EP0844103B1 - Process and apparatus for applying a decoration to an object - Google Patents

Abstract

The object (40a,b,c) is dipped into a flowing liquid on the supporting film (50) of which the decoration (51) floats which is transferred to the object. The object is rotated while being immersed. The shape of the object is detected by a calculator with sensor which controls a robot (70,72,74) guiding the object. The calculator has controls for producing currents in the liquid with especially flow constituents crosswise to the main movement plane (H).

Description

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for Applying a decor to an object in which the object is immersed in a liquid on which the decor floats to transfer the decor to the object.

From US-A-4,010,057 (corresponding to DE-A-25 34 640) are a such a method and a corresponding device are known.

US-A-4,348,246 and US-A-4,388,866 describe similar ones Transfer printing techniques, with the film being transferred Decor on a granulate layer or a deformable layer from pens.

US-A-4,436,571 describes a transfer print of the beginning mentioned type, in which the object to be printed in certain Point into the liquid with the decor floating on it is immersed, namely in a continuous movement obliquely down towards the flow and then obliquely upwards, also in the direction of the flow of the liquid.

US-A-4,407,881 (corresponding to DE-A-32 19 992) describes for the transfer printing mentioned at the outset a special configuration of the support film, which is a hydrophilic, deformable layer has, which can swell by absorption of water, and another layer overlaid on the hydrophilic layer and which is permeable to water in different ways, so that the hydrophilic layer more or less expanded.

US-A-4,229,239 describes a special embodiment of the Transfer printing technology mentioned at the beginning, in which the decor before preparing for transfer using a solvent so that it is easier to transfer from the object to the object supporting film triggers. This activation of the decor (print pattern; pattern) takes place immediately with the prior art mentioned before applying the film with the decor on the free Water surface. On the surface of the water, the can Dissolve the decor supporting film so that the decor alone (without the film) floats on the surface of the water and then Immerse the object to be decorated on this Item is applied.

US-A-4,231,829 describes a further development of the beginning called transfer printing technology in that the decor on the liquid-supporting PVA film or the water itself Boric acid or a salt thereof is added to the transfer process to promote.

US-A-4,269,650 also describes the addition of a solvent, to facilitate the detachment of the decor from the supporting film.

In the above-mentioned prior art, the one to be decorated Object two-dimensionally in a main plane of movement emotional. The main plane of movement is defined by the fact that is spanned by the following vectors: That of the flow direction vector corresponding to the liquid and one perpendicular Vector (normal) to the liquid surface. The object is moved in this level in the prior art. The The immersion process is carried out as above using the US-A-4,436,571 is described, that is in a prong-shaped Movement, the angle is adjustable. With this known Technique is decorating objects that are relative have complicated shape, very difficult and often with complex Tests ("trial and error") connected. It's tough, precisely coordinate the movement of the object during the diving process on the flow rate of the liquid or the Movement of the decor film floating on the liquid and it It is also difficult to expand the decor on the liquid precisely in relation to the requirements of the object and stop diving. The process includes at State of the art too many uncontrolled parameters to be effective To enable decoration with exact results, i.e. an application of the decor to the object in exactly the same way desired geometry.

The invention is based, the method according to the task the preamble of claim 1 and the device according to the preamble of claim 6 so that a more effective and accurate decorating objects that also can have a more complicated shape is made possible.

The method according to the invention for achieving this goal is characterized in that the object to be decorated at Diving not only in the main movement plane defined above is moved, but also across it. The item is in a three-dimensional movement immersed in the liquid that floats the decor.

This three-dimensional movement enables a significantly improved Matching all process parameters to each other, such that the decoration in exactly the desired geometry and quality takes place, even with more complicated objects. More complicated items for the decorating process in question are, for example, plates, telephone receivers, etc.

Depending on the shape (geometry) of the print Subject can according to the invention, the immersion angle Object in the liquid in different directions (not only in the main movement plane) can be selected, and depending on the diving speed, the flow speed of water and film expansion or film compression on the water surface. The latter film expansion or film compression can be according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with nozzles that are below the water surface are arranged and create currents in the water, in particular also transversely and obliquely to the main plane of movement the decorative film floating on the surface in the desired Way to stretch or compress (at the same time in certain Stretching in one direction and compression in another can be provided).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, that the object is rotated when diving. Depending on the The shape of the object does not lead to it when diving only translational movements, but also a certain rotation, the axis of rotation during the diving process can keep the same direction in the room or also, in the case of more complicated objects, their direction in space can change. The speed of rotation can also when diving in Depends on the shape of the object to be printed vary to the desired placement of the decorative film on the object to reach. The rotation is usually not done entirely over 360 °.

