EP0689997B1 - Method for labelling and/or stamping articles transported by a conveyor - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for labeling and / or stamping with a funding along one Conveyor transportable boxes, being a facility for predictive measurement of the height of the boxes above the Conveyor path is used, the labeling and / or Stamping tool to a position around a tolerance value pre-positioned above the respective carton and and then when a to be labeled and / or to stamping cardboard is below the tool that associated marking process is triggered.

In logistics systems for goods receipt, storage processes and goods issue, as required for shipping warehouses, for example all along a conveyor path transported goods, in particular boxes, with identifiers be provided. For this purpose, commercially available Labeling and / or stamping devices are provided. In principle, the identifiers can be both on the side and also attach to the top of the goods. So that the goods, if they later on transport containers, so-called trays, should always be transported, with certainty always easy are identifiable, it is advantageous that the identifiers to be attached to the top of the goods. If so, however Goods of very different heights mean this is that the tools for marking the identifiers accordingly have to drive through large differences in height. The one however, the time required limits the throughput of the Funding path quite considerable.

A method of the type mentioned is from US-A-5 232 539 known. A prepositioning of a Label inflator to the conveying height plus of course, an additional tolerance path. In the case of crowned boxes, however, a continuous regulation of the position to be coordinated with the conveyor movement the label inflator, which is a significant technical effort was required if high Throughput of the plant the regulation should be done very quickly.

The object of the invention is a method of entry mentioned type so that even if the respective It is well marked on the top and is relatively large Height differences of the goods are present, nevertheless a high one Throughput of the plant is guaranteed.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that with the facility for predictive measurement of the height of the Cardboard boxes each the edge height and not the spherical surface of the boxes is measured that the pre-positioning on a height is made up of measured edge height plus Tolerance value plus absolute value of crowning results and that then a fine stroke for marking takes place, the maximum the tolerance value and sweeps twice the absolute value of crowning.

In principle, ultrasonic sensors are used as a device for height measurement, Suitable for laser sensors or light grids. On in any case, however, it proves to be insensitive to interference extremely beneficial that a non-contact measuring sensor technology is used.

In that for the advance and the stroke triggering from each other decoupled movement elements are provided, each of these elements optimized from its design will. A very robust mechanism can be used for the advance can be selected and the actual stroke can be triggered by Precision devices are made.

For automatic operation, it is advisable that the Position detection of the goods is carried out by position indicators preferably also contactless, for example after Light barrier principle, work.

The fact that when a conveyor belt is provided as funding is whose movement is over one with the mechanism of the conveyor belt coupled displacement sensor can be monitored it can be determined whether it is actually operating properly address the successive position indicators.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is thereby characterized in that another device for labeling and / or stamping in the conveying path immediately downstream is, in particular in the event of faults such as label end or Printer error of the upstream labeling device and / or printing can be activated automatically, wherein but first the tool of the facility to be shut down is brought into a safe retreat position. Thereby high availability of the entire system is guaranteed.

An embodiment of a device for performing of the method according to the invention is in the drawing shown and is explained in more detail below.

The illustration shows how boxes K1 and K2 in the indicated by a double arrow along a direction Conveyor path are guided using a conveyor belt B. The boxes K1 and K2 are to be provided with labels will. A first station ST1 is provided for this purpose, with a label roll with E1 Barcode can be fed to a dispenser S1 holding these labels up to its dispenser edge. There they can Labels after advancing a linear slide LS1 over a Blower tube to an adapter A1, which they are required Vacuum. This label is always handed over when a box, e.g. the box K2, in front of the station ST1 using a distance measuring device D1, for example an ultrasonic sensor, in terms of its height above the Volume B1 has been measured. There can also be a light barrier Address L1. During the time when the box K2 is further promoted to station ST1 via a lead cylinder VZ1, which as a detail in one dashed box is highlighted, the adapter A1 into a Position of, for example, 30 mm above the measured height piloted. If then determined via a light barrier L2 is that the box K2 has reached the position in to be labeled, the adapter A1 via a labeling cylinder EZ1 again by a stroke of For example, deflected a maximum of 50 mm, the vacuum switches from and the label is on the respective box, in this Case on cardboard K2, stamped. Then he drives Labeling cylinder EZ1 again, the lead cylinder VZ1 and the linear slide LS1 move back to the dispensing edge

The station ST1 is now ready again, the labeling another carton.

The station ST2, which is intended for a tandem area, but not activated in the example is the same Trained way. There is also a label roll E2 for a dispenser S2 is provided, which is via a linear slide LS2 supplies an adapter A2 with regard to its pre-positioning via a lead cylinder VZ2 via a Distance measuring device D2 is controlled. The stroke release takes place via an EZ2 labeling cylinder.

