Digital Printing for Variable Packaging Graphics

Method for accurately aligning dynamic prints on packaging materials with static prints. The method involves removing the static print in predefined sections to reveal the underlying packaging material, creating a negative of the dynamic print inside the static print. A camera detects reference geometries from the static print and the manufactured negative to evaluate quality features like alignment and readability. This ensures proper positioning of dynamic prints despite packaging material variations.

Source

A high-speed system for converting sheet material into custom-sized packaging templates and boxes with features like printing, cutting, creasing, and erecting. The system has separate components for each conversion function arranged in sequence. This allows customization options like dynamic printing placement and size variation based on box size, while minimizing throughput limitations from complex repositioning movements between functions. The system also enables features like box erection and automated transfer.

Source

Digital printing on the inside of flexible packaging to add unique codes, promotional content, or varying patterns on the inner layers of flexible packaging using a separate digital printing process before lamination. This involves digitally printing on the laminated film rolls before combining them in the lamination process to create the final flexible packaging. A compensator roll is added to the lamination machine to adjust for the thickness variation from the digital printing. This allows precise, customizable inner printing that can vary per package while remaining regular and safe for products.

Source

Method to manufacture multilayer packaging films with digital printing that enables fast, reliable and cost-effective production of small quantity customized packaging. The method involves printing on the outer layer of an unprinted multilayer film using digital printing, treating the printed surface with corona discharge, heat laminating with an adhesive layer, and rapid cooling. This sequence reduces defects and time compared to conventional methods. The digital printing step involves corona treating the surface before printing, and secondary corona treatment on the printed surface. The lamination step uses an EVA adhesive layer between the printed film and protective film. Rapid cooling after lamination prevents film deformation. The tension sequence is first before printing, second after lamination, and higher during cooling. This prevents wrinkles and bubbles.

Source

Packaging with curved dot patterns that can be printed late in the manufacturing process to enable flexible curved product identification. The dots have non-integer spacing offsets between them, which creates curved dot patterns when viewed as a whole. This is achieved by selectively adjusting the spacing of adjacent dots beyond integer multiples of the dot diameter. The curved dot patterns can be printed using equipment that allows custom drop spacing.

Source

Digital printing apparatus for packaging machines that enables customization of packages without reducing production speed. The digital printing apparatus is integrated into a packaging machine for pourable products like juice. It allows printing customized content onto the packages as they are being formed and filled. This allows customization of some or all of the packages without slowing down the packaging line. The digital printing apparatus is designed to work with high-speed packaging machines and does not impact production rates. It allows customization of packages like juice cartons without needing separate customization lines.

Source

Display body like packaging film that can be printed using lasers. The display body has a white printing layer that allows laser printing. The printing layer has a printed region where laser irradiation has occurred and a nonprinted region. Key properties include: - Difference in color L* values between printed and nonprinted regions should be 1.0-10.0. Lower values make printing hard to see, higher values require more laser power. - Total luminous transmittance of nonprinted regions should be 8%-50%. Lower values provide better concealment but can cause void content and laser pigment exceeding thresholds. - Fractional decrease in thickness of printed region vs nonprinted region should be 1%-80%. Lower values provide less visual contrast, higher values risk holes and fractures.

Source

A method for producing high-quality, flat printed packaging material using an assembly with improved reliability and quality compared to conventional methods. The method involves printing the packaging material using inkjet printers and drying it using near-infrared (NIR) radiation. The key innovation is transporting the thin material through the drying station using a thermally-conductive carrier roller with adjustable temperature. This allows precise control of the material temperature during drying to prevent quality issues. The carrier roller can have negative pressure or electrostatic attraction to grip the material without tension. This allows transport by roller rotation only. Multiple printers can print each color separately with dedicated drying stations or a single station for high temp materials. The assembly can also have separate white printing and drying stages.

Source

Frame to install a cheese packaging film printer directly on the cheese packaging machine to enable continuous printing and packaging of cheese using the same machine. The frame has features like a printer mount, film supply, film support, and tension maintenance to connect the printer, supply film, support printed film, and maintain tension during transfer. It prevents printer tilting during film feeding by sensing magnetic height differences and tilting the printer back. This allows continuous printing and packaging of cheese in a single space.

