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: An apparatus for printing on containers includes a transport arm and a lift that cooperate to form a first container-transport device that moves a container at a container-loading position into a printing position. The transport arm is arranged on the lift and pivotable about a pivot axis thereof. The lift is axially displaceable and displaces the transport arm axially in relation to the pivot axis. At the printing position, a print head prints on the container.

Abstract: A treatment segment for printing on containers includes a coupling section for securing the treatment segment on a revolving and drivable transport element such that the treatment segment can be exchanged. The treatment segment has either a retention-and-centering unit for securing a container on the treatment segment or a receiver for retaining and releasing a retention-and-centering unit. The coupling section is a component of a support structure that runs, at least in sections, in an interior of the treatment segment enclosed by a housing. The housing is retained, at least indirectly, on the support structure.

Abstract: Container printing arrangement for printing bottles or similar containers on an outer surface thereof. The container printing arrangement comprises one or more printing stations and a container conveyor. The printing station has a print head, a conveyor arrangement, and transfer elements which are moved by the conveyor arrangement. The transfer elements each comprise a first resilient layer and a second resilient layer which supports the first resilient layer. The first resilient layer has a transfer surface which receives a print image from the print head, and then transfers the print image onto a container.

Abstract: A treatment segment for printing on containers includes a coupling section for securing the treatment segment on a revolving and drivable transport element such that the treatment segment can be exchanged. The treatment segment has either a retention-and-centering unit for securing a container on the treatment segment or a receiver for retaining and releasing a retention-and-centering unit. The coupling section is a component of a support structure that runs, at least in sections, in an interior of the treatment segment enclosed by a housing. The housing is retained, at least indirectly, on the support structure.

Abstract: A holding-and-centering device for holding and centering a container has fixing section and holding-sections on opposite sides of the fixing section. The fixing section fixes the holding-and-centering device to a structure of a container-treatment machine but is also detachable from that structure. Each holding section picks up and holds a corresponding container.

Abstract: An apparatus includes pucks and holding positions. Each puck has a primary part and a reconfigurable secondary part, as a result of which the secondary part is adaptable for processing packages that have different package-formats. When the puck holds a package, the first holding position holds the primary part and the secondary part is mounted to be in contact with the primary part so as to rotate when drive about an axis. A functional element handles the package while the first holding-position holds the primary part.

Abstract: A method for treating packages includes ink jet printing designs on packages, arranging packages on a treatment position of a package transport path, and at least intermittently charging the packages, during printing thereon, with a gaseous sterilizing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on containers includes a transport arm and a lift that cooperate to form a first container-transport device that moves a container at a container-loading position into a printing position. The transport arm is arranged on the lift and pivotable about a pivot axis thereof. The lift is axially displaceable and displaces the transport arm axially in relation to the pivot axis. At the printing position, a print head prints on the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing different colors on packages includes holding-and-centering units, each having a primary and a secondary part. The primary part is held at a holding position during package handling. The secondary part is mounted in the primary part to be rotatable about a vertical axis of the unit. The secondary part receives a functional element necessary for handling a package. A plurality of secondary parts adapted to different types, forms and/or sizes of packages are associated with the primary parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding and centering device for containers, comprising a fixing section (3) which enables the holding and centering device to be fixed to a transport element of a container treatment device, and at least one holding section (4, 4?) which is designed to pick up and hold a container (2) which is to be treated. Said holding and centering device is characterized by two holding sections (4, 4?) which are arranged opposite each other, by means of which respectively one container (2) which is to be treated, can be fixed.

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: A method for applying decorations to packages includes applying a main decoration to the package, and applying a detachable part label with a reduced adhesion strength. The part label is provided on a region of the main decoration and takes up part of a surface region of the main decoration. The part label is printed on by using a digital printing process controlled by a computer that relies on a digital printing mask that is stored or generated by the computer. The computer controls the print head to cause it to print a print on the part label after the part label has been applied to the package.

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: An extractor for placement adjacent to a rotor having processing positions in a circumferential area thereof extracts contaminants arising during container processing. The extractor has a hood forming an interior, an extractor channel, baffles, flow channels, and a joint suction channel. In operation, the hood, which does not move with the rotor, extends over part of the circumferential area. The hood's interior opens radially towards the rotor and is connected by the extractor channel to a suction device. The baffles, which are formed by wall elements in the hood interior, define the flow channels. The flow channels are open on a side of the hood that faces the rotor, and open inside the extractor hood into the joint suction channel.

Abstract: A method and device for printing containers in multiple colors on at least one outer surface thereof. The device includes at least one printing group, with at least two ink jet print heads in each printing group. Each of the print heads is designed to be moved out of the printing position after completing a printing task, and then another print head is moved into the printing position to perform a printing task.

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.

Abstract: A method for treating packages includes ink jet printing designs on packages, arranging packages on a treatment position of a package transport path, and at least intermittently charging the packages, during printing thereon, with a gaseous sterilizing agent.