CN210126700U

CN210126700U - Central glue supply device for a container labeling machine and container labeling machine

Info

Publication number: CN210126700U
Application number: CN201821792532.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔治·格特洛斯基
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2017-11-02
Filing date: 2018-11-01
Publication date: 2020-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-01
Also published as: EP3486185A1; DE102017219498A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a central glue supply device for a container labeling machine, in particular a central glue supply device for a container labeling machine with at least two labeling units, wherein the glue supply device comprises at least one central glue line for supplying the labeling units with glue together, in particular without glue backflow. The glue supply device also comprises a conveying device for conveying glue at overpressure through a central glue line to a labeling unit for applying glue thereto, whereby the containers can be labeled in a particularly efficient cold glue process. Furthermore, the utility model discloses still relate to the container labeling machine who has above-mentioned central glue feeding mechanism.

Description

Central glue supply device for a container labeling machine and container labeling machine

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a central glue feeding mechanism and have central glue feeding mechanism's labeling machine for container labeling machine.

Background

It is known that containers can be labeled mechanically by means of cold or hot glue. In order to improve the glue supply of the labeling machine, DE 102007043513 a1 discloses a generic central glue supply device with labeling machines which can be docked on the labeling machine, optionally flexibly supplied with different glue types via a plurality of central glue lines. Here, not only the transport of the processable cold glue but also the transport of hot glue pellets from a central storage container to the labeling unit with air is described. The coupling of the labeling unit to the central glue line in the region of the labeling machine is effected, for example, by means of a quick coupling.

Furthermore, EP 2060496 a1 describes a docking station for a labeling machine, in which the media connection is automatically established by the docking movement of the labeling unit on the labeling machine.

While the central glue supply of DE 102007043513 a1 aims at using as flexible as possible different glue types and labelling units, there is also an improved need for more efficient cold glue labelling.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

This task is solved with a central glue supply as follows. The central glue supply device is thus configured for a container labeling machine having at least two labeling units and comprises at least one central glue line for jointly supplying the labeling units with glue without glue backflow. According to the utility model discloses, central glue feeding mechanism is including being used for carrying glue to the conveying equipment that the labelling unit was used for carrying out the gluey cloth of applying of spouting of label there through central glue circuit under the circumstances of excessive pressure.

The central glue supply is therefore configured for supplying a labelling unit which applies cold glue to the labels by means of glue jets, in particular from a plurality of glue nozzles. The central glue supply creates a suitable overpressure in the central glue line. The labeling unit then operates according to the so-called "glue-jet principle" (GlueJet-Prinzip) which simulates inkjet printing, using a plurality of printing nozzles.

In terms of glue consumption per label area, glue is applied more efficiently on the label than by conventional glue rollers. By centrally supplying glue, the pressure ratio, the rheological behavior and the flow rate of the glue can be maintained for the glue application with relatively little expenditure on the machine set.

The conveying device generates a conveying pressure for the glue, so that the glue is applied from the glue nozzle to the labeling unit in an operating mode with an overpressure of, in particular, at least 10 bar for glue application there. The conveying device comprises, for example, at least one pump for conveying the glue on the pressure side to the container labeling machine and in particular to the labeling unit.

Supplying the labelling unit with glue without glue backflow is understood as: the glue is led back to the supply station from the annular line in the region of the container labelling machine and/or from the central glue line, not in a closed loop. Additional outlay on the machine set can thereby be avoided and thus an efficient glue supply is provided.

Preferably, the central glue supply further comprises a central supply station having a delivery device and having at least one reserve container for glue which can be coupled to the central glue line. The conveying device is then configured for conveying the glue from the coupled supply container to the container labeling machine, and in particular up to the labeling unit.

The supply station can be designed for stationary or movable mounting, i.e. for changing the orientation by means of transport rollers or the like. The capacity of the supply station can be adapted to the design of the container labeling machine in order to efficiently provide the amount of glue necessary there.

Preferably, the storage container has a storage capacity of at least 250 liters and in particular at least 500 liters. The conveying device is an electrically controlled pump with capacity for conveying glue from a reserve container into a central glue line and in particular up to all attachable labeling units. Such a supply station thus enables the container labelling machine to operate continuously for the duration of a production shift or the like. Thus, it is not necessary to replace or refill the reservoir during the working operation.

Preferably, the central supply station is configured for simultaneously accommodating two storage capacities, each of which is at least 10 liters and at most 50 liters, and in particular at least 15 liters and at most 25 liters, which can be coupled in turn to the central glue line. The conveying device then comprises an electrically controlled pump with a capacity for conveying glue from the reserve container to the central glue line and in particular up to all the couplable labeling units.

