EP0820933B1 - Labelling machine for packages,particularly bottle crates - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an equipment machine for containers, in particular bottle crates, according to the preamble of the claim 1.

There are already equipment machines for bottle crates in the Use where the leadership for that with classic Self-adhesive labels have a carrier tape close to the Movement path of the containers arranged sharp dispensing edge has, on which with the glued back on the carrier tape adhesive labels detached from this and synchronized to the passing containers are handed over. Then the Labels fixed by freely rotatable sponge rollers or the like the containers pressed down, leaving the outer surface of the labels is applied directly. For processing more classic Self-adhesive labels essentially consists of one printed paper or plastic blank, these are known Equipment machines ideally suited, but not for the processing of sensitive equipment in the form of printed images that do not have a cut out of paper or Have plastic but essentially color, Paint and adhesive exist. These equipment elements have the big advantage over self-adhesive labels, that they are very inexpensive and in normal Box washing machines relatively light and residue-free from Bottle crates or the like can be detached from plastic can. For a practical processing of such Print images with their front side e.g. with the help of Topcoat detachable on the front of a carrier tape are fixed and with their adhesive-coated back so far there has not been a powerful one Equipment machine available.

Next to it is a generic equipment machine for bottles known in the case of thermal transfer print images adhering to a flexible carrier tape first preheated and then with the help of a heated pressure roller detached from the carrier tape and at the same time pressed onto the bottles (EP 82 288 A1). The one here The pressure effect achieved is due to the line contact between the smooth pressure roller and the containers are relatively weak, especially on uneven surfaces. The operational security is therefore low and on preheating the carrier tape with the Printed images cannot be omitted.

Finally, it is in so-called wet glue labeling machines, in which the labels individually removed from a container coated with adhesive shortly before processing, known, the labels by means of rotating Labeling cylinder arranged elastic padding on bottles or the like. (KRONES, "Manual of Equipment Technology" 5th edition from 1985, page 24, Fig. 2/7). A full area It is not possible to apply the labels to the bottles, let alone detaching labels from a carrier tape.

The invention has for its object a Generic equipment machine with simple means to develop in such a way that an exact and reliable Processing of the above-described print images at It is possible to equip containers, especially bottle crates is.

This object is achieved by the in the license plate of the specified features solved.

It is with an equipment machine according to the invention possible for the first time, releasably fixed on a carrier tape, with the adhesive back with print images pointing outwards high performance and without heat supply exactly and reliably to process so that for the use of such Print images or for an easily removable equipment from Bottle crates or the like are shown completely new ways become. It is essential that both the detachment of the Print images from the carrier tape as well as sticking to the Containers in one pass through the massaging device he follows. This does not affect the surface of the Printed image, but on the non-printed back of the im general flexible carrier tape made of plastic so that even with intensive massaging work Damage to the printed images is not excluded recently also because of the lack of a sharp dispensing edge. The printed images can therefore also be used on containers whose Surface is not completely flat and smooth, perfect be attached, and the connection between carrier tape and the printed image is broken up completely and reliably.

Advantageous embodiments of the massaging device are See subclaims.

The greater the number of point elastic elements and each stronger the pressure, the relative movement and the friction between carrier tape and massaging device, the more the massaging effect is stronger. This allows the Equipment machine optimally to the operating conditions be adjusted.

It is also appropriate, according to other developments of the Invention the massaging device and / or at least parts the guide for the carrier tape between two Transmission processes from the movement path of the container to remove to unnecessarily stress the carrier tape avoid.

Fig. 1

die Draufsicht auf eine Ausstattungsmaschine für Flaschenkästen

Fig. 2

den Schnitt A B nach Fig. 1

Fig. 3

die teilweise Draufsicht auf die Ausstattungsmaschine nach Fig. 1 mit einer abgeänderten Massiereinrichtung.

Two exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

the top view of an equipment machine for bottle crates

Fig. 2

the section AB of Fig. 1st

Fig. 3

the partial plan view of the equipment machine of FIG. 1 with a modified massaging device.

