primary transport path in the direction of transport upstream of the direct printing machine.

15. (canceled)

Description

[0045] Further features and advantages shall be explained below using the exemplary figures, where:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic not-to-scale top view onto a first device for sorting out containers which were applied an incorrect print in a direct printing machine and

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a schematic not-to-scale top view onto a second device for sorting out containers which were applied an incorrect print in a direct printing machine.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a first device 1 for sorting out containers 3 which were applied an incorrect print by a direct printing machine 2. The containers are transported in pucks 4 along a transport path that comprises a primary transport path 5 and a secondary transport path 6. In this example, the primary transport path has a first portion 5a and a second portion 5b. Pucks with containers which are to be applied a printed are transported during operation along the first portion to the direct printing machine and pucks are transported during operation along the second portion away from the direct printing machine. The direction of transport is indicated with arrow 7. The pucks are presently conveyed by way of example using conveying elements in the form of conveyor belts. Alternatively or in addition, other types of conveying elements can also be provided.

[0049] FIG. 1 also shows a section 8 which represents the removal section in which containers can be removed from the pucks. In the figure presently shown, the removal section comprises portion of the secondary transport path. Alternatively, the removal section can also respectively comprise a portion of the primary transport path and the secondary transport path on which pucks with containers which in this case were applied an incorrect print can be stored. In this case, a robot, for example, a portal robot or an articulated arm robot, can remove the containers without faults from the pucks in the portion of the primary transport path in the removal section while pucks with containers which were applied an incorrect print are collected in the secondary transport path. If there is time, this robot can also remove containers from pucks in the portion of the secondary transport path in the removal section and transport them, for example, to a disposal region.

[0050] Furthermore, a section 9 on the outlet side and a section 10 on the inlet side are shown. Section 9 is referred to as the decoupling section, since pucks can be there be decoupled from the primary transport path (from the second portion 5b) to the secondary transport path. Section 10 is also referred to in the following as the merging section, since pucks can there be merged in from the secondary transport path into the primary transport path (into first portion 5a). However, this section is optional. The pucks can also be transported to other sections of the system or simply remain in the removal section.

[0051] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows an inspection device 11 for inspecting the print on the containers. For example, the inspection device can comprise at least one camera system, in particular two camera systems, which allows inspecting the front side and the rear side without rotating the container. The inspection device can also comprise a turntable and/or a positioning element to orient the container appropriately for the inspection and, where appropriate, to re-adjust it. However, the inspection device can also be formed in any other way as long as a container which was applied an incorrect print can be identified therewith.

[0052] FIG. 1 additionally shows schematically a decoupling device 12 for decoupling pucks from the primary transport path to the secondary transport path in the decoupling section. In this example, it comprises a pusher system. The pusher system is adapted such that it gives pucks in the decoupling section an impetus or a push, which pushes the pucks onto the conveyor belt of the secondary transport path. This can be done with a pusher (push element). As an alternative to a pusher system, a slider system with a sliding element can also be provided. Optionally, a delimitation 13 can be provided, for example, a guide or a railing that prevents the puck from dropping down from the conveyor belt into the secondary transport path. Other and/or additional guides that direct and support the puck flow are also possible.

[0053] However, it should be noted that, although a variant has presently been described in which two conveyor belts are provided in the decoupling region, there can indeed be more conveyor belts provided there, in particular three or four, where the additional conveyor belt/s is/are arranged between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt. This has the advantage that the additional conveyor belts can possibly bridge a speed difference between the first and the second conveyor belt.

[0054] In addition, FIG. 1 schematically shows a control device 14 adapted to control the decoupling device in such a way that pucks with containers, for which the inspection device has detected an incorrect print, are decoupled into the secondary transport path. The control device can in particular be adapted to control when the pusher is triggered to decouple a puck.

[0055] For this purpose, the control device can have a data connection to the inspection device and the decoupling device, so that the decoupling device can be actuated based on data from the inspection device. For example, the control device can be adapted to receive signals from the inspection device signaling that a puck with a container which was applied an incorrect print has been detected. The decoupling device can then be actuated based on the signals, in particular the pusher is triggered to decouple the puck. It is also conceivable that the control device receives non-processed or only partially processed data from the inspection device and by itself determines based thereupon that a container was applied an incorrect print. Alternatively, this can also be carried out by a separate computing device, which is connected to the inspection device and the control device via a data connection.

[0056] In the merging region (presently not shown in detail), switches and/or rails and/or stoppers can be provided which can be adjusted in particular by way of the control device such that either pucks which are transported from other system parts along the primary transport path are passed through or pucks from the secondary transport path are merged in. In particular, the flow of pucks from other system parts can be interrupted by way of the respectively controlled switches or rails or stoppers during the merging process.

