Method and device for treating packages
First Claim
1. A method for treating packages, said method comprising using an apparatus that comprises a package inlet, a package outlet, a package transport path extending between said package inlet and said package outlet so that packages move along said package transport path along a transport direction from said package inlet to said package outlet, said package transport path being formed at least in part by a transport-and-treatment element having treatment positions, said transport-and-treatment element being drivable to rotate, wherein each of said treatment positions is configured to at least one of hold a package during treatment thereof, center said package during treatment thereof, and cause controlled movement of said package during treatment thereof, said apparatus further comprising holding-and-centering units, wherein each holding-and-centering unit comprises a puck configured to pick up a package at said package inlet and transport said package to said package outlet, wherein said puck releases said package only at said package outlet, and wherein said puck is configured to introduce a gaseous sterilizing agent into said package, arranging packages on treatment positions, applying designs to said packages, wherein applying designs comprises printing on said packages, wherein printing comprises inkjet printing, wherein printing on said packages takes place at treatment positions that are associated with said packages during printing thereon, and intermittently charging said packages, during printing thereon, with said gaseous sterilizing agent.
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Abstract
A method for treating packages includes ink jet printing designs on packages, arranging packages on a treatment position of a package transport path, and at least intermittently charging the packages, during printing thereon, with a gaseous sterilizing agent.
12 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A method for treating packages, said method comprising using an apparatus that comprises a package inlet, a package outlet, a package transport path extending between said package inlet and said package outlet so that packages move along said package transport path along a transport direction from said package inlet to said package outlet, said package transport path being formed at least in part by a transport-and-treatment element having treatment positions, said transport-and-treatment element being drivable to rotate, wherein each of said treatment positions is configured to at least one of hold a package during treatment thereof, center said package during treatment thereof, and cause controlled movement of said package during treatment thereof, said apparatus further comprising holding-and-centering units, wherein each holding-and-centering unit comprises a puck configured to pick up a package at said package inlet and transport said package to said package outlet, wherein said puck releases said package only at said package outlet, and wherein said puck is configured to introduce a gaseous sterilizing agent into said package, arranging packages on treatment positions, applying designs to said packages, wherein applying designs comprises printing on said packages, wherein printing comprises inkjet printing, wherein printing on said packages takes place at treatment positions that are associated with said packages during printing thereon, and intermittently charging said packages, during printing thereon, with said gaseous sterilizing agent.
- 9. An apparatus that has been specifically designed to carry out a method that comprises applying designs to said packages, wherein applying designs comprises printing on said packages, wherein printing comprises inkjet printing, wherein said method further comprises arranging packages on treatment positions of a package transport path, and intermittently charging said packages, during printing thereon, with a gaseous sterilizing agent, said apparatus comprising a package inlet, a package outlet, said package transport path, a transport-and-treatment element, and said treatment positions, wherein said package transport path extends between said package inlet and said package outlet so that packages move along said package transport path along a transport direction from said package inlet to said package outlet, wherein said package transport path is formed at least in part by said at least one transport-and-treatment element, wherein said at least one transport-and-treatment element is drivable to rotate, wherein each of said treatment positions is configured to at least one of hold a package during treatment thereof, center a package during treatment thereof, and cause controlled movement of a package during treatment thereof, wherein printing of said design on a package takes place at a treatment position associated with said package, and wherein each of said treatment positions is further configured to charge a package associated with said treatment position with a sterilizing medium, further comprising holding-and-centering units, wherein each holding-and-centering unit comprises a puck, wherein said puck is configured to pick up a package at said package inlet and transport said package to said package outlet, wherein said puck releases said package only at said package outlet, and wherein said puck is configured to introduce said sterilizing agent.
Specification