The equipment machine according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is for Decorate or label bottle crates 1 out Plastic on one side surface with essentially Printing ink, varnish and adhesive existing print images 5 set up with its front detachable on one flexible carrier tape 4 are fixed while plastic its self-adhesive back is exposed. The Equipment machine has a base frame 9, on its Top of a container conveyor 2 and a dispensing unit 3 for the printed images 5 are arranged side by side. The horizontal, linear container conveyor 2 has two parallel Conveyor belts 10 on by a motor 11 continuously driven at the speed V in the direction of the arrow become. Furthermore, the container conveyor 2 has parallel, lateral guide railing 12 through which the on Conveyor belts 10 standing bottle crates 1 exactly on one linear trajectory. In the area opposite the dispensing unit 3 instead of the guide railing 12 an endless conveyor belt 13 in alignment with the neighboring ones Guide railings 12 arranged, the one not shown transmission from the engine 11 also in Direction of arrow is driven at speed V. The conveyor belt 13 ensures an exact synchronous operation between bottle crate 1 and carrier tape 4.

The dispensing unit 3 has a horizontal base plate 14 on the height and side adjustable on the Base frame 9 is arranged. At the top of the Base plate 14 is a first receptacle 15 with a Braking device for the full carrier tape 4 and at a distance of which a second receptacle 16 with a drive motor for the empty carrier tape 4, each roll-shaped is wound, arranged. Between the two shots 15, 16 is one of several lateral and height Guide rails and guide rollers built-up guide 7 present, which the carrier tape 4 is approximately V-shaped from the first receptacle 15 on the path of movement of the bottle crates 1 on the container conveyor 2 and away again to the second Recording 16 conducts. Between the first recording 15 and the A printed image sensor 17 is arranged during the movement path in the area between the movement path and the second recording 16 feed rollers 6 driven by a servo motor are arranged, which capture the empty carrier tape 4 and in the usual manner from the first receptacle 15 transport to the second receptacle 16. The beginning of the Feed movement is triggered by a Container sensor 18, which is adjustable on the container conveyor 2 is arranged.

Between the receptacles 15, 16 is on the base plate 14 a massaging device in the form of a cylindrical Brush roller 8 arranged. This is also part of the Guide 7 for the carrier tape 4 and directs this to the The tip of its V-shaped trajectory is smooth and edge-free around. The brush roller 8 is on the vertical shaft Motors 19 attached, which in turn on a transverse to Movement path of the bottle crates 1 slidable on the Base plate 14 mounted carriage 20 is attached. By a servomotor 21, the carriage 20 with the Brush roller 8 between a working position and a Rest position to be moved.

In the rest position between two transfer processes or when Failure of bottle crates 1 is the brush roller 8 um a few millimeters from the theoretical trajectory of the Bottle crates 1 removed and stopped. In the Working position is the brush roller 8 in the direction of the arrow, i.e. against the translational movement of the container conveyor 2 and the carrier tape 4, driven and penetrates some Millimeters into the theoretical trajectory of the Bottle crates 1 on (if no bottle crate 1 is available is) or lies on the side wall with a slight preload of a bottle crate 1, with the interposition of the Carrier tape 4 with the printed images 5 (if one Bottle crate 1 is available). As a brush roller 8 For example, a polishing brush, such as that is normally used for polishing sheet steel. Your rotation speed and depth of penetration into the The trajectory and thus their contact pressure are corresponding the properties of the bottle crates 1 and the carrier tape 4 selected with the printed images 5.

The print image sensor 17, the container sensor 18 and a Translation speed of the container conveyor 2 scanning tachometer generator 22 are connected to a not shown connected electronic control device, which the Servo motor of the feed rollers 6, the motor of the second Recording 16, the motor 19 of the brush roller 8 and the Actuator 21 controls such that the following sets the described function of the equipment machine:

Is with the engine 11 running on the container conveyor 2 in Area of the container sensor 18 no bottle crate 1 available, the brush roller 8 assumes its rest position and stands still. In addition, the motor of the recording 16 and the servo motor of the feed rollers 6 is switched off. Reached a bottle crate 1 fed on the container conveyor 2 the container sensor 18, this triggers a transfer process off: For this purpose, the brush roller 8 move into their working position and their motor turns 19 switched on. At the same time, the motor of the receptacle 16 and the servo motor of the feed rollers 6 is switched on, which the carrier tape 4 exactly to the current Translation speed of the container conveyor 2 accelerated and this speed at least as long maintains until the carrier tape 4 by the length of one Print image 5 has moved forward. Then the Servo motor braked again until, registered by the Print image sensor 17, the carrier tape 4 its starting position for reached the next transfer process. The next one too Transferring print image 5 is just before the Contact zone between the carrier tape 4 and the movement path the bottle crates 1.

