DE102015212134A1 - Apparatus and method for labeling containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for preparing labels provided with a moistening activatable fusing site for application to containers comprising the steps of: receiving a label from a label providing unit by a transfer device having at least one vacuum pallet; and transferring the transported from the vacuum pallet label to an application cylinder such that the fixing side of the label facing away from the lateral surface of the application cylinder; wherein the fixing of the label is already pre-activated by the moistening with an activating agent, in particular with water, prior to transfer to the application cylinder.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for preparing labels, in particular film labels, for application to containers or containers, for example made of glass, metal or plastic in round and square shape.

State of the art

Devices and methods for labeling containers have long been known in the art. In this case, labels, for example in the form of wrap-around labels, are attached to an outer circumference of the containers by means of a hot glue or an ultraviolet light-curable adhesive. Particular care is required in order to achieve a smooth and warp-free applied label on the container in the finished state. From the DE 20 2005 002 793 U1 is a wrap-around labeling known. In this case, there is a corresponding labeling from at least one label roll, a label feeder, a cutting device and a gripper cylinder and a gluing unit, wherein the cutting device is formed by a rotating vacuum roller and a rotating separator and the rotating separating element has at least one cutting tool, in particular a cutting blade on its circumference , Furthermore, it is known from the prior art that in labeling the overlapping area, in which an initial and an end area of a strip-shaped label overlap, is glued by means of hot glue and pressed by means of a pressing element in the concentricity of the labeling machine. When using UV adhesives, a separate UV tunnel is required, which leads to high energy and ozone pollution.

In addition, it has already been considered in the prior art to use labels that need not be prepared by a glue application after removal from a label magazine for application to the container to be labeled, but are already provided with an activatable adhesive coating. For example, describes the DE 102 43 704A a labeling machine using thermoactivatable coating labels. By thermal irradiation, this coating is brought into an adhesive state, so that the label can be applied to the container to be labeled. Also the document DE 299 24 839 U describes a comparable device, which also shows from this document that the activation can also be effected by moistening.

Recent findings have shown that a time of 400 to 500 ms is required for reliable activation of the adhesive coating of pre-glued labels. In the known devices, a reliable activation can thus be achieved only at low Etikettierleistungen. In addition, it is found that, in particular in pre-glued labels in the area of the impression cylinder of the cutting device, the so-called counter-cutting cylinder, build up glue residues by the adhesive applied to the cylinder adhesive coating and heats the impression cylinder or label tape, resulting in significant interference or An insufficient bonding of the label tape can lead.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the object is to avoid the mentioned disorders. In general, there is the additional object of increasing the performance of the labeling machine and of guaranteeing the secure activation of the adhesive coating in order to achieve an optimal labeling result.

Description of the invention

The above objects are achieved by a method of preparing labels provided with a moistening activatable fixing side for application to containers, comprising the steps of: receiving a label from a label providing unit by a transfer device having at least one vacuum pallet; and transferring the transported from the vacuum pallet label to an application cylinder such that the fixing side of the label facing away from the lateral surface of the application cylinder; wherein the fixing of the label is already pre-activated by the moistening with an activating agent, in particular with water, prior to transfer to the application cylinder.

In this case, the present method can be used in particular for labels, which have for attaching the labels to the containers only one can be activated only by moisture or liquid fixing side, without being additionally glued with a hot, cold or UV glue. In particular, neither a glue application to the labels nor a thermal activation of the fixing side of the labels takes place. Furthermore, the labels in the context of the present invention are also not self-adhesive labels which do not require activation of the fixing side as described. The activatable fuser side of a label may be on the back of the label or may be the back of the label. However, the labels provided with an activatable fuser page may continue to do so described below either as individual labels, z. B. via a label container, or as a strapless label tape available.

The use of labels adhering solely due to the activatable adhesive coating offers a number of advantages. For example, a number of components of the labeling, such. As a Beleimungsstation a gluing plant, an glue pump and a glue reservoir, omitted. For the user, this results not least in the benefits of eliminating the contamination caused by the glue and the elimination of installation and maintenance costs as well as the costs incurred by purchasing, storing and refilling the glue. The reduction in the number of components advantageously also allows a more compact design of the labeling, a reduction in energy consumption and an increase in the efficiency of the labeling. Above all, however, the inventive adhesive-free labeling allows a more environmentally friendly labeling.

The containers may be cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, in particular PET bottles, or the like. In addition, the labels can be applied to containers made of several of the mentioned containers. The application to the container or container can be done in particular directly by means of the application cylinder, since the fixing side of the conveyed by him labels facing away from its lateral surface. For this purpose, the containers or containers to be labeled can be guided tangentially past the application cylinder with a transport device such as, for example, a container table, wherein the containers can be rotated in a controlled manner for applying the labels. Methods for placing glued labels or labels with activated fixing on containers to be labeled are well known in the art, which is why a detailed illustration is omitted here.

According to the invention, the labels are taken over by a label providing unit by a transfer device with at least one vacuum pallet. As described in more detail below, the label supply unit may be one or more known label boxes or containers. Alternatively, the provision of the labels by the label providing unit can also be carried out as explained in more detail below by separating individual labels from a continuous label tape.

Pallets for carrying labels are well known in the art, as already mentioned. For example, this describes US 3,736,213 a so-called pallet carousel with a plurality of circumferentially driven around a rotation axis of the carousel pallets for the acquisition of labels from a label storage container and transport the acquired labels. For this purpose, the pallets are each designed to be pivotable and / or rotatable about their own pivot axis offset radially to the axis of rotation. By controlled pivoting or rotating the pallets their respective curved contact surface is brought into contact with the label to be accepted. In the US 3,736,213 causes adhesion of the applied to the contact surface of the pallet glue that a single label is removed from the label box and transported by the pallet. According to the present invention, this glue application is eliminated on the pallet. Instead, by suitably forming the pallets, adhesion of the label to be transferred can be effected. For this purpose, the pallets according to the present invention are designed in particular as vacuum pallets.

Label pallets can be like in the US 3,736,213 be described eccentrically mounted on their pivot axes, that the curved contact surface of the pallet optimally, that rolls without slippage, on a flat surface, as is the case for example in a label box. The pivoting of the pallets can be effected for example by control curves of the pallet carousel. Alternatively, the pivoting movement or rotation of the pallets can take place by means of one or more servomotors. The pivoting movement and the circulation of the pallets about the axis of rotation of the pallet carousel can be controlled and / or regulated by a control and / or regulating unit of the labeling machine. As described in greater detail below, the vacuum pallets may be formed with a plurality of, in particular, controllably activatable suction openings, at which the labels are sucked in during transport. To accept the label from the label supply unit, a generally curved abutment surface of the pallet may be guided past or in mechanical contact therewith by pivoting and / or advancing the pallet past the label to be transferred. In the first case, the label is sucked at a sufficiently small distance from the vacuum pallet and thus taken over. In the second case, the static friction between contact surface and label additionally acts. As described below, the contact surface and / or label can be wetted with the activating agent before the takeover, so that the static friction is further increased. The transfer device can thus be, in particular, the pallet carousel described above.

The label carried by the vacuum pallet is then transferred to an application cylinder such that the fixing side of the Label points away from the lateral surface of the application cylinder. Depending on the design of the application cylinder described below as a vacuum roller or gripper cylinder, the labels are sucked by vacuum and / or taken over by gripper fingers. The accepted labels are then conveyed by rotation of the application cylinder to be labeled to the containers and transported by the transport device and placed on the surface of the container. At this time, the outward-facing side of the labels must be activated to the extent that the attached labels adhere securely to the surface of the container.

