EP2060496B1 - Labelling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a basic machine provided with a docking station (A) for a labeling unit (E), where the labeling unit is docked and undocked from a target position at the basic machine with a predetermined sequence of relative movements. Media connector parts (6) are arranged on the basic machine and labeling unit, respectively. The connector parts are arranged on the labeling unit and docking station with respect to the target position. The parts are automatically coupled by a docking sequence of movements to establish a media connection and decoupled by an undocking sequence of movements.

Description

The invention relates to a labeling machine according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and as shown in DE 202 14 280 U known.

The information leaflet "Labeling Technology, KRONES Module Labeling Machines", printed on 05/04, from Krones AG, D-93073 Neutraubling / DE, on page 15 explains a height-adjustable docking station for docking a labeling unit to the basic machine. The accompanying figure, on page 15, shows the well-known principle to mount at least one plug part on the labeling unit, for example for electrical supply current, for example, of a drive of the unit. Also in the docking station connected plug parts are shown. The labeling unit not only requires electrical supply power for a drive motor, but usually also other media, such as compressed air, pneumatic pressure, control signals or synchronizing data information. For each of these media, individual connection or plug parts are present on the labeling unit, to which correspondingly formed plug parts or couplings are attached by hand during or after docking (page 6 of the brochure). The connections made are shown, on page 3 of the booklet, in the picture. Such labeling machines, thanks to a modular construction of individual modules, allow different configurations. Thus, different labeling units can be optionally and in varying numbers as needed docked (cold glue or hot glue units, dispensing units for self-adhesive labels, labeling units for different types of labels, label printing and / or printing units, and the like.). This meets the requirements of the beverage industry when labeling bottles or other containers for maximum flexibility in the processing of different container equipment. An advantage of this labeling machine is a compact design, good accessibility, a significant increase in cost-effectiveness with frequent equipment changes, and overall noticeable cost savings for users. The manual connection of the connector parts is time consuming and requires special care because the one or more connector elements in the respective plug part must first be exposed before the connection can be produced. Exposed plug elements increase the operational risk for the personnel, since high voltage and current values may be required, can be dirty or accidentally damaged. It must also be made several connections for the different media. These are disadvantages which weigh heavily in terms of the shortest possible set-up or changeover times, since the configuration principle of the labeling machines is aimed at maximum flexibility and short set-up or changeover times.

Further prior art is contained in DE-A-197 41 476 and WO 2005/068302-A ,

The invention has for its object to improve a labeling machine of the type mentioned in that the production of the compounds for the media transfer easier and automated with reduced operating hazard is feasible.

The stated object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

The connector parts for the media connections are already stationarily arranged on the labeling unit and on the docking station in relation to the nominal position of the labeling unit in the docked state such that the docking movement sequence can be used to automatically establish the connection or to automatically close it when undocking separate. The plug parts are also designed so that no intervention of an operator directly on the plug part is required. Since the media connection is already made when docking or disconnected when undocking, when the labeling unit is brought into the desired position or away from the desired position, no additional manual work is required to make the connection and eliminates the time and effort for this. In addition, there is an increased operational safety, since no operator needs to manipulate the connector parts, and the connector parts can also be arranged so that they no longer pollute or exposing exposed connector elements for operating personnel at risk. Setup or changeover times are shortened because the labeling machine is already operable with properly docked labeling unit, and even after removal of a labeling unit no more time to disconnect the connections is required.

In an expedient embodiment, at least the plug part arranged at the docking station is provided with a protective cover which can be moved when docking or undocking between a covering protective position for the plug element or parts in the plug part and a passive position permitting the production of the media connection. Preferably, the protective cover is shifted automatically by the movement during docking or undocking accordingly. If the labeling unit is undocked, there is no operating danger for operating personnel due to exposed connector elements. This is important because, for example, supply voltages up to 400 volts are required. Furthermore, this or the plug elements are protected in the plug part at least at the docking station against contamination or short circuits, as they are withdrawn when not used docking through the protective cover the influence of, for example, cleaning fluids or the like. The protective cover can be secured against manipulation in order to exclude any dangers due to unintentional opening when the labeling unit is not docked, for example by a sensor detecting an opening of the protective cover and then disconnecting the interior of the docking station in the absence of an aggregate.

