EP1362791B1 - Apparatus and method for marking cigarette packages - Google Patents

Abstract

A transporting system (8) grasps a stack (9,9a) of cigarette packages (1) and delivers them to a marking station (3). At the latter station the stack is released by the transporting system so that packages can be printed with identification marks on one or more freely exposed faces (18,19). The transporting system delivers a stack from the marking station to a package separating station (4) while simultaneously supplying a following stack in a buffer station (2) into the marking station. In the marking station (3) a maximum of three package faces are exposed and/or the stack (9) is held in a fixed position by the transporting system (8) or clamping plates (10,11). The printer and/or stack are stationary or both move relative to each other during printing. Printing is produced by a laser printer or laser ablation. The marking station lies before or after a station for covering packages in plastic film and/or marked packages are individually separated for covering with film. An Independent claim is included for a process for marking cigarette packages using the claimed transporting system to deliver a stack of packages to a printing station.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for Labeling of cigarette packs. In particular, the present invention relates The invention relates to a device and a method for identifying Cigarette packs containing information for manufacturers and / or distributors and / or Customers, for example with information about production time, aggregate, company, Authenticity, delivery history or customer information in plain text or encrypted.

In the past, such information has been the foil section of a Cigarette pack imprinted or otherwise applied to this, so that the pack had to be opened to read the information. Later Methods have been known to provide information on the outside of the Apply cigarette pack, for example by inkjet printing or Laser marking. There is basically the requirement that the flow of Cigarette packs during production as possible not interrupted or is stopped.

WO 01/54986 discloses a method and an arrangement for characterizing Cigarette packs, the cigarette packs on a belt conveyor rest on a tagging device, such as a laser or a printing unit to be guided over. While the label is a stable hold of the cigarette packs on the belt conveyor not guaranteed. This can lead to inaccuracies in the labeling.

WO 02/04297 A1 discloses a device for marking, in the opposite lying side surfaces of the cigarette packs of two parallel Clamped endless belts and passed to a printing unit over. printed can be either only from the endless belts projecting side sections a cigarette pack or not clamped by the conveyor belts Side faces. Thus, comparatively large side surfaces of a Cigarette pack will not be labeled what the Limits labeling options.

DE 100 04 022 A1 discloses a method and a device for attaching Codes on cigarette packs, the or the either comparable to WO 02/04297 A1 is formed or when the cigarette packs in a bag Dry turrets are guided in circles and labeled with a laser. Also at this arrangement is subject to the area available for marking device-related restrictions.

The object of the present invention is the device and the method according to WO 02/04297 A1 to further form that the labeling of cigarette packs made even more reliable and still fewer restrictions, in particular as regards labeling for Available area, may be subject.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 7. Advantageous Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device for identifying cigarette packets according to the present invention comprises a transport device for the promotion of Cigarette packages to a labeling station for the identification of Cigarette packs. While in the prior art, the cigarette packs predominantly individually guided past an identification device, According to the invention, the cigarette packs in batches to one Labeling station transferred and marked there. According to the present Invention detects the transport device thus a stack of each other attached, aligned cigarette packs and brings them to Identification station, where the transport device releases the stack again and the released cigarette packs on at least one exposed area be labeled.

It is advantageous that the adjoining, aligned Cigarette packs existing stack has a certain inherent stability, so that mechanical disturbances, for example of conveyors caused tremors, jerky movements, etc., a lesser Have an influence on the positioning of cigarette packs. According to the invention thus less holding and stabilization effort required to the To position cigarette packets for identification reliably. Especially It is possible according to the invention, the cigarette packs only on comparatively small areas or not at all to pinch while these be marked, so that usually at least three surfaces of a Cigarette pack are available for labeling.

Advantageously, the handling of the packs in addition as a stack, because thereby the Dead times during transport can be reduced. At the same time it is possible, labeling fields of e.g. better exploit a laser, because this Labeling fields can extend over several package side surfaces. The number of packs in the stack should therefore be the size of the label field be adjusted.

