DE102022120940A1 - Wet adhesive tape applicator for applying a wet adhesive tape to a container, in particular a transport box, and method for operating a wet adhesive tape applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

Wet adhesive tape applicator (20) for applying a wet adhesive tape (26) to a container, in particular a transport box (74), comprising a feed device (24) for feeding the wet adhesive tape (26) into a wet adhesive tape application area (28), and at least one first pressing assembly ( 48), which comprises a first pivot arm (50) and a first pressing device (52) mounted on the first pivot arm (50), in particular a rotatable first pressing roller, the first pressing assembly (48) being designed and arranged such that it has at least one area of the wet adhesive tape (26) is pressed at least temporarily against the container (74) when it is moved along a transport path (54) through the wet adhesive tape application area (28). It is proposed that the first pressing assembly (48) further comprises a first controllable actuator (56) which is connected to the first pivot arm (50), so that the first pressing device (52) at least temporarily with an at least approximately and at least indirectly adjustable force can be pressed against the container (74) when it is moved along the transport path (54) through the wet adhesive tape application area (28).

Description

The invention relates to a wet adhesive tape applicator for applying a wet adhesive tape to a container, in particular to a transport box, and to a method for operating a wet adhesive tape applicator according to the preambles of the respective independent claims.

Wet adhesive tape applicators, for example, are from the EP 2 385 899 A1 as well as the EP 3 248 894 A1 known. Such devices are used to close a transport box. Such a transport box, which is used, for example, to transport or send items in the mail order business, typically has four closure flaps on its top, which are folded inwards to close the transport box and thus form a closed top of the transport box. It is also possible for a transport box to be closed by placing a sealing lid onto the transport box from above.

In both cases, the closed state of the transport box is ensured by sticking an adhesive tape from a front end and over the top to a rear end. A wet adhesive tape is preferably used for this. This typically includes kraft paper and a layer of glue, which is activated when small amounts of water are applied, whereby a carrier material of the wet adhesive tape and the transport box form a firm connection.

In the known devices, the adhesive tape is pressed against the transport box by pressure rollers. These pressure rollers are attached to swivel arms that are acted upon by spiral springs to ensure the necessary contact pressure.

The object of the present invention is to provide a wet adhesive tape applicator that can be operated at a high throughput without sacrificing reliability when applying the adhesive tape to the container or without the risk of damaging the container.

This task is solved by a wet adhesive tape applicator and a method for operating a wet adhesive tape applicator with the features of the respective independent claim. Advantageous further developments are specified in subclaims.

With previous wet adhesive tape applicators, the movement of the container through the wet adhesive tape application area had to be stopped briefly at the beginning of the application of the wet adhesive tape in order to ensure that the beginning of the wet adhesive tape applied to the container was reliably connected to the container before the subsequent area of the wet adhesive tape is applied to the container. This was due to the fact that the force with which the pressing device pressed on the container had to be chosen so low that no container could be damaged by the pressing force, regardless of the actual strength of a container.

According to the invention, it was recognized that the period during which the movement is stopped can be significantly shortened if the contact force with which the wet adhesive tape is pressed onto the container is comparatively high. At the same time, however, this contact pressure must not be so high that the container is damaged. Due to the inventive at least approximate or indirect adjustability of the force with which the first actuator acts on the first pivot arm, and subsequently through the at least approximate or indirect adjustability of the force with which the pressing device presses the wet adhesive tape against the container, this can Force can be adjusted, for example, depending on the stability of the individual container, to the optimal value for rapid adhesion of the wet adhesive tape to the individual container, at which the stability of the individual container is not impaired at the same time. In this way, the period during which the movement of the container is stopped can be significantly shortened and, in the best case, stopping the individual container can even be completely dispensed with in many cases. In these cases, the container is not stopped anywhere during the process of applying the wet tape. As a result, the throughput of the wet adhesive tape applicator is significantly increased.

