EP2657915A1 - Device and method for the serial printing of print media - Google Patents

Device and method for the serial printing of print media Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2657915A1
EP2657915A1 EP13152470.4A EP13152470A EP2657915A1 EP 2657915 A1 EP2657915 A1 EP 2657915A1 EP 13152470 A EP13152470 A EP 13152470A EP 2657915 A1 EP2657915 A1 EP 2657915A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transport
printing
transport device
print
medium
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP13152470.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2657915B1 (en
Inventor
Bernd Höpner
Arne Brück
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Boewe Systec GmbH
Original Assignee
Boewe Systec GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Boewe Systec GmbH filed Critical Boewe Systec GmbH
Publication of EP2657915A1 publication Critical patent/EP2657915A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2657915B1 publication Critical patent/EP2657915B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/007—Conveyor belts or like feeding devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0085—Using suction for maintaining printing material flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/20—Platen adjustments for varying the strength of impression, for a varying number of papers, for wear or for alignment, or for print gap adjustment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/08—Conveyor bands or like feeding devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
    • B41J13/12—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G07B2017/00524—Printheads

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for serial printing of print media according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for serial printing of print media.
  • a method for printing on print media in which the media to be printed are fed by means of a transport device to a print head.
  • the transport device comprises a plurality of conveyor belts arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, wherein a central conveyor belt is located below the print head and is height-adjustable with respect to the print head to set a suitable distance between the print medium to be printed and the print head for printing the print media is below the printhead.
  • This central conveyor belt is pivotally connected to the adjacent conveyor belts, wherein the upstream in the transport direction conveyor belt forms a feed ramp and the downstream in the transport direction conveyor belt a discharge ramp for the print media.
  • the thickness of the print medium is first detected, while the print medium is transported to the transport head to the print head.
  • the central transport belt is moved to a suitable height relative to the print head to set a printable distance between the print medium surface to be printed and the print surface of the print head the detected thickness of the pressure medium is taken into account.
  • the printing process is started, wherein the print medium is moved in the transport direction at a speed suitable for printing. After printing, the printed print medium from the central Passing conveyor belt on the downstream in the transport direction conveyor belt and transported away.
  • the print head is a print head which has a certain longitudinal extent in the transport direction of the print media to be printed.
  • This is the case, for example, in the case of inkjet printheads in which a plurality of ink jet nozzles (possibly for different printing inks) are arranged behind one another and at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the printhead (and thus in the transport direction of the print media to be printed).
  • Other printheads, such. B. laser printheads have a certain longitudinal extent in the longitudinal direction of the print head.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an apparatus and a method for the serial printing of print media, with which a fast supply and removal of the print media is made possible.
  • the throughput of printed print media in the printing device should be increased.
  • the inventive device is particularly suitable for printing on mail, such. B. of envelopes on which z. B. the recipient and sender address and / or a Porto imprint and / or advertising imprints are printed.
  • the inventive apparatus for the serial printing of print media comprises a printing head extending in a longitudinal direction with a printing surface lying in a plane and a printing region extending in the longitudinal direction.
  • the device comprises a transport device for feeding the print media to be printed to the print head, wherein the transport device has at least a first transport device and a second transport device, which each move in a transport direction and are movable independently of one another in the orthogonal direction relative to the printing surface of the print head to bring a guided on the transport means printing medium to the printing surface of the printhead and to bring the surface to be printed of the printing medium in a suitable for printing distance to the printing surface.
  • the transport device has a transfer area which is located in the printing area of the printing area, so that a printing medium can be transferred from the first transporting device to the second transporting device in the transfer area and thus within the printing area of the printing area. It is also possible to provide a plurality of transfer areas arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction within the printing area.
  • This arrangement of a transfer area or several transfer areas in the print area of the print head makes it possible for a print medium to be transferred from the first transport device to the second transport device already before, during or at the latest immediately after the end of printing.
  • the positioning of the front transport device seen in the transport direction with respect to the printing surface can already be adapted to the next printing medium, which is to be printed on the printing medium which is currently in the printing area.
  • This next printing medium may optionally have a different thickness than the printing medium, which is currently in the printing area.
  • the adjustment of the positioning of the front transport device with respect to the printing surface is thus possibly still during the printing of the printing medium, which is currently in the printing area, or immediately after completion of the printing operation.
  • the first transport device and the second transport device can be moved independently of one another in the orthogonal direction relative to the printing surface in order to set suitable distances between the transport surfaces of the first and the second transport device with respect to the printing surface.
  • both the first transport device and the second transport device are coupled to a drive for this purpose.
  • the drive may be, for example, a servomotor or a linear motor.
  • each drive has a counterweight to compensate for the mass forces.
  • a thickness measuring device which is arranged in front of the print head in the transport direction.
  • the thickness measuring device may be, for example, a rotary encoder.
  • an optical sensor is used to detect the thickness of the print media, which detects the thickness of the print media by means of a triangulation method.
  • the thickness of each printing medium detected by the thickness measuring device is taken into account in the adjustment of the positions of the first and the second transport device with respect to the printing surface of the print head, to ensure that the surface to be printed on the optionally different thickness print media at a suitable distance during printing comes to the printing surface.
  • the transport device of the device according to the invention comprises a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, wherein each conveyor belt is guided over a roller at its front end and at its rear end. At least one of the two rollers of each conveyor belt is driven by a motor.
  • the conveyor belts of the first transport device and the second transport device are each designed as a suction belt belts, which suck a lying on the transport surface pressure medium by means of negative pressure.
  • the transfer region of the transport device is formed by an overlap region in which the two transport devices overlap in the longitudinal direction.
  • the two transport devices are expedient laterally offset side by side.
  • the extent of the overlap region in the longitudinal direction expediently corresponds substantially to the longitudinal extent of the print area of the print head.
  • the transport surfaces of the two transport devices are expediently at the same level when transferring a print medium.
  • the first transport device and / or the second transport device with respect to the pressure surface is pivotable.
  • This allows an inclination of the transport surfaces of the transport device with respect to the printing surface.
  • the inclination of the transport surfaces takes place expediently in the direction perpendicular to the direction of transport.
  • This embodiment of the device according to the invention is suitable for the serial printing of print media with a variable thickness or width across its width or length.
  • FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for serial printing of print media is shown.
  • the print media to be printed may be, for example, mail items such.
  • envelopes acting on which a recipient and sender imprint and possibly a postage and / or advertising imprints is printed.
  • the device according to the invention can also be used for printing other print media.
  • the device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the serial printing of print media which have different geometries and in particular different thicknesses.
  • the device according to the invention is for this purpose with a transport device 4 and a Printhead 2 is equipped, wherein the transport device 4, the print media to be printed in a transport direction R, which is colinear to the longitudinal direction of the transport device, transported to the print head 2 and transported away after printing from the print head 2.
  • the transport device 4 is movable in its position in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction with respect to the print head to adjust a setting of a suitable for printing the print media distance with respect to the print head. This adjustment mechanism will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 out.
  • the printhead 2 which may, for example, be an inkjet printhead, has a housing and a plurality of pressure nozzles 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction.
  • the printing nozzles are, for example, to inkjet nozzles.
  • the exit surfaces of the printing nozzles form an in-plane pressure surface 3, which extends in the longitudinal direction (ie in the direction of transport direction R of the transport device) over a pressure range 3a, which extends from the front pressure nozzle 2a to the rear pressure nozzle 2d.
  • the pressure surface 3 is in a horizontal plane, wherein a different arrangement of the print head is possible.
  • the transport device 4 comprises in the embodiment of FIG. 1 a first transport device 5 and a second transport device 6.
  • the transport devices 5 and 6 each comprise a conveyor belt 15 and 16, which is expediently designed as a suction belt conveyor.
  • Each suction belt belt 15, 16 has a plurality of openings, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the respective conveyor belt 15, 16 at a distance from each other.
  • Each suction belt strap 15, 16 can be subjected to negative pressure in order to suck in a pressure medium lying on the transport surface 5c or 6c of the upper run of the suction belt straps 15, 16.
  • the transport surfaces 5c and 6c of the conveyor belts 15 and 16 move expediently synchronously in a transport direction R in order to transport a printing medium resting on the respective transport surface 5c or 6c in the transport direction R.
  • the front transport belt 15 of the first transport device 5 seen in the transport direction R is guided at its front end 5a via a first roller 11 and at its rear end 5b via a second roller 12.
  • the first roller 11 is rotationally driven by a motor 13 to move the conveyor belt 15 in the direction of transport R.
  • the conveyor belt 16 of the second transport device 6 is guided at its front end 6a via a first roller 11 and at its rear end 6b via a second roller 12, wherein in the FIG. 1
  • the second roller 12 is driven by a motor 13 in order to move the conveyor belt 16 of the second transport device 6 in the transporting direction R.
  • transport supports 17 and 18 are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belts.
  • the transport supports 17 and 18 serve to guide the print media located on the transport surfaces 5c and 6c during their transport in the first transport device 5 and the second transport device 6, respectively.
  • Both the first transport device 5 and the second transport device 6 can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction R with respect to the stationary print head 2.
  • a drive 8 is provided on the first transport device 5 and a drive 9 on the second transport device 6.
  • the drives 8, 9 may be, for example, a servo motor or a linear motor.
  • the two transport devices 5 and 6 are moved independently of one another in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction R and relative to the print head 2.
  • the first transport device 5 can be positioned independently of the second transport device 6 with respect to the stationary printhead 2 so that the distance between the transport surface 5c and the printing surface 3 of the printhead 2 can be infinitely adjusted within predefined limits.
  • the distance between the transport surface 6c of the second transport device 6 and the printing surface 3 of the print head 2 can also be adjusted steplessly within predefined limits and independently of the positioning of the first transport device 5.
  • the two transport devices 5 and 6 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and in alignment with each other.
  • the rear end 5b of the first transport device 5 adjoins the front end 6a of the second transport device 6.
  • the rear end 5b of the first transport device 5 and the front end 6a of the second transport device 6 form a transfer region 7.
  • a pressure medium of the first transport device 5 are transferred to the second transport device 6.
  • the exact length of the transfer region 7 in the longitudinal direction depends on the dimensions of the print media to be transported.
  • the transfer region 7 is defined by the region in the longitudinal direction, in which a secure transfer of a pressure medium from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6 can take place.
  • this transfer area 7 is below the printhead 2, which in the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2 is arranged so that the pressure surface 3 is in a horizontal plane.
  • the transfer area 7 located below the print head 2 is located within the print area 3a of the print head 2, that is, in the longitudinal direction between the front print nozzle 2a and the rear print nozzle 2d.
  • the positions of the transport devices 5 and 6 are suitably adjusted by means of the drives 8 and 9 so that the transport surfaces 5c and 6c during the transfer to the same position (ie the same height) are.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown schematically in a perspective view and a side view, the supply of a print medium 1 to the print head 2.
  • the print medium 1 located on the transport surface 5c of the first transport device 5 is moved by the transport device 5 in the transport direction R to the print head 2.
  • the position of the first transport device 5 by means of the drive 8 with respect to the printing surface 3 is moved.
  • the exact positioning of the first transport device 5 with respect to the print head 2 results from the appropriate distance between the surface to be printed 1a of the print medium 1 and the thickness of the print medium.
  • a thickness measuring device for detecting the thickness of the printing medium, therefore, a thickness measuring device, not shown in the drawing, is provided, which is arranged in front of the print head 2 in the direction of transport R.
  • the thickness measuring device may be, for example, a rotary encoder.
  • an optical sensor is preferred used. In this case, in particular an optical sensor has proven to be suitable, which determines the thickness of the print media 1 via an optical triangulation method.
  • the detected by the thickness gauge thickness of each print medium 1, which is supplied to the print head 2 by means of the transport device 4 is transferred to a control device (not shown here) and determines the control device taking into account the appropriate pressure gap between the surface 1a of the print medium 1 and the printing surface 3 of the print head 3, the position to be set of the first transport device 5 with respect to the printhead 2.
  • the thus determined optimum position of the first transport device 5 is then set via the drive 8 and the printing medium 1 to be printed by the first transport device 5 in this position to the print head 2 approached. If the front edge of the print medium 1 seen in the transport direction R is at the front beginning of the print area 3, the printing process begins.
  • the printing medium is moved by the first transporting device 5 further in the transporting direction R until the trailing edge of the printing medium 1 has reached the rear end of the printing area 3 and the printing has ended.
  • the printed printing medium 1 is transferred from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6. The transfer takes place at the in the FIGS. 1 and 2
  • the printed print medium is the first embodiment shown by switching on or off the negative pressure in the suction belt belts 15 and 16, respectively from the second transport device 6 further transported in the transport device R and then transferred to a downstream in the transport direction R (not shown here) further transport device or processing device.
  • the transfer of the printing medium 1 from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6 already takes place during printing, ie while the printing medium 1 is in the printing region 3 a of the print head 2.
  • the transfer of a print medium 1 is always carried out in the transfer area 7, located in the printing area 3a of the printing surface 3 is located.
  • the pressure region 3a is defined by the longitudinally extending region between the front pressure nozzle 2a and the rear pressure nozzle 2d.
  • the printing area 3a is defined by the longitudinally extending area in which the printing head 2 emits printing ink.
  • FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is the serial supply of print media 1 to the printhead 2 and their removal after printing shown.
  • a first printing medium 1 is shown, which is located on the transport surface 6c of the second transport device 6 and within the printing area 3a and is being printed.
  • a second printing medium 1 ' is located on the transport surface 5c of the first transport device 5.
  • the second transport device 6 transports the printing medium 1 during printing through the printing area 3a of the printhead 2 and is therefore in a position in which the surface 1a of the printing medium 1 has a suitable for printing distance to the printing surface 3 of the print head 2.
  • the first transport device 5 is in a lower position relative to the print head 2.
  • the first transporting device 5 transports a second printing medium 1 'to be printed to the printing head 2. Due to the independent adjustment of the positions of the first transporting device 5 and the second transporting device 6 with respect to the printing head 2, it is possible to change the position (shown in FIG Embodiment, the height) of the first transport device 5 with respect to the print head 2 to the thickness of the print medium 1 'to adjust the optimal distance of the surface to be printed 1a' of the printing surface 3.
  • the first transport device 5 - regardless of the position of the second transport device 6 - with respect to the printhead 2 are set so that the surface 1a' of the print medium 1 'to the Printing has a suitable distance from the printing surface 3 of the print head 2.
  • the position of the first transport device 5 can already be adapted to the thickness of the print medium 1 ', while the preceding print medium 1 is still in the print area 3a of the print head 2 and is printed there.
  • FIG. 3 shows, for example, a second embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which the first transport device 5 comprises a plurality of parallel to each other and extending in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction spaced apart conveyor belts 15a, 15b and 15c.
  • the second transport device 6 also comprises a plurality of transversely spaced conveyor belts 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d.
  • the conveyor belts 15a, 15b and 15c of the first transport device 5 are arranged offset relative to one another with respect to the conveyor belts 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d of the second transport device 6 in the transverse direction.
  • the transfer region 7, which is provided for transferring a printing medium from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6, is thereby formed by an overlap region in which the two transport devices 5 and 6 overlap in the longitudinal direction.
  • the rear end 5b of the first transport device 5 is located behind the front end 6a of the second transport device 6.
  • the extent of the overlap region 7 in the longitudinal direction expediently corresponds substantially to the longitudinal extent of the printing region 3a of the print head 2.
  • the first transport device 5 and the second transport device 6 comprise a plurality of transport rollers arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction instead of conveyor belts.
  • the transport rollers can be driven separately from each motor associated with each transport roller. It is also possible to provide a single motor for driving the transport rollers and to couple the transport rollers with each other via a drive belt. In this case, it is also possible to provide a plurality of transfer areas 7, which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and within the printing area 3a.
  • a single motor 13 is provided to move the two transport devices 5 and 6 in the transport direction R.
  • the first transport device 5 is coupled directly to this single motor.
  • the second transport device 6 is connected via a coupling with the motor.
  • a gear coupling it is possible to set a faster removal of the already printed print media with the second transport device 6, in comparison to the transport of the still unprinted print media to the print head 2 with the first transport device 5.
  • the control device of the device in such a way that a printing medium located on the first transport device 5 is transferred to the second transport device 6 and transported therefrom in the transport direction R as soon as the printing medium in the transfer region 7 located.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8th show two embodiments of the device according to the invention, which are particularly suitable for the serial printing of print media, which have over their width or their length a thickness profile.
  • the first transport device 5 and / or the second transport device 6 with respect to the pressure surface 3 is pivotable.
  • the pivotability of the transport devices 5, 6 allows an inclination of the transport surfaces 5c and 6c of the transport devices 5 and 6 with respect to the printing surface 3.
  • the inclination of the transport surfaces 5c, 6c is carried out appropriately, as in the FIGS.
  • the oblique position of the transport surfaces 5 c, 6 c is expediently carried out by pivoting the first transport device 5 or the second transport device 6 with respect to the print head 2 Fig. 8 illustrated embodiment, each of the two transport devices 5, 6 mounted on at least two spindles 20, 21.
  • These spindles 20, 21 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction R direction S at a distance from each other.
  • the spindles 20, 21 are coupled to a motor, for example a servo motor, and can be moved independently therefrom in order to realize the inclination of the transport device 5 or 6.
  • the two transport devices 5, 6 are each mounted only on a single spindle 20.
  • the oblique position of the transport surfaces 5c and 6c takes place with respect to the pressure surface 3 by adjusting means not shown here.

