EP1003676B1 - Labelling station for objects, in particular bottles, in a labelling machine with low-noise and low-wear double cam drive - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a labelling station for articles, more particularly bottles, having removal elements (2) which are rotatably mounted on a rotating support (1) and are moved past fixed stations (15, 16, 19) disposed at the periphery of the support with each rotation thereof and which roll with their receiving surface (5) with synchronisation at the stations and are glued, a label being delivered to a label-transferring station. The drive used for the removal elements (2) is a cam drive with two sets of engagement members (24, 25; 29, 30) which engage with a double cam (20a, 20b). The drive is so designed that, apart from short transitional zones, of the engagement members only two engagement members engage, one engagement member having a longer operative lever arm than all the remaining engagement members, and said engagement member 25 being also in torque-operative driving engagement with the double cam 20a, 20b in the initial phase of the rolling movement of the receiving surface at the stations.

Description

The invention relates to a labeling station for Objects, especially bottles, with several lengthways a train of stations arranged one behind the other, and a glue roller, a label box and one Label transfer cylinder, as well as with at least one on a rotating support and rotatably mounted with every revolution of the carrier at the stations moving removal element for the labels, the one arched outwards, one on each front label of the label supply station and to the Rolling surface for other stations Has label, being the drive for each Removal element, a cam mechanism is provided, the from a common for all removal elements, stationary double cam with two levels one above the other and at a distance from each other unilateral curves and two sets of Engagement members that exist by means of a Carrier element on a drive shaft of the Removal element are stored and by positive locking the two curves when the carrier rotates the positive rotation of each extraction element over its full rotation secure with the drive shaft in front of the plane in which the first curve closer to this wave ends, and wherein the engaging members that of the other second Are assigned to a curve between the two Bridge member lying in a curve are rotatably supported, that is carried by the engagement members of the first curve is.

Labeling stations of this type are known and have proven itself in practice. With them, high Achieve throughput rates because of the removal elements only rotary movements and no oscillating movements perform and therefore the positive and negative Accelerations that are required to Removal elements with their curved receiving surfaces pass on to the different stations, relatively can be kept small. With the known Labeling stations will be the rotary motion of the Removal elements from external curves with which Engaging members are engaged, derived and by means of a transmission gear to Transfer removal elements. The engagement members can both be arranged symmetrically and of equal length have effective lever arms (DE 38 11 869 A1) or be arranged asymmetrically and of different lengths Have lever arms (DE 39 08 378 A1). In the latter case enable the different lengths and rotationally offset Intervention members an improved positive guidance critical points. In any case, such drives are the transmission gears require, complex and because the large number of those involved in the rotary movement Components imprecise and not exactly noise and wear.

At another known labeling station (DE 29 01 853 C2) are the curves of the double cam of the cam mechanism of each removal element Kind of a rack gear toothing internally. With this There are four cam gears in each cam Mating members assigned to a common Carrier are arranged on the drive shaft of the Removal element sits non-rotatably, up to one Storage underneath the engagement elements on the underside extends. The advantage of such a cam mechanism is that no longer a transmission gear is required. The number of engagement members is however compared to the number of engagement members of the other known labeling station much higher, because otherwise a safe intervention over an angle of rotation of 360 ° of the removal element in the proportionate low teeth cannot be guaranteed. That is why also with the two curves in each phase of the Rotational movement of at least three engagement elements, namely two adjacent engagement members of the one set and an engaging member of the other set, and in phase handing over the main leadership of two Engaging members of one set on two Intervention members of the other set even four Engaging members engaged.

The invention has for its object a To create a labeling station of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the drive of the removal elements at low design effort as wear and tear is quiet.

This object is achieved in that the double cam in the manner of an internally toothed Triebstock gears at least in the area of the stations is designed such that directly (without Translation gear) the rotational movement of the Extraction elements is derived by at least in certain areas at the stations only Interfering element per sentence and in others determined Areas at the stations an additional one With the tooth tips in the area of the pontic free from the drive shaft are engaged in a sufficient double curve.

