EP2218648B1 - Device for labelling containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for labeling containers with an overhead opening, in particular of thin-walled bottles. The device has at least one centering unit for fixing the containers during labeling and moreover comprises the features of the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such devices are used, for example, in the inlet area of Moduletikettiermaschinen that label beverage containers during their movement. The centering plates provided for receiving the beverage containers are usually in a closed, i. continuous row fed without intermediate distances an inlet star of a rotary machine. This inlet star transfers the containers to a bottle table. At this bottle table, the containers are clamped in a centering unit, so that the containers are kept stable during labeling.

Such devices for labeling plastic bottles are already known from the prior art. From the DE 41 25 579 A1 Furthermore, a device for labeling of thin-walled containers is known, in which they attack by a bottle holder with a height-retaining fork for attaching the bottles exclusively on the collar and setting by a top-mounted centering and thus fix stable.

From the DE 602 08 736 T2 Furthermore, a device according to the preamble of claim 1 for gripping and handling of bottles in a labeling machine is known. This device also comprises an element which serves to grip a bottle neck. This element is also formed as a fork for gripping a protruding edge or support ring of the bottles.

Likewise is from the DE 601 10 498 T2 a labeling machine is known, on which a rotatable support is arranged at an upper end of the machine. An additional gripping means holds the containers to be labeled at their open or upper area and at their support ring.

Each of these known machines works continuously and adapts automatically to the speed of the incoming or outgoing container flow. The arriving on the conveyor belt containers are detected by the Einteilschnecke, brought to division, taken over by the inlet star and handed over to the container table. Here they are firmly clamped between centering plates and centering bells and rotated as needed. The holding device may be formed, for example, as a selectively controllable, raised and lowered centering for axially clamping a vessel between its head and the bottom, wherein the centering is rotatable when a vessel is to be rotatable about its vertical axis.

The known devices for the treatment of containers require for handling and clamping of the containers, that the containers are provided on the outside of the mouth or neck area with a so-called. Tragring.

The primary object of the present invention is to develop a device for the treatment, in particular for labeling of containers in such a way that the flexibility is increased, in particular with regard to the handling of the container. In particular, the system should be suitable to be able to process containers without support ring in the neck area and allow easy picking up and dispensing of containers.

This object of the invention is achieved with the subject matter of the independent claim. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention comprises a device for labeling containers with an overhead opening, in particular of thin-walled containers, bottles or the like. These containers are preferably made of plastic. The device for labeling these containers has at least one centering unit for fixing the Container during labeling, wherein the centering unit has a centering bell and means for positive and non-positive engagement in the mouth region of the particular top opening of the container.

According to the invention, the centering unit comprises an ejector for detaching the containers from the centering bell.

The container transfer takes place, as is already known from the prior art, from a conveyor belt to an inlet star. This feed star transfers the standing incoming containers to a rotating container table. At this container table, the containers can be transferred to centering and taken from above via the centering bell.

The centering or clamping of the container is necessary so that the containers are stably clamped during labeling and can not buckle, bulge or twist. The centering unit comprises a centering bell. Possibly. Furthermore, a centering plate can be present, if this makes sense or is necessary. The centering bell also has a receptacle which can be moved as a means for positive and non-positive engagement in an opening region of the opening of the container. The positive and non-positive engagement leads to an empty container