Specifically, a wet adhesive tape applicator for applying a wet adhesive tape to a container is proposed. The container can in particular be a transport box, such as is used in mail order. The wet adhesive tape applicator according to the invention comprises a transport device for moving the container in a transport direction along a transport path. The transport device can include, for example, a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. Typically, the transport device includes a sensor device which allows the position of the container along the transport path to be determined. The same sensor device or a separate sensor device can also allow the type of container that moves along the transport path will be determined. The type of container can be characterized, for example, by its dimensions, the material of the container, its stability, its degree of filling and/or its weight. For this purpose, the wet adhesive tape applicator has, for example, a control device, which can be, for example, a computer.

The transport path includes a wet tape application area. This is understood to mean an area of the transport path that extends in the transport direction and in which a container can be located while the wet adhesive tape is applied to it. For this purpose, the wet adhesive tape applicator comprises a feed device for feeding the wet adhesive tape into the wet adhesive tape application area. If a container is moved by the transport device through the wet adhesive tape application area, the wet adhesive tape is moved by the feed device into the wet adhesive tape application area so that it can be applied to the container there. The feed device typically also includes a moistening device with which the initially dry wet adhesive tape can be moistened before it comes into contact with the container, whereby the adhesive of the wet adhesive tape is activated.

Finally, the wet adhesive tape applicator includes at least one first pressure assembly, which includes a first swivel arm and a first pressure device mounted on the first swivel arm, in particular a rotatable first pressure roller. For example, the pivot arm is articulated at a first end to a support structure of the wet adhesive tape applicator. For example, the opposite second end of the pivot arm then carries the pressing device, for example the mentioned rotatable first pressing roller, which can be designed, for example, as an elastic rubber roller.

The first pressing assembly is designed and arranged to at least temporarily press at least a portion of the wet tape against the container as it is moved through the wet tape application area. For this purpose, the first pressing device, for example the above-mentioned rotatable first roller, typically moves along the surface of the container, whereby the wet adhesive tape is successively and continuously pressed onto this surface of the container.

According to the invention, the pressing assembly further comprises a first controllable actuator, which is connected to the first pivot arm, so that the first pressing device can be pressed against the container at least temporarily with an at least approximately and at least indirectly adjustable force when it moves through the wet adhesive tape application area becomes. As already stated above, the force in question is typically set at least indirectly depending on the type of container that is currently in the wet adhesive tape application area (“indirectly” in this case means that, depending on the specific embodiment, a parameter other than the force is also set as long as this parameter influences the force or is related to it). For example, the force for a heavy and stable container is set to a higher value than for a light and rather unstable container. If necessary, the force can also be adjusted depending on the type of wet adhesive tape.

The transport device can also be controlled depending on the type of container and/or the type of wet adhesive tape. For example, a container that is rather heavy and stable and onto which the wet adhesive tape is pressed by the pressing device with a comparatively large force can be continuously moved by the transport device through the wet adhesive tape application area. In contrast, a container that is rather light and unstable and onto which the wet adhesive tape is pressed by the pressing device with a comparatively low force can be stopped briefly by the transport device at the beginning of the application of the wet adhesive tape. It is also possible for a comparatively light and/or unstable container to be moved through the wet adhesive tape application area at a lower speed than a comparatively heavy and/or stable container.

In a further development, it is provided that the wet adhesive tape applicator comprises at least one second pressing assembly, which comprises a second pivoting arm and a second pressing device mounted on the second pivoting arm, in particular a rotatable second pressing roller, wherein the second pressing assembly is designed and arranged such that it has at least one area of the wet adhesive tape is pressed at least temporarily against the container when it is moved through the wet adhesive tape application area, and that the second pressing assembly further comprises a second controllable actuator which is connected to the second pivot arm, so that the second pressing device is at least temporarily connected to at least one approximately and at least indirectly adjustable force can be pressed against the container when it is moved through the wet adhesive tape application area.

Typically, the second pressing device is arranged downstream of the first pressing device, viewed in the transport direction of the container. Such a second pressing assembly allows the wet adhesive tape to be applied to the container even more reliably. By adjusting the force with which the second pressing device can be pressed against the container, the same advantages are achieved as explained above in connection with the first pressing device.