This makes it possible to achieve a compact supply station, for example, in the case of a continuous supply of glue for labeling containers, despite the fact that empty supply containers can be replaced in an alternating manner by full supply containers having an ergonomically manageable weight.

The central supply station is preferably configured for accommodating at least two supply containers, in particular so-called BevKeg containers, which can be emptied by intussusception (Einst ü lpen) simultaneously, whereupon the delivery device preferably comprises an electrically controlled squeezer for squeezing out glue by intussusception of the supply containers and has at least one pump for generating an overpressure in the central glue line.

The container according to the BevKeg principle is a disposable container which can be stored and cleaned in a particularly space-saving manner in an inwardly telescoped manner and which can be supplied for use, for example, in a size range of 15 liters to 20 liters for ergonomic handling.

Nevertheless, it is also possible to use as a reserve container a conventional glue container with a storage capacity of, for example, 30 to 40kg of glue and/or a cartridge system with a glue cartridge with, for example, 10 to 50kg of contents. In this case, it is also possible to replace the emptied glue container/cartridge, to carry out ergonomic operations on the glue reservoir and to continuously supply glue to the container labelling machine. Even storage containers with a storage capacity of, for example, 500 liters to 1000 liters, which cannot be handled by an operator without mechanical aids, can be present at least twice at the supply station, in order to make continuous use of the container labeling machine, for example, over a production shift.

Preferably, there is a temperature sensor and/or a flow meter and/or a pressure monitor for the glue on the central glue line. Thus, the delivery temperature, the flow of glue through the central glue line and/or the pressure of glue in the glue line may be continuously detected during the work run and used for controlling/regulating the glue delivery through the central glue line. The labeling unit can therefore be supplied reliably and in a suitable manner with glue for the glue application there.

Preferably, the central glue supply means further comprise heating means and control means for tempering the glue in the central glue line to a temperature in the range of 20 ℃ to 40 ℃, in particular 25 ℃ to 35 ℃. In this way, cold glue for glue application with a suitable viscosity and a corresponding pressure loss can be delivered to the container labeling machine and in particular to the labeling unit.

Preferably, the central glue supply means further comprise control means for learning and outputting the consumption of glue per unit time and/or per label area, depending on the flow rate measured in the central glue line. This enables quality control of the glue application onto the labels and helps to estimate the amount of glue required and to calculate the time points for the change of delivery from the alternately provided reserve containers.

Preferably, the conveying device and the central glue line are designed for an operating pressure of at least 50 bar. In this way, all glue types suitable for cold-glue labeling can be supplied to the container labeling machine and in particular to the labeling unit, essentially with a suitable unit-side pressure.

For example, casein glue and/or dispersion glue may be delivered in a suitable manner. In this respect, a controllable heating device for tempering glue delivered separately in a central glue line is particularly advantageous.

Preferably, an expansion/equilibration container with a volume of 1 to 10 liters is also coupled to the central glue line. Pressure fluctuations in the central glue line can thereby be equalized or mitigated.

Preferably, a safety valve is associated with the equalization tank, which has a discharge opening and a setting range of at most 10 bar to at least 50 bar. This makes it possible to reliably avoid an inadmissible overpressure in the central glue line. The safety valve is then preferably an angle valve.

Preferably, the central glue line opens into a ring line configured on the labeling machine for the glue supply to the individual labeling units, which ring line has a tapping line and a quick coupling coupled thereto. The quick coupling is then designed for the respective operating pressure and can be connected/disconnected, in particular, tool-free. This facilitates flexible coupling of different labeling units depending on the treatment of the containers to be carried out.

Preferably, the quick coupling is then integrated in a docking station for automatically establishing a media connection between the central carousel of the labelling machine and the labelling group. This is to be understood as meaning that during the docking movement of the labeling unit on the turntable, the glue supply is closed by the accompanying interlocking engagement of the plug/coupling, and correspondingly the glue supply is released again by the opposite undocking movement. This facilitates the establishment of a glue supply to the individual labeling units and prevents incorrect coupling, in particular in the case of a plurality of parallel central glue lines for the individual labeling units.

Preferably, at least one temperature sensor and/or flow meter and/or pressure monitor for the glue is present on the annular line between the quick couplings. In addition to the respective devices upstream of the quick coupling on the central glue line, it is thus possible to also know the glue temperature, the glue flow and/or the glue pressure for the individual labeling units and to associate these with the values measured in common for all labeling units in each case. This allows the operation of the individual labeling units to be monitored precisely and, if necessary, optimized.