This is achieved according to the present invention by pre-activation of the fixing of the label before it is transferred to the application cylinder by moistening with an activating agent, in particular with water. In this case, the pre-activation as described in more detail below by moistening in the transfer device, ie during or after the acquisition of the label from the label providing unit and before the transfer of the label to the application cylinder, or in the area of the label providing unit, ie even before the acquisition of the label by the vacuum pallet happen. The activating agent may in particular be water or a solution based on water, for example a water-alcohol solution, but also a volatile solvent. The activating agent may also be varied for a particular adhesive composition to improve the properties of the adhesive composition or activation. Suitable activating agents are, for. Water, acetone; acetonitrile; Lower alcohols (ie, having 1 to 10 carbons), including, but not limited to, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, n-propanol, n-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, n-pentanol, n Hexanol, 2-hexanol, cyclohexanol, n-heptanol, n-octanol, n-nonanol, n-decanol; Glycols, including, but not limited to, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and butylene glycol; Fatty alcohols (ie having more than 10 carbons) including, but not limited to, undecanol, dodecanol, 1-tetradecanol, arachidyl alcohol, docosanol, tetracosanol, hexacosanol, octanol, triacontanol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and polycosinol; Ketones, such as Methyl ethyl ketone; Esters, such as. Lower acetates (ie, having 1 to 10 carbons) including, but not limited to, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, sec-butyl acetate, tert-butyl acetate, 3-methyl-1-butyl acetate; Gasoline, oils, such. As linseed oil and vegetable oil, citrus-based solvents such. As limonene, as well as other primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols and mixtures. Further activating agents are in the utility model DE 20 2012 013 164 U1 described.

By contact of the fixing side with the activating agent, the activation of the chemical processes that cause the adhesive properties of the adhesive coating applied to the fixing side starts. According to one of the type of adhesive coating-dependent exposure time, which is for example in the range of 400 ms to 500 ms, the adhesive properties of the fixing are designed such that a secure application of the label can be made on the container surface to be labeled.

By pre-activating the fixing side before transfer to the application cylinder, the exposure time of the activating agent can be considerably extended. Here and below, a preactivation of the fixing side is to be understood as meaning a partial activation of the fixing side, which is completed by a subsequent activation step, for example in the region of the application cylinder. The pre-activation may be limited in space by only a part of the adhesive coating to be activated is moistened on the fixing side. Alternatively or additionally, however, the pre-activation may also be chemically limited by the amount or type of activating agent used. For example, while a minor order of activator may initiate the chemical process, the process is completed by the subsequent activation step. Likewise, a first activating agent for preactivation can be used which activates a first chemical process or process step, while the activation is completed only by applying a second activating agent different from the first activating agent. The decisive factor is that the pre-activation by wetting the label before the transfer to the application cylinder extends the total exposure time, so that the labeling machine in reverse with a higher throughput, d. H. a higher speed of the conveyed labels, can be operated.

According to a further development, the method may further comprise fully activating the fixing side of the label by wetting by means of a dampening unit arranged peripherally on the application cylinder. Thus, the complete activation of the fixing page according to the present development by means of a further activation step, wherein the fixing is moistened either with the same activating agent, especially water, as well as steam, as in the pre-activation or as described above with another activating agent. In this case, not activated regions of the fixing can be activated in particular during the preactivation. Alternatively or additionally, the missing activation can be initiated by applying the required amount of activating agent. According to this Further development, the further activation step is carried out by means of a dampening unit arranged on the circumference, ie in the periphery of the application cylinder, which can be designed in accordance with one of the further developments described below. Thus, the dampening unit is arranged in particular between the point of transfer of the label to the application cylinder and the point of transfer of the label to the container to be labeled. The position of the dampening unit can be selected in such a way on the basis of the pre-activation that the adhesive coating of the fixing side is fully activated even at high throughput of the labeling machine until it is placed on the container surface. The two-stage method for activating the fixing side has the advantage here that the adhesive effect of the fixing side resting on the contact surface of the pallet during transport through the pallets is not yet so high that significant contamination of the pallet by detaching parts of the adhesive coating would occur could not release the transported labels from the pallet without damage.

According to a specific refinement, the moistening by means of the dampening unit can take place by spraying the fixing side with the activating agent and / or by unrolling the fixing side on a surface of a softwalt impregnated with the activating agent. For this purpose, the dampening unit, for example, have at least one spray head for the targeted application of the activating agent. Advantageously, the spray head can be embodied as an inkjet print head which, instead of ink, applies the activating agent to the activatable fixing side of the label. Thus, a very precise application of the activating agent can take place, which not least optimizes the consumption of activating agent and thereby also minimizes possible soiling of the labeling device.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that the dampening unit has at least one roller or a roller, preferably a soft roller, for applying activating agent to the activatable fixing side of the label. The roller or roller can be driven mechanically or via a servo motor. Alternatively, the roller or roller can be driven by the friction of the label moved by the application cylinder itself. Said rollers or rollers can also be operated so that they are not constantly in engagement with the fixing side of the labels, but optionally, for example, pneumatically controlled, are switchable. Preferably, a Softwalze can be used, the surface material z. B. sponge, felt or sintered material or the like contains or consists thereof. Said roll or roller, or said Softwalze, can be soaked or wetted with activating agent, which can be applied for example by a spray head on the roll or roller, or said Softwalze. Other possibilities for applying activating agent to the roll or roller, or said Softwalze, are conceivable, such. B. immersion in an activator bath. Alternatively, the soft roller may be formed with a drilled hollow shaft which has a plurality of holes distributed over its lateral surface. Activating agent, which is pumped into the hollow shaft via a supply line, for example by means of a controllable pump, can pass into these holes via the absorbent surface layer of the softwalt lying on the hollow shaft, so that it is always saturated with activating agent. However, it is also conceivable that the activating agent is transmitted by the dampening unit less focused in the form of mist or steam on the activatable fixing side of the label.

The amount of activating agent applied can be regulated, in particular by activating the spray head (s) of the dampening unit, depending on the adhesive coating to be activated and the area to be activated. Excessive, dripping from the fixing side activating agent can be collected in a drip tray and fed to the circuit again or disposed of.

According to an alternative development, the fixing side of the label can already be pre-activated by the transfer device in the region of the label supply unit by wetting with the activating agent before the label is accepted. Thus, the fixing of the label is already pre-activated transferred to the contact surface of the pallet of the transfer device. During transport through the pallet, the activating agent continues to act, so that the entire exposure time is additionally extended. As a result, the throughput of the labeling machine can be further increased by the reverse conclusion.

According to a specific development, the label supply unit may comprise at least one label container for providing a plurality of individual labels on the front side of the label container, wherein the pre-activation of the fixing of a provided by the label container for acceptance by the vacuum pallet label by spraying the exposed on the front side of the label container fixing the activating agent takes place. The spraying can be carried out as described above with one or more spray heads, in particular by the ink jet method. For this purpose, the spray head (s) can either be fixedly arranged on the front side of the label container or circulate around the pallet carousel together with the pallets, the spray head in each case being used for spraying Label is activated, which immediately ahead of the pallet, which is to take over the label. The fixing of the label to be accepted is thus already partially activated when the contact surface of the pallet is guided past the label container. Due to the resulting static friction, the adoption of the label is further simplified. The label container can also be automatically loaded with labels from a label memory, the labels are always aligned so that their fixing pages to the front, ie the output side of the label container have.

Alternatively, the provision of the labels can also be done by separating individual labels from a continuous label tape. For this purpose, as is known per se, the label supply unit can comprise a storage unit for one or more label tape rolls, a feed device for feeding the label tape and a cutting device for separating individual labels from the label tape. The separation can be effected for example by means of a rotating perforation or cutting roller in engagement with the lateral surface of a counter-cutting cylinder, wherein the label tape is guided between the roller and the counter-cutting cylinder. After perforation, the labels can be torn off the belt by increased conveying speed. The separated labels can then be transferred to the pallet via a vacuum roller. The orientation of the label strip or of the separated labels is such that the fixing side of the labels taken over by the pallets point towards the contact surfaces of the pallets. Before transferring the labels to the pallets, their fixing sides can be pre-activated by wetting with activating agent according to the present development. Here, too, the moistening can take place by spraying with activating agent, for example by means of a spray head arranged on the circumference of the vacuum roller, or by unrolling the fixing side on a surface of another softwalt impregnated with the activating agent.

According to an alternative development, the contact surface of the vacuum pallet can be acted upon by the activating agent in such a way that the fixing side of the label subsequently taken over by the label supply unit is preactivated by the activating means before the label is taken over. The transfer of the activating agent to the fixing side of the label thus takes place indirectly over the contact surface of the pallet. For this purpose, the contact surface may for example be formed with depressions such as holes, grooves or the like, which hold the applied activating agent long enough on the pallet until the label is taken from the pallet and its fixing side comes to rest on the contact surface of the pallet. In the simplest case, excess activating agent can simply run down from the pallet and be collected by a suitable collecting device. In the case of a liquid-tolerant vacuum supply of the vacuum pallet, the entire contact surface of the vacuum pallet, that is to say including any suction openings provided therein, can be acted upon with activating agent, ie. H. sprayed or wetted. This allows, for example, a development in which the contact surface of the vacuum pallet is carried out by rolling on a surface impregnated with the activating agent of a softwalt.