In a further development of this, it is provided that a pressing device is arranged in a pivoting region of the other pressing device, so that one pressing device can be at least indirectly taken along by the other pressing device. For example, if the second pressing device is arranged downstream of the first pressing device, it is arranged in the pivoting range of the first pressing device. This makes operation significantly easier.

In a further development it is provided that a pivot axis of the first pivot arm and a pivot axis of the second pivot arm are coaxial. This simplifies the construction of the wet adhesive tape applicator. In order to prevent the swivel arms from hindering each other's movement, the swivel arms can be arranged laterally offset from one another.

In a further development it is provided that at least one pressing assembly comprises a stop which defines a starting position of the pivoting arm of the pressing assembly, and that the pivoting arm can be acted upon at least temporarily by an actuator of a pressing assembly into the starting position. This increases the reliability of the wet adhesive tape applicator during operation, since there is a defined starting position of the swivel arm and thus also of the pressing device at all times.

In a further development, it is provided that in the starting position of the first pressure assembly, an axis of rotation of the first pivot arm, viewed in a transport direction of the transport path, is positioned downstream of the first pressure roller and above (if the wet adhesive tape applicator is used and is arranged accordingly) to apply a wet adhesive tape to the top of a container to be applied - "top variant") or below (if the wet adhesive tape applicator is used and arranged accordingly to apply a wet adhesive tape to the underside of a container - "bottom variant") of a horizontal application plane of the wet adhesive tape and in the starting position of the first pressure assembly, an axis of rotation of the first pressure roller is arranged slightly below (top variant) or above (bottom variant) of the horizontal application plane of the wet adhesive tape.

In the top variant, this means that the upper edge of the front end wall of the container, viewed in the transport direction, hits the first pressure roller when moving through the wet adhesive tape application area and this acts against the force of the actuator (which acts towards the stop ) is pressed down so that the first pressure roller presses a wet adhesive tape there against the front end when moving downwards. As the container continues to move in the transport direction, the first pressure roller reaches a bottom dead center, and then it moves up again on the front end face, in order to then roll on the top side of the container lying in the horizontal application plane towards the rear end face.

For the bottom variant, the situation is reversed.

In a further development, it is provided that in the starting position of the second pressure assembly, an axis of rotation of the second pivot arm, viewed in a transport direction of the transport path, is located downstream of the second pressure roller and above (top variant) or below (bottom variant) of a horizontal application plane of the wet adhesive tape is arranged and in the starting position of the second pressure assembly an axis of rotation of the second pressure roller is arranged slightly above (top variant) or slightly below (bottom variant) of the horizontal application plane of the wet adhesive tape. In this case, “slightly” above or “slightly” below means that the distance of the axis of rotation from the horizontal application plane is less than the diameter of the pressure roller.

In the top variant, this means that the second pressure roller is initially pressed against the top of the container with a certain amount of pressure and, as the container moves in the transport direction, it rolls from the front edge of the top to the rear edge and the wet adhesive tape present there successively and continuously presses against the top of the container. As the actuator acts on the swivel arm (away from the stop), the second pressure roller then moves downwards from the upper edge of the rear end face of the container as seen in the transport direction, so that the wet adhesive tape present there is pressed against the rear end face of the container. For the bottom variant it is the other way round.

In a further development it is provided that at least one actuator comprises a pneumatic cylinder. This is a structurally very simple implementation of a force acting on the swivel arm, since the pneumatic cylinder can act like an air spring. The pneumatic cylinder can be single-acting, i.e. have only a single pressure chamber, or double-acting, i.e. actively pressurized in both directions. In both cases, a pneumatic system is typically present with a pressure source and a switching valve that can be switched by a control device.

In a further development it is provided that at least one swivel arm is curved when viewed in the longitudinal direction. This prevents damage to the container when the swivel arm moves.

In a further development, it is characterized in that the first swivel arm and the second swivel arm are each concavely curved when viewed from a transport container. Here too, such a curvature prevents damage to the container when the swivel arms move. In particular, this ensures that the pivot arms are always arranged at a distance from the front edge and the rear edge of the container.