[0057] Also shown in the figure by way of example are an infeed starwheel 15, an outlet starwheel star 16 and an intermediate starwheel 17. The intermediate star wheel is preferably formed in the form of a lifting starwheel which grips the containers, lifts them from the pucks, passes them to the infeed starwheel and then receives containers from the outlet starwheel and inserts them back into a puck. The infeed starwheel and the direct printing machine are arranged and adapted such that the infeed starwheel transfers containers to the direct printing machine in which the containers are transported and applied a print, for example, printed. The outlet starwheel is adapted and arranged such that it receives containers from the direct printing machine after they have passed through the direct printing machine and passes them to the lifting starwheel which then inserts the containers into the pucks. However, this setup of the direct printing machine as well as of its inlet and outlet is purely by way of example. The invention can also be used similarly for direct printing machines that are configured differently.

[0058] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows by way of example a puck with a container in an oblique view. The puck by way of example comprises grooves. If such grooves are provided, the puck can be guided at least temporarily by rails that engage in the grooves. However, this is not mandatory.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device for sorting out containers which were applied an incorrect print by a direct printing machine The same or similar elements are labeled with the same reference signs as in FIG. 1 and are not described again.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the primary transport path, the secondary transport path, as well as removal section 8 are arranged and adapted such that pucks from the primary transport path and from the secondary transport path can basically be transported into this joint removal section.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a joining section 18 in which the primary transport path and the secondary transport path are joined to the removal section.

[0062] The joining section comprises a first deflection device which is adapted such that it is adjustable whether pucks are transported from the primary transport path or from the secondary transport path to the removal section. The first deflection device can comprise one or more elements, for example, a switch and/or at least one guide and/or at least one puck lock, for example, in the form of a stopper or locking star, which, however, are presently not shown detail.

[0063] On the other side of the removal section, a second deflection device can optionally be provided in a region 19 which is adapted such that it is adjustable whether pucks are transported from the removal section to the merging device or to another system region. However, such a division and the respective deflection device can also be dispensed with.

[0064] The elements of the first and the second deflection device can also each be controlled by the control device. In particular, the elements of the first deflection device, i.e. in the joining section, can be actuated in such a way that only pucks from the primary transport path or from the secondary transport path are transported to the removal section in a predetermined period of time.

[0065] A method for sorting out containers which were applied an incorrect print by a direct printing machine shall now be described below which can be carried out, for example, with the devices described above or with comparable devices.

[0066] Prior to the method for sorting out the containers, containers are transported along the direction of transport standing upright in pucks in the direction toward the direct printing machine. At the inlet of the direct printing machine, the containers are removed from the pucks and transferred to the direct printing machine. The containers are applied a print in the direct printing machine. After having passed through the direct printing machine, the containers are reinserted into pucks.

[0067] The method for sorting out comprises that the pucks with the containers having the print applied are transported along the primary transport path away from the direct printing machine and the print on the containers is inspected, for example, by way of one of the inspection devices described above.

[0068] When containers with an incorrect print are detected, then the pucks with these containers are decoupled from the primary transport path to a secondary transport path.

[0069] The pucks of the secondary transport path are transported to a removal section and there the faulty containers are removed by machine or manually. They can then be collected separately from the containers without faults.

[0070] The pucks thus emptied can then optionally be supplied back to the primary transport path by merging them back into the primary transport path at a suitable location and at an appropriate point in time.

[0071] If the removal section is a joint removal section to which pucks from the secondary transport path and from the primary transport path are supplied, then the pucks with the containers which were applied a correct print can be transported into the removal section and the containers can be removed and possibly packaged or further processed. The pucks with the containers which were applied an incorrect print can be collected during this time in the secondary transport path, which can also comprise a collection region, for example, until there is no more space there or until the batch is finished. The transportation of pucks with containers which were applied a correct print from the primary transport path to the removal section can then be interrupted and the pucks with the containers which were applied an incorrect print can be transported to the removal section. Once all containers which were applied an incorrect print have been removed, the empty pucks can be transported away, and pucks from the primary transport path can again enter the removal section.

[0072] Decoupling the pucks can be carried out with a pusher system, for example, the pusher system described above, where a puck is pushed with the pusher system from a conveyor belt of the primary transport path onto a conveyor belt of the secondary transport path, or be carried out with a slider system.

[0073] If a merging section is provided, then empty pucks can optionally be merged in, for example at the end of a batch of containers upstream of the direct printing machine from the secondary transport path into the primary transport path in such a way that the last containers of the batch are inserted into the pucks merged in from the secondary transport path after having passed through the direct printing machine.

[0074] It is understood that the features mentioned in the embodiments described above are not restricted to these specific combinations and are also possible in any other combination.