Abstract

The device has a transport device (4) comprising a primary transport unit (5) and secondary transport unit (6) which move the print media parallel to the printing face and move in orthogonal direction relative to the printing face in order to guide print medium on the transport units. The transport units are moved independently of one another in the orthogonal direction relative to the printing face. A transfer area is located in the printing area of the printing face so that print medium in transfer area is transferred from primary transport unit to secondary transport unit. An independent claim is included for method for serial printing of print media.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 sowie ein Verfahren zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien.The invention relates to a device for serial printing of print media according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for serial printing of print media.

Aus der US 2011/0074844 A1 ist ein Verfahren zum Bedrucken von Druckmedien bekannt, bei dem die zu bedruckenden Medien mittels einer Transportvorrichtung einem Druckkopf zugeführt werden. Die Transportvorrichtung umfasst dabei mehrere in Transportrichtung hintereinander angeordnete und gelenkig miteinander verbundene Transportbänder, wobei sich ein zentrales Transportband unterhalb des Druckkopfs befindet und bezüglich des Druckkopfs höhenverstellbar ist, um einen für den Druckvorgang geeigneten Abstand zwischen dem zu bedruckenden Druckmedium und dem Druckkopf einzustellen, wenn sich das Druckmedium unterhalb des Druckkopfs befindet. Dieses zentrale Transportband ist gelenkig mit den benachbarten Transportbändern verbunden, wobei das in Transportrichtung vorgelagerte Transportband eine Zufuhrrampe und das in Transportrichtung nachgeordnete Transportband eine Abfuhrrampe für die Druckmedien bildet.From the US 2011/0074844 A1 a method for printing on print media is known, in which the media to be printed are fed by means of a transport device to a print head. The transport device comprises a plurality of conveyor belts arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, wherein a central conveyor belt is located below the print head and is height-adjustable with respect to the print head to set a suitable distance between the print medium to be printed and the print head for printing the print media is below the printhead. This central conveyor belt is pivotally connected to the adjacent conveyor belts, wherein the upstream in the transport direction conveyor belt forms a feed ramp and the downstream in the transport direction conveyor belt a discharge ramp for the print media.