In another embodiment, the movement sequence during docking or undocking of the labeling unit for producing the media connection is used such that a substantially linear approach movement of the labeling unit to the base machine or docking station is sufficient to move the protective cover at least partially into the passive position. in order to expose an opening of the plug part, while a substantially linear and approximately transverse to the approach movement oriented, preferably vertical, lifting movement of the docking station and / or lowering movement of the labeling unit connects the plug parts together and produces the media connection or media connections. This means that the training and positioning of the connector parts so on the Movement is tuned that the usual movement can be maintained, but the preparation of the connection means no time delay.

Particularly expediently, a plug part with at least one inner plug element with several media terminals for different media is arranged on the labeling unit and on the docking station, for which the plug part forms a protective housing to which a plurality of media lines are connected. The different media can be, for example: Electric supply current, compressed air, hydraulic medium, water, electrical information, signals or data messages, and the like .. The different media are conveniently transmitted centrally via the two interconnected connector parts, the connecting cables to the connector parts optimally can be protected and optimally short because, in contrast to manual handling in the prior art, there are no excess cables or freely movable cables or hoses or lines for manual manipulation in making and separating the connections and for relative movements between the docking station and the labeling unit prior to separation the connections are needed.

In an expedient embodiment, the protective cover of the plug part is a protective cover, and is arranged on the protective cover and / or on or in the opening an elastic sealing frame which closes the opening of the plug part in the protective position of the protective cover on all sides. In the protective position of the protective cover, a hermetic sealing effect is produced. One advantage of this solution is that when the labeling unit is undocked, the connector part of the connector part at the docking station is protected against careless or accidental access or collision with objects, and no manipulation is required for attaching and removing the protective cover, because only the given movement sequence when docking or undocking is used.

In a favorable embodiment, the protective cover of the protective cover is movably mounted on the plug part via a link mechanism, such that the protective cover in the movement into the protective position by means of Linking mechanism against the opening of the plug part and the sealing frame can be pressed.

Conveniently, the link mechanism or guard is influenced by spring force and / or ballast weight influence, e.g. by means of a ballast weight on a lever arm, acted upon in the direction of the protective position, so that the protective position is taken automatically.

For automatic movement of the protective cover in the passive position is on the labeling unit, preferably at the plug part, at least one plug the part leading actuator appropriate, which is aligned in the direction of approach movement on a counter-stop of the protective cover or the hinge mechanism of the protective cover. During the approach movement, the actuator displaces the protective cover in or towards the passive position, so that the subsequent establishment of the connection between the male parts is not hindered by the protective cover. Manual intervention is not required. In addition there is a safety aspect, because in this phase of movement, the free opening of the plug part at the docking station is already covered by the plug part on the labeling unit, so that neither an operator's hand nor an accidental hand can come into contact with live parts.

In a structurally simple embodiment, the articulation mechanism has two forks pivoted on both sides on the plug part, between which the protective cover is mounted. At least one fork prong can be designed to be extended as a counter-stop, at which the labeling unit or the actuating element then engages during the approach movement and displaces the protective cover into the passive position with the approach movement.

In a specific embodiment, the opening of the plug part mounted substantially vertically on the docking station can point upwards and additionally fall off obliquely in the direction of the approach movement. The oblique opening may be flat, or particularly suitably provided with a convex arc of a circle, to which a corresponding concave edge of the protective cover fits. The Pivot axis of the protective cover, which is substantially transverse to the approaching movement and horizontal, is placed in such eccentric relation to the circular arc portion of the opening, that the protective cover is lifted from the task opening the protective position of the opening. This reduces the resistance to movement of the protective cover, even if it was firmly pressed in the protective position. Further, the eccentric placement of the pivot axis results in that the protective cover then tightly closes the opening and by means of the sealing frame when it reaches the protection position about the pivot axis, because he places with emphasis on the opening.

For this purpose, the opening of the plug-in unit arranged on the labeling unit can point downwards and also fit the opening of the plug-in part at the docking station. The plug elements in both plug parts are positioned such that, when the plug elements are properly connected, the plug parts are sealingly seated against one another. Thus, the connector elements are protected against external influences even when properly prepared connection.

In order to ward off damage from the plug parts or the optionally sensitive plug elements, it may be expedient to provide centering devices arranged on the docking station and on the labeling unit for the mutual alignment of the plug parts or their plug elements. These centering devices can be mandrels and bushings which, preferably, can be aligned with one another during the approach movement and can be brought into mutual engagement during the raising or lowering movement, and then ensure that the plug elements are brought together correctly.