The invention also includes a method for operating a wet adhesive tape applicator of the type described above. It is proposed that the method comprises the following steps: a. Setting a force with which the first actuator applies the first pivot arm, or an equivalent size; and b. Moving a transport container along the transport path through the wet tape application area.

• 1 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer Pack-Anlage mit einem Nassklebebandapplikator;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg vorne/oben des Nassklebebandapplikators von 1;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg vorne/unten des Nassklebebandapplikators von 1;
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anpressbaugruppe des Nassklebebandapplikators der 2 und 3;
• 5 eine Seitenansicht auf die Anpressbaugruppe von 4;
• 6 eine Seitenansicht auf den Nassklebebandapplikator der 2 und 3 zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt während des Betriebs;
• 7 eine Darstellung ähnlich zu 6 zu einem zweiten Zeitpunkt;
• 8 eine Darstellung ähnlich zu 6 zu einem dritten Zeitpunkt;
• 9 eine Darstellung ähnlich zu 6 zu einem vierten Zeitpunkt; und
• 10 eine Darstellung ähnlich zu 6 zu einem fünften Zeitpunkt.

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show in the drawing:

• 1 a schematic block diagram of a packing system with a wet adhesive tape applicator;
• 2 a perspective view diagonally from the front/top of the wet adhesive tape applicator 1 ;
• 3 a perspective view diagonally from the front/bottom of the wet tape applicator 1 ;
• 4 a perspective view of a pressing assembly of the wet tape applicator 2 and 3 ;
• 5 a side view of the pressing assembly from 4 ;
• 6 a side view of the wet tape applicator 2 and 3 at an initial point during operation;
• 7 a representation similar to 6 at a second time;
• 8th a representation similar to 6 at a third time;
• 9 a representation similar to 6 at a fourth time; and
• 10 a representation similar to 6 at a fifth time.

Functionally equivalent elements and areas in different figures bear the same reference numerals below. They are usually only explained in detail when they are first mentioned.

1 shows, as a simplified block diagram, the various elements in a possible design of a packing line, designated 10 in total, in a shipping center, as is typically used in the mail order business. First, a container, in the present example in the form of a transport box, is erected using a special erecting device 12. This receives the transport box as a flat blank, for example from a supply with a large number of flat blanks. The flat blank is then erected, and for this purpose a base of the transport box is formed by folding four base flaps inwards in a known manner. In contrast, four lid flaps initially remain in an open position.

The items to be shipped are then placed in the transport box in a packing station 14. This can be done by a person or, for example, by a robot.

Filling material is then inserted into the transport box in a station 16. This filling material can be, for example, crumpled paper pillows, bubble bags, or similar cushioning filling material with which an empty space in the transport box is filled in order to protect the items in the transport box during shipping.

The volume of the transport box is then reduced in a station 18 and the transport box is closed by, for example, folding the four lid flaps inwards. Reducing the volume of the transport box can be achieved, for example, by cutting the vertical corners of the box from above and the four lids then fold inwards down to the length of the cut.

In a final station 20, a wet adhesive tape is applied to the transport box, as will be explained in more detail below. In this way, both the top flaps and the bottom flaps are reliably fixed in their position. Station 20 is a wet adhesive tape applicator, the components of which will now be referred to in particular 2 and 3 be explained in more detail.

The wet tape applicator 20 der 2 and 3 comprises a frame 22, which in the present case is formed, among other things, by two vertically standing lateral and elongated plates (without reference numbers). The wet adhesive tape applicator 20 also includes a feed device 24 for feeding a wet adhesive tape 26 into a wet adhesive tape application area 28. The wet adhesive tape 26 is merely indicated here by a dash-dotted line. The feed device 24 includes a supply roll 30 and, in the present case, two deflection rollers 32. An optional brake band 34 prevents the wet adhesive tape 26 from unrolling freely from the supply roll 30 and ensures that the unrolled wet adhesive tape 26 is always under a desired tension.

