EP2479037B1 - Method and device for printing containers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device according to the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 8.

To the contents of containers, such as beverage bottles, PET bottles or similar. To mark, these are predominantly equipped by means of labels. For example, pre-printed labels are glued to the containers or bottles. Furthermore, shrink labels can be used in a shrink tunnel or similar. shrunk onto the containers. In addition, it is known to print the lateral surfaces of bottles and containers with adhesive inks or inks and thereby to identify. The application of a label by gluing or shrinking can thus be omitted.

A method of printing containers is disclosed, for example, in the publication DE 10 2007 050 490 A1 described which can be considered as the closest prior art. In this case, at least two printing heads operating according to the ink-jet printing principle are used. During printing, the containers are moved by a transport element in the transport direction, wherein the print heads of a printing unit are moved during a part of the at least one printing step with the transport element.

Furthermore, the shows EP 0 209 896 B1 a method and apparatus for decorating containers. In this case, individual color dots are applied to the wall of the container as a raster image along parallel circumferential lines in a program-controlled manner. The container is thereby rotated while the nozzles are arranged on a carriage, whereby the distance to the container can be adjusted.

The document WO2011 / 144278 A1 (equivalent to EP 2 571 698 A0 ) is considered to be state of the art under Article 54 (3) EPC and discloses an apparatus for printing on external surfaces of containers. The apparatus comprises a plurality of printheads movably disposed on a first transport system and a plurality of container receptacles movable by a second transport system. The movement of a print head takes place at least in regions synchronously with the movement of a container receptacle.

If one chooses a suitable technology for printing, for example digital DOD inkjet printing, electrophotography or other suitable digital printing techniques, one obtains further advantages over the classically applied label. The advantages are in particular that no printing forme is necessary, so that a quick changeover to variable content is possible. The creation of the print image is done by mouse click. Furthermore, the consumption of films, developers, chemicals, fixing tapes etc. is eliminated, so that even small quantities can be economically implemented.
Digital printing techniques thus allow great flexibility in the chosen design, for marketing etc.

The so-called DOD (drop-on-demand) ink-jet technology also has a number of advantages. The technology is one of the non-impact-printing processes in which there is no contact with the substrate. Furthermore, ink drops are produced only when needed. In addition, the use of UV-curable inks is possible.

The object of the invention is to provide a fast, continuously practicable method for printing on containers and to provide an apparatus for carrying out such a method.

The above object is achieved by a method and an apparatus comprising the features in claims 1 and 8.

The invention relates to a method for printing on containers. The containers are transported by means of a circulating, in particular a rotating transport device. The continuously rotating or rotating transport device has at least one holding device for the containers to be printed. The transport device is further assigned at least one base module, on which at least one print head are arranged. The base module is located in the region of the orbit of the transport device, preferably in the outer region thereof. Thus, for example, the transport device can be formed by a so-called container carousel, to which an infeed star for transferring the containers to be printed onto the carousel and an outlet star for transferring the printed containers to subsequent handling devices are assigned. The printing module referred to here as the base module is in this case close to the container carousel, so that the containers transported with it can be reached by the print heads. The base module can be arranged in particular on the outer circumference of the transport device or the container carousel.

In the method according to the invention, the containers to be printed are fed to a printing area to which at least one base module is assigned. While the container is being transported through this pressure range, the base module is at least partially in synchronism with the containers. In particular, the base module is transported in synchronism with the revolving or rotating transport device from an initial position to an end position downstream in the transport direction. During the synchronous movement of the base module and the at least one container to be printed, the container is at least partially printed by the at least one printhead arranged on the base module. While the container is transported further in the transport direction by the circulating transport device, the base module moves against the transport direction back to its original position. The method according to the invention thus provides for a continuously circulating transport device for the containers, formed, for example, by a uniformly rotating container carousel and an oscillating base or pressure module between two end positions, which preferably carries out a rotational movement about the same axis of rotation as the transport device. The printing module with the printheads thereon and optionally also a drying module (also see FIG. 2) arranged on the base module is moved synchronously in one direction over a defined path to the transport device and thus synchronously with the containers, so that the printhead is fixed relative to the respective container. As soon as the printing operation has ended and the end position or end position has been reached, the base module is moved back to the other end position or starting position in a pivoting movement in the opposite direction to the rotary movement or circulating movement of the transport device. In this other end position, the base module can at least temporarily remain until another container is to be printed, so that in turn a synchronous movement with the movement of the transport device is necessary.

