EP1787913B1 - Apparatus for the treatment of information carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment (10) has a device (20) by means of which individual information carriers(11) can be, at least partly or completely, detached from a continuously moving track (12). Information carriers (11a) that are established as non-functional are selected and removed from the detached information carriers. The remaining detached information carriers can be transferred partially or completely, again on the track for further transport.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the treatment of information carriers according to the preamble of claim 1 and as known from the EP 1 072 520 A1 ,

Such information carriers are, for example, RFID labels and thus carriers provided with a back-side adhesive surface which are equipped with contact-based or instead contactless and antenna-equipped integrated circuits and which are detachably held and transported by the adhesive surface on a band-shaped web , In the treatment of such information carriers the problem arises, as e.g. to remove and discard information carriers determined to be inoperable from the railway. This must be done as continuously as possible and at high speed by machine.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for the treatment of information carriers of the type mentioned, which makes it possible, selected, in particular determined to be inoperative, information carrier in a web run, the continuous and high Speed is quickly and reliably removed from the web without damaging the web with the information carriers and without interrupting the continuous pass.

The object is achieved according to the invention in a device of the type mentioned by the features in claim 1. Further advantageous features of the invention and embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The design of the device according to the invention makes it possible to sort out and remove quickly and reliably identified as inoperable detected information carrier with continuous passage of the information carriers provided with high transport speed and without the train thereby takes damage or even tearing. The device is simple and reliable and creates, among other things, the conditions for such information carrier, which need not be sorted out, but initially at least partially with surface areas or completely detached from the web, press back to the web and thus restore the Klebestalterung ,

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The full text of the claims is not reproduced above solely to avoid unnecessary repetition, but instead referred to merely by reference to the claims on it, which, however, all of these claims have to be considered as explicitly and essential to the invention here to apply. In this case, all the features mentioned in the preceding and following description as well as the features which can be taken solely from the drawings are further components of the invention, too if not particularly highlighted and not specifically mentioned in the claims.

Fig. 1

eine schematische, teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht einer Einrichtung zur Behandlung von Informationsträgern gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel und in einer Arbeitsphase,

Fig. 2

eine schematische, teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht der Einrichtung in Fig. 1 in einer zweiten Arbeitsphase,

Fig. 3

eine schematische, teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht etwa entsprechend derjenigen in Fig. 1 einer Einrichtung zur Behandlung von Informationsträgern, gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 4

eine schematische, teilweise aufgebrochene Seitenansicht eines Teils einer Einrichtung zur Behandlung von Informationsträgern gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Teils der Einrichtung in Pfeilrichtung V in Fig. 4.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a device for the treatment of information carriers according to a first embodiment and in a working phase,

Fig. 2

a schematic, partially sectioned side view of the device in Fig. 1 in a second work phase,

Fig. 3

a schematic, partially sectioned side view approximately corresponding to those in Fig. 1 a device for the treatment of information carriers, according to a second embodiment,

Fig. 4

a schematic, partially broken side view of a portion of an apparatus for processing information carriers according to a third embodiment,

Fig. 5

a schematic side view of the part of the device in the direction of arrow V in Fig. 4 ,

In Fig. 1 and 2 there is shown a first embodiment of a device 10 adapted to handle information carriers 11 which are transported successively, for example at intervals therebetween, on at least one longitudinally moved web 12. These information carriers 11 are, for example, RFID labels, for example labels, tickets or the like, and in particular those which are designed as carriers with integrated circuits. The integrated Circuits can usually be contact-type or they are contactless and provided with antennas, so that contactless information exchange with these information carriers 11 is possible. The respective carrier carrying an integrated circuit of the information carrier 11 has a back-side adhesive surface 13 and is held detachably on the upper side 14 of the web 12, for example by gluing it.

In such transported by means of the web 12 information carriers 11, the problem is such information carrier 11, which were determined due to a test performed as defective, in particular inoperable, to separate from the web 12 and remove. It is required that this occurs at continuous and at high speed successful passage of the web 12 with information carriers 11 on it, and in such a way that the web 12 is not damaged, in particular not ruptures.

