DE202015106723U1 - Labeling machine for plastic containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A labeling machine (100) for plastic containers (130), the labeling machine comprising a labeling area in which labels are applied to the plastic containers, characterized in that upstream of the labeling area a device (120) for deforming the container bottom is arranged in the direction of the container opening.

Description

The present invention relates to a labeling machine for plastic containers according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Labeling machines for plastic containers are known from the prior art. There are essentially two different variants of labeling machines. In the first variant, unfilled containers are labeled. In the second variant, already filled and / or sealed containers are labeled. When containers filled and filled with hot fill are labeled and sealed with this second variant, i. it is labeled after hot filling, it may happen that during cooling of the initially hot filled product creates a negative pressure in the containers.

To compensate for this negative pressure, for example, from the WO 2013/139874 A8 known to deform the container during labeling. For this purpose, each station in the labeling machine comprises a base plate through which a ram or punch can be moved through in order to deform the bottom of the container in the direction of the container opening, so that the internal volume of the container is reduced by the vacuum or the vacuum , which is caused by the cooling of the product, to compensate.

However, the known labeling machines are complex and structurally complicated by the integration of this device for deforming the container, since each station / container receptacle must be provided with a suitable means for deforming the container. This includes in addition to the plunger / stamp also suitable drive means to move the punch in the direction of the container bottom. In addition, it is difficult to separate a container in which problems occur during the deformation of the bottom portion of the other containers. Thus, in particular when the container bursts or tears, contamination may occur within the labeling machine, resulting in considerable downtime and waste.

task

Starting from the known prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a labeling machine for labeling plastic containers, in particular in the context of the "hot fill" method, which is designed for a cost-effective and on the other hand, the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art overcomes.

solution

This object is achieved by the labeling machine according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

The labeling machine according to the invention is characterized in that upstream of the labeling region of the labeling machine, a device for deforming the container bottom is arranged in the direction of the container opening. The container and in particular the container bottom can thus be deformed before reaching the actual area in which labels are applied to the container in order to compensate for the resulting vacuum. This allows a separation of the labeling and deformation, so that, for example, a post-control after deformation of the container is possible and can be discharged in case of failure of the container. In addition, it is no longer necessary to provide the individual container receptacles of the labeling machine with suitable means to deform the container, which allows a much more compact design of the stations. In this case, the labeling area of the labeling machine is to be understood as the area in which labeling units are arranged in order to provide the containers with labels. Including, for example, when forming the labeling machine as a carousel and the entire carousel, are arranged at the stations for receiving the container to be labeled. According to the invention it is thus provided that the means for deforming the container bottom is arranged spatially and structurally separate from the container receptacles of the labeling machine.

In one embodiment it is provided that the device comprises a movable punch which can be pressed against the container bottom and moved in the direction of the container opening. The deformation of the container bottom is carried out mechanically.

In a development of this embodiment it is provided that the punch is movable in the transport direction of the container and a counter-holder for fixing the container during the deformation of the container bottom is provided by the punch, wherein the counter-holder can be moved synchronously with the punch and comprises a belt. The container can thus be supported against the forces acting on it during the deformation and at the same time, by means of this embodiment, a movement of the container can also take place during deformation, so that it is not necessary to cycle the device and a continuous process management remains possible.

In an alternative embodiment it is provided that the device comprises a punch and a holder for holding a container, wherein the holder can press the container against the stamp, so that the container bottom is deformed in the direction of the container opening. In this embodiment, the container is moved together with the holder against the punch and the punch is not movable at least in the direction of the container opening. Thus, both the support of the container against the forces acting on it and the movement of the container in the direction of the punch are carried out solely by the holder, which allows a further compactification of the labeling machine.

It may further be provided that the punch or the holder are connected to a control cam via a control roller, so that the movement of the control roller along the control cam is translated into a movement of the punch or the holder. The control of the movement of the punch or the holder is thus purely mechanical and it requires no further electronic control. Furthermore, it is thus ensured that the movement profile of the container relative to the stamp for each container is identical and a uniform process control can be achieved.

It may further be provided that the device is arranged in the inlet region of the labeling machine. The deformation of the container bottom is thus immediately prior to entry into the labeling, so that the time between the filling of the container and the deformation of the container is as large as possible and thus the cooling of the product is already advanced as far as possible.

In a further development of this embodiment, the inlet region comprises a dividing screw and the device is arranged in the region of this dividing screw. It is thus not necessary to provide an additional area in the inlet of the labeling machine for the device, so that the construction of the labeling machine can be as compact as possible.