The proposed task is also solved with a labeling machine according to the following. The labeling machine is therefore configured for labeling containers and comprises at least two labeling units for applying glue on the labels and the aforementioned central glue supply.

All the above features relating to the central glue line may also be present in embodiments that are at least doubled for parallel central glue lines. Thus, for example, two central supply stations can be coupled to the container labeling machine or one central supply station can have stock containers or similar devices for different glue types. In particular, in this case, a separate annular line with a quick coupling is configured for each central glue line in the region of the labeling machine. This aspect is advantageous in particular when different glue types are required at the same time for labelling the containers or when it is intended to change between different glue types more quickly/frequently.

The labeling unit preferably operates as a jet ink printer similar to the Drop-On-Demand principle (Drop-On-Demand-printing).

In principle, however, the central glue supply is also suitable for labelling units with gluing of labels by means of glue rollers. In particular, it is also conceivable to implement all of the above-described embodiments with a conveying device for conveying glue through a central glue line to a labeling unit in the event of overpressure for glue roller application on labels there.

With the described embodiment a particularly efficient label gluing can be performed, especially in case of glue consumption of at most 20g per square meter of label area.

By means of the central control device, it is possible to display, for example, the consumption of glue per hour, per production shift, per weight unit of the label material and/or per area unit of the label material on a display unit, in particular a display screen. This enables continuous production control and, if necessary, correction of machine parameters in continuous production.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of a first embodiment of the invention; and

fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a central supply station for glue.

Detailed Description

As can be seen from fig. 1 in a schematic top view of a container labeling machine 1, it comprises a central glue supply 2, preferably a central supply station 3 for accommodating a first supply container 4 for glue and optionally a second supply container 5 for glue.

Furthermore, a first conveyor device 6 and an optional second conveyor device 7 are present for conveying glue from at least one of the storage containers 4, 5 to the container labeling machine 1 through a first central glue line 8 and/or an optional second central glue line 9. The transport devices 6, 7 are pumps that transport on the pressure side. As a result, an overpressure suitable for conveying the cold glue up to the container labeling machine 1 is generated in the glue lines 8, 9.

In terms of wiring technology, it is possible to assign the first supply container 4 to the first delivery device 6 and the first central glue line 8, and to assign the second supply container 5 to the second delivery device 7 and the second central glue line 9. It is likewise conceivable to empty the reserve containers 4, 5 in turn into the first or second central glue line 8, 9. It is also possible to prestore in the central supply station 3 reserve containers 4, 5 (not shown) which can be emptied alternately for each of the central glue lines 8, 9. It is also possible to provide at least one further conveying device with an associated central glue line for connecting the central supply station 3 with the container labeling machine 1 (not shown).

For controlling the central glue supply 2, in particular the central supply station 3, there is a control device 10. The control device is configured, for example, for processing signals of at least one temperature sensor 11, of a flow meter 12 and/or of a pressure monitor 13 for the glue supplied in the glue lines 8, 9 to the container labeling machine 1.

This aspect is exemplarily shown in fig. 1 only for the first central glue line 8, but is advantageous in a corresponding manner for each further central glue line and delivery.

On the central supply station 3 and/or the central glue line 8, 9 there are optionally heating means 14 for the glue to be delivered. Preferably, the heating means 14, the temperature sensor 11 and the control means 10 cooperate to temper the glue in such a way that the glue in the central glue line 8, 9 has a temperature of 20 to 40 ℃, preferably 25 to 35 ℃. For this purpose, the central glue line 8, 9 is preferably thermally insulated in a suitable manner.

Furthermore, the flow meter 12, the conveying devices 6, 7 and the control device 10 preferably cooperate in such a way that the glue consumption per unit time and/or glue consumption per label area is known and/or can be adapted to the respective target value. This is particularly advantageous since central glue supply 2 operates without a return flow of glue from labelling machine 1 back to central supply station 3.

Preferably, the conveying devices 6, 7, the control device 10 and the pressure monitor 13 cooperate in such a way that an operating pressure within a preset nominal range is present in the central glue lines 8, 9. The operating pressure in the central glue line 8, 9 is for example 10 to 30 bar, preferably 15 to 25 bar. Preferably, the conveying devices 6, 7 and the associated central glue lines 8, 9 are designed for an operating pressure of at least 50 bar. This also relates to the connection of the central glue lines 8, 9 to all pressure sides of the container labeling machine 1.

