DE102017102961A1 - Gripping cylinder arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a gripper cylinder arrangement (28) of a labeling system (10) for containers (12), in particular beverage containers, which gripper cylinder arrangement (28) has a central axis of rotation (44) on which a central support element (46) is rotatably mounted, on which of Radial guides (48) pointing radially away from the central axis of rotation (44), each containing at least one actuating element (36) movably guided on a radially extending guide profile (38), each actuating element (36) having at least one sponge holder (34) Carrying at least one pressure sponge (30),
the gripper cylinder assembly (28) further includes a fixed cam follower (70) surrounding the central pivot (44) with a cam that cooperates with a guide member (58) connected to the actuator (36) to engage the actuator (36) with the sponge support (34) in a defined sector of the gripper cylinder assembly (28) to move radially outward in a label transfer position. The radial guide (48) is releasably held on the central support member (46).

Description

The invention relates to a gripper cylinder arrangement for container treatment machines in the beverage industry, in particular container treatment machines with outputs of more than 10,000 containers per hour, in particular container treatment machines with a capacity of more than 50,000 containers per hour. Examples of such container treatment machines are e.g. Bottling.

A gripper cylinder arrangement is part of a labeling system, as in the prior art 1 is known. So shows 1 shows a labeling system 10 for labeling containers, in particular bottles 12, which run on the circumference of a transport wheel 14 of a container treatment machine. The containers may also be cans and other containers. In a label magazine 16 labels 18 are held, which are removed by glue segments 20 of a rotating around a vertical axis glue carrier 22. The glue segments 20 are rotatably held in a known manner about their own vertical axes of rotation 21 on the glue segment carrier 22, so that they can take over the top label 18 from the label stack held in the label magazine. In the area of the adhesive segment carrier 22, a glue roller 24, which is pressed against the glue segments 20 in a pivotable manner, is provided, by which the receiving surface 26 of the glue segments 20 is coated with glue, whereafter they can again receive a new label 18 from the label magazine 16. At a delivery point, the label 18 is transferred from the glue segment carrier 22 onto a gripper cylinder arrangement 28 which carries pressure sponges 30 on its circumference at equidistant intervals. In connection with each pressure sponge 30 is also a pivotable gripper finger 32 is arranged, which serves to take over a label 18 of the glue segment 20 of the adhesive segment carrier 22. Each pressure sponge is adjustable radially outward on the gripper cylinder arrangement, so that it can be brought into contact with the outer circumference of a bottle in the transport region of the container transport wheel 14. The application of a label takes place as follows: The labels 18 are held in the label magazine 16, from which they are automatically removed by the glue segments 20 of the glue segment carrier 22. The labels 18 are arranged in the label magazine 16 with its unprinted rear side in the direction of the glue segments 20. The glue segment carrier 22 preferably rotates at constant speed and constant direction of rotation about a vertical axis of rotation. The glue segments 22 can also rotate about their own rotation axis 21, wherein the direction of rotation and speed can be constant or variable.