Preferably, the printed container is subjected to post-treatment after printing. In particular, the printed ink is at least dried on at least simultaneously or immediately after printing by at least one drying module. In this case, the printed containers are irradiated, for example with UV - especially when using UV-curing dye - flows around with warm air or similar.

According to a first embodiment, a drying module is associated with and mounted on the base module. According to an alternative embodiment, the drying module is arranged downstream of the base module in the transport direction of the containers, so that the aftertreatment takes place while the container in the transport device is moved further independently of the base module.

It is also possible to use further modules which, in a similar manner to the printing module, oscillate with the outer circumference of the Transport device and thus be moved with the containers. For example, the container treatment module, a camera system or similar. be assigned to control the printed image or Druckerfolges. The camera system can be arranged on the base module or on a separate module.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the aftertreatment may also take place after the printed containers have leaked out of the container treatment module, the aftertreatment module preferably being arranged downstream of the outlet star. The aftertreatment module may preferably be a drying tunnel, in particular a UV tunnel. By the irradiation with UV in particular a setting or a cross-linking of the printing inks takes place among each other.

If necessary, the containers can be pretreated before printing. In particular, the containers may be subjected to corona, plasma treatment or flame treatment in which the surface energy of the material to be printed is increased, whereby the wettability of the surface to be printed with ink is improved. Additionally or alternatively, for example, cleaning methods or other preparation methods (heating or the like) may be used.

According to a preferred embodiment, this is preferably done before the supply of the container to the printing area in a first, the circulating transport device associated portion of a treatment module described in detail below. According to an alternative embodiment, the pretreatment module can also be arranged on the base module with the print heads.

According to a further alternative embodiment, pretreatment of the containers to be printed at a pretreatment station via a cleaning device, a drying tunnel, a scarfing device, but preferably a corona plasma treatment or the like may be carried out in front of the inlet star to the container treatment module. respectively.

According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of containers (20) can be printed simultaneously with the present method.

In particular, special holders for the containers may be provided for this purpose, which hold two containers at the same time and feed the print area, the two containers being printed simultaneously. Such a pressure range includes at least two base modules, which are arranged according to the holder used for the container, in particular a holder for a container or a double holder for two containers, arranged in parallel and / or fixed to each other. In particular, the orbit of the transport device associated with two parallel base modules. These can also be rigidly connected.

When transporting the container by means of the aforementioned rotating or continuously rotating transport device, the containers can be moved either about their longitudinal axes. For example, the containers can be pivoted or rotated at least partially about their longitudinal axis. The containers preferably rotate at least once completely around their axis, at least once when passing through the pretreatment area and / or the pressure area and / or the post-treatment area.

The containers are preferably moved horizontally by the circulating transport device, i. its longitudinal axis is largely horizontal. This arrangement has the advantage that the printheads can be conveniently mounted recumbent so that they can eject their ink vertically downwards. The printing precision can be improved over a vertical mounting with horizontal color output. The horizontal arrangement of the printheads, however, also requires a horizontal arrangement of the containers or bottles, which, depending on the available transport configuration possibly within the transport device pivoted from a stationary to a horizontal position and moved back to the standing position before passing in the outlet star have to. The change of the container position can alternatively be done on the inlet and outlet star.

In particular, the method described is a continuous process in which the containers are moved continuously through the circulating transport device and continuously pass through the successive process or treatment steps of pretreatment, printing and post-treatment. The continuous transport does not necessarily require a constant transport speed. Thus, the rotational speed of the transport device or the rotating container carousel can vary quite cyclically. However, it makes sense to turn the carousel or the transport device approximately at a constant speed, since the necessary Adjustment of the speeds can usually be done via the oscillation speed of the base module with the printheads arranged thereon.

