EP1820736B1 - Machine for decorating bottles or similar containers, in particular a labelling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a labeling unit (11), along with a labeling unit side centering and docking unit, supported on the side (11.1) near machine frame (8) bearing its weight on the machine side centering and docking unit (14). A transportation element (9) is provided at the machine frame for moving bottles on transport section whereby labeling unit is provided at transport section.

Description

The invention relates to a machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a machine for equipping bottles or the like is known. Container in the form of a labeling machine of circumferential design (US Pat. DE 202 21 208 U1 ), in which at the periphery of a rotatably driven about a vertical axis of the machine rotor several labeling units freestanding, ie are arranged with feet resting on a ground. In order to achieve the necessary for the proper application of the equipment elements or labels on the bottles or containers aligning the freestanding labeling with respect to the machine frame of the machine, are at the periphery of the machine frame in addition elements for determining the position of the respective labeling relative to the machine frame intended.

The principal advantage of such a machine is that, by replacing one or more labeling units, it is possible to easily change the machine from one container type or size to another type or size of container and / or from one equipment to another without any great expenditure of time , In particular, adjustment or adjustment and / or repairs to the labeling can be performed separately from the machine and thus without interrupting production. A disadvantage of the known machine, however, is that due to the free-standing arrangement of the labeling on the periphery of the machine frame u. a. a height adjustment or alignment of the respective unit is necessary.

Also known were such machines for furnishing bottles or similar containers, in which the replaceable labeling units are completely received or held by the machine frame.

For example, the EP 1 493 671 A1 Such a device in which the labeling has its own, provided with wheels chassis. First, the labeling unit is moved up to the machine frame and pre-positioned there. Subsequently, the labeling reduces its height, whereby initially a provided on the labeling centering an operative connection with a matching, arranged on the machine frame counterpart received, and then the roles of the chassis are lifted from the ground. By doing so, the entire weight of the labeling unit is taken up by the machine frame.

Another labeling device of this type provides the EP 0 805 109 A1 in front. Also in this document it is provided that the labeling is completely absorbed by the machine frame, where it is mounted on circular, mounted on both sides outside of the machine frame recordings. Again, the entire weight of the labeling is absorbed by the machine frame.

Due to the fact that the entire weight of the labeling unit rests on the machine frame in this procedure, it follows that the machine frame has to be correspondingly solid, which leads to increased material and production costs, and thus ultimately to increased costs.

The object of the innovation is to show a machine for equipping bottles or similar containers, which allows a simplified docking of the units on the machine while maintaining the advantage of replaceable labeling units, but at the same time also allows a material and cost-saving design of the machine frame.

To solve this problem, a machine for equipping bottles or similar containers in the sense of claim 1 is formed.

In the machine according to the invention, the respective labeling unit is supported on at least one machine-side centering and docking unit on at least one machine-side centering and docking unit on at least one machine-side centering and docking unit, wherein these centering and docking units are not only load-transferring in their interaction Make support for this support, but at the same time cause the required alignment of the respective Etikettieraggregates with respect to the machine frame, with the advantage that at least on the machine frame side facing the required height adjustment and / or the required alignment of the central axis EA to the machine frame 8 and / or the inclination and / or rotational position about the central axis EA or a parallel axis of each labeling unit is automatically given after docking.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support formed by the at least one machine-side centering and docking unit and the at least one unit-side centering and docking unit is adapted to pivot about a horizontal or approximately horizontal axis to adjust the inclination of the labeling unit with respect to the horizontal. For this purpose, the labeling is based on at least one adjustable in height foot on the ground. This pivoting possibility for adjusting the inclination is achieved, for example, by the fact that the at least one machine-side and / or unit-side centering and docking unit forms an abutment surface for a mating surface on the at least one unit-side and / or machine-side centering and docking unit which Investment or support surface) is curved at least one axis parallel to the pivot axis or convex curved.