In the labeling station according to the invention full rotation angle range of 360 ° of the removal elements a safer with a minimum of engagement members Intervention guaranteed because of the pontic Teeth of the drive rack toothing in the area of imaginary extension of the drive shaft can protrude. For this safe engagement of the engagement members and thus also sufficient for the introduction of a torque - except for short transition areas - two active Engagement members. That also applies to the critical areas where the rolling motion occurs high torque required, as in the early stages of Shifting movement at the different stations. All in all you get with minimal design effort out. The discontinuation of the translation gear and the on a minimum reduced engagement of the engaging members lead to a lower noise level and less wear. It is even possible to Reducing the acceleration movements the module so to shape it at the end of the movement between the Stations causes a slight backward rotation.

In the critical areas where the hobbing movement a high torque is required after a Embodiment of the invention taken into account that one of the engagement members an engagement member longer, more effective lever arm than the others Has engaging members and this engaging member in the Initial phase of passing the receiving surface onto the Stations are also in the torque effective, driving intervention.

To further reduce noise while still safer The gear rack toothing can be guided at least in some areas with play on the tooth feet be and / or in the area of the stations the intervention of the Engagement members limited to the tooth flanks of the curve is.

According to a further embodiment of the invention Module of the drive rack toothing of the double cam disc between the stations so large that the removal element after leaving a station only up to the required Rotation position at the beginning of the gear movement on the next one Station is rotated. The module is preferably between individual stations for the rotary movement up to Standstill set up. This can be achieved if when leaving a station the rotary movement at only slightly reduced angular velocity up to an angle is continued with which the rotary movement is resumed at the next station. On this way it can even come to a standstill, no further noise from the drive emanates.

The module for pinion gearing in the areas different sizes can be selected between the stations become. On the one hand, an object transport along of the label transfer cylinder to enable on the other hand, the frequent access of the Operator to keep stations as good as possible the module can be made accessible Label transfer cylinder and glue roller if possible be chosen large, in the borderline case, as described, even until the rotation stops while he is in Area of glue roller and label box is very small, so that these two stations at an angle of around Can be arranged 90 °.

For an optimal design of the rack gear teeth it would be beneficial if the mutual Angular displacement of the engagement members at least for some ≠ 90 °. For a reduction in wear and noise is also beneficial when the Interventional elements by withdrawing the load-bearing Gently flank the tooth flanks on the supporting tooth flanks and run away from them.

Particularly effective in terms of noise and Wear reduction is an embodiment of the invention, which is that the internally toothed double curve in Area of the beam in a first section both behind the label box as well as behind the Gripper cylinder a much larger module than in Area between the glue roller and the label box has and that the respective engagement member with the longer effective lever arm in torque-effective engagement with a tooth flank of the assigned curve at the beginning of the respective curve section with the larger module located to the radius of the beam through the axis of rotation of the removal element an angle of inclination of at most 70 ° in the area of the tooth tip. The angle of inclination should be at most 50 °. One is optimal Inclination angle of approx. 60 °. This way you reach particularly favorable threading conditions for the Engagement member with the larger lever arm.

This can further improve the running-in conditions be that the respective removal element immediately after leaving the label box it accelerates up to the engagement member with the larger lever arm with the associated curve engages.

After all, it is for optimal engagement and Running-in conditions of the engagement members are advantageous if the tooth tips of the double curves at all stations to the side of the one running through the middle of the stations Radii of the carrier lie.

The invention can be advantageously implemented with a central lubrication for the bearings of the Drive shaft and the engagement members. In this case it is provided that the drive shaft of each Removal element one over the support element for the Has engaging members arranged storage above a lubricant supply stationary on the carrier is arranged. The bearing is lubricated when it passes the stationary lubricant supply. Of the lubricant runs due to storage Gravity on the engaging members. The Lubricant distribution is particularly effective when the support element on its storage facing Side a distributor plate for that of storage dripping and onto the edge of the distributor plate Lubricants to be given outstanding engagement members wearing.

Fig. 1

eine Etikettierstation einer Etikettiermaschine für Gegenstände, insbesondere Flaschen, in schematischer Darstellung in Aufsicht,

Fig. 2

die Etikettierstation gemäß Figur 1 in schematischer Darstellung mit einer Doppelkurvenscheibe und einem mit der Doppelkurve im Bereich zwischen Etikettenübertragungszylinder und Leimwalze in Eingriff stehendem Entnahmeelement,

Fig. 3

die Etikettierstation gemäß Figur 1 und 2 mit einem an einer Leimwalze wirksamen Entnahmeelement in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig. 4

die Etikettierstation gemäß Figur 1 und 2 mit einem an einem Etikettenkasten wirksamen Entnahmeelement in schematischer Darstellung und im Ausschnitt,

