EP1483155B1 - Applicating head for an applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator head for a device with an air suction source for applying individual flat materials elements to objects. The applicator head has an applicator surface in air communication with the air suction source and has perforatable, weak locations. The weak locations can be selectively perforated and, when perforated, a weak location can function as a suction intake opening.

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator head for applying individual flat material elements, in particular labels, to articles according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an applicator head is known from US 4,392,913 A.

Appliziervorrichtungen serve to apply flat material elements, in particular labels, to an object or to apply. In such Appliziervorrichtungen it is important that the Applizierkopf holds the applied flat material element during the Appliziervorganges safe, especially in the process of Applizierkopfes from a starting position in which he receives the flat material element to be applied, and the Applizierort where the flat material element applied to the article becomes. Applicators are known in practice for this purpose, in which a suction air flow for holding the flat material element is used on the Applizierkopf. In the prior art, there are two different types of Saugluft-Appliziervorrichtungen.

The first type of suction air applicator includes a fan that generates a suction air flow. For this purpose, the fan inside the housing portion of the Appliziervorrichtung, which also receives the control and the travel hydraulics or Verfahrpneumatik the Appliziervorrichtung arranged. The Applizierkopf has openings in its Appüzierfläche. The suction air generated by the fan, the flat material element is held on the Applizierkopf.

In this Saugluft-Appliziervorrichtung it has proved to be disadvantageous that this does not work properly for small and / or difficult to apply flat material elements. In addition, this Appliziervorrichtung requires secondary air.

In addition to the fan Appliziervorrichtung are known as a further type of Saugluft-Appliziervorrichtung so-called injector Appliziervorrichtungen. These work according to the venturi principle. For this purpose, the Applizierkopf is again provided with a plurality of apertures, wherein in the interior the housing of the Appliziervorrichtung sits an injector, is injected into the compressed air. As a result, the air is torn from the Applizierkopf, so that the flat material element is held in consequence of the resulting negative pressure on Applizierkopf.

In this injector Appliziervorrichtung it has proved to be disadvantageous that a flawless working is only possible if all openings are covered in the Applizierkopf of the flat material element. It follows that for each form of flat material element a suitable applicator head has to be produced, which is disproportionately expensive.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an applicator head which makes it possible in a simple manner to adapt the applicator surface of the applicator head to variously shaped and / or large flat material elements.

With regard to the Applizierkopfes the above object is solved by the features of claim 1. In the subsequent claims 2 to 18 are advantageous embodiments of this.

Due to the possibility of puncturing one or both of at least two material weaknesses provided on the application surface in order to form one or two suction openings, the application surface can be readily adapted to different shapes and / or different sizes of flat material elements. This is especially true when the Applizierfläche has multiple material weaknesses. If these are preferably arranged regularly on the application surface, it is possible to provide applicator heads for differently shaped and / or differently sized flat material elements by piercing desired material weaknesses with the same surface of application.

In a particularly simple manner, different applicator heads can be provided for one and the same application surface if the material weaknesses are arranged regularly, preferably in a grid pattern, ie distributed over the entire application surface, preferably in columns and rows.

If the application surface made of a plastic material, in particular polyethylene, it may cause static charges when detaching the flat material element of the Applizierfläche. These static charges in turn hinder the sliding of a new flat material element on the Applizierfläche. Furthermore, it is difficult when using a plastic material, in particular a PE material to produce the Applizierfläche with a consistently uniform material thickness. In order to enable the latter and / or to avoid static charging of the applicator surface, it is furthermore advantageous if the applicator surface is provided on its outside with grooves which preferably run at equidistant intervals parallel to each other. It has proven to be advantageous if the grooves are provided between two columns of material weaknesses.

In order to avoid having to replace the entire applicator head in the case of flat material elements of different shape and / or size that are to be processed, it can furthermore be provided that the application surface is provided on an applicator pad which is exchangeably connected to the applicator head.

If the Applizierkopf for applying a flat material element from a starting position in which he receives, for example, the Fiachmaterialelement, rectilinearly movable in an Appüziersteliung in which he applies the flat material element on the object, it is advantageous if the Applizierkopf has a Padaufnahme in the the Applizierpad is reversibly inserted transversely to the direction of the Applizierkopfes.

The Padaufnahme can be designed very different. So there is the possibility that this is formed by two parallel C-shaped guide rails, in which the Applizierpad is reversibly inserted.