The machine according to the invention has the advantage of an unproblematic, quick replacement of the labeling, for example, to change the machine to a different type and / or size of the container, to a different kind of equipment, etc.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The innovation will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung eine Draufsicht auf eine Maschine zum Ausstatten von Flaschen oder dergleichen Behälter in Form einer Etikettiermaschine umlaufender Bauart;

Fig. 2

in Seitenansicht eine der am Maschinenrahmen bzw. Maschinengestell angedockten, wechselbaren Etikettierstationen, zusammen mit einer Teildarstellung des Maschinentisches und des um eine vertikale Maschinenachse umlaufend angetriebenen Rotors der Etikettiermaschine;

Fig. 3

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Unteransicht des Maschinentisches im Bereich einer maschinenseitigen Zentrier- und Andockeinheit zum Andocken einer Etikettierstation;

Fig. 4

die maschinenseitige Zentrier- und Andockeinheit in Seitenansicht, zusammen mit einem aggregatseitigen Zentrier- und Kupplungselement, teilweise geschnitten;

Fig. 5

in sehr vereinfachter schematischer Darstellung eine Draufsicht auf eine maschinenseitige Zentrier- und Andockeinheit bei einer weiteren möglichen Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Zentrier- und Kupplungselementes der Zentrier- und Andockeinheit der Figur 5;

Fig. 7

einen Schnitt entsprechend der Linie I-I der Figur 6.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation of a plan view of a machine for furnishing bottles or the like container in the form of a rotary labeling machine;

Fig. 2

in side view, one of the machine frame or machine frame docked, exchangeable labeling stations, together with a partial view of the machine table and about a vertical machine axis circumferentially driven rotor of the labeling machine;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a bottom view of the machine table in the region of a machine-side centering and docking unit for docking a labeling station;

Fig. 4

the machine-side centering and docking unit in side view, together with an aggregate-side centering and coupling element, partially cut;

Fig. 5

in a very simplified schematic representation of a plan view of a machine-side centering and docking unit in a further possible embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6

a side view of a centering and coupling element of the centering and docking of FIG. 5 ;

Fig. 7

a section corresponding to the line II of FIG. 6 ,

The labeling machine indicated generally at 1 in the figures is for equipping, i. for labeling bottles 2 standing upright via a conveyor 3, a container inlet 4 or a local inlet or transfer star 4.1, d. H. oriented with its bottle axis oriented in the vertical direction. After labeling, the bottles are 2 handed over to a container outlet 5 or with a local outlet or transfer star 5.1 again to a feed dog 3 and fed upright on this another use.

Described in more detail, the labeling machine 1 is of such a circulating design, i. she owns u. a. on a with several feet 6 on the ground or floor 7 upright machine frame 8 a driven around a vertical machine axis in the direction of arrow B rotatably driven rotor 9, at the periphery in the manner known to those skilled in a variety of footprints are formed on the 2 bottles each handed over to the container inlet 4 individually and on which the bottles 2 are held during the labeling by a provided on each floor space stamp 10 by clamping between this punch and the Stanfläche.

At the periphery of the rotor 9, a plurality of labeling stations or gens 11 are preferably provided, of which only one is shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity. The labeling 11, which have all necessary for the application of labels 12 on the bottles 2 functional elements are provided with the rotor 9 is not circumferentially at the periphery of the machine frame 8, and interchangeable, so that the labeling machine 1 only by replacing the labeling units 11th can be easily and without much time from one bottle or container type or size to another bottle or container type or size and / or from a label or style to another label or equipment type, etc. can be changed.

For the exactly aligned with respect to the rotor 9 and the local container footprints arranging the labeling units 11 and their unit axis EA are provided on the underside of a machine frame 8 formed by the machine frame 13 and at the periphery of the machine side centering and coupling units 14. Each unit consists of a fixed to the underside of the machine table 13 support or bearing element 15 which offset in the circumferential direction of the machine table 13 against each other has two centering and coupling elements 16. On each of these machine-side centering and coupling elements 16, an aggregate-side centering and coupling element 17 is placed after docking of the labeling. These aggregate-side centering and coupling elements 17 are each provided at one end of a carrier 18, which, like the centering and coupling elements 17, is part of a unit-side centering and docking unit 19. The latter is provided in a suitable manner on a side facing the machine frame 8 end face 11.1 of the labeling over the front side wegstehend.