Fig. 5

eine Antriebswelle eines Entnahmeelementes einer Etikettierstation nach Figur 1 und 2 mit Lagerung und einem Brückenglied mit zwei Sätzen Eingriffsglieder im Axialschnitt,

Fig. 6

das Brückenglied gemäß Figur 5 im Schnitt nach der Linie A-A der Figur 4,

Fig. 7

das Brückenglied gemäß Figur 5 im Schnitt nach der Linie B-B der Figur 4,

Fig. 8

die Etikettierstation gemäß Figur 1 in schematischer Darstellung mit einer Doppelkurvenscheibe und einem in Eingriff mit der Doppelkurve an verschiedenen Stellen stehenden Entnahmeelement in einer zur Figur 2 anderen Ausführung

und

Fig. 9

die Etikettierstation gemäß Figur 1 und 8 in schematischer Darstellung mit einer Doppelkurvenscheibe und verschiedenen Stationen.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which represents an exemplary embodiment. In detail show:

Fig. 1

a labeling station of a labeling machine for objects, in particular bottles, in a schematic representation in supervision,

Fig. 2

1 shows the labeling station according to FIG. 1 in a schematic illustration with a double cam disc and a removal element which is in engagement with the double curve in the area between the label transfer cylinder and the glue roller,

Fig. 3

the labeling station according to Figures 1 and 2 with a removal element effective on a glue roller in a schematic representation,

Fig. 4

the labeling station according to Figures 1 and 2 with a removal element effective on a label box in a schematic representation and in detail,

Fig. 5

2 shows a drive shaft of a removal element of a labeling station according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with storage and a bridge member with two sets of engagement members in axial section,

Fig. 6

5 in section along the line AA of FIG. 4,

Fig. 7

5 in section along the line BB of FIG. 4,

Fig. 8

the labeling station according to Figure 1 in a schematic representation with a double cam and a removal element in engagement with the double curve at different points in a different embodiment to Figure 2

and

Fig. 9

the labeling station according to Figures 1 and 8 in a schematic representation with a double cam and various stations.

The labeling station shown in the drawing consists of a carrier 1, on the same Angles three removal elements 2,3,4 are arranged. Each removal element 2, 3, 4 has a cylindrical shape curved receiving surface 5,6,7 for a label. each Removal element 2, 3, 4 is curved between them Recording surface 5,6,7 and its center of curvature with a drive shaft 8,9,10 rotatably mounted in the carrier 1. When the carrier 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow 11 inevitably turn through cam drives Removal elements 2, 3, 4 in the direction of arrows 12, 13, 14, in opposite directions to the carrier 1.

When the carrier 1 rotates, the removal elements become 2,3,4 at different stations, namely at one in Direction of arrow 15 rotating glue roller 16, one fixed label box 17 with one in it located stack of labels and one towards the Arrow 18 rotating label transfer cylinder (Gripper cylinder) 19 under execution of a Rolling movement of the receiving surfaces 5,6,7 on the individual Stations passed. First, the Receiving surface 5,6,7 of each removal element 2,3,4 glued by the glue roller 16. When rolling on the front label of the stocked in the label box 17 Label stack becomes the front label as a result of Adhesive effect of the glue on the receiving surface 5,6,7 dem Removed the stack of labels and when the Carrier 1 fed to the label transfer cylinder 19, which decreases it from the receiving surface 5,6,7.