Alternatively, the contact surface of the vacuum pallet can be sprayed with the activating agent as usual, for example by means of one or more controllable spray heads, in particular by the ink jet method. In this case, the order of activating agent can be controlled by individually controlling the spray heads such that the said suction openings are recessed, whereby less activating agent enters the vacuum system.

According to a further development, the label can be sucked in the acquisition with its fixing on the vacuum pallet and optionally repelled by the application of pressure to the transfer to the application cylinder. For this purpose, the vacuum pallet, as explained in greater detail below, can have a multiplicity of suction openings, which can be individually or group-specifically subjected to negative pressure. Optionally, the same or separately provided openings in the contact surface of the pallet can be subjected to targeted compressed air, so that an adjoining label is lifted from the pallet. The application of negative pressure can be controlled by means of a control and / or regulating unit or a control curve such that the label to be accepted is sucked by the vacuum pallet during the transfer and adheres to the contact surface by the negative pressure during transport. Likewise, the application of compressed air can be controlled such that the label is repelled from the pallet during the transfer to the application cylinder.

The activation of the suction openings can be done by controlled opening and closing of control valves in the vacuum supply lines or compressed air supply lines. Alternatively, the suction openings may be in the form of suction cups with feeler valves which are automatically activated by mechanical contact with the label to be transferred. In the latter case can be dispensed with a central control of the vacuum supply. Just like the vacuum pallets, the application cylinder can also be equipped with a Be connected negative pressure supply, for example in the form of a vacuum cylinder or a combined vacuum gripper cylinder. In this case, the lateral surface of the application cylinder can be divided in the circumferential direction into segments, which can be acted upon independently of one another with negative pressure or compressed air. Upon acceptance of the label from the pallet carousel, the corresponding segment can be subjected to negative pressure, while optionally being supplied with compressed air when the label is transferred to the container to be labeled, or at least separated from the vacuum.

If there is a gap in the flow of the containers to be labeled, the label supply unit can be temporarily switched away from the pallets of the transfer device, for example via a drive block circuit with controllable servomotor, so that no more labels are taken over by the pallets. At the same time, the spray heads for the activator can be deactivated as long as no fuser pages are to be activated. In individual gaps in the container stream, a single vacuum pallet can be selectively separated from the vacuum supply, for example, by a control valve in the main supply line of this range is closed. As a result, the pallet does not accept a label from the label supply unit. Sensors in the incoming container stream register occurring gaps and report them to the control and / or regulating unit of the labeling machine on. Even with individual gaps, the spray heads can be disabled for a short time accordingly.

In addition, a control of the amount of sprayed on activating both in the preactivation and in the subsequent activation via sensors, probes and / or cameras, which determine the degree of humidification in the transfer device and / or the application cylinder and the control and / or pass control unit, which in turn controls the spray heads for preactivation and the dampening unit. As a result, sufficient activation of the fixing sides of the labels to be applied to the containers can always be guaranteed. Also, a controlled temperature of the activating agent via a flow heater or cooler, preferably at 30 ° C to 40 ° C prior to spraying onto the fixing side of the label.

The above objects are also achieved by an apparatus for performing the above-described methods. In this case, the device can be designed in particular with the device features described below.

Also, the above objects are achieved by a label applicator for applying labels to containers or containers comprising a label supply unit for providing labels provided with a moistening activatable side; a transfer device with a pallet carrier which can be driven circumferentially around an axis of rotation and at least one vacuum pallet arranged on the pallet carrier, which is designed to pivot about a separate pivot axis offset radially to the axis of rotation, for taking over the labels from the label supply unit; and an application cylinder adapted to receive the labels carried by the transfer device and apply them to the containers to be labeled; wherein means are provided in the region of the transfer device, in particular as part of the transfer device, which are designed to preactivate the fixing sides of the labels even before transfer to the application cylinder by moistening with an activating agent, in particular with water, also as steam.

Here, the same variations and developments described above in connection with the method according to the invention for preparing labels for application to containers or containers of containers can also be applied to the labeling device. In particular, as mentioned in more detail below, the label supply unit may be one or more label boxes or containers known per se. Alternatively, the provision of the labels by the label providing unit can also be carried out as explained in more detail below by separating individual labels from a continuous label tape. According to the invention, the transfer device comprises a pallet carrier that can be driven circumferentially around an axis of rotation. The drive can be done for example by means of a controllable servo motor. At least one vacuum pallet is arranged on the pallet carrier and is designed to be pivotable and / or rotatable about its own pivot axis offset radially to the axis of rotation.

According to the invention, the transfer device is formed with at least one pallet for accepting a label and for feeding the label to the application cylinder. In particular, the transfer device can comprise a pallet carousel with a large number of pallets which can be driven circumferentially about an axis of rotation and are pivotably and / or rotatably controlled in particular about individual axes of rotation displaced relative to the axis of rotation. Such a pallet carousel is as mentioned above from the US 3,736,213 known in principle. As described above, the pallets can be mounted eccentrically on their pivot axes, that the curved contact surfaces of the pallets optimally, ie without slippage on a flat Unroll surface, as formed for example by the image side of a label provided by a label box label. In the simplest case, the curved contact surfaces of the pallets are formed as circular segments of a cylinder. Alternatively, however, the curvature of the contact surface can also vary along the contact surface in such a way that an optimal rolling behavior results even with centric mounting. However, an eccentric bearing is generally more space-saving than a centric bearing, so that more pallets can be accommodated on the pallet carrier rotating about the rotation axis. The controlled pivoting or rotating of the pallets can take place via a control cam of the pallet carousel or via control of individual servomotors provided for the pallets. In the latter case, a control and / or regulating unit takes over the control of the servomotors.

The label supply unit is arranged on a circumference of the transfer device such that the circulating pallets can take over the labels provided by the label supply unit on their contact surfaces. Likewise, the application cylinder is arranged on the circumference of the transfer device such that it can take over the labels transported by the pallets. Together with the application cylinder and the label supply unit, the transfer device can be arranged as, in particular modular, labeling device on a transport device for the container or container such that the application cylinder can place the labels with their activated fixing pages on the container or container passed by the transport device. The labeling device can be constructed in a modular manner so that it is also suitable for labeling with sheet-shaped labels. A modular labeling device is advantageous. In this case, the labeling can be interchangeable and by means of rollers mounted on the machine periphery, in particular on the machine carousel on a height-adjustable, ground-based aggregate recording docked.

The labeling can also be used as part of a machine block together with other components such. B. a filling machine for filling the container may be provided. For the purposes of the present invention, a machine block is to be understood as meaning that at least the filling, closing and labeling machines enclosed by the machine block are fastened to a common machine frame and / or that their machine frames can be mechanically fixedly connected to one another for production operation, for example by screwing, Clamp or the like. The machine racks can be composed of several modules, mounting platforms or the like which can be fixedly connected to one another for individual machines, treatment units and / or transfer stars of the machine block.

Accordingly, a container transfer between the individual machines of the machine block in a space-saving and precise way by means of transfer stars, such as inlet stars and discharge stars, augers or the like is possible.

Preferably, the machine block may further comprise a stretch blow molding machine formed upstream of the filling machine for producing containers made of a plastic, in particular of PET. This allows a particularly compact design and reduces the risk of contamination of the container on the way to the filling machine and the subsequent machines of the machine block.

Preferably, the engine block may include an inspection unit and / or a rinser for glass containers upstream of the filling machine. This allows a particularly compact design and reduces errors during transport and / or contamination of the container between the inspection unit, the rinser and the filling machine. Preferably, the filling machine, the capping machine and the labeling machine can be designed as rotary machines with continuous container transport, in particular in this order. This enables high machine performance of the machine block.

Preferably, the filling machine, the capping machine and the labeling machine can be directly coupled to one another by transfer stars, such as inlet stars, outlet stars, transport stars or the like. Between discharge stars and inlet stars also Einteilschnecken or the like may be present. Preferably, additional machines of the machine block, such as the stretch blow molding machine, can be coupled in the same way as a conveyor.