An electric drive motor 36 of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 is connected via a gear (not explained further here) to two rubber rollers 38, for example, through which the wet adhesive tape 26 is pulled off the supply roll 30 in a desired manner and fed to the wet adhesive tape application area 28. Between the two rubber rollers 38 there is an automatic cutting device 40, which can be controlled to cut through the wet adhesive tape 26 in the area between the two rubber rollers 38.

Furthermore, the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 includes a moistening device 42, which serves to moisten the wet adhesive tape 26 and thereby activate the adhesive present on the wet adhesive tape 26. The humidification device 42 includes a water container 44 and a sponge roller 46.

The wet adhesive tape applicator 20 also includes a first pressure assembly 48. This includes a first swivel arm 50 and a first pressure device 52 mounted on the first swivel arm 50, which in the present case is designed, for example, as a rotatable first pressure roller. As will be explained in more detail below, the first pressing assembly 48 is designed and arranged so that it temporarily presses a region of the wet adhesive tape 26 against one in the 2 and 3 can press a container that has not yet been drawn if it is inserted along the length of a container 2 and 3 The transport path indicated by an arrow 54 is moved through the wet adhesive tape application area 28. The arrow 54 also indicates the transport direction of the transport path.

For this purpose, the first pressing assembly 48 has a first controllable actuator 56, which in the present case is designed as a pneumatic cylinder with a controllable pressure chamber. In the present case, the actuator 56 is, for example, articulated via a piston rod (without reference numeral) to the above-mentioned first pivot arm 50, and furthermore, in the present case, it is articulated in an articulated manner with a cylinder housing (without reference numeral) on the frame 22. As will be explained in more detail below, by activating the actuator 56, the first pressing device 52 can be pressed against the container at least temporarily with an at least approximately and at least indirectly adjustable force when it is along the transport path 54 through the wet adhesive tape. Application area 28 is moved.

Furthermore, the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 has a second pressure assembly 58. This includes a second swivel arm 60 and a second pressure device 62 mounted on the second swivel arm 60, which in the present case is designed, for example, as a rotatable second pressure roller. As will also be explained in more detail below, the second pressing assembly is also designed and arranged such that it can temporarily press at least a region of the wet adhesive tape 26 against the container when it is moved along the transport path 54 through the wet adhesive tape application area 28.

For this purpose, the second pressing assembly 58 comprises a second controllable actuator 64, which in turn is designed as a pneumatic cylinder and, in the present case, is connected in an articulated manner to the second pivot arm 60 by means of a piston rod (without reference number). In the present case, for example, with a cylinder housing (without reference number), the actuator 64 is attached to the frame 22 in an articulated manner. In this way, as will be explained below, when the actuator 64 is activated, the second pressing device 62 can be pressed against the container at least temporarily with an at least approximately and at least indirectly adjustable force when it is along the transport path 54 through the wet adhesive tape application area 28 is moved.

Especially from the 4 and 5 It can be seen that the two pivot arms 50 and 60 are mounted on a common pivot axis 66 on the frame 20, so that a pivot axis of the first pivot arm 50 and a pivot axis of the second pivot arm 60 are functionally coaxial. Furthermore, from the 4 and 5 It can be seen that the two pivot arms 50 and 60 are curved in their longitudinal direction, namely concavely curved as seen from the other pivot arm 50 and 60, respectively. Out of 5 It can also be seen that in particular the second pressing device 62 is arranged in a pivoting range of the first pressing device 52, so that the second pressing device 62 can be taken along at least indirectly by the first pressing device 52. This will also be explained in more detail below.

On the frame 22 of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 there are also a first stop 68 and a second stop 70, which, however, are only in the 6-10 are visible. The first stop 68 defines a starting position of the first pivot arm 50 of the first pressing assembly 48, into which the pivot arm 50 is urged when the first actuator 56 is acted upon. The second stop 70 defines a starting position of the second pivot arm 60 of the second pressing assembly 58, into which the second pivot arm 60 is acted upon by the first pivot arm 50, since the pressing device 62 is arranged in the pivoting range of the pressing device 52.

