Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating packaging means, such as bottles, cans or similar containers, comprising a device-internal transport section, on which the treatment of the packaging means is carried out on processing stations (8) in at least two process steps, and further comprising holding and centring elements, by means of which the packaging means (1) are held at least during the respective process step in an orientation on the device-internal transport system necessary for said process step and/or by means of which the packaging means are moved at least during one process step.

Abstract: In a digital printer the elements involved directly in the print process, which are located on a shuttle assembly are mounted upon a metrological frame which is isolated from the base frame by vibration dampers. Because the elements of the shuttle drive systems, such as a belt drive system having a motor and pulleys, are mounted upon the base frame, the drive and reaction forces from the motor drive systems are led to the base frame while the shuttles assembly is guided by the force-free, vibration free metrological frame. This allows for higher accuracy during printing as the metrological frame serves as a vibration free reference element.

Abstract: A digital printer includes a digital printing unit for digital printing an image onto a printing substrate during relative movement between a print head and the printing substrate, and a printing table for holding the printing substrate during the digital printing. The printing table is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit during the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate and is released from the digital printing unit prior to and after the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate. The printing table may be moved between a printing position, in which it is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit, and a printing substrate feeding position, in which it supports feeding and removing of the printing substrate from the printing table.

Abstract: An ink circulation system for use in an inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet printhead, an ink supply path for supplying an ink to the inkjet printhead and an ink return path for returning ink not used for printing from the inkjet printhead. The ink return path is coupled to the ink supply path for replenishing the ink supply path with the ink returned from the printhead. The coupling establishes an ink circulation circuit. The ink circulation circuit can be replenished with fresh ink from a main tank, as ink is withdrawn by the printhead for printing. In the circulation system an active through-flow ink degassing unit is provided to control the dissolved gas level of the ink in the ink circulation system.

Abstract: A printhead positioning system is provided wherein the shuttle assembly is split up in a printing shuttle, having a high accuracy positioning capability and a utility shuttle needing only a low accuracy positioning system. Due to this split-up the mass of components which have to be positioned accurately is greatly reduced and therefore making it easier to position the lighter load accurately and allowing for use of cheaper drive systems while maintaining the high accuracy in printing.

Abstract: A print head mounting assembly and a method of mounting and positioning a print head on a print head carriage framework suitable for mounting in a printing system includes a print head positioning device for receiving a print head, and a print head mounting tile having a mounting surface for mounting the print head positioning device. The print head mounting tile is adjustably mounted on the print head carriage framework such that it provides a mounting surface for the print head positioning device that is level with a reference printing surface, when the print head carriage framework is mounted in the printing system. The print head positioning device is adjustably mounted on the print head mounting tile such that the print head, being received in the print head positioning device, is accurately positioned on the mounting surface of the print head mounting tile.

Abstract: A shuttle air supply system which regulates the air pressure in an ink tank of an inkjet printer includes a vacuum supply line coupled to a fixed vacuum source, a valve for controlling the opening of the vacuum supply line actuated by a valve control circuit obtaining measurements from a pressure sensor sensing the pressure in the ink tank and wherein the pressure in the ink tank is regulated by the valve control circuit to a desired ink tank pressure. A pressurized air supply line coupled to a fixed value pressurized air supply and an air pressure valve controlled by the valve control circuit can be added to enhance the pressure setting range.

Abstract: An ink circulation system includes a supply subtank for supplying ink to an ink jet print head and a return subtank returning the ink not ejected by the ink jet print head. A print circulation path links the supply subtank with the ink jet print head and the return subtank for providing a print flow of ink from the supply subtank to the ink jet print head, the return subtank, and back to the supply subtank. A degas circulation path links the supply subtank with a through-flow degassing unit for providing a degas flow of ink from the supply subtank to the through-flow degassing unit and back to the supply subtank. The ink circulation system improves the degassing quality of the ink supplied to the ink jet print head of a printing apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A print head mounting assembly and a method of mounting and positioning a print head on a print head carriage framework suitable for mounting in a printing system includes a print head positioning device for receiving a print head, and a print head mounting tile having a mounting surface for mounting the print head positioning device. The print head mounting tile is adjustably mounted on the print head carriage framework such that it provides a mounting surface for the print head positioning device that is level with a reference printing surface, when the print head carriage framework is mounted in the printing system. The print head positioning device is adjustably mounted on the print head mounting tile such that the print head, being received in the print head positioning device, is accurately positioned on the mounting surface of the print head mounting tile.