In a further development, it is further provided that in the region of the Einteilschnecke a circumferential chain is arranged, to which the containers can be transferred, wherein the device is arranged in the region of the circulating chain or the circulating chain forms part of the device. A purely mechanical control of the movement of the container is realized so that the further transport without complex electronic control is possible.

It can further be provided that the device is designed as part of a transport star for transporting the containers and feeding the containers to the labeling machine. This embodiment allows a compact design of the device and the labeling machine as a whole.

Furthermore, the labeling machine may be characterized in that it comprises a straight-line transport route or a carousel with several stations for receiving containers to be labeled in the labeling area.

In addition, the device may be releasably connected to the labeling machine. This allows an adaptation of the device, for example, to different sized or differently shaped container. It is particularly preferred here for the device to be connected to the labeling machine in a rapidly changeable manner in order to reduce possible downtimes.

In a further embodiment it is provided that in the transport direction of the container prior to the device, a capper for closing filled container is arranged, wherein the sealed container of the device can be supplied.

Brief description of the figures

1 shows a schematic representation of a labeling machine with means for deforming the container bottom;

2a + b show a schematic representation of the process when deforming the container bottom;

3a Figures 1 d show more detailed schematic illustrations of the device for deforming the container bottom according to different embodiments; and

4 shows a schematic representation of a labeling machine with the means for deforming the container bottom in combination with a filler and a capper.

Detailed description

1 shows a schematic view of a labeling machine 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The labeling machine comprises a carousel 110 , on whose circumference several container receptacles 111 are arranged. These can accommodate containers and during transport along the carousel 110 on one or more labeling modules 112 to 114 transport over. In this case, a label is applied to a container of at least one of the labeling modules. After the containers have been labeled, you can For example, by a rotary star or similar transport devices 140 from the labeling machine 100 be transported away. The carousel 110 together with the labeling modules forms the labeling area.

Is the labeling machine 100 not as a rotary machine comprising a carousel 110 but formed as a linearly operating machine, so also forms the area in which the containers are supplied by appropriate container receptacles one or more labeling modules, the labeling area.

Upstream of the labeling area or, where in 1 illustrated embodiment, before the container 130 the carousel 110 are passed, according to the invention is a device 120 arranged, which is designed so that it can deform the container bottom of the container in the direction of the container opening.

The furniture 120 or the labeling machine 100 supplied containers are already filled and closed. In particular, the containers are filled with a product having a temperature which is higher than the ambient room temperature. It is in the filled containers thus filled according to the "hot fill" process container. The device 120 is used to reduce the inner volume of the container so that the resulting negative pressure in the container is compensated for cooling the introduced therein product.

In the labeling machine according to the invention a variety of labeling can be used. Thus, wrap-around labels can be applied to the containers in the labeling machine, wherein the wrap-around labels are first provided with a start and / or end gluing and are then wound onto the containers. After the wrap-around labels have been applied to the containers, the gluing can be dried, for example, by irradiation with light or with UV light or infrared light.

Alternatively, shrink labels can also be applied to the containers. There are two variants. On the one hand, prefabricated shrink labels can already be pulled over the containers and heated in a shrinking tunnel arranged downstream of the labeling machine at temperatures of 70 ° to 105 ° C., whereby the shrink labels shrink and rest against the surface of the container.

Alternatively, the shrink labels may also be provided "off the roll". In this case, labels are provided from a roll and cut to the container prior to application and optionally provided with a start and / or end gluing. The labels are then placed around the containers so that the start and / or end gluing coincide and the label ends adhere to each other and possibly also to the container. The labels thus applied to the containers are larger in diameter than the diameter of the containers. The labels therefore sit only loosely on or on the container. Subsequently, the labels can be heated in a shrink tunnel at temperatures of 70 to 105 ° C, analogously to the first variant of shrink labels, so that they rest against the container.

The applied glues need not necessarily include UV glues that cure when exposed to UV light. Since higher temperatures are necessary for the shrinkage of the labels, hot melt can also be provided. Likewise, all other types of gluing come into question. Preferably, glues are used which are also resistant to the temperatures of 70 to 105 ° C necessary for the shrinkage of the shrink labels, i. that they do not lose their adhesiveness.

