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&#39;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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the national stage entry under 35 USC 371 of PCT application PCT/EP2012/003841, filed Sep. 13, 2012 which claims the benefit of the Nov. 23, 2011 priority date of German application 10 2011 119 171.6, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention concerns a device for processing containers, in particular for printing on containers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Devices for processing containers by printing thereon are known, for example as described in DE 10 2006 001 223. 
         [0004]    Also known are devices in which the containers are moved on a processing section formed by a plurality of rotors connected to each other for transport of containers, with the rotors being driven to rotate around a vertical machine axis. At processing positions of each rotor, a processing stage of a process having a plurality of processing steps takes place. Examples include application of a color set for color printing, the pre-processing of the containers for printing or hardening and/or cross-linking of the printing ink, e.g. by the input of energy, i.e. by heat and/or UV radiation and/or microwave radiation and/or beta radiation. It is also known, in connection with printing on containers, to use liquid or largely liquid printing colors or printing inks that are ejected by electronically controlled inkjet print heads or their nozzles. 
         [0005]    It is also known, as described in DE 10 2009 043 497 A1, to suspend containers from container carriers or pucks during processing, each of which is moved through the entire processing section with the container held on it. 
         [0006]    DE 10 2009 013 477 A1 describes an extractor device in which each individual container is held in an extractor bushing provided with an opening unit. 
         [0007]    During the processing, and in particular, during the printing of the containers, it is quite difficult to prevent foreign or harmful substances or contaminants from being released into the environment. Examples of such contaminants include printing ink sprayed or released during printing, solvent that evaporates as a result of input of energy during the drying of the printing ink, ozone arising during drying of printing ink with UV light, and spilled solvents. With processing or printing devices working at a high output, with which for example up to 36,000 multi-color printed images are produced per hour, these contaminants lead to unhealthy pollution of the environment, and to an uncontrolled contamination of machine or device elements if no extractor device is provided for the foreign matter or contaminants. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The invention provides a device for the processing, in particular for the printing, of containers with an extractor device that, with a high level of operational reliability and with a reduced structural and energy input, allows effective extraction of foreign substances or contaminants arising during the processing. With a device according to the invention, the extraction of the foreign substances or contaminants takes place directly at the processing positions, i.e. directly at the place at which the foreign substances or contaminants arise. 
         [0009]    The invention relies on the use of an extractor hood that is open to the rotor and that does not rotate with the rotor. The extractor hood extends in the direction of rotation of the rotor at least over the angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor or of the rotor circumference corresponding to a processing section. Air turbulence arising due to the rotation of the rotor and also by a possible rotation or rotary movement of the containers during their processing has basically no or substantially no negative influence on the extraction of the foreign substances or contaminants. Instead, the rotational movement of the rotor is used for an accelerated removal of the foreign substances and contaminants from the processing positions due to the centrifugal forces and for acceleration of the spent air current. As a result, the rotational movement supports the extraction of the foreign substances or contaminants. 
         [0010]    The particular extractor hood is optimally aerodynamically formed in its interior hood space in relation to the flow conditions there. This improves energy and process efficiency. In particular, the hood is configured such that airflow acting positively on the processing or printing process is achieved with minimally injected extraction energy at the processing positions. As a result, the extractor device can be operated cost-effectively. 
         [0011]    In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus for processing containers. Such an apparatus includes an extractor unit for placement adjacent to a rotor that has a plurality of processing positions disposed in a circumferential area thereof, the rotor being configured for rotation in a rotation direction around a rotor axis thereof. The extractor unit extracts contaminants arising during processing of the containers. It comprises an extractor hood, an extractor channel, baffles, flow channels, and a joint suction channel. The hood forms a hood interior that, in operation, does not move with the rotor. It extends over at least a part of the circumferential area. The hood interior opens radially to the rotor and is connected by the an extractor channel to a suction device. The baffles are formed by wall elements in the hood interior. These baffles define the flow channels that are open on a side of the extractor hood that is turned towards the rotor, and that open inside the extractor hood into the joint suction channel, which serves plural flow channels. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the baffles extend between a lower housing wall and an upper housing wall that is offset relative to the lower housing wall in a direction of the rotor axis. 