First, the glue segments 20 roll on the surface of the glue roller 24. The surface of the sizing roll 24 is covered with a sizing layer, and as the glue segments 20 roll on the surface of the sizing roll 24, the sizing is transferred from the surface of the sizing roll 24 to the surface of the sizing segments 20. The glued glue segments 20 are moved to the label magazine 16 by the rotation of the glue segment carrier 22. There, the glue segment 20 rolls by the combination of its own movement about its own axis of rotation 21 and the movement of the adhesive segment carrier 22 with its glued surface on the unprinted back of the label 18 from. Since a glue layer is arranged on the surface of the glue segment, the first label 18 remaining in the label magazine 16 remains adhered to the glue segment 20 and is thus completely removed from the label magazine 16 by the further movement through the glue segment 20. The label 18 thus completely adheres to the glue segment 20 and is moved on with this. Subsequently, the label 18 is withdrawn by the gripper cylinder 28 from the glue segment 20 and passed on to the container 12 in the further course. The gripper cylinder assembly 28 has at its periphery at equidistant angular intervals a plurality of Andruckschwämmen 30, wherein the Andruckschwämme 30 are held on sponge holders of the actuating element of a radial guide, which are held radially adjustable on a central support member of the gripper cylinder assembly 28. During the transfer from the adhesive segment carrier 22 to the gripper cylinder arrangement 28, the glue segment 20 carrying the label 18 and the pressure sponge 30 of the gripper cylinder arrangement 28 roll on one another. In order for the label 18 to be reliably released from the glue segment 20 during rolling, a gripper finger 32 of the gripper cylinder arrangement 28 engages behind the label 18 at the beginning of the downward movement and clamps it securely against an clamping closing edge provided in connection with the sponge holder. After completion of the rolling movement, the label 18 is smooth, wrinkle-free and full surface on the pressure sponge 30 and is held by this. In the course of the label 18 is further moved with the gripper cylinder assembly 28 in the direction of the transfer point to the respective bottle 12. If a pressure sponge 30 now reaches this transfer point, the pressure sponge 30 is moved by an active radial movement in the direction of the bottle 12 to be labeled, whereby at least one partial surface of the glue-coated rear side of the label 18 is actively pressed against the bottle 12. Subsequently, the gripper finger 28 moves from its clamping position to a release position. The adhesive force directly generated by the glue present on the above-mentioned subarea by the contact between the label and the bottle is so large that the label during the further course of movement through the bottle 12 is withdrawn from the pressure sponge 18 and then moved on with the bottle 12. After the label 18 has been pressed against the bottle 12 by the active radial extension movement of the pressure sponge 30, the pressure sponge 30 is returned to its rest position radially further to the central axis of rotation of the gripper cylinder arrangement 28 by an active movement.

It can be seen from the above-described procedure of the labeling operation that the gripper cylinder arrangement carries a number of movable components which are subject to wear, especially in the case of the above-mentioned container treatment machines with throughputs of 10,000 to 50,000 containers per hour. The replacement of such components is a time consuming task because it involves the disassembly of essential components of the gripper cylinder assembly. The downtimes always cause a considerable loss of production of the container treatment plant, usually a bottle or can filling plant.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a gripper cylinder assembly of the above type, which allows operation with only short downtime.

This object is achieved by a gripper cylinder arrangement with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims. Advantageous developments and embodiments of the invention are also shown in the description and in the figures.

According to the invention, the gripper cylinder arrangement has a central axis of rotation on which a central supporting element is rotatably mounted, which holders have receptacles for radially outwardly pointing radial guides at equidistant intervals around the central axis of rotation. These radial guides contain a guide profile and an axially movable actuating element held on the guide profile. Each adjusting element carries at least one sponge holder for receiving at least one pressure sponge, which pressure sponge in the manner described above takes over a label from a glue segment carrier and passes it on to a container to be labeled. The gripper cylinder assembly further includes a fixed surrounding the central axis of rotation, i. non-rotating, cam carrier having a cam which cooperates with a guide member connected to the actuator of each radial guide to move the actuator and the sponge holder in a defined sector of the gripper cylinder assembly radially outward transfer or application position. According to the invention, the guide element is biased by a spring against the cam carrier, wherein the radial guide releasably on the central support member and / or the guide member releasably on the actuator and / or the spring is releasably held between the actuator and the guide profile / are.

This has the advantage that the wear-prone components such as the entire radial guide, the guide element or the spring for biasing the guide member against the cam is easily and replaceable / are without essential components of the gripper cylinder assembly must be reduced. It is usually sufficient to release only the connecting element, usually a screw, to dismantle and replace the corresponding wear-prone element of the gripper cylinder assembly.

In particular, the radial guides, in particular together with the guide element, can be replaced without disassembling the entire gripper cylinder arrangement. The gripper cylinder assembly need only be stopped briefly, and the detachable connection of the radial guide on the central support member is released, and the radial guide is replaced with a new or reconditioned radial guide.