• In 6 ist ein erster Zeitpunkt während des Betriebs des Nassklebebandapplikators 20 gezeigt. Zu diesem ersten Zeitpunkt hat eine nicht im Detail dargestellte Transporteinrichtung 72 einen Behälter, vorliegend beispielhaft in Form eines Transportkartons 74, in Transportrichtung 54 dem Nassklebeband-Applizierbereich 28 zugeführt. Beispielsweise kann es sich bei der Transporteinrichtung 72 um einen angetriebenen Rollenförderer oder einen angetriebenen Bandförderer handeln.

The operation of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 will now be described in particular with reference to 6-10 explained in more detail:

• In 6 a first point in time during operation of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 is shown. At this first point in time, a transport device 72, not shown in detail, has fed a container, here for example in the form of a transport box 74, to the wet adhesive tape application area 28 in the transport direction 54. For example, the transport device 72 can be a driven roller conveyor or a driven belt conveyor.

At the first time of 6 Both the first pressing assembly 48 and the second pressing assembly 58 are initially in their starting position, in which the pivot arms 50 and 60 rest on the stops 68 and 70. For this purpose, the first actuator 56 is activated or controlled in such a way that its piston rod (without reference number) extends (arrow 76 in 6 ) and the first pivot arm 50 is thus acted upon in the clockwise direction. In the in 6 In the starting position shown, the tangents to the pressure rollers 52 and 62 are arranged at an angle of 90 °, which is in 6 is shown by two dashed arrows, which, however, are not provided with reference numbers for reasons of clarity.

The second actuator 64 is deactivated, so its pressure chamber is depressurized. You can see that in the in 6 shown starting position of the first pressure assembly 48, the pivot axis 66 of the first pivot arm 50, viewed in the transport direction 54, is arranged downstream of the pressure roller 52 and above a horizontal application plane 78 of the wet adhesive tape 26, which corresponds to a top side 80 of the transport box 74. In the starting position shown, an axis of rotation 82 of the first pressure roller 52 is arranged slightly below the horizontal application plane 78.

It can also be seen that in 6 shown starting position of the second pressure assembly 58, the pivot axis 66 of the second pivot arm 60, viewed in the transport direction 54, is also arranged downstream of the second pressure roller 62 and above the horizontal application plane 78. An axis of rotation 84 of the second pressure roller 62, on the other hand, is arranged slightly above the horizontal application plane 78, the distance between the axis of rotation 84 and the horizontal application plane 78 being smaller than a diameter (without reference number) of the second pressure roller 62. This contributes to a to exert a certain counter pressure from above on the top 80 of the transport box 74.

During the movement of the transport box 74 into the in 6 In the position shown, the wet adhesive tape 26 was pulled off the supply roll 30 via the drive motor 36, moistened via the moistening device 42 and applied to the front end face 77 of the transport box 74 as seen in the transport direction 54. Preferably, the speed at which the transport box 74 is moved in the transport direction 54 and the speed at which the wet adhesive tape 26 is unrolled from the supply roll 30 and fed to the wet adhesive tape application area 28 are synchronized with one another, i.e. at least approximately the same, preferably exactly even.

Immediately after the transport box 74 is in 6 has reached the position shown, the second actuator 64 is activated in such a way that its piston rod (without reference number) is retracted, corresponding to an arrow 86 in 6 . This causes the second swivel arm 60 to act in a counterclockwise direction.

7 shows the wet tape applicator 20 at a second time, which is after the first time, which is in 6 was shown. To the At the second point in time, the transport box 74 was moved further in the transport direction 54. As a result of this movement of the transport box 74, the first pivot arm 50 was moved counterclockwise against the force of the first actuator 56, and the first pressure roller 52 was rolled down on the front end face 77 of the transport box 74 and thereby the wet adhesive tape 26 there onto the transport box 74 pressed.

