MODULE

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to the field of apparatuses for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink, and to an inlet module for a flexographic printing apparatus.

Background art

In general, flexographic printing of a web of packaging material is carried into effect using a thin-running and often volatile printing ink which implies that the printing ink must be transferred from the ink pan or chamber to the packaging material web before it has had time to dry on route. For this transfer, use is therefore made of a hard roll (anilox roll) which displays on its circumferential surface engraved cells with the aid of which printing ink is taken up from the ink pan or chamber and transferred to the printing cylinder rotary in transfer contact with the anilox roll. In order to facilitate taking up of printing ink from the ink chamber, the anilox roll is rotary in direct contact with the printing ink in the ink chamber. The ink chamber is defined upwardly by an upper axial elongate doctor blade in contact with the circumferential surface of the anilox roll, and downwardly by a lower, similarly axially extending doctor blade in contact with the circumferential surface of the anilox roll. The upper doctor blade, which lightly abuts against the circumferential surface of the anilox roll, is intended to scrape off and recycle picked up excess ink before departure from the ink chamber. The lower doctor blade, which lightly abuts against the circumferential surface of the anilox roll, is intended to prevent printing ink from leaking out from the ink chamber.

The ink chamber is filled to a predetermined level with continuously circulating printing ink, via an inlet and an outlet to the ink chamber. The quality of the printing ink is continuously regulated in an external unit, in respect of viscosity and temperature and other properties so that a uniform printing result is obtained. Both of the axial end walls of the ink chamber may, in a prior art apparatus, extend right up to sealing abutment against the circumferential surface of the anilox roll in order to ensure that as little printing ink as possible leaks out laterally from the ink chamber.

According to another prior art example, the end walls are disposed in spaced apart relationship from the surface of the anilox roll, in which event sealing against leakage of printing ink through the thus formed gaps between each respective end wall and the circumferential surface of the anilox roll is catered for by means of an observed relationship between the viscosity of the printing ink and the speed of rotation of the anilox roll during ongoing printing. According to this relationship, there is for each viscosity a speed of rotation above which the tendency of the printing ink to accompany the anilox roll is greater than the tendency of the printing ink to leak out from the ink chamber laterally through the thus formed gaps at the axial end wall. Thus, this prior art embodiment affords the advantage in relation to the previously described embodiment that it requires no frequently recurring operational stoppage for replacement of worn rubber seals. A further advantage is that it causes no wear, or very slight wear, to the anilox roll because of friction heat as described above.

One drawback inherent in this latter described embodiment is however that it not seldom occurs that residual printing ink on the circumferential surface of the anilox roll, after transfer of printing ink to the printing cylinder, dries and adheres to the anilox roll and as a result cannot be scraped off by the doctor blades, but accompanies the anilox roll into the ink pan or chamber when the anilox roll is rotated during operation.

WO2013064415 by the applicant discloses an improved apparatus for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material which has a spray device for applying a cleaning fluid to the anilox roll, and axial end walls of the ink chamber configured as a unit module of two mutually spaced apart end wall elements. This solution, at least, alleviates the above described problems and drawbacks of the flexographic printing apparatuses.

However, there is thus still a desire to improve the state of the art to provide an improved apparatus for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material. For example, it may always be desirable to reduce the energy consumption, and the wear and tear of components as well as improving the printing quality.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to improve the current state of the art, to alleviate at least some of the above problems, and to provide an improved apparatuses for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink is provided. The apparatus comprises:

an ink chamber; and

an anilox roll rotary at least partly inside the ink chamber for picking up and transferring printing ink from the ink chamber to an impression cylinder which is rotary in transfer contact with the anilox roll,

wherein the ink chamber is elongated and extends axially along the anilox roll, and the ink chamber has a first axial end and a second axial end opposite the first axial end,

characterised in that the apparatus further comprises a first printing ink inlet arranged at the first axial end of the ink chamber and a second printing ink inlet arranged at the second axial end of the ink chamber.

The present invention is based on the realization that a high pressure and/or flow is required in the ink chamber in order to ensure that the printing ink is substantially uniformly distributed over the width of the anilox roll.