The invention also includes process control by means of a Computer, which all essential process parameters during the decorating process adjusts or regulates. So the calculator can in particular grasp the shape of the object to be decorated, for example by means of a conventional mechanical or optical Scanning device or by means of manual input of the dimensions of interest by an operator. Should for example decorated an object with a plate shape the diameter of the plate is of particular interest overall, its depth and the; Angle of inclination of the plate edge. From these, defining the shape of the object Data, the calculator can based on experimental experience control the process parameters, in particular the movement process including the various dive angles in in relation to the liquid surface, the diving speeds, the rotation angle and rotation speed, the feed speed of the decor film, the flow rate of the Water and the stretching or compression of the decorative film on the Water surface by means of currents in the water. The control is preferably completely coordinated in time and synchronized, i.e. when changing a process parameter the other process parameters are adjusted.

Fig. 1

schematisch von der Seite eine Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Dekors auf einen Gegenstand;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines stromauf gelegenen Abschnittes der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 mit der Wassereinspeisung;

Fig. 4

schematisch eine Düse zur Erzeugung einer Wasserströmung in einstellbarer Richtung;

Fig. 5

schematisch einen zu dekorierenden Gegenstand mit auf der Wasseroberfläche schwimmendem Film mit Dekor;

Fig. 6

schematisch zwei Roboter, die zu dekorierende Gegenstände beim Tauchvorgang bewegen;

Fig. 7

eine Einzelheit eines Roboters gemäß Fig. 6 und

Fig. 8

schematisch einen Bewegungsablauf des vom Roboter bewegten Gegenstandes.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

schematically from the side a device for applying a decor to an object;

Fig. 2

a plan view of a device according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

a side view of an upstream portion of the device of Figure 1 with the water feed.

Fig. 4

schematically shows a nozzle for generating a water flow in an adjustable direction;

Fig. 5

schematically an object to be decorated with a floating film on the water surface with decor;

Fig. 6

schematically two robots that move objects to be decorated during the diving process;

Fig. 7

a detail of a robot according to FIGS. 6 and

Fig. 8

schematically a sequence of movements of the object moved by the robot.

Fig. 1 shows on the right a housing 10 in which a printed film is fed to a pool 12 via rollers. The chemical and physical structure of the film as such is not the subject of this invention and not the chemical and physical Structure of the decor applied to the film. So far can be referred to the prior art mentioned above.

The housing 10 and the water basin 12 are on a common Foundation 14, which the entire system largely supported by external mechanical interference.

The film printed with the decor on its upper side becomes via a film feed 16 in the form of an oblique Conveyor belt from the housing 10 to the surface of the water in the pool 12 out. The conveyor belt of the film feeder 16 runs over rollers 18, 20

The water flows in Fig. 1 from right to left through the Basin 12. For this purpose, a pump 22 is provided which has a water circuit maintained. A line 24 leads from the pump 22 in a cavity 30 in which the water along a dam wall 28 is pumped to a level above the surface of the Water in the pool 12 is. From the water inlet 26 at the top of the cavity 30 over the dam 28, the water falls down, the cavity 30 completely filled with water is. In Fig. 3 the flow path of the water is shown in more detail and it will also feed the water further down in the pool 12 described in more detail.

On lateral guide bands 32, 32a (see also FIG. 2) the one placed over the film feeder 16 and provided with the decor Film 50 in the direction of flow (from right to in the figures left). The guide belts only arranged on the side 32, 32a (see FIG. 2) run over rollers 34, 36, which are extend over the entire width of the device. The role 36 has in cooperation with one in the flow direction behind it arranged further roller 42, which is also over the entire Width of the device extends (see FIG. 2), an additional Function, namely the separation of film and decor residues of clean water in the cycle. As known to those skilled in the art is, the object 40 to be printed approximately on the an arrow marked point from above into the water in the Basin 12 submerged. It floats on the surface of the Water, approximately at the level of the lateral guide bands 32, 32a, the Film with the decor. The decor is on top of the film upset. Fig. 5 shows schematically the immersion of the object 40 into the liquid on which the supporting film 50 and the decor 51 float. The decor 51 is three-dimensional around the object 40 and sticks to it. In this case, the film 50 can itself before the immersion process largely, if not completely, dissolved in water, so that the object 40 directly from above into the on the Liquid floating decor 51 is pushed in and the transfer process due to the fluid pressure. This technique can be used to create complicated three-dimensional objects printed to scale. Remain in this process remains of film and decor in the flowing water can no longer be used. For example, in the booth used a film made of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), which is more or less soluble in water.