         [0013]    Other embodiments include a filter device that connects the hood interior to at least one of the extractor channel and an extractor pipe. 
         [0014]    Embodiments include those in which the extractor channel is connected to the hood interior and those in which the extractor channel is connected to the hood interior at a rear end thereof relative to the rotation direction. 
         [0015]    Also included are embodiments in which the extractor hood encompasses an axial height of the processing stations and embodiments in which the circumferential area extends into the hood interior. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the extractor hood is separated from a periphery of the rotor by a distance that decreases along a direction of rotation of the rotor. 
         [0017]    Also among the embodiments are those in which the extractor unit is movable between a first position adjacent to the rotor and a second position at a distance from the rotor. These include embodiments in which the extractor hood is mounted on the extractor channel and other embodiments in which the extractor hood is rotatable around an axis of rotation and the extractor channel forms an integral part of the axis of rotation. 
         [0018]    Also included are embodiments that have several rotors, each of which is drivable to revolve around a corresponding rotor axis thereof. These rotors are coupled to each other to enable transportation of containers from one rotor to another. The rotors, which collectively form a container processing section, include one or more rotors from which contaminants are released during processing. In this embodiment, the extraction unit is allocated to these one or more rotors. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments the positions comprise at least one processing position for printing on the containers. 
         [0020]    As used herein, the term “containers” includes cans, bottles, tubes, pouches, in each case made of metal, glass and/or plastic, and other packaging means that are suitable for filling with products. 
         [0021]    As used herein, the expression “substantially” or “approximately” means deviations from exact values in each case by +/−10%, and preferably by +/−5%, and/or deviations in the form of changes not significant for functioning. 
         [0022]    Further developments, benefits and application possibilities of the invention arise also from the following description of examples of embodiments and from the figures. In this regard, all characteristics described and/or illustrated individually or in any combination are categorically the subject of the invention, regardless of their inclusion in the claims or reference to them. The content of the claims is also an integral part of the description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The invention is explained in more detail below by means of the figures using an example of an embodiment, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a simplified perspective representation of the rotor of a device for the processing of containers by printing, together with an extractor device; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic cross-sectional representation of the rotor and the extractor device of  FIG. 1  or its extractor hood in a vertical sectional plane including the rotor axis; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective individual illustration of the extractor device; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a representation similar to  FIG. 3  in a further embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective individual illustration of the fin or baffle arrangement of the extractor device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a simplified perspective representation a plan view of the rotor of a device for the processing of containers by printing, together with an extractor device according to a further embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a simplified schematic cross-sectional representation of the rotor and the extractor device of  FIG. 6  or its extractor hood in a vertical sectional plane including the rotor axis; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  shows the extractor hood of  FIG. 6  in an individual representation and in plan view; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  shows the extractor hood of  FIG. 6  in a perspective individual representation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a rotor  1  that can be driven to rotate around a vertical machine axis MA. The rotor  1  is a module of a processing machine or device for printing on containers  2 , for example for the direct printing of containers  2  on their outer or jacket surface with multi-colored printed material. In some cases, the processing device, the details of which are not shown, has a plurality of rotors or modules that are connected to each other for transport of containers in the container transport direction. At processing positions  3 , a partial processing is carried out. Examples of partial processing include application of a color set of the multicolor print, preparation of the container surface for the print, the drying of the printing ink, etc. 
         [0034]    The processing positions  3  are formed on the circumference of the rotor  1 . The processing positions  3  are distributed at regular angular distances around the machine axis MA and at the same radial distance from the machine axis MA. Containers  2  are suspended from container carriers  4  at the processing positions  3  with their container axes in a vertical direction oriented parallel to the machine axis MA. In the illustrated embodiment, the container carriers  4  comprise pucks that are moved through the device with the containers  2  and that, during container processing, allow a controlled rotary or swivel movement of the containers  2  around their container axes. 