The invention further relates to a circulating treatment module for printing on containers. This is arranged between a container feed for feeding of containers to be printed from an upstream device and a container removal for removal and further transport of the printed containers. The treatment module comprises a circulating transport device, which has at least one holding device for the containers to be printed. The transport device may be, for example, a rotating transport star with a vertically arranged axis of rotation, a transport wheel with a horizontally arranged axis of rotation, or else an endless conveyor belt with at least partially linear transport sections.

The treatment module further comprises at least one base module, wherein at least one print head is arranged on the base module. The base module is preferably arranged in the outer region of the circulation path of the transport device, so that the containers held in this region can be reached by the print heads and, if appropriate, further treatment devices arranged on the base module.

According to a preferred embodiment, the treatment module preferably comprises three subregions in which the containers are subjected to different treatment steps.

The first section is a pretreatment area for preparing the surface of the containers for printing. The adjoining area forms the pressure area for direct printing of the container lateral surfaces. In this area, the at least one base module is arranged. This is followed by another subarea, which is in particular an aftertreatment area. According to the invention, the base module moves at least in sections synchronously with the circulating transport device, in particular the base module performs an oscillating movement. The base module can be moved at least in sections in the transport direction of the transport device from a starting position to an end position in order then to be returned to the starting position against the transport direction. As a result, the containers during their Printing accompanied by the base module, so that there is almost no relative movement between printhead and container.

The containers to be printed are preferably lying in the holding devices of the circulating transport device and arranged to be movable about their largely horizontally arranged longitudinal axis. In particular, the bottles can pivot about their longitudinal axis and / or rotate and are rotated in the pretreatment and / or in the printing and / or post-treatment or during the entire transport by the transport device steadily about its longitudinal axis. According to a preferred embodiment, the containers rotate at least once around their longitudinal axis when passing through the subregions, so that the entire outer circumferential surface of the containers is subjected to the respective treatment.

According to a further embodiment, at least one pretreatment area and / or at least one post-treatment area, in particular a drying area, may be arranged on the treatment module so that at least two different process steps: pretreatment and printing or printing and aftertreatment or pretreatment and printing and aftertreatment are carried out by the base module ,

According to a further embodiment, in the pressure region of the treatment module, an outer and an inner base module are arranged on the orbit of the transport device. If the transport device is a stationary wheel with a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, then the inner base module is preferably arranged between the axis of the rotating transport device and the container to be printed. As a result, an increase in machine power is possible. According to one embodiment, at least two containers are alternately or simultaneously printed by the outer and the inner base module. According to a further embodiment, two base modules are arranged in parallel in the pressure region of the treatment module. This allows double-held bottles to be printed simultaneously with a special holding device.

Furthermore, the treatment module may comprise means for adjusting the optimum distance between the container to be printed and the print head. The adjustment takes place in particular via an additional axis. Preferably, this has Treatment module on a corresponding sensor through which the dynamic adjustment of the distance of the container to the printhead takes place.

The sensors may include, for example, camera systems, image recognition systems, or other suitable systems for detecting and monitoring the printing process, for properly positioning the containers with respect to the printheads, and / or for controlling the printing result.

In one embodiment, the printheads are controlled via the sensor. In particular, the sensor detects the contour of the container to be printed and the distance to the print head is adjusted accordingly dynamically due to the data obtained from it to always have the optimal distance between the container and the print head and thus to achieve an optimal print result. In this embodiment, the position of the printheads and / or the position of the containers on the revolving transport device is thus not permanently preset but is dynamically controlled in dependence on the containers to be printed. In particular, the positioning of the print heads or of the base module can be adapted during the printing process, which is advantageous in particular when printing containers with an oval diameter, since the distance between the container and the print head changes continuously as the container rotates about its longitudinal axis.

By way of example, the sensor may be a picture-recognizing system which forwards the ascertained data, in particular the contour, height and width of the container to be printed, to a computing unit. Based on the transmitted data, the optimal distance between the container and the printhead is calculated. The arithmetic unit then controls the corresponding positioning of the print head or the print heads on the base module or the corresponding positioning of the base module.