During the transfer process, it works in the contact area rotating against the running direction of the carrier tape 4 Round brush 8 with its multitude of rounded ones Elastic pressure points formed and rubbing bristle ends massaging directly onto the adhesive-repellent back of the Carrier tape 4 and thus indirectly on the between Bottle crate 1 and the carrier tape 4 moved synchronously with it clamped print image 5. On the one hand, the fixation of the printed image 5 caused by the top coat the carrier tape 4 completely broken and canceled and on the other hand, the printed image 5 with its adhesive-coated backside gently yet intensely nestled the surface of the bottle crate 1 and pressed. In the area of the brush roller 8 is therefore in place and already place a secure, permanent fixation of the Print image 5 reached on the bottle crate 1 without Exposure to heat and without post-treatment and with optimal Protection of print image 5 and bottle crate 1.

At the end of the transfer process described above, if the corresponding edge of the printed image 5, the printed image sensor 17 has reached, the brush roller 8 by the servomotor 21 moves back to its rest position and it becomes your motor 19 and the servo motor of the feed rollers 6 and the motor the recording 16 turned off.

3 differs from 1 and 2 alone in the structure of Massaging. This has a parallel to Path of movement of the bottle crates 1 aligned vertical Plate 23, whose directed towards the trajectory Side with a multitude of elastic knobs, bristles, Balls, rolls or the like is occupied. Through a Vibratory drive 24, the plate 23 is vibrated, when she takes up her working position. This is a particularly intensive, extensive massage possible, like it is advantageous in the case of relatively large-area printed images 5. It is also conceivable for the bottle crate 1 and the carrier tape 4 shut down during the transfer process so that the Massage time can be chosen as long as desired.

In the two exemplary embodiments described above decorated only one side of the bottle crates 1, so that accordingly, only one dispensing unit 3 is present. If both side surfaces are to be decorated, this is not necessary Conveyor belt 13 and it is instead on this side of the Container conveyor 2 a second, mirror image Dispensing unit 3 attached. Should all four sides of the Bottle crates 1 are decorated, so is the use of a second equipment machine with two opposite Dispensing units and an intermediate one Turning device for the bottle crates 1 required.

Claims (10)

1. Get-up applicator machine for packages, especially for bottle boxes (1), with a package conveyor (2) and, arranged next to the latter, at least one dispensing unit (3) for items (5) of get-up which are releasably affixed to a flexible carrier band (4) and are self adhesive on the back, the dispensing unit (3) having guide means (7) that leads the carrier band forwards with its face carrying the items of get-up, without sharp dispensing edge, namely tangentially onto or slightly penetrating the movement track of the packages and then leads it away, and having, arranged in the region of the contact zone between the carrier band and the movement track, an adpressing device (8, 23) which acts upon the back of the carrier band that faces away from the movement track and thereby presses the item of get-up onto the package, characterised in that the adpressing device is a massaging device (8, 23) which acts upon the back of the carrier band (4) by way of a multiplicity of resilient pressure points.
2. Get-up applicator machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the massaging device (8, 23) forms part of the guide means (7) for the carrier band and takes on the guiding function at least in the region of the contact zone.
3. Get-up applicator machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the massaging device (8, 23) acts upon the back of the carrier band with rubbing action.
4. Get-up applicator machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the massaging device has at least one roller (8) which can be rotationally driven and is set with bristles, burls, balls, small rolls or the like.
5. Get-up applicator machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the roller (8) can be driven at differing peripheral speeds depending upon the magnitude and/or direction of the forward feed speed of the carrier band.
6. Get-up applicator machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the massaging device has a plate (23) which can be driven to vibrate and is set with bristles, burls, balls, small rolls or the like.
7. Get-up applicator machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the massaging device (8, 23) can be displaced essentially transversely with respect to the movement track of the packages and can be transposed by means of a servo motor (21) between an operating position in which it is tangential with respect to the movement track of the packages or intersects it, and a rest position in which it is distanced from the movement track of the packages.
8. Get-up applicator machine according to claim 7, characterised in that the massaging device (8, 23) is driven only while it is in its operating position.
9. Get-up applicator machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the dispensing unit (3) has uptake means (15) for the fully charged carrier band, uptake means (16) for the emptied carrier band and drivable feed rollers (6) for the carrier band, which can be synchronised with the package conveyor (2).
10. Get-up applicator machine according to claim 9, characterised in that a package detector (18) is arranged at the package conveyor (2) to start the transfer process, and a print design detector (17) is arranged at the guide means (7) to terminate the transfer process.

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