In the illustrated embodiment, the two machine-side centering and coupling elements 16 are formed spherical head. The aggregate-side centering and coupling elements 17 each form a recess 17.1 adapted to the ball head form, in which the ball head of a centering and coupling element 16 is received when the labeling unit 11 is docked, in such a way that the labeling unit 11 engages in the region of its end face 11.1 the two, each on a centering and coupling element 16 resting centering and coupling elements 17 on the machine frame 8 and at the local centering and docking unit 14 is supported. By the two machine-side centering and coupling elements 16 and by the two unit-side centering and coupling elements 17 with their adapted to the centering and coupling elements 16 recesses 17.1, the labeling unit 11 after docking on the machine frame 8, the necessary for labeling exact alignment on. In particular, the orientation of the center axis EA of the labeling unit 11, the required height position and the rotational position of the labeling unit are fixed about an axis parallel to the center axis EA of the labeling 11 in relation to the machine frame 8.

In the area of the machine frame 8 remote side 11.2, the labeling unit 11 is supported with at least one foot 20 on the floor 7 from. In the illustrated embodiment, such a foot is provided. As indicated by the double arrow C, the feet 20 are height adjustable. As a result, an adjustment of the inclination of the labeling 11 is possible, by pivoting this unit to the pivot bearing formed by the machine-side centering and coupling elements 16 and the unit-side centering and coupling elements 17, which allows sufficient for the inclination adjustment swivel angle. The machine-side centering and coupling elements 16 are for this purpose, as stated, designed like a ball head. Other forms are conceivable, for example, the formation of the machine-side centering and coupling elements 16 as a pin, which at its upper, free end on which the unit-side centering and coupling elements 17 are placed from above, kugelkalottenartig or at least one perpendicular to Axis EA of the aggregate oriented space or curvature axis are curved.

In order to facilitate the docking of the respective labeling 11, the bearing element 15 is formed for example with two guide surfaces 15.1, each of which is adjacent to a machine-side centering and coupling element 16 and which are also arranged offset in the circumferential direction of the rotor 9. Each guide surface 15.1 is formed by a vertical wall portion. The guide surfaces 15.1 are oriented so that their planes at an acute angle, ie an angle significantly less than 45 ° with each other, which opens to the center of the machine frame 8 out. The two machine-side centering and coupling elements 16 are provided on a circuit board 15.2 of the bearing element 15, which projects beyond the guide surfaces 15.1. The carrier 18 of the unit-side centering and docking unit 19 is formed like a jaw, so that it overlaps the bearing element 15 at the guide surfaces 15.1 bifurcated when docked labeling unit 11. When docking is thus the fork-shaped carrier 18th guided on the bearing element 15 and on the guide surfaces 15.1, so that the docking of the labeling 11 is substantially facilitated.

Each labeling unit 11 has its own drive for its functional units. This drive is, for example, synchronized electrically with the drive of the rotor 9. Furthermore, the functional elements of the labeling 11 are at least partially adjustable on a frame of this unit provided.

The FIGS. 5 to 7 show in a simplified representation of the machine-side centering and docking unit 14a and unit-side centering and docking unit 19a in another embodiment. The centering and coupling elements 16 corresponding, machine-side centering and coupling elements 16 a are formed in this embodiment of a bolt or a rod, which are held at both ends to a wall portion 21.1 of a bearing element 21, which in turn in a suitable manner at the periphery of Machine frame 8 or attached to the underside of a local machine table. The centering and coupling elements 17 corresponding to the unit-side centering and coupling elements 17a are claw-like designed so that they can be placed with a matched to the diameter of the centering and coupling elements 16a recess 17a.1 each on a centering and coupling element 16a from above, so that in this embodiment the labeling unit in turn with its machine frame 8 adjacent side with the local aggregate-side centering and coupling elements 17a load-bearing on the machine-side centering and coupling elements 16a and on these elements having centering and docking unit 14a is supported. The two centering and coupling elements 16a are oriented so that they are arranged coaxially with their axes in the horizontal direction with each other, perpendicular to the axis EA and with radially to the vertical axis of the rotor 9 oriented axis EA then tangential or approximately tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotor 9.