Both embodiments of shrink labels may provide labels having perforations. These perforations may be provided in areas of the label which abut against indentations or bulges of the container. For example, in the case of a cylindrical container, the indentations or bulges are understood as meaning areas of the outer surface whose distance from the longitudinal axis of the container is greater or smaller than the average distance between the outer surface and the longitudinal axis of the container. The perforations allow a preferably completely wrinkle-free shrinkage of the label and a concomitant application to the surface of the container.

Since heating the label-equipped container in the shrink tunnel only for a short time (up to a few seconds), while the label heats up sufficiently to cause the desired shrinkage. However, heating of the product introduced into the container does not take place to such an extent that again a deformation of the already deformed container bottom occurs or an overpressure forms in the container.

In the shrink tunnel, the containers provided with the shrink labels can either be heated by heating elements or be subjected to hot steam. Since the heat transfer is higher by hot steam, the execution with steam may be preferred to the To reduce the residence time of the containers in the shrink tunnel.

2a and Fig. b schematically show an exemplary method for deforming the container bottom in the direction of the container opening. The container 130 is from a bracket 210 for example, a pair of parentheses 211 includes, which surround the container opening or a portion of the container opening held. In the initial situation, when the filled and sealed container of the device 120 out 1 is transferred, the container has an inner volume V1 and a non-product filled area R1. This region R1 is after cooling the product ( 2a ) greater than immediately after the filling ( 2 B ). The one from the bracket 210 Held container is in the bottom area of a stamp 220 for example, a stamp head 222 and a stamp stem 221 includes, clamped. The stamp can, for example, with a base plate 230 be connected, which carries the stamp. According to the invention, the container 130 and the stamp 220 moved relative to each other, so that the container opening and the punch head 222 to approach. As a result, the container bottom through the punch head 222 moved in the direction of the container opening. The container bottom, as in 2 B shown, deformed. This reduces the total volume within the container from the volume V1 to the smaller volume V2. Since the liquid volume remains approximately constant (the product filled in the container has already cooled), this reduces the non-product filled area R2, so that an existing vacuum or vacuum in this area is compensated by reducing the internal volume of the container. This is preferably done in such a way that the pressure above the liquid level in the container corresponds to the normal air pressure or differs only slightly from it.

This basic principle can be realized in different ways. To show the 3a to 3d various embodiments of in 1 schematically indicated device 120 for deforming the container bottom in the direction of the container opening.

In 3a an embodiment with "active" stamp is shown. This means that the punch is moved, for example, by a mechanical or electrical drive in the direction of the bottom of the container in order to deform it. In the in 3a illustrated embodiment is analogous to 2 , provided that the container opening by a holder 310 is held / fixed. This can, for example, by brackets enclosing the container opening 311 respectively. Other means for holding and fixing the container are conceivable.

The container 130 is also on a stand plate 330 arranged. This stand plate is with respect to the holder 310 stationary according to this embodiment. The container is in this embodiment by the stand plate 330 and the holder 310 clamped so that a further movement of the container is completely prevented as possible relative to these devices. The Stamp 320 is according to this embodiment within the stand plate 330 , preferably centrally in the base plate 330 , arranged and through an opening in the base plate 330 movable therethrough.

Analogous to 2 is the stamp in a base plate 340 admitted. In this base plate is or can continue to drive for the stamp 320 be provided. Depending on the embodiment of the device 120 This drive can also be done via a tax role, as in 3d is described. According to the embodiment in FIG 3a the punch is moved by the drive for deforming the container bottom in the direction of the container opening. During this movement, the stamp occurs 320 with the container bottom in contact and deforms it in the direction of the container opening to, according to the 2 to cause a reduction of the internal volume of the container. The advantage of this embodiment is that the container immovable with respect to the holder 310 and the stand plate 330 can be held. Furthermore, if the holder 310 the container through both the device 120 ( 1 ) leads to the deformation of the container bottom as well as by the labeling, to dispense with separate container receptacles in the labeling machine. The holder 310 For example, it can be moved along a guide extending through the device and through the labeling machine (in particular through the entire carousel). The holder can be arranged on a chain, which is moved by the corresponding machines. Alternatively, the holder can also be part of a linear drive.

3b shows one too 3a alternative embodiment. The basic components are the same here. However, it is envisaged that the stamp 320 with respect to the base plate 340 is stationary and not driven. Instead, the bracket is 310 or at least the brackets 311 or similar means for holding the container opening of the container 130 designed to be movable in the direction of the punch. These can be the parentheses 311 for example via a connection 312 with a drive inside the holder 310 be connected. This drive, for example, as an electric drive (such as a servomotor) or, according to the 3d , as a control curve and one with the connecting element 312 be connected control roller, wherein the movement of the Control roller is translated along the cam in a movement of the bracket.