Zum Heranführen eines zu bedruckenden Druckmediums an den Druckkopf in einen zum Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand zwischen der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche des Druckmediums und einer Druckfläche des Druckkopfs wird zunächst die Dicke des Druckmediums erfasst, während das Druckmedium mit der Transportvorrichtung zu dem Druckkopf transportiert wird. Wenn sich ein zu bedruckendes Druckmedium auf dem zentralen Transportband unterhalb des Druckkopfs befindet, wird das zentrale Transportband in eine geeignete Höhe gegenüber dem Druckkopf verschoben, um einen zum Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand zwischen der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche des Druckmediums und der Druckfläche des Druckkopfs einzustellen, wobei hierfür die erfasste Dicke des Druckmediums berücksichtigt wird. Sobald sich das Druckmedium in einem geeigneten Abstand zum Druckkopf und unterhalb des Druckkopfs befindet, wird der Druckvorgang gestartet, wobei das Druckmedium mit einer für das Bedrucken geeigneten Geschwindigkeit in Transportrichtung bewegt wird. Nach dem Bedrucken wird das bedruckte Druckmedium von dem zentralen Transportband auf das in Transportrichtung nachgeordnete Transportband übergeben und abtransportiert.To bring a print medium to be printed on the print head in a suitable distance for printing between the surface to be printed of the print medium and a print surface of the print head, the thickness of the print medium is first detected, while the print medium is transported to the transport head to the print head. When a print medium to be printed on the central transport belt is located below the print head, the central transport belt is moved to a suitable height relative to the print head to set a printable distance between the print medium surface to be printed and the print surface of the print head the detected thickness of the pressure medium is taken into account. As soon as the print medium is at a suitable distance from the print head and below the print head, the printing process is started, wherein the print medium is moved in the transport direction at a speed suitable for printing. After printing, the printed print medium from the central Passing conveyor belt on the downstream in the transport direction conveyor belt and transported away.

Diese bekannte Anordnung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien erweist sich insbesondere dann als nachteilig, wenn es sich bei dem Druckkopf um einen Druckkopf handelt, der in Transportrichtung der zu bedruckenden Druckmedien eine gewisse Längsausdehnung aufweist. Dies ist beispielsweise bei Tintenstrahl-Druckköpfen der Fall, in denen in Längsrichtung des Druckkopfs (und damit in Transportrichtung der zu bedruckenden Druckmedien) mehrere Tintenstrahl-Düsen (ggf. für unterschiedliche Druckfarben) hintereinander und im Abstand zueinander angeordnet sind. Auch andere Druckköpfe, wie z. B. Laser-Druckköpfe weisen in Längsrichtung des Druckkopfs eine gewisse Längsausdehnung auf. Dies hat zur Folge, dass die höhenvariable Transportvorrichtung, mit der die zu bedruckenden Druckmedien seriell dem Druckkopf zugeführt werden, während des Bedruckens eines Druckmediums, welches auf dem zentralen Transportband liegend von diesem an den Druckkopf herangeführt worden ist, die Höhe des zentralen Transportbands bezüglich des Druckkopfs nicht geändert werden kann, weil das sich auf dem zentralen Transportband befindliche Druckmedium während des Bedruckens in dem geeigneten Druckabstand zum Druckkopf gehalten werden muss. Aus diesem Grund können nachfolgende Druckmedien erst dann auf das zentrale Transportband übergeben und von diesem in einen geeigneten Abstand zum Druckkopf gebracht werden, wenn das vorausgehende Druckmedium fertig bedruckt und auf das nachgeordnete Transportband übergeben worden ist. Dies bedingt eine Verringerung der möglichen Transportgeschwindigkeit der Transportvorrichtung für den Zu- und Abtransport der Druckmedien und verringert den Durchsatz der Druckvorrichtung.This known arrangement for the serial printing of print media proves to be particularly disadvantageous if the print head is a print head which has a certain longitudinal extent in the transport direction of the print media to be printed. This is the case, for example, in the case of inkjet printheads in which a plurality of ink jet nozzles (possibly for different printing inks) are arranged behind one another and at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the printhead (and thus in the transport direction of the print media to be printed). Other printheads, such. B. laser printheads have a certain longitudinal extent in the longitudinal direction of the print head. This has the consequence that the height-variable transport device with which the print media to be printed are serially fed to the print head, while printing a print medium, which has been brought on the central conveyor belt from this to the print head, the height of the central conveyor belt with respect to Printhead can not be changed because the pressure medium located on the central conveyor belt must be kept during printing at the appropriate pressure distance to the print head. For this reason, subsequent print media can only be transferred to the central conveyor belt and be brought from this at a suitable distance to the print head when the previous print medium has been finished printed and handed over to the downstream conveyor belt. This requires a reduction in the possible transport speed of the transport device for the supply and removal of the print media and reduces the throughput of the printing device.

Hiervon ausgehend liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien aufzuzeigen, mit denen ein schneller Zu- und Abtransport der Druckmedien ermöglicht wird. Insbesondere soll der Durchsatz von bedruckten Druckmedien in der Druckvorrichtung erhöht werden.On this basis, the present invention seeks to provide an apparatus and a method for the serial printing of print media, with which a fast supply and removal of the print media is made possible. In particular, the throughput of printed print media in the printing device should be increased.

Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe mit einer Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 sowie mit einem Verfahren zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 10. Bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der Vorrichtung sind in den abhängigen Ansprüchen 2 bis 9 angegeben.This object is achieved with a device for serial printing of print media with the features of claim 1 and with a method for serial printing of print media with the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the device are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 9.

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung eignet sich insbesondere zum Bedrucken von Postsendungen, wie z. B. von Briefumschlägen, auf denen z. B. die Empfänger- und Absenderadresse und/oder ein Portoaufdruck und/oder Werbeaufdrucke aufzudrucken sind. Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien umfasst einen sich in einer Längsrichtung erstreckenden Druckkopf mit einer in einer Ebene liegenden Druckfläche und einem sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Druckbereich. Ferner umfasst die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung eine Transportvorrichtung zum Zuführen der zu bedruckenden Druckmedien zu dem Druckkopf, wobei die Transportvorrichtung zumindest eine erste Transporteinrichtung und eine zweite Transporteinrichtung aufweist, welche sich jeweils in einer Transportrichtung bewegen und in orthogonaler Richtung relativ zur Druckfläche des Druckkopfs unabhängig voneinander verfahrbar sind, um ein auf den Transporteinrichtungen geführtes Druckmedium an die Druckfläche des Druckkopfs heranzuführen und die zu bedruckende Oberfläche des Druckmediums in einen für das Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand zur Druckfläche zu bringen. Die Transportvorrichtung weist dabei erfindungsgemäß einen Übergabebereich auf, der sich im Druckbereich der Druckfläche befindet, so dass ein Druckmedium in dem Übergabebereich und damit innerhalb des Druckbereichs der Druckfläche von der ersten Transporteinrichtung auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung übergeben werden kann. Es können auch mehrere, innerhalb des Druckbereichs in Längsrichtung hintereinander angeordnete Übergabebereiche vorgesehen sein.The inventive device is particularly suitable for printing on mail, such. B. of envelopes on which z. B. the recipient and sender address and / or a Porto imprint and / or advertising imprints are printed. The inventive apparatus for the serial printing of print media comprises a printing head extending in a longitudinal direction with a printing surface lying in a plane and a printing region extending in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises a transport device for feeding the print media to be printed to the print head, wherein the transport device has at least a first transport device and a second transport device, which each move in a transport direction and are movable independently of one another in the orthogonal direction relative to the printing surface of the print head to bring a guided on the transport means printing medium to the printing surface of the printhead and to bring the surface to be printed of the printing medium in a suitable for printing distance to the printing surface. According to the invention, the transport device has a transfer area which is located in the printing area of the printing area, so that a printing medium can be transferred from the first transporting device to the second transporting device in the transfer area and thus within the printing area of the printing area. It is also possible to provide a plurality of transfer areas arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction within the printing area.

Durch diese Anordnung eines Übergabebereichs oder mehrerer Übergabebereiche im Druckbereich des Druckkopfs wird ermöglicht, dass ein Druckmedium bereits vor, während oder spätestens unmittelbar nach Beendigung des Bedruckens von der ersten Transporteinrichtung auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung übergeben wird. Dadurch kann die Positionierung der in Transportrichtung gesehen vorderen Transporteinrichtung bezüglich der Druckfläche bereits an das nächste Druckmedium angepasst werden, welches nach dem Druckmedium, das sich gerade im Druckbereich befindet, bedruckt werden soll. Dieses nächste Druckmedium kann gegebenenfalls eine andere Dicke aufweisen als das Druckmedium, welches sich gerade im Druckbereich befindet. Die Anpassung der Positionierung der vorderen Transporteinrichtung bezüglich der Druckfläche erfolgt damit ggf. noch während des Bedruckens des Druckmediums, das sich gerade im Druckbereich befindet, oder unmittelbar nach Beendigung des Druckvorgangs. Es erfolgt daher eine schnellere Anpassung der Positionierung der vorderen Transporteinrichtung unter Berücksichtigung der Dicke des in Transportrichtung nachfolgenden Druckmediums bezüglich der Druckfläche. Dadurch kann eine höhere Zu- und Abtransport-Geschwindigkeit mit der Transportvorrichtung gefahren werden. Ferner kann ein geringerer Abstand zwischen aufeinanderfolgenden Druckmedien gewählt werden, welche mit der Transportvorrichtung dem Druckkopf seriell zugeführt werden. Durch beide Maßnahmen kann jeweils ein erhöhter Durchsatz der Druckvorrichtung erzielt werden.This arrangement of a transfer area or several transfer areas in the print area of the print head makes it possible for a print medium to be transferred from the first transport device to the second transport device already before, during or at the latest immediately after the end of printing. As a result, the positioning of the front transport device seen in the transport direction with respect to the printing surface can already be adapted to the next printing medium, which is to be printed on the printing medium which is currently in the printing area. This next printing medium may optionally have a different thickness than the printing medium, which is currently in the printing area. The adjustment of the positioning of the front transport device with respect to the printing surface is thus possibly still during the printing of the printing medium, which is currently in the printing area, or immediately after completion of the printing operation. There is therefore a faster adjustment of the positioning of the front transport under Consideration of the thickness of the downstream in the direction of transport pressure medium with respect to the printing surface. As a result, a higher feed and removal speed can be driven with the transport device. Furthermore, a smaller distance can be selected between successive print media, which are supplied to the print head in series with the transport device. Both measures can be achieved in each case an increased throughput of the printing device.

