Patent Description:
Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a packaging machine for the packaging of pourable products, in particular pourable food products, into packages, in particular packages formed from a multilayer packaging material, and having at least one digital printing apparatus, in particular allowing for a customization of some or all of the packages.

As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages, in particular sealed packages, made of sterilized packaging material.

Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines, which form and fill the packages starting from a multilayer packaging material. Such automatic packaging machines come along with significant production speeds (more than <NUM> packages per hour or even significantly faster).

Recently, a desire has arisen in the sector to customize the packages e.g. by applying certain information, messages, pictures or similar onto the packages.

However, the customization of the packages must not interfere with the significant processing speeds of the packaging machines.

Hence, a desire is felt in the sector to provide for packaging machines, which allow producing customized packages without the need to reduce the production speeds of the packaging machine. An example of a device for imprinting or labelling containers using planar motors can be found in document <CIT>.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner a digital printing apparatus for a packaging machine, in particular a digital printing apparatus, which allows customizing some or all of the packages produced by the packaging machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner a packaging machine having a digital printing apparatus for a packaging machine, in particular a digital printing apparatus, which allows to customize some or all of the packages produced by the packaging machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a digital printing apparatus according to the independent claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments of the digital printing apparatus are claimed in the claims being directly or indirectly dependent on claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a packaging machine according to claim <NUM> and claim <NUM>.

Two non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Number <NUM> indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing packages <NUM> filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, such as (pasteurized) milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, salt, sugar etc..

Packaging machine <NUM> may be configured to produce packages <NUM> filled with the pourable product and having customized information and/or messages and/or decorations.

In more detail, packaging machine <NUM> may be configured to produce packages <NUM> from a packaging material having a multilayer configuration.

In further detail, the packaging material may comprise at least one layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material defining the inner face of main body <NUM> contacting the pourable product.

Moreover, the packaging material may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially, the packaging material may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

In further detail, the packaging material may be provided in the form of a web <NUM>.

Each package <NUM> obtained by packaging machine <NUM> may comprise a longitudinal seam portion and a pair of a respective first transversal sealing band and a respective second transversal sealing band, in particular arranged at opposite sides of package <NUM>. In particular, the first transversal sealing band may define a transversal top sealing band and the second transversal sealing band may define a transversal bottom sealing band.

With particular reference to <FIG>, packaging machine <NUM> may comprise:.

In particular, digital printing apparatus <NUM> may be arranged downstream from packaging filing apparatus <NUM>; i.e. digital printing apparatus <NUM> receives, in use, packages <NUM> from package filing apparatus <NUM>.

Preferentially, digital printing apparatus <NUM> may be configured to selectively print a desired information, a desired message and/or a desired decoration onto some or all packages <NUM>.

Example information and/or messages may relate to a production location, a production date and/or time, the type of product, the type of packaging material, a personalized message such as a name, a poem, one or more sentences or the like.

Moreover, the information and/or messages may be codified.

Example decorations may be pictures, photos, barcodes (<NUM> or <NUM> dimensional ones) or the like.

With particular reference to <FIG>, digital printing apparatus <NUM> comprises:.

According to the invention, digital printing apparatus <NUM> also comprises a scanning unit <NUM> configured to scan packages <NUM>, and in particular being operatively connected to control unit <NUM>. In particular, scanning unit <NUM> may be configured to scan packages <NUM> prior to digital printing unit <NUM> printing onto packages <NUM>.

According to the invention, control unit <NUM> is configured to control operation of conveying device <NUM> so as to selectively advance packages <NUM> to digital printing unit <NUM>, and in particular prior to advancing packages <NUM> to digital printing unit <NUM> also to scanning unit <NUM>.

According to the invention, control unit <NUM> is configured to control operation of digital printing unit <NUM>, in particular in order that digital printing unit <NUM> prints desired information and/or messages and/or decorations onto packages <NUM>. In particular, control unit <NUM> may at least temporarily and digitally store the information and/or messages and/or decorations to be printed.

According to the invention, control unit <NUM> is configured to control operation of digital printing unit <NUM> in dependence of the scanning results obtained by scanning unit <NUM>.

In more detail, conveying device <NUM> comprises a planar motor <NUM> having a plurality of carriers <NUM> configured to receive packages <NUM> at an inlet station <NUM> and to deliver packages <NUM> to an outlet station <NUM>.

In particular, control unit <NUM> may be operatively connected to planar motor <NUM> and configured to control operation of planar motor <NUM>, in particular movement of carriers <NUM>.

Preferentially, control unit <NUM> may be configured to selectively control movement of each carrier <NUM>.