This means at the different stations 16, 17, 19 it can roll the receiving surfaces 5,6,7 required that the rotational movement of everyone Removal element 2,3,4 in the direction of arrow 12,13,14 is accelerated and decelerated. Are for this purpose the cam drives mentioned provided that from a common stationary double cam 20 with in two levels one above the other and at a distance from each other arranged one-sided curves 20a, 20b in the manner of a Rack gear teeth, the module of which is not constant, and assigned from the individual removal elements 2, 3, 4 Sets of two engagement elements each with the curves 20a, 20b are in engagement, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4. For this purpose, there is one at the lower end of the drive shaft 8, 9, 10 a support element 21 for each removal element 2, 3, 4 attached, in particular in one piece with the shaft formed, the underside two molded pins 22,23 with a set of rollers 24, 25 arranged thereon Engaging members. On the pin 22.23 is a Bridge member 26 attached, which in turn by about 90 ° the pin 22.23 angularly offset pin 27.28 for one another set of rollers 29,30 as engagement members wearing. The carrier element 21 is, as from FIG. 4 evident, designed as a distribution plate. Over his The rollers 24, 25, 29, 30 protrude on the periphery. Above of the carrier element 21 is the drive shaft 8 in one double storage 31, a stationary im Lubricant supply 32 arranged on the machine frame intended. The with each circulation of the removal elements this lubricant supply passing storage 31 and the rolls 24, 25, 29, 30 received from this Lubricant feeder 32 Lubricant that spreads over the two bearings of the bearing 31 distributed, then on the Distribution plate 21 and from here on the rollers 24.25, 29.30 and thus also reaches the curves 20a, 20b. the Carrier element 21 formed in one piece with the shaft in its special version with the molded Cones 22,23, but also the special one Lubricant supply also comes independently inventive meaning too.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4 and 6 and 7, the Engagement members 24, 25, 29, 30 not all with one Angular misalignment of 90 °, but partly more, partly less arranged. It is also effective Lever arm of the engagement member 25 larger than the effective one Lever arm of the other engagement members 24, 29, 30.

From Figures 3 and 4 it can be seen that the as Triebstock gearing formed curves 20a, 20b Game on the tooth feet are formed, as in figure 3 is indicated in two places 20a *, 20b *. This Training serves for further noise and Wear reduction because the third is prevented Engagement member on the tooth feet remains in engagement and leads to overdetermination. The areas with game on The tooth feet are primarily intended where the module the toothing is small. This depends on Radius of curvature of the station, that is, on the glue roller 16 it is smaller than on the flat front of the Label box 17. The module can be particularly large in the Areas between the stations, where there are even too can come to a standstill, as in Figure 3 for the area shown at the bottom left is provided. It is even conceivable that there is a small in this area Reverse rotation comes when doing better results in the Deceleration and in the acceleration of the Removal elements and thus in the load on the Items involved in movement and a decrease in Noise generation can be achieved. In any case the geometry of the cam drive designed so that up only a few short transition areas Engagement member of each of the two sets in engagement with the curves 20a, 20b. The tooth flanks are through Material take-back designed in such a way that for each Engagement member on each flank a smooth entry and exit Spout results. After all, and most of all is provided that at the beginning of the rolling movement a Removal element at a station, as in Figure 3 is shown driving only torque Engagement member 25 with the longest lever arm.

The embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 differs differs from that of FIG. 2 in that the course of the Curves 20a, 20b is designed somewhat differently. However, it is in agreement with the curve according to FIG. 2 that the tooth tips of the two curves 20a, 20b to the side the radii R1, R2, R3, which are through the centers of the individual stations 16,17,18 go. They also agree agree that the module of curves 20a, 20b in Direction of rotation of the carrier 1 in the first section behind the label box 17 and in the first section behind the Gripper cylinder 19 is much larger than in the area between the glue roller 16 and the label box 17th

A significant difference in the course of this curve Execution is that the engaging member 25 with the longer lever arm at the beginning of the section with the large module on the flank of a tooth 20a **, 20a *** with relatively small module if that Removal element 5 just the label box 17th or leaves the gripper cylinder 19. The Inclination angle of the tooth flank of the tooth 20a **, 20a *** to Radius of the beam through the axis of rotation of the Removal element 5 is approximately 60 °. Under pointed Angles between 50 ° and 70 ° to the radius of the beam the axis of rotation of the removal element in question runs the engagement member 25 on the flanks of the teeth 20a **, 20a *** on.

Another peculiarity is that the Removal element 5 after leaving the label box 17 accelerated relative to the movement on the label box 17 to gently open the engaging member 25 to lighten the tooth flank.

All of these measures result in a minimal constructive effort of the cam drive extremely smooth and is low wear.