Erfindungsgemäß sind in der Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien die erste Transporteinrichtung und die zweite Transporteinrichtung in orthogonaler Richtung relativ zur Druckfläche unabhängig voneinander verfahrbar, um geeignete Abstände zwischen den Transportflächen der ersten bzw. der zweiten Transporteinrichtung bezüglich der Druckfläche einzustellen. Zweckmäßig sind hierfür sowohl die erste Transporteinrichtung als auch die zweite Transporteinrichtung an einen Antrieb gekoppelt. Bei dem Antrieb kann es sich beispielsweise um einen Servomotor oder um einen Linearmotor handeln. Zweckmäßig weist jeder Antrieb ein Gegengewicht zum Ausgleich der Massenkräfte auf.According to the invention, in the apparatus for serial printing of print media, the first transport device and the second transport device can be moved independently of one another in the orthogonal direction relative to the printing surface in order to set suitable distances between the transport surfaces of the first and the second transport device with respect to the printing surface. Suitably, both the first transport device and the second transport device are coupled to a drive for this purpose. The drive may be, for example, a servomotor or a linear motor. Suitably, each drive has a counterweight to compensate for the mass forces.

Zur Erfassung der Dicke der zu bedruckenden und dem Druckkopf mittels der Transportvorrichtung seriell zuzuführenden Druckmedien ist zweckmäßig eine Dickenmesseinrichtung vorgesehen, welche in Transportrichtung vor dem Druckkopf angeordnet ist. Bei der Dickenmesseinrichtung kann es sich beispielsweise um einen Rotationsencoder handeln. Bevorzugt wird zur Erfassung der Dicke der Druckmedien ein optischer Sensor verwendet, der mittels eines Triangulationsverfahrens die Dicke der Druckmedien erfasst. Die von der Dickenmesseinrichtung erfasste Dicke jedes Druckmediums wird bei der Einstellung der Positionen der ersten bzw. der zweiten Transporteinrichtung bezüglich der Druckfläche des Druckkopfs berücksichtigt, um zu gewährleisten, dass die zu bedruckende Oberfläche der ggf. unterschiedlich dicken Druckmedien während des Bedruckens in einem geeigneten Abstand zur Druckfläche kommt.For detecting the thickness of the print media to be printed and to be supplied serially to the print head by means of the transport device, it is expedient to provide a thickness measuring device which is arranged in front of the print head in the transport direction. The thickness measuring device may be, for example, a rotary encoder. Preferably, an optical sensor is used to detect the thickness of the print media, which detects the thickness of the print media by means of a triangulation method. The thickness of each printing medium detected by the thickness measuring device is taken into account in the adjustment of the positions of the first and the second transport device with respect to the printing surface of the print head, to ensure that the surface to be printed on the optionally different thickness print media at a suitable distance during printing comes to the printing surface.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform umfasst die Transportvorrichtung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ein erstes Transportband und ein zweites Transportband, wobei jedes Transportband an seinem vorderen Ende und an seinem hinteren Ende über eine Rolle geführt ist. Wenigstens eine der beiden Rollen jedes Transportbands ist dabei von einem Motor angetrieben.In a preferred embodiment, the transport device of the device according to the invention comprises a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, wherein each conveyor belt is guided over a roller at its front end and at its rear end. At least one of the two rollers of each conveyor belt is driven by a motor.

Bevorzugt sind die Transportbänder der ersten Transporteinrichtung und der zweiten Transporteinrichtung jeweils als Saugriemenbänder ausgebildet, welche ein auf der Transportfläche liegendes Druckmedium mittels Unterdruck ansaugen.Preferably, the conveyor belts of the first transport device and the second transport device are each designed as a suction belt belts, which suck a lying on the transport surface pressure medium by means of negative pressure.

In einem Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung wird der Übergabebereich der Transportvorrichtung durch einen Überlappungsbereich gebildet, in dem sich die beiden Transporteinrichtungen in Längsrichtung überlappen. Hierzu sind die beiden Transporteinrichtungen zweckmäßig seitlich versetzt nebeneinander angeordnet. Die Ausdehnung des Überlappungsbereichs in Längsrichtung entspricht dabei zweckmäßig im Wesentlichen der Längsausdehnung des Druckbereichs des Druckkopfs.In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the transfer region of the transport device is formed by an overlap region in which the two transport devices overlap in the longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the two transport devices are expedient laterally offset side by side. The extent of the overlap region in the longitudinal direction expediently corresponds substantially to the longitudinal extent of the print area of the print head.

Um eine sichere Übergabe eines Druckmediums von der ersten Transporteinrichtung auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung sicher zu stellen, befinden sich die Transportflächen der beiden Transporteinrichtungen bei der Übergabe eines Druckmediums zweckmäßig auf gleicher Ebene.In order to ensure safe transfer of a print medium from the first transport device to the second transport device, the transport surfaces of the two transport devices are expediently at the same level when transferring a print medium.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist die erste Transporteinrichtung und/oder die zweite Transporteinrichtung bezüglich der Druckfläche verschwenkbar. Dies ermöglicht eine Schrägstellung der Transportflächen der Transporteinrichtung bezüglich der Druckfläche. Die Schrägstellung der Transportflächen erfolgt dabei zweckmäßig in der zur Transportrichtung senkrechten Richtung. Diese Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung eignet sich zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien mit einer über deren Breite oder Länge veränderlichen Dicke. Durch eine Schrägstellung der Transportflächen der Transporteinrichtung kann hierbei gewährleistet werden, dass die zu bedruckenden Oberflächen der auf den Transportflächen der Transporteinrichtungen liegenden Druckmedien in eine zur Druckfläche parallelen Ebene gebracht werden.In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first transport device and / or the second transport device with respect to the pressure surface is pivotable. This allows an inclination of the transport surfaces of the transport device with respect to the printing surface. The inclination of the transport surfaces takes place expediently in the direction perpendicular to the direction of transport. This embodiment of the device according to the invention is suitable for the serial printing of print media with a variable thickness or width across its width or length. By an inclined position of the transport surfaces of the transport device can be ensured in this case that the surfaces to be printed on the transport surfaces of the transport means lying print media are brought into a plane parallel to the printing surface.

Diese und weitere Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus dem nachfolgend unter Bezugnahme auf die begleitenden Zeichnungen beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispiel. Die Zeichnungen zeigen:

Figur 1:
Schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
Figur 2:
Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von Figur 1,
Figur 3:
schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
Figur 4:
schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien mit einem sich unterhalb des Druckkopfes befindlichen Druckmedium;
Figur 5:
Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von Figur 5 mit dem zu bedruckenden Druckmedium;
Figur 6:
perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung von Figur 4 mit einem ersten zu bedruckenden Druckmedium, welches sich gerade beim Bedrucken unterhalb des Druckkopfes befindet und eines zweiten, noch unbedruckten Druckmediums, welches mit der Transportvorrichtung dem Druckkopf zugeführt wird;
Figur 7:
Seitenansicht der Darstellung von Figur 6;
Figur 8:
Darstellung einer dritten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien in einer Ansicht in Transportrichtung;
Figur 9:
Darstellung einer vierten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien in einer Ansicht in Transportrichtung;
These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:
FIG. 1:
Schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for the serial printing of print media in a perspective view;
FIG. 2:
Side view of the device of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3:
schematic representation of a second embodiment of an inventive apparatus for the serial printing of print media in a perspective view;
FIG. 4:
schematic representation of a device according to the invention for the serial printing of print media with a pressure medium located below the print head;
FIG. 5:
Side view of the device of FIG. 5 with the print medium to be printed;
FIG. 6:
perspective view of the device of FIG. 4 with a first print medium to be printed, which is just below the print head when printing and a second, still unprinted print medium, which is supplied with the transport device to the print head;
FIG. 7:
Side view of the presentation of FIG. 6 ;
FIG. 8:
Representation of a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for the serial printing of print media in a view in the transport direction;
FIG. 9:
Representation of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for the serial printing of print media in a view in the transport direction;

In Figur 1 ist eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien gezeigt. Bei den zu bedruckenden Druckmedien kann es sich beispielsweise um Postsendungen, wie z. B. Briefumschläge, handeln, auf denen ein Empfänger- und Absenderaufdruck sowie gegebenenfalls ein Portoaufdruck und/oder Werbeaufdrucke aufzudrucken ist. Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung kann jedoch auch zum Bedrucken anderer Druckmedien eingesetzt werden. Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung eignet sich in besonderer Weise zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien, welche unterschiedliche Geometrien und insbesondere unterschiedliche Dicken aufweisen. Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung ist hierzu mit einer Transportvorrichtung 4 sowie einem Druckkopf 2 ausgestattet, wobei die Transportvorrichtung 4 die zu bedruckenden Druckmedien in einer Transportrichtung R, welche kolinear zur Längsrichtung der Transportvorrichtung liegt, zu dem Druckkopf 2 transportiert und nach dem Bedrucken von dem Druckkopf 2 abtransportiert. Die Transportvorrichtung 4 ist dabei in ihrer Position in einer zur Transportrichtung orthogonalen Richtung bezüglich des Druckkopfs verfahrbar, um eine Einstellung eines für das Bedrucken der Druckmedien geeigneten Abstands bezüglich des Druckkopfs einstellen zu können. Dieser Einstellmechanismus geht aus der folgenden Beschreibung des Ausführungsbeispiels von Figur 1 hervor.In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for serial printing of print media is shown. The print media to be printed may be, for example, mail items such. As envelopes, acting on which a recipient and sender imprint and possibly a postage and / or advertising imprints is printed. However, the device according to the invention can also be used for printing other print media. The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the serial printing of print media which have different geometries and in particular different thicknesses. The device according to the invention is for this purpose with a transport device 4 and a Printhead 2 is equipped, wherein the transport device 4, the print media to be printed in a transport direction R, which is colinear to the longitudinal direction of the transport device, transported to the print head 2 and transported away after printing from the print head 2. The transport device 4 is movable in its position in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction with respect to the print head to adjust a setting of a suitable for printing the print media distance with respect to the print head. This adjustment mechanism will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 out.

