EP2061702B1 - Labeling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a labeling system having a labeling device that attaches labels to objects, and particularly to receptacles, and a placement device (1) disposed upstream with regard to this labeling system that supplies the labeling system with labels, wherein this placement device (1) has a feed mechanism (5) transporting a second label sheet (14), and at least two carriers (3a) disposed next to each other on retaining devices (15) for first label sheets (14a) rolled up on label rolls (13). According to the invention a connecting device (8) that can be displaced between the carriers (3a) in a first displacement direction (R1) is provided, which connects sections of the first label sheets (14a) disposed on the carriers (3a) with sections of the second label sheets (14) guided in the feed mechanism (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a labeling according to the preamble of claim 1, a loading device according to the preamble of claim 13 and a method according to the preamble of claim 15 and as shown in US 2003/0121 593 and is described with reference to a labeling system for labeling containers. It should be noted, however, that the labeling system according to the invention can also be used for labeling other objects. Various labeling systems are known from the prior art. In this case, a labeling device is provided which applies the labels to the containers.

These labels can be provided in a variety of ways, such as endless label tapes for wrapping containers, self-adhesive label tapes, etc. The endless label tapes are first cut on the respective tags as needed to wrap and glue the containers.
In this case, endless label tapes are usually rolled up on label rolls, which run off during labeling. After the complete unrolling of such a label roll another label roll is inserted and the process continues. However, delays occur when an empty label roll is to be replaced by a full label roll.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a labeling available, which allows for a replacement of the label rolls a smoother process flow. This is inventively by a labeling according to claim 1, a Loading device for a labeling system according to claim 10 and a method for connecting label strips according to claim 12 achieved. Advantageous embodiments and developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The labeling system according to the invention has a labeling device according to claim 1.

In particular, the loading device is a magazine in which a multiplicity of label rolls are arranged so that the labeling device can be successively supplied with the label tapes of these individual label rolls. Preferably, the transport device is connected to the connection unit and is moved together with this. Thus, the transport device is in particular a part of the connection unit.

Furthermore, it is possible in this way to achieve a substantially continuous operation of the labeling device. In the process sequence, first the label tape of the first label roll reaches the labeling device via the transport device and optionally a buffer device. After the first label roll is used up, an end portion of the first label roll is connected to an initial portion of the second label roll which is disposed on a second carrier, and subsequently the label strip of the second label roll is forwarded to the labeling device via the transport device. In a similar manner is moved with more label rolls. This leaves enough time to replace empty label rolls with completely or partially filled label rolls. The buffer means causes the labeling device not to be stopped during the bonding process. The buffer device may for example have a plurality of deflection rollers around which the label tape is guided, wherein the deflection rollers are partially displaceable against each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the transport device, which has a drive unit, moves the label strips at least in sections only in a second direction of movement, the first direction of movement and the second direction of movement being substantially perpendicular to one another. In other words, the label strips which are unrolled from the label rolls are guided in a direction which, for example, runs tangentially to the label rolls. The connection unit is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. However, it is also possible that the first direction of movement and the second direction of movement are arranged at an angle deviating from 90 °, for example below 45 °.

In a further preferred embodiment, each carrier is assigned a fixed fixing device which fixes an initial section of the first label strips at least temporarily. By stationary is meant in particular stationary relative to the environment. The fixing device is preferably fastened to a common frame, which also carries the carriers or their holding devices. This is particularly preferably a vacuum suction strip. With this squeegee, the initial sections, which belong to the individual labeling rollers, which are arranged on the holding devices, each temporarily fixed to be connected to the respective other end portions of the label tape in the transport device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connection unit has a second fixing device which fixes an end section of the label strips at least temporarily. In this case, this second fixing device is used in particular for fixing the end sections, which are located at the end of the label strip which runs in the transport device. In the advantageous embodiment mentioned here, this second fixing device is movable together with the connecting unit in the first direction of movement and the second fixing device separately, for example in the form of a punch in a direction perpendicular thereto, to press the two sections together and in this way to each other connect, for example by the use of adhesive / an adhesive strip.

Thus, the second fixing device is movable only in the first direction of movement and in a direction of movement perpendicular thereto, but not in the second movement device. Fixing devices are known from the prior art, which are also still in the second direction of movement, that is, the movement direction in which label strips are moved relative to the connection unit, are movable. Due to the advantageous design, which does not allow a movement in this second direction of movement, a higher stability and accuracy of the fixing process is achieved.