Otherwise, there will be a lack of ink on towards the ends of the anilox roll, also known as ink starvation. The high pressure and/or flow of ink is typically provided by a pump device. This of course leads to high requirements the pump which continuously refills the ink chamber during operation, and on the seals and/or other components which are to keep the printing ink in the ink chamber. Moreover, due to the high pressure and also flow into the ink chamber, there is froth and/or foam formed within the ink chamber which is detrimental to the ink transfer to the anilox roll. By having two printing ink inlets, one at each axial end of the ink chamber, the pressure along the ink chamber is more uniformly distributed throughout the ink chamber, and the pressure and flow provided by the pump can be reduced. Further, as the pressure and flow is reduced the amount of froth and/or foam formed in the ink chamber is also reduced. Hence, through the invention, both costs for components e.g. the pump can be reduced as well as energy which needs to be supplied to the pump. The reduced pressure may also reduce the requirements on the seals and/or other components which are to keep the printing ink in the ink chamber.

The term printing ink inlet should herein and henceforth be construed as an inlet which supplies printing ink from some sort of printing ink source, such as a printing ink tank or a printing ink reservoir or the like, into the ink chamber. The term ink chamber may also be known in the art as an ink pan.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the first printing ink inlet and the second printing ink inlet are arranged to direct printing ink at least partly parallel to the axial extent of the anilox roll. Stated differently, the first printing ink inlet is arranged to direct printing ink at least partly towards the second printing ink inlet, and the second printing ink inlet is arranged to direct printing ink at least partly towards the first printing ink inlet. This means that the printing ink inlets direct the printing ink from the respective inlets at least partly towards the center of the ink chamber. Thereby, an improved and more uniform pressure and ink distribution is achieved over the width of the ink chamber. Further, there is a reduced requirement for the sealing function at the axial ends of the ink chamber as there is no flow directed towards axial ends. The width of the ink chamber should be interpreted as measured in the axial extent of the anilox roll. The expression at least partly parallel to the axial extent of the anilox roll means that direction of the printing ink flowing into the ink chamber via the printing ink inlets is at least partly following the rotational axis of the anilox roll, for example being directed parallel with the rotational axis of the anilox roll, or at an angle of 1 -89 degrees to the rotational axis of the anilox roll. Preferably, the printing ink inlets direct the printing ink with a deviation of less than 30 degrees from parallel to the rotational axis of the anilox roll.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, each of the first printing ink inlet and the second printing ink inlet has an elongated exit. An elongated exit enables the inlet to be smaller, e.g. thin, in at least one dimension. An exit should be interpreted as an outlet through which printing ink may flow.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the elongated exit may be elongated in an upright direction. The upright direction should be understood as the vertical direction, or a deviation from a vertical direction of less than 30 degrees. Thereby, the ink chamber may be made smaller, e.g. thinner, as measured in the radial direction from the anilox roll. This may allow other components of an apparatus for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink to be arranged closer to the anilox roll and/or the ink chamber. Hence, the apparatus for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink may be made more compact.

In at least one exemplary embodiment each of the first printing ink inlet and the second printing ink inlet has an entry with the same cross-sectional area as the exit. This reduces the flow resistance through the inlet, which means that there is less flow resistance for an ink pump to overcome.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, each of the first printing ink inlet and the second printing ink inlet is substantially orthogonal. In order to provide a compact apparatus, the inlets may be orthogonal in order to reduce the width of the ink chamber.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, each of the first printing ink inlet and the second printing ink inlet has a channel extending substantially orthogonal between the entry and the elongated exit.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the first printing ink inlet is formed in a first inlet module, and wherein the second printing ink inlet is formed in a second inlet module, wherein each of the first inlet module and second inlet module further comprises an anilox roll seal.

An anilox roll seal should be interpreted as two mutually spaced apart end wall elements. The end wall element proximal to the ink chamber prevents lateral leakage of printing ink, and the end wall element distal to the ink chamber prevent printing ink having leaked past the proximal end wall element from leaving the ink chamber. A drainage outlet may be arranged between the end wall elements. Hence, printing ink which, where applicable, leaks out laterally from the ink chamber is collected between the end wall elements is taken care of via an interjacent outlet arranged between the wall elements and is thereby prevented from causing splashing and soiling. The anilox roll seal is preferably manufactured from a rubber or plastic material. The anilox roll seal is also disclosed and discussed in WO2013064415, which portions thereof relating to the anilox roll seal, also known as "unit module", is hereby incorporated by reference.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a printing ink reservoir, wherein each of the first printing ink inlet and the second printing ink inlet is fluidly connected to the printing ink reservoir via a conduit. Each of the inlets may be separately connected via a conduit to the printing ink reservoir. Alternatively, a T-shaped conduit with only one end at the printing ink reservoir may be used to connect the printing ink reservoir and the printing ink inlets.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a printing ink pump arranged to, during operation, pump printing ink from the printing ink reservoir to the first printing ink inlet and the second printing ink inlet via the conduit. The printing ink pump may be arranged in the printing ink reservoir or along the conduit. There may be more than one pump if there is a separate conduit from the printing ink reservoir to each of the inlets. The printing ink pump may be any known pump type in the art, and be driven in any known manner such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric.