Der Druckkopf 2, bei dem es sich bspw. um einen Tintenstrahl-Druckkopf handeln kann, weist ein Gehäuse und mehrere in Längsrichtung im Abstand zueinander angeordnete Druckdüsen 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d auf. Bei den Druckdüsen handelt sich bspw. um Tintenstrahldüsen. Die Austrittsflächen der Druckdüsen bilden eine sich in einer Ebene befindliche Druckfläche 3, welche sich in Längsrichtung (also in Richtung zur Transportrichtung R der Transportvorrichtung) über einen Druckbereich 3a erstreckt, der von der vorderen Druckdüse 2a bis zur hinteren Druckdüse 2d reicht. Zweckmäßig liegt die Druckfläche 3 in einer horizontalen Ebene, wobei auch eine andere Anordnung des Druckkopfs möglich ist. Alternativ zu einem Tintenstrahl-Druckkopf kann auch bspw. ein Laser-Druckkopf verwendet werden, der in entsprechender Weise über eine ebene Druckfläche 3 und einen sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Druckbereich 3a verfügt.The printhead 2, which may, for example, be an inkjet printhead, has a housing and a plurality of pressure nozzles 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction. The printing nozzles are, for example, to inkjet nozzles. The exit surfaces of the printing nozzles form an in-plane pressure surface 3, which extends in the longitudinal direction (ie in the direction of transport direction R of the transport device) over a pressure range 3a, which extends from the front pressure nozzle 2a to the rear pressure nozzle 2d. Suitably, the pressure surface 3 is in a horizontal plane, wherein a different arrangement of the print head is possible. As an alternative to an inkjet printhead, it is also possible, for example, to use a laser printhead which has a correspondingly planar printing surface 3 and a longitudinally extending printing region 3 a.

Die Transportvorrichtung 4 umfasst bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel von Figur 1 eine erste Transporteinrichtung 5 und eine zweite Transporteinrichtung 6. Die Transporteinrichtungen 5 und 6 umfassen jeweils ein Transportband 15 und 16, welches zweckmäßig als Saugriemenband ausgebildet ist. Jedes Saugriemenband 15, 16 verfügt über eine Mehrzahl von Öffnungen, welche in Längsrichtung des jeweiligen Transportbands 15, 16 im Abstand zueinander angeordnet sind. Jedes Saugriemenband 15, 16 kann mit Unterdruck beaufschlagt werden, um ein auf der Transportfläche 5c bzw. 6c des oberen Trums der Saugriemenbänder 15, 16 liegendes Druckmedium anzusaugen. Die Transportflächen 5c bzw. 6c der Transportbänder 15 und 16 bewegen sich zweckmäßig synchron in einer Transportrichtung R, um ein auf der jeweiligen Transportfläche 5c bzw. 6c aufliegendes Druckmedium in Transportrichtung R zu transportieren. Das in Transportrichtung R gesehen vordere Transportband 15 der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 ist an seinem vorderen Ende 5a über eine erste Rolle 11 und an seinem hinteren Ende 5b über eine zweite Rolle 12 geführt. In dem in Figur 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die erste Rolle 11 von einem Motor 13 drehend angetrieben, um das Transportband 15 in Transportrichtung R zu bewegen. In entsprechender Weise ist das Transportband 16 der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 an seinem vorderen Ende 6a über eine erste Rolle 11 und an seinem hinteren Ende 6b über eine zweite Rolle 12 geführt, wobei bei dem in Figur 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel die zweite Rolle 12 von einem Motor 13 angetrieben ist, um das Transportband 16 der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 in Transportrichtung R zu bewegen.The transport device 4 comprises in the embodiment of FIG. 1 a first transport device 5 and a second transport device 6. The transport devices 5 and 6 each comprise a conveyor belt 15 and 16, which is expediently designed as a suction belt conveyor. Each suction belt belt 15, 16 has a plurality of openings, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the respective conveyor belt 15, 16 at a distance from each other. Each suction belt strap 15, 16 can be subjected to negative pressure in order to suck in a pressure medium lying on the transport surface 5c or 6c of the upper run of the suction belt straps 15, 16. The transport surfaces 5c and 6c of the conveyor belts 15 and 16 move expediently synchronously in a transport direction R in order to transport a printing medium resting on the respective transport surface 5c or 6c in the transport direction R. The front transport belt 15 of the first transport device 5 seen in the transport direction R is guided at its front end 5a via a first roller 11 and at its rear end 5b via a second roller 12. In the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the first roller 11 is rotationally driven by a motor 13 to move the conveyor belt 15 in the direction of transport R. In a corresponding manner, the conveyor belt 16 of the second transport device 6 is guided at its front end 6a via a first roller 11 and at its rear end 6b via a second roller 12, wherein in the FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the second roller 12 is driven by a motor 13 in order to move the conveyor belt 16 of the second transport device 6 in the transporting direction R.

In Querrichtung zur Transportrichtung R sind zu beiden Seiten der Transportbänder 15 und 16 Transportauflagen 17 und 18 angeordnet. Die Transportauflagen 17 und 18 dienen der Führung der sich auf den Transportflächen 5c bzw. 6c befindlichen Druckmedien bei deren Transport in der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bzw. der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6.In the transverse direction to the transport direction R 15 and 16 transport supports 17 and 18 are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belts. The transport supports 17 and 18 serve to guide the print media located on the transport surfaces 5c and 6c during their transport in the first transport device 5 and the second transport device 6, respectively.

Sowohl die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 als auch die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 ist senkrecht zur Transportrichtung R bezüglich des feststehenden Druckkopfs 2 verfahrbar. Hierfür ist an der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 ein Antrieb 8 und an der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 ein Antrieb 9 vorgesehen. Bei den Antrieben 8, 9 kann es sich beispielsweise um einen Servomotor oder um einen Linearmotor handeln. Über die Antriebe 8 und 9 können die beiden Transporteinrichtungen 5 und 6 unabhängig voneinander in einer zur Transportrichtung R orthogonalen Richtung und relativ zum Druckkopf 2 bewegt werden. Dadurch kann die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 unabhängig von der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 bezüglich des feststehenden Druckkopfs 2 so positioniert werden, dass innerhalb vorgegebener Grenzen stufenlos der Abstand zwischen der Transportfläche 5c und der Druckfläche 3 des Druckkopfs 2 eingestellt werden kann. In entsprechender Weise kann auch der Abstand zwischen der Transportfläche 6c der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 und der Druckfläche 3 des Druckkopfs 2 stufenlos innerhalb vorgegebener Grenzen und unabhängig von der Positionierung der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 eingestellt werden.Both the first transport device 5 and the second transport device 6 can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction R with respect to the stationary print head 2. For this purpose, a drive 8 is provided on the first transport device 5 and a drive 9 on the second transport device 6. The drives 8, 9 may be, for example, a servo motor or a linear motor. About the drives 8 and 9, the two transport devices 5 and 6 are moved independently of one another in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction R and relative to the print head 2. As a result, the first transport device 5 can be positioned independently of the second transport device 6 with respect to the stationary printhead 2 so that the distance between the transport surface 5c and the printing surface 3 of the printhead 2 can be infinitely adjusted within predefined limits. In a corresponding manner, the distance between the transport surface 6c of the second transport device 6 and the printing surface 3 of the print head 2 can also be adjusted steplessly within predefined limits and independently of the positioning of the first transport device 5.

Die beiden Transporteinrichtungen 5 und 6 sind in Längsrichtung hintereinander und miteinander fluchtend angeordnet. Das hintere Ende 5b der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 grenzt dabei an das vordere Ende 6a der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6. Das hintere Ende 5b der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 und das vordere Ende 6a der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 bilden einen Übergabebereich 7. In diesem Übergabebereich 7 kann ein Druckmedium von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 an die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 übergeben werden. Die genaue Länge des Übergabebereichs 7 in Längsrichtung hängt dabei von den Abmessungen der zu transportierenden Druckmedien ab. Der Übergabebereich 7 ist dabei durch den Bereich in Längsrichtung definiert, in dem eine sichere Übergabe eines Druckmediums von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 erfolgen kann.The two transport devices 5 and 6 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and in alignment with each other. The rear end 5b of the first transport device 5 adjoins the front end 6a of the second transport device 6. The rear end 5b of the first transport device 5 and the front end 6a of the second transport device 6 form a transfer region 7. In this transfer region 7, a pressure medium of the first transport device 5 are transferred to the second transport device 6. The exact length of the transfer region 7 in the longitudinal direction depends on the dimensions of the print media to be transported. The transfer region 7 is defined by the region in the longitudinal direction, in which a secure transfer of a pressure medium from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6 can take place.