Particularly advantageous each carrier is driven by a servo motor. Thus, the individual carriers and thus arranged on these carriers label rolls are each driven by separate servo motors, so that a control with different speeds is possible. Particularly advantageous is the drive speed of the individual servomotors controllable.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one carrier is arranged on a displaceable holding device. In this case, the holding device is displaceable, in particular in the second direction of movement. This displaceability serves to extract the carrier in each case from the frame and to replace a label roll, for example, by a further label roll.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one occupancy measuring device is provided, which checked a reservation state of a label roll. It is possible to visually check the occupancy state, but it is also possible to check the occupancy state indirectly on the rotational speed of the label roll. This will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

In a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of deflection rollers is provided between the carriers and the connecting device, wherein at least two deflection rollers are translationally movable with respect to each other. Thus, it is preferable in one of these pulleys to a dancer role. From a movement of this dancer roll can be concluded that a loading state of a respective label roll, which is also explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Preferably, a deflection roller relative to the other, for example, biased by a spring.

In a further preferred embodiment, a cutting device is provided for cutting off the label strips. Thus, for example, unwanted end sections or remnants can be cut off or a straight cut of the label strips can be produced. Preferably, the cutting device is displaceable in the first direction of movement.

The present invention is further directed to a loading device for a labeling system according to claim 13.

According to the invention, the connection unit is displaceable in exactly one first direction of movement, and this first movement device is at a fixed predetermined angle to the second movement device, and preferably substantially perpendicular thereto.

Preferably, the connection unit has a fixing device, and this is movable only in the first movement device (together with the connection unit) and in a direction perpendicular to the first and the second direction of movement. In this latter direction of movement is the direction of the punch movement of the fixing device.

Preferably, the loading device is designed in the manner described above.

The present invention is further directed to a method for joining portions of label tapes to a loading device according to claim 15.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Bestückungseinrichtung;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht der Bestückungseinrichtung aus Figur 1.

Show:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a loading device according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a side view of the equipment from FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 1 shows a placement device 1 in a perspective view. This loading device 1 has a plurality of holding devices 15, wherein, however, in FIG. 1 only such a holding device 15 is shown. At this holding device 15, a carrier 3a is arranged and this carrier in turn a label roll on which a label tape 14a is rolled up. In normal operation, this label tape 14a is unrolled from the label roll and guided along the sections A, B and C via a plurality of deflection rollers. In this case, the carrier 3a is driven by a (explained in detail below) servomotor. In addition, a transport device 5, which here has a draw roller 5a, is provided to transport the second label strip 14. The transport device 5 is arranged on a connecting unit 8. The entire loading device 1 is arranged on a (not shown) frame.

If a label roll 13 is unrolled, one end portion of the label tape 14 that has just been unwound must be connected to an initial portion of a new tape of another label roll 13. For this purpose, the loading device 1, the connection unit 8. This connection unit 8 can be designed as a cutting / gluing unit. The connecting unit 8 is thereby moved by a driven linear system 26 in the indicated direction of movement R1. In this case, the reference numeral 27 refers to a corresponding linear drive for the connection unit 8 and a carriage of this connection unit 8. Furthermore, the placement device 1, a plurality of first fixing means 4, more precisely, are in Fig. 1 eight such fixing units 4 available. More precisely each holding device 15 is associated with exactly one fixing device 4. These fixing devices 4 have a deflection roller 4a and a suction strip 4b, which fixes the label strip 14a at least temporarily. Finally, the fixing device 4 also has a recognition device 4c, which serves to recognize the respective roll beginning or of the respective end section of the label strip. Fig. 1 shows the situation in which just a second label tape is connected to a first label tape.

The reference numeral 16 refers to a cutter which serves to cut the respective end portions. This cutting device 16 can be displaced along a bar 11 in the direction R1. The reference numeral 18 shows a pulley for the second label tape 14th

FIG. 2 shows a side view of in FIG. 1 shown insertion device 1, wherein also here only a carrier 3a is shown. This carrier 3a or the label roll 13 guided on it are driven via a servomotor 23 by means of a belt 6. Alternatively, however, could also be arranged a direct drive. The label strip 14a is guided over three deflection rollers 20, 21, 22, wherein these deflection rollers 20, 21, 22 are part of a temporary storage. More precisely, the deflection roller 21 is translationally movable in the direction R2 relative to the two deflection rollers 20 and 22. At the same time the guide roller 21 is biased against the pulleys 20 and 22 by a biasing means such as a spring 24. On the guide roller 21, a detection device 17 for detecting the occupation state of the label roll 13 is further arranged. Normally, the carrier 3a is a new, ie completely Unused, label roll 13 attached. To a fully occupied label roll 13 corresponds to a predetermined motor speed of the servo motor 23 and a corresponding transport speed of the transport device 5. Therefore, if a complete label roll 13 is placed, the guide roller 21 will not move translationally in the direction R2.

The situation is different when a not completely filled label roll 13 is placed. Also in this case, the servo motor 23 initially rotates at a predetermined speed, which corresponds to a fully occupied label roll 13. However, since an incompletely occupied label roll has a smaller diameter, this results in that the transport speed of the transport device 5 is higher than the transport speed caused by the rotation of the servomotor 23, with which the label roll 13 is unrolled. As a result, this causes the recognition device 17 in FIG. 2 moved to the right against the spring tension of the spring 24. From the speed of this movement or the distance in the direction R2, which is covered in a certain time interval, the actual occupation state of the label roll 13 can be determined.