Like the FIG. 6 shows, the wall portions 21.1 are formed so that they form a funnel-like downwardly narrowing from the top of the centering and docking unit 14a to the centering and coupling element 16a down insertion opening, which facilitates the insertion of the unit-side centering and coupling elements 17a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

labeling

2

bottle

3

carrier

4

container inlet

4.1

feed star

5

container outlet

5.1

outlet star

6

Foot of the machine frame

7

Underground or ground

8th

machine frame

9

rotor

10

stamp

11

labeling

11.1, 11.2

Side of the labeling unit 11

12

label

13

machine table

14, 14a

Machine-side centering and docking unit

15

bearing element

15.1

guide surface

15.2

Plate or circuit board

16, 16a

Machine-side centering and coupling element

17, 17a

Aggregate-side centering and coupling element

17.1, 17a.1

Opening or recording

18, 18a

Carrier or bearing element for the aggregate-side centering and coupling elements

19, 19a

Unit-side centering and docking unit

20

height adjustable foot

21

Bearing element of the machine-side centering and docking unit 14a

21.1

Wall section of the bearing element 21st

A

Transport direction of the bottles 2

B

Direction of rotation of the rotor 9

C

Height adjustment of the labeling unit

EA

Center axis of the labeling 11

Claims (13)

1. Machine for equipping bottles (2) or similar containers, having at least one transport element (9) on a machine frame (8) for moving the containers (2) on a conveyor section, and also having at least one labelling device (11) disposed on the conveyor section, wherein, on a side (11.1) adjacent to the machine frame (8), the at least one labelling device (11) rests with at least one device-side centering and docking unit (19,19a) on at least one machine-side centering and docking unit (14,14a), with the at least one labelling device (11) also being disposed with at least one foot (20) on a base (7), and wherein the at least one foot (20) is height adjustable for adjusting the inclination of the labelling device (11), characterised in that the machine-side centering and docking unit (14,14a) supports the device-side centering and docking unit (19,19a) in a load-transferring manner and that the support of the labelling device (11) on the machine frame (8) formed by the at least one machine-side and device-side centering and docking unit (14,14a,19,19a) is configured for a pivoting movement about a horizontal or approximately horizontal pivoting axis so as to facilitate the adjustment of the inclination.
2. Machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the at least one machine-side and/or device-side centering and docking unit (14, 14a, 19, 19a) forms at least one support surface which is convexly curved at least about an axis parallel to the pivoting axis and lies with a mating face against the device-side and/or machine-side centering and docking unit (19, 19a, 14, 14a).
3. Machine according to Claim 2, characterised in that the support surface is formed by a machine-side centering or coupling element (16, 16a).
4. Machine according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the support surface is formed by a device-side centering and coupling element (17, 17a).
5. Machine according to any of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the at least one device-side centering and docking unit (19, 19a) is set down from above onto the at least one support surface (16, 16a).
6. Machine according to any of Claims 2 to 5 characterised in that the at least one support surface is realised part-semispherically or approximately part-semispherically.
7. Machine according to Claim 6, characterised in that the at least one support surface is formed by the surface of a spherical head.
8. Machine according to any of Claims 2 to 5 characterised in that the at least one support surface is a circular cylinder-shaped or approximately circular cylinder-shaped surface.
9. Machine according to any of the preceding Claims 2 to 8 characterised in that the at least one support surface is formed by at least one centering and coupling element (16, 16a).
10. Machine according to Claim 9, characterised in that the centering and docking unit (14, 14a, 19, 19a) exhibits at least two spatially mutually offset centering and coupling elements (16, 16a).
11. Machine according to Claim 10, characterised in that the at least two centering and coupling elements (16, 16a) are mutually offset in the direction of the pivoting axis.
12. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport element is a rotor being drivable as to revolve about a vertical machine axis (5).
13. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the machine-side centering and docking units (14, 14a) and/or the machine-side centering and coupling elements (16, 16a) determine at least the machine-side orientation of the labelling device (11) vertically and/or in the rotational position about an axis parallel to the centreline EA of the labelling device (11).

Images