In the arrangement of the rollers 36 and 42 shown in FIG a narrow gap 44 is left between the rollers. About the Roll 36 funded film remnants and decor remnants get onto the Roll 42 and are promoted by the rotation of this roll and get to a filter 46, the film and decor remains separates from the water and purified water in the circuit returns to the pump 22. Through the fine gap 44 between relatively clean water returns to rollers 36 and 42 lower areas of the pelvis 12.

Figures 2 and 3 show the device schematically from above and from the side. 3 illustrates details of the feed of water in the pool. As already mentioned above using the Fig. 1 was executed, the water in the cavity 30 rises the dam 28 and falls down into the pool 12 from there. An opening 64 is provided below the storage wall 28, through the excess water enter directly into the pool 12 can.

In Fig. 3, the path of the water over the damming wall 28 with a solid line 48 shown schematically. After that it will Water through a space between two rotating rollers 60, 62 fed into the pool. The two rollers 60, 62 are arranged vertically one above the other and in the direction of arrow P vertically adjustable. At least one of the rollers, in particular the lower roller has a rotary drive, preferably both rollers. The speed of rotation of the rollers is such that the water accordingly the arrow 56 is promoted. The arrow 56 marks also the surface of the water in the pool 12. In Fig. 3 rotates So the lower roller 60 counterclockwise, and the upper one Roller 62 rotates clockwise. By adjusting the rollers 60, 62 in their vertical height, setting their distance from each other and the speed of rotation, the inflow of Control water in the pool optimally. The rollers are preferred 60, 62 with a smooth surface, for example in Stainless steel. For example, the distance between the two rollers, in Depending on the requirements of the object to be printed, about 1cm. The distance becomes the amount of the fed water controlled. By the speed of rotation the rollers (mainly the lower roller 60) can Flow velocity on the surface 56 in the pool 12 is affected become.

Using a sensor (not shown in detail) is continuous the level of the water in the pool 12 measured and it unwanted waves that may occur are determined. This Information is sent to one that controls all adjustable components Given computer, which evaluates them accordingly. For example If waves occur, the computer can Change position and distance of rollers 60, 62 to occur prevent waves and keep the water surface calm to keep.

The film 50 sliding down from the film feeder 16 with the printed one Decor arrives at the point 54 on the water surface in pool 12. There it swims on the surface and is carried along with the current.

Below the water surface 50 there are several nozzles in the pool 52 arranged with which flows in the water in different Directions can be generated. Fig. 4 shows the nozzles schematically in enlarged representation and their optional positioning in the Space for changing flow directions depending on the desired shape of the film according to the one to be printed Object. According to the top view of Fig. 2 are shown in the Embodiment 3 x 4 (12) nozzles positioned so that practically anywhere on the surface 56 of the Desired flows can be generated. Give the nozzles 52 So a water flow upwards or downwards at an angle to along with the stretchable and compressible film on the surface to stretch or condense the decor in the desired manner. In the area 50a (FIG. 2), the surface 56 of the Water floating in the pool film according to the requirements of the object to be printed (not shown) stretched or condensed. Fig. 4 shows schematically the adjustability on the right the direction of flow by means of a nozzle 52, the axis of which 70, which defines the direction of flow, inclined to the water surface is adjustable.

1 is a pump 66 which pumps the water through the nozzles 52 drives, shown schematically, and are above the pump six arrows indicated, which symbolize the individual nozzles.

In area 50b, the film with the decor largely has its own desired (stretched or condensed) shape is achieved and is conveyed downstream over several rollers 38. The rollers 38 are in its height so adjustable that it is approximately with its upper edge the water surface 56 are aligned. The rollers 38 serve on the one hand the calming of the water surface and the feed of the film. They are preferred with a smooth surface, for example made of stainless steel. The rollers preferred each have a rotary drive and are in terms of rotational speed and height adjustable. With the rollers 38, the surface of the water, especially downstream (left), kept calm and the feed of the film can also be stabilized. If necessary (depending on the object to be printed) can be done using the rollers 38 also face the feed speed of the film the flow rate of water faster or can be set more slowly. The former is especially then advisable if the object to be printed is very deep in the Basin must be immersed or if the object must be quickly immersed. An increase in the feed rate of the film relative to the flow velocity of the Water then prevents the film from tearing.

In the illustrated embodiment, three rollers 38 are provided which are cylindrical and each independently regarding vertical position, speed of rotation and horizontal distance are adjustable. With the rollers 38 can the feeding of the decorative film 50 into the printing area 40 is controlled become.

Fig. 6 shows two robots with which objects to be printed 40a, 40b, 40c through the pool 12 (according to the description with reference to Figures 1 to 5) are moved. In this embodiment three objects 40a, 40b, 40c become simultaneously decorated.