In an expedient embodiment, at least the plug element may be movably arranged in the plug part of the docking station, and a gear connection can be provided between the link mechanism of the protective cover and the plug element, via which the plug element moves into the passive position during the movement of the protective cover into a connecting position raised relative to the plug part for the plug element of the other plug part is moved. On the other hand, can be installed permanently in the plug parts Plug elements mesh the connector parts, so that the connector elements are properly connected. Incidentally, a protective cover may be provided on the plug part of the labeling unit, which is adjusted in a similar manner using the movement sequence when docking or undocking.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schnitt eines Teils einer Etikettiermaschine mit einem an einer Andockstation angedockten Etikettier-Aggregat und einer Medien-Steckverbindung,

Fig. 2

eine Detailvariante eines Steckerteils an der Andockstation im Verlauf einer Andockbewegung, und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Draufsicht auf ein Steckerelement zum Herstellen der Medien-Steckverbindung.

With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the subject invention will be explained. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic section of a portion of a labeling machine with a docked at a docking labeling unit and a media connector,

Fig. 2

a detail variant of a plug part at the docking station in the course of a docking movement, and

Fig. 3

a schematic plan view of a plug element for producing the media connector.

In Fig. 1 a part of a labeling machine M is shown schematically, which includes a base machine M, eg a bottle carousel (not shown), a docking station A (a single or one of several circumferentially distributed around the base machine B docking stations A) and a docked at a desired position labeling Aggregate E has.

With this modular configuration of the labeling machine M, containers F transported in the base machine B, such as bottles, can be labeled with labels from the labeling unit E.

The labeling unit E is brought with a predetermined movement in the docking position shown (target position on the base machine B), which movement, for example, a substantially linear and horizontal approaching movement in the direction of an arrow 1 and a substantially linear and in this embodiment vertical lifting movement of the Docking station A in the direction of an arrow 2 and / or a vertical lowering movement of the labeling unit E in the direction of an arrow 2 'includes. The approaching movement 1 and the raising or lowering movement 2, 2 'are used to automatically establish a media connector between a male part 4 on the labeling unit E and a mating connector part 6 at the docking station A. When undocking the labeling unit E, the movement is reversed and this movement is used to separate the media connector.

The medium that is transmitted via the media connector is, for example, only supply current for a drive motor of the labeling unit E, not shown. Conveniently, however, several different media are transmitted via the media connector, such as the electrical supply current, compressed air, hydraulic medium , Water, electrical signals or electrical data messages and the like., For which a plurality of media lines 5, 8 are connected to the respective connector parts 6, 5 or disposed therein media connector elements 3, 7.

In the embodiment shown, the plug part 4, which may be fixed with a mounting 22 on the labeling unit E, with its opening facing down, while at the docking station A substantially vertically mounted with a mounting 21 plug member 6 with its opening facing upwards has, in such a way that in the illustrated docked condition of the labeling unit E, the plug elements 3, 7 are coupled together, and the plug parts 4, 6, preferably sealed, sit on each other.

At least the plug part 6 of the docking station A has a protective cover 9, for example a protective cover, which is pivotable by means of a linkage mechanism 10 about a pivot axis 12 on the plug part 6, between the shown passive position in Fig. 1 , And a protective position, not shown, which then occupies the protective cover 9 automatically when the plug part 4 of the labeling unit E has been removed when undocking.

To the protective cover 9 from the protective position, not shown in the passive position shown in Fig. 1 To adjust, an actuating element 11 is provided on the labeling unit E or on the plug part 4, which in the direction of Advancing movement 1 advanced and engages a counter-stop 26 of the linkage mechanism 10. The linkage mechanism 10 includes, for example, Fig. 2 ) arranged on both sides of the plug part 6 forks 23, between which the protective cover 9 forming protective cover is mounted, and which are biased either by spring force 15 and / or by a ballast weight with an effective lever arm in a direction 16 to the protective position.

The docking station A can be set up either on height-adjustable feet 14 on the ground, in which case the labeling unit E is height-adjusted by a device, not shown, or it is the docking station A with its base on cylinder 13 height adjustable.

It is expedient to provide centering devices Z between the labeling unit E and the base station A, for example mandrels 20 at the docking station, which can be inserted into bushes 19 in the underside of the labeling unit E, and ensure that the plug parts 4, 6 properly guided to each other and the connector elements 3, 7 are properly coupled.

