Abstract: A method comprising printing multicolored images on containers includes providing overall-image data, extracting partial-image data from the overall-image data, print-head-specific calibration-data for the print heads, using the partial-image data and the first print-head-specific calibration-data for calculating print-head image-data for each print head, and causing the print heads to print corresponding partial images on containers, each partial image corresponding to one of the colors in the multicolored images.

Abstract: A method for printing on at least partially transparent containers, wherein, in a first printing step, a first printing image is printed onto the container by the application of at least one printing ink, and wherein, in a second printing step, a second printing image is printed onto the container by the application of at least one printing ink, wherein the printing images are printed at least partially covering one another, and specifically in such a way that ink layers are applied in a temporal offset sequence onto the container, wherein a first ink layer is allocated to the first printing image and a second ink layer is allocated to the second printing image, and that between the first and second printing image a reflection layer is at least partially provided, by means of which the printing images are at least partially optically separated from one another.

Abstract: A printing method includes providing metadata, image information, and coding data. The method also includes, based at least in part on the metadata, selecting a local region at which the coding data is to be arranged in the image when the image is printed, generating coded printed-image information, and directly printing a printed image on the container based on the coded printed-image information. Generating the coded printed-image information includes modifying the printed-image information based on the coding data. A location of the printed-image information is selectively modified based at least in part on the selected local region. Metadata includes information representative of the container's geometry. The printed-image information includes data representing a printed image to be applied to the container. The coding data includes information to be applied to the container in steganographically-coded form.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating packages by applying furnishing features to the packages includes pressure segments, each of which is configured as a fully functional assembly unit having at least one ink-jet print head. The furnishing features are polychrome printed images.

Abstract: A method for treating containers in which, at a treatment station, the containers are provided on container outer surfaces thereof with a print that including a colorant. The colorant can be dye or ink. The method includes, at a treatment station, processing the colorant by irradiating the containers with non-thermal energy radiation. Processing the colorant includes drying or curing it. The method also includes decontaminating a region of the containers with the same radiation, either by disinfecting or sterilizing it. The region includes either or both a container opening and a container inner surface.

Abstract: A measuring device includes a receiving device that detects measurement information indicative of a position and/or orientation of a position-modifiable component of a printing station having a print head whose position and/or orientation is adjustable by a motor and that transfers measurement information via a link. A receiving holder then introduces this receiving device into a structure that holds it at a defined position relative to the position-modifiable component. Suitable structures in which the receiving device can be introduced include a container-holding device and a receiving element for a container-holding device.

Abstract: A method comprising printing multicolored images on containers includes providing overall-image data, extracting partial-image data from the overall-image data, print-head-specific calibration-data for the print heads, using the partial-image data and the first print-head-specific calibration-data for calculating print-head image-data for each print head, and causing the print heads to print corresponding partial images on containers, each partial image corresponding to one of the colors in the multicolored images.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a measurement device to detect measurement information relating to a position-modifiable component of a printing station during movement thereof. A calculation unit receives the measurement information from the measurement device. The calculation unit determines actual-position data of the position-modifiable component from the measurement data received and compares it with predetermined reference-position data to determine calibration information based on the actual-position data and the reference-position data. An interface permits then permits transfer of this calibration information.

Abstract: A detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers includes an image-capturing device that optically detects a container feature and a sensor interface that interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on a retaining-and-centering unit that holds a container to determine a rotational position of that container. A computer connects to the image-capturing device and the sensor unit. The computer determines an alignment variable based on the code and the detected container feature and then forwards this alignment variable to a printer segment on a printer module.

Abstract: A printing method includes providing metadata, image information, and coding data. The method also includes, based at least in part on the metadata, selecting a local region at which the coding data is to be arranged in the image when the image is printed, generating coded printed-image information, and directly printing a printed image on the container based on the coded printed-image information. Generating the coded printed-image information includes modifying the printed-image information based on the coding data. A location of the printed-image information is selectively modified based at least in part on the selected local region. Metadata includes information representative of the container's geometry. The printed-image information includes data representing a printed image to be applied to the container. The coding data includes information to be applied to the container in steganographically-coded form.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a measurement device to detect measurement information relating to a position-modifiable component of a printing station during movement thereof. A calculation unit receives the measurement information from the measurement device. The calculation unit determines actual-position data of the position-modifiable component from the measurement data received and compares it with predetermined reference-position data to determine calibration information based on the actual-position data and the reference-position data. An interface permits then permits transfer of this calibration information.