With the method according to the invention and the device described, it is thus possible to continuously print continuously moving containers. The previously required timing of the machines due to the at least temporarily standing at the printing station container can be omitted. The containers can now remain in constant motion, so that the entire handling can be simplified and the machine performance can be increased. The method and the device are used in particular for Direct pressure on the lateral surface of containers used. Alternatively, it is also possible to print on the container located labels or coatings or wraps.

• Figur 1 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine erste Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern.
• Figur 2 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern.
• Figur 3 zeigt eine dritte Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern.
• Figur 4 zeigt eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Behältern.
• Figur 5 zeigt eine Haltevorrichtung für zwei Behälter.
• Figur 6 zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Haltevorrichtung für zwei Behälter.
• Figur 7 zeigt eine Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum gleichzeitigen Bedrucken von doppelt gehalterten Behältern.
• Figur 8 zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum gleichzeitigen Bedrucken von doppelt gehalterten Behältern.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an apparatus for printing on containers.
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an apparatus for printing on containers.
• FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for printing on containers.
• FIG. 4 shows another device for printing on containers.
• FIG. 5 shows a holding device for two containers.
• FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a holding device for two containers.
• FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an apparatus for the simultaneous printing of doppelhaltalterten containers.
• FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus for simultaneous printing of doppelstalterten containers.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method of the invention may be configured and are not an exhaustive limitation.

FIG. 1 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device 1a for printing on containers 20. In the embodiment shown, the device 1a comprises an inlet device 12, a rotating treatment module 10a and an outlet device 14.

The containers 20 to be printed are fed via an inlet device 12, in particular formed by a standard transport star such as an inlet star, the rotating treatment module 10a. The inlet device 12 can - as shown here - additionally take over the function of tilting the bottles or containers 20 before or during the transfer to the horizontal, so that they are transferred in this position in the device 1a and transported there in a horizontal position. For example, a so-called 90 ° turn starter 13, as in FIG FIG. 1 shown.

Alternatively, the articles or containers 20 to be printed can also be brought to a horizontal position on the rotating treatment module 10a by a suitable turning device (not shown). The turning can thus take place as in the exemplary embodiment in the "approach area" to the treatment module 10a or alternatively within the treatment module 10a.

The horizontal position of the containers 20 is advantageous due to the physical limitations of the at least one printhead 32 used. The printing can be done in this case with lying printheads 32, which can eject their ink down and thus without negative influence due to the acting gravitational forces.

The containers 20 are transferred to a continuously rotating transport device 11 of the rotating treatment module 10a. The transport device 11 is a kind of vertically positioned wheel, which rotates about its horizontally arranged axis of rotation DA. The transport device 11 has special holding devices (not shown) for the containers 20, in which the containers 20 are centered and clamped in such a way that they can be moved about their longitudinal axis X, in particular pivoted and / or rotated.

After the transfer to the rotating transport device 11, the containers 20 pass through a first subregion I in which a pre-treatment takes place. Each container 20 preferably needs at least one in the pretreatment module 40 Perform 360 ° rotation so that the entire circumference of the container 20 is treated. This process preferably takes place continuously. According to a further embodiment, the process may also take place discontinuously or clocked.

Following the containers 20 due to the continuous movement of the transport device 11 in the direction of movement B reach a printing area D. This is the printing area D with at least one base station 29, arranged on the at least one print head 32 and at least one intermediate drying station 35 in an initial position AP are. In FIG. 1 are three juxtaposed base modules shown, so that each parallel and three containers 20 can be edited simultaneously.

The base station 29 moves in an oscillating manner, which means that initially the movement of the containers 20 in the direction of movement B over a machine angle α until the end position EP is synchronously accompanied. This allows due to the continuous movement of the transport device 11 in the direction of movement B, a continuous treatment of the container 20, which rotate during the printing process preferably continuously about its longitudinal axis X. The application of the ink by the printheads 32 to the container 20 takes place here largely from above. The print heads 32 have no relative movement to the containers 20 in this treatment phase.