These requirements, the device 10 according to the invention to a large extent and thereby in a simple and reliable design. The device 10 according to the invention is characterized by at least one device 20, by means of which at least some selected information carrier 11 of the web 12, the continuously continuously in the direction of arrow 15, that is in Fig. 1 and 2 from left to right, is moved, at least partially or completely removable. By means of the device 20 are selected from this completely or partially detached information carriers 11 selected information carrier, as in the example of the information carrier 11a in Fig. 2 is clarified, in particular as inoperative detected information carrier 11a, removable, while the remaining at least partially or completely detached information carrier 11 are again transferred to the web 12 for further transport in the direction of arrow 15. The device 20 has a deflecting device 21 which deflects the web 12 out of its level and course and then returns it to its level at a distance therefrom, which can be adjustable and, under certain circumstances, very low. This process is in Fig. 1 regarding there with 11 b designated information carrier clearly due to the successful reversal of the web 12 is already detached in the transport direction of the web 12 front portion due to the web deflection from the top 14 of the web 12 and exposed on this section with its bottom adhesive surface 13 and no longer connected with the train 12 has.

The deflection device 21 has a deflection member 22, which in the first embodiment of a slider 23, in the second embodiment according to Fig. 3 however, is formed from a rolling body 33, in particular in the form of a deflection roller. The deflecting member 22 in the first embodiment in the form of the local slip body 23 is formed, for example, from a deflection edge 24, for example, a web or knife edge. The web-shaped or knife-shaped sliding body 23, for example, extends at an angle α with respect to the plane of the web 12, which may be for example approximately 45 °.

The deflecting device 21 further has, viewed along the deflected trajectory, at a distance from the deflecting member 22 at least a first deflecting body 25, which is in particular designed as a deflection roller. This first deflecting body 25 is placed with respect to the deflecting member 22 and the trajectory so that by means of the deflecting member 22, the web 12 at the deflecting edge 24 by such a sufficient angle, which here is about 90 °, from the web level and trajectory is deflected out in that as a result of this web deflection, the web 12 in the region of the deflection edge 24 is separated from the individual information carriers 11, as in FIG Fig. 1 is shown for the information carrier 11 b, with detachment of the information carrier 11 b removed, wherein the information carrier 11, such as the information carrier 11b, thereby remain at least substantially at the web level. The detached information carrier 11 so do not make the deflection of the web 12, which is made so just to a detachment of the individual information carrier 11 with the lower-side adhesive surface 13 from the top 14th to effect the web 12 in an automatic manner. This replacement is in Fig. 1 shown for the information carrier 11 b, namely the front portion, which is detached from the web 12, but still remains substantially at web level.

The distance between the deflecting member 22 and the first deflecting body 25, in particular the deflection roller, is variable and adjustable. For this purpose, the first deflecting body 25 is adjustable with respect to its distance from the deflecting member 22, which is indicated by the arrow 26 and an adjusting device 27, for example in the form of an actuating cylinder.

The deflection device 21 has a deflecting member 22 adjacent to the web 12 on the level and course recirculating second deflecting body 28, which is for example also designed as a deflection roller. The second deflecting body 28 may be adjustable together with the web 12 out of the web level and web path, in particular in such a direction that faces away from the first deflecting body 25, that is to say in FIG Fig. 1 and 2 upwards. Due to the arrangement of the second deflecting body 28, the web 12 thus moves back to its original level due to deflection. Due to this it is achieved that the respective information carrier 11b detached by the deflection of the web 12 by means of the deflecting member 22 from the upper side 14 of the web 12 due to the forward transport through the web 12 again with the underside adhesive surface 13 to the means of the second deflecting body 28 deflected and returned to its level track 12 passes and by means of the adhesive surface 13 again the adhesion is made. The unselected, in particular identified as inoperable, information carrier 11b thus passes after detachment from the web 12 by redirecting it again with its adhesive surface 13 back to the top 14 of the web 12 and adheres to this again by adhesive action. He only changed his place on the course 12. The space offset can be adjusted by adjusting the first deflecting body 25 in the direction of arrow 26.

If, on the other hand, an information carrier 11a (FIG. Fig. 2 ) are selected as to be removed from the web 12 and to be sorted out, for example due to malfunction, so this auszusondernde information carrier 11a is removed differently than the information carrier 11 b, so that it does not get back on the top 14 of the web 12 and in adhesive bonding therewith , For this purpose, the device 20 has a removal device 40 for removing individual information carriers 11a remote from the web 12. The removal device 40 is designed in such a way that by means of these information carriers 11a selected, at least or without exception, in particular identified as inoperative, from which the web 12 has moved away due to web deflection, are detected and transported out of the region of the web 12. The removal device 40 has a suction and / or pressure device 41 for suction / pressurization of the information carrier 11 and transport away, for example, defective information carrier 11. This suction and / or pressure device 41 has at least one drum 42 which is continuously or intermittently rotatably driven about an axis 43 by means of a drive not shown in a direction of rotation according to arrow 44. The drum 42 is adjacent to the web 12, in such a way that a peripheral portion approximately in the region of the deflecting member 22 or between the deflecting member 22 and the second deflecting body 28 is arranged. The direction of rotation of the driven drum 42 according to arrow 44 corresponds to the web transport direction according to arrow 15, that is to say corresponds to the counterclockwise direction. The drum 42 can preferably be driven at a speed corresponding to the transport speed of the web 12. The drum 42 has on its peripheral surface openings 45 which communicate with respective chambers 46. The chambers 46 in turn are acted upon by a source not further shown with gas, in particular air, said medium is as needed for the Saugbeaufschlagung under negative pressure or for the pressurization under pressure. This is achieved that about the drum 42 and the openings 45th by gas, in particular air, a suction and / or pressurization of individual information carrier 11 is possible.