In order to maintain a preset operating pressure/pressure range in the central glue lines 8, 9, there is preferably coupled to these central glue lines an expansion/equalization container 15, schematically shown, with a safety valve 16. This is schematically indicated in fig. 1 for a first central glue line 8 and is also significant for an optional second central glue line 9. The expansion/equalization vessel 15 has a storage capacity of, for example, 1 liter to 10 liters. The safety valve 16 preferably has a setting range of at most 10 bar to at least 50 bar and is preferably designed as an angle valve with a discharge opening.

The container labeling machine 1 comprises labeling units 17, shown in an exemplary number, which are coupled peripherally by means of a docking station 19 to a carousel 18 for container transport. In the region of container labeling machine 1, central glue line 8, 9 preferably comprises an

annular line

8a, 9a for dispensing glue onto labeling unit 17.

For coupling the labeling unit 17 to the

ring lines

8a, 9a, a quick coupling 20 and a connecting line 21 are preferably present.

Between the quick couplings, there may be at least one temperature sensor and/or a flow meter 12a (shown by way of example) and/or a pressure monitor for the glue on the

ring lines

8a, 9 a. In this way, the glue temperature, the glue flow and/or the glue pressure in the region of the container labeling machine 1 can be monitored and, if necessary, also for the individual labeling units 17.

At least one of the labelling units 17 is designed for applying glue to the labels, in particular for applying glue from a plurality of glue nozzles (not shown) according to the drop-on-demand principle.

Advantageously, the quick coupling 20 is integrated into the docking station 19 in such a way that a connection is established between the

endless lines

8a, 9a and the respective labelling unit 17 by the docking movement of the respective labelling unit 17 on the docking station 19. Accordingly, the glue supply is automatically released again in the event of the respective labeling unit 17 performing a decoupling movement on the docking station 19. The quick couplings 20 are then preferably jointly coupled/uncoupled to/from further media supply lines.

Preferably, a suitable quick coupling 20 for at least one connection 21 to the labeling unit 17 is formed on each docking station 19.

In the example of fig. 1, the central supply station 3 is configured for stationary mounting and is configured for accommodating two storage containers 4, 5. In principle, the central supply station 3 can alternatively accommodate any number of suitably dimensioned storage containers 4, 5.

For example, the supply containers 4, 5 can be dimensioned such that the entire production shift can be completed continuously without container replacement with at least one supply container 4, 5 pre-stored in the supply station 3. Depending on the machine capacity of the container labeling machine 1, a supply container with a typical storage capacity of, for example, 500 liters to 1000 liters is suitable for this purpose.

However, it is also conceivable for at least two alternately emptiable storage containers 4, 5 to be accommodated in the supply station 3 for each central glue line 8, 9, so that the storage containers 4, 5 which are not coupled to the central glue lines 8, 9, respectively, can be replaced and/or refilled. This also enables a continuous glue supply of the container labeling machine 1, for example, over the entire production shift. Suitable for this mode of operation are, for example, storage containers 4, 5 with a storage capacity of 10kg to 50kg or 10 liters to 50 liters, which can be provided, for example, as part of a cassette system or in the form of conventional laboratory containers.

In this connection, the variant schematically indicated in fig. 2, namely the central supply station 23, which can be integrated in the central glue supply 2 described above without functional limitations, is advantageous.

The central supply station 23 is therefore configured for accommodating the

storage containers

24, 25, which are allowed to telescope inward on half sides for emptying.

Such storage vessels

24, 25 are known as BevKeg vessels. For each

such reserve container

24, 25, there is then, for example, a

delivery device

26, 27 with an electrically

controllable press

26a, 27a for emptying the

reserve container

24, 25 and an electrically

controllable pump

26b, 27b for generating an overpressure in the central glue line 8.

The

squeezers

26a, 27a compress the

reserve containers

24, 25 from above in the example of fig. 2 and in this way deliver glue from the

respective reserve containers

24, 25 to the

pumps

26b, 27b and/or into the directly coupled central glue line 8. The

delivery devices

26, 27 may also comprise only one common pump or a plurality of common pumps (not shown separately) for the central glue line 8. A wiring variant with at least one further central glue line 9 as described in connection with the supply station 2 is also possible.

Central supply station 23 is configured, for example, for being movably mounted on container labeling machine 1 and then comprises transport rollers 28 or the like for this purpose.

The central glue supply device 2 described enables a reliable supply of the labelling unit 7 for the application of glue on the labels to be achieved using different glue types, each with appropriate delivery temperature, delivery pressure and delivery quantity. Glue supply device 2 is configured in particular for supplying glue to labeling unit 17 with an operating pressure of at least 10 bar, and in particular at least 15 bar.