Abstract: To avoid possible damaging collisions of a printhead with small receiver defects and other obstacles in a digital printer using a printhead mounted on a scanning shuttle for recording an image on a receiver while scanning along the receiver, a method using the following steps is used:—sensing for possible obstacles having a size smaller and larger than the inkjet head-receiver clearance distance in an area of the receiver to be scanned over by the printhead using a sensor system mounted on the scanning shuttle,—avoiding a collision of the printhead with the obstacle when an obstacle is sensed. Preferably an evaluation step is include to evaluate is a detected obstacle is evaluated to be potentially damaging. A system for using the steps is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning the printing of dots generated by at least one array of printing elements of a printing apparatus. The method includes the steps of printing a calibration test pattern, scanning the printed calibration test pattern, determining at least one calibration value based on the scanned calibration test pattern, and adjusting the alignment of the array of printing elements based on the determined calibration value. The step of scanning the printed calibration test pattern further includes automatically positioning a camera relative to the printed calibration test pattern and imaging a detail of the printed calibration test pattern within the field of view of the camera.

Abstract: A printhead positioning system is provided wherein the shuttle assembly is split up in a printing shuttle, having a high accuracy positioning capability and a utility shuttle needing only a low accuracy positioning system. Due to this split-up the mass of components which have to be positioned accurately is greatly reduced and therefore making it easier to position the lighter load accurately and allowing for use of cheaper drive systems while maintaining the high accuracy in printing.

Abstract: In a digital printer the elements involved directly in the print process, which are located on a shuttle assembly are mounted upon a metrological frame which is isolated from the base frame by vibration dampers. Because the elements of the shuttle drive systems, such as a belt drive system having a motor and pulleys, are mounted upon the base frame, the drive and reaction forces from the motor drive systems are led to the base frame while the shuttles assembly is guided by the force-free, vibration free metrological frame. This allows for higher accuracy during printing as the metrological frame serves as a vibration free reference element.

Abstract: An ink circulation system for use in an inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet printhead, a supply subtank for containing a supply of ink for the inkjet printhead and a return subtank for containing a surplus of ink not used by the inkjet printhead. The supply subtank is coupled with the return subtank and with the inkjet printhead via a first fluid path. A second fluid path couples the return subtank with the supply subtank for circulating the ink from the return subtank back to the supply subtank. This way a closed ink circulation path is realized. The ink flow from the supply subtank to the inkjet printhead and to the return subtank is controlled by means of a pressure difference between the ink in the supply subtank and the ink in the return subtank. A back pressure at the nozzle of the inkjet printhead is established via active pressure control means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning the printing of dots generated by at least one array of printing elements in an printing apparatus, wherein the method includes the steps of printing a calibration test pattern, scanning the printed calibration test pattern, determining at least one calibration value based on the scanned calibration test pattern, positioning an alignment adjustment tool relative to the array of printing elements of which the alignment needs to be adjusted and, based on the calculated calibration value, automatically adjusting the alignment of the array of printing elements using the alignment adjustment tool.

Abstract: An ink circulation system for use in an inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet printhead, an ink supply path for supplying an ink to the inkjet printhead and an ink return path for returning ink not used for printing from the inkjet printhead. The ink return path is coupled to the ink supply path for replenishing the ink supply path with the ink returned from the printhead. The coupling establishes an ink circulation circuit. The ink circulation circuit can be replenished with fresh ink from a main tank, as ink is withdrawn by the printhead for printing. In the circulation system an active through-flow ink degassing unit is provided to control the dissolved gas level of the ink in the ink circulation system.

Abstract: A print head carriage for holding a print head in a printing system includes a print head carriage framework having a plurality of print head positioning references for defining a position of the print head onto the print head carriage framework, and a cooling channel in thermal contact with the print head carriage framework for controlling the temperature of the print head carriage framework such that the positional stability of the plurality of print head positioning references on the print head carriage framework is preserved.

Abstract: An ink system for use in an inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet printhead, a supply subtank for containing a supply of an ink to the inkjet printhead, and a return subtank for containing a surplus of the ink not used by the inkjet printhead. A first fluid path couples the supply subtank with the inkjet printhead and with the return subtank, and provides a flow of ink from the supply subtank to the inkjet printhead and to the return subtank. A second fluid path couples the return subtank with the supply subtank and feeds the ink from the return subtank back to the supply subtank. The ink system is characterised by having the supply subtank, the return subtank and the first fluid path supported on a carriage for reciprocating together with the inkjet printhead across the printing medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing dots on a printing medium, wherein the method includes the steps of printing a calibration test pattern, scanning the printed calibration test pattern, determining a spatial fire correction value for a number of print positions across the printing medium, based on the scanned calibration test pattern, and adjusting the fire position for each of these print positions. The method and apparatus may be used to preserve the alignment of the printed dots under various operating conditions of the printing process such as bidirectional printing, throw distance variations, multiple print head scan speeds, etc.

Abstract: A digital printer (1) is disclosed comprising a digital printing unit (4,5) for digital printing an image onto a printing substrate (3) during relative movement between a print head and the printing substrate (3), and a printing table (2,12) for holding the printing substrate (3) during the digital printing. The printing table (2,12) is firmly fixing to the digital printing unit (4,5) during the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate (3) and is released from the digital printing unit (4,5) prior to and after the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate (3). The printing table (2,12) may be moved between a printing position, in which it is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit (4,5), and a printing substrate feeding position, in which it supports feeding and removing of the printing substrate (3) from the printing table (2,12).