According to at least a second aspect of the present invention, an inlet module for a flexographic printing apparatus is provided. The inlet module comprises a circular entry, an elongated exit, and a channel extending substantially orthogonally between the entry and exit.

Effects and features of this second aspect of the present invention are largely analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect of the inventive concept. Hence, the inlet module may be used to advantage with a flexographic printing apparatus. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the present invention are largely compatible with the second aspect of the invention, of which some embodiments are explicitly mentioned in the following.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the circular entry has the same cross-sectional area as the elongated exit.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the inlet module further comprises an anilox roll seal. In other words, the inlet module may serve at least two purposes: a portion of the sealing mechanism between the ink chamber and the anilox roll as well being an inlet for the printing ink into the ink chamber.

The inlet module may be configured to form a portion of an axial end wall of an ink chamber. The inlet module may be configured to form an entire axial end wall of an ink chamber.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Brief description of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus known in the art;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an apparatus known in the art for printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink; Figure 3 is a top view of an apparatus according to the present invention; and

Figure 4a-d are views of an inlet module in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the present detailed description, embodiments of an apparatus for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink are mainly discussed with reference schematic views showing an apparatus for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink and a printing ink inlet according to various embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that this by no means limits the scope of the invention, which is also applicable in other circumstances for instance with other types or variants of apparatuses for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink or devices than the embodiments shown in the appended drawings. Further, that specific components are mentioned in connection to an embodiment of the invention does not mean that those components cannot be used to an advantage together with other embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a known prior art apparatus, disclosed in

WO2013064415 which is hereby incorporated by reference, at least with regard to figure 1 and 2, also disclosed therein for understanding the function of the prior art apparatus. The apparatus shown in figure 1 has an anilox roll 1 , a printing cylinder in the form of an impression plate cylinder 2 (hereinafter designated impression cylinder) and an ink pan or chamber 3, the ink chamber being disposed axially along the one side of the anilox roll 1 . The ink chamber 3 is defined by a first chamber wall 4, an upper and a lower doctor blade 5, 6, part of the circumferential surface 7 of the anilox roll 1 , as well as by an end wall 8 at each respective axial end of the ink chamber 3. The first chamber wall 4 may be designed as a curved, C-shaped or U-shaped wall or as a planar wall, depending upon the length of the doctor blades 5, 6 employed and depending upon how the doctor blades are fixed at the first chamber wall. Suitably, the wall is designed as an integrated unit in which the doctor blades are secured.

In order to maintain uniform quality and uniform properties of the printing ink, the ink is circulated continuously through the ink chamber 3 by the intermediary of an inlet 9 and fills up the ink chamber to a predetermined level 10, before being led out of the chamber by the intermediary of an outlet 1 1 . The viscosity, temperature and homogeneity of the printing ink are regulated in an external unit 12 (only illustrated schematically), including e.g. agitators and temperature control. It is important that printing ink be

transferred to the impression cylinder 2 from the anilox roll 1 in a uniform quantity and with uniform quality, so that no differences occur in printing result between different regions of the printed web. In such instance, the continuous circulation of printing ink monitors and regulates the printing ink in respect of important properties, regardless of whether the printing process is in operation or whether the printing unit for some reason is inoperative. The anilox roll 1 will be constantly kept wet and filled with printing ink and be uniformly coated with ink also in stationary downtime, so that the ink does not dry and occasion problems in later printing processes. The printing ink is led into the ink chamber 3 by the intermediary of an inlet 9 in or close to the bottom of the ink chamber and out of the chamber by the intermediary of an outlet 1 1 on a level just above the maximum level 10 to which printing ink is intended to be filled in the chamber.

The end wall 8 is disposed such that the edge which faces towards the surface of the anilox roll 1 adheres to the configuration of the anilox roll but at a distance from the circumferential surface 7 of the anilox roll. Between the circumferential surface 7 of the anilox roll 1 and the edge of the end wall 8 there is thus a gap which may have a width of from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2 mm, preferably from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm, most preferably from approximately 0.6 to approximately 1 .0 mm.