Abstract: A detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers includes an image-capturing device that optically detects a container feature and a sensor interface that interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on a retaining-and-centering unit that holds a container to determine a rotational position of that container. A computer connects to the image-capturing device and the sensor unit. The computer determines an alignment variable based on the code and the detected container feature and then forwards this alignment variable to a printer segment on a printer module.

Abstract: A method for printing on at least partially transparent containers, wherein, in a first printing step, a first printing image is printed onto the container by the application of at least one printing ink, and wherein, in a second printing step, a second printing image is printed onto the container by the application of at least one printing ink, wherein the printing images are printed at least partially covering one another, and specifically in such a way that ink layers are applied in a temporal offset sequence onto the container, wherein a first ink layer is allocated to the first printing image and a second ink layer is allocated to the second printing image, and that between the first and second printing image a reflection layer is at least partially provided, by means of which the printing images are at least partially optically separated from one another.

Abstract: A container-handling station includes a drying-and-curing device that dries a printed region on a container. A sensor is configured detects heat energy from this reaction during a sensing interval that is between 50 milliseconds and 1 millisecond per angular degree of the container surface.

Abstract: A container-handling station includes a drying-and-curing device that dries a printed region on a container. A sensor is configured detects heat energy from this reaction during a sensing interval that is between 50 milliseconds and 1 millisecond per angular degree of the container surface.

Abstract: A method for producing plastic containers by a production process, which is either drape forming and blow molding, using a preform in a drape forming or blow molding machine, and for subsequent treatment of the plastic containers in a treatment station of a container treatment line includes, prior to completion of the production process, determining first positional data associated with the container at a location, wherein the first positional data is selected from the group consisting of angular position of a container and angular position of a design feature on the container, and wherein the location is selected from the group consisting of the production machine, a conveying line that precedes the production machine, and a treatment line that precedes the production machine, and passing the first positional data to the treatment station for control thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in connection with application of decoration to a container by printing thereon includes a container transport system comprising a processing position configured to receive a container, a coating installation disposed at the processing position, and a transfer element. The transfer element applies a base coat to the container by rolling on or off the container.

Abstract: A method for digitally printing on containers by producing a printed multi-colored image on a print layer disposed on a middle layer, the middle layer being one of an intermediate layer and a base layer. The method includes applying the middle layer on an outer surface of a substrate formed by a container wall. An adhesion characteristic between the middle layer and the print layer differs from an adhesion characteristic between the middle layer and the substrate, wherein the adhesion characteristic is selected from the group consisting of adhesion strength and adhesion rate, and wherein the different adhesion characteristics are set by at least one of choice of materials used for the layers and crosslinking of the intermediate layer and the print layer.

Abstract: A method of printing includes using a printing head that comprises straight parallel rows of printing nozzles to print a printed image on a surface of a conically rotationally symmetrical region of an outer wall of an object by controlling parallel rows of printing nozzles taking into account pixel density to be achieved in the printed image, setting a printing density of a printing nozzle with regard to at least one reference parameter, and setting a variable offset between a pair of the rows based on a change in relative speed between the printing head and the conically rotationally symmetrical region of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing bottles or similar containers, having several printing positions on a transport element, which can be driven in rotation, by which the printing positions and/or the containers are moved on a closed path of movement between at least one container take-up and at least one container drop, having rotating print heads for applying at least one print image, preferably multi-color, onto a region to be printed on the external container surface of the containers, in the event of relative movement of the external container surface and at least one print head, wherein at least one enclosure is present, into which each of the containers, which are provided at a print position, is housed during the printing process with at least the region to be printed thereof.