The force with which the first pressure roller 52 is pressed against the front end face 77 is determined by the pressure in the pressure chamber of the first actuator 56. This pressure was in turn set by a corresponding pneumatic device, which is controlled by a control and/or regulating device, not shown. The adjustment of the pressure in the pressure chamber of the first actuator 56 and thus the adjustment of the force with which the first actuator 56 presses on the front end face 77 of the transport box 74 is carried out by the open-loop and closed-loop control device depending on a property of the transport box 74 and/or or depending on a property of the wet adhesive tape 26. With a heavy and/or stable transport box 74, for example, a higher force is selected, whereas with a light/unstable transport box 74 a rather lower force is selected.

It is similar with the second actuator 64: its pressure or force is also adjusted depending on a property of the transport box 74 and/or depending on a property of the wet adhesive tape 26. Since the actuators 56 and 64 are pneumatic actuators, when the actuator is activated, the air volume enclosed in the corresponding pressure chamber of an actuator acts like an air spring with a desired spring force or spring preload.

8th shows a third point in time in the operation of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20. The third point in time is a point in time after the first pressure roller 52 has reached a bottom dead center and now moves up again on the front end face 77. When the first pressure roller 52 reaches the bottom dead center, the activation of the first actuator 56 is ended and the corresponding pressure chamber (without reference number) of the first actuator 56 is depressurized.

From this point on, the force with which the first pressure roller 52 rests on the transport box 74 is only determined by the own weight or the center of gravity of the first pressure assembly 48 and the position of the transport box 74. You recognize it 8th It is very good that due to the curvature of the swivel arm 50, it is always away from an edge between the front end face 77 and the top 80 of the transport box 74 and is therefore not damaged.

9 shows a fourth point in time in the operation of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20, at which the transport box 74 has moved further in the transport direction 54. It can be seen that the wet adhesive tape 26 was cut by the cutting device 40 immediately before the fourth point in time was reached.

10 shows a fifth point in time in the operation of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20, at which the transport box 74 has moved further in the transport direction 54, exactly until the second pressure roller 62 has reached a bottom dead center (i.e. its axis of rotation exactly vertically below the pivot axis 66). Up to this point, the pressure roller 62 has been rolled down on a rear end face 88 of the transport box 74, and in doing so it has pressed the wet adhesive tape 26 onto the rear end face 88 by the force of the actuator 64. Now the second actuator 64 is also deactivated and its pressure chamber is depressurized.

As soon as the transport box 74 has been moved in the transport direction 54 to such an extent that the first pressure roller 52, viewed in the transport direction 54, is behind the edge between the top 80 and the rear end face 88, the first actuator 56 is activated again, whereby the pivot arm 50 moves in the clockwise direction , takes the second swivel arm 60 with you and puts both swivel arms 50 and 60 back into the in 6 shown starting position moves. You can see from the process of 6-10 that one or both pressing devices 52 and 62 are in contact with the transport container 74 at any time during the application of the wet adhesive tape 26 to the transport box 74.

In the above 6-10 a wet adhesive tape applicator 20 was described, with which a wet adhesive tape 26 can be applied to an upper area of a transport box 74. A wet adhesive tape applicator 20 of the same or at least similar design can also be used underneath the transport box 74 in the same or at least similar manner in order to apply a wet adhesive tape 26 to a lower area of the transport box 74, and so, for example, to secure the bottom flaps in the closed position to fix position.

As mentioned above, the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 has a control and/or regulating device, not shown, which can be, for example, a computer. This receives signals from several sensors and controls pneumatic valves, for example activate or deactivate the actuators 56 and 64. By means of the sensors, the control and/or regulating device can determine both what kind of container it is and also determine where the container is currently located. Accordingly, the control and/or regulating device can, for example, control the drive motor 36 and also control the cutting device 40. Overall, fully automatic operation of the wet adhesive tape applicator 20 is made possible in this way. In this fully automatic operation, the force with which the pressure rollers 52 and 62 are pressed against the transport box 74 by the actuators 56 and 64 can be adapted to the requirements of the individual transport box 74 at any time by the control and regulating device.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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

• EP 2385899 A1 [0002]
• EP 3248894 A1 [0002]

Claims (11)