By pressurizing at least one chamber 46 and at least one associated opening 45 on the corresponding peripheral region of the drum 42 can thus be detected as defective and to be removed information carrier 11a, due to deflection of the web 12 with its adhesive surface 13 at least on a front area is separated from the web 12 by suction from the drum 42 and removed from the region of the web 12. This is in Fig. 2 for such an information carrier 11 a illustrates.

In the first embodiment, the drum 42 has an undeformable periphery with circumferentially distributed openings 45. The drum 42 may be formed for the mere Saugbeaufschlagung and suction of individual information carrier 11a. In this case, this removal device 40, in particular drum 42, for example, only activated and supplied with negative pressure when supplied by a tester a corresponding signal for the extraction of a detected as defective information carrier 11 a and therefore at least those chambers 46 and thus in Negative pressure is applied to connecting openings 45 which are located in the area of the information carrier 11a already to be sucked away from the web 12 with its front section. For example, should the information carrier 11 b in Fig. 1 have been found to be removed, so the lower portion of the drum 42 with local chambers 46 and openings 45 with negative pressure for the extraction of the information carrier 11 b initially applied to its free from the web 12 front portion. Due to further rotation of the drum 42 in the direction of arrow 44 is then received by progressive further delamination of the information carrier 11 b of the web 12 and the front portion following portion of the information carrier 11 b by suction from the drum 42, so that then the state results, in Fig. 2 is shown with respect to the local information carrier 11 a.

The removal device 40 in this configuration also makes it possible to suck in succession from the web 12 detached information carrier 11 each by applying vacuum to the circumference of the drum 42 and initially move from the area of the web 12, and then by the further circulation of the drum 42 by appropriate Control of individual openings 45 and associated chambers 46 as eg defective information carrier 11a to be blown off by overpressure in the direction of a collection point and the rest, by suction on the circumference of the drum 42 adhering information carrier 11 in the drum circulation and reaching the web 12 back to this e.g. to be passed by pressurizing through the openings 45 and chambers 46. With this transfer, the pressurization can still be supported in such a way that thereby the respective information carrier 11 is pressed with its lower-side adhesive surface 13 on the upper side 14 of the web 12.

The removal device 40, even if it is designed for the mere suction and suction of defective information carrier 11 a, also usable so that by means of the drum 42 a pressing of those information carrier 11 b can be made to the web 12, the first with surface areas, for. B. with their front portion, are detached from the web 12, but not as such, which were found to be defective, should be removed, but remain at the level of the web 12 and transferred as possible without space again on the web 12 for further transport should. By pressurizing the openings 45 of the drum area, which is at the level of in Fig. 1 is exposed to the front surface area of the information carrier 11b exposed, it can thus be pressed with its adhesive surface 13 to the top 14 of the web 12 during further transport. He remains at the railway level. A possible misalignment on the web 12 can be avoided here. The device 20, in particular the removal device 40, therefore, if necessary, also opens up this possibility.

The removal device 40, in particular drum 42, is an in Fig. 1 and 2 schematically associated recording device 50, to which those information carrier 11a ( Fig. 2 ) are delivered, which were received by means of the removal device 40, in particular sucked, have been. This receiving device 50 has an example of paper, cardboard or the like. existing cylinder 51 which is held by a holder 52 and circumferentially pressed against the circumference of the drum 42. The cylinder 51 is located in the direction of arrow 44 viewed in the circumferential distance of the deflection device 21 adjacent peripheral region of the drum 42, for example at a distance with a circumferential angle of about 90 °. During circulation of the drum 42, the information carrier 11a adhering to it and transported away therefrom is transferred to the cylinder 51, wherein, for example, the information carrier 11a with its rear adhesive surface 13 adheres to the circumferential surface of the cylinder 51 by adhesion. The cylinder 51 is pressed against the circumferential surface of the drum 42, wherein with increasing number of adhering to the cylinder 51 information carrier 11 a of the cylinder circumference grows. If the cylinder 51 has reached a certain diameter, it can be removed and replaced by a new one.