In use, the rolls and cylinders of the apparatus, including the anilox roll

1 , are rotated at a certain minimum speed, the printing ink in the ink chamber forms a liquid film along this gap so that liquid no longer leaks out from the ink chamber 3 through the gap. A preferred gap width for a water-based printing ink which is often used for printing a web of packaging material for liquid foods and which has a viscosity of approximately 20 s is from approximately 0.6 to approximately 0.9 mm.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a printing process employing a flexographic printing apparatus known in the art. In figure 5, the same reference numerals as earlier have been employed for the same or equivalent parts. The anilox roll 1 is rotated in the direction of rotation of the arrow, partly within the ink chamber 3 positioned axially along the roll 1 for taking up printing ink in the cells engraved on the circumferential surface of the roll 1 . Picked up excess ink is scraped off from the roll 1 by an upper doctor blade (obscured in the figure) abutting against the circumferential surface, on exit from the ink chamber 3. The printing ink thus remaining in the engraved cells accompanies the rotating anilox roll 1 and is transferred to an impression cylinder 2 rotating in transfer contact with the anilox roll 1 . The printing ink thus transferred to the impression cylinder 2 accompanies the rotating impression cylinder 2 for transfer to a web 1 6 of packaging material which is led through the nip between the impression cylinder 2 and a counter pressure cylinder 17 rotating adjacent the impression cylinder 2. After drying/setting of the transferred printing ink on the surface of the web, the printed web is rolled up for further processing, such as lamination and mechanical processing in a per se known manner.

In order to maintain good print quality and reduce process-related quality disruptions, but also to minimize unnecessary waste and spillage of expensive printing ink because of uncontrolled leakage of printing ink, the apparatus has a spray- or shower device 20 disposed adjacent the anilox roll in order, during ongoing operation, to continuously or intermittently spray cleaning fluid for the printing ink on particularly sensitive regions of the circumferential surface of the anilox roll 1 . Such a region is the peripheral edge regions of the anilox roll 1 where printing ink in certain cases (in particular printing ink with a high proportion of pigment in relation to solvent) shows a tendency to dry on the anilox roll. Undesirable drying of the printing ink is effectively counteracted with the aid of the applied cleaning fluid which ensures that residual printing ink within these sensitive regions on the surface of the anilox roll is constantly kept in soluble form.

Now turning to the present invention, figure 3 illustrates an apparatus 100 for flexographic printing of a web of packaging material with printing ink. The same reference numerals have been used for the parts and/or components of the apparatus which are the same as in the prior art described in conjunction with figure 1 and figure 2. The apparatus 100 comprises an ink chamber 3, and an anilox roll 1 rotary at least partly inside the ink chamber 3 for picking up and transferring printing ink from the ink chamber 3 to an impression cylinder (not shown). The impression cylinder is rotary in transfer contact with the anilox roll 1 .

The ink chamber 3 is elongated and extends axially along the anilox roll 1 . The ink chamber 3 has a first axial end and a second axial end opposite the first axial end. The anilox roll 1 is typically about 0.5 m to 2 m wide. The ink chamber 3, as indicated in figure 3, extends shorter than the anilox roll 1 . The ink chamber 3 is defined as described in conjunction with figure 1 , i.e. an upper and a lower doctor blade (not shown), part of the circumferential surface of the anilox roll 1 , as well as by an end wall at each respective axial end of the ink chamber 3.

The apparatus 100 further comprises a first printing ink inlet 30a arranged at the first axial end of the ink chamber and a second printing ink inlet 30b arranged at the second axial end of the ink chamber. The first and second printing ink inlets 30a, 30b are fluidly connected to an ink reservoir 12 via a conduit 29. The ink reservoir 12 may comprise an ink pump (not shown) for inducing, during operation, a flow of ink from the ink reservoir to the ink chamber 3. Further, the viscosity, temperature and homogeneity of the printing ink may be regulated in the ink reservoir 12. The printing ink inlets 30a, 30b may form a portion of, or the entire, respective axial end wall of the ink chamber 3.

The first printing ink inlet 30a and the second printing ink inlet 30b is arranged to direct printing ink at least partly parallel to the axial extent of the anilox roll 1 . In other words, the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b are configured to direct the printing ink towards the centre of the ink chamber 3.

The printing ink inlets 30a, 30b may have an elongated exit, shown more clearly in figure 4a-d. The elongated exit is elongated in an upright direction, i.e. in the same direction as between the lower and upper doctor blades seen in figure 1 , to facilitate the construction of a thin ink chamber. The printing ink inlets 30a, 30b may have entries with the same cross- sectional area as the elongated exits. This reduces the flow restriction caused by the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b.