The transport device, which may be part of a parent container treatment plant with filler, stretch blow molding machine and the like, as known per se in the art as a container table, circulating carriage / rail system or the like with a plurality of self-rotatable brackets, for example in the form of Turntables, be designed for the container or container. Controlled rotation of the turntables when transferring the labels to the containers or containers rolls the labels onto the surface of the containers or containers. The path of the container in the area of label transfer can for example, be circular curved, as in the case of a carousel-like container table, or be straight, as in the case of a long-stator linear motor drive or belt drive for the brackets. The brackets can be provided with individually controllable drive units, for example in the form of servomotors. With these, the brackets can be controlled to rotate to perform predetermined operations of a rotary movement for taking over and winding the labels on the container. It goes without saying that the transport device can comprise further elements known per se in the prior art, such as a container feed, for example in the form of an inlet star, a container discharge, for example in the form of an outlet star, a dividing screw or the like.

According to the invention, the at least one pallet is designed as a vacuum pallet. As described in greater detail below, the vacuum pallets may be formed with a plurality of, in particular, controllably activatable suction openings, at which the labels are sucked in during transport. To accept the label from the label providing unit, the generally curved abutment surface of the pallet may be passed or brought into mechanical contact therewith by pivoting and / or advancing the pallet to the label to be transferred. In the first case, the label is sucked at a sufficiently small distance from the vacuum pallet and thus taken over. In the second case, the static friction between contact surface and label additionally acts. As mentioned, the contact surface and / or label can be wetted with the activating agent even before the takeover, so that the static friction is further increased.

The label conveyed by the vacuum pallet is then transferred to an application cylinder such that the fixing side of the label faces away from the lateral surface of the application cylinder. The application cylinder is designed to take over the labels from the transfer device and place them on the containers or containers transported by the transport device. For this purpose, the application cylinder is designed to be rotatable and arranged with respect to the transport device such that the labels conveyed by the application cylinder on its lateral surface are pressed against containers or containers guided tangentially past the application cylinder by the transport device. In detail, this means that the labels are placed with a leading edge on the surface of the container or container to be unrolled by the rotational movements of both the application cylinder and the holder holding the container to the container surface. In this case, the application cylinder can be driven by means of a, in particular controllable drive such that it rotates continuously and synchronously with the tangential conveying speed of the transport device. The application cylinder can be designed as a vacuum cylinder in the sense of a vacuum roller, wherein suction openings in the lateral surface are used to suck and hold the overlying labels. Alternatively or additionally, the application cylinder may be designed as a gripper cylinder which removes the labels from the pallets by means of a plurality of gripper fingers and releases them again upon transfer to the containers. To control the movement of the gripper fingers, the application cylinder can have a corresponding control cam. The application cylinder can also be segmented, wherein segments are provided in its lateral surface for receiving the labels. Within the segments, a plurality of suction openings may be provided in the lateral surface of the application cylinder, which can be subjected to targeted negative pressure. For this purpose, the application cylinder via vacuum lines, for example via a rotary distributor, be connected to a vacuum system, in particular with a vacuum pump. In addition, the application cylinder can be connected to a compressed air system, for example a compressor, in such a way that compressed air can be applied to the intake openings or separately provided openings within the segments in a controlled manner. By applying compressed air, the labels can be more easily passed to the containers to be labeled, especially if no gripper fingers are provided. In addition, a blowing air ring guide on the application cylinder is conceivable for particularly long labels up to label transfer. The labeling unit comprising the transfer device and the label supply unit can be pivotably mounted about the axis of rotation of the application cylinder. As a result, the path of the labels along the circumference of the application cylinder and thus the duration of action of the applied activating agent after the second activation step can be influenced and in particular adapted to the desired throughput.

According to the invention, the transfer device can have means which are designed to perform a pre-activation by wetting with activating agent on the fixing sides of the labels even before the transfer to the application cylinder. As described above, this pre-activation designates the partial activation of the adhesive side of the fixing side in such a way that the adhesive coating is activated only partially and / or only incompletely. For this purpose, the pre-activation can be carried out with a different activating agent than the final activation and / or with an insufficient amount of activating agent. The activating agent can be applied by spraying, unrolling and / or vapor deposition. For example, can the pre-activation by means of water vapor, while the final activation can be done by means of water or a water-alcohol solution. The means provided for this purpose of the transfer device are accordingly designed as described in more detail below. Since the pre-activation takes place before the transfer of the labels to the application cylinder, there is a prolonged exposure time of the activating agent and thus a higher possible throughput of the labeling device. Since the activation has not yet been completed during the transport of the labels resting on the fixing surface of the pallets, the labels can be transferred to the application cylinder without damage and detachment of parts of the adhesive coating.

According to a development, the labeling device may further comprise a dampening unit, which is arranged on the application cylinder such that the fixing sides of the labels conveyed by the application cylinder are subjected to the activating agent prior to application to the containers. In this case, dampening unit and transfer device are preferably arranged on the circumference of the application cylinder such that a rotation angle of the application cylinder between the position of the dampening unit and the point of transfer of the labels to the container to be labeled is preferably greater than 90 °, more preferably greater than 180 °. Thus, the distance traveled by the moistened labels along the circumference of the application cylinder becomes sufficiently long to guarantee complete activation of the fixation side. As mentioned above, this angle can be changed by means of a pivotable mounting of the transfer device with respect to the axis of rotation of the application cylinder, wherein the dampening unit is preferably pivoted with the transfer device. The application of activating agent by the dampening unit thus serves to complete the activation of the adhesive coating of the fixing side of the labels.

According to a special development, the dampening unit can have at least one nozzle, in particular an inkjet printhead, for moistening the fixing sides by spraying with the activating agent and / or a softwalt for moistening the fixing sides rolling on it. When forming the dampening unit with a plurality of nozzles according to the principle of an inkjet printhead, the nozzles can be arranged in one or more parallel rows, which in particular form a matrix of individually or group-controllable nozzles. By means of a control and / or regulating unit, the nozzles can be activated and deactivated in such a way that an area of the fixing side predetermined, for example, by the label format is sprayed with activating agent. Also parts of the fixing can be sprayed specifically with activating agent. Alternatively or additionally, the dampening unit may have a soft roller which is arranged on the circumference of the application cylinder such that the fixing sides of the labels conveyed by the application cylinder roll on the surface of the soft roller. The Softwalze can be driven mechanically or via a servo motor or driven by the friction on the lateral surface of the application cylinder. Said Softwalze can also be designed such that it can be switched pneumatically controlled. Preferably, a Softwalze can be used, the surface material z. B. sponge, felt or sintered material or the like contains or consists thereof. Said Softwalze can be soaked with activating agent or wetted, which can be applied for example by a spray head on the Softwalze. Other options for applying activating agent on the Softwalze are conceivable, such. B. immersion in an activator bath. Alternatively, the soft roller may be formed with a drilled hollow shaft which has a plurality of holes distributed in its lateral surface. Activating agent, which is pumped into the hollow shaft via a supply line, for example by means of a controllable pump, can pass into these holes via the absorbent surface layer of the softwalt lying on the hollow shaft, so that it is always saturated with activating agent. By eliminating the spray head for applying the activating agent, such a softwalt can be used in a particularly space-saving manner. However, it is also conceivable that the activating agent is transmitted by the dampening unit less focused in the form of mist or steam on the activatable fixing side of the label.

The amount of activating agent applied can be regulated, in particular by activating the spray head (s) of the dampening unit, depending on the adhesive coating to be activated and the area to be activated. Excessive, dripping from the fixing side activating agent can be collected in a drip tray and fed to the circuit again or disposed of.

According to a further development, the means of the transfer device for each pallet can comprise a nozzle arranged in the circumferential direction of the transfer device, in particular an inkjet printhead, for spraying or steaming the fixing sides of the labels to be taken over by the transfer device with the activating means. A label provided by the label supply unit at a position along the circumference of the transfer device with the fixing side to the transfer device is thus first by passing a arranged on the pallet carrier nozzle with the Activator sprayed or vaporized, whereby the pre-activation of the adhesive coating takes place. On the nozzle in the circulation of the pallet carrier always follows a vacuum pallet, which takes over the sprayed label such that its fixing side is sucked on the contact surface of the vacuum pallet. As already described, the nozzles can be activated by means of a control and / or regulating unit in a targeted manner for spraying the label presented by the label supply unit and then deactivated so that as little activating agent as possible is lost. Likewise, the spraying can be controlled as described above by the ink jet method. The development described is particularly advantageous when using a label container as a label providing unit, since thus the adhesive coating of the labels is already pre-activated in the label container. However, the development is not limited to label containers. The label supply unit for label strips described below can also be used if the separated labels are brought into a rest position for transfer to the pallets, for example on a guide rail provided for the labels.