Source

Optimized packaging box processing system that improves workability, productivity, and quality by adapting to the specifications of different sized boxes. The system uses variable guides, recognition of work info, repositioning, and priority printing to handle boxes of varying sizes. The system has guide parts that adjust width based on box size. It reads IDs to recognize work info. It can reposition boxes secondarily to correct errors. It prioritizes printing patterns based on ink usage. This allows customized handling of boxes with different dimensions and contents.

Source

Retortable flexible packaging that can withstand high temperatures during sterilization without deteriorating printed graphics. The packaging uses a specific process to digitally print on the inner layer of the packaging and then crosslink the ink with electron beam radiation. This creates a retort-proof digital print that does not delaminate or fade during sterilization. The crosslinked digital print is laminated onto the middle barrier layer to form part of the multilayer packaging structure. The crosslinking converts the ink into a stable, retort-resistant form that maintains print quality after sterilization.

Source

Printing on packaging materials such as corrugated boards with good results, whilst avoiding or reducing the need for high opacity inks and white inks. The printing includes changing the image data of the image file taking into account that the colour of the side of the packaging material is substantially white; combining the changed image data with image data for the one or more second image areas to obtain the print data; and folding and optionally gluing the packaging material into multiple packaging products.

Source

Enhancing customer experience in e-commerce packaging by using digital printing on the boxes to personalize and engage customers. The method involves digitally printing custom designs, promotions, and messages on the packaging boxes based on customer data and preferences. This provides a personalized unboxing experience and can also upsell related products. The boxes are printed using digital techniques rather than traditional printing methods.

Source

A method to accurately position dynamic prints on packaging materials like cartons, that have pre-printed static designs. The method involves using a marking station with a camera to remove the static print in specific sections and reveal the underlying packaging material. This negative of the dynamic print is then placed inside the static print. The camera detects reference geometry of the static print and the removed sections to ensure correct positioning. The camera also checks quality features like code readability. This allows accurate dynamic prints even as the packaging dimensions vary.

Source

Improving printing accuracy for digital printing of packaging material used for containers holding liquid food products like milk cartons. The method involves identifying and aligning registration marks on the pre-printed area of the packaging web to precisely locate the unprinted area. Sensors detect the marks, processing determines positions, and an adjustment device moves the web to align with the printer bars for printing the unprinted area. This ensures accurate alignment and registration between the pre-printed and printed areas of each package blank.

Source

Display materials and packaging with printing that can be done by laser. The materials have a layer that allows printing when irradiated with a laser. The printing layer contains pigments that change color when excited by laser light. The pigments can be metals like bismuth oxide. The layer thickness for visible laser printing is 5-200 microns. The pigments are mixed with other resins to form the printing layer. The mixing is done in a way to prevent segregation of the pigments during extrusion. This ensures consistent pigment distribution for uniform printing. The materials are laminated and formed into display packages using techniques like vacuum deposition to create gas barriers. The lamination and forming steps are optimized to minimize shrinkage and deformation. The packaging can have a printed logo or text that is visible through the transparent material. The laser printing is distinct from the unprinted areas due to the pigments changing

Source

A system for ordering customized flexible packaging that ensures the design data provided by the customer is suitable for printing on the specific packaging shape. The system receives orders with packaging shape information from the customer. It provides them with format data matching that shape to create designs that will print correctly. This prevents issues like misaligned images when trying to use generic design templates. The system also holds material information associated with each packaging model, allowing accurate instructions for manufacturing.

Source

Printing system for packaging materials like flexible films used in packaging applications that ensures accurate and continuous alignment of printed images on the moving material. The system has a feature detection unit to continuously monitor a known feature on the packaging material. A control unit uses the detected feature position to calculate the correct image placement. It then activates specific printing nozzles to print the image at the calculated position. If the material shifts, the feature detection updates the image placement calculation to compensate. This allows compensating for misalignment and maintaining accurate image placement even if the material moves during printing.

Source

Method for producing flexible packaging containers using inkjet printing for small lots and variety of products while avoiding residual solvents and improving environmental issues compared to traditional methods. The method involves using water-based inkjet ink for printing patterns and images on the packaging film. This is followed by applying a primer layer and using water-based white ink for a final printing step. The finished packaging container is made by laminating a heat-sealable film onto the printed layers. This allows precise water-based printing with improved adhesion and printing quality for flexible food packaging.