On an base station 29, in an alternative embodiment, in addition to the intermediate drying station 35, a plurality of print heads 32 and, in particular, also a plurality of print heads 32 of the same color can be seated. That several containers 20 can be printed simultaneously, which increases the performance of the device 10.

After leaving the pressure range D, the containers 20 pass through a second partial area II, in which at least one aftertreatment takes place by means of an after-treatment module 42, in particular a final drying 44. Here, the containers 20 are dried continuously, for example by UV light, wherein the containers 20 are again preferably rotated continuously about their longitudinal axis X. According to a further embodiment, the after-treatment process may also take place discontinuously or clocked.

Subsequently, the containers 20 are transferred to a discharge device 14, which is similar to the inlet device 12 and in which it is in the illustrated embodiment is also a 90 ° turning star 15, the container 20 from the lying position in a standing position for further transport to downstream processing devices, such as packaging devices o. transferred.

While the containers 20 are transported to the second sub-area II or through the second sub-area II or are removed via the outlet device 14, 15 from the rotating treatment module 10a, the at least one base station 29 against the direction of movement B of the transport device 11 back into the Starting position AP moves and is now ready for printing newly supplied container 20 again.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 1b for printing containers 20 with a rotating treatment module 10b. In this case, a further base station 30 with at least one print head 32 and at least one intermediate drying station 35, which is arranged between the containers 20 and the axis of the rotating transport device 11, is used. This allows an increase in engine power. The two base stations 29 and 30 oscillate synchronously. In this case, the container to be printed 20 is simultaneously acted upon by two base stations 29 and 30 and can be printed, for example, from both sides. Alternatively, the two base stations 29, 30 may also print heads 32 having different colors and by the rotation of the container 20 about its longitudinal axis X, these can be successively printed with the different colors. This arrangement leads to an advantageous increase in engine power.

Furthermore, it is also possible that the base stations 29, 30 are moved alternatively. In a non-synchronous movement, it is possible to have different containers 20 printed alternately from the outer 29 or from the inner base station 30.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a device 1c for printing containers with a rotating treatment module 10c. Here, the axis of rotation DA of the rotating transport device 11 of the rotary treatment module 10c is arranged approximately vertically.

The containers 20 are arranged by a respective holding device 23 movable on the transport device 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivoting of the container 20 takes place in the horizontal on the container table of the rotating Transport device 11. The inlet device 12 and outlet device 14 are each designed as a standard inlet star 16 and standard outlet star 17.

The at least one print head 32 is arranged above the rotating transport device 11, so that the printing can in turn be "classic" from top to bottom. Furthermore, it is possible to have additional printheads (not shown) to place around the container 20, for example, for multi-color printing. Alternatively, a simultaneous printing of a container can take place over several print heads.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of another device 1d for printing on containers 20. The device largely corresponds to the in FIG. 1 described embodiment, which is why can be dispensed with the double description of many components of the device. This embodiment is not covered by the claims.

At least one pretreatment module 60, at least one print head 32 and at least one aftertreatment module 62 are arranged on a base station 31, so that the three process steps pretreatment, printing and aftertreatment all take place through the base module 31.

By using a double bracket 50 ( see. Figures 5 and 6 ) and two arranged in the pressure range D base modules 31, a simultaneous printing of at least two containers 20 could take place.

FIG. 5 1 shows a holding device 50 for two containers 20 for use in a rotating transport device 11. This holding device 50 comprises two firmly coupled holders for containers 20.

With the holding device 50 shown, two horizontally oriented containers 20 can be transported simultaneously and each moved about its longitudinal axis X. This can double the machine power. For the inlet and outlet of the treated container 20 but then two inlet and two outlet devices 12, 14 (not shown, see. FIG. 1 ), while a large part of the moving components, in particular the at least one printhead base station 29, can be shared.
Alternatively, it is also possible that the holder is fitted from one side with a container 20, then the holder is largely 180 ° pivoted, the inlet and outlet device 12, 14 (not shown, see. FIG. 1 ) turns a round and then the second container 20 is attached to the double bracket 50.