In the in 3b illustrated embodiment, the stamp extends 320 also through the stand plate 330 , To move the container opening onto the stamp 320 To enable, it is provided that the stand plate 330 is movable relative to the punch. By the movement of the holder on the stamp to so in this embodiment, on the one hand, the container moves toward the stamp and the other of the stand plate 330 moves, leaving the punch through the opening in the base plate 330 passes through and the container bottom can be deformed in the direction of the opening of the container.

In the embodiments according to the 3a and 3b Stand plates are shown with a flat contact surface for the container bottom. However, it may be advantageous if the surface of the stand plate, which comes into contact with the container bottom, has a shape complementary to the container bottom. It is preferred if this shape is chosen so that it is at least in the outer region of the container bottom, which extends to the container wall, complementary to this. Since this area hardly changes in the deformation of the container bottom, a reliable positioning of the container can be ensured over the entire deformation, without this can take a tilted position or the like relative to the punch or the holder.

In 3c a further alternative embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the device extends 120 in the area of a one-section screw. The Einteilschnecke is arranged in the inlet region of the labeling machine. This is the area where the containers are fed to the labeller for labeling. In this embodiment, the containers become, for example, a circulating chain or other device 352 held in the head area. This device 352 is located on one side of the Einteilschnecke 350 , On the opposite side of the Einteilschnecke is a device 351 arranged in which the stamp 320 are movably mounted. It is provided that the movement of the container by means of the device 352 and the movement of the stamp 320 in the transport direction of the container shown by the arrow 130 are synchronized, so that the stamp 320 and the containers 130 do not move relative to each other in the direction of transport of the containers. The device 351 further comprises means for moving the punches in the direction of a container bottom and this in the direction of the opening 131 to deform the container. The device 351 may for this purpose include, for example, a suitable cam, wherein the movement of the stamp 320 or with these associated control rollers along the control cam, a movement of the stamp 320 in the direction of the opening 131 of the container 130 or away from it.

The device 352 does not necessarily have to be designed as a chain, but may also be provided as a rail in which the opening 131 along the container. A corresponding plan view is in the 3c shown. The rails 353 and 354 extend in such a way that an area 355 between them remains free, which extends in the transport direction of the container and is just so wide that the opening of the container with closure between the rails can be introduced. It is advantageous if the support ring usually present in containers rests against the rails, so that a tilting of the container relative to the rails 353 and 354 is avoided.

In the in 3d In the embodiment shown, the device for deforming the container bottom is part of a transport star 360 , This transport star can, for example, in the inlet area of in 1 illustrated labeling machine 100 be arranged. In particular, the transport star the container to the carousel 110 or to the container receptacles provided therein 111 to hand over.

In the in 3d In the embodiment shown, the device for deforming the container bottom is, for example, according to one of the embodiments according to FIG 3a or 3b executed so that the device on the one hand a holder 361 and on the other a stand plate 362 includes, through which the stamp 363 extends through. In the in 3d illustrated embodiment, the stamp on a control roller with a with the transport star 360 non-rotating cam 370 connected. During rotation of the transport star 360 the tax role is moving 364 along the control curve. Depending on the shape of the control cam, for example, its distance to the axis of rotation of the transport star or depending on their height, the movement of the tax role 364 in a movement of the stamp 363 translated, particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the punch, the control roller and the portion of the control cam, with which the control roller is currently in contact, aligned with each other, so are on a straight line, so that the movement of the control roller 364 along the control curve 370 is translated directly into a movement of the stamp on the container opening to or from the container opening. Alternatively, as in 3b described, also be provided that the stamp is immovable and the holder 361 or which are movable, for example, in this provided brackets. Also, the movement of the brackets can have a corresponding Control cam and a circumferential along this cam control role can be realized.

4 shows an implementation of the labeling machine according to the invention in conjunction with a filler for filling containers and a capper. The containers are initially in a filler 450 filled with a particular warm product. The product has a temperature that is higher than the ambient temperature. The containers may be supplied to the filler as empty containers, preferably by air transport. For this purpose, a leading to the filler air transporter can be provided, in which the container along a rail, on which the support ring of each container rests, are transported by an air flow.