The label supply unit may comprise a label container arranged peripherally on the transfer device, the nozzles being arranged such that a label provided by the label container can be sprayed with the activating agent on its fixing side. In this case, the label container can be arranged on the circumference of the transfer device such that a rotation angle between the position of the label container and the point at which the label is transferred to the application cylinder, preferably greater than 180 °, more preferably greater than 270 °. As a result, the path traveled by the preactivated label along the circumference of the transfer device becomes particularly long, which can increase the throughput of the labeling device. In addition, the label container can be mounted pivotably with respect to the axis of rotation of the pallet carrier, so that the angle and thus the throughput can be adjusted. Instead of the co-moving nozzles can also be provided with respect to the label container fixed nozzle, which can spray the respective foremost label in the label container controlled with activating agent.

According to a further development, the means of the transfer device can comprise an activation unit, in particular with a nozzle and / or software roll, which is arranged peripherally in advance of the label supply unit and is designed to apply a contact surface of the at least one vacuum pallet to the activation means. In this case, an activation unit is thus provided on the periphery of the transfer device in such a way that the unloaded pallets loaded with the activating agent are subsequently moved further to take over a label to the label supply unit. In this case, the distance between the activation unit and the label providing unit can be selected as small as possible within the scope of the design, since a pre-activation of the fixing side does not begin until the label is transferred to the moistened contact surface of the pallet. Again, the widest possible rotation angle, preferably greater than 180 °, more preferably greater than 270 °, between the label providing unit and the transfer point to the application cylinder desirable. The vacuum pallets can be formed in particular with hole or groove-like depressions for receiving the activating agent. The nozzle and / or soft roller can be designed and controlled as already described several times. The soft roller can be arranged on the transfer device in such a way that the contact surfaces of the pallets roll on the surface of the soft roller soaked with activating agent.

The described development with a moistening of the pallets in the flow to the label supply unit can be used both for a label container and for a label supply unit for label strips. In the latter case, as known per se, the label supply unit may comprise a storage unit for one or more label tape rolls, a supply means for feeding the label tape and a cutter for separating individual labels from the label tape. The separation can be effected for example by means of a rotating perforation or cutting roller in engagement with the lateral surface of a counter-cutting cylinder, wherein the label tape is guided between the roller and the counter-cutting cylinder. After perforation, the labels can be torn off the belt by increased conveying speed. The separated labels can then be transferred to the pallet via a vacuum roller. In this case, the orientation of the label strip or of the separated labels is such that the fixing side of the label taken over from the pallet faces the contact surface of the pallet. Alternatively or in addition to the activation unit in the flow of the label supply unit and an activation unit, also with at least one nozzle and / or soft roller, may be arranged on said vacuum roll or the counter-cutting cylinder such that the fixing of the separated labels is already pre-activated in the label preparation unit , This results in a particularly long exposure time for the activating agent, whereby the throughput of the labeling device can be further increased.

According to a further development, the vacuum pallet can have a multiplicity of, in particular individually controllably activatable, suction openings and, optionally, one or more bores which can be acted upon under controlled pressure. In this case, the suction openings can result from the natural porosity of a vacuum surface, in particular a replaceable vacuum pad, forming, for example, a plastic sintered material. On the other hand, the suction openings can be formed by bores in the contact surface of the pallet, which can be arranged in a matrix. The suction openings may also be distributed over the contact surface of the pallet according to a probability that they are needed for transport for a particular label format, so that more suction openings are provided where a high probability of a part of the label to be transported comes to rest. It will be appreciated that the labeling apparatus may comprise further known elements of a vacuum system, such as vacuum lines, which supply the suction openings continuously or under control with negative pressure from a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump can also be designed to be controllable. The vacuum system may in particular be designed to be tolerant to the suction of activating agent.

When forming the pallets as vacuum pallets, direct mechanical contact between the pallet and the label provided by the label supply unit can be dispensed with in that the suction force of the suction openings at short distances is sufficient to take over the labels from the label supply unit. This simplifies the control of the pallets, in particular their pivotal movement, and reduces the wear of the labeling machine. In addition, the adhesion mediated by the suction openings simplifies the acceptance of the labels by the pallets.

As already mentioned, the pallet can be designed such that the intake openings can be supplied individually or in groups with negative pressure. For this purpose, the intake ports may have individual or in groups control valves in their vacuum supply lines, which may be formed, for example piezoelectric in miniaturization. The suction can also be connected in groups, each with a closable by a control valve vacuum line. The groups may preferably be defined depending on frequently used label formats. A single vacuum pallet can thus be flexibly used to transport a variety of label formats.

The control valves may be provided as part of a control and / or regulating unit of the labeling device, which is designed to supply the suction openings of the pallet specifically with negative pressure. For this purpose, the aforementioned control valves can be connected via corresponding signal lines to the control and / or regulating unit, which opens or closes the valves as needed, depending on the processed label format. Which valves are opened for a particular label format and which valves are to be closed can be stored in the manner of a variety management in a memory unit of the control and / or regulating unit and from a processor unit of the control and / or regulating unit to change to another label format be read out. This makes it particularly easy to carry out a product change.

Such a change of the label format can be carried out even more simply if the suction openings are designed with valves in such a way that they are automatically connected to the vacuum supply in the case of mechanical contact with the label to be transferred. This can be achieved, for example, by equipping the intake openings with individual feeler valves, which are opened by pressing a button. The voltage applied to the sensing valve label surface is thus automatically exposed to the communicated through the associated suction vacuum and thereby adheres to the pallet. In a further development, the suction openings can be designed with or without a feeler valve in the form of suction cups in order to maximize the effect of the negative pressure. The suction cups protrude, unlike the previously described holes, beyond a base area of the pallet, wherein the control as described can be done via control valves or Tastventile. The order of activating agent is in this case also on the suction cups.

The vacuum pallets can also be designed such that by inserting or inserting a set-up part, for example in the form of a hole template, a conversion to another label format can take place. The fitting part blocks the access of the unneeded suction openings to the vacuum supply. Finally, with the assumption of higher vacuum losses, it is also possible to completely dispense with activating the intake openings.

In all these cases, the vacuum pallets can be made sufficiently large to handle a variety of processed label formats can. In addition or as an alternative to the individual or group-wise control of the suction openings, the vacuum supply of the vacuum pallet as a whole can be in Depending on a position of the vacuum pallet along its orbit about the axis of rotation to be controlled. For example, the vacuum supply for the entire pallet in the area of the label supply unit can be activated in order to take over a label and be deactivated again in the region of the application cylinder in order to transfer the label. For this purpose, the vacuum supply unit may have one or more corresponding control valves in the supply lines of the pallets, which are controlled by the control and / or regulating unit. A rotary distributor for the vacuum transfer to the pallets is also conceivable.

Furthermore, the labeling device may comprise a breaker, which is designed to interrupt the vacuum supply of the pallet upon transfer of the label to the application cylinder. This breaker may be designed as a mechanical element that blocks the supply of negative pressure in the area of the transfer of the label, or as part of the control and / or regulating unit, which ensures that the control valves of the pallet or supply line are closed to transfer the label. By interrupting the vacuum supply, the transfer of the label to the application cylinder can be facilitated.

In addition, the labeling can have a compressed air system, which is connected to the pallets via compressed air lines, that at least a portion of the intake or separately provided holes in the contact surface controlled by compressed air can be applied. The control can also take place here via corresponding control valves and by means of the control and / or regulating unit. Due to the escaping compressed air, the label can be easily detached from the contact surface or the suction cups and transferred to the application cylinder.

