EP2093149B1 - Method for applying a label - Google Patents

Method for applying a label Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2093149B1
EP2093149B1 EP08151835A EP08151835A EP2093149B1 EP 2093149 B1 EP2093149 B1 EP 2093149B1 EP 08151835 A EP08151835 A EP 08151835A EP 08151835 A EP08151835 A EP 08151835A EP 2093149 B1 EP2093149 B1 EP 2093149B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
label
labels
holding device
article
dispensing
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.)
Active
Application number
EP08151835A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2093149A1 (en
Inventor
Heinrich Düngenheim
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.)
Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
Original Assignee
Rowa Automatisierungssysteme 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 Rowa Automatisierungssysteme GmbH filed Critical Rowa Automatisierungssysteme GmbH
Priority to EP08151835A priority Critical patent/EP2093149B1/en
Priority to AT08151835T priority patent/ATE524384T1/en
Publication of EP2093149A1 publication Critical patent/EP2093149A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2093149B1 publication Critical patent/EP2093149B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C1/00—Labelling flat essentially-rigid surfaces
    • B65C1/02—Affixing labels to one flat surface of articles, e.g. of packages, of flat bands
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C1/00—Labelling flat essentially-rigid surfaces
    • B65C1/02—Affixing labels to one flat surface of articles, e.g. of packages, of flat bands
    • B65C1/021—Affixing labels to one flat surface of articles, e.g. of packages, of flat bands the label being applied by movement of the labelling head towards the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1865—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip
    • B65C9/1876—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred by suction means
    • B65C9/1884—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred by suction means the suction means being a movable vacuum arm or pad
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/40—Controls; Safety devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/40—Controls; Safety devices
    • B65C9/42—Label feed control