Claims (14)

1. A labelling station for articles, more particularly bottles, having a number of stations disposed one after the other along a path, namely a gluing roller (15), a label box (17), a label-transferring cylinder (19) and at least one label-removing element (2,3,4) which is rotatably mounted on a rotating support (1) and is moved past the stations (15,17,19) with each rotation of the support (1) and which has an outwardly curved label-receiving surface (5,6,7) rolling on the front label of the label box (17) and on the other stations (15,19) respectively, the drive provided for each label-removing element (2,3,4) being a cam drive (20,21-30) comprising a fixed double cam disc (20), common to all the removal elements (2,3,4), with single-side cams (20a,20b) disposed spaced-out in two planes one above the other and two sets of engagement members (24,25;29,30) which are mounted via a support element (21) on a driving shaft (31) of the removal element (2,3,4) and with the rotation of the support (1) ensure by positive connection with the two cams (20a,20b) the constrained movement of each removal element (2,3,4) over its full rotation, the driving shaft (31) terminating in front of the plane in which the first cam (20a) closest to said shaft (31) lies, while the engagement members (29,30) associated with the second cam (20b) are mounted rotatably offset on a bridge member (26) lying between the two cams (20a,20b) and borne by the engagement members (24,25) of the first cam (20a),
   characterised in that the double cam disc (20) with its two cams (20a,20b) is so constructed after the fashion of an internally toothed lantern gear that the rotary movement of the removal elements (2,3,4) is derived directly (without transmission gearing) therefrom, while at least in definite zones of the stations (15,17,19) only one engagement member (24,25;29,30) per set and in other definite zones of the stations (15,17,19) additionally a further engagement member (24,25;29,30) is in engagement with the double cam (20a,20b), which extends with its tooth tips into the area of the bridge member (26) being vacant of the driving shaft (31).
2. A labelling station according to claim 1,
   characterised in that of the engagement members (24,25; 29,30) only one engagement member (25) has the longer operative lever arm than the other engagement members (24,29,30) and in the initial phase of the rolling movement of the receiving surfaces (5,6,7) on the stations (15,17,19) said engagement member (25) is additionally in torque-operative, driving engagement with the double cam (20a,20b).
3. A labelling station according to claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in that in the zone of the stations (15,17,19) the engagement of the engagement members (29,30) is limited to the tooth flanks of the cams (20a,20b).
4. A labelling station according to one of the claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that at least in certain zones the lantern gear toothing is constructed with clearance at the bases of the teeth.
5. A labelling station according to one of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that the modulus of the double cam (20a,20b) between the stations (15,17,19) is so large that after leaving a station (15,17,19) the removal element (2,3,4) is rotated only as far as the required rotary position at the start of the rolling movement on the next station.
6. A labelling station according to claim 5,
   characterised in that the modulus between individual stations (15,17,19) is adapted to rotary movement up to stoppage.
7. A labelling station according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that the mutual rotary angle offsetting of at least some of the engagement members (24,25;29,30) is ≠ 90°.
8. A labelling station according to one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that in the direction of rotation of the support (21) the internally toothed cams (20a,20b) have in a portion both downstream of the label box (17) and also downstream of the gripper cylinder (19) a substantially larger modulus than in the zone between the gluing roller (16) and the label box (17), and the engagement member (25) with the longer operative lever arm is at the start of the cam portion with the larger modulus in torque-operative engagement with a flank of a tooth (20a**,20a***) of the associated cam (20a), which has in the zone of the tooth tip a maximum angle of 70° in relation to the radius of the support (21) through the axis of rotation of the removal element (5).
9. A labelling station according to claim 8,
   characterised in that the angle of inclination is at least 50°.
10. A labelling station according to claims 8 or 9,
    characterised in that immediately after leaving the label box (17), the particular removal element (5) is accelerated until the engagement member (25) with the longer lever arms comes into engagement with the assciated cam (20b).
11. A labelling station according to one of the claims 1 to 10,
    characterised in that at all stations (16,17,19) the tooth tips of the double cam (20a,20b) lie laterally of the radii (R1,R2,R3) of the support (21) extending through the centre of the stations (16,17,19).
12. A labelling station according to one of claims 1 to 11,
    characterised in that the driving shaft (8,9,10) of each removal element (2,3,4) has a bearing (31) which is disposed above the support element (21) for the engagement members (24,25;29,30) and above which a lubricant supply element (32) is disposed fixed on the support (1).
13. A labelling station according to claim 12,
    characterised in that on its side adjacent the bearing (31), the support element (21) takes the form of a distributing plate for the lubricant dripping from the bearing (31) and to be delivered to the engagement members (24,25;29,30) partially extending beyond the edge of the distributing plate.
14. A labelling station according to claims 12 or 13,
    characterised in that the engagement members (20,24,23,25) are formed on the underside of the support element (21).

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