Source

Improving the accuracy of digital printing on packaging material like cartons for food products like milk cartons. The method involves using sensors to identify registration marks on the pre-printed area of the packaging web, then determining the position of the second, unprinted area based on those marks. The web is then adjusted relative to the printer bars to accurately print the second area. This ensures the printed design lines up precisely with the pre-printed area.

Source

Method to produce custom-sized packaging materials with printed product information by laser cutting and printing on a base sheet. The process involves printing product details on a sheet using a laser. Then, cutting the printed sheet to the specific size required for packaging the product using the same laser. This allows creating custom-sized packaging materials with printed product information without needing specialized labels or separate label stock.

Source

A device for printing and inspecting pouches on a rotary filling machine to improve efficiency and quality compared to off-machine printing. The device has an adjustable platform with movable print and camera modules to position over the rotating pouches. It also has a curved wire guide matching the turret radius to automatically align the pouches. This allows on-machine printing and inspection without conveyors or extra space. The print and camera modules can be adjusted for different pouch sizes.

Source

Adjustable printing system for packaging material that can continuously compensate for misalignment during high-speed production. The system has a feature detector, control unit, and print head with multiple nozzles. The detector continuously detects a feature on the packaging material and the control unit calculates its position. It then determines the print position based on the feature position and activates the appropriate nozzles to print the image precisely at the adjusted position. This allows the system to compensate for any misalignment of the packaging material during production and maintain accurate printing.

Source

Automated packing device for small items that uses a simple, modular design to efficiently pack and ship small items ordered online. The device has separate heat-sealing rolls for the front and back sheets, allowing customized printing on both sides. The device cuts the excess center strip after sealing and trims the side edges. This avoids the need for gussets and allows printing on both sides. The device also reads barcodes to print destinations and measures package size for billing.

Source

A method for printing high-quality multicolor decorations on packaging materials like laminated sheet composites used for food and drink containers. The method involves contact printing using electrical charging and discharging to transfer ink onto the composite. The printing steps are: 1) feed the composite into the printer, 2) charge the outer surface in regions, 3) contact the charged regions to the corresponding component surfaces, 4) discharge the charged regions to transfer ink, 5) repeat with higher voltages for subsequent colors. The charging/discharging allows controlled ink transfer without pressure or solvent absorption issues. The printer has multiple electrodes for each color and adjustable speeds.

Source

A method for manufacturing customized corrugated cardboard boxes that fit the exact size of the packaged items. The method involves digitally printing the box dimensions on the cardboard, cutting and creasing to those dimensions, and then using inkjet printing with variable data to print optimized labels and barcodes based on the actual item sizes. This eliminates wasted space and mislabeling compared to predetermined box sizes. The digital printing allows customization per item and dynamic labeling.

Source

Improved digital printing of packaging material for food products like cartons that hold liquids. The printing method uses sensors and adjustment to accurately print the second, unprinted area of each blank. After receiving the web of packaging material, a first sensor identifies a register mark. The processing device determines a first register mark position based on that. It then finds a second register mark within the second area using a second sensor. The device calculates a second register mark position and second area position for that blank. The adjustment device moves the web relative to the printer bars to match the calculated second area position. This allows precise printing of the second, unprinted area of each blank.

Source

Printing custom package designs with images that match the delivery location to help prevent package theft. The system receives the package dimensions, captures an image of the delivery location with the correct aspect ratio based on the package size, and prints the location image on the package side. This blends the package into the background at delivery, making it less visible and less likely to be stolen.

Source

Automated packaging box printing and cutting system that streamlines the manufacturing process by automating the movement, printing, cutting, and loading of corrugated cardboard sheets used to make packaging boxes. The system has a supply unit to feed the sheets, a printing unit to print them, a cutting unit to cut them, and a loading unit to stack the printed and cut sheets. Alignment mechanisms move the sheets horizontally to match width and length. Sensors detect stack height to automatically lift the discharge table. A barcode reader recognizes labels on the sheets. The system eliminates manual handling and allows universal transport, cutting, and loading of sheets of varying sizes.