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for applying a label to a surface of an article, wherein a plurality of printed on its upper side and provided on its underside with an adhesive layer labels of predetermined size are provided on a carrier tape, the carrier tape with the labels by a printing and Dispenser is passed and around a dispensing edge and moved in a feed direction such that a moving over the dispensing edge away label is lifted from the carrier tape, and the label is then applied to the surface of the article.
  • a plurality of similar labels are usually provided on a carrier tape, ie a carrier paper web.
  • a carrier tape ie a carrier paper web.
  • Such a label-carrying carrier tape roll is then inserted into a printing and dispensing device (also called label printer), for example, in the US 5 040 461 A disclosed label printer or a label printer type AP 5.4 Avery Dennison.
  • the running from the roll backing paper web is passed in the label printer between a pressure roller (on the underside of the paper web) and a print head (at the top of the paper web and the labels), then passed around the carrier paper web down sharply deflecting dispensing edge and finally on a Winder wound up.
  • the backing paper web is passed around the donor edge, the labels are lifted from the paper web ("donated").
  • the printer is used for printing and dispensing individual uniform labels and positioned in an overall arrangement such that a label after lifting from the carrier web at the dispensing edge to a flat, horizontal surface positioned there, which holes for suction of the label, sucked and onto a flat surface of a package, such as a drug package, is glued by the flat suction surface is lowered to the surface.
  • the pack is usually transported by a transport device, such as a conveyor belt, to that position at which the suction pad holding the printed label can be brought.
  • the existing on the roll labels of predetermined size can be printed with a maximum number of lines of predetermined font size.
  • the font size should be chosen so that on the one hand a sufficient amount of information can be printed, on the other hand, the information still remain well visible.
  • the size of the applied labels on the drug packages so to choose to fit on at least a large majority of the surfaces to be labeled. While it is conceivable for a label adhered to a relatively small surface of a drug package to protrude beyond the side edge of the surface and then be folded manually around the edge; however, these cases should be minimized as far as possible. In addition, the case may arise that the packaged packages are still transported after labeling with the help of transport facilities that do not tolerate overhanging labels on the edge of a package surface.
  • a small label size is preferably selected, with the largest possible number of different drug packages is labeled. This in turn leads to the disadvantage that on such relatively small labels relatively few lines of a given font size can be imprinted. Therefore, typically, small-sized drug packages are manually labeled using a second label printer set up outside the store.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to avoid the disadvantages mentioned.
  • a plurality of labels of predetermined size which are printable on their upper side and provided with an adhesive layer on their underside are first provided on a carrier tape.
  • the adhesive layer is, for example, an adhesive layer or a special surface structure.
  • the carrier tape is preferably rolled up on a roll.
  • the labels preferably have the same format; However, embodiments are also conceivable in which labels of different sizes are provided, the printing and dispensing device each having knowledge of the nature and position of the currently running labels.
  • the carrier tape with the labels is passed through a printing and dispensing device and around a dispensing edge and moved in a feed direction such that a first label moved across the dispensing edge is lifted off the carrier tape.
  • the dispensing edge is a device that provides for a curvature of the carrier tape with the labels thereon such that the label lifts off.
  • the dispensing edge thus has a given radius of rounding, the radius depending on the thickness of the labels and the carrier tape and the nature of the tape, the adhesion of the labels to the tape and the feed rate.
  • the edge does not need to be continuous; it may be interrupted in the direction transverse to the carrier tape.
  • the donation edge need not be a body edge of the device in the most general sense; it may also be functionally formed by a plate arranged transversely to the carrier tape in a plane or also by a tensioned wire.
  • the lifted first label is then, when it is lifted at the dispensing edge of the carrier tape, detected by a holding device and temporarily held.
  • the carrier tape is moved with a subsequent label over the dispensing edge in the feed direction such that the subsequent label is lifted from the carrier tape and positioned at a predetermined offset (preferably an offset in the feed direction) under the preceding label held by the holder.
  • the previous label held by the holder is moved relative to the subsequent label so as to be fixed with its adhesive layer offset on top of the subsequent label.
  • Fiberd here means that it adheres immovable, but not yet fully adhered to the entire surface needs.
  • the composite of offset staggered labels is detected and held by the holding device. Finally, the holding device is guided with the held composite of staggered labels fixed to the surface of the article so that the composite is applied to the surface.
  • the method according to the invention is essentially a novel operation of a known per se, described above printing and dispensing device in combination with a likewise known per se holding device for donated labels.
  • the inventive method allows the use of only a single label form a relatively small width (in the feed direction) for the production of composite labels almost any width.
  • the overall width of the composite is adaptable to the dimension of the article's label surface, such as the drug package.
  • the control device of the printing and dispensing device is preferably provided with a control device for the holding device and a control device for the machine for providing the objects to be labeled, and the control device is preferably provided with information about the dimensions of the object, in particular the surface to be labeled, so that it can be decided depending on whether each one of the labels Preselected size to be printed and applied or whether multiple labels are assembled into a composite, printed and applied.
  • the operation of the invention overcomes all the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.
  • a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that in step e) after fixing (the preceding label on the top of the subsequent label), the holding device releases the previous label and the subsequent label with the preceding label fixed thereon against the carrier tape the feed direction is withdrawn into the printing and dispensing device and then moved back in the feed direction over the dispensing edge away, that the composite of offset staggered labels is lifted from the carrier tape.
  • the labels are pressed together with the underlying carrier tape such that the superposed labels are firmly joined together.
  • the labels of a composite can be printed consecutively or in combination.
  • the first label is printed in step b), ie, when it is first passed through the printing and dispensing device.
  • the subsequent label or label may be printed in step e) after retraction into the printing and dispensing device. In this case, preferably only that portion of the subsequent label is printed, which is not covered by the preceding label.
  • the composite of the offset adhesive labels only once at the last time step e) after the Retraction of the composite is printed in the printing and dispensing device.
  • each label is printed when it is first moved through the printing and dispensing device in the direction of advance.
  • the procedure to be chosen for printing depends on whether the printing device is capable of printing a stack of several labels.
  • the printing of the subsequent labels after their connection to the preceding label also has the advantage that it is impossible that already printed sections are covered by the previous label.
  • the holding device comprises a suction device, so that the label or the composite - in the step c) or the step f) - is detected and held by the suction device acting on the top of the label.
  • the suction device allows a simple design of the holding device, wherein the suctioning surface can be used simultaneously as a pressure surface for pressing the label or the composite of the labels on the surface of the object to be labeled.
  • the holding device is lowered with the held composite of staggered labels in step g) on the surface of the article and the composite pressed against the surface.
  • a plurality of labels of predetermined size which are printable on their upper side and provided with an adhesive layer on their underside are likewise initially provided on a carrier tape.
  • the carrier tape with the labels is passed through a printing and dispensing device, printed and guided around a dispensing edge and moved in a feed direction such that a printed first label located above the dispensing edge is lifted off the carrier tape.
  • the lifted first label is detected by a holding device and thus guided to the surface of the article, that the first label is applied at a first position on the surface.
  • the carrier tape with the labels is passed through the printing and dispensing device and around the dispensing edge and moved in the feed direction such that a printed subsequent label over the dispensing edge is lifted off the carrier tape.
  • the raised subsequent label is detected by the holding device and guided to the surface of the article such that the subsequent label is applied to the surface at a second position offset from the first position.
  • the printing and dispensing device, the holding device and a transport device positioning the article are controlled by a control device in dependence on the predetermined size of the labels, so that in the step of detecting the lifted labels by the holding device, the holding device in the detection of the the first and the subsequent label are respectively positioned and / or in the step of guiding the labels to the surface of the article, the holding device and the article are positioned relative to each other such that the labels are overlapped on the surface of the article at a predetermined offset become.
  • the second variant of the method according to the invention has the advantage over the first variant that an existing control of a printing and dispensing device and a holding device can be substantially maintained.
  • the control effort is less, but the two-time lead the holder to the object is required, what the total time of staggered label application is extended.
  • more than two labels can also be applied offset to the surface in the second variant by repeating the steps for the following label several times.
  • the holding device is always guided in the same way to the surface of the object, wherein the holding device and the object are positioned relative to each other by the object is positioned by means of the transport device.
  • an existing control of the transport device can be utilized.
  • the offset is achieved in that the holding device is positioned differently in each case during the detection of the first and the subsequent label relative to the dispensing edge, that the labels are already detected by the holding device in the predetermined offset.
  • This relative movement can be achieved by positioning the holding device or by positioning the dispensing edge.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrated arrangement comprises a positioned on a support table 20 label printer 1 (also referred to here as a printing and dispensing device), a conveyor belt 15 and a suction device comprehensive holding device 11.
  • the conveyor belt 15 transports individual drug packages 16 of different size and shape in a (to the image plane of the FIG. 1 vertical) horizontal plane.
  • On an upwardly facing surface 17 of the drug package 16 is a label to be applied.
  • the holding device 11 is fastened to a guiding and driving device (not shown in FIG. 1) and can be moved downwards and upwards in the direction represented by the arrows 14.
  • the holding device 11 can suck a label on its underside 12, so that this label is held with its downwardly facing adhesive layer.
  • the label printer 1 illustrated in a schematic cross-sectional view is, for example, the label printer AP 5.4 from Avery Dennison.
  • the details of this printer are described in, for example, the documentation published on the Avery Dennison Printer Systems website.
  • the label printer 1 includes a roll 2 of a plurality of labels carrying carrier tape 3. That the label-carrying carrier tape 3 is from the role of various tensioning and deflection devices by a printer, in particular between a pressure roller on the underside of the carrier tape and a print head 8 at the top of the carrier tape, passed.
  • the carrier tape 5 is deflected around a dispensing edge 7 around down and fed via further deflecting a rewinder 6, which winds up the empty (used) carrier tape.
  • the carrier tape 5 carrying the labels is guided around the dispensing edge 7 such that when the carrier tape is moved in a direction indicated by the arrow 18, the labels 4 lift off the carrier tape 5 and exit the label printer 1 at a predetermined location (forward) ,
  • the printer is a thermal transfer printer, in which a required for printing film of a first reel disc 10 unwound, passed through the printer under the print head and then rewound from a second reel disc 9.
  • the control device (in FIG. 1 not shown) of the label printer 1 allows printing of the label held on the carrier tape 5, wherein these line by line in their movement in the feed direction 18 can be printed.
  • the control device can operate the label printer 1 in such a way that the carrier tape is guided through the printing unit without the labels being printed thereby.
  • the label printer 1 can also move the carrier tape counter to the feed direction 18 so that a label 4 which has already moved over the dispensing edge 7 but is still partly located on the carrier tape 5 can be withdrawn again into the label printer 1 and printed there.
  • the suction device 11 approaches the upper side of the label 4 in such a way that the label moves in the direction of of the arrow 13 is sucked to the bottom 12 of the aspirator.
  • the bottom 12 has for this purpose air inlet openings. These openings are coupled to a suction pump in such a way that an air stream sufficient for sucking in a label 4 and a negative pressure sufficient to hold the label are produced.
  • a label 4 held on the underside 12 of the aspirator 11 can be pressed onto the top 17 of a drug package 16 by downward movement of the device 11 so that it adheres thereto.
  • pinch rollers be connected such that they roll after application of the label on the surface 17 of the package 16 during subsequent movement of the conveyor belt 15 on the package surface 17 such that the label is pressed firmly against the surface 17.
  • the label printer 1 is driven so that it has a first label, which in FIG. 2 is denoted by the reference numeral 4A, with simultaneous movement in the feed direction line by line printed by the printing device and then moved over the dispensing edge 7 such that the printed label 4A exits the label printer 1.
  • the label 4A is sucked to the bottom 12 and held.
  • the label 4A held under the schematically shown suction device 11 is shown with dashed outlines (hidden lines). While the suction device 11, the first label 4A in the in FIG. 2 1, the label printer 1 is caused to move the carrier tape 5 further in the feed direction until a subsequent label 4B has largely passed over the dispensing edge 7.
  • the underside 12 of the aspirator 11 with the adhering preceding label 4A remains positioned at a predetermined distance above the subsequent label 4B.
  • the transport in the advancing direction is set and the holding device 11 is lowered onto the subsequent label 4B such that the preceding label 4A is fixed (adheres) to the top of the label 4B.
  • the further movement of the carrier tape in the feed direction 18 is stopped such that a predetermined part of the subsequent label 4B still adheres to the upper side of the carrier tape.
  • the suction pressure is reduced, so that the fixed on the subsequent label 4B previous label 4A is no longer held.
  • the carrier tape 5 is withdrawn with the adhesive label composite against the feed direction 18 in the label printer 1 until the displaced under the first label 4A second label 4B in that area in which it is not covered by the label 4A, from the printing device of Label printer 1 can be printed.
  • the control device causes the carrier tape 5 to be moved again in the feed direction 18 until the label composite is below the suction device 11, wherein a narrow strip is still held on the carrier tape 5 beyond the dispensing edge.
  • the label composite is detected by the aspirator 11 such that it is held on the underside 12 in an (at least approximately) horizontal plane.
  • the suction device 11 is moved in the direction of the arrow 14 such that the composite of adhering to the bottom 12 labels is applied to the top 17 of the drug package 16.
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows the state in which the subsequent label 4B on the carrier tape 5 has already been moved over the dispensing edge 7 for the most part, so that it is positioned under the preceding label 4A, which is held by the device 11, wherein it Offset 19 has.
  • Two more subsequent labels 4C and 4D are shown, which can be used either separately as the next composite of two labels or as a composite of four labels.

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  • Labeling Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The method involves moving a label (4A) relative to a label (4B), such that an adhesive layer of the label (4A) is fixed on an upper side of the label (4B) in a displaceable manner, where the label (4A) is retained by a holding device (11). A combination of the labels, which are displaceably fixed on top of each other, is realized and retained by the holding device. The holding device with the combination of the labels is guided to a surface of an object i.e. medicament pack, such that the combination is applied on the surface of the object.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf eine Oberfläche eines Gegenstands, wobei eine Mehrzahl von auf ihrer Oberseite bedruckbaren und auf ihrer Unterseite mit einer Haftschicht versehenen Etiketten vorgegebener Größe auf einem Trägerband bereitgestellt werden, das Trägerband mit den Etiketten durch eine Druck- und Spendevorrichtung hindurch und um eine Spendekante herum geführt und in einer Vorschubrichtung derart bewegt wird, dass ein über die Spendekante hinweg bewegtes Etikett von dem Trägerband abgehoben wird, und das Etikett anschließend auf die Oberfläche des Gegenstands aufgebracht wird.The invention relates to a method for applying a label to a surface of an article, wherein a plurality of printed on its upper side and provided on its underside with an adhesive layer labels of predetermined size are provided on a carrier tape, the carrier tape with the labels by a printing and Dispenser is passed and around a dispensing edge and moved in a feed direction such that a moving over the dispensing edge away label is lifted from the carrier tape, and the label is then applied to the surface of the article.