FIG. 6 shows a holding device 52, which makes it possible to transport two containers 20 at the same time largely horizontally lying. The holding device 52 serves, for example, for use in a treatment module 10e accordingly FIG. 7 , whereby by the simultaneous transport of two containers on a holding device 52, a doubling of the engine power can be achieved.

The transfer of the container 20 from the input starter 16 to the transport device 11 and the positioning of the container 20 takes place at the in FIG. 7 shown embodiment as shown FIG. 3 known, wherein always a container 20 is pivoted toward the center of the rotating conveyor 11, while at the same time the second container 20 is pivoted away from the machine center. Before the transfer point between the rotating transport device 11 and output starter 17, the container axes X are brought back into the vertical, so that the container 20 can be transferred to the outlet device 14, 17 and the holding device 52 is free again for receiving new container 20.

For container transport, only one inlet and one outlet star are necessary, while a large part of the moving components can be shared.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a device 1e for simultaneous printing of double held containers 20 with a rotating treatment module 10e. In this case, the axis of rotation DA of the rotating transport device 11 of the rotating treatment module 10e is arranged approximately vertically.

In each case two containers 20 are arranged by a respective double-holding device 52 movable on the transport device 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivoting of the container 20 in the horizontal takes place on the container table of the rotating transport device 11. The inlet device 12 and outlet device 14 are each designed as a standard inlet star 16 and standard outlet star 17.

The device 1d comprises at least two print heads 32, wherein a first print head 32 on a first base module 29 and a second print head 32 on a second base module 30 are each disposed above the rotating transport device 11. In particular, the printheads 32 are at substantially the same height level and the inside and outside printheads 32 simultaneously print both containers 20 of the double holder 52.

It is also possible to place additional printheads 32 (not shown) around the container 20, for example for multi-color printing. Alternatively, a simultaneous printing of the container via a plurality of print heads 32 take place.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus 1f for the simultaneous printing of doppelstalterten containers 20. The inlet devices 12 and outlet devices (not shown) are each designed as turning stars 13. Alternatively, the inlet devices 12 and outlet devices (not shown) as a standard inlet star 16 and standard outlet star (not shown) to be executed and a horizontal positioning of the container 20 on the container table of the transport device 11 (not shown).

The device 1f likewise comprises at least two print heads 32 on a first and a second base module 29, 30, each above the rotating transport device 11 and thus arranged above the largely horizontally lying containers 20. In particular, the printheads 32 are at substantially the same height level, and the inside and outside printheads 32 simultaneously print both containers 20 supported on the double holder 52.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment.

Bezuaszeichenliste:

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d

Device for printing on containers

10, 10a, 10b 10c, 10d

rotating treatment module

11

transport device

12

inlet device

13

90 ° Wendestern

14

discharge device

15

90 ° Wendestern

16

feed star

17

outlet star

20

container

22

holder

23

holder

29

base station

30

base station

31

base station

32

printhead

35

Between treatment station

40

pretreatment module

42

post-treatment module

44

desiccation

50

Holding device for two containers

52

Holding device for two containers

60

pretreatment module

62

post-treatment module

α

machine angle

AP

starting position

B

movement direction

EP

end position

I

first subarea

D

second subarea

THERE

axis of rotation

II

third subarea

X

longitudinal axis

Claims (14)

1. A method for printing onto containers (20) wherein the containers (20) are transported by means of a circulating transport device (11), which has at least one holding device (23, 50, 52) for the containers (20) to be printed onto, wherein the circulating transport device (11) has at least one basic module (29, 30, 31) associated with it, upon which at least one print head (32) is arranged, and wherein the at least one basic module (29, 30, 31) is arranged in the area of the orbit of the transport device (11), wherein the following method steps take place:

   - feeding the containers (20) to a print area (D), wherein the print area (D) has at least one basic module (29, 30, 31) associated with it;

   - driving along the at least one basic module (29, 30) at least partially synchronously with the containers (20) being transported through the circulating transport device (11), which containers (20) are to be printed onto, wherein the basic module (29, 30) assumes a start position (AP) and an end position (EP) in the print area (D) at the circulating transport device (11);