Source

Flexible packaging film for food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products that can be inkjet printed at high speed for high resolution graphics. The film has a biaxially oriented polymer base layer and an ink-receiving layer coated on top. The ink-receiving layer contains boehmite particles and poly(vinyl alcohol) to absorb ink and dry quickly. The boehmite improves porosity for ink absorption and drying. The poly(vinyl alcohol) binds to the base layer and prevents cracking. The inkjet printable flexible film can be used for inkjet printed packaging that conforms to food, pharmaceutical, and personal care product standards.

Source

A turret machine for filling and sealing flexible pouches that has an integrated printing and inspection system to improve efficiency and quality compared to external printing. The machine has a base with an adjustable platform, print module, inspection module, and guiding elements. The print module moves horizontally along the platform to print on the pouches as they rotate. The inspection module with a camera also moves horizontally to verify print quality. The guiding elements have curved sections matching the pouch rotation radius to hold the pouches in place. This integrated printing and inspection system allows high resolution printing directly on the pouch as it rotates, without needing external conveyors or printers, and enables quick changeover between pouch sizes.

Source

A continuous flow packaging system for automated mail order shipping that allows high-speed packaging of variable size products with customized labeling. The system uses a continuous flow wrap machine that envelops products in film as they move along a conveyor. An end sealer separates the wrapped products and creates individual packaged items. A product reader senses each item and provides unique product information. A labeling unit applies visual representations of the product info to the film as it wraps or to the separated packaged items. The system adjusts the conveyor speeds based on product height measured by a sensor to ensure proper spacing between items in the wrapper tube.

Source

A process for making flexible packaging material that allows for rapid turnaround times from digital printing to packaging using a thermally activatable laminating layer. The process involves printing an electrophotographic ink composition on one surface of a base material, then laminating a thermally activatable layer onto the printed surface. This thermally laminated material is then cooled to form a ready-to-use flexible packaging material. The thermally activatable layer allows fast bonding between the printed and laminated layers without curing steps.

Source

Printing process for manufacturing food containers with customized labels that can be varied from container to container. The process involves using a specialized printing device with multiple stages to print on the container surface. It starts with plasma treatment to modify surface tension. Inkjet printing follows, then UV curing. A second UV curing step completes the process. This allows high resolution printing with enhanced chemical resistance and data storage capacity compared to traditional labels. The multi-step curing also reduces ink consumption.

Source

Packaging box with customizable design and features like logos, product descriptions, patterns, etc. printed on the surface.

Source

A method for forming packaging materials using digital printing for low quantity production of flexible packaging materials. The method involves laminating two films together. One film has a base layer and printed layer from digital printing. The other film has a base layer and core layer. The printed layer is laminated to the core layer to form the packaging material. This allows separate production of the films with digital printing on one. It also allows joining multiple printed films to a single base film.

Source

Printing system for packaging materials that provides accurate and continuous alignment of printed images on moving webs. The system uses a feature detection unit to continuously monitor features on the web. A control unit tracks the detected feature position. The printing unit has multiple nozzles. The control unit calculates the print position based on the feature position and selects the appropriate nozzle. This allows adjusting the print location dynamically to compensate for web misalignment.

Source

A compact and adaptable printing system for printing containers using inkjet printers that can easily accommodate containers of different sizes and shapes with high reliability. The system has a rotating transport element with multiple printing positions for holding containers. Each printing position has an inkjet printer head. The transport element rotates around a vertical axis and containers are loaded and unloaded at fixed positions. The compact design allows close proximity of the printer heads to the containers. The rotating configuration enables the printer heads to reach containers of different heights. It provides flexibility in accommodating containers with varying dimensions while maintaining reliability.

Source

A packaging system for filling containers with food products like beverages that allows custom printing on each container without using pre-printed rolls. The system has a digital printing system integrated into the packaging machine that prints directly onto the blank container material as it feeds through. This eliminates the need for pre-printed rolls and reduces the risk of chemical migration from the printing ink. The printed container is then filled with the product and sealed. The system has a branch from the material feed to connect the printing system.