         [0035]    A processing head  5  is provided at the processing positions  3  of the rotor  1 . The processing head  5  is used to carry out the particular processing step, for example the application of a color set of the multicolor printing. In this case, the processing heads  5  are print heads, and moreover especially electrically controllable inkjet print heads that apply liquid, i.e. ink pigments in a printing color or printing ink containing a liquid matrix (solvent), using nozzles in a controlled manner onto a container at the processing position  3 . 
         [0036]    If the processing positions  3  on the rotor  1  are those for drying the printing ink by radiation of energy from, for example, a heat source, a UV light etc., then the processing heads  5  at these processing positions  3  release the corresponding energy radiation. 
         [0037]    During printing, some printing ink can be sprayed or splashed. This ink does not reach the containers  2 . Additionally, solvent residues can be released during the drying of the printing ink. When UV radiation is used, ozone is generated. 
         [0038]    An extractor device  6  prevents these and other contaminants from entering the environment. The extractor device, which does not rotate with the rotor  1 , includes an extractor hood  7  that encloses a portion of the circumference of the rotor  1 . The enclosed portion is defined by that portion of the angular range of the rotary movement of the rotor  1  on which the processing of the containers  2  takes place at the processing positions  3 . This angular range can be, for example, between around 180° and 270°. 
         [0039]    The extractor hood  7  or its housing extends up in the direction of the machine axis MA to a height that is at least equal to the corresponding height of the processing positions  3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the height of the extractor hood  7  or its housing in the direction of the machine axis MA is greater than the height of the rotor  1  so that the extractor hood  7  extends from the underside of the rotor  1  through to over its top side. 
         [0040]    In more detail, the housing of the extractor hood  7  consists of a lower housing wall  8 , an upper housing wall  9 , and a circumferential wall  10 . 
         [0041]    In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower housing walls  8 ,  9  are arranged with their surfaces on planes that are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the machine axis MA. 
         [0042]    The outer circumferential wall  10  is distanced from and partially encloses the machine axis MA and the rotor  1 . The circumferential wall  10  ends at first and second circumferential wall sections  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2  that extend in the direction A of rotation of the rotor  1  at a leading end  7 . 1  of the extractor hood  7  and at a trailing end  7 . 2  of the extractor hood  7 . The extractor hood  7  does not rotate with the rotor  1  and encloses the rotor  1  over part of its circumference, thus forming an open hood interior  11  extending radially from the rotor  1 . 
         [0043]    In the middle, or approximately in the middle, between the leading and trailing ends  7 . 1  and  7 . 2 , a large filter arrangement  12  in the form of at least one air filter is provided at the rear wall formed by the circumferential wall  10  in the hood interior  11 . 
         [0044]    The filter arrangement  12  extends over an angular range that is substantially larger than half the perimeter of the extractor hood  7  between the leading and trailing ends  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2 , and extends from the inner surface of the lower housing wall  8  through to the inner surface of the upper housing wall  9  and separates the hood interior  11  from a chamber  13  that is provided on the rear side of the extractor hood  7  turned away from the rotor  1 . 
         [0045]    The chamber  13 , which is closed to the environment, is connected at an intake channel connection  14 . 1  to an extractor channel  14  that has a relatively large cross-section and that is formed, for example, from a pipe and/or from a tube system connected to a negative pressure or suction source, the details of which need not be illustrated. A suitable negative pressure source is, for example, a suction or negative pressure inlet of a suction fan. 