The pivot axis 12 for the link mechanism 10 is offset by a measure x eccentric to the central axis of the plug part 6 and the center of the upper opening of the plug part 6, such that the protective cover 9 under the biasing force 15 in the protective position, not shown, the upper opening of the plug part 6 tightly seals tightly, and is immediately lifted from the opening of the male part 6, without grinding on abandoning the protective position and a movement in the direction of the passive position shown.

In the Fig. 2 The embodiment shown differs from the embodiment in FIG Fig. 1 above all, characterized in that the designated 27 opening of the plug part 6 in the direction of the approaching movement 1 slants obliquely, with a convex circular arc curvature 28 which is present as a concave circular arc curvature in the edge 30 of the protective cover 9. By the displacement of the pivot axis 12 by the dimension x relative to the center of the plug part 6 and the opening 27 is in the movement of the protective cover 9 in Fig. 2 pressed to the right until the protective position of the edge 30 firmly on the opening 27. On the top of the opening 27 is for example, a circumferential elastic sealing frame 29 is provided. In Fig. 2 the opening 27 surrounds an upwardly facing shaft 31, in which the one or more of the plug elements 7 not shown here are mounted.

The two forks 23 have two prongs 24, 25 on which the protective cover 9 formed as a protective cover is mounted, the forks 25 are extended upward to counter stops 26 for the one or more actuators 11 (see Fig. 1 ), so that the protective cover 9 is adjusted accordingly in the approaching movement 1 of the labeling unit E and the opening 27 releases.

In Fig. 1 Incidentally, as an alternative solution, the plug element 7 is movably mounted in the plug part 6 in the vertical direction and can be adjusted via a dashed gear connection 17, for example by means of the linkage mechanism 10 in the direction of the arrow 18. When the protective cover is in the in Fig. 1 shown passive position has been adjusted, the plug element 7 is raised so far over the gear connection 17 in the direction of arrow 18 that it is properly coupled to the plug element 3 in the plug part 4.

The oblique opening according to Fig. 2 could also be just like the matching edge 30 of the protective cover 9. In Fig. 2 Of course, the opening of the plug part 4 to the labeling unit E has a correspondingly concave opening shape, so that the plug parts 4, 6 in properly prepared media connector seal this.

When docking the approach movement 1 can be used to align the mandrels 20 and jacks 19 to each other, while the lifting movement 2 or lowering movement 2 'is used to introduce each mandrel 20 in its socket 19, and the connector parts 4, 6 to connect properly. At least conical mandrels 20 facilitate the centering process.

If the movement sequence is reversed when undocking the labeling unit E, the plug parts 4, 6 are first separated from one another by the raising or lowering movement 2, 2 'until the labeling unit E is moved away from the approaching movement 1. This movement makes it possible Protective cover 9, under the application force 15 automatically take the protective position and seal the opening 27. The plug part 4 on the labeling unit E could be provided with a similar and similarly functioning protective cover, but can also remain free due to its downward orientation.

The plug elements 3, 7 could be used, for example, only for establishing the current connection for the supply voltage or the supply current. It is expedient, however, as mentioned, to transmit several media simultaneously via the media connector.

Fig. 3 schematically shows in plan view, for example, the plug element 7 of the connector part 6 at the docking station. The plug member 7 has in plan view approximately rectangular shape and at both longitudinal ends of the rectangle guide tongues 33 which are insertable into corresponding cutouts of the matching plug element 3 in the plug part 4 of the labeling unit E. For example, two contact pins 34 and two contact sockets 35, eg for supply current, are placed on a front surface 32 of the plug element 7. In addition, there is a group of contact lugs or pins 36 for electrical signals, and the like .. In addition to these are three sockets 37, for example, for compressed air, water and possibly another medium. The plug element 7, not shown, of the plug part 4 has the same configuration, so that all the media can be transmitted simultaneously when the connection between the plug elements 3, 7 is properly established.