Source

A method for producing packaging materials using digital printing and thermal lamination to overcome the limitations of digital printing for low-quantity packaging. The method involves digitally printing on one film, then thermally laminating that film with another multi-layer film to form the final packaging. This allows using digital printing for the visible print layer, while leveraging faster, wider web techniques for the rest of the packaging layers. The thermal lamination bonds the printed layer to the other film. This enables producing custom printed packaging using digital printing in lower quantities, while still leveraging efficient multi-layer production techniques.

Source

Printing and packaging device that can print package designs directly onto the packaging material instead of using labels. The device has a unit to print the design on the packaging bags, followed by a sealing unit to pack and seal the product inside. This eliminates the need for separate label inventory and attachment. The printing unit can accommodate multiple bags for efficient production. It has separate front and back printing devices for double-sided printing options. Prior to printing, the device can perform surface treatment of the bags to improve ink adhesion.

Source

Packaging arrangement for customized printing on food packages without pre-printed rolls. The arrangement has an infeed with plain packaging material, a digital printer, and a packaging machine. The printer prints on the packaging material as it feeds through. The printed side doesn't touch the food side during transport to the packaging machine. This allows customized printing on smaller volumes without pre-printed rolls, eliminating the need for expensive pre-printed rolls and enabling last-minute design changes. The printer connects to the infeed and bypasses the roll feed.

Source

A device and method for making pouches with better positioned printed patterns on water-soluble PVOH films. The device has a control system to monitor and adjust the alignment of the printed pattern on the film as it is made into a pouch. This compensates for the elasticity and hygroscopicity of PVOH films that can distort the pattern during pouch formation. The control system uses sensors to detect alignment issues and makes adjustments to maintain accurate positioning of the pattern. This prevents distortion and misalignment of the printed pattern on the final pouch.

Source

System for accurately positioning a secondary print on a preprinted plastic film in packaging machines. The system has a printer to apply a second print on the film, a film drive to move the film, and a controller to adjust the film position based on sensors. A reference marker on the film is read and compared to the film position sensor. The controller then adjusts the printer position relative to the film position to align the secondary print with the preprint. This ensures precise placement of the secondary print relative to the preprint.

Source

Automated production of customized individual packaging containers for products with unique shapes. The method involves capturing an image of a barcode containing packaging dimensions and structural parameters. A processor uses the retrieved data to specify cropping instructions for an automatic packaging machine. The machine cuts the packaging material to the customized shape based on the instructions. This allows creating bespoke packaging containers without needing a database of all possible sizes. The barcode image also captures the packaging design that gets printed on the container.

Source

Adjustable marking machine mount for printing product information on packaging without labels. The mount allows automated printing of data like dates and codes on the actual packaging material. It has a movable marking head that can adjust position based on the size of the packaged item. This enables accurate marking without labels and avoids issues like label misalignment and detachment. The mount uses guides, rollers, and reciprocating parts to move the marking head up/down and front/back to match pack sizes. An elastic restoring member returns the head to its original position after printing.

Source

A packaging machine with a printing device that allows printing custom package designs on bags without the need for pre-printed bags or labels. The machine has a conveyor with raised bumps to elevate the printed area of the bags. This prevents denting when thicker areas like gussets or chucks are conveyed. The machine also has a height sensor to adjust the printer based on bag thickness.

Source

Method and device for producing customized packaging on demand by digitally printing individualized information and images directly onto the blank packaging as it moves through the production line. The blank packaging is printed with universal information initially, and then a device with controllable printing heads reads an information carrier on the product being packaged or the blank itself to determine the specific customization. The blank is moved through the printing station where it is printed with the customized information and images on one or both sides. This allows personalized packaging without preprinted blanks that might go unused.

Source

A method to produce customized packaging materials using digital printing for low volume production. The method involves laminating two films together. One film has a printed layer produced by reverse digital printing. The other film has a core layer sandwiched between coating layers. The films are thermally laminated so the printed layer contacts the core layer. This allows custom printing on a separate film to be joined with a multi-layer packaging film. The lamination step bonds the layers together to form the final packaging material.

Source

Packaging bag printer that eliminates the need for preprinted bags in multiple languages by printing the designs directly onto the bags using an inline printer. The printer has a vacuum conveyor to move the bags, a smoothing device to flatten fold areas, and a corona discharge surface treatment to improve ink adhesion. This allows printing high-quality graphics and text on bags with complex shapes and folds.

Source