In order to achieve a clearly defined end position when inserting the Applizierpads in the Padaufnahme, may continue to be provided on the Padaufnahme a stop that defines this end position.

So that the Applizierpad does not detach from its end position during the Appliziervorganges, may further be provided that the Applizierpad is releasably locked to the Applizierkopf with a locking device. In this case, the locking device may be formed by a spring-loaded ball, which is provided on the Applizierkopf or the Applizierpad and which is able to reversibly engage in a recess on the Applizierpad or Applizierkopf.

A particularly simple construction can be achieved if the stop is formed by the locking device.

The Applizierpad itself can in turn be made up of very different elements. Thus, there is the possibility that the applicator pad is formed from a carrier plate and an applicator plate containing the applicator surface, which preferably form at least one cavity between them. Here, the support plate may be made of aluminum, whereas the Applizierplatte is preferably made of a deformable material, in particular a plastic preferably PE or polyethylene.

The material weaknesses can in turn be formed by different solutions and / or elements. In one embodiment, the material weaknesses may be performed by recesses in the applicator plate. In this case, then the remaining material, ie the bottom of the recess by means of a suitable tool to pierce. In this case, the material components displaced during the piercing would protrude outward beyond the applicator plate. Therefore, it has proved to be advantageous if at each material weakness on the Applizierfläche, preferably a depression in the Applizierplatte, on the other to the Applizierfläche parallel extending surface or side of Applizierplatte corresponding, aligned with the material weaknesses on the Applizierfläche material weaknesses, preferably recesses are provided, which are preferably separated by a "membrane" or a thin material pellicle from each other. In other words, the thin material pellicle is inside the Applizierplatte, so that when piercing components of the thin material skin do not project beyond the Applizierplatte.

As has already been explained above, static charges can occur on the application surface, which make it difficult to slide on a new surface material element or to detach a flat material element already located on the application surface. To avoid this, grooves may be provided in the application surface. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the Applizierfläche having Applizierfläche a thickness, measured substantially perpendicular to Applizierflächen, which allows a material removal to form a defined, adapted to a particular flat material element Applizierfläche. This removal can be done for example by a milling operation in a plane parallel to the Applizierfläche. As a result, the Applizierfläche is reduced relative to the surface of the entire Applizierplatte and at least approximately adapted to the shape of the flat material element, so that it does not have to be pushed over a not claimed by the flat material element due to its shape surface area of Applizierplatte or Applizierfläche, causing the problem static charge is further reduced.

The Applizierplatte and the support plate can be connected both detachable and non-detachable. In the case of a permanent connection, this can be achieved by gluing the carrier plate to the applicator plate. Likewise, the Applizierplatte and the support plate may be connected by a screw connection. In the latter case, care must be taken to ensure that the impact between the applicator plate and the carrier plate is at least airtight.

In order to be able to establish a connection between the applicator pad and the suction air source, the carrier plate is provided with a coupling for detachable connection to the suction air source. In this case, the coupling can be formed by a preferably circular opening in the carrier plate, which is connected to a tube piece when the applicator pad is attached to the application head.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Appiizierkopfes zusammen mit einem Werkzeug zum Durchstechen von Materialschwachstellen in einer Applizierfläche des Kopfes;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Applizierkopfes mit dem Durchstech-Werkzeug;

Fig.3

eine Draufsicht auf die Applizierfläche des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Applizierkopfes;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie IV - IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

die Einzelheit E in Fig. 4 im vergrößertem Maßstab; und

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer in dem Applizierkopf gemäß Fig. 1 aufnehmbaren Applizierplatte.

Further advantageous embodiments and an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It should be noted that the terms used in this context "left", "right", "down" and "above" refer to the drawing figures with normal readable reference numerals. Here is:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the invention Appiizierkopfes together with a tool for piercing material weaknesses in a Applizierfläche the head;

Fig. 2

a side view of the Applizierkopfes shown in Figure 1 with the piercing tool.

Figure 3

a plan view of the Applizierfläche the Applizierkopfes shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4

a sectional view taken along the line IV - IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

the detail E in Figure 4 on an enlarged scale. and

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a second embodiment of an applicator in the Applizierkopf according to FIG. 1 Applizierplatte.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 for an applicator head 10 according to the invention has a mounting frame 20 for preferably releasably attaching the applicator head 10 to a housing section of an applicator device, not shown, in which a suction air source, for example in the form of an injector, is arranged. and an applicator pad 40 reversibly slidable on the mounting frame 20 in a manner to be described later.