As shown in figure 3, the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b are substantially orthogonal and direct a flow of printing ink from the conduit 29 towards the centre of the ink chamber 3. This may be provided by each printing ink inlet 30a, 30b having a channel extending substantially orthogonal between the entry and the elongated exit, illustrated in e.g. figures 4a-4d.

The printing ink inlets 30a, 30b may be made of plastic or rubber. The printing ink inlets 30a, 30b may be formed as inlet modules further described below in conjunction with figure 4a-d. The printing ink inlets 30a, 30b formed by inlet modules may be configured to form an anilox roll seal. An anilox roll seal is the viscous seal described in conjunction with figure 1 , i.e. that a portion of the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b is disposed such that an edge thereof which faces towards the surface of the anilox roll 1 adheres to the configuration of the anilox roll but at a distance from the circumferential surface of the anilox roll 1 . Between the circumferential surface of the anilox roll 1 and the edge of the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b there is thus a gap which may have a width of from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2 mm, preferably from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm, most preferably from approximately 0.6 to approximately 1 .0 mm. Further, an anilox roll seal comprises two mutually spaced apart end wall elements. The end wall element proximal to the ink chamber 3 prevents lateral leakage of printing ink, and the end wall element distal to the ink chamber prevents printing ink having leaked past the proximal end wall element from leaving the ink chamber. A drainage outlet may be arranged between the end wall elements. Hence, printing ink which, where applicable, leaks out laterally from the ink chamber 3 is collected between the end wall elements and may be taken care of via an drainage outlet or the like arranged between the wall elements. The printing ink is thereby prevented from causing splashing and soiling.

In use, the ink pump (not shown) induces a flow of printing ink from the ink reservoir 12 through the conduit to the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b which inject the printing ink into the ink chamber 3 from the respective axial ends via through the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b. Thereby, the pressure and flow through the printing ink inlets 30a, 30b can be reduced compared to e.g. the central inlet of the apparatus in figure 1 in order to obtain a homogenous or at least substantially uniform pressure distribution within the ink chamber 3. A substantially uniform pressure distribution in the ink chamber 3 alleviates ink starvation on the anilox roll, in particular towards the lateral portions thereof. The reduced pressure and flow means that there is less frothing. The reduced pressure and flow also means that energy required for the pumping action is reduced.

Figures 4a-d illustrates an inlet module 30 for a flexographic printing apparatus, such as the apparatuses shown in figures 1 , 2 and 3. The inlet module 30 may be made of plastic or rubber. The inlet module 30 is generally L-shaped as seen from the top or bottom.

The inlet module 30 comprises a circular entry 31 , an elongated exit 34, and a channel 32 extending substantially orthogonally between the entry 31 and exit 34. Figure 4c is a cross-section where the orthogonal channel 32, e.g. a channel having a 90 degree bend is illustrated. The elongated exit 34, and the portion of the inlet module 30 in which the elongated exit 34 is located is the portion which during assembly is inserted into the ink chamber 3 of a flexographic printing apparatus.

The circular entry 31 has the same cross-sectional area as the elongated exit 34. This reduces the flow restriction. Figure 4b shows the transition from the circular entry 31 into the elongated exit 34 having a conical shape. Other shapes or transition are of course possible and within the scope of the invention. The circular entry 31 is adapted to receive and be connected to a conduit from an ink reservoir. The circular entry 31 may have internal or external threads or the like (not shown).

The inlet module 30 further comprises an anilox roll seal formed by two protruding elements 33a, 33b. The protruding elements 33a, 33b are two mutually spaced apart axial end wall elements. The edge of the protruding elements 33a, 33b, when assembled e.g. in the apparatus 100, faces the surface of the anilox roll 1 . The width of the gap formed between the anilox roll 1 and the protruding elements 33a, 33b is 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The protruding element 33a closest to the elongated opening 34 is also the proximal protruding element with respect to the ink chamber. During rotation of an anilox roll 1 , the proximal protruding element 33a prevents the printing ink from leaking laterally past the gap formed between the proximal protruding element 33a and the anilox roll. The distal protruding element 33b prevents printing ink from leaking out from the ink chamber 3. An ink chamber 3 may further comprise a drainage hole or the like arranged to collect printing ink between the two protruding elements 33a, 33b.

The first and second printing ink inlets 30a, 30b discussed above in conjunction with figure 3 may be formed in inlet modules as the inlet module shown in figures 4a-d.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.