Claims (14)

1. Labelling machine (M) for containers, having a basic machine (B) having at least one docking station (A) for a labelling unit (E), wherein the respective labelling unit (E) can be docked to or undocked from the basic machine (B) by a predetermined relative movement sequence to or from a set position, and having media connector parts (6, 4) which can be coupled together and are arranged respectively on the basic machine (B) and the labelling unit (E), characterized in that the media connector parts (6, 4) are designed in such a way and are arranged in such a way on the labelling unit (E) and the docking station (A) with respect to the set position that they can be coupled automatically by means of the docking movement sequence, with at least one media connection being produced, and can be uncoupled automatically by means of the undocking movement sequence.
2. Labelling machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least the connector part (6) arranged on the docking station (A) has a protective cover (9) which can be moved during docking and undocking, preferably automatically, by the movement sequence between a protecting position covering an opening (27) in the connector part (6) and a passive position allowing the automatic coupling of respective media connector elements (7, 3) and releasing the opening (27).
3. Labelling machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the movement sequence for docking comprises a substantially linear approach movement (1) of the labelling unit (E) towards the basic machine (B) or docking station (A) and an at least substantially linear lifting movement (2) of the docking station (A) and/or lowering movement (2') of the labelling unit (E), this movement being approximately transverse to the approach movement (1) and preferably substantially vertical, and in that the respective protective cover (9) can be moved into the passive position at least partially by means of the approach movement (1) and the connector elements (7, 3) and the connector parts (4, 6) can be coupled by means of the lifting movement and/or lowering movement (2, 2').
4. Labelling machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that a connector part (6, 4) having at least one internal connector element (7, 3) having a plurality of media terminals (34, 35, 36, 37) is respectively arranged on the labelling unit (E) and the docking station (A), wherein the connector part (6, 4) forms a housing protecting the connector element (7, 3) and connected to a plurality of media lines (5, 8).
5. Labelling machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that an elastic sealing frame (29), which closes off the opening (27) all the way round in the protecting position of the protective cover (9), is arranged on the protective cover (9), preferably a protective lid, and/or around, on or in the opening (27).
6. Labelling machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the protective cover (9) is moveably mounted on the connector part (6) via an articulation mechanism (10) and in that, as it is moved into the protecting position, the protective cover (9) can be pressed by means of the articulation mechanism (10) against the opening (27) or against a sealing frame (29) of the opening.
7. Labelling machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that the articulation mechanism (10) or the protective cover (9) is acted on by the effect of spring force and/or ballast weight (15) in the direction (16) of the protecting position.
8. Labelling machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that on the labelling unit (E), preferably on the connector part (4) thereof, at least one actuating element (11), running ahead of the connector part, is provided and is aligned in the direction of the approach movement (1) towards a counter-stop (26) of the protective cover (9) or the articulation mechanism (10) thereof.
9. Labelling machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that the articulation mechanism (10) has two forks (23) which are mounted pivotably on either side of the connector part (6) and between which the protective cover (9) is mounted, and in that at least one fork arm (25) is designed in extended form as counter-stop (26).
10. Labelling machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the opening (27) in the connector part (6) mounted at least substantially vertically on the docking station (A) points upwards and slopes down diagonally in the direction of the approach movement (1), preferably either in a straight line or with a convex circular arc curvature, and in that the protective cover (9) has an edge (30) that fits the opening (27) and can be pivoted about a pivot axis (12) preferably on the connector part (6), said pivot axis running substantially transversely to the approach movement (1) and horizontally and being placed eccentrically (x) in relation to the opening (27) such that the protective cover (9) lifts off the opening (27) on leaving the protecting position.
11. Labelling machine according to Claim 10, characterized in that the opening in the connector part (4) arranged on the labelling unit (E) points downwards and is designed to fit on, around or in the opening (27) in the connector part (6) on the docking station, and in that the connector elements (3, 7) in both connector parts (6, 4) are positioned in such a way that, when the connector elements are coupled properly, the connector parts (6, 4) seal one another off.
12. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that centring devices (Z) that are arranged on the docking station (A) and on the labelling unit (E) and can be brought into engagement are provided for mutually aligning the connector parts (6, 4) or the connector elements (7, 3) thereof, preferably pins (20) and bushes (19) on the labelling unit (E) and on the docking station, which pins and bushes can be aligned with one another by means of the approach movement (1) and can be brought into engagement by means of the lifting or lowering movement (2, 2').
13. Labelling machine according to Claims 2 and 6, characterized in that the connector element (7) in the connector part (6) is arranged moveably on the docking station (A) and in that between the articulation mechanism (10) of the protective cover (9) and the connector element (7) there is a geared connection (17) by means of which the connector element (7) can be moved into a connecting position for the connector element (3) of the connector part (4) of the labelling unit (E) when the protective cover (9) moves into the passive position relative to the connector part (6).
14. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the media terminals (34, 35, 36, 37) of each connector element (3, 7) are designed at least for the parallel transfer of electrical signals, data, electrical power, compressed air, water hydraulic medium or the like.

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