Eine Vielzahl gleichartiger Etiketten werden üblicherweise auf einem Trägerband, d. h. einer Trägerpapierbahn, bereitgestellt. Eine solche Etiketten tragende Trägerbandrolle wird dann in eine Druck- und Spendevorrichtung (auch Etikettendrucker genannt) eingelegt, beispielsweise den im US 5 040 461 A offenbarten Etikettendrucker oder einen Etikettendrucker vom Typ AP 5.4 der Firma Avery Dennison. Die von der Rolle ablaufende Trägerpapierbahn wird in dem Etikettendrucker zwischen einer Druckwalze (an der Unterseite der Papierbahn) und einem Druckkopf (an der Oberseite der Papierbahn und der Etiketten) hindurchgeführt, dann über eine die Trägerpapierbahn nach unten scharf umlenkende Spendekante herumgeführt und schließlich auf einem Aufwickler aufgewickelt. Beim Herumführen der Trägerpapierbahn um die Spendekante herum werden die Etiketten von der Papierbahn abgehoben ("gespendet").A plurality of similar labels are usually provided on a carrier tape, ie a carrier paper web. Such a label-carrying carrier tape roll is then inserted into a printing and dispensing device (also called label printer), for example, in the US 5 040 461 A disclosed label printer or a label printer type AP 5.4 Avery Dennison. The running from the roll backing paper web is passed in the label printer between a pressure roller (on the underside of the paper web) and a print head (at the top of the paper web and the labels), then passed around the carrier paper web down sharply deflecting dispensing edge and finally on a Winder wound up. As the backing paper web is passed around the donor edge, the labels are lifted from the paper web ("donated").

Bei einer bekannten Anwendung eines solchen Etikettendruckers wird der Drucker zum Bedrucken und Spenden einzelner gleichformatiger Etiketten eingesetzt und derart in einer Gesamtanordnung positioniert, dass ein Etikett nach dem Abheben von der Trägerbahn an der Spendekante an eine dort positionierte ebene, horizontale Fläche, welche Bohrungen zum Ansaugen des Etiketts aufweist, angesaugt und auf eine ebene Oberfläche einer Packung, beispielsweise einer Arzneimittelpackung, aufgeklebt wird, indem die ebene Ansaugfläche auf die Oberfläche abgesenkt wird. Die Packung wird dabei üblicherweise von einer Transporteinrichtung, beispielsweise einem Förderband, zu derjenigen Position transportiert, an der die das bedruckte Etikett haltende Ansaugfläche herangeführt werden kann.In a known application of such a label printer, the printer is used for printing and dispensing individual uniform labels and positioned in an overall arrangement such that a label after lifting from the carrier web at the dispensing edge to a flat, horizontal surface positioned there, which holes for suction of the label, sucked and onto a flat surface of a package, such as a drug package, is glued by the flat suction surface is lowered to the surface. The pack is usually transported by a transport device, such as a conveyor belt, to that position at which the suction pad holding the printed label can be brought.

Die auf der Rolle vorhandenen Etiketten vorgegebener Größe können mit einer maximalen Anzahl von Zeilen vorgegebener Schriftgröße bedruckt werden. Hierbei ist die Schriftgröße so zu wählen, dass einerseits eine ausreichende Menge von Informationen aufgedruckt werden kann, andererseits die Informationen aber noch gut sichtbar bleiben.The existing on the roll labels of predetermined size can be printed with a maximum number of lines of predetermined font size. Here, the font size should be chosen so that on the one hand a sufficient amount of information can be printed, on the other hand, the information still remain well visible.

Bei der erwähnten Anwendung für Arzneimittelpackung, die in Größe und Form stark variieren können und die beispielsweise von einem Apotheken-Kommissionier- und Lagerautomaten ausgelagert und zur Abgabe an einen Patienten oder Kunden der Apotheke bereitgestellt werden, ist die Größe der auf die Arzneimittelpackungen aufzubringen Etiketten so zu wählen, dass sie auf zumindest einen stark überwiegenden Teil der zu etikettierenden Oberflächen passen. Es ist zwar denkbar, dass ein auf einer relativ kleinen Oberfläche einer Arzneimittelpackung aufgeklebtes Etikett über den Seitenrand der Oberfläche übersteht und dann manuell um die Kante herumgefaltet wird; diese Fälle sollten jedoch möglichst minimiert werden. Darüber hinaus kann der Fall eintreten, dass die mit dem Etikett versehenen Packungen nach dem Etikettieren noch mit Hilfe von Transporteinrichtungen weiter transportiert werden, die über den Rand einer Packungsoberfläche überstehende Etiketten nicht tolerieren. Aus diesen Gründen wird vorzugsweise eine geringe Etikettgröße gewählt, mit der eine möglichst große Anzahl verschiedenartiger Arzneimittelpackungen etikettiert wird. Dies wiederum führt zu dem Nachteil, dass auf solchen relativ kleinen Etiketten relativ wenige Zeilen einer vorgegebenen Schriftgröße aufdruckbar sind. Deshalb werden üblicherweise Arzneimittelpackungen geringer Größe manuell etikettiert, wobei ein außerhalb des Lagerautomaten aufgestellter zweiter Etikettendrucker verwendet wird.In the mentioned application for drug package, which can vary greatly in size and shape and which are outsourced for example by a pharmacy picking and storage machine and provided for delivery to a patient or customer of the pharmacy, the size of the applied labels on the drug packages so to choose to fit on at least a large majority of the surfaces to be labeled. While it is conceivable for a label adhered to a relatively small surface of a drug package to protrude beyond the side edge of the surface and then be folded manually around the edge; however, these cases should be minimized as far as possible. In addition, the case may arise that the packaged packages are still transported after labeling with the help of transport facilities that do not tolerate overhanging labels on the edge of a package surface. For these reasons, a small label size is preferably selected, with the largest possible number of different drug packages is labeled. This in turn leads to the disadvantage that on such relatively small labels relatively few lines of a given font size can be imprinted. Therefore, typically, small-sized drug packages are manually labeled using a second label printer set up outside the store.

Es wäre hier vorstellbar, dass mehrere Etikettendrucker mit verschiedenen vorgegebenen Etikettgrößen bereitgestellt und dann automatisch in Abhängigkeit von der bekannten Packungsgröße ausgewählt werden. Dies bedeutet aber einen erhöhten apparativen Aufwand.It would be conceivable here that several label printers are provided with different predetermined label sizes and then automatically selected as a function of the known package size. However, this means an increased expenditure on equipment.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher, die genannten Nachteile zu vermeiden.The object of the invention is therefore to avoid the disadvantages mentioned.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 bzw. ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 12 gelöst.This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 12.