Releasable in the sense of the present patent application means that the radial guide and / or the guide element and / or the spring can be dismantled or detached from a larger component or a larger assembly, the release by disassembling, loosening, unlocking or removing only less components or fasteners takes place, with a complete or almost complete disassembly of the larger component or the larger assembly is avoided or not necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to disassemble the gripper cylinder assembly to replace the radial guides subject to wear. Preferably, the term "releasable" is understood to mean that the radial guidance takes place without the dismantling of other structural components of the gripper cylinder arrangement. The installation of a cover of a cover is thus already possible and this does not delay the replacement process noticeably.

Preferably, the receptacles of the central support element for each radial guide each have at least one complementary to a mounting portion of the radial guide friction or positive retaining profile, and the radial guide is held by means of a releasable connecting element in the receptacle of the central support member. The retaining profile may be, for example, a step that at least one paragraph in the axial direction to has central axis of rotation, so that the forces acting on the radial guide centrifugal forces are absorbed by this holding profile. The connecting element between the radial guide and the central support element then merely serves to fix the radial guide on the central support element, without this having to absorb the centrifugal forces of the radial guide. In this way, a more reliable and easier releasable connection of the radial guide on the central support element is possible. Above all, the to be solved connecting element, such as a screw, free of forces.

Preferably, the connecting element is a screw which passes through the central support element and is anchored in the guide element, in particular in an internal thread of the guide element, or vice versa. In this way, the connecting element is simple. Instead of an internal thread and a mother can be taken against rotation on the central support member or on the mounting portion of the radial guide.

Preferably, the connecting element has an actuating member and in front of the actuating member is a free space arranged such that the actuating member is accessible in particular in the axial direction of the connecting element. This clearance in front of the actuating member of the connecting element, for example in front of the screw head of a screw, makes it possible to remove the radial guide, without dismantling other components of the gripper cylinder assembly.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the central support element is designed as a support ring. Preferably, the receptacles for the radial guides each have at least one holding profile. Such a central support ring is inexpensive to manufacture and technically simple. On the other hand, it is due to the holding profile able to absorb the centrifugal forces acting on the radial guide.

Preferably, the retaining profiles have an edge extending axially of the central axis of rotation which is then capable of absorbing the centrifugal forces acting on the radial guides and established by the radial guide itself. In this way, a connecting element between the radial guide and the central support element does not have to absorb the radially acting centrifugal forces of the radial guide.

Preferably, the radial guides each consist of an elongated guide profile and an axially adjustable on the guide profile actuator. The guide profile is detachably fastened to the central support element via a fastening section. The actuating element which is radially movable on the guide profile contains the guide element, which interacts with the stationary control cam, and deflects the pressure sponge into its transfer position offset radially outwards. On the actuator, the sponge holder is still attached. Such an embodiment of the radial guide is technically easy to manufacture and very reliable.

Preferably, the guide element of the actuating element is biased against the control cam. For this purpose, preferably a spring between the guide profile and a part of the actuating element is arranged. In this way, the biasing device is integrated in the radial guide. If the guide profile is a hollow profile, preferably, the spring can be arranged within the hollow guide profile, wherein the axially arranged on the guide profile adjusting element is then axially slidably supported by a driver against the spring. In this way, it is achieved that the spring is integrated in the guide profile and that on the other hand the guide element always bears under pretension on the control cam, whereby the radial guide or the adjusting element of the radial guide can follow the movement profile provided by the control cam immediately.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide profile has at least one axially extending to the radial guide rib, which cooperates with at least one corresponding recess on the actuating element. In this way, the actuating element is fixed against rotation on the guide profile, so that the forces acting on the guide element by means of the control cam can not lead to a rotation of the actuating element.

Preferably, the guide element is a rotatably held on the actuator guide roller. This can roll along the control cam of the cam carrier without much friction, whereby the actuator can follow the predetermined by the control cam movement profile immediately.

Preferably, the guide roller is releasably held on the adjusting element, so that the guide roller can be replaced alone, if the rotary bearing of the guide roller at its trained on the actuator bearing, for example a bolt worn. In this case, not even the entire radial guide must be replaced. In this way, selectively either the radial guide or only the guide element, that is, the leadership, interchangeable.