         [0046]    During the processing of the containers  2  at the rotor  1  driven around the machine axis MA, the foreign substances or contaminants arising during the processing, or the spent air containing them, are extracted from the circumference of the rotor  1  or from the processing positions  3  there, i.e. directly at the place they arise. The foreign substances or contaminants in the spent air are at least partially filtered out right at the filter device  12 . To optimize extraction, the rotor  1  in the illustrated embodiment extends, by its circumferential area containing the processing positions  3 , into the hood interior  11 . Lamella-type wall elements  15  acting as baffles are provided in the hood interior  11 , this being also in the area of the leading and trailing ends  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2  and between these ends. 
         [0047]    In the illustrated embodiment, these lamella-type wall elements  15 , which are spaced both from the circumference of the rotor  1  to form a suction channel  11 . 1  and from the internal side of the circumferential wall  10 , extend in each case from the lower housing wall  8  to the upper housing wall  9  and are oriented or slanted such that, at those wall elements  15  that are provided in the direction A of rotation of the rotor  1  before the intake channel connection  14 . 1  or on a first partial length (e.g. half) of the extractor hood  7 , the distance between the circumference of the rotor  1  and the particular wall element  15  increases in the direction of rotation of the rotor A, and such that at those wall elements  15  that are provided in the direction of rotation of the rotor A after the extractor channel connection  14 . 1  or on a second partial length (e.g. half) of the extractor hood  7 , the space between the circumference of the rotor  1  and the particular wall element  15  decreases in the direction of rotation of the rotor A. 
         [0048]    The wall elements  15  contribute to an optimal distribution of the extraction performance and to the achievement of optimal flow conditions by, for example, avoiding turbulence. Moreover, for the extractor device  6 , a particularly effective extraction effect at a reduced output of the extractor fan connected to the extraction channel  14  occurs because the foreign substances or contaminants arising during the processing of the containers  2  are delivered into the hood interior  1 , which opens radially to the rotor, simply as a result of centrifugal forces that naturally arise from the rotation of the rotor  1 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show, as a further embodiment, an alternative extractor device  6   a  that can be used instead of the extractor device  6 . The alternative extractor device  6   a  again has an extractor hood  16  corresponding to the extractor hood  7 . The hood interior  17  of the extractor hood  7  is connected by a filter device to the extractor channel  14  and by the extractor channel  14  to the extractor fan, which is not illustrated. The extractor hood  16  extends over part of the circumference of the rotor  1  in the direction A of rotation of the rotor  1 , relative to the machine axis MA over an angular range smaller than 360°, for example over an angular range of around 180° to 270°. The hood interior  17  is bounded on its underside by an arc-shaped base wall  18 , on its top side by a chamber  19 , and on its circumference by a circumferential wall  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential wall  20  is an arc that encloses and is spaced from the machine axis MA. The rotor  1  is not illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In these figures, however, the illustrated machine axis MA is also the axis of the rotor  1 . 
         [0050]    A plurality of lamella-type wall elements  21  act as baffles. These lamella-type wall elements  21  are provided inside the hood interior  17 . Each one extends from the lower housing wall  18  and into the chamber  19 . The chamber  19  is open on a side turned towards the housing underside  18 , and is otherwise closed to the environment. The chamber  19  extends over the entire angular length of the extractor hood  16  between a leading end  16 . 1  and a trailing end  16 . 2 . 
         [0051]    The wall elements  21  are oriented with their lower ends  21 . 1  fixed on the lower housing wall  18  and with their upper ends  21 . 2  extending into the chamber radially or substantially radially in relation to the machine axis MA. The upper end  21 . 2  of a wall element  21  is offset by an angle value relative to the lower end  21 . 1  of that wall element  21  in the direction A of rotation of the rotor  1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the value of this angle approximately corresponds to the spacing between two adjacent wall elements  21  or is slightly smaller than this spacing. Moreover, the front sides of the wall elements  21  define a dome that is concave relative to the direction A of rotation of the rotor  1 . 