Bei der ersten Variante des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf eine Oberfläche eines Gegenstands (vorzugsweise einer Arzneimittelpackung) werden zunächst mehrere auf ihrer Oberseite bedruckbare und auf ihrer Unterseite mit einer Haftschicht versehene Etiketten vorgegebener Größe auf einem Trägerband bereitgestellt. Bei der Haftschicht handelt es sich beispielsweise um eine Klebstoffschicht oder eine spezielle Oberflächenstruktur. Das Trägerband ist vorzugsweise auf einer Rolle aufgerollt. Die Etiketten haben vorzugsweise das gleiche Format; allerdings sind auch Ausführungsformen denkbar, bei denen Etiketten unterschiedlicher Größe bereitgestellt werden, wobei die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung jeweils Kenntnis über Art und Position der gerade durchlaufenden Etiketten hat. Das Trägerband mit den Etiketten wird durch eine Druck- und Spendevorrichtung hindurch und um eine Spendekante herum geführt und in einer Vorschubrichtung derart bewegt, dass ein über die Spendekante hinweg bewegtes erstes Etikett von dem Trägerband abgehoben wird. Die Spendekante ist eine Einrichtung, die für eine Krümmung des Trägerbands mit dem darauf befindlichen Etiketten derart sorgt, dass sich das Etikett abhebt. Die Spendekante weist somit einen vorgegebenen Radius der Abrundung auf, wobei der Radius von der Dicke der Etiketten und des Trägerbandes und der Beschaffenheit des Bandes, der Haftung der Etiketten auf dem Band und der Vorschubgeschwindigkeit abhängen kann. Die Kante braucht nicht durchgehend zu sein; sie kann in der Richtung quer zum Trägerband unterbrochen sein. Die Spendekante braucht im allgemeinsten Sinne auch keine Körperkante der Vorrichtung zu sein; sie kann auch funktionell von einem in einer Ebene quer zum Trägerband angeordneten Plättchen oder auch von einem aufgespannten Draht gebildet sein. Das abgehobene erste Etikett wird dann, wenn es an der Spendekante von dem Trägerband abgehoben ist, von einer Haltevorrichtung erfasst und vorübergehend gehalten. Das Trägerband wird mit einem nachfolgenden Etikett über die Spendekante in der Vorschubrichtung derart bewegt, dass das nachfolgende Etikett vom Trägerband abgehoben und mit einem vorgegebenen Versatz (vorzugsweise einem Versatz in der Vorschubrichtung) unter dem von der Haltevorrichtung gehaltenen vorhergehenden Etikett positioniert wird. Das von der Haltevorrichtung gehaltene vorhergehende Etikett wird derart relativ zu dem nachfolgenden Etikett bewegt, dass es mit seiner Haftschicht versetzt auf der Oberseite des nachfolgenden Etiketts fixiert wird. "Fixiert" meint hier, dass es unverrückbar haftet, aber noch nicht ganzflächig fest aufgeklebt zu sein braucht. Der Verbund der versetzt aufeinander fixierten Etiketten wird von der Haltevorrichtung erfasst und gehalten. Schließlich wird die Haltevorrichtung mit dem gehaltenen Verbund der versetzt aufeinander fixierten Etiketten derart zur Oberfläche des Gegenstands geführt, dass der Verbund auf der Oberfläche aufgebracht wird.In the first variant of the method according to the invention for applying a label to a surface of an article (preferably a drug package), a plurality of labels of predetermined size which are printable on their upper side and provided with an adhesive layer on their underside are first provided on a carrier tape. The adhesive layer is, for example, an adhesive layer or a special surface structure. The carrier tape is preferably rolled up on a roll. The labels preferably have the same format; However, embodiments are also conceivable in which labels of different sizes are provided, the printing and dispensing device each having knowledge of the nature and position of the currently running labels. The carrier tape with the labels is passed through a printing and dispensing device and around a dispensing edge and moved in a feed direction such that a first label moved across the dispensing edge is lifted off the carrier tape. The dispensing edge is a device that provides for a curvature of the carrier tape with the labels thereon such that the label lifts off. The dispensing edge thus has a given radius of rounding, the radius depending on the thickness of the labels and the carrier tape and the nature of the tape, the adhesion of the labels to the tape and the feed rate. The edge does not need to be continuous; it may be interrupted in the direction transverse to the carrier tape. The donation edge need not be a body edge of the device in the most general sense; it may also be functionally formed by a plate arranged transversely to the carrier tape in a plane or also by a tensioned wire. The lifted first label is then, when it is lifted at the dispensing edge of the carrier tape, detected by a holding device and temporarily held. The carrier tape is moved with a subsequent label over the dispensing edge in the feed direction such that the subsequent label is lifted from the carrier tape and positioned at a predetermined offset (preferably an offset in the feed direction) under the preceding label held by the holder. The previous label held by the holder is moved relative to the subsequent label so as to be fixed with its adhesive layer offset on top of the subsequent label. "Fixed" here means that it adheres immovable, but not yet fully adhered to the entire surface needs. The composite of offset staggered labels is detected and held by the holding device. Finally, the holding device is guided with the held composite of staggered labels fixed to the surface of the article so that the composite is applied to the surface.

Bei einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens handelt es sich im Kern um ein neuartiges Betreiben einer an sich bekannten, eingangs beschriebenen Druck- und Spendevorrichtung in Kombination mit einer ebenfalls an sich bekannten Haltevorrichtung für gespendete Etiketten. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren erlaubt die Verwendung nur einer einzigen Etikettenform einer relativ geringen Breite (in der Vorschubrichtung) zur Herstellung von Verbundetiketten nahezu beliebiger Breite. Die Gesamtbreite des Verbunds ist an die Dimension der mit dem Etikett zu versehenden Oberfläche des Gegenstands, beispielsweise der Arzneimittelpackung, anpassbar. Die Steuereinrichtung der Druck- und Spendevorrichtung ist vorzugsweise mit einer Steuereinrichtung für die Haltevorrichtung und einer Steuereinrichtung für den Automaten zum Bereitstellen der zu etikettierenden Gegenstände gekoppelt, und der Steuereinrichtung wird vorzugsweise eine Information über die Abmessungen des Gegenstands, insbesondere der zu etikettierenden Oberfläche zur Verfügung gestellt, so dass in Abhängigkeit davon entschieden werden kann, ob jeweils ein Etikett der vorgegebenen Größe bedruckt und aufgebracht werden soll oder ob mehrere Etiketten zu einem Verbund zusammengesetzt, bedruckt und aufgebracht werden sollen. Die erfindungsgemäße Betriebsweise überwindet sämtliche eingangs genannten Nachteile des Standes der Technik.In one embodiment of the method according to the invention is essentially a novel operation of a known per se, described above printing and dispensing device in combination with a likewise known per se holding device for donated labels. The inventive method allows the use of only a single label form a relatively small width (in the feed direction) for the production of composite labels almost any width. The overall width of the composite is adaptable to the dimension of the article's label surface, such as the drug package. The control device of the printing and dispensing device is preferably provided with a control device for the holding device and a control device for the machine for providing the objects to be labeled, and the control device is preferably provided with information about the dimensions of the object, in particular the surface to be labeled, so that it can be decided depending on whether each one of the labels Preselected size to be printed and applied or whether multiple labels are assembled into a composite, printed and applied. The operation of the invention overcomes all the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.

Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Schritt e) nach dem Fixieren (des vorhergehenden Etiketts auf der Oberseite des nachfolgenden Etiketts) die Haltevorrichtung das vorhergehende Etikett freigibt und das nachfolgende Etikett mit dem darauf fixierten vorhergehenden Etikett mit dem Trägerband entgegen der Vorschubrichtung in die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung zurückgezogen und anschließend wieder in der Vorschubrichtung derart über die Spendekante hinweg bewegt wird, dass der Verbund der versetzt aufeinander fixierten Etiketten von dem Trägerband abgehoben wird. Vorzugsweise werden bei dem Zurückziehen die Etiketten mit dem darunter liegenden Trägerband derart zusammengepresst, dass die aufeinander liegenden Etiketten fest miteinander verbunden werden.A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that in step e) after fixing (the preceding label on the top of the subsequent label), the holding device releases the previous label and the subsequent label with the preceding label fixed thereon against the carrier tape the feed direction is withdrawn into the printing and dispensing device and then moved back in the feed direction over the dispensing edge away, that the composite of offset staggered labels is lifted from the carrier tape. Preferably, upon retraction, the labels are pressed together with the underlying carrier tape such that the superposed labels are firmly joined together.