Preferably, the cigarette packs are in the labeling with a Side surface on a substantially flat support surface, for example, on a belt conveyor, a plate or a table-like clamping device. Consequently lie in the shared stack side faces of neighboring Cigarette packs automatically to each other over the entire surface, so that comparatively large static friction act, the shifting or Slipping of the cigarette packs, caused for example by prevent mechanical interference. It is advantageous that the cigarette packs can be positioned even more reliable in a simple way.

Preferably, the cigarette packs are with their during the labeling Narrow sides on the substantially flat support surface, so are upright arranged. While a single upright arranged cigarette pack is relatively susceptible to tipping, is the Kippempfindlichkeit a stack of upright arranged and adjacent, aligned Cigarette packs significantly lower. Thus, according to the invention in particular narrow sides, in particular those of the support opposite Narrow sides of cigarette packs at comparatively low holding and Stabilization effort can be reliably marked. Preferably comprises at least as many cigarette packs, that the length of the stack in the transport direction is greater than or equal to the horizontal format a cigarette pack is.

A stack in the marking station is preferred in the marking additionally fixed so that the cigarette packs at least during the Marking can not slip or tilt substantially. Consequently an even more reliable positioning is achieved. For fixation, the Transport device itself or an additional fixing device used become. For fixation, the stack in the labeling station can not to clamping sections of a cigarette packet, touched, be mechanically guided on one side abut a stop or in other Be fixed by mechanical force. The power to fix Can be used on all cigarette packs in a stack in the Marking station attack, but the power to fix can only on attack a few selected cigarette packs of a stack, in particular at the front and rear, viewed in the conveying direction, cigarette packs of the released stack.

The fixing device for transporting or fixing device is preferred adjustable designed to move between a rest position in which not all about concealed by transport organs side surfaces of the cigarette packs of the Stack can be accessed substantially unhindered, and one Fixing position, in which the transport device or the fixing device at least sections act on side surfaces of cigarette packs, back and to be moved.

The transport device is designed to not only a stack of to capture and align adjacent aligned cigarette packs but at least one more comparable stack, particularly preferred to capture only one more comparable stack and to transport. This advantageously increases the throughput of the invention Contraption. For joint handling of at least two stacks adjacent cigarette packs, the transport device can at least two stacks, in particular during the marking, with in Apply substantially the same forces. For this purpose, the Transport device as at least two stack clamping clamping device, educated.

According to a first embodiment, the marking device and / or the stack while marking stationary, which is even more accurate Positioning allows for labeling. According to another Embodiment, the stack and the marking device become relative moved to each other, preferably the stack or Identification device is stationary and thus accurately positioned.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Kennzeichnen von Zigarettenpackungen gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer Ausgangsstellung jeweils in einer Seitenansicht und einer Draufsicht darstellt;

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 unmittelbar vor einem Transport von zwei Stapeln von Zigarettenpackungen jeweils in einer Seitenansicht und einer Draufsicht darstellt;

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 unmittelbar nach einem Transport von zwei Zigarettenpackungen jeweils in einer Seitenansicht und einer Draufsicht darstellt; und

Fig. 4

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 kurz vor Erreichen der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Ausgangsstellung jeweils in einer Seitenansicht und einer Draufsicht darstellt.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1

a device for characterizing cigarette packets according to the present invention in a starting position respectively in a side view and a plan view represents;

Fig. 2

the device of Figure 1 immediately before a transport of two stacks of cigarette packs, respectively in a side view and a top view.

Fig. 3

the device of Figure 1 immediately after a transport of two cigarette packs in a side view and a plan view respectively. and

Fig. 4

the device of FIG. 1 shortly before reaching the starting position shown in FIG. 1 in each case in a side view and a plan view.

In the figures, identical reference numerals designate identical or the same acting elements and functional groups. Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for Marking of cigarette packs according to the present invention in one Starting position in a side view and in a plan view. Shown is a Detail of a more comprehensive cigarette packaging machine, in which the Cigarette packs 1 continuously in a stream of cigarette packs of right to left by means of a conveyor (not shown) to the Support surface 7 are promoted. As shown in Fig. 1, are the Cigarette packs 1 on the support surface 7 edgewise with their narrow sides 19th on, so that the front sides are freely accessible laterally. The width of the support surface 7 is slightly larger in Fig. 1 than the length of a narrow side 19 to a to allow stable hold. The cigarette packs 1, however, can at least one side laterally beyond the edge of the support surface 7 protrude.