         [0052]    In the area of their upper end  21 . 2 , the wall elements  21  are attached to an additional wall element  22  that is already part of the wall of the chamber  19 . The actual interior of the chamber  19 , in which the flow paths  23  formed between the wall elements  21  open and which forms a suction channel corresponding to the suction channel  11 . 1 , is located above the additional wall element  22 . Inside the chamber  19 , for example a filter device corresponding to the filter device  12  is provided. 
         [0053]    During the processing of the containers  2 , as the rotor  1  rotates, the spent air, which carries foreign substances or contaminants, is extracted from the area around the processing positions  3  through flow channels  23  that are formed between two wall sections  21 , the chamber  19  and the extractor channel  14 . A filter device corresponding to the filter device  12  is provided in the chamber  19 . As a result, foreign substances or contaminants in the spent air will be at least partially removed in the spent air before it is discharged into the environment. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 6-9  show a further embodiment of an extractor device  6   b  with an extractor hood  24  corresponding to the extractor hood  7 . The extractor hood  24  does not rotate with the rotor  1  and extends over a partial area of the rotor circumference, for example over an angular range of around 180° to 270°. The processing positions  3  are provided on the rotor circumference. The extractor hood  24 , which is crescent-shaped when viewed from above, forms a hood interior  25  that opens radially relative to the rotor axis or relative to the machine axis MA and is therefore open to the circumference of the rotor  1 . A lower housing wall  26 , and upper housing wall  27 , and a pitch-cylinder shaped circumferential wall  28  bound the extractor hood  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pitch-cylinder shaped circumferential wall  28  is concentric with the machine axis MA. 
         [0055]    Inside the hood interior  25  are wall elements  29  that act as baffles. These wall elements  29  extend from the lower housing wall  26  into the chamber  27  and reach through to the edge of the housing walls  26 ,  27  adjacent to the rotor  1 . The wall elements  29  are spaced from the circumferential wall  28  to form a suction channel  25 . 1  that extends inside the hood interior  25  in the direction A of rotation of the rotor  1  from a leading end  24 . 1  relative to this direction of rotation through to a trailing end  24 . 2  of the extractor hood  24 . Each wall element  29  is bent around an axis parallel to the machine axis MA, this being in such a way that the inner edge of each wall element  29  adjacent to the rotor  1  and extending between the housing walls  26  and  27  is offset relative to the corresponding outer edge lying at a distance to the rotor  1  by an angle value against the direction of rotation of the rotor A. This angle value corresponds, for example, to the spacing between two wall elements  29 . Because the wall elements  29  are bent relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor convexly in each case on their front sides and concavely on their rear sides, they form between them flow channels  30  that open into the suction channel  25 . 1 . 
         [0056]    As  FIG. 6  shows, the extractor hood  24 , or its housing, is formed such that an inlet funnel  31  forms in the area of the leading end  24 . 1  between the extractor hood  24  and the circumference of the rotor  1 . Over an extent that is smaller than the entire extent of the extractor hood  24 , starting from the leading end  24 . 1 , there is initially a larger space between the extractor hood  24  and the circumference of the rotor  1 . This space decreases in the direction of rotation of the rotor A and does so continuously with no interrupting steps. 
         [0057]    In the area of the trailing end  24 . 2 , an extractor pipe  32  extends into the hood interior  25 . The extractor pipe  32  is oriented with its axis parallel to the machine axis MA and connects to the extractor channel  14 , not illustrated. The extractor pipe  32  closed at its end adjacent to the housing wall  26  and has a sieve  33  formed in a portion thereof by a multiplicity of openings on its jacket surface. The sieve  33  enables connection between the suction channel  25 . 1  and the inside of the suction pipe  32 . 
         [0058]    In the illustrated embodiment, the extractor hood  24  can be swiveled around an axis parallel to the machine axis MA. This axis is, for example, the axis of the extractor pipe  32 . The extractor hood  24  can thus be swiveled away from the rotor  1  out of the work position illustrated in  FIG. 6  for cleaning, maintenance and repair. 