According to a further development, the diameter of the application cylinder can be at least 500 mm, in particular at least 700 mm. By choosing a larger diameter, a higher throughput of containers can be achieved at the same rotational frequency. A larger diameter also leads to a higher exposure time of the activating agent at the same conveying speed of the labels. Furthermore, the application cylinder for receiving the labels can be equipped with a plurality of gripper fingers, each with a steel anvil strip and a sprung steel finger with a width of about 3 mm. As a result, glue carryover or soiling can be reduced.

The mentioned ink-jet printheads for spraying the activating agent can in particular be designed according to the DoD principle (drop-on-demand). There may be stored in a memory unit of the control unit a plurality of label formats and activation patterns for their fusing pages in the form of a variety management, which may be used as the basis for controlling the individual nozzles of the inkjet printhead from the control and / or regulating unit ,

The described developments make it possible to operate a labeling device with high labeling performance. Due to the division of the activation process into a pre-activation and a final activation, the pre-activation can take place much earlier in the process flow. This results in a significantly longer exposure time for the activating agent and, conversely, a significantly increased throughput of the labeling device. In addition, the method according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in combination with label containers as the label providing unit.

Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the embodiments do not exhaust the scope of the present invention. It is further understood that some or all of the features described below may be combined with each other in other ways.

1 shows a schematic plan view of a labeling device according to the present invention with pre-activation by rotating nozzles.

2 shows a variation of in 1 shown labeling device with pre-activation by moistening the pallet contact surface.

3a shows a side view of an exemplary vacuum pallet according to the present invention.

3b shows a front view of the vacuum pallet of 3a ,

4a shows a schematic cross section of an alternative embodiment of a vacuum pallet according to the present invention.

4b shows a perspective view of the vacuum pallet of 4a ,

Hereinafter, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. A repeated description of these elements is omitted for the sake of clarity. In addition, it is understood that in the following embodiments, some or all of the elements are similar in nature Replaced with other embodiments described elements can be replaced or combined with them.

The 1 shows a schematic plan view of a labeling device according to the present invention with a pre-activation of the fixing sides of the labels by rotating nozzles. In the development illustrated here, the labeling device comprises 100 one as a container table 114 trained transport device along which the container to be labeled 113 or containers on a plurality of rotatable about themselves holders (not shown) rotate on a curved path. The non-limiting development shown also shows other frequently used elements of a labeling device. For example, a pretreatment unit 112 be provided that the container to be labeled 113 prepared for the labeling by cleaning the surface of the container to be labeled, pre-moistened or subjected to a blow-off, a heating and / or radiation and / or plasma and / or corona treatment. Furthermore, sensors can 110 be provided that the state of the surface to be labeled, z. B. smooth, rough, etc., and / or environmental conditions, such. As an ambient temperature or humidity, measure and control the labeling device to the control and / or regulating unit 160 pass on. Furthermore, a roll-on unit 115 and / or a brushing unit 116 in the wake to the labeling position 118 be provided to the patch on the container label 120f completely apply and push. The one with the label 117 provided containers are then passed to a subsequent treatment station, such as a filling station for filling with a liquid food.

According to the invention, the labeling device comprises 100 a transfer device 130 with at least one vacuum pallet 132a c. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer device 130 as a pallet carousel with a plurality of circulating around a rotation axis Y of the pallet carousel pallets 132a -C formed, which in turn pivotable about their own, eccentrically mounted pivot axes 131 are formed. The pallets have on their outward-facing side a contact surface 133 which can be made large enough that it can accommodate a variety of different label formats. The initially unloaded pallet 132a During its rotation, it turns around the axis of rotation Y of the pallet carousel 130 such on a arranged at the periphery of the pallet carousel label providing unit 140 passed in the form of a label box and thereby pivoted that the contact surface 133 the palette the front label presented with the fixing page 120a from the label box 140 takes over. Because the pallets 132a -C as described in more detail below are designed as vacuum pallets, this assumption is also without previous gluing of the contact surface 133 reliable possible. To the distance of the foremost label 120a to the pallet carousel 130 to customize, the label box 140 via a pneumatic cylinder 141 be designed switchable.

Instead of the training shown with a label box 140 However, the label delivery unit may also be as in 2 shown to be used for the use of label tapes. Nevertheless, in order to use the mechanism described below for pre-activating the labels, the separated labels can be brought into a rest position, for example, by being transferred from the counter-cutting cylinder to a cyclically operated vacuum roller or a guide rail for labels. In the rest position, the fixing sides of the labels can then be moistened, after which the labels can be taken over by the pallets.

In the development shown here, the transfer device 130 to every vacuum pallet 132a C a arranged on the pallet carrier and thus revolving around the axis of rotation Y nozzle 135a C, by means of which the activating agent, in particular water, as a vapor, when passing the label box 140 on the fixing pages of the labels provided there 120a is sprayed on. The rotating nozzles 135a -C are controlled activated or deactivated, wherein the activation or deactivation of the nozzles by means of a control and / or regulating unit 160 the labeling device 100 can be done. For example, the one on the label 120a passed nozzle 135a in the illustrated embodiment just active while the nozzles 135b and 135c are inactive. Instead of a single nozzle, it is possible to use, in particular, arrangements of individual or group-controllable nozzles designed as an ink-jet printhead. The nozzles of the inkjet printhead can be arranged in the form of a matrix in rows which are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the Tintentstahldruckkopfes 132a -C are aligned. By individually controlling the individual nozzles, activation means can thus be deliberately applied to parts of the fixing side of the label 120a Instruct. The rotating nozzles or inkjet printheads 132a For example, -c can be supplied with activating agent via a rotary distributor.

The now pre-activated label 120a is from the subsequent vacuum pallet 132a such from the label box 140 taken over that his moistened Fixierseite at the contact surface 133 the pallet comes to rest. Throughout the circulation of the label 120b transported palette 132b The applied activating agent thus acts on the adhesive coating of the fixing side about the axis of rotation Y. In this case, the label box 140 such at the periphery of the transfer device 130 be arranged such that the angle of rotation α about the axis of rotation Y between the point at which the label 120a from the pallet 132a is taken over, and the point where the pre-activated label 120c from the pallet 132c to the application cylinder 150 is given, as large as possible, in particular greater than 180 °, preferably greater than 270 °. By a larger angle α extends the path of the pre-activated label around the axis of rotation Y and thus the exposure time of the activating agent. Conversely, the pallet carousel 130 be operated at a higher rotational speed, whereby the throughput of labels can be increased. The label delivery unit 140 As mentioned, it can be pivotally mounted about the axis of rotation Y, so that the angle α can be varied. Alternatively or in addition to the rotating nozzles 135a -C can also activate the pre-activation using the in 2 shown humidification of the contact surfaces of the pallets before taking over the label.

The pallets 132a C are designed as vacuum pallets, which, as described below, have a multiplicity of controllably activatable suction openings and optionally bores which can be acted upon with compressed air. The vacuum pallets are supplied via a vacuum system (not shown) with negative pressure and optionally via a compressed air system (not shown) supplied with compressed air. In this case, the control and / or regulating unit 160 as described the vacuum pallets 132a Apply vacuum to -c to accept and transport the labels. To hand over the label 120c to the application cylinder 150 can the vacuum supply of the vacuum pallet 132c to be interrupted. In addition, the mentioned holes can be pressurized with compressed air to the label 120c safe to hand over. Because the adhesive coating on the contact surface 133 the vacuum pallets 132a -C adjacent Fixierseiten the labels 120a -C is partially activated by the pre-activation, the labels can 120c generally without residues of the adhesive coating on the pallets to the application cylinder 150 be handed over.

On the lateral surface are the handed labels 120d -E with its printed image side so that the fuser side faces out. Therefore, the labels can 120e upon completion of activation from the application cylinder 150 on the from the transport device 114 Passed by container 113 set up and handed over to this. The application cylinder 150 is formed segmented in the illustrated embodiment, wherein a plurality of segments 151a C are provided in the lateral surface of the application cylinder, which are equipped with gripper fingers and / or suction for receiving the labels. For this purpose, the application cylinder 150 by means of a dashed line indicated, controllable drive unit 152 , in particular a servo motor, driven to rotate about the rotation axis X. During the rotation around the rotation axis X assumes an unloaded segment 151a an already pre-activated label 120c from the transfer device 130 , The outwardly facing fixing side of the segment 151b accepted label 120d is then followed by a circumference on the application cylinder 150 arranged dampening unit 180 moistened to complete the activation of the adhesive coating. In the development shown here is a dampening unit with a soft roller 180 provided, on whose surface the fixing side of the labels to be activated 120d unrolls while it is moistened. The software salt is for this purpose by means of a spray head 182 sprayed with one or more nozzles with activating agent, so that their surface layer is impregnated with activating agent. As mentioned, instead of the software roll, activation can be achieved by direct spraying of the fixing side. Likewise, the softsalt may be immersed in an activator bath as described above or formed with a hollow shaft.