The mounting frame 20 has a square basic shape and is composed of a square base plate 22 and a likewise square frame member 24. The base plate 22 is, as this particular 4 is removable, provided with openings 22a through which the air flow generated by the Saugluftquelle can flow from the Applizierpad 40 through the mounting frame 20 to the suction air source.

On the side facing away from the frame member 24, the base plate 22 has fastening tabs 22b, by means of which the mounting frame 20 formed by the base plate 22 and the frame member 24 and possibly applied to the mounting frame 20 Applizierpad 40 on the applicator is preferably releasably attachable (see Fig. 2, 4). The fastening tabs 22b may be formed, for example, by notching and bending about 90 ° of portions of the base plate 22, which necessarily have to be removed from the plate surface to produce the through openings 22a.

The square surface spanned by the frame element 24 corresponds approximately to the surface of the base plate 22, so that the circumferential wall 24a of the frame element 24 forming the frame delimits the base plate 22 at its edges. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2 and 4, the peripheral frame wall 24a has two wall sections, a first wall section 24aa and a second wall section 24ab. The pointing to the base plate 22 first wall portion 24a spans a relative to the base plate 22 slightly smaller square surface, whereas the adjoining of the base plate 22 pioneering second frame portion 24ab framed a relative to the base plate 22 larger square area. The two wall sections 24aa and 24ab are integrally connected to one another via a step.

On its side pointing to the base plate 22, the frame element 24 is provided with inwardly directed connecting straps or connecting flanges 24b, by means of which the frame element 24 is preferably fastened inseparably to the base plate 22, for example by gluing, soldering or riveting (see FIG ).

As further shown in FIG. 1 can be removed, the frame member 24 has in its interior a plurality of stiffening ribs 24 c, which, inter alia, to maintain the dimensional stability of the frame member 24 serve. Furthermore the frame element 24 on the side facing away from the base plate 22 edge edges of two mutually parallel wall sides guide elements 24d, which form a Padaufnahme for Applizierpad 40 and into which the Applizierpad 40 can be inserted. The guide elements 24d are each formed by an over the full length of the corresponding frame wall extending, pointing into the interior of the frame member 24 C-shaped extension 24d. If the applicator head 10 does not have a square notch, for example a rectangular shape, the guide elements 24d preferably extend on the peripheral edges of the peripheral frame wall 24a which form the long sides of the rectangle.

In connection with the mounting frame 20 it should be noted that the base plate 22 and the frame member 24 may be made of the same or different materials. It is preferred that the mounting frame is made entirely of aluminum or an alloy thereof.

The Applizierpad 40 includes a support plate 42, which is preferably made of aluminum or an alloy thereof, and an applicator 44, which is preferably made of an easily deformable or severable material, in particular of a plastic, preferably polyethylene. The carrier plate 42 and the Applizierplatte 44 are preferably non-detachable, for example by gluing, connected together.

The support plate 42 also has a square surface area which is congruent with that of the base plate 22. As a result of the relative to the base plate 22 and thus the support plate 42 larger width or length of the second wall portion 24ab enclosed square area corresponds to the distance between the two guide projections 24d, in particular the distance between the two free legs of each C-shaped extension 24d interconnecting Base legs of the guide projections 24d, the width and length of the support plate 42. Furthermore, the distance between the two free legs of each C-shaped extension 24d corresponds approximately to the thickness of the support plate 42 and jst slightly larger. As a result, the carrier plate 42 of the Applizierpads 40 in the Insert mounting frame 20 along the guide extensions 24d and is securely held there.

In order to bring the Applizierpad 40 when inserted into the mounting frame 20 in a defined position relative to the mounting frame 20, the support plate 42 is provided at its opposite the insertion direction facing edge with a stop 42a. The stop 42a is formed by a in the assembled state in the direction of the mounting frame 20 facing the fold of the support plate 42, which preferably extends over the full length of this peripheral edge. Upon reaching the end position during the insertion, which takes place in the direction perpendicular to the surface normal of the Applizierplatte 44, d. H. parallel to the Applizierplatte 44, the stop 42a abuts against the wall portion 24ab of the frame wall 24a, thus limiting the insertion movement.