The device according to FIG. 1 essentially comprises three stations, namely in the Processing order a Aufstaustation 2, a labeling station 3 and a separating station 4. The individually from each other or lying to each other incoming cigarette packs 1 accumulate at the fortification 2 and form there a stack of aligned with their broadsides, aligned Cigarette packs 9a. To block the incoming from the right stream of Cigarette packs is a projecting into the current barrier 6 is provided. As The skilled person is apparent, the lock 6 by a known per se Clamping, holding or fixing to be replaced. The lock 6 is in the Drawing plane preferably stationary, but can, if the support surface 7 a Conveyor belt is, even slowed down with the conveyor belt 7 continue to run. It is essential a non-zero relative speed between lock 6 and Conveyor 7, to allow a damming.

In the identification station 3, at least one identification device (not shown) arranged around the stack located in the identification station 3 9 to mark. For example, the following may be used for identification Methods are used: printing, for example by means of inkjet printers, Laser printers, thermal sublimation printers, applied printing techniques, for example, offset printing, stamping, ablation techniques, for example laser ablation, or other surface manipulating methods, for example, local heat treatment, magnetization, labeling, etc.

With the method according to the invention can in principle markings be applied of any kind, for example, as a barcode or as coded dot pattern.

As shown in Fig. 1, in the initial position, three side surfaces of Cigarette packets 1 freely accessible, namely the two end faces 18 and upper narrow side 19. These side surfaces and about the side of the conveyor belt 7 protruding portions of the lower narrow side 19 are for marking in Essentially unhindered accessible.

Subordinated to the identification station 3 is a separating station 4 provided in the five-piles, the straight from the identification station 3rd has been transferred. In the separating station 4 do not work shown separating means on the cigarette packs of the downstream Stack 9p to separate the cigarette packs. As shown in FIG. 1, the separating agents turn the cigarette packets 1 90 degrees in Longitudinal, so that the cigarette packs upright, on a narrow side 19 standing and preferably spaced from each other, leak from the device. Subordinate to the device are further handling units, for example a cellophaning station, not shown, and / or a packaging device, already cellophanierte cigarette packs, preferably as a five-pack be transported to unpack to bars.

In principle, a cellophaning device can also be located upstream of that shown in FIG. 1 be arranged device shown and the marking on the Cellophane film or a marking surface attached thereto.

As shown in Fig. 1, the cigarette packs 1 of the stack 9 in the Identification station 3 of clamping devices 10, 11 fixed. Preferred are the Clamping devices 10, 11 in the drawing plane of Figure 1 stationary; in principle However, these can be slowed down, especially with the same Speed like the barrier 6, with a trained as a conveyor belt Moving support surface 7 in the conveying direction with. As the figures can be seen, the lock 6 and the clamping devices 10, 11 are movable to move in a first Position not to intervene in the flow of cigarette packets and around in one second position in the flow of cigarette packets to intervene To handle cigarette packs 1. The lock 6 and the clamping device 10, 11 can in particular be adjusted horizontally and / or vertically, pivoted or in be moved in another suitable manner.

Laterally of the support surface 7, two transport devices 8 are arranged, the adjusted by means of schematically illustrated adjusting means 12, for example vertically and / or moved horizontally, folded up, pivoted or the like can to disengage in a first position with the stream of To be cigarette packs 1 and in a second position a stack of to capture contiguous aligned cigarette packs and as To transport stacks. In Fig. 1, the transport device comprises two symmetrical to the support surface 7 arranged cuboid jaws 8, the the stacks release 9, 9a of cigarette packs in the first position and in the Capture second position, in particular laterally clamp, and transport.

As shown in Fig. 1, the two jaws 8 bridge the gap between the lock 6 and the clamping device 10 symmetrically and can in the Aufstaustation 2 and in the marking station 3 in the second position a take identical number of cigarette packs as a stack 9, 9a. Although in the figures are each shown five stacks, the transport device basically any other number of cigarette packs 1 at a time grab and carry on.