Wie sich insbesondere aus der Seitenansicht von Figur 2 ergibt, befindet sich dieser Übergabebereich 7 unterhalb des Druckkopfs 2, der in dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Figuren 1 und 2 so angeordnet ist, dass die Druckfläche 3 in einer horizontalen Ebene liegt. Der unterhalb des Druckkopfes 2 liegende Übergabebereich 7 befindet sich innerhalb des Druckbereichs 3a des Druckkopfs 2, also in Längsrichtung zwischen der vorderen Druckdüse 2a und der hinteren Druckdüse 2d. Um eine sichere Übergabe eines Druckmediums von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 zu gewährleisten, werden die Positionen der Transporteinrichtungen 5 und 6 mittels der Antriebe 8 und 9 zweckmäßig so eingestellt, dass sich die Transportflächen 5c und 6c während der Übergabe auf gleicher Position (also gleicher Höhe) befinden.As can be seen in particular from the side view of FIG. 2 results, this transfer area 7 is below the printhead 2, which in the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2 is arranged so that the pressure surface 3 is in a horizontal plane. The transfer area 7 located below the print head 2 is located within the print area 3a of the print head 2, that is, in the longitudinal direction between the front print nozzle 2a and the rear print nozzle 2d. In order to ensure a secure transfer of a print medium from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6, the positions of the transport devices 5 and 6 are suitably adjusted by means of the drives 8 and 9 so that the transport surfaces 5c and 6c during the transfer to the same position (ie the same height) are.

In den Figuren 4 und 5 ist schematisch in einer perspektivischen Ansicht bzw. einer Seitenansicht die Zuführung eines Druckmediums 1 zu dem Druckkopf 2 dargestellt. Zur Zuführung des Druckmediums 1 zu dem Druckkopf 2, mit dem das Druckmedium 1 bedruckt werden soll, wird das sich auf der Transportfläche 5c der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 befindliche Druckmedium 1 von der Transporteinrichtung 5 in Transportrichtung R zum Druckkopf 2 hin bewegt. Um die zu bedruckende Oberfläche 1a des Druckmediums 1 in einen zum Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand zur Druckfläche 3 zu bringen, wird die Position der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 mittels des Antriebs 8 bezüglich der Druckfläche 3 verfahren.In the FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown schematically in a perspective view and a side view, the supply of a print medium 1 to the print head 2. For feeding the print medium 1 to the print head 2 with which the print medium 1 is to be printed, the print medium 1 located on the transport surface 5c of the first transport device 5 is moved by the transport device 5 in the transport direction R to the print head 2. In order to bring the surface to be printed 1a of the printing medium 1 in a suitable distance for printing on the printing surface 3, the position of the first transport device 5 by means of the drive 8 with respect to the printing surface 3 is moved.

Die genaue Positionierung der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2 ergibt sich dabei aus dem geeigneten Abstand zwischen der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche 1a des Druckmediums 1 und der Dicke des Druckmediums. Zur Erfassung der Dicke des Druckmediums ist daher eine zeichnerisch hier nicht dargestellte Dickenmesseinrichtung vorgesehen, welche in Transportrichtung R gesehen vor dem Druckkopf 2 angeordnet ist. Bei der Dickenmesseinrichtung kann es sich beispielsweise um einen Rotationsencoder handeln. Bevorzugt wird allerdings zur Erfassung der Dicke der Druckmedien 1 ein optischer Sensor verwendet. Hierbei hat sich insbesondere ein optischer Sensor als geeignet erwiesen, welcher die Dicke der Druckmedien 1 über ein optisches Triangulationsverfahren bestimmt.The exact positioning of the first transport device 5 with respect to the print head 2 results from the appropriate distance between the surface to be printed 1a of the print medium 1 and the thickness of the print medium. For detecting the thickness of the printing medium, therefore, a thickness measuring device, not shown in the drawing, is provided, which is arranged in front of the print head 2 in the direction of transport R. The thickness measuring device may be, for example, a rotary encoder. However, to detect the thickness of the print media 1, an optical sensor is preferred used. In this case, in particular an optical sensor has proven to be suitable, which determines the thickness of the print media 1 via an optical triangulation method.

Die von der Dickenmesseinrichtung erfasste Dicke jedes Druckmediums 1, welches dem Druckkopf 2 mittels der Transportvorrichtung 4 zugeführt wird, wird an eine Steuereinrichtung (hier nicht dargestellt) übergeben und die Steuereinrichtung ermittelt unter Berücksichtigung des geeigneten Druckabstands zwischen der Oberfläche 1a des Druckmediums 1 und der Druckfläche 3 des Druckkopfs 3 die einzustellende Position der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2. Die so bestimmte optimale Position der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 wird dann über den Antrieb 8 eingestellt und das zu bedruckende Druckmedium 1 wird von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 in dieser Position an den Druckkopf 2 herangefahren. Befindet sich die in Transportrichtung R gesehen vordere Kante des Druckmediums 1 am vorderen Anfang des Druckbereichs 3, beginnt der Druckvorgang. Während des Bedruckens wird das Druckmedium von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 weiter in Transportrichtung R bewegt, bis die hintere Kante des Druckmediums 1 am hinteren Ende des Druckbereichs 3 angelangt ist und der Druck beendet ist. Nach Beendigung des Druckvorgangs wird das bedruckte Druckmedium 1 von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 übergeben. Die Übergabe erfolgt bei dem in den Figuren 1 und 2 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel durch An- bzw. Abschaltung des Unterdrucks in den Saugriemenbändern 15 bzw. 16 der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bzw. der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6. Nach erfolgter Übergabe des bedruckten Druckmediums 1 von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 wird das bedruckte Druckmedium 1 von der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 weiter in Transporteinrichtung R abtransportiert und anschließend auf eine in Transportrichtung R nachgeordnete (hier nicht gezeigte) weitere Transporteinrichtung oder eine Verarbeitungseinrichtung übergeben.The detected by the thickness gauge thickness of each print medium 1, which is supplied to the print head 2 by means of the transport device 4 is transferred to a control device (not shown here) and determines the control device taking into account the appropriate pressure gap between the surface 1a of the print medium 1 and the printing surface 3 of the print head 3, the position to be set of the first transport device 5 with respect to the printhead 2. The thus determined optimum position of the first transport device 5 is then set via the drive 8 and the printing medium 1 to be printed by the first transport device 5 in this position to the print head 2 approached. If the front edge of the print medium 1 seen in the transport direction R is at the front beginning of the print area 3, the printing process begins. During printing, the printing medium is moved by the first transporting device 5 further in the transporting direction R until the trailing edge of the printing medium 1 has reached the rear end of the printing area 3 and the printing has ended. After completion of the printing process, the printed printing medium 1 is transferred from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6. The transfer takes place at the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 After the transfer of the printed print medium 1 from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6, the printed print medium is the first embodiment shown by switching on or off the negative pressure in the suction belt belts 15 and 16, respectively from the second transport device 6 further transported in the transport device R and then transferred to a downstream in the transport direction R (not shown here) further transport device or processing device.

In einer alternativen Verfahrensführung erfolgt die Übergabe des Druckmediums 1 von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 bereits während des Bedruckens, d. h. während sich das Druckmedium 1 im Druckbereich 3a des Druckkopfs 2 befindet. Mit der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist es auch möglich, ein zu bedruckendes Druckmedium 1 bereits vor dem Beginn des Druckvorgangs von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 zu übergeben. Die Übergabe eines Druckmediums 1 erfolgt dabei immer im Übergabebereich 7, der sich im Druckbereich 3a der Druckfläche 3 befindet. Bei dem in den Figuren 1 und 2 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel, in dem die Druckfläche 3 in einer horizontalen Ebene liegt, ist der Druckbereich 3a durch den sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Bereich zwischen der vorderen Druckdüse 2a und der hinteren Druckdüse 2d definiert. Bei Verwendung von anderen Druckköpfen, welche nicht über eine Mehrzahl von hintereinander angeordneten Druckdüsen verfügen, ist der Druckbereich 3a durch den sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Bereich definiert, in dem der Druckkopf 2 Druckfarbe abgibt.In an alternative process control, the transfer of the printing medium 1 from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6 already takes place during printing, ie while the printing medium 1 is in the printing region 3 a of the print head 2. With the device according to the invention, it is also possible to transfer a printing medium 1 to be printed from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6 even before the beginning of the printing process. The transfer of a print medium 1 is always carried out in the transfer area 7, located in the printing area 3a of the printing surface 3 is located. In the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 In the embodiment shown in which the pressure surface 3 lies in a horizontal plane, the pressure region 3a is defined by the longitudinally extending region between the front pressure nozzle 2a and the rear pressure nozzle 2d. When using other printheads which do not have a plurality of printing nozzles arranged one behind the other, the printing area 3a is defined by the longitudinally extending area in which the printing head 2 emits printing ink.

In Figur 6 und Figur 7 ist die serielle Zuführung von Druckmedien 1 zu dem Druckkopf 2 sowie deren Abtransport nach dem Bedrucken gezeigt. In den Figuren 6 und 7 ist ein erstes Druckmedium 1 gezeigt, welches sich auf der Transportfläche 6c der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 und innerhalb des Druckbereichs 3a befindet und gerade bedruckt wird. Ein zweites Druckmedium 1' befindet sich auf der Transportfläche 5c der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5. Die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 transportiert dabei das Druckmedium 1 während des Bedruckens durch den Druckbereich 3a des Druckkopfs 2 und befindet sich hierfür in einer Position, in der die Oberfläche 1a des Druckmediums 1 einen zum Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand zur Druckfläche 3 des Druckkopfs 2 aufweist. Dem gegenüber befindet sich die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 in einer bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2 tieferen Position. Die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 transportiert in dieser Position ein zweites, noch zu bedruckendes Druckmedium 1' zu dem Druckkopf 2. Aufgrund der unabhängigen Einstellung der Positionen der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 und der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2 ist es möglich, die Position (im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel die Höhe) der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2 an die Dicke des Druckmediums 1' anzupassen, um den optimalen Abstand der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche 1a' von der Druckfläche 3 einzustellen. Da das Druckmedium 1' eine andere Dicke aufweisen kann als das vorangehende Druckmedium 1, kann die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 - unabhängig von der Position der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 - bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2 so eingestellt werden, dass die Oberfläche 1a' des Druckmediums 1' den zum Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand zur Druckfläche 3 des Druckkopfs 2 aufweist. Dadurch kann die Position der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bereits an die Dicke des Druckmediums 1' angepasst werden, während das vorangehende Druckmedium 1 sich noch im Druckbereich 3a des Druckkopfs 2 befindet und dort bedruckt wird.In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is the serial supply of print media 1 to the printhead 2 and their removal after printing shown. In the FIGS. 6 and 7 a first printing medium 1 is shown, which is located on the transport surface 6c of the second transport device 6 and within the printing area 3a and is being printed. A second printing medium 1 'is located on the transport surface 5c of the first transport device 5. The second transport device 6 transports the printing medium 1 during printing through the printing area 3a of the printhead 2 and is therefore in a position in which the surface 1a of the printing medium 1 has a suitable for printing distance to the printing surface 3 of the print head 2. On the other hand, the first transport device 5 is in a lower position relative to the print head 2. In this position, the first transporting device 5 transports a second printing medium 1 'to be printed to the printing head 2. Due to the independent adjustment of the positions of the first transporting device 5 and the second transporting device 6 with respect to the printing head 2, it is possible to change the position (shown in FIG Embodiment, the height) of the first transport device 5 with respect to the print head 2 to the thickness of the print medium 1 'to adjust the optimal distance of the surface to be printed 1a' of the printing surface 3. Since the printing medium 1 'may have a different thickness than the preceding printing medium 1, the first transport device 5 - regardless of the position of the second transport device 6 - with respect to the printhead 2 are set so that the surface 1a' of the print medium 1 'to the Printing has a suitable distance from the printing surface 3 of the print head 2. As a result, the position of the first transport device 5 can already be adapted to the thickness of the print medium 1 ', while the preceding print medium 1 is still in the print area 3a of the print head 2 and is printed there.