As already stated above, the guide profile is preferably designed as a hollow profile, for example tubular, with axial ribs arranged on the outer circumference. Such a guide profile has a high stability and sets to the other, the actuator rotatively fixed to the guide profile.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the gripper cylinder arrangement has at least one achsnormal to the central axis of rotation arranged cover which has at least one opening for access to the actuating member of the connecting element or the guide element. In this way, the radial guide or the guide roller or the guide element can be removed through this opening, without the cover itself must be dismantled. In this way, an exchange of the corresponding parts without disassembly of other components is possible.

Preferably, the opening is covered by a releasably mounted cover plate, so that on the one hand with the release of the cover plate, the guide roller or the connecting element are accessible, on the other hand, however, given higher cover reliability is achieved by covering the rotating elements of the gripper cylinder assembly with mounted cover.

Of course, the invention also relates to a labeling system for arrangement in connection with a conveyor station of a container treatment plant, which labeling at least one gripper cylinder assembly of the type mentioned above, at least one known glue segment carrier and at least one known label magazine. Such a labeling plant has short service lives in the presence of wear of a radial guide or a guide element.

The invention also relates to a container treatment apparatus having a labeling installation of the above type, in which the gripper cylinder arrangement is arranged in the peripheral area of a transport device, e.g. a transport wheel for the container is arranged, so that the label can be applied by the gripper cylinder assembly in a sector of the transport wheel on the container, for example bottles.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be combined with one another in any manner. It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that the components of the independent claim may be single or multiple, as well as integrated or separately provided.

The following expressions are used synonymously: guide element - guide role; Guide profile - guide hollow profile; Container - Bottle - Can;

• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Greiferzylinderanordnung mit lösbar befestigten Radialführungen,
• 3 eine teilgeschnittene perspektivische Ansicht der Greiferzylinderanordnung nach 2,
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht des zentralen Tragelements und einer Radialführung der Greiferzylinderanordnung nach 2 oder 3, und
• 5 einen vertikalen Schnitt durch das zentrale Tragelement und die Radialführung aus 4.

The invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the schematic drawing. In this show:

• 2 a perspective view of a gripper cylinder assembly with releasably mounted radial guides,
• 3 a partially cutaway perspective view of the gripper cylinder assembly according to 2 .
• 4 a perspective view of the central support member and a radial guide of the gripper cylinder assembly according to 2 or 3 , and
• 5 a vertical section through the central support member and the radial guide 4 ,

2 shows the gripper cylinder assembly 28 out 1 in the embodiment according to the invention with releasably secured radial guides. The pressure sponges 18 are on sponge mounts 34 held, in turn, to control elements 36 are arranged, which on radial radially away from the central axis of rotation away radial guide profiles 38 are held radially displaceable. The guiding profiles 38 together with the control elements 36 form the radial guides. The sponge mounts 34 are by means of fastening screws 40a . b removable on the actuator 36 held.

3 shows the entire gripper cylinder assembly 28 in the area of the central axis of rotation 44 detail. Centerpiece of the gripper cylinder arrangement 28 is a central support element 46 in the form of a wreath (see also 4 and 5 ), in which images are taken at equidistant intervals 42 for the radial guides 48 are formed. Every radial guide 48 contains an elongated guide profile 38 and a longitudinally movable actuator 36 , The leadership profile 38 has a fixing section 50 with which it is in the recording 42 of the wreath 46 mounted and attached. For this every shot has 42 of the wreath 46 a support profile with an axially extending portion 49 which of the mounting portion 50 of the guide profile 38 is engaged behind. In this way, be on the radial guidance 48 acting centrifugal forces due to the rotation of the trolley 46 through the axial portion 49 of the retaining profile of the support ring 46 added. The radial guide is specified 48 on the wreath 46 via a connecting element in the form of a screw, which has an axial bore 52 in the wreath 46 penetrated and formed in a formed in the mounting portion internal thread 54 intervenes. Of course, the hole can also 52 in the attachment portion 50 and the internal thread 54 in the recording 42 of the central wreath 46 be arranged. In this way, the radial guidance 48 detachable on the central supporting ring 46 set, being high on the radial guide 48 acting centrifugal forces from the trolley 46 can be included.