In addition to the jaws 8 and the adjusting means 12 includes the Transport device 8 a not shown motor adjustment means, so that the Transport device 8 from the initial position shown in FIG. 1 in the in Fig. 3 shown end position transferred and moved back. Below is described by way of example a mode of operation of a device according to the invention.

The pent-up in the Aufstaustation 2 cigarette packets 1 are in the form of a Stack of equally oriented, adjacent and aligned Cigarette packs before. In Fig. 1, the barrier 6 projects into the stream of Cigarette packs 1 inside. The five-stack 9a in front of the barrier 6 forms the next to be marked stack of cigarette packs. The Clamping devices 10, 11 protrude into the stream of cigarette packs 1 in FIG. 1 into and fix the stack 9 currently in the marking station 3, so that the cigarette packs 1 are reliably marked with a secure hold can be. The downstream stack 9p in the separating station 4 stands for a separation ready. In Fig. 1, the transport device 8 is in the first position, out of engagement with the stacks 9, 9a. In this position are preferably three side surfaces of the cigarette packs 1 substantially freely accessible.

Fig. 2 shows the device in a side view and in a plan view immediately before a transport of stacks 9, 9a. To prepare the transport the transport device 8 is brought into the second position to the stack 9, 9a to capture, for example, laterally clamp. Furthermore, the lock 6 and the Clamping devices 10, 11 transferred to a second position in which these no longer to intervene in the flow of cigarette packets 1. As shown in Fig. 2, was in the meantime, the previously marked stack 9p is separated and transported away.

To transport the stack 9, 9a is not shown motorized adjusting means the transport device 8 is activated by means of a control means, not shown. Subsequently, the transport device 8 from the starting position in accordance with Fig. 1 and 2 in the end position shown in FIG. 3 transferred. For transport can the stacks 9, 9a are lifted vertically from the support surface 7. During the Further transport of the stack 9, 9a remain the lock 6 and the clamping devices 10, 11 disengaged, that is in the second position. The track around which the two stacks 9, 9a are transported, substantially equal to the sum the length of a single stack 9, 9a and the distance between the barrier 6 and Clamping device 10. Due to the further transport arises in the Aufstaustation 2 a gap, in the example shown a gap of about 3 to 4 Cigarette packs 1. To achieve the highest possible throughput of the system ensure the time required to transport, mark and Releasing the stack 9, 9a and for returning the transport device. 8 is needed, in about the time required for onward transport of a number of Cigarette packs 1 is needed, the by the onward transport corresponds to the resulting gap. The timing of the device is corresponding selected.

The compact stack transferred to the identification station will be there characterized by, for example, labeling by means of an inkjet printer, Laser printer, laser ablation or similar procedures. The labeling can take place on all three exposed sides of the cigarette packs 1. She can on one, two or three pages, at one point or at another several places per page. The marking can be successively, individually depending Packing or by simultaneous labeling of all packs. The processing of the cigarette packs in the identification station takes place as Stack, which is in contrast to the known from the prior art packaged labeling.

During labeling, the identification device, for example Printing device, and / or the stack 9 or can be stack and Move identification device relative to each other. During the Marking the stack 9 can be fixed, including the transport device 8, in particular the lateral jaws shown in the figures, or the again in the stream of cigarette packs introduced clamping devices 10, 11 can be used.

As shown in Fig. 3, during transport at the same time was previously in the Identification station 3 located stack 9 to the separation station. 4 transferred to be released after release of the stack 9 there as a stack 9p.

Fig. 4 shows the device immediately after returning to the Starting position shown in FIG. 1. For returning the transport device give the two lateral jaws 8, the stack 9, 9 a free, the Jaws 8 raised and upstream back to the starting position pulled as shown in FIG. Finally, the jaws 8 are vertical moved down. Further, the lock 6 and the clamping devices 10, 11 return back to the first position to enter the stream of cigarette packets 1 intervene. The clamping devices 10, 11 automatically clamp the from the defrost station 2 in the marking station 3 transferred stack 9a as a stack 9. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the gap between the front end of the Stream of cigarette packs and the lock 6 not yet complete open minded. By further supplying cigarette packs 1, this is Gap finally unlocked, so that the state shown in FIG. 1 again is taken.

