A method of applying colour or print onto a dimensionally stable plastics container

Abstract

 A method of applying colour or print onto essentially the same place on a number of plastics containers (10) in succession leaving a manufacturing apparatus. The method comprises the following steps: moulding the plastics container in a mould; ejecting (20) the plastics container in a fixed position; and applying colour or print (21) while the container occupies a position determined by this fixed position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method of applying colour or print onto essentially the same place of each one of a number of succeeding plastics containers.

[0002] Such methods usually comprise holding the plastics container in such a manner that it is able to rotate about its axis of symmetry during the printing; and a colour transfer cloth rotating about an axis and being in contact with the round-going sidewall of the container during rotation of the container for application of colour onto the container.

[0003] Moreover known methods comprise a number of clichés that are caused to rotate in such a manner that they touch the colour transfer cloth for application of colour there onto in accordance with how it is wished to apply the colour onto the container itself.

[0004] Thus, the prior art methods usually comprise a separate process as described above. However, it is also an option to use eg in mould labelling techniques during the moulding as such of the plastics container. However, both solutions are technically complex and hence also cost intensive.

[0005] By the method according to the invention as defined in claim 1 a simple way of depositing colour in the essentially one and the same point is enabled.

[0006] More specifically, this is accomplished in that the method as described in the characterising part of claim 1 comprises application of colour at the point in the manufacturing process when the plastics containers leave the moulding apparatus with an orientation which is given by the moulding process as such.

[0007] Preferred embodiments will appear from the dependent claims.

[0008] In the following the invention will be explained in further detail with reference to a currently preferred embodiment.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of conveyors with plastics containers.

[0010] Plastics packagings for foodstuffs are often configured with a part that is, on the one hand, to facilitate opening of the container and, on the other, to prevent a container from being opened and closed again without leaving permanent traces. Typically such (tamper) part consists of a rupture mechanism in the form of a (relatively) small flap that is to be torn off or depressed before the lid on the container can be removed; however, other embodiments are also known. Typically, it applies to the vast majority of the rupture mechanisms that they are of a relatively small size and it is consequently also a relatively small area that is to be identified by the end user prior to opening the container. At the end user's, this often gives rise to problems and therefore it is attempted today to make such (tamper) faces visible by applying colour or tactile surfaces in various ways. Typically the application procedure takes place during the container moulding process as such, or else colour is applied in a separate colour application process, where the individual finished containers are first oriented correctly and colour is subsequently applied onto relevant parts. Both methods, however, are cumbersome and it is realised by the invention that the fixed orientation occupied by the containers when moulded (and which they also occupy immediately subsequent to moulding) can be used to advantage.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a conveyor 23 and four plastics containers 10 produced by means of moulding apparatus 22 not explained in further detail. The containers comprise a skirt 2 encircling the upper part of the container, and this skirt is provided with a small flap 1 (which may, of course, equally well be another known opening mechanism) and being, in the shown example, oriented towards the left side of the drawing.

[0012] When the containers leave the moulding apparatus 22 via a not specifically shown or described ejector mechanism 20, they are always oriented in one and the same manner, and by the invention it is realised that by means of a touch-free or approximately touch-free printer method, such as eg inkjets, this fact can be relied on for the purpose of applying colour in one and the same spot. In Figure 1 the part for applying colour or print is, as shown, an arm 21 with a (printer) head 21 which is capable of hitting a flap 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown the flap is located on the skirt 2 of a container 10. Other printing methods known to the skilled person can of course also be used, the important aspect of the invention being merely that the orientation determined by the manufacturing process is used to advantage to apply colour or other print, while the containers are in a position that results (entirely or partially) from the manufacturing process.

Claims

1. A method of applying colour or print onto essentially the same place of each one of a number of succeeding plastics containers that leave a manufacturing apparatus, said method comprising the following steps:

- moulding the plastics container in a mould;

- ejecting the plastics container with a given position; and

- applying colour or print while the container occupies a position determined by this given position.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plastics container is a round plastics container.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the plastics container is a round container with protruding skirt.

4. A method according to claims 1-3, wherein the method comprises use of an inkjet for applying colour or print.

5. A method according to claims 1-4, wherein the method comprises application by spraying of a tactile coating.

Drawing