Abstract: The present disclosure describes a printing machine for direct printing on containers, comprising: a continuously rotatable carousel for conveying the containers, a plurality of printing units, and stationary docking stations for docking the printing units to the periphery of the carousel. Due to the fact that the printing machine comprises rail guides stationarily associated with the docking stations and used for separately moving the printing units from a docked-on operating position outwards to a maintenance position spaced apart from the carousel, and back again, the printing units can easily be made accessible from several sides for maintenance and they can be locked quickly and reproducibly at their operating position.

Abstract: Apparatus for emptying containers and in particular plastic containers with a first holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a first section of the container, with a second holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a second section of the container, wherein the first holding device and the second holding device are movable with respect to one another in order to compress the container located between these holding devices, and with a removal device in order to remove liquid from the container via a mouth thereof. According to the invention the apparatus has a perforation device which perforates at least a wall region of the container.

Abstract: A closure, in particular a closure for plastic containers having a receiving region to receive a mouth section of the container, and having a piercing area which is suitable and intended to be pierced and penetrated by a piercing device in a predetermined piercing direction. The closure is of multi-part construction and has a main body which can be fastened to a mouth of the container as well as a closure body which is disposed on this main body and forms the piercing area, wherein the main body and the closure body differ at least with regard to their flexibility in a piercing direction.