The 4 and 5 also show the structure of the radial guide 48 comprising the radial guide profile 38 on which the actuator 36 the radial guide 48 axially (in the longitudinal direction of the guide profile) is held displaceably. The actuator 36 contains a mounting flange 56 for the sponge holder 34 as well as a guide element 58 in the form of a guide roller, which by means of a bolt 60 and a screw 62 detachable on the actuator 36 is held.

As in 5 can be seen is the leadership profile 38 designed as a hollow profile and in the cavity of the guide profile 38 is a spring 68 arranged on one edge at the axial end of the guide profile 38 is supported and on the other side at one with the actuator 36 connected part, so that the adjusting element 36 by the spring 60 radially inward toward the central axis of rotation 44 is biased.

By means of the bolt 60 and the screw 62 is the leadership 58 replaceable on the actuator 36 established. In the wall of the trained as a hollow profile guide profile 38 are elongated holes 63a, 63b formed by the bolt 60 for leadership 58 are enforced. In these oblong holes 63a, 63b, the bolt 60 is in the longitudinal direction of the guide profile 38 led in the limits of his travel. The feather 68 lies against one on the bolt 60 trained contact surface 65 at.

The elongated hollow guide profile 38 has on its outer circumference axially (in the longitudinal direction of the guide profile 38 ) running guide ribs 64 , with corresponding recesses in the actuator 36 interact so that the actuator 36 on the leadership profile 38 although (in the radial direction of the gripper cylinder arrangement 28 ) axially displaceable, but is held against rotation. The leadership 58 is running, as in 3 can be seen, along the guide curve on the outer circumference of a guide curve carrier 70 which is rotationally fixed, that is stationary, about the central axis of rotation 44 is mounted around.

On the other hand, the trolley rotates 46 around the central axis of rotation 44 by means of a rotary bearing 72 and a rotatable hollow shaft 73 , so by the interaction of guide curve carrier 70 and leadership 58 the actuator 36 in a particular sector of the gripper cylinder arrangement 28 (in the figure right) is moved radially outward to a label to a container 12 , for example to a bottle. Preferably, the gripper cylinder assembly includes 28 a top cover 74 and a lower cover 76 above and below the central spider, which is about the central axis of rotation 44 rotates. The top cover 74 is mounted rotationally stable. Both covers 74 . 76 have openings 78a, 78b, through which both the connecting element 55 , eg screw, which is the bore accessible 52 in the central wreath 46 and the internal thread 54 in the attachment section 50 of the leadership profile 38 interspersed, as well as the screw 62 with which the leadership role 58 carrying bolts 60 on the actuator 36 is fixed. To expand the leadership 58 or the entire radial guide 48 Therefore, the gripper cylinder assembly must be stopped only briefly, so that the corresponding components, as described above, through these openings 78a , 78b can be screwed through and disassembled. The openings 78a , 78b can of course be covered by a detachably screwed lid, so that during operation of the gripper cylinder arrangement a risk of injury is reduced by open rotating parts.

The described embodiments are not to be understood as limiting the invention, which may be varied within the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

labeling

12

Container - bottle

14

Transport wheel - transport device

16

label magazine

18

label

20

Leimsegment

22

Leimsegmentträger

24

glue roller

26

Pick-up surface of the glue segment

28

Gripper cylinder arrangement

30

Andruckschwamm

32

gripper fingers

34

sponge holder

36

guide profile

38

actuator

40a, b

Fixing screws for the sponge holder on the control element

42

Pictures of the trolley for the radial guides

44

central axis of rotation of the gripper cylinder arrangement

46

central support element - supporting ring

48

radial guide

50

Attachment section of the guide profile of the radial guide on the supporting ring