Die Erfindung ist nicht auf das in den Figuren 1 und 2 gezeigte Ausführungsbeispiel beschränkt. Figur 3 zeigt beispielsweise eine zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, in der die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 mehrere parallel zueinander und in Längsrichtung verlaufende und in Querrichtung im Abstand zueinander angeordnete Transportbänder 15a, 15b und 15c umfasst. In entsprechender Weise umfasst auch die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 mehrere in Querrichtung im Abstand zueinander angeordnete Transportbänder 16a, 16b, 16c und 16d. Die Transportbänder 15a, 15b und 15c der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 sind dabei bezüglich der Transportbänder 16a, 16b, 16c und 16d der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 in Querrichtung versetzt zueinander angeordnet. Der Übergabebereich 7, der zur Übergabe eines Druckmediums von der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 vorgesehen ist, wird dabei durch einen Überlappungsbereich gebildet, in dem sich die beiden Transporteinrichtungen 5 und 6 in Längsrichtung überlappen. Zur Bildung des Überlappungsbereichs befindet sich das hintere Ende 5b der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 hinter dem vorderen Ende 6a der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6. Die Ausdehnung des Überlappungsbereichs 7 in Längsrichtung entspricht dabei zweckmäßig im Wesentlichen der Längsausdehnung des Druckbereichs 3a des Druckkopfs 2.The invention is not on the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown embodiment limited. FIG. 3 shows, for example, a second embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which the first transport device 5 comprises a plurality of parallel to each other and extending in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction spaced apart conveyor belts 15a, 15b and 15c. In a corresponding manner, the second transport device 6 also comprises a plurality of transversely spaced conveyor belts 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d. The conveyor belts 15a, 15b and 15c of the first transport device 5 are arranged offset relative to one another with respect to the conveyor belts 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d of the second transport device 6 in the transverse direction. The transfer region 7, which is provided for transferring a printing medium from the first transport device 5 to the second transport device 6, is thereby formed by an overlap region in which the two transport devices 5 and 6 overlap in the longitudinal direction. To form the overlap region, the rear end 5b of the first transport device 5 is located behind the front end 6a of the second transport device 6. The extent of the overlap region 7 in the longitudinal direction expediently corresponds substantially to the longitudinal extent of the printing region 3a of the print head 2.

In einem weiteren, hier zeichnerisch nicht dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel umfasst die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 und die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 statt Transportbänder mehrere in Längsrichtung hintereinander angeordnete Transportrollen. Die Transportrollen können dabei separat von einem jeder Transportrolle zugeordneten Motor angetrieben werden. Es istr auch möglich, einen einzigen Motor zum Antrieb der Transportrollen vorzusehen und die Transportrollen untereinander über einen Antriebsriemen miteinander zu koppeln. Dabei können auch mehrere Übergabebereiche 7 vorgesehen sein, welche in Längsrichtung hintereinander und innerhalb des Druckbereichs 3a angeordnet sind.In another exemplary embodiment, which is not illustrated here, the first transport device 5 and the second transport device 6 comprise a plurality of transport rollers arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction instead of conveyor belts. The transport rollers can be driven separately from each motor associated with each transport roller. It is also possible to provide a single motor for driving the transport rollers and to couple the transport rollers with each other via a drive belt. In this case, it is also possible to provide a plurality of transfer areas 7, which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and within the printing area 3a.

In einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist ein einziger Motor 13 vorgesehen, um die beiden Transporteinrichtungen 5 und 6 in Transportrichtung R zu bewegen. Dabei wird die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 direkt mit diesem einzigen Motor gekoppelt. Die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 ist über eine Kupplung mit dem Motor verbunden. Bei dieser Ausführungsvariante ist es möglich, durch Verwendung einer Übersetzungskupplung eine unterschiedliche Transportgeschwindigkeit der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bezüglich der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 einzustellen. Dadurch wird es beispielsweise ermöglicht, einen schnelleren Abtransport der bereits bedruckten Druckmedien mit der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 einzustellen, im Vergleich zum Zutransport der noch unbedruckten Druckmedien zu dem Druckkopf 2 mit der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5.In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a single motor 13 is provided to move the two transport devices 5 and 6 in the transport direction R. In this case, the first transport device 5 is coupled directly to this single motor. The second transport device 6 is connected via a coupling with the motor. In this embodiment, it is possible to set a different transport speed of the first transport device 5 with respect to the second transport device 6 by using a gear coupling. Thereby For example, it is possible to set a faster removal of the already printed print media with the second transport device 6, in comparison to the transport of the still unprinted print media to the print head 2 with the first transport device 5.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist vorgesehen, die Steuereinrichtung der Vorrichtung so zu programmieren, dass ein sich auf der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 befindliches Druckmedium auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 übergeben und von dieser in Transportrichtung R weitertransportiert wird, sobald sich das Druckmedium im Übergabebereich 7 befindet.In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided to program the control device of the device in such a way that a printing medium located on the first transport device 5 is transferred to the second transport device 6 and transported therefrom in the transport direction R as soon as the printing medium in the transfer region 7 located.

Zum Ausgleich der Schwungmassen ist ferner in einem zeichnerisch nicht dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel vorgesehen, die beiden Antriebe 8, 9 jeweils mit einem Gegengewicht zum Ausgleich der Massenkräfte zu versehen. Dies ermöglicht eine schwingungsfreie Annäherung der Transporteinrichtungen 5, 6 an den Druckkopf 2.To compensate for the flywheel masses is also provided in a drawing, not shown embodiment, to provide the two drives 8, 9 each with a counterweight to compensate for the inertial forces. This allows a vibration-free approach of the transport devices 5, 6 to the print head 2.

In den Figuren 7 und 8 sind zwei Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gezeigt, welche sich insbesondere zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien eignen, die über ihre Breite bzw. ihre Länge einen Dickenverlauf aufweisen. Um die zu bedruckende Oberfläche solcher Druckmedien mit einem Dickenverlauf beim Bedrucken in eine optimale Stellung bezüglich des Druckkopfs zu bringen, ist bei diesen Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung vorgesehen, dass die erste Transporteinrichtung 5 und/oder die zweite Transporteinrichtung 6 bezüglich der Druckfläche 3 verschwenkbar ist. Die Verschwenkbarkeit der Transporteinrichtungen 5, 6 ermöglicht eine Schrägstellung der Transportflächen 5c bzw. 6c der Transporteinrichtungen 5 und 6 bezüglich der Druckfläche 3. Die Schrägstellung der Transportflächen 5c, 6c erfolgt dabei zweckmäßig, wie in den Figuren 7 und 8 gezeigt, in der zur Transportrichtung R senkrechten Richtung S. Durch die Schrägstellung der Transportflächen 5c, 6c der Transporteinrichtungen 5, 6 kann gewährleistet werden, dass die zu bedruckenden Oberflächen der auf den Transportflächen der Transporteinrichtungen 5, 6 liegenden Druckmedien 1 in eine zur Druckfläche 3 parallelen Ebene gebracht werden. Durch die gleichzeitige Anpassung der Höhe der Transporteinrichtungen 5, 6 bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2 können die zu bedruckenden Oberflächen der Druckmedien also in eine zur Druckfläche 3 parallelen und dazu in einem geeigneten Druckabstand liegenden Ebene gebracht werden.In the FIGS. 7 and 8th show two embodiments of the device according to the invention, which are particularly suitable for the serial printing of print media, which have over their width or their length a thickness profile. In order to bring the printing surface of such print media with a thickness profile during printing in an optimal position with respect to the print head, is provided in these embodiments of the device according to the invention that the first transport device 5 and / or the second transport device 6 with respect to the pressure surface 3 is pivotable. The pivotability of the transport devices 5, 6 allows an inclination of the transport surfaces 5c and 6c of the transport devices 5 and 6 with respect to the printing surface 3. The inclination of the transport surfaces 5c, 6c is carried out appropriately, as in the FIGS. 7 and 8th By the inclination of the transport surfaces 5c, 6c of the transport devices 5, 6 can be ensured that the surfaces to be printed on the transport surfaces of the transport devices 5, 6 lying print media 1 in a pressure surface. 3 parallel plane. By simultaneously adjusting the height of the transport devices 5, 6 with respect to the print head 2, the surfaces of the print media to be printed can thus be brought into a plane parallel to the printing surface 3 and at a suitable printing distance.