Die Etiketten eines Verbunds können nacheinander oder im Verbund bedruckt werden. Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform wird das erste Etikett im Schritt b) bedruckt, d. h., wenn es erstmalig durch die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung hindurch geführt wird. Bei dieser Ausführungsform kann das nachfolgende Etikett oder jedes nachfolgende Etikett im Schritt e) nach dem Zurückziehen in die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung bedruckt werden. Dabei wird vorzugsweise nur noch derjenige Abschnitt des nachfolgenden Etiketts bedruckt, der nicht von dem vorhergehenden Etikett abgedeckt ist. Es ist auch denkbar, dass der Verbund der versetzt aufeinander klebenden Etiketten nur einmal bei der letztmaligen Ausführung des Schritts e) nach dem Zurückziehen des Verbunds in die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung bedruckt wird. Bei einer anderen Ausführungsform wird jedes Etikett dann bedruckt, wenn es zum ersten Mal in der Vorschubrichtung durch die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung hindurch bewegt wird. Die für das Bedrucken zu wählende Vorgehensweise hängt unter anderem davon ab, ob die Druckvorrichtung in der Lage ist, einen Stapel (Verbund) von mehreren Etiketten zu bedrucken. Das Bedrucken der nachfolgenden Etiketten nach deren Verbinden mit dem vorhergehenden Etikett hat zudem den Vorteil, dass ausgeschlossen ist, dass bereits bedruckte Abschnitte von dem vorhergehenden Etikett überdeckt werden.The labels of a composite can be printed consecutively or in combination. In a preferred embodiment, the first label is printed in step b), ie, when it is first passed through the printing and dispensing device. In this embodiment, the subsequent label or label may be printed in step e) after retraction into the printing and dispensing device. In this case, preferably only that portion of the subsequent label is printed, which is not covered by the preceding label. It is also conceivable that the composite of the offset adhesive labels only once at the last time step e) after the Retraction of the composite is printed in the printing and dispensing device. In another embodiment, each label is printed when it is first moved through the printing and dispensing device in the direction of advance. Among other things, the procedure to be chosen for printing depends on whether the printing device is capable of printing a stack of several labels. The printing of the subsequent labels after their connection to the preceding label also has the advantage that it is impossible that already printed sections are covered by the previous label.

Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens umfasst die Haltevorrichtung eine Ansaugvorrichtung, so dass das Etikett oder der Verbund - in dem Schritt c) bzw. dem Schritt f) - von der an der Oberseite des Etiketts angreifenden Ansaugvorrichtung erfasst und gehalten wird. Die Ansaugvorrichtung gestattet eine einfache Ausführung der Haltevorrichtung, wobei die ansaugende Fläche gleichzeitig als Andruckfläche zum Anpressen des Etiketts bzw. des Verbunds der Etiketten auf die Oberfläche des zu etikettierenden Gegenstands verwendet werden kann.In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the holding device comprises a suction device, so that the label or the composite - in the step c) or the step f) - is detected and held by the suction device acting on the top of the label. The suction device allows a simple design of the holding device, wherein the suctioning surface can be used simultaneously as a pressure surface for pressing the label or the composite of the labels on the surface of the object to be labeled.

Vorzugsweise wird die Haltevorrichtung mit dem gehaltenen Verbund der versetzt aufeinander klebenden Etiketten im Schritt g) auf die Oberfläche des Gegenstands abgesenkt und der Verbund auf die Oberfläche angedrückt.Preferably, the holding device is lowered with the held composite of staggered labels in step g) on the surface of the article and the composite pressed against the surface.

Bei der zweiten Variante des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Aufbringen von Etiketten auf eine Oberfläche eines Gegenstands werden ebenfalls zunächst mehrere auf ihrer Oberseite bedruckbare und auf ihrer Unterseite mit einer Haftschicht versehene Etiketten vorgegebener Größe auf einem Trägerband bereitgestellt. Das Trägerband mit den Etiketten wird durch eine Druck- und Spendevorrichtung hindurchgeführt, bedruckt und um eine Spendekante herumgeführt und in einer Vorschubrichtung derart bewegt, dass ein über der Spendekante befindliches bedrucktes erstes Etikett von dem Trägerband abgehoben wird. Das abgehobene erste Etikett wird von einer Haltevorrichtung erfasst und derart zur Oberfläche des Gegenstands geführt, dass das erste Etikett an einer ersten Position auf der Oberfläche aufgebracht wird. Das Trägerband mit den Etiketten wird durch die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung hindurch und um die Spendekante herum geführt und in der Vorschubrichtung derart bewegt, dass ein über der Spendekante befindliches bedrucktes nachfolgendes Etikett von dem Trägerband abgehoben wird. Das abgehobene nachfolgende Etikett wird von der Haltevorrichtung erfasst und derart zur Oberfläche des Gegenstand geführt, dass das nachfolgende Etikett an einer gegenüber der ersten Position versetzten zweiten Position auf der Oberfläche aufgebracht wird. Bei diesen Schritten werden die Druck- und Spendevorrichtung, die Haltevorrichtung und eine den Gegenstand positionierende Transporteinrichtung von einer Steuereinrichtung in Abhängigkeit von der vorgegeben Größe der Etiketten gesteuert, so dass bei dem Schritt des Erfassens der abgehobenen Etiketten durch die Haltevorrichtung die Haltevorrichtung bei der Erfassung des ersten und des nachfolgenden Etiketts jeweils derart positioniert wird und/oder bei dem Schritt des Führens der Etiketten zu der Oberfläche des Gegenstands die Haltevorrichtung und der Gegenstand relativ zueinander derart positioniert werden, dass die Etiketten in einem vorgegeben Versatz einander überlappend auf die Oberfläche des Gegenstands aufgebracht werden. Dies bedeutet, dass bei verschiedenen Ausführungsformen entweder nur die Haltevorrichtung (relativ zur Spendekante) positioniert wird oder die Haltevorrichtung relativ zum Gegenstand positioniert wird oder der Gegenstand mittels der Transporteinrichtung relativ zur Haltevorrichtung positioniert wird oder mehrere der genannten Möglichkeiten parallel ausgeführt werden, um den vorgegebenen Versatz zu erreichen.In the second variant of the method according to the invention for applying labels to a surface of an object, a plurality of labels of predetermined size which are printable on their upper side and provided with an adhesive layer on their underside are likewise initially provided on a carrier tape. The carrier tape with the labels is passed through a printing and dispensing device, printed and guided around a dispensing edge and moved in a feed direction such that a printed first label located above the dispensing edge is lifted off the carrier tape. The lifted first label is detected by a holding device and thus guided to the surface of the article, that the first label is applied at a first position on the surface. The carrier tape with the labels is passed through the printing and dispensing device and around the dispensing edge and moved in the feed direction such that a printed subsequent label over the dispensing edge is lifted off the carrier tape. The raised subsequent label is detected by the holding device and guided to the surface of the article such that the subsequent label is applied to the surface at a second position offset from the first position. In these steps, the printing and dispensing device, the holding device and a transport device positioning the article are controlled by a control device in dependence on the predetermined size of the labels, so that in the step of detecting the lifted labels by the holding device, the holding device in the detection of the the first and the subsequent label are respectively positioned and / or in the step of guiding the labels to the surface of the article, the holding device and the article are positioned relative to each other such that the labels are overlapped on the surface of the article at a predetermined offset become. This means that in various embodiments, either only the holding device is positioned (relative to the dispensing edge) or the holding device is positioned relative to the object or the object is positioned relative to the holding device by means of the transport device or several of the mentioned possibilities are executed in parallel by the predetermined offset to reach.

Die zweite Variante des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens hat gegenüber der ersten Variante den Vorteil, dass eine vorhandene Steuerung einer Druck- und Spendevorrichtung und einer Haltevorrichtung im Wesentlichen beibehalten werden kann. Der Steuerungsaufwand ist geringer, allerdings ist das zweimalige Führen der Haltevorrichtung zum Gegenstand erforderlich, was die Gesamtzeit der versetzten Aufbringung der Etiketten verlängert.The second variant of the method according to the invention has the advantage over the first variant that an existing control of a printing and dispensing device and a holding device can be substantially maintained. The control effort is less, but the two-time lead the holder to the object is required, what the total time of staggered label application is extended.

Wie bereits bei der ersten Variante können auch bei der zweiten Variante mehr als zwei Etiketten versetzt auf die Oberfläche aufgebracht werden, indem die Schritte für das nachfolgende Etikett mehrfach wiederholt werden.As in the case of the first variant, more than two labels can also be applied offset to the surface in the second variant by repeating the steps for the following label several times.

Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der zweiten Variante wird die Haltevorrichtung stets auf demselben Weg zur Oberfläche des Gegenstands hin geführt, wobei die Haltevorrichtung und der Gegenstand relativ zueinander positioniert werden, indem der Gegenstand mittels der Transporteinrichtung positioniert wird. Bei dieser einfachen Ausführungsform kann eine vorhandene Steuerung der Transporteinrichtung ausgenutzt werden.In a preferred embodiment of the second variant, the holding device is always guided in the same way to the surface of the object, wherein the holding device and the object are positioned relative to each other by the object is positioned by means of the transport device. In this simple embodiment, an existing control of the transport device can be utilized.

Bei einer anderen Ausführungsform wird der Versatz dadurch erreicht, dass die Haltevorrichtung bei der Erfassung des ersten und des nachfolgenden Etiketts jeweils relativ zu der Spendekante derart unterschiedlich positioniert wird, dass die Etiketten in dem vorgegebenen Versatz bereits von der Haltevorrichtung erfasst werden. Diese Relativbewegung kann durch ein Positionieren der Haltevorrichtung oder auch durch ein Positionieren der Spendekante erreicht werden.In another embodiment, the offset is achieved in that the holding device is positioned differently in each case during the detection of the first and the subsequent label relative to the dispensing edge, that the labels are already detected by the holding device in the predetermined offset. This relative movement can be achieved by positioning the holding device or by positioning the dispensing edge.

Vorteilhafte und/oder bevorzugte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen gekennzeichnet.Advantageous and / or preferred developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

Im Folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert. In der Zeichnung zeigen:

  • Figur 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ausführenden Vorrichtung; und
  • Figur 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Abschnitts eines Etiketten tragenden Trägerbandes, der um eine Spendekante herum geführt ist, sowie einer Etiketten haltenden Ansaugvorrichtung.
In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing show:
  • FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a method according to the invention exporting device; and
  • FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a portion of a label-carrying carrier tape which is guided around a dispensing edge, and a label holding suction device.

Die in Figur 1 schematisch dargestellte Anordnung umfasst einen auf einem Auflagetisch 20 positionierten Etikettendrucker 1 (hier auch als Druck- und Spendevorrichtung bezeichnet), ein Förderband 15 und eine eine Ansaugvorrichtung umfassende Haltevorrichtung 11. Das Förderband 15 transportiert einzelne Arzneimittelpackungen 16 unterschiedlicher Größe und Form in einer (zur Bildebene der Figur 1 senkrechten) waagerechten Ebene. Auf eine nach oben weisende Oberfläche 17 der Arzneimittelpackung 16 soll ein Etikett aufgebracht werden. Die Haltevorrichtung 11 ist an einer (in Figur 1 nicht dargestellten) Führungs- und Antriebsvorrichtung befestigt und kann in der durch die Pfeile 14 dargestellten Richtung abwärts und aufwärts bewegt werden. Die Haltevorrichtung 11 kann ihrer Unterseite 12 ein Etikett ansaugen, so dass dieses Etikett mit seiner nach unten weisenden Klebeschicht gehalten wird.In the FIG. 1 schematically illustrated arrangement comprises a positioned on a support table 20 label printer 1 (also referred to here as a printing and dispensing device), a conveyor belt 15 and a suction device comprehensive holding device 11. The conveyor belt 15 transports individual drug packages 16 of different size and shape in a (to the image plane of the FIG. 1 vertical) horizontal plane. On an upwardly facing surface 17 of the drug package 16 is a label to be applied. The holding device 11 is fastened to a guiding and driving device (not shown in FIG. 1) and can be moved downwards and upwards in the direction represented by the arrows 14. The holding device 11 can suck a label on its underside 12, so that this label is held with its downwardly facing adhesive layer.

Bei dem in Figur 1 in einer schematischen Querschnittsansicht dargestellten Etikettendrucker 1 handelt es sich beispielsweise um den Etikettendrucker AP 5.4 der Firma Avery Dennison. Die Details dieses Druckers sind beispielsweise in den auf der Internetseite der Firma Avery Dennison Printer Systems veröffentlichten Dokumentationen beschrieben. Hier sollen nur diejenigen Merkmale des Druckers näher beschrieben werden, die für die Erfindung wesentlich sind. Der Etikettendrucker 1 enthält eine Rolle 2 eines eine Vielzahl von Etiketten tragenden Trägerbandes 3. Dass die Etiketten tragende Trägerband 3 wird von der Rolle über verschiedene Spann- und Umlenkvorrichtungen durch einen Drucker, insbesondere zwischen einer Druckwalze an der Unterseite des Trägerbandes und einem Druckkopf 8 an der Oberseite des Trägerbandes, hindurchgeführt. Anschließend wird das Trägerband 5 um eine Spendekante 7 herum nach unten umgelenkt und über weitere Umlenkvorrichtungen einem Aufwickler 6 zugeführt, der das leere (verbrauchte) Trägerband aufwickelt. Das die Etiketten tragende Trägerband 5 wird derart um die Spendekante 7 herum geführt, dass sich beim Bewegen des Trägerbands in einer durch den Pfeil 18 angezeigten Vorschubrichtung die Etiketten 4 von dem Trägerband 5 abheben und an einer vorgegebenen Stelle (vorn) aus dem Etikettendrucker 1 austreten. Bei dem in Figur 1 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist der Drucker ein Thermotransferdrucker, bei dem eine zum Drucken benötigte Folie von einem ersten Wickelteller 10 abgewickelt, durch den Drucker unter dem Druckkopf hindurch geführt und dann von einem zweiten Wickelteller 9 wieder aufgewickelt wird.At the in FIG. 1 The label printer 1 illustrated in a schematic cross-sectional view is, for example, the label printer AP 5.4 from Avery Dennison. The details of this printer are described in, for example, the documentation published on the Avery Dennison Printer Systems website. Here only those features of the printer will be described in more detail, which are essential to the invention. The label printer 1 includes a roll 2 of a plurality of labels carrying carrier tape 3. That the label-carrying carrier tape 3 is from the role of various tensioning and deflection devices by a printer, in particular between a pressure roller on the underside of the carrier tape and a print head 8 at the top of the carrier tape, passed. Subsequently, the carrier tape 5 is deflected around a dispensing edge 7 around down and fed via further deflecting a rewinder 6, which winds up the empty (used) carrier tape. The carrier tape 5 carrying the labels is guided around the dispensing edge 7 such that when the carrier tape is moved in a direction indicated by the arrow 18, the labels 4 lift off the carrier tape 5 and exit the label printer 1 at a predetermined location (forward) , At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the printer is a thermal transfer printer, in which a required for printing film of a first reel disc 10 unwound, passed through the printer under the print head and then rewound from a second reel disc 9.

Die Steuereinrichtung (in Figur 1 nicht dargestellt) des Etikettendruckers 1 gestattet ein Bedrucken der auf dem Trägerband 5 gehaltenen Etiketten, wobei diese Zeile für Zeile bei ihrer Bewegung in Vorschubrichtung 18 bedruckt werden können. Die Steuereinrichtung kann den Etikettendrucker 1 darüber hinaus so betreiben, dass das Trägerband durch die Druckeinheit geführt wird, ohne dass die Etiketten dabei bedruckt werden. Darüber hinaus kann der Etikettendrucker 1 auch das Trägerband entgegen der Vorschubrichtung 18 bewegen, so dass ein bereits über die Spendekante 7 hinweg bewegtes, aber noch zum Teil auf dem Trägerband 5 befindliches Etikett 4 wieder in den Etikettendrucker 1 zurückgezogen und dort bedruckt werden kann.The control device (in FIG. 1 not shown) of the label printer 1 allows printing of the label held on the carrier tape 5, wherein these line by line in their movement in the feed direction 18 can be printed. In addition, the control device can operate the label printer 1 in such a way that the carrier tape is guided through the printing unit without the labels being printed thereby. In addition, the label printer 1 can also move the carrier tape counter to the feed direction 18 so that a label 4 which has already moved over the dispensing edge 7 but is still partly located on the carrier tape 5 can be withdrawn again into the label printer 1 and printed there.