The filled containers are then by means of a suitable transport device, such as a rotating star 420 , a capper 440 fed, in which they are closed.

About another transport star 420 then the sealed containers are the device 430 in which a deformation of the container bottom according to one of the in 2a and 2 B such as 3a to 3d described embodiments takes place. It is advantageous if the product within the container upon reaching the device 430 has already cooled so far that its temperature is approximately equal to the ambient temperature. Preferably, the temperature difference of the product to the ambient temperature is less than 10 ° C, preferably less than 5 ° C.

For this purpose, after the capper and before the institution 430 a cooling tunnel may be arranged in which the containers are cooled. Since relatively much time is required for the cooling (up to several minutes, such as 10-60 min), it can be provided that the cooling tunnel further comprises a buffer area in which a plurality of containers can be held sufficiently long to a backwater to prevent in the direction of the capper and at the same time to allow sufficient cooling of the product filled in the container. In the buffer area, the containers may almost stand still, which may reduce the overall length of the cooling tunnel. Alternatively, the containers may also be conveyed in a cooling tower via appropriate means for transport, for example along one or more vertical helical guides whose capacity is determined by the speed of transport of the containers and the length of the guide. Further or alternatively, a multi-lane transport of the container can take place in the cooling tunnel, so that the cooling tunnel has a high capacity. While the containers are transported between and in the individual container treatment plants (filler, capper and labeling machine) usually ordered, the transport of the containers in the cooling tunnel can be carried out disorderly, if the order in which the container, the device 430 reach and with which they are finally fed to the labeling, is not relevant. If a labeling machine is used, the shrink labels according to one of the in 1 described embodiments applied to the container, so waste heat of the labeling machine downstream shrink tunnel can be used advantageously in the sense of a heat pump to provide enough or at least part of the energy required for the cooling tunnel.

After the containers the device 430 they have passed the carousel 401 fed to the labeling and from one or more Etikettiermodulen 411 and 412 equipped with labels. The containers treated in this way can then be supplied to further treatment steps.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that between the device 430 and the handover of the containers to the carousel takes place an inspection of the containers to check if the deformation of the container bottom has been successful or if errors have occurred. In particular, it can be checked whether the container is tight. If not, the facility may be 430 downstream transport device 420 be designed to eject the containers that do not meet the requirements, so that they are the carousel 401 not be supplied. Thus, on the one hand avoid contamination of the labeling and on the other hand, the consumption of labels can be reduced.

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

• WO 2013/139874 A8 [0003]

Claims (12)

Labeling machine ( 100 ) for plastic containers ( 130 ), wherein the labeling machine comprises a labeling area in which labels are applied to the plastic containers, characterized in that upstream of the labeling area a device ( 120 ) is arranged for deforming the container bottom in the direction of the container opening. Labeling machine ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a movable punch ( 320 ), which can be pressed against the container bottom and moved in the direction of the container opening. Labeling machine ( 100 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the punch is movable in the transport direction of the container and a counter-holder for fixing the container during the deformation of the container bottom is provided by the punch, wherein the counter-holder can be moved synchronously with the punch with and comprises a belt , Labeling machine ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device ( 120 ) a stamp ( 320 ) and a holder ( 310 ) for holding a container ( 130 ), wherein the holder can press the container against the punch, so that the container bottom is deformed in the direction of the container opening. Labeling machine ( 100 ) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the stamp ( 320 ) or the bracket ( 310 ) with a control cam ( 370 ) via a tax role ( 364 ), so that the movement of the control roller along the control cam is translated into a movement of the punch or the holder. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device is arranged in an inlet region of the labeling machine. Labeling machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the inlet area a Einteilschnecke ( 350 ) and the device is arranged in the region of the Einteilschnecke. Labeling machine according to claim 7, characterized in that in the region of the Einteilschnecke a circulating chain ( 352 ) is arranged, to which the containers can be transferred, and the device is arranged in the region of the circulating chain or the circulating chain forms part of the device. Labeling machine ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device as part of a transport star ( 360 ) for transporting the containers and feeding the containers to the labeling machine ( 100 ) is trained. Labeling machine ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the labeling machine a straight line transport route or a carousel ( 110 ) with several stations ( 111 ) for receiving containers to be labeled in the labeling area. Labeling machine ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the device is detachably connected to the labeling machine. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that in the transport direction of the container prior to the device, a capper ( 440 ) is arranged for closing filled containers and wherein the sealed containers of the device ( 430 ) can be supplied.

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