   - printing onto the containers (20) during a synchronous movement of the basic module (29, 30) and the circulating transport device (11) between the start position (AP) and the end position (EP) by means of the at least one print head (32) arranged on the basic module (29, 30);

   characterised by the following process steps:

   - returning the basic module (29, 30) opposite to the transport direction (B) of the circulating transport device (11) into the start position (AP) while the containers (20) are being further transported in the transport direction (B) by the circulating transport device (11);

   - wherein the basic module (29, 30) is returned into the start position (AP) in a swivelling movement in an opposite direction to a rotary movement (B) or to a circulating movement of the transport device (11).
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the containers (20) are subjected to a pre-treatment prior to being printed onto and/or wherein the containers (20) are subjected to an after-treatment subsequent to being printed onto.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein a plurality of containers (20) is simultaneously printed onto.
4. The method as recited in claim 2 or claim 2 and 3 wherein the containers (20) are swivelled and/or rotated about their longitudinal axis (X) during the printing and/or during the pre-treatment and/or during the after-treatment.
5. The method as recited in claim 2 or claim 2 together with claim 3 or 4 wherein the pre-treatment of the containers (20) prepares the surface of the containers (20) for printing, in particular wherein the pre-treatment comprises a flame treatment, a corona treatment, or a plasma treatment.
6. The method as recited in claim 2 or claim 2 together with one of the claims 3 to 5 wherein the after-treatment of the printed containers (20) comprises a final drying of the printed containers (20), in particular a drying with hot air or a UV crosslinking.
7. The method as recited in claim 2 or claim 2 together with one of the claims 3 to 6 wherein the method steps pre-treatment, printing, and after-treatment for the containers (20) are carried out continuously, wherein the containers (20) are constantly moved by the circulating transport device (11).
8. A circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) for printing onto containers (20), which treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) can be arranged between a container in-feed (12, 13, 16) and a container out-feed (14, 15, 17), with a circulating transport device (11), which has at least one holding device (23, 50, 52) for the containers (20) to be printed onto, with at least one basic module (29, 30), wherein the basic module (29, 30) comprises at least one print head (32), and wherein the basic module (29, 30) is arranged in the area of the orbit of the transport device (11), wherein the circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) comprises at least one print area (D), wherein the print area (D) comprises the at least one basic module (29, 30, 31), wherein the at least one basic module (29, 30, 31) is arranged in the outer area of the orbit of the transport device and is in sections movable in the print area synchronously with the circulating transport device (11) between a start position (AP) and an end position (EP) such that the at least one print head is stationary in relation to the particular container, characterised in that the basic module (29, 30) is swivelable back into the start position (AP) in the opposite direction to the circulating movement of the transport device (11).
9. The circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) as recited in claim 8 wherein at least one pre-treatment module (40, 60) and/or at least one after-treatment module (42, 62) is/are arranged on the at least one basic module (29, 30, 31).
10. The circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) as recited in claim 8 or 9 wherein the basic module (29, 30, 31) is movable in an oscillating manner.
11. The circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) as recited in one of the claims 8 to 10 wherein the containers (20) to be printed onto are arranged in the holding devices (23, 50, 52) of the circulating transport device (11) in a lying position and so as to be movable about their largely horizontally arranged longitudinal axis (X).
12. The circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) as recited in one of the claims 8 to 11 wherein the treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e) comprises holding devices (23) for one container (20) or holding devices (50, 52) for two containers (20).
13. The circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) as recited in one of the claims 8 to 12 that has two basic modules (29, 30, 31) associated with it in the print area, wherein the basic modules (29, 30, 31) are arranged to be parallel and/or fixedly coupled with each other, in particular a treatment module that has an outer and an inner basic module (29, 30) at the orbit of the transport device (11) associated with it in the print area (D).
14. The circulating treatment module (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) as recited in one of the claims 8 to 13 wherein the circulating transport device (11) is a rotating transport device or a transport star or wherein the circulating transport device is in sections linear.

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