Sobald ein Etikett 4 beim Bewegen des Trägerbands 5 in der Vorschubrichtung 18 über die Spendekante 7 hinausgetreten ist und nur noch in einem sehr schmalen Streifen auf der Trägerbandoberfläche haftet, nähert sich die Ansaugvorrichtung 11 der Oberseite des Etiketts 4 derart an, dass das Etikett in Richtung des Pfeils 13 an die Unterseite 12 der Ansaugvorrichtung angesaugt wird. Die Unterseite 12 weist zu diesem Zweck Lufteintrittsöffnungen auf. Diese Öffnungen sind mit einer Saugpumpe derart gekoppelt, dass ein zum Ansaugen eines Etiketts 4 ausreichender Luftstrom und ein zum Halten des Etiketts ausreichender Unterdruck erzeugt wird. Ein an der Unterseite 12 der Ansaugvorrichtung 11 gehaltenes Etikett 4 kann durch Abwärtsbewegung der Vorrichtung 11 auf die Oberseite 17 einer Arzneimittelpackung 16 aufgepresst werden, so dass es darauf haftet. Zusätzlich können mit der Ansaugvorrichtung 11 noch (in Figur 1 nicht gezeigte) Andruckrollen derart verbunden sein, dass diese nach dem Aufbringen des Etiketts auf die Oberfläche 17 der Packung 16 beim anschließenden Weiterbewegen des Förderbands 15 über die Packungsoberfläche 17 derart rollen, dass das Etikett fest an die Oberfläche 17 angedrückt wird.As soon as a label 4 has moved beyond the dispensing edge 7 when the carrier tape 5 is moved in the feed direction 18 and only adheres to the carrier tape surface in a very narrow strip, the suction device 11 approaches the upper side of the label 4 in such a way that the label moves in the direction of of the arrow 13 is sucked to the bottom 12 of the aspirator. The bottom 12 has for this purpose air inlet openings. These openings are coupled to a suction pump in such a way that an air stream sufficient for sucking in a label 4 and a negative pressure sufficient to hold the label are produced. A label 4 held on the underside 12 of the aspirator 11 can be pressed onto the top 17 of a drug package 16 by downward movement of the device 11 so that it adheres thereto. In addition, with the suction device 11 still (in FIG. 1 not shown) pinch rollers be connected such that they roll after application of the label on the surface 17 of the package 16 during subsequent movement of the conveyor belt 15 on the package surface 17 such that the label is pressed firmly against the surface 17.

Sofern mit Hilfe der in Figur 1 gezeigten Anordnung mehrere Etiketten versetzt zueinander auf die Oberseite 17 der Arzneimittelpackung mit Hilfe des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens aufgeklebt werden sollen, wird wie folgt vorgegangen. Das Verfahren wird hier zusätzlich unter Bezugnahme auf Figur 2 näher beschrieben.Unless with the help of in FIG. 1 the arrangement shown several labels offset from each other to be glued to the top 17 of the drug package using the method according to the invention, the procedure is as follows. The method is additionally described here with reference to FIG. 2 described in more detail.

Zunächst wird der Etikettendrucker 1 so angesteuert, dass er ein erstes Etikett, welches in Figur 2 mit dem Bezugszeichen 4A bezeichnet ist, bei gleichzeitiger Bewegung in Vorschubrichtung zeilenweise mittels der Druckvorrichtung bedruckt und anschließend über die Spendekante 7 derart hinwegbewegt, dass das bedruckte Etikett 4A aus dem Etikettendrucker 1 austritt. Mit Hilfe der Ansaugvorrichtung 11 wird das Etikett 4A an die Unterseite 12 angesaugt und gehalten. In Figur 2 ist das unter der schematisch dargestellten Ansaugvorrichtung 11 gehaltene Etikett 4A mit gestrichelten Umrisslinien (verdeckten Linien) dargestellt. Während die Ansaugvorrichtung 11 das erste Etikett 4A in der in Figur 2 dargestellten Position hält, wird der Etikettendrucker 1 veranlasst, das Trägerband 5 weiter in der Vorschubrichtung zu bewegen, bis ein nachfolgendes Etikett 4B zu einem größten Teil über die Spendekante 7 hinweggetreten ist. Während dieses Hinausschiebens des nachfolgenden Etiketts 4B bleibt die Unterseite 12 der Ansaugvorrichtung 11 mit dem anhaftenden vorhergehenden Etikett 4A in einem vorgegebenen Abstand oberhalb des nachfolgenden Etiketts 4B positioniert. Sobald das Etikett 4B ausreichend weit über die Spendekante 7 hinweggetreten ist, und einen vorgegebenen Versatz 19 (D) gegenüber dem gehaltenen Etikett 4A aufweist, wird der Transport in Vorschubrichtung eingestellt und die Haltevorrichtung 11 derart auf das nachfolgende Etikett 4B abgesenkt, dass das vorangegangene Etikett 4A auf der Oberseite des Etiketts 4B fixiert wird (anhaftet). Während dieses Vorgangs wird das weitere Bewegen des Trägerbands in der Vorschubrichtung 18 derart gestoppt, dass noch ein vorgegebener Teil des nachfolgenden Etiketts 4B an der Oberseite des Trägerbands haften bleibt. Dann wird der Ansaugdruck reduziert, so dass das auf dem nachfolgenden Etikett 4B fixierte vorhergehende Etikett 4A nicht mehr gehalten wird. Gleichzeitig wird das Trägerband 5 mit dem anhaftenden Etikettenverbund entgegen der Vorschubrichtung 18 in den Etikettendrucker 1 zurückgezogen, bis das versetzt unter dem ersten Etikett 4A haftende zweite Etikett 4B in demjenigen Bereich, in dem es nicht von dem Etikett 4A überdeckt ist, von der Druckeinrichtung des Etikettendruckers 1 bedruckt werden kann. Nach dem Bedrucken des Etikettenverbunds veranlasst die Steuereinrichtung, dass das Trägerband 5 wieder in der Vorschubrichtung 18 soweit bewegt wird, bis sich der Etikettenverbund unter der Ansaugvorrichtung 11 befindet, wobei noch ein schmaler Streifen jenseits der Spendekante auf dem Trägerband 5 gehalten wird. Wiederum wird der Etikettenverbund von der Ansaugvorrichtung 11 derart erfasst, dass er an der Unterseite 12 in einer (zumindest näherungsweise) horizontalen Ebene gehalten wird. Anschließend wird die Ansaugvorrichtung 11 in Richtung des Pfeils 14 derart bewegt, dass der Verbund der an der Unterseite 12 anhaftenden Etiketten auf die Oberseite 17 der Arzneimittelpackung 16 aufgebracht wird.First, the label printer 1 is driven so that it has a first label, which in FIG. 2 is denoted by the reference numeral 4A, with simultaneous movement in the feed direction line by line printed by the printing device and then moved over the dispensing edge 7 such that the printed label 4A exits the label printer 1. With the help of the suction device 11, the label 4A is sucked to the bottom 12 and held. In FIG. 2 For example, the label 4A held under the schematically shown suction device 11 is shown with dashed outlines (hidden lines). While the suction device 11, the first label 4A in the in FIG. 2 1, the label printer 1 is caused to move the carrier tape 5 further in the feed direction until a subsequent label 4B has largely passed over the dispensing edge 7. During this postponement of the subsequent label 4B, the underside 12 of the aspirator 11 with the adhering preceding label 4A remains positioned at a predetermined distance above the subsequent label 4B. As soon as the label 4B has passed sufficiently far beyond the dispensing edge 7 and has a predetermined offset 19 (D) relative to the held label 4A, the transport in the advancing direction is set and the holding device 11 is lowered onto the subsequent label 4B such that the preceding label 4A is fixed (adheres) to the top of the label 4B. During this process, the further movement of the carrier tape in the feed direction 18 is stopped such that a predetermined part of the subsequent label 4B still adheres to the upper side of the carrier tape. Then, the suction pressure is reduced, so that the fixed on the subsequent label 4B previous label 4A is no longer held. At the same time the carrier tape 5 is withdrawn with the adhesive label composite against the feed direction 18 in the label printer 1 until the displaced under the first label 4A second label 4B in that area in which it is not covered by the label 4A, from the printing device of Label printer 1 can be printed. After printing on the label composite, the control device causes the carrier tape 5 to be moved again in the feed direction 18 until the label composite is below the suction device 11, wherein a narrow strip is still held on the carrier tape 5 beyond the dispensing edge. Again, the label composite is detected by the aspirator 11 such that it is held on the underside 12 in an (at least approximately) horizontal plane. Subsequently, the suction device 11 is moved in the direction of the arrow 14 such that the composite of adhering to the bottom 12 labels is applied to the top 17 of the drug package 16.