By removing selected, in particular determined as inoperative, information carriers 11a of the web 12 arise on these gaps. These can later be filled by additionally applied functional information carriers 11, so that then a web 12 with successive functional information carriers 11 is present.

At the in Fig. 3 shown second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the parts that correspond to the first embodiment, so that reference is made to the description of the first embodiment is. The second embodiment differs from the first only in that, instead of a sliding body 23, a rolling body 33, for example in the form of a deflection roller, is provided as the deflection member 22.

At the in 4 and 5 For the same reasons, the same reference numerals as in FIG Fig. 1 to 3 used.

In the 4 and 5 shown drum 42 has on at least one peripheral portion or, as shown here, on its full circumference, a perforated flexible cover 57, such as a membrane on. In this embodiment, the drum 42 is formed as required both for negative pressure and suction of respective to be removed information carrier 11 as well as overpressurization and pressing of such information carrier 11 by means of the flexible cover 57 to the web 12, which are detached from the web 12, but not are removed, but are to be pressed back to the web 12. The drum 42 is formed here as a circumferentially driven ring 58 which is held and guided on a fixed support member 59. This support member 59 has a cylindrical peripheral surface 60 and in this peripheral channels, for example, two peripheral channels 61 and 62 (FIG. Fig. 4 ), with which the chambers 46 of the ring 58 communicate via channels 63. The channels 63 are opened to the respective peripheral channel 61 and 62. About the peripheral channels 61, 62, the channels 63 and the chambers 46, the flexible cover 57 is acted upon with negative pressure for suction through the openings 45 and / or overpressure for at least slight bulging of the flexible cover 57, including the peripheral channels 61, 62 with a not further shown source of negative pressure or pressure in connection or are brought on a case by case basis.

The arrangement may be such that a peripheral channel, for example, the peripheral channel 61, which extends over the largest peripheral portion of the support member 59, for example, about 90% of the circumference, only with negative pressure for suction respective information carrier 11 is acted upon. Another circumferential channel, for example, the peripheral channel 62, may then extend over the remaining peripheral portion of the support member 59 and optionally applied with vacuum for sucking respective information carrier 11 or pressure for pressing respective information carrier 11 through the cover 57 to the web 12.

Also in this embodiment of the removal device 40 is an operation possible in which successively all the information carrier 11 are removed by suction. Such information carrier 11, which are good, so are functional, can be dispensed by the drum 42 again by circulation of the drum 42 and re-reaching the web 12 by overpressurization and passed to the web 12 by pressing.

The transfer of information carriers 11 to the web 12 can also be accomplished or at least supported that the second deflecting body 28 in Fig. 1 to 3 is moved together with the over it web 12 upwards in the direction of the drum 42 and thereby the web 12 is pressed against the drum circumference.

The removal device 40 according to 4 and 5 is also operable so that the large circumferential channel 61 is acted upon by negative pressure, so that when circulating the drum 42 in the form of the ring 58 whose each with this circulation channel 61 communicating chambers 46 and thereby located there openings 45 of the flexible cover 57 only be acted upon with negative pressure for sucking eg defective information carrier 11a. The other, smaller peripheral channel 62, however, can be subjected to negative pressure or overpressure as desired, wherein in the vacuum case, a suction of information carriers takes place and in the case of overpressure information carrier can be pressed by the flexibility of the cover 57 and bulging them to the web 12.

Claims (26)