On its side facing the mounting frame 20, the support plate 42 has stiffening ribs 42b, which support the dimensional stability of the support plate 42. Finally, the support plate 42 is provided with at least one passage opening, not shown, through which the air flow caused by the suction air source can flow from the applicator plate 44 to the suction air source.

The Applizierplatte 44 in turn has a square basic shape, the surface area, however, is smaller than that of the support plate 42 so that edges of the support plate 42 remain free, by means of which the support plate 42 can be inserted into the guide projections 24 d. Furthermore, the Applizierplatte 44 on its side facing the support plate 42 a peripheral to the support plate 42 encircling edge web 44a. As a result of this edge web 44a, after attaching the applicator plate 44 to the carrier plate 42, for example by gluing, a cavity 46 is formed, as can be seen in FIG. It should be noted in this context that the connection between the support plate 42 and Applizierplatte 44 tight, in particular air-tight.

The side 44b of the applicator plate 44 facing away from the carrier plate 42 forms an application surface on which the surface material element to be applied, such as a label, during the application process is held. This Applizierfläche 44b is provided with a plurality of equidistant spaced parallel grooves 44c.

In the spaces between two successive grooves 44c and a groove 44c and the associated peripheral edge of the application plate 44, material weaknesses 44d of the applicator plate 44 are likewise provided in a grid-like manner at an equidistant spacing. These material weaknesses 44d are formed by circular recesses, as can be seen from FIG. At the side facing the support plate 42 side 44e, are attached to the unspecified stiffening ribs for the Applizierplatte 44, the Applizierplatte 44 is provided in corresponding to the material weaknesses 44d manner with further material weaknesses 44f, which are also circular recesses. The coaxially aligned material weaknesses 44d, 44f are separated by a thin material skin 44g extending transversely to their axial direction. The thin material skins 44g exclude a flow connection between the two mutually associated material weak points 44d, 44f, in particular after the completion of the applicator head 10 in the manufacturing plant. In other words, the applicator head 10 or the applicator pad 40 which can be interchangeably inserted into the applicator head 10 can not initially be used after completion, since there is no flow connection between the application surface 44b and the suction air source.

However, as desired by the user of the applicator head 10 of the present invention, one or more thin tissue pellicles 44g may be punctured by the deformable material of the applicator plate 44 by means of the piercing tool D shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, such that the material weaknesses 44d, 44f form an outlet opening communicating with the suction air source above the cavity 46 and the mounting frame 20 with the openings 22a. As a result, it is possible to form arbitrarily designed Einsatzapplizierflächen whose shape and size depends on the shape and size of the surface material element to be applied. FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of different application surfaces A1, A2, A3, which are all square but of different sizes. The Applizierfläche A3 corresponds to the full by the Applizierplatte 44 provided Applizierfläche 44b. In other words, all the thin material skins 44g of the material weak points 44d, 44f must be pierced in the application surface A3, whereas in the application surface A1 only about one third of the material weak points 44d, 44f must be pierced. Of course, other shapes, such as rectangles; Generate diamonds etc. by the grid-shaped arrangement of the material weaknesses 44d, 44f.

The piercing tool D can be mounted by a unspecified grip piston, at its one end face centric a likewise unspecified piercing needle, as can be seen from Figs. 2 and 4 can be removed. Of course, however, any other tool can be used for piercing the thin material skins 44g.

In Fig. 6, a second embodiment for the Applizierplatte 44 'is shown. This embodiment has a predetermined material thickness which makes it possible to carry out a material removal in a plane parallel to the application surface 44b '. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the applicator plate 44 'can be provided with an apoptotic surface 44b' whose size corresponds at least approximately to the size of the surface material element or label. The material removal can be done for example by a milling process. The abzufräsende material thickness h can be chosen so that it extends approximately to the depth of the recesses 44d 'up to the thin material skin 44g'. In this way it is ensured that no secondary air then emerges from the material weaknesses 44d 'possibly opened during the milling process.

The Applizierkopf 10 according to the invention is prepared by first a mounting bracket 20 is provided. Simultaneously or subsequently, the Applizierpad 40 is produced, wherein the support plate 42 is connected airtight with the Applizierplatte 44, for example by gluing. All thin material skins 44g of the material weaknesses 44d, 44f of the applicator pad 40 are in this case still closed. Subsequently, the Applizierpad 40 is inserted into the guide extensions 24 d of the mounting bracket 20 until a locking device, not shown the Applizierpad 40 is locked to the mounting bracket 20 and / or the stopper 42 a on the outside of the frame wall 24 abuts. Then, in the manufacturing plant of the Applizierkopfes 10 or at the customer by means of Durchsteckwerkzeuges D individual thin material cuticle 26g are pierced according to the shape of the flat material element to be applied.