Wet adhesive tape applicator (20) for applying a wet adhesive tape (26) to a container, in particular a transport box (74), comprising a feed device (24) for feeding the wet adhesive tape (26) into a wet adhesive tape application area (28), and at least one first pressing assembly ( 48), which comprises a first pivot arm (50) and a first pressing device (52) mounted on the first pivot arm (50), in particular a rotatable first pressing roller, the first pressing assembly (48) being designed and arranged such that it has at least one area of the wet adhesive tape (26) at least temporarily presses against the container (74) when it is moved along a transport path (54) through the wet adhesive tape application area (28), characterized in that the first pressing assembly (48) further comprises a first controllable actuator ( 56), which is connected to the first pivot arm (50), so that the first pressing device (52) can be pressed against the container (74) at least temporarily with an at least approximately and at least indirectly adjustable force when it is along the transport path (54) is moved through the wet adhesive tape application area (28). Wet tape applicator (20). Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one second pressure assembly (58), which comprises a second swivel arm (60) and a second pressure device (62), in particular a rotatable second pressure roller, mounted on the second swivel arm (60), wherein the second pressure assembly (58 ) is designed and arranged so that it presses at least a region of the wet adhesive tape (26) at least temporarily against the container (74) when it is moved along the transport path (54) through the wet adhesive tape application area (28), and that the second Pressing assembly (58) further comprises a second controllable actuator (64) which is connected to the second pivot arm (60), so that the second pressing device (62) is at least temporarily applied against the container (74) with an at least approximately and at least indirectly adjustable force ) can be pressed when it is moved along the transport path (54) through the wet adhesive tape application area (28). Wet tape applicator (20). Claim 2 , characterized in that one pressing device (58) is arranged in a pivoting range of the other pressing device (48), so that one pressing device (58) can be taken at least indirectly by the other pressing device (48). Wet tape applicator (20). Claim 3 , characterized in that a pivot axis (66) of the first pivot arm (50) and a pivot axis (66) of the second pivot arm (60) are coaxial. Wet adhesive tape applicator (20) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pressing assembly (48, 58) comprises a stop (68, 70) which defines a starting position of the pivot arm (50, 60) of the pressing assembly (48, 58). , and that the pivot arm (50, 60) can be acted upon at least temporarily and at least indirectly in the starting position by an actuator (56) of a pressing assembly (48). Wet tape applicator (10). Claim 5 , characterized in that in the initial position of the first pressure assembly (48), an axis of rotation (66) of the first pivot arm (50) viewed in a transport direction of the transport path (54) is downstream of the first pressure roller (52) and above or below a horizontal Application plane (78) of the wet adhesive tape (26) is arranged and in the starting position of the first pressure assembly (48) an axis of rotation (82) of the first pressure roller (52) is arranged slightly below or above the horizontal application plane (78) of the wet adhesive tape (26). is. Wet adhesive tape applicator (20) according to at least one of the Claims 5 - 6 , characterized in that in the starting position of the second pressure assembly (58), an axis of rotation (66) of the second pivot arm (60) viewed in a transport direction of the transport path (54) is downstream of the second pressure roller (62) and above or below a horizontal one Application plane (78) of the wet adhesive tape (26) is arranged and in the starting position of the second pressure assembly (58) an axis of rotation (84) of the second pressure roller (62) is slightly above or slightly below the horizontal application plane (78) of the wet adhesive tape (26). is arranged. Wet adhesive tape applicator (20) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator (56, 64) comprises a pneumatic cylinder. Wet adhesive tape applicator (20) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pivot arm (50, 60) is curved when viewed in the longitudinal direction. Wet tape applicator (20). Claim 9 in connection with at least Claim 2 , characterized in that the first pivot arm (50) and the second pivot arm (60) are each concavely curved when viewed from the other pivot arm (50, 60). Method for operating a wet adhesive tape applicator (20) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. at least indirectly adjusting a force with which the first actuator (56) acts on the first pivot arm (50), or an equivalent size; and b. Moving a transport container (74) along the transport path (54) through the wet adhesive tape application area (28).

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