1. Apparatus for the treatment of information carriers (11), for example of labels, tickets or the like, in particular those which are formed as individual carriers with integrated circuits, which are held detachably, preferably by adhesive bonding, following one another on at least one strip-like web (12) moved longitudinally,
   characterized by at least one device (20) by means of which at least some information carriers (11) can be at least partly or completely detached from the progressively continuously moved web (12) and, of these, selected information carriers (11a), in particular those determined to be unserviceable, can be removed, while the remaining at least partly or completely detached information carriers (11) can be transferred to the web (12) again for onward transport.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that, by means of the device (20), all the information carriers (11) can be detached from the web (12), preferably one after another and individually.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that, by means of the device (20), information carriers (11) not intended to be detached and removed are left at least with surface regions on the web (12) and are fixed to the web (12) again by using remaining surface regions detached from the web (12).
4. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (20) has a deflection device (21) deflecting the web (12) out of its level and course and subsequently guiding it back to its level again at a distance therefrom.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the deflection device (21) has a deflection element (22) by means of which the web (12) can be deflected out of the web level and web course by an angle that is sufficient such that, as a result of the web deflection, the web (12) is removed from the information carriers (11) with the at least partial detachment of the latter and, in the process, the information carriers (11) remain substantially at the web level.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the deflection element (22) is formed from at least one sliding body (23) or rolling body (33).
7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the deflection element (22) is formed from a deflection edge (24), for example an edge of a bar or a knife edge.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the deflection element (22) is formed from a deflection roller.
9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that, viewed along the deflected web course, the deflection device (21) has at least a first deflection body (25), in particular a deflection roller, at a distance from the deflection element (22).
10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that the distance between the deflection element (22) and the first deflection body (25), in particular the deflection roller, can be varied and set.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that the first deflection body (25), in particular the deflection roller, can be adjusted with regard to the distance from the deflection element (22).
12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the deflection device (21) has a second deflection body (28), in particular a deflection roller, adjacent to the deflection element (22) and guiding the web (12) back to its level and course.
13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, characterized in that the second deflection body (28), in particular the deflection roller, can be adjusted together with the web (12) out of the web level and web course, in particular in a direction facing away from the first deflection body (25).
14. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the device (20) has a removal apparatus (40) for the removal of individual information carriers (11a) removed from the web (12).
15. Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized in that the removal apparatus (40) is configured in such a way that, by means of the latter, at least some selected information carriers (11), in particular those determined to be unserviceable, from which the web (12) is removed as a result of web deflection, are gripped and transported out of the range of the web (12).
16. Apparatus according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the removal apparatus (40) has a suction and/or pressure apparatus (41) for applying suction/pressure to the information carriers (11) and transporting the latter away.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 12 and Claim 16, characterized in that the suction and/or pressure apparatus (41) has at least one drum (42), which is arranged adjacent to the web (12) and with one circumferential section approximately in the region of the deflection element (22) or between the deflection element (22) and the second deflection body (28), and can be driven in rotation, continuously or intermittently, with a direction of rotation corresponding to the web transport direction, preferably at a rotational speed corresponding to the web transport speed.
18. Apparatus according to Claim 17, characterized in that, on its circumferential surface, the drum (42) contains openings (45) which are connected to chambers (46) and via which, by means of the application of gas, in particular the application of air, suction and/or pressure is applied to individual information carriers (11).
19. Apparatus according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, by means of the drum (42), by the application of vacuum to at least one chamber (46) and at least one opening (45) connected thereto on the corresponding circumferential region of the drum (42), a respective information carrier (11a) can be attracted by suction and can be removed from the web region by means of drum rotation.
20. Apparatus according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the drum (42) has a circumference that cannot be deformed and is designed for the simple application of vacuum to individual information carriers (11a) and their attraction by suction.
21. Apparatus according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the drum (42) has on its circumference or at least on a circumferential section a perforated flexible covering (57), for example a membrane, and, if required, is constructed both for the application of vacuum to respective information carriers (11a) to be removed and their attraction by suction and also for applying positive pressure and pressing onto the web (12) those information carriers (11) which are detached from the web (12), at least in surface regions, but are not to be removed but are to be pressed onto the web (12) again.
22. Apparatus according to Claim 21, characterized in that the drum (42) is constructed as a ring (58) which is driven so as to revolve and which is held and guided on a stationary supporting part (59).
23. Apparatus according to Claim 22, characterized in that the supporting part (59) has a cylindrical circumferential surface (60) and circumferential channels (61, 62) in the latter, to which the chambers (46) of the ring (58) are connected via channels (63) that are open towards the circumferential channels (61, 62), and to which vacuum and/or positive pressure can be applied.
24. Apparatus according to Claim 23, characterized in that a circumferential channel (61) of the supporting part (59) extends over its greatest circumferential proportion, for example about 90% of the latter, and has vacuum applied to it only to attract respective information carriers (11a) by suction, and in that a further circumferential channel (62) extends over the remaining circumferential proportion of the supporting part (59) and can optionally have vacuum and/or positive pressure applied to it in order to press respective information carriers (11) onto the web (12).
25. Apparatus according to one of Claims 14 to 24, characterized in that the removal apparatus (40), in particular the drum (42), is assigned a pick-up apparatus (50), to which information carriers (11a) picked up by means of the removal apparatus (40), in particular attracted by suction, are discharged.
26. Apparatus according to Claim 25, characterized in that the pick-up apparatus (50) has a cylinder (51), consisting for example of paper, paperboard or the like, the circumference of which is pressed against the circumference of the drum (42) and to which information carriers (11a) transported by the drum (42) are transferred and adhere to the cylinder (51), in particular with their adhesive surface (13) on the rear.

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