The electrical and pneumatic cabling can be done with the Stations ST1 and ST2 take place via cabling V1 and V2.

The cartons can be transported along the belt B via a Large number of light barriers except for the light barriers L1 and L2 are monitored. To determine if, when properly Belt run also a proper transport of the boxes the belt run can also be done via an incremental encoder I be monitored.

While in the illustrated embodiment, labeling with barcodes on the boxes of course labels can also be given in plain text. An existing barcode can also be scanned be read and an assigned to this code Plain text can be assigned to the station's donor Printers are given on prepared labels, which are then be applied to the boxes. But also in this case the carton height is measured according to the invention. In the same At the moment a label is printed by the printer and onto the Donated adapter. The label is also used here Vacuum held on the adapter. A linear slide moves away from the dispensing edge and then a lead cylinder drives with the label handling to the measured height plus 30 mm, which lends itself when cardboard crowning plus / minus 20 mm is assumed. Then occupies the each box the light barrier under the adapter moves the labeling cylinder (maximum stroke 50 mm), the vacuum switches off and stamps the label on the box. Subsequently the labeling cylinder retracts and the Lead cylinder moves back to the height of the dispensing edge. Has when it reaches the height, the linear slide moves to the dispensing edge back. Now the labeler is ready for the next one Carton.

This process stops with a band stop in the area of Labeler and continues to run when the tape starts again.

Back to the example. There are two in the illustration Stations ST1 and ST2 are provided. Donor S1 now donates the station ST1 no label, for example if a Label roll end is present or if the adapter A1 If the label cannot hold, the labeler switches automatically to station ST2. The tool of the first Station ST1 is moved back in order to make a free pass to ensure the boxes. The following boxes are now labeled at station ST2 until the Interruption of operation at station ST1 has been remedied. Everyone Cardboard is labeled and without barcode offset. (If a printer is provided at a station applies to the Printer errors same.)

If a "tracking" fault occurs, i.e. between the output signal of incremental encoder I and the situation reports With the help of the light barriers, there are discrepancies Cartons in the station area that would not be detectable removed from the line by hand and when a button "malfunction delete "was pressed, hung up again in front of the station, so that they can be properly labeled.

If you want to stop the first station in automatic mode without that a production shutdown occurs, e.g. for maintenance purposes, this can be achieved in that an operating state "Drive basic position" is triggered. This too requires the machine to be serviced to lift its tool, so that the boxes passed through this station are not be blocked. This means that a current order is still being processed and only then is the maintenance operation started, so that any risk of collision is avoided.

Claims (7)

1. Method for labelling and/or stamping cartons (K1, K2) which can be transported by a conveying means along a conveying route (B), wherein a device (D1, D2) is used for prospective measurement of the height of the cartons (K1, K2) above the conveying route (B), wherein a tool (A1, A2) which effects the labelling and/or stamping is pre-positioned with respect to a position at a tolerance value above the respective carton (K1, K2), and wherein the associated marking process is triggered if a carton (K1, K2) which is to be labelled and/or stamped is located below the tool (A1, A2), characterised in that in each case the edge height and not the convex surface of the cartons (K1, K2) is measured by means of the device (D1, D2) for prospective measurement of the height of the cartons (K1, K2), in that pre-positioning is effected with respect to a height which follows from the measured edge height plus a tolerance value plus an absolute value of the convexity, and in that a precision stroke is effected for marking purposes that at most covers the tolerance value and double the absolute value of the convexity.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a sensor mechanism, which effects contactless measurement, is used as a height-measuring device (D1, D2).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that moving elements (VZ1, EZ1), which are decoupled from each other, are provided for the leading action and for triggering the stroke.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that position detectors (L1, L2) are used to detect the position of the item (K1, K2).
5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that a sensor mechanism, which effects contactless measurement, preferably in accordance with the light barrier principle, is used for the position detectors (L1, L2).
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if a conveyor belt (B) is provided as the conveying means, the movement thereof is monitored by way of a displacement sensor (I) which is coupled with the mechanism of the conveyor belt.
7. Method according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that a further device (ST2) for labelling and/or stamping is connected directly downstream along the conveying route and can be automatically activated for labelling and/or printing purposes, in particular in the case of disturbances such as the end of the labels or printer faults of the device (ST2) (sic) that is connected upstream, in which case of course the tool (A1) of the device (ST1) which is to be stopped is first brought into a position in which it is reliably retracted.

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