The applied activating agent acts during transport of the label 120d to the transfer area 118 a, so that the activation of the adhesive coating at the time of setting up of the segment 151c carried labels 120e on the container 113 is completed. This allows a secure adhesion of the applied label 120f be guaranteed at the container surface. The dampening unit 180 is doing so on the application cylinder 150 arranged that the angle of rotation β between the point of acquisition of the transfer device 130 and the point of putting on the containers 113 preferably greater than 90 °, more preferably greater than 180 °. By increasing the angle of rotation β, as described above, the duration of action for the end activation can be prolonged or, conversely, the throughput of the labeling device can be increased. Again, transfer device 130 and activation unit 180 be provided pivotably about the axis of rotation X, so that the rotation angle β can be varied. After placing the label 120e on the container surface, the label by the rotational movement of the holders of the container table 114 and their circulation around the container table on the container surfaces unrolled. Subsequently, the applied label 120f by means of a roll-on unit 115 and an indoctrination unit 116 completely and without warpage pressed against the container surface. To hand over the label 120e at the container to be labeled can for provided holes in the segment 151c be briefly acted upon with compressed air.

The orbital movements of the pallets 132a -C, the rotation of the application cylinder 150 and the orbital movement of the holders of the container table 114 can by means of controllable drives via the control and / or regulating unit 160 the labeling device 100 to be controlled. Likewise, the rotational movement of the holders for the containers, for example via individually provided servomotors, can be controlled and / or regulated by means of the control and / or regulating unit. The pivoting movements of the pallets 132a -C can be controlled and / or regulated by means of the control and / or regulating unit via corresponding control cams or likewise via dedicated servomotors. Finally, the vacuum supply and the compressed air supply both the pallets 132a -C and the segments 151a -C of the application cylinder 150 via the control and / or regulating unit 180 be controlled, with appropriate control valves can be provided. The control and / or regulating unit 180 can also activate or deactivate the nozzles or printheads 135a -B as well 182 control, for example, depending on one of the sensor 110 measured humidity and / or temperature. At the control and / or regulating unit 160 it may in particular be a programmable logic controller, which has a memory unit, for example in the form of a flash memory, in which the memory parameters required for the control, for. B. in relation to the desired activation pattern, are stored. In addition, instead of a central control and / or regulating unit 160 several separate control and / or regulating units may be provided.

The 2 shows a variation of in 1 illustrated labeling device 200 with pre-activation by wetting the contact surface 133 the vacuum pallets 132a before accepting a label 220a from the label delivery unit 240 , As mentioned, like reference numerals designate the same or similar elements, so that a re-description can be dispensed with. In particular, the pallet carousel 130 and the application cylinder 150 as related to 1 described trained. Instead of a label box, the labeling device 200 however, a label delivery unit 240 for label tapes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the label providing unit 240 a feeder 237 for feeding a strapless label tape 238 with a plurality of labels provided with a moistening activatable fusing label. The feeder 237 includes in the illustrated embodiment, two storage holders 237a For example, in the form of label tape rolls, an Anspleißeinrichtung 237b for automatic reel change, pulleys 237c , a loop buffer 239 , a tracking control unit 237d for guiding the label tape 238 and a conveyor unit 237e For example, with a spring-loaded drive roller for the label tape 238 ,

On the feeder 237 Following are also a cutting device 242 and a transfer cylinder 243 intended. The cutting device 242 is shown in this development with a rotor which is driven by an individually controllable drive unit 242a is driven at the desired rotational frequency. The blades attached to the rotor (not shown) thereby cut the supplied label tape 238 in individual labels 220a whose fuser page is not yet activated. For this reason, abrasion of the not yet activated adhesive coating is low. It is understood that instead of the illustrated cutting device 242 for cutting the label tape 238 in individual labels 220a It is also possible to use a separating device for transverse perforation of the label strip, the labels subsequently being separated by tearing off the perforation, for example due to an increased conveying speed. Cutting the label tape 238 further happens in engagement with the counter-cutting cylinder 243 , the same time as a transfer cylinder for the transfer of the labels 220a to the pallets 132a of the pallet carousel 130 serves.

The transfer cylinder 243 is preferably designed as a vacuum cylinder with suction in its lateral surface, for example as a so-called vacuum roller on which the labels are sucked and held. The transfer cylinder 243 can by means of the controllable drive unit 243a be rotated so that the labels 220a precisely to the vacuum pallets swiveled past its lateral surface 132a can be handed over.

In the illustrated, non-limiting development is further circumferentially on the counter-cutting cylinder 243 a spray head 285 with one or more nozzles for moistening the fixing side of the label 220a provided with the activating agent. Thus, a pre-activation already in the field of label delivery unit 240 and before the transfer of the label to the transfer device 130 take place, whereby the exposure time extended again or alternatively, the throughput is further increased. Alternatively or additionally, as already described, an activation unit on the circumference of the pallet carousel 130 be arranged. In the further development shown here, this activation unit comprises a software roller 286 which are so at the orbit of the pallets 132a -c arranged is that the contact surface 133 by the pivoting movement of the pallet 132a on the impregnated with the activating agent surface layer of the Softwalze 286 rolls, which is thereby rotated simultaneously. This is the contact surface 133 moistened with the activating agent, wherein depressions such as grooves or pits in the contact surface support the inclusion of activating agent. When accepting the label 220a from the label delivery unit 240 then comes to the contact surface 133 fitting fixing side of the label with the transmitted activating agent in contact and is thus pre-activated. In the illustrated embodiment, the activating agent by means of a spray head 287 on the outer surface of the Softwalze 286 sprayed. It is understood that alternatively the variants described above can be used. It is further understood that instead of the software roll 286 also a spray nozzle as in 1 can be used.

Also in this development, a particularly large angle of rotation α between the point of adoption of the label is recommended 220a from the label delivery unit 240 and the point of delivery of the label 220c to the application cylinder 150 , As already related to the 1 the labels can be described 220b -C and 220d -E by means of vacuum on the vacuum pallets 132a -C or the segments 151a -C of the application cylinder 150 to get promoted. The on the container 113 applied labels 220f can again with a mooring unit 115 and an indoctrination unit 116 be pressed against the container. In the illustrated embodiment also is the dampening unit as a spray head 280 trained, of course, the in 1 shown dampening unit can be used. The control of the spray heads 280 . 285 and 287 can as mentioned by means of the control and / or regulating unit 160 the labeling device 200 respectively.

The 3a shows a side view of an exemplary vacuum pallet 332 according to the present invention. The 3b shows the associated front view of the pallet. The pallet shown is eccentric about a pivot axis in this non-limiting development 331 pivoted. Furthermore, the vacuum pallet shown 332 with a vacuum bath 361 formed of a porous plastic sintered material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or hard polyethylene (High-Density Polyethylene - HDPE), whose microchannels via a vacuum supply line 343 from a vacuum pump 349 generated negative pressure to the label contact surface 333 the vacuum pallet 332 pass on. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in the figures, a plurality of suction openings 346 in the contact area 333 be provided, which via channels 345 with one or more main channels 347 are connected. The main channel 347 in turn can with the vacuum supply line 343 be connected and thus supplied with negative pressure. Alternatively or additionally, the main channel 347 via a compressed air supply line 344 with a compressed air supply unit 348 , For example, a pump, be connected so that the openings 346 To detach a transported label can be acted upon with compressed air. Here, the vacuum supply lines 343 and the compressed air supply lines 344 a plurality of pallets via a common or two separate rotary distributor with the vacuum pump 349 or the compressed air supply unit 348 be connected. Furthermore, the front view of the 3b a plurality of karoartig arranged grooves in the contact surface 333 the pallet 332 , which serve to absorb the applied activating agent. Instead of consistently over the contact surface 333 distributed intake ports 346 Suction openings can only in a beginning and end of the range 332 be provided.