Fig. 6 is an end view in the direction of arrow A of Fig. 2. Left and right of the pool 12 is a robot arranged, controlled by a computer (not shown) becomes. The objects 40a, 40b, 40c to be printed hang on a suspension 70 that can be moved three-dimensionally by the robot is. The robot arranged on the right of the pool 12 in FIG. 6 has a vertical column 72, the robot arranged on the left a corresponding vertical column 72a. The pillars 72 and 72a stand on rails 76 and 76a, which are firmly anchored to the ground is.

The columns 72 and 72a can in a first variant of the invention on the rail 76 or 76a in the direction "x". The direction "x" in FIG. 6 runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, i.e. in Figures 1 to 3 between left and right (corresponding to the direction of arrow "A" of Fig. 2). The main movement plane H defined at the outset is in the figures 2 and 6 shown.

Instead of the possibility of moving the columns described above 72, 72a in the "x" direction can also be a stationary arrangement of the columns. In this case the movement is the Suspension 70 on the arm 74 or 74a of the robot more complicated (see below).

Only the robot arranged on the right in FIG. 6 will be described below (Column 72) described in more detail. The one on the left of the pool 12 Robot works accordingly.

From the vertically standing column 72 extends horizontally a cross member 74 towards the pool 12. A motor 78 can the column 72 along the rail 76 in the direction of the axis move "x".

Motors 80a, 80b (cf. FIG. 7) are arranged on the cross member 74, which on the one hand cause a vertical movement of the cross member 74 in the direction of the arrow P ₁ and on the other hand a movement of the carriage 90 on the cross member 74 in the direction of the arrow P ₂ . A vertical support 84, on which the suspension 70 hangs, is attached to the carriage 90.

The suspension 70 can be pivoted, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The pivoting takes place in the illustrated embodiment with a piston / cylinder arrangement 86 which executes a movement in the direction of arrow P ₃ for pivoting the suspension 70. The pivoting can be done mechanically-manually or automatically, computer-controlled with a suitable drive.

The robots can be controlled by means of a computer so that the Carry out decorating objects 40a, 40b, 40c can with components in the direction of the vertical z-axis, the horizontal x-axis and perpendicular to the x and z axes standing horizontal y-axis. The robots are still like this controllable that the objects to be printed also rotary movements can perform, in the illustrated embodiment once around the horizontal o-axis (see FIG. 6) and on the other hand, around the m axis (FIG. 7). When turning around 6 pivots the entire suspension 70. At 7, the object 40c rotates around the m axis around the m axis, which is stationary with respect to the suspension 70.

Fig. 8 shows with solid lines an initial position of the Suspension 70 with objects to be printed attached to it and with dashed lines different positions that can be taken during the diving process.

The robots essentially move the objects during the diving process along the main plane of movement H according to FIG. 2, that is downstream of the rollers 38 and in front of the roller 36. Are the robots arranged stationary, i.e. the pillars 72, 72a stand firmly the floor, so the movement towards the main plane of movement H take place in that when the column rotates the carriage 90 is moved with respect to the cross member 74.

Claims (8)

1. Method for applying a decoration onto an article, in which the article (40a, 40b, 40c) is immersed into a flowing liquid on which the decoration (51) is floating, if appropriate on a supporting film (50), in order to transfer the decoration onto the article,
   characterized in that the article (40a, 40b, 40c) to be decorated is moved during immersion in such a way that its movement also comprises components transversal to its main plane of movement (H).
2. Method according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the article (40a, 40b, 40c) is rotated during immersion.
3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the shape of the article is detected using a computer and that the computer controls a robot (70, 72, 74) guiding the article during immersion.
4. Method according to claim 3,
   characterized in that the computer also controls means (52, 66) for producing currents in the liquid, especially with components of flow transversal to the main.plane of movement (H) .
5. Apparatus for applying a decoration (51) onto an article (40a, 40b, 40c) comprising a tank (12) containing a liquid on which the decoration (51) is floating, if appropriate on a supporting film (50), and a means (70, 72, 74) for immersing the article into the liquid,
   characterized in that the immersion means (70, 72, 74) comprises means (70) for moving the article (40a, 40b, 40c) in three dimensions.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5,
   characterized in that the means (70, 72, 74) for immersing the article (40a, 40b, 40c) includes means (70) for rotating the article.
7. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 or 6,
   characterized in that a computer is provided for detecting the shape of the article by means of a scanner, wherein said computer controls at least the immersion means (70, 72, 74).
8. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 7,
   characterized in that the computer also controls means (52) for producing currents in the liquid comprising inter alia components of flow transversal to the main plane of movement (H) of the article.

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