Subsequently or before, the applicator plate 44 or 44 'can be machined by means of a milling tool in such a way that a part of the applicator plate 44' protrudes raised, which then forms the application surface 44b '.

In order to be able to apply 10 different flat material elements with one and the same application head, it can furthermore be provided that a plurality of application pads 40 belong to an application head 10. Due to the exchangeability of the Applizierpads 40 relative to the mounting bracket 20 Applizierpads 40 can then be mounted with differently pierced Appliziertierchen, for example, the Applizierflächen A1, A2 and A3 on the Applizierkopf 10 optional.

Claims (18)

1. An applicator head for a device for applying individual flat material elements, in particular labels, to objects, wherein the applicator head (10) can be communicated with a suction air source and has an applicator surface (44b; 44b') at which there is provided at least one suction intake opening (44d, 44f; 44d') which can be communicated with the suction air source,
   characterised in that the applicator surface (44b; 44b') has at least two material weak locations (44d; 44d') which can be selectively perforated to form the at least one suction intake opening (44d, 44f; 44d').
2. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the applicator surface (44b; 44b') has a plurality of material weak locations (44d; 44d') which are preferably regularly arranged on the applicator surface (44b; 44b').
3. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that the material weak locations (44d; 44d') are distributed over the entire applicator surface (44b; 44b'), preferably in raster grid configuration in columns and rows.
4. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in one of claims 1 through 3 characterised in that the applicator surface (44b; 44b') is provided at its outside with grooves (44c) preferably extending in mutually parallel relationship at an equidistant spacing.
5. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 3 and claim 4 characterised in that the grooves (44c) are provided between two columns of material weak locations (44d; 44d').
6. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in one of claims 1 through 5 characterised in that the applicator surface (44b; 44b') is provided on an applicator pad (40) which is replaceably connected to the applicator head (10).
7. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the applicator head (10) is reversibly displaceable in a straight line from a starting position into an applicator position, characterised in that there is provided a pad receiving means (24d) into which the applicator pad (40) can be reversibly inserted in transverse relationship with the direction of displacement of the applicator head (10).
8. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 7 characterised in that the pad receiving means is formed by two C-shaped guide rails (24d) which extend in parallel relationship and into which the applicator pad (40) can be reversibly inserted.
9. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 7 or claim 8 characterised in that the end position upon inserting the applicator pad (40) into the pad receiving means (24d) is defined by an abutment (24ab, 42a).
10. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in one of claims 6 through 9 characterised in that the applicator pad (40) is releasably lockable to the applicator head (10) by means of a locking device.
11. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 10 characterised in that the locking device is formed by a spring-loaded ball which is provided on the applicator head (10) or the applicator pad (40) and which is capable of reversibly engaging into a recess on the applicator pad (40) or the applicator head (10).
12. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 10 and claim 11 characterised in that the abutment is formed by the locking device.
13. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in one of claims 6 through 12 characterised in that the applicator pad (40) is formed from a carrier plate (42) and an applicator plate (44; 44') including the applicator surface (44b; 44b'), which plates preferably form at least one hollow space (46) between them.
14. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in claim 13 characterised in that the applicator plate (44; 44') and the carrier plate (42) are non-releasably connected together, preferably glued together.
15. An applicator head as set forth in claim 13 or claim 14 characterised in that at each material weak location (44d; 44d') at the applicator surface (44b; 44b') at the other surface (44e) which extends in parallel relationship with the applicator surface (44b; 44b') there are provided corresponding material weak locations (44f) which are aligned with the material weak locations (44d; 44d') at the applicator surface (44e) and which are preferably separated from each other by a thin material skin portion (44g; 44g').
16. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in one of claims 13 through 15 characterised in that the applicator plate (44') is of a thickness which allows a removal of material for forming a defined applicator surface (44b') which is adapted to a given flat material element.
17. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in one of claims 13 through 16 characterised in that the carrier plate (42) is provided with a coupling for releasable communication with the suction air source.
18. An applicator head for an applicator device as set forth in one of claims 13 through 17 characterised in that the applicator plate (44; 44') is produced from a deformable material, preferably plastic material.

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