         [0059]    It is also, in principle, possible to provide a filter device like filter device  12  at the transition between the section channel  25 . 1  and the extractor pipe  32 . Such a filter device could be place, for example, on the sieve  33 . 
         [0060]    The extractor device  6   b  corresponds to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the connection for the extractor channel  14  or the suction pipe  32  on the trailing end  24 . 2  is located. Due to the structure, with its mix of radially projecting and recessed areas, the processing positions  3  and their functional elements, when the rotor  1  rotates, a current of air is generated inside the extractor hood  24  through the current channels  30  and the suction channel  25 . 1  and into the extractor pipe  32 . This current of air, which arises from motion that would have to occur anyway, supports a rapid and complete removal or extraction of all foreign substances or contaminants, and does so with greatly reduced energy consumption by a suction fan connected to the suction pipe  32 . 
         [0061]    As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the circumferential wall  20 , together with the wall elements  21  and the additional wall element  22 , forms a module that is fixed on a plate that forms the lower housing wall or on the top side of a table of the container processing machine that forms the lower housing wall  18 , and if necessary, for example for cleaning and/or repair purposes, can be taken off the lower housing wall  18  and/or replaced. 
         [0062]    The invention has been described above using examples of embodiments. It is clear that numerous modifications and variations are possible without thereby departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention. Common to all embodiments is that the fixed extractor hood, which does not rotate with the rotor  1 , is provided laterally on the rotor and encloses it over part of its circumference in the direction of rotation of the rotor A. As a result, foreign substances or contaminants arising during the processing of the containers  2  are removed from the processing positions  3  directly at the place at which they arise. Moreover, the invention harnesses the rotational movement of the rotor  1  and uses it for accelerated removal of the foreign substances and contaminants from the processing positions  3  by using centrifugal forces to accelerate the current of spent air. 
         [0063]    In the foregoing description, it has been assumed that the rotor  1  is part of a device or processing machine that has a plurality of rotors. Some of these rotors carry out processing steps that result in release of environmentally polluting foreign substances or contaminants. These rotors are fitted with an extractor device  6 ,  6   a  or  6   b.  According to the invention, however, the device or processing machine can also have just a single rotor  1  at which then the entire processing is carried out at the processing positions  3  concerned. 
       KEY TO REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       [0064]      1  Rotor 
         [0065]      2  Container 
         [0066]      3  Processing positions 
         [0067]      4  Container carrier or puck 
         [0068]      5  Processing head 
         [0069]      6 ,  6   a,    6   b  Extractor device 
         [0070]      7  Extractor hood 
         [0071]      7 . 1 ,  7 . 2  End of the extractor hood 
         [0072]      8 , 9  Housing wall 
         [0073]      10  Circumferential wall 
         [0074]      10 . 1 ,  10 . 2  Circumferential wall section leading inwards 
         [0075]      11  Hood interior 
         [0076]      12  Filter device 
         [0077]      13  Chamber 
         [0078]      14  Extractor channel 
         [0079]      14 . 1  Intake channel connection 
         [0080]      15  Wall element or baffle 
         [0081]      16  Extractor hood 
         [0082]      17  Hood interior 
         [0083]      18  Housing wall 
         [0084]      19  Chamber 
         [0085]      20  Circumferential wall 
         [0086]      21  Wall element or air baffle 
         [0087]      21 . 1 ,  21 . 2  Lower or upper end of the air baffle 
         [0088]      22  Wall section 
         [0089]      23  Flow channel 
         [0090]      24  Extractor hood 
         [0091]      25  Hood interior 
         [0092]      25 . 1  Suction channel 
         [0093]      26 ,  27  Housing wall 
         [0094]      28  Circumferential wall 
         [0095]      29  Air baffle or wall element 
         [0096]      30  Flow channel 
         [0097]      31  Inlet funnel 
         [0098]      32  Extractor pipe 
         [0099]      33  Sieve structure 
         [0100]    A Direction of rotation of the rotor 
         [0101]    MA Machine axis