Detection segment as well as device and method for printing containers
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising a detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers, said device comprising a printing module, said detection segment comprising an image-capturing device, a sensor interface, a computer, a communication interface, said detection segment configured for holding and releasing a retaining-and-centering unit that rotates a container about a vertical axis thereof when said container is retained at said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said image-capturing device is configured to optically detect a container feature of a container, wherein said sensor interface interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on said retaining-and-centering unit to determine a rotational position of said container when said container is retained by said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said computer connects to said image-capturing device and said sensor unit, wherein said computer is configured for determining an alignment variable based on said code and said detected container feature, and wherein said communication interface is configured to forward said alignment variable to a printer segment on said printer module, wherein said detection segment is a detection module that can be swapped in and out of engagement with a rotor with which a plurality of other identical detection modules are also in engagement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers includes an image-capturing device that optically detects a container feature and a sensor interface that interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on a retaining-and-centering unit that holds a container to determine a rotational position of that container. A computer connects to the image-capturing device and the sensor unit. The computer determines an alignment variable based on the code and the detected container feature and then forwards this alignment variable to a printer segment on a printer module.
31 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. An apparatus comprising a detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers, said device comprising a printing module, said detection segment comprising an image-capturing device, a sensor interface, a computer, a communication interface, said detection segment configured for holding and releasing a retaining-and-centering unit that rotates a container about a vertical axis thereof when said container is retained at said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said image-capturing device is configured to optically detect a container feature of a container, wherein said sensor interface interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on said retaining-and-centering unit to determine a rotational position of said container when said container is retained by said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said computer connects to said image-capturing device and said sensor unit, wherein said computer is configured for determining an alignment variable based on said code and said detected container feature, and wherein said communication interface is configured to forward said alignment variable to a printer segment on said printer module, wherein said detection segment is a detection module that can be swapped in and out of engagement with a rotor with which a plurality of other identical detection modules are also in engagement.
- 5. An apparatus comprising a detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers, said device comprising a printing module, said detection segment comprising an image-capturing device, a sensor interface, a computer, a communication interface, said detection segment configured for holding and releasing a retaining-and-centering unit that rotates a container about a vertical axis thereof when said container is retained at said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said image-capturing device is configured to optically detect a container feature of a container, wherein said sensor interface interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on said retaining-and-centering unit to determine a rotational position of said container when said container is retained by said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said computer connects to said image-capturing device and said sensor unit, wherein said computer is configured for determining an alignment variable based on said code and said detected container feature, and wherein said communication interface is configured to forward said alignment variable to a printer segment on said printer module, wherein said computer is configured to determine a difference between an angular coordinate of a reference mark on said container and an angular coordinate of said container feature, wherein said alignment variable is derived from said difference, and wherein said communication interface is configured to forward said alignment variable to said printing module.
- 15. An apparatus comprising a detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers, said device comprising a printing module, said detection segment comprising an image-capturing device, a sensor interface, a computer, a communication interface, said detection segment configured for holding and releasing a retaining-and-centering unit that rotates a container about a vertical axis thereof when said container is retained at said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said image-capturing device is configured to optically detect a container feature of a container, wherein said sensor interface interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on said retaining-and-centering unit to determine a rotational position of said container when said container is retained by said retaining-and-centering unit, wherein said computer connects to said image-capturing device and said sensor unit, wherein said computer is configured for determining an alignment variable based on said code and said detected container feature, and wherein said communication interface is configured to forward said alignment variable to a printer segment on said printer module, further comprising a plurality of rotors that together define a container transport path on which containers are moved in a transport direction from a container inlet to a counter outlet, each rotor being configured to rotate about a vertical machine-axis thereof, wherein said rotors comprise a first rotor and a second rotor, wherein said detection segment is one of a plurality of identical detection segments disposed on said first rotor, wherein said second rotor follows said first rotor in said transport direction, wherein said second rotor comprises a plurality of printing segments disposed thereon.
Specification