As the figures can be seen, the transport device is designed so that Both the stack 9a in the Aufstaustation and the stack 9 in the Identification station can be detected, so that both stacks 9, 9a simultaneously can be transported on.

To supply the packs to the Aufstaustation 2 and to transport the Packages from the separating station 4 are provided with suitable conveying means, for example belt conveyors. The support surface 7 in the area of Identification station 3, however, is preferably immobile, especially as in Essentially flat bearing surface formed, wherein the transport of the stack 9, 9a in the illustrated device preferably exclusively by means of Transport device 8 takes place.

The marking devices used may be laterally and / or can be located above the identification position and can in principle also be kept movable, only in the vicinity of the stack to be marked 9 to arrive when the stack is to be marked and / or fixed.

The device according to the invention can be used in conventional Cigarette packaging units are integrated easily, in particular also as an autonomous unit working with the other components of a Packaging machine coordinates cooperates. In such an arrangement become the incoming into the device according to the invention cigarette packets by means of conventional conveying means, in particular belt conveyors, on the support surface 7 pushed where they are marked and after separating the other units be supplied to the packaging machine.

Claims (12)

1. A device for marking cigarette packets (1),

   a) comprising a first transport device for continuously conveying a flow of cigarette packets (1) from a cigarette packaging machine, characterised by the following features:

   b) an accumulating station (2) for forming a stationary batch (9) of cigarette packets (1) which are adjacent via their broadsides and aligned, from said flow;

   c) a second transport device for transporting a batch (9) of cigarette packets (1) to a marking station (3) for labelling at least one exposed area (18, 19);

   d) the second transport device (8) comprises movable clamping jaws for jointly grasping and releasing two consecutive aligned batches (9), and motorised adjusting means for simultaneously transporting a first batch (9a) from the accumulating station (2) to the marking station (3) and a second batch (9) from the marking station (3) to a downstream separating station (4); and

   e) the marking station (3) marks the cigarette packets (1) in batches on at least one of their exposed areas (18, 19).
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one area (18, 19) and at most three areas of a cigarette packet (1) is/are exposed in the marking station (3).
3. The device as set forth in any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the clamping jaws (8) release the first batch (9a) or fix it for labelling in the marking station (3).
4. The device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cigarette packets (1) are marked by printing, and a printing device and/or the batch (9) is stationary during printing or the batch (9) and a printing device can be moved relative to each other during printing.
5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said printing device includes at least one laser device for marking cigarette packets by means of laser labelling or by means of laser ablation.
6. The device as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the marking station (3) is arranged before or after a cellophane wrapping station and/or marked cigarette packets, once marked, are separated again to be cellophane wrapped, in particular marked cigarette packets, already cellophane wrapped, are transported to a packaging device as batches of five, in order to be packaged there into cartons.
7. A method for marking cigarette packets (1),

   a) which are transported away in a continuous flow from a cigarette packaging machine by a first transport device and accumulated into a stationary batch (9) of cigarette packets (1) which are adjacent via their broadsides and aligned;

   b) a second transport device (8) grasps two consecutive aligned batches (9, 9a) and moves a first batch (9a) from the accumulating station (2) to a marking station (3) and simultaneously moves a second batch from the marking station (3) to a downstream separating station (4); and

   c) the cigarette packets are labelled in batches in the marking station (3).
8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein at least one area (18, 19) and at most three areas of a cigarette packet (1) are exposed in the marking station (3).
9. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first batch (9a) is released in the marking station (3) or the first batch (9) is fixed in the marking station (3) by means of clamping jaws (8) of the second transport device (8).
10. The method as set forth in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein cigarette packets are marked by printing, and a printing device and/or the batch (9) is/are stationary during printing and/or the batch (9) and a printing device are moved relative to each other during printing.
11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the batch (9) of cigarette packets is printed using at least one laser device in the marking station (3), in particular by laser ablation.
12. The method as set forth in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein marking is performed before or after a cellophane wrapping station and/or marked cigarette packets (1), once marked, are separated again to be cellophane wrapped, in particular marked cigarette packets, already cellophane wrapped, are transported to a packaging device as batches of five, in order to be packaged there into cartons.

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