The vacuum pump 349 and the compressor 348 can be designed so controllable that by means of the control and / or regulating unit 160 the labeling as described above, applying the vacuum pallet 332 with negative pressure or compressed air depending on the position of the pallet in circulation around the pallet carousel 130 can be done. Alternatively or additionally, control valves (not shown) in the supply lines 343 and 344 be provided by the control and / or regulating unit 160 controlled to be opened and closed. Likewise, in particular piezoelectrically formed control valves in individual channels 345 for the intake openings 346 be provided, which individually or in groups by means of the control and / or regulating unit 160 can be opened and closed. In this way, it is possible to realize a supply of the suction openings adapted to the format of the label to be transported with negative pressure.

The 4a shows a schematic cross section of an alternative embodiment of a vacuum pallet according to the present invention. In addition, in this subfigure, a cross section of an ink jet print head 467 trained activation unit shown. The 4b also shows a perspective view of the vacuum pallet 432 , In the figures, as already described several times on a pivot axis 431 eccentrically mounted vacuum pallet 432 shown, which in this development, however, on its curved outer surface via a plurality of suction in the form of suction cups 446 features. The openings of the suction cups 446 thus form the above the base 466 pallet placement surface 433 , By suitable design of the suction cups with Tastventilen the suction of the label can also be done automatically.

The suckers 446 the vacuum pallet 432 are in the illustrated, non-limiting training on supply channels 445 in groups both with a vacuum distributor 462 as well as with a compressed air distributor 463 connected. These are the one ends of the supply channels with vacuum supply lines 443 connected while the opposite ends with compressed air supply lines 444 are connected. The vacuum distributor 462 and / or the compressed air distributor 463 can be designed in particular as a rotary distributor, for example by providing an annular compressed air supply 464 , This allows the palette 432 throughout the turn around the pallet carousel 130 be supplied with negative pressure or compressed air. As in the embodiment of 3 can also be provided here appropriate control valves, which are not shown for the sake of clarity.

In part 4a is also a schematic cross section of an activation unit according to the ink jet method with a printhead 467 shown. Via a supply line 468 the activating agent, for example by means of a pump, is well-dosed to the print head 467 fed to it via a plurality of nozzles 465 directly on the fixing side of one of the vacuum pallet 432 sprayed on transported labels. By pivoting the vacuum pallet 432 around the pivot axis 431 the fixing side is preferably at a constant distance d at the nozzles 465 passed so that by controlled activation and deactivation of the nozzles, an approximately arbitrary activation pattern can be generated on the fixing side of the label. The control of the nozzles can in this case by the control and / or regulating unit 160 be taken over. However, instead of an ink-jet printhead, a simple spray nozzle for the activator may also be used which uniformly sprays the entire area of the fixer side with activator.

The described developments allow due to the spatial separation of pre-activation and end activation of the adhesive coating to achieve a significantly higher throughput of the labeling. In addition, almost no abrasion of the adhesive coating takes place on the pallets, so that disturbances can be avoided. Furthermore, the method used allows safe activation of the adhesive coating and thus guarantees a secure hold of the applied labels on the labeled containers.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202005002793 U1 [0002]
• DE 10243704A [0003]
• DE 29924839 U [0003]
• US 3736213 [0011, 0011, 0012, 0033]
• DE 202012013164 U1 [0014]

Claims (15)

Process for preparing labels provided with a moistening activatable fixing side for application to containers ( 113 ) with the following steps: Accepting a label ( 120a . 220a ) from a label providing unit ( 140 . 240 ) by a transfer device ( 130 ) with at least one vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ); and transfer of the from the vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ) ( 120c . 220c ) to an application cylinder ( 150 ) such that the fixing side of the label ( 120d . 220d ) from the lateral surface of the application cylinder ( 150 ) points away; characterized in that the fixing side of the label ( 120a c, 220a -C) even before the transfer to the application cylinder ( 150 ) is preactivated by wetting with an activating agent, in particular with water. The method of claim 1, further comprising fully activating the fixation side of the label ( 120d . 220d ) by moistening by means of a peripheral on the application cylinder ( 150 ) arranged dampening units ( 180 . 280 ) full. Method according to claim 2, wherein the moistening by means of the dampening unit ( 180 . 280 by spraying the fixing side with the activating agent and / or by unrolling the fixing side on a surface of a softwalt impregnated with the activating agent ( 180 ) he follows. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing side of the label ( 120a . 220a ) already before the acceptance of the label ( 120a . 220a ) by the transfer device ( 130 ) in the area of the label supply unit ( 140 . 240 ) is preactivated by wetting with the activating agent. Method according to claim 4, wherein the label supply unit comprises at least one label container ( 140 ) for providing a plurality of individual labels ( 120a ) on a front side of the label container ( 140 ), and wherein the preactivation of the fixing side of one of the label container ( 140 ) for takeover by the vacuum pallet ( 132a . 332 . 432 ) provided labels ( 120a ) by spraying on the front of the label container ( 140 ) exposed fixing site with the activating agent. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a contact surface ( 133 . 333 . 433 ) of the vacuum pallet ( 132a . 332 . 432 ) before accepting the label ( 220a ) is acted upon by the activating agent such that the at the contact surface ( 133 . 333 . 433 ) adjoining fixing side of the then from the label providing unit ( 140 . 240 ) ( 220a ) is pre-activated by the activating agent. Method according to claim 6, wherein the contact surface ( 133 . 333 . 433 ) of the vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ) is sprayed with the activating agent and / or on a surface of a softening roller soaked with the activating agent ( 286 ) rolls off. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the label ( 120a . 220a ) at the takeover with its fixing side on the vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ) is sucked in, and optionally at the transfer to the application cylinder ( 150 ) is repelled by compressed air. Labeling device for applying labels to containers ( 113 ) or containers ( 113 ), comprising: a label providing unit ( 140 . 240 ) for providing labels ( 120a . 220a ) provided with a moistening activatable fixation side; a transfer device ( 130 ) with a about a rotation axis (Y) circumferentially drivable pallet carrier and at least one arranged on the pallet carrier vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ), which is a separate, radially offset to the axis of rotation pivot axis ( 131 . 331 . 431 ) is controlled pivotable, to take over the labels ( 120a . 220a ) from the label providing unit ( 140 . 240 ); and an application cylinder ( 150 ), which is adapted to that of the transfer device ( 130 ) transported labels ( 120b c, 220b -C) and on the containers to be labeled ( 113 ) to apply; the transfer device ( 130 ) Has means which are adapted to the fixing sides of the labels ( 120a c, 220a -C) even before the transfer to the application cylinder ( 150 ) be pre-activated by wetting with an activating agent, in particular with water. A labeling apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a dampening unit ( 180 . 280 ), which in such a way peripherally on the application cylinder ( 150 ) is arranged such that the fixing sides of the application cylinder ( 150 ) carried labels ( 120d . 220d ) before application to the containers ( 113 ) are acted upon with the activating agent. Labeling device according to claim 10, wherein the dampening unit ( 180 . 280 ) at least one nozzle ( 465 ), in particular an ink jet print head ( 467 ), for moistening the fixing sides by spraying with the activating agent and / or a softwalt ( 180 ) for wetting the rolling on her Fixierseiten. Labeling device according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the means for each vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ) one in the circumferential direction of the transfer device ( 130 ) displaces nozzle arranged on the pallet carrier ( 135a C), in particular an ink jet print head, for spraying the fixing sides of the transfer device ( 130 ) to be accepted ( 120a . 220a ) with the activating agent. Labeling device according to claim 12, wherein the label supply unit has a peripheral on the transfer device ( 130 ) arranged label container ( 140 ), and wherein the at least one nozzle ( 135a C) is arranged such that one of the label container ( 140 ) provided label ( 120a ) can be sprayed on its fixing with the activating agent. Labeling device according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the means a circumferentially in the flow to the label providing unit ( 140 . 240 ) on the transfer device ( 130 ) arranged activation unit, in particular with a nozzle ( 465 ) and / or software roll ( 286 ), which is adapted to a contact surface ( 133 . 333 . 433 ) the at least one vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ) to apply the activating agent. Labeling device according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the vacuum pallet ( 132a c, 332 . 432 ) a plurality of, in particular individually controlled activated, suction ports ( 346 . 446 ) and optionally one or more controlled by compressed air bores ( 346 ) having.

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