This distance measurement of the detection device 17 can be made, for example, optically by the use of lasers and line markings of the linkage 25 on which the spring 24 is arranged. However, it is also possible to use distance sensors which determine the distance between the recognition device 17 and a specific reference point. Furthermore, the so determined Occupancy state used to control the speed of the servomotor 23. For example, if an only partially occupied label roll 13 has been pushed, the speed of the servo motor 23 is increased accordingly.

Since the roll diameter of the label roll 13 will also decrease over time, it is also particularly advantageous to adapt the speed of the servomotor 23 to this situation and to allow the servomotor 23 to rotate continuously faster during the unwinding process.

Nevertheless, in FIG. 2 the time shown in the currently taking place a bonding operation between the label tape 14a and the label tape 14. For this purpose, the placement device 1 has a second fixing device 7, which is arranged on the connection unit 8. This fixing device 7 can likewise be a suction strip which fixes the corresponding end section of the label strip 14. This second fixing device 7 is in FIG. 2 not shown in detail.

Claims (15)

1. Labelling system comprising a labelling device which applies labels to objects and in particular to containers, and a loading device (1) which is arranged upstream of this labelling device and which supplies the labelling device with labels, wherein this loading device (1) comprises a transport device (5) which transports a second label strip (14) and comprises at least two carriers (3a) for first label strips (14a) wound onto label rolls (13), said carriers being arranged next to one another on holding devices (15), wherein a joining unit (8) is provided which can be displaced between the carriers (3a) in a first movement direction (R1) and which joins an initial section of the first label strips (14a) to an end section of the second label strips (14), characterised in that the transport device (5) can be displaced together with the joining unit.
2. Labelling system according to claims 1, characterised in that the second label strip (14) can be moved by the transport device (5) at least partially in a second movement direction (R2) relative to the joining unit (8), wherein the first movement direction (R1) and the second movement direction (R2) are essentially perpendicular to one another.
3. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each carrier (3a) is assigned a stationary first fixing device (4) which at least temporarily fixes an initial section of a first label strip (14a).
4. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the joining unit (8) has a second fixing device (7) which at least temporarily fixes an end section of a second label strip (14) .
5. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the first and/or the second fixing device (4, 7) comprises a vacuum suction strip.
6. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each carrier (3a) is driven by a servo motor (23).
7. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one carrier (3a) is arranged on a displaceable holding device (15).
8. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one fullness measuring device (17) is provided which checks a fullness state of at least one label roll (13).
9. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of deflection rollers (20, 21, 22) are provided between the carriers (3a) and the joining device (8), wherein at least two deflection rollers can move in translation relative to one another.
10. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cutting device (16) is provided for cutting the label strips.
11. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that arranged downstream of the loading device (1) is a strip store which stores labels that have already been unwound from the label roll (13) but have not yet been supplied to the labelling device.
12. Labelling system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the labelling device is designed to process endless label strips which are cut to the desired length only in/at the labelling device.
13. Loading device (1) for a labelling system, comprising a transport device (5) which transports a label strip (14), at least two carriers (3a) for first label strips (14a) wound onto label rolls, said carriers being arranged on holding devices (15) arranged next to one another, and a joining unit (8) which joins an initial section of the first label strip (14a), which is arranged on a carrier (3a), to an end section of the second label strip, which is guided in a transport device (5), wherein the label strips are transported in just one second movement direction (R2) relative to the joining unit (8), and wherein the joining unit (8) can be displaced in just one first movement direction (R1), characterised in that the transport device (5) can be displaced together with the joining unit.
14. Loading device according to claim 10, characterised in that the loading device (1) is configured according to at least one of claims 3 to 12.
15. Method for joining sections of label strips to one another by means of a loading device (1), comprising the steeps:

    joining an initial section of a first label strip (19a) to an end section of a second label strip (14) transported in a transport device (5), wherein the joining takes place by means of a joining unit (8);

    unwinding the first label strip (14a) from a first label roll (13) and guiding the label strip (14a) through the transport device (5);

    joining an end section of the first label strip (14a) to an initial section of a further first label strip, wherein the joining takes place by means of the joining unit (8), the joining unit (8) is moved between a first label roll (13) and a second label roll in a first movement direction (R1), and the label strip (14a) is moved in a second movement direction (R2) relative to the joining unit (8),

    characterised in that, during the process of joining the two sections, one section is fixed relative to the joining unit (8) and the joining unit (8) is moved exclusively in a direction which is perpendicular to the first movement direction (R1) and also the second movement direction (R2) and in that the transport device is displaced together with the joining unit.

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