Figur 2 zeigt schematisch den Zustand, bei dem das nachfolgende Etikett 4B auf dem Trägerband 5 bereits zum überwiegenden Teil über die Spendekante 7 hinwegbewegt worden ist, so dass es unter dem vorhergehenden Etikett 4A, welches von der Vorrichtung 11 gehalten wird, positioniert ist, wobei es einen Versatz 19 aufweist. In Figur 2 sind noch zwei weitere nachfolgende Etiketten 4C und 4D dargestellt, die entweder separat als nächster Verbund von zwei Etiketten oder als Verbund von vier Etiketten genutzt werden können. FIG. 2 schematically shows the state in which the subsequent label 4B on the carrier tape 5 has already been moved over the dispensing edge 7 for the most part, so that it is positioned under the preceding label 4A, which is held by the device 11, wherein it Offset 19 has. In FIG. 2 Two more subsequent labels 4C and 4D are shown, which can be used either separately as the next composite of two labels or as a composite of four labels.

Claims (15)

  1. A method of applying a label to a surface (17) of an article (16), wherein:
    a) a plurality of labels (4A - 4D) of predetermined size, which are printable on their upper surface and are provided on their lower surface with an adhesive layer, are provided on a carrier strip (5),
    b) the carrier strip (5) with the labels (4A - 4D) is guided through a printing and dispensing device (1) and around a dispensing edge (7) and moved in a feed direction (18) such that a first label located above the dispensing edge (7) is lifted away at least partially from the carrier strip,
    c) the lifted first label (4A) is gripped by a holding device (11) and temporarily held,
    d) the carrier strip with a subsequent label (4B) is moved over the dispensing edge (7) in the feed direction (18) such that the subsequent label (4B) is at least partially lifted away from the carrier strip and positioned with a predetermined offset beneath the preceding label (4A) held by the holding device (11),
    e) the preceding label (4A) held by the holding device is moved relative to the subsequent label (4e) such that it is fixed in an offset position with its adhesive layer to the upper surface of the subsequent label,
    f) the composite unit comprising the labels fixed to one another in an offset position is gripped by the holding device (11) and held and
    g) the holding device (11) with the held composite unit of the labels fixed to one another in an offset position is guided towards the surface (17) of the article (16) such that the composite unit is applied to the surface (17).
  2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that in step e), after the fixing step, the holding device (11) releases the preceding label (4A) and the subsequent label (4B) with the preceding label (4A) fixed on it is withdrawn opposite to the feed direction (18) into the printing and dispensing device (1) and is then moved again in the feed direction beyond the dispensing edge (7) such that the composite unit of the labels fixed to one another in an offset position is lifted up from the carrier strip (5).
  3. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that when in step e) the subsequent label (4B) with the preceding label (4A) fixed to it is withdrawn with the carrier strip opposite to the feed direction into the printing and dispending device (1), the labels on the carrier strip situated beneath them are pressed together such that the labels firmly adhere to one another.
  4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterised in that before step g), steps d) to f) are repeated for at least one further label to be added to the composite unit in an offset position so that more than two labels fixed to one another in an offset position are guided in step g) to the surface (17) of the article.
  5. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the first label is printed in step b).
  6. A method as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that each subsequent label is printed in step e) after being withdrawn into the printing and dispensing device (1).
  7. A method as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that in step e) only that section of the subsequent label (4B) which is not covered by the preceding label (4A) is printed.
  8. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the composite unit of the labels fixed to one another in an offset position is printed only once when step e) is performed for the last time after the withdrawing of the composite into the printing and dispensing device (1).
  9. A method as claimed in claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each label is printed when it is moved for the first time in the feed direction (18) through the printing and dispensing device (1).
  10. A method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the holding device (11) includes a suction device so that the label or the composite unit is gripped and held by the suction device engaging the upper surface of the label in step c) or step f).
  11. A method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the holding device (11) is lowered with the held composite unit of the labels fixed to one another in an offset position in step g) on to the surface (17) of the article and presses the composite unit against the surface.
  12. A method of applying labels to a surface (17) of an article (16), wherein:
    a) a plurality of labels (4A - 4D) of predetermined size, which are printable on their upper surface and are provided on their lower surface with an adhesive layer, are provided on a carrier strip (5),
    b) the carrier strip (5) with the labels (4A to 4D) is guided through a printing and dispensing device (1), printed and guided around a dispensing edge (7) and moved in a feed direction (18) such that a printed first label (4) located above the dispensing edge (7) is lifted away from the carrier strip (5),
    c) the lifted first label (4A) is gripped by a holding device and guided to the surface (17) of the article (16) such that the first label (4A) is applied to the surface (17) at a first position,
    d) the carrier strip (5) with the labels (4A to 4D) is guided through the printing and dispensing device (1) and around the dispensing edge (7) and moved in the feed direction (18) such that a printed subsequent label (4B) located above the dispensing edge (7) is lifted away from the carrier strip (5),
    e) the lifted, subsequent label (48) is gripped by the holding device (11) and guided to the surface (17) of the article (16) such that the subsequent label (4B) is applied to the surface (17) at a second position offset with respect to the first position,
    wherein the printing and dispensing device (1), the holding device (11) and a transport device (15), which positions the article (16), are controlled by a control device in dependence on the predetermined size of the labels so that in steps c) and e) the holding device is positioned when gripping the first and the subsequent labels and/or the holding device and the article are positioned relative to one another during the application of the labels such that the labels are applied to the surface of the article (16) overlapping one another with a predetermined offset.
  13. A method as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that steps d) and e) are repeated for further labels so that more than two labels (4A to 4D) are applied in an offset position to the surface (17).
  14. A method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the holding device is always guided on the same path to the surface of the article and that the holding device and the article are positioned relative to one another by positioning the article by means of the transport device.
  15. A method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterised in that when gripping the first and the subsequent label the holding device is differently positioned relative to the dispensing edge such that the labels are applied to the surface of the article with the predetermined offset.
EP08151835A 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 Method for applying a label Active EP2093149B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08151835A EP2093149B1 (en) 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 Method for applying a label
AT08151835T ATE524384T1 (en) 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 METHOD FOR APPLYING A LABEL

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08151835A EP2093149B1 (en) 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 Method for applying a label

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2093149A1 EP2093149A1 (en) 2009-08-26
EP2093149B1 true EP2093149B1 (en) 2011-09-14

Family

ID=39609400

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08151835A Active EP2093149B1 (en) 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 Method for applying a label

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EP (1) EP2093149B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE524384T1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108045686A (en) * 2012-11-07 2018-05-18 录象射流技术公司 Labelling machine and its operating method

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITBO20120337A1 (en) 2012-06-20 2013-12-21 Ima Ind Srl PROCEDURE AND MACHINE FOR FORMING DISPOSABLE DRINKS FOR DRINKS
ITBO20120338A1 (en) 2012-06-20 2013-12-21 Ima Ind Srl PROCEDURE AND MACHINE TO FORM INTERMEDIATE COMPONENTS OF DISPOSABLE DRINKS FOR DRINKS

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3715920A1 (en) * 1987-05-13 1988-11-24 Dudzik Joachim Labelling machine
US5040461A (en) * 1989-11-17 1991-08-20 Avery International Corporation Label printing and dispensing apparatus
US5342461A (en) * 1992-04-14 1994-08-30 Imtec, Inc. High speed continuous conveyor printer/applicator
GB2326497A (en) * 1997-06-20 1998-12-23 Esselte Nv Tape printing system
US6786263B1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2004-09-07 Fox Iv Technologies, Inc. Apparatus for printing and applying labels

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108045686A (en) * 2012-11-07 2018-05-18 录象射流技术公司 Labelling machine and its operating method
CN108045686B (en) * 2012-11-07 2020-06-30 录象射流技术公司 Labeling machine and operation method thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2093149A1 (en) 2009-08-26
ATE524384T1 (en) 2011-09-15

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