Die Schrägstellung der Transportflächen 5c, 6c erfolgt zweckmäßig durch ein Verschwenken der ersten Transporteinrichtung 5 bzw. der zweiten Transporteinrichtung 6 bezüglich des Druckkopfs 2. Bei dem in Fig. 8 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist jede der beiden Transporteinrichtungen 5, 6 auf wenigstens zwei Spindeln 20, 21 gelagert. Diese Spindeln 20, 21 sind in der zur Transportrichtung R senkrechten Richtung S im Abstand zueinander angeordnet. Die Spindeln 20, 21 sind an einen Motor, bspw. einem Servomotor, gekoppelt und können von diesem unabhängig voneinander bewegt werden, um die Schrägstellung der Transporteinrichtung 5 bzw. 6 zu realisieren.The oblique position of the transport surfaces 5 c, 6 c is expediently carried out by pivoting the first transport device 5 or the second transport device 6 with respect to the print head 2 Fig. 8 illustrated embodiment, each of the two transport devices 5, 6 mounted on at least two spindles 20, 21. These spindles 20, 21 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction R direction S at a distance from each other. The spindles 20, 21 are coupled to a motor, for example a servo motor, and can be moved independently therefrom in order to realize the inclination of the transport device 5 or 6.

Bei dem in Fig. 9 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel sind die beiden Transporteinrichtungen 5, 6 jeweils nur auf einer einzigen Spindel 20 gelagert. Bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel erfolgt die Schrägstellung der Transportflächen 5c bzw. 6c bezüglich der Druckfläche 3 durch zeichnerisch hier nicht dargestellte Einstellmittel.At the in Fig. 9 the embodiment shown, the two transport devices 5, 6 are each mounted only on a single spindle 20. In this embodiment, the oblique position of the transport surfaces 5c and 6c takes place with respect to the pressure surface 3 by adjusting means not shown here.

Claims (11)

Vorrichtung zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien (1), insbesondere von Postsendungen, mit einem Druckkopf (2) mit einer in einer Ebene liegenden Druckfläche (3) und einem sich in einer Längsrichtung erstreckenden Druckbereich (3a) und mit einer Transportvorrichtung (4) zur Zuführung der zu bedruckenden Druckmedien (1) zu dem Druckkopf (2), wobei die Transportvorrichtung (4) eine erste Transporteinrichtung (5) und wenigstens eine zweite Transporteinrichtung (6) aufweist, welche die Druckmedien (1) parallel zur Druckfläche (3) bewegen und in orthogonaler Richtung relativ zur Druckfläche (3) verfahrbar sind, um ein auf den Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) geführtes Druckmedium (1) an die Druckfläche (3) des Druckkopfs (2) heranzuführen und in einen für das Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand zur Druckfläche (3) zu bringen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Transporteinrichtung (5) und die zweite Transporteinrichtung (6) in orthogonaler Richtung relativ zur Druckfläche (3) unabhängig voneinander verfahrbar sind und ein Übergabebereich (7) vorgesehen ist, welcher sich im Druckbereich (3a) der Druckfläche (3) befindet, um ein Druckmedium (1) im Übergabebereich (7) von der ersten Transporteinrichtung (5) auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung (6) zu übergeben.Apparatus for the serial printing of print media (1), in particular mailpieces, comprising a print head (2) with a printing surface (3) lying in one plane and a printing region (3a) extending in a longitudinal direction and with a transport device (4) for feeding the print media (1) to be printed on to the print head (2), wherein the transport device (4) has a first transport device (5) and at least one second transport device (6) which move the print media (1) parallel to the print surface (3) and in an orthogonal direction relative to the printing surface (3) are movable to a on the transport means (5, 6) guided printing medium (1) to the printing surface (3) of the print head (2) introduce and in a suitable for printing distance to the printing surface ( 3), characterized in that the first transport device (5) and the second transport device (6) in the orthogonal direction relative to the pressure surface (3) inde pendent and a transfer region (7) is provided, which is located in the printing region (3a) of the printing surface (3) to transfer a printing medium (1) in the transfer region (7) from the first transport device (5) to the second transport device (7). 6). Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Übergabebereich (7) durch einen Überlappungsbereich gebildet ist, in dem sich die beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) in Längsrichtung überlappen.Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer region (7) is formed by an overlap region in which the two transport devices (5, 6) overlap in the longitudinal direction. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) seitlich versetzt nebeneinander angeordnet sind und jede der die beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) ein in Transportrichtung (R) gesehen vorderes Ende (5a, 6a) und ein hinteres Ende (5b, 6b) aufweist, wobei das hintere Ende (5b) der in Transportrichtung gesehen vorderen Transporteinrichtung (5) hinter dem vorderen Ende (6a) der hinteren Transportreinrichtung (6) liegt.Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two transport means (5, 6) are arranged laterally offset side by side and each of the two transport means (5, 6) in the transport direction (R) seen front end (5a, 6a) and has a rear end (5b, 6b), the rear end (5b) of the forward transport device (5) seen in the transport direction being located behind the front end (6a) of the rear transport device (6). Vorrichtung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein sich auf der vorderen Transporteinrichtung (5) befindliches Druckmedium (1) auf die hintere Transporteinrichtung (6) übergeben und dann von diesem in Transportrichtung (R) weiter transportiert wird, sobald sich das Druckmedium (1) im Übergabebereich (7) befindet.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a printing medium (1) located on the front transport device (5) is transferred to the rear transport device (6) and then transported further by the latter in the transport direction (R) as soon as the printing medium (1) located in the transfer area (7). Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich bei einer Übergabe eines Druckmediums (1) von der vorderen Transporteinrichtung (5) auf die hintere Transporteinrichtung (6) die Transportflächen (5c, 6c) der beiden Transportrichtungen (5, 6) auf gleicher Ebene befinden.Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that at a transfer of a printing medium (1) from the front transport means (5) to the rear transport means (6), the transport surfaces (5c, 6c) of the two transporting directions (5, 6) on the same plane are located. Vorrichtung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) jeweils als Saugriemenbänder ausgebildet sind, welche ein auf der Transportfläche (5c, 6c) liegendes Druckmedium (1) mittels Unterdruck ansaugen.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two transport devices (5, 6) are each designed as a suction belt belts, which suck on the transport surface (5c, 6c) lying pressure medium (1) by means of negative pressure. Vorrichtung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedem der beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) ein Antrieb (8, 9) zugeordnet ist, mit dem die jeweilige Transporteinrichtung (5; 6) unabhängig von der anderen Transporteinrichtung (6; 5) in orthogonaler Richtung bewegt werden kann.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drive (8, 9) is assigned to each of the two transport devices (5, 6), with which the respective transport device (5, 6) is independent of the other transport device (6, 5). can be moved in the orthogonal direction. Vorrichtung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede der beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) an ihrem vorderen Ende (5a, 6a) über eine erste Rolle (11) und an ihrem hinteren Ende (5b, 6b) über eine zweite Rolle (12) verfügt, wobei jeweils wenigstens eine der Rollen (11) von einem Motor (13) angetrieben ist.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the two transport devices (5, 6) at its front end (5a, 6a) via a first roller (11) and at its rear end (5b, 6b) via a second roller (12), wherein in each case at least one of the rollers (11) is driven by a motor (13). Vorrichtung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Transportvorrichtung (4) einen einzigen Motor (13) aufweist, welcher mit einer der beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5 oder 6) verbunden ist um diese in Transportrichtung in Bewegung zu setzen und dass die andere Transporteinrichtung (6 oder 5) über eine Kupplung mit diesem Motor (13) verbunden ist.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device (4) has a single motor (13) which is connected to one of the two transport devices (5 or 6) to set them in motion in the transport direction and that the other transport means (6 or 5) is connected via a coupling with this motor (13). Vorrichtung nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Transporteinrichtung (5) und/oder die zweite Transporteinrichtung (6) bezüglich der Druckfläche (3) verschwenkbar ist.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first transport device (5) and / or the second transport device (6) with respect to the pressure surface (3) is pivotable. Verfahren zum seriellen Bedrucken von Druckmedien (1), mit folgenden Schritten: - Serielles Zuführen der zu bedruckenden Druckmedien (1) zu einem Druckkopf (2) mit einer in einer Ebene liegenden Druckfläche (3) und einem sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Druckbereich (3a) mittels einer Transportvorrichtung (4), welche eine erste Transporteinrichtung (5) und wenigstens eine zweite Transporteinrichtung (6) umfasst, die sich jeweils in einer parallel zur Längsrichtung der Transporteinrichtungen (5,6) verlaufenden Transportrichtung (R) bewegen und in orthogonaler Richtung relativ zur Druckfläche (3) unabhängig voneinander verfahrbar sind, - Heranführen eines zu bedruckenden Druckmediums (1) an den Druckkopf (2) in einen für das Bedrucken geeigneten Abstand durch Verfahren wenigstens einer der beiden Transporteinrichtungen (5, 6) in orthogonaler Richtung, - Übergabe des Druckmediums (1) von der ersten Transporteinrichtung (5) auf die zweite Transporteinrichtung (6) in einem Übergabebereich (7), wobei sich der Übergabebereich (7) im Druckbereich (3a) der Druckfläche (3) befindet. Method for serial printing of print media (1), comprising the following steps: Serial feeding of the printing media (1) to be printed to a print head (2) having a printing surface (3) lying in a plane and a printing area (3a) extending in the longitudinal direction by means of a transport device (4) which comprises a first transport device (5) and at least one second transport device (6) which in each case move in a transport direction (R) running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the transport devices (5, 6) and are movable independently of one another in an orthogonal direction relative to the pressure surface (3), - bringing a print medium (1) to be printed on the print head (2) in a suitable distance for printing by moving at least one of the two transport devices (5, 6) in the orthogonal direction, Transferring the printing medium (1) from the first transporting device (5) to the second transporting device (6) a transfer region (7), wherein the transfer region (7) is located in the printing region (3a) of the printing surface (3).
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US20130286126A1 (en) 2013-10-31
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US9090104B2 (en) 2015-07-28
DE102012103712A1 (en) 2013-10-31

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