In this case, it is also possible, if necessary, to feed different glue types to the individual labeling units 17 in the central glue lines 8, 9 running in parallel. Depending on the machine capacity of the associated container labeling machine 1, the central glue supply 2 can be operated with a

supply container

4, 5, 24, 25 which is appropriately dimensioned and/or can be replaced during the operating mode. By means of the control device 10, it is possible to centrally monitor and/or adjust all the parameters required for reliable glue supply to the labelling unit 17.

In particular, it is possible to generate a suitable operating pressure on labelling group 17 by means of central glue supply 2 in order to apply cold glue to the labels from the glue nozzles in an efficient manner by means of spraying glue.

Claims

1. Central glue supply (2) for a container labeling machine (1) having at least two labeling units (17), comprising at least one central glue line (8, 9) for jointly supplying the labeling units (17) with glue, characterized by a conveying device (6, 7, 26, 27) for conveying glue at overpressure through the central glue line (8, 9) to the labeling units (17) for glue application of labels there.

2. Central glue supply device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one central glue line is intended to supply the labelling group (17) with glue jointly, without glue backflow.

3. Central glue supply device according to claim 1, further having a central supply station (3, 23) comprising said conveying means (6, 7, 26, 27) and at least one reserve container (4, 5, 24, 25) for glue coupleable to said central glue line (8, 9).

4. Central glue supply device according to claim 3, wherein the reserve container has a storage capacity of at least 250 litres and the delivery means has an electrically controlled pump for delivering glue from the reserve container into the central glue line (8, 9).

5. The central glue supply of claim 4, wherein the reserve container has a storage capacity of at least 500 liters.

6. Central glue supply device according to claim 3, wherein the central supply station (3, 23) is configured for simultaneously accommodating two reserve containers (4, 5, 24, 25) which can be coupled in turn to the central glue line (8, 9), each having a storage capacity of at least 10 liters and at most 50 liters, and the delivery device (6, 7, 26, 27) comprises an electrically controlled pump (26b, 27b) for delivering glue from the respectively assigned reserve containers (4, 5, 24, 25) through the central glue line (8, 9).

7. The central glue supply according to claim 6, wherein the two storage containers each have a storage capacity of at least 15 liters and at most 25 liters.

8. Central glue supply device according to claim 3 or 6, wherein the central supply station is configured for simultaneously accommodating two supply containers which can be emptied by intussusception, and the delivery apparatus comprises electrically controlled squeezers (26a, 27a) for squeezing out glue by intussusception of the supply containers.

9. The central glue supply of claim 8, wherein the reserve container is a BevKeg container.

10. Central glue supply according to claim 8, wherein the delivery device has at least one pump (26b, 27b) for creating an overpressure in the central glue line.

11. Central glue supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein there is a temperature sensor (11) and/or a flow meter (12) and/or a pressure monitor (13) for the glue on the central glue line.

12. Central glue supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further having heating means (14) and control means (10) for tempering glue in the central glue line (8, 9) to a range of 20 ℃ to 40 ℃.

13. Central glue supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further having heating means (14) and control means (10) for tempering glue in the central glue line (8, 9) to a range of 25 ℃ to 35 ℃.

14. Central glue supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further having control means (10) for learning and outputting the glue consumption per unit time and/or per label area as a function of the flow rate measured in the central glue line.

15. Central glue supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the central glue line (8, 9) is designed for an operating pressure of at least 50 bar.

16. Central glue supply according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an expansion/equilibration vessel (15) having a volume of 1 to 10 litres is coupled to the central glue line.

17. Central glue supply according to claim 16, wherein a safety valve (16) with a vent and an adjustment range of at most 10 bar to at least 50 bar is coupled to the expansion/balancing container (15).

18. Central glue supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the central glue line (8, 9) opens into an annular line (8a, 9a) configured on the container labelling machine (1) having a quick coupling (20) coupled thereto for the glue supply to the respective labelling groups (17).

19. Central glue supply according to claim 18, wherein said quick coupling (20) is integrated in a docking station (19) for automatically establishing a media connection between a central carousel (18) of the container labelling machine (1) and the labelling group (17).

20. Central glue supply according to claim 18, wherein at least one temperature sensor and/or flow meter and/or pressure monitor for the glue is present on the annular line (8a, 9a) between the quick couplings (20).

21. Container labeling machine, characterized in that it has at least two labeling units (17) for applying glue on labels and has a central glue supply (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 20.