52

axial bore in the supporting ring for fixing the radial guide

54

Internal thread in the attachment section

55

Connecting element - screw

56

Mounting flange of the control element for the sponge holder

58

Guide element - Guide roller

60

Bolt for rotatable attachment of the guide roller on the actuator

62

Screw for fixing the bolt to the actuator

64

Guide ribs for preventing rotation of the actuating element on the guide profile

68

Spring for biasing the actuator against the cam

70

Cam carrier

72a, b

Ball bearing for rotative mounting of the rotary shaft

73

Rotary shaft for receiving the trolley

74

top cover

76

lower cover

78a, b

Openings for access to the screws 55 and 62 and to the guide roller 58

Claims (16)

Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) of a labeling installation (10) for containers (12), in particular beverage containers, which gripper cylinder arrangement (28) has a central axis of rotation (44) on which a central supporting element (46) is rotatably mounted, on which of the central axis of rotation ( 44) radially pointing away radial guides (48) are held, each containing at least one on a radially extending guide profile (38) movably guided actuator (36), which adjusting element (36) at least one sponge holder (34) for receiving at least one Andruckschwamms (30), the gripper cylinder assembly (28) further comprising a central axis of rotation (44) surrounding fixed cam carrier (70) having a control cam which cooperates with a with the adjusting element (36) guide member (58) to the actuator ( 36) with the sponge holder (34) in a defined sector of the gripper cylinder assembly (28) radially na to move externally into a label transfer position, wherein the guide element (58) is biased against the cam carrier (70) by means of a spring (68), and wherein the radial guide (48) is detachably attached to the central support element (46) and / or the guide element (46). 58) releasably on the adjusting element (36) and / or the spring (68) releasably held between the adjusting element (36) and the guide profile (38) is / are. Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the central support element (46) and a fixing portion (50) of the radial guide (48) have a mutually complementary frictional or positive retaining profile (49), and in that the radial guide (48) by means of a releasable connecting element (55) the central support element (46) is held. Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the connecting element (55) is a screw which passes through the central support element (46) and in the fastening portion (50), in particular in an internal thread (54) of the fixing portion (50) is anchored. Gripping cylinder arrangement (28) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the connecting element (55) has an actuating member, and that a free space is arranged in front of the actuating member, such that the actuating member, in particular in the axial direction of the connecting element (55) is accessible. Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central support element (46) is designed as a supporting rim and equidistantly arranged receptacles (42) with holding profiles (49) for the radial guides (48). Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the holding profiles (49) have a coaxial with the central axis of rotation (44) extending edge. Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide profile (38) by means of a fixing portion (50) with the central support member (46) is connected, and that the Guide element (58) and the sponge holder (34) with the adjusting element (36) are connected. Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the adjusting element (36) is biased against the control cam carrier (70) by a spring (68) supported on the guide profile (38). Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the guide profile (38) has at least one axial guide rib which cooperates with at least one corresponding recess on the adjusting element (36). Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) after a Claims 7 to 9 , characterized in that the guide element (58) is a guide roller held on the adjusting element (36). Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) after a Claims 7 to 10 , characterized in that the guide roller is held on a bolt which is fixed to the adjusting element (36). Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) after a Claims 7 to 11 , characterized in that the guide profile (38) is a tubular hollow profile with arranged on outer circumference axial guide ribs (64). Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to one of Claims 2 to 12 , characterized in that it comprises at least one axially normal to the central axis of rotation (44) arranged cover (74, 76), which at least one opening (78a, 78b) for access to the actuator of the connecting element (55) or the bolt (60) Guide roller (58). Gripper cylinder arrangement (28) according to Claim 13 , characterized in that the opening (78a, 78b) is covered by a releasably mounted cover plate. Labeling system (10) for arrangement in conjunction with a container conveyor (14) a container treatment plant, which labeling (10) at least one gripper cylinder assembly (28) according to one of the preceding claims, at least one glue segment carrier (22) and at least one label magazine (16). Container treatment device with a labeling after Claim 15 in which the gripper cylinder arrangement (28) is arranged in the peripheral region of a transport wheel (14) for the containers (12).

Images