According to the invention, control unit <NUM> is configured to selectively control movement of each carrier <NUM> independently from the other carriers <NUM>. In this context, independently means that control unit <NUM> may accelerate and decelerate each carrier <NUM> in a selective manner, which may differ from any acceleration and deceleration of other carriers <NUM>. Furthermore, control unit <NUM> may control movement of each carrier <NUM> such to avoid any undesired impact with the one or more other carriers <NUM>.

Further reverting to <FIG>, digital printing unit <NUM> is arranged adjacent to planar motor <NUM> at a printing station <NUM>.

According to the invention, unit <NUM> is arranged adjacent to planar motor at a scanning station <NUM>.

Moreover, control unit <NUM> is configured to selectively control movement of carriers <NUM> so as to selectively direct at least some of the carriers <NUM> to printing station <NUM> and then to outlet station <NUM>. Preferentially, control unit <NUM> is configured to selectively control movement of carriers <NUM> so as to selectively direct one or more of the carriers <NUM> to scanning station <NUM>, then to printing station <NUM> and afterwards to outlet station <NUM>.

In particular, control unit <NUM> is configured to control movement of carriers <NUM> so as to direct only these carriers <NUM> to printing station <NUM> which carry packages <NUM> onto which the desired information and/or messages and/or decorations are to be applied.

Additionally, control unit <NUM> may be configured to control movement of carriers <NUM> so as to direct, in particular to directly direct, these carriers <NUM>, which carry packages <NUM>, which do not require to receive any printing of any information and/or messages and/or decorations, to outlet station <NUM> (without passing through printing station <NUM>).

In other words, control unit <NUM> may be configured to selectively move, in particular to directly move, carriers <NUM> along a first path P from inlet station <NUM> to outlet station <NUM> or along a second path Q distinct from first path Q from inlet station <NUM> to printing station <NUM>, in particular from inlet station <NUM> to printing station <NUM> and through scanning station <NUM>, and from printing station <NUM> to outlet station <NUM>.

Preferentially, a first imaginary line extending from inlet station <NUM> to printing station <NUM> and a second imaginary line from printing station <NUM> to outlet station <NUM> describe and/or define an angle different from <NUM>° or a multiple of <NUM>°. In other words, the second path Q cannot be described by a straight line.

As schematically shown in <FIG>, digital printing unit <NUM> is configured to print information and/or decorations onto these packages <NUM>, which, in use, are directed to printing station <NUM>.

Furthermore, scanning unit <NUM> may be configured to scan all these packages <NUM> directed to scanning station <NUM> prior to these packages <NUM> being directed to printing station <NUM>. In particular, by scanning packages <NUM> prior to being printed, it is possible to execute the printing with high precision and to print onto the desired portions of the respective package <NUM>.

Preferentially, scanning unit <NUM> may also be configured to send the information about the scanning results about the scanned packages <NUM> to control unit <NUM>.

Moreover, control unit <NUM> may be configured to control digital printing unit <NUM> in dependence of the scanning results so as to print the information and/or messages and/or decorations onto determined locations of the packages <NUM>.

In more detail, digital printing unit <NUM> may comprise one or more digital printers, in particular each digital printer being operatively connected to control unit <NUM> such that control unit <NUM> may control operation of the respective digital printer.

According to some possible embodiments, the digital printers may be operated such to print the desired information and/or messages and/or decorations (substantially) contemporaneously onto different packages <NUM>.

Alternatively or in addition, the digital printers may be operated such that the information and/or messages and/or decoration of the finalized package <NUM> is obtained from printing operations from different digital printers.

Each digital printer may comprise one or more printing heads.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each carrier <NUM> may comprise a support surface <NUM> for carrying the respective package <NUM>.

In particular, each package <NUM> may extend along a longitudinal axis A, a first transversal axis B and a second transversal axis C being perpendicular to one another. Preferentially, an extension of package <NUM> along longitudinal axis A may be larger than respective extensions along first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C.

Preferentially, each package <NUM> may be arranged on the respective carrier <NUM> such that the respective longitudinal axis A is transversal, in particular perpendicular, to support surface <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, each carrier <NUM> may be configured, in particular through control by control unit <NUM>, to rotate the respective package <NUM> around a rotation axis E at printing station <NUM>, and in particular also at scanning station <NUM>.

Preferentially, each carrier <NUM> is configured to rotate itself around rotation axis E for rotating the respective package <NUM> around rotation axis E.

In further detail, rotation axis E may be transversal, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the respective support surface <NUM>.

More specifically, control unit <NUM> may be configured to control movement of each carrier <NUM> along three linear axes and around three rotational axes. In other words, each carrier <NUM> comes along with six degrees of freedom.

Even more specifically, control unit <NUM> may be configured to control movement of each carrier <NUM> along a first linear axis X, a second linear axis Y perpendicular to the first linear axis X and a third linear axis Z perpendicular to the first linear axis X and the second linear axis Y. In this way, it is possible to control the position of each carrier <NUM> (and therewith also of the respective packages <NUM>) in a three-dimensional space.

Moreover, each control unit <NUM> may be configured to control angular movements of each carrier <NUM> around rotation axis E, a second rotation axis F perpendicular to rotation axis E and a third rotation axis G perpendicular to rotation axis E and second rotation axis F. This allows to control the angular positions of carriers <NUM> (and therewith also of the respective packages <NUM>).

By providing for six-degrees of freedom, it is possible to precisely control angular and spatial positions of packages <NUM>, in particular for improving the scanning and/or printing operations.

With particular reference to <FIG>, planar motor <NUM> may also comprise a planar control module <NUM>, in particular being operatively coupled to control unit <NUM>.

Preferentially, planar control module <NUM> may comprise a plurality of coils configured to generate local electromagnetic fields for selectively moving carriers <NUM>.

Control unit <NUM> may be configured to control the plurality of coils in order to control movement of carriers <NUM>, in particular along first linear axis X, second linear axis Y and third linear axis Z and around rotation axis E, second rotation axis F and third rotation axis G.

More specifically, control unit <NUM> may be configured to control carriers <NUM> along third linear axis Z so as to elevate carriers <NUM> from planar control module <NUM>. In particular, with the coils being powered off, carriers <NUM> are placed on planar control module <NUM>.

Moreover, planar control module <NUM> may extend along a first axis, in particular parallel to first linear axis X, and a second axis, in particular parallel to second linear axis Y.

Advantageously, each carrier <NUM> may comprise at least one magnetic and/or ferromagnetic element allowing for interaction of each carrier <NUM> with the local electromagnetic fields generated by the coils.

The control unit <NUM> may be configured to selective control movement of each carrier along the first axis and first linear axis X and the second axis and the second linear axis Y by controlling the interaction of the local electromagnetic fields with the at least one magnetic and/or ferromagnetic element of each carrier <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, conveying device <NUM> may also comprise:.

In more detail, inlet conveyor <NUM> may be configured to advance packages <NUM> from package filling apparatus <NUM> to planar motor <NUM>.

Advantageously, inlet conveyor <NUM> may comprise one or more infeed tracks <NUM>, in the specific example of <FIG> shown one.

Infeed track <NUM> may comprise a conveyor belt on which packages <NUM> are, in use, placed.

According to some possible embodiments, outlet conveyor <NUM> may be configured to advance packages <NUM> from outlet station <NUM> to further end-of-line processing apparatuses.

Preferentially, outlet conveyor <NUM> may comprise an outfeed track <NUM>.

Outfeed track <NUM> may comprise a conveyor belt for advancing packages <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, package filling apparatus <NUM> is configured to product packages <NUM> and to fill packages <NUM> with the pourable product.

In more detail, package filling apparatus <NUM> may be configured to produce packages <NUM> by forming a tube <NUM> from web <NUM>, longitudinally sealing tube <NUM>, filling tube <NUM> with the pourable product and to transversally seal and cut tube <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, package filling apparatus <NUM> may comprise:.

Moreover, packaging machine <NUM> may also comprise a sterilizing unit configured to sterilize the, in use, advancing web <NUM> at a sterilization station.

In use, packaging machine <NUM> produces packages <NUM> filled with the pourable product.

Operation of packaging machine <NUM> comprises at least the steps of:.

Moreover, operation of packaging machine <NUM> may also comprise the step of forming packages <NUM>, in particular by executed of package filling apparatus <NUM>.

In particular, the steps of filling and forming of packages <NUM> may occur simultaneously.

Even more particular, during the step of forming and the step of filling, tube <NUM> is formed from advancing web <NUM>, is longitudinally sealed, filled with the pourable product and transversally sealed and cut.

Preferentially, the step of printing may be executed after the step of filling, in particular after the steps of filling and forming.

According to some preferred embodiments, operation of packaging machine <NUM> may also comprise a step of feed, during which packages <NUM> are fed, in particular from package filling apparatus <NUM>, to digital printing apparatus <NUM>.

In more detail, during the step of selectively printing, the following sub-steps are executed:.

Advantageously, the step of selectively printing, may also comprise a sub-step of scanning for scanning packages <NUM> prior to the execution of the sub-step of printing.

Preferentially, during the sub-step of selectively moving, carriers <NUM> (and therewith also the respective packages <NUM>) may be at first moved to scanning station <NUM> and then to printing station <NUM>.

Additionally, after the sub-step of printing, carriers <NUM> (and therewith also the respective packages <NUM>) are moved to outlet station <NUM>.

Moreover, during the step of printing, also a further sub-step of moving is executed during which some carriers <NUM> are moved from inlet station <NUM> to outlet station <NUM> without passing through printing station <NUM>.

In further detail, during the sub-step of printing, any movement of carriers <NUM> is controlled by control unit <NUM> through controlling the local electromagnetic fields selectively generated by the coils.

With reference to <FIG>, number <NUM>' indicates an alternative embodiment of a digital printing apparatus according to the present invention; as digital printing apparatus <NUM>' is similar to digital printing apparatus <NUM>, the following description is limited to the differences between them, and using the same references, where possible, for identical or corresponding parts.

In particular, digital printing apparatus <NUM>' differs from digital printing apparatus <NUM> in that outlet conveyor <NUM> comprises a first outfeed track <NUM> and a second outfeed track <NUM>' displaced from first outfeed track <NUM>.

Moreover, control unit <NUM> is configured to move carriers <NUM> such that packages <NUM> being, in use, printed by digital printing unit <NUM> are fed to second outfeed track <NUM>' and packages <NUM> which are not, in use, being printed by digital printing unit <NUM> are fed to first outfeed track <NUM>.

As operation of digital printing apparatus <NUM>' is similar to operation of digital printing apparatus <NUM>, the following description is limited to the differences between them.

In particular, during the step of selectively printing, the packages <NUM> which are printed are fed after the sub-step of printing to second outfeed track <NUM>', while the other packages <NUM> which are not printed are fed to first outfeed track <NUM>.

The advantages of digital printing apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM>' and/or of packaging machine <NUM> according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, digital printing apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM>' allow to selectively customize packages <NUM> without reducing the overall production speed.

Clearly, changes may be made to digital printing apparatus <NUM> and/or packaging machine <NUM> as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

According to some possible non-shown embodiments, packaging machine <NUM> may comprise a plurality of digital printing apparatuses <NUM>.

In particular, each digital printing apparatus <NUM> may be arranged such to receive a portion of the plurality of produced packages <NUM> and/or to print onto a portion of the overall produced packages <NUM>.

According to one or more embodiments, each carrier <NUM> may receive a respective package <NUM>, as exemplified in the figures, or a plurality of carriers <NUM>, preferably two carriers <NUM>, may be configured to jointly receive a package <NUM>. That is, a single package <NUM> may be picked and moved through the conveying device <NUM> by a plurality of carriers <NUM>.

The carriers <NUM> may comprise respective retaining elements configured to maintain the package <NUM> in a predetermined position between the carriers <NUM>. The carriers <NUM> may receive the package <NUM> by applying pressure by means of the respective retaining elements at opposite sides of the package <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Digital printing apparatus (<NUM>) for a packaging machine (<NUM>) producing packages (<NUM>) comprising:
- a control unit (<NUM>) for controlling the digital printing apparatus (<NUM>);
- a conveying device (<NUM>); and
- a digital printing unit (<NUM>);
- a scanning unit (<NUM>), the scanning unit (<NUM>) being arranged adjacent to the planar motor (<NUM>) at a scanning station (<NUM>) and configured to scan the packages (<NUM>);
wherein the conveying device (<NUM>) comprises a planar motor (<NUM>) having a plurality of carriers (<NUM>) configured to receive packages (<NUM>) at an inlet station (<NUM>) and to deliver the packages (<NUM>) to an outlet station (<NUM>);
wherein the digital printing unit (<NUM>) is arranged at a printing station (<NUM>);
wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to selectively control movement of the carriers (<NUM>) so as to selectively direct one or more carriers (<NUM>) to the printing station (<NUM>) and afterwards to the outlet station (<NUM>), wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to selectively control movement of each carrier (<NUM>) independently from the other carriers (<NUM>);
wherein the digital printing unit (<NUM>) is configured to print information and/or messages and/or decorations onto the packages (<NUM>) directed to the printing station (<NUM>),
wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to selectively control movement of each one of the carriers (<NUM>) so as to selectively direct the carrier (<NUM>) to the scanning station (<NUM>), then to the printing station (<NUM>) and afterwards to the outlet conveyor (<NUM>); and
wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to control operation of the digital printing unit (<NUM>) in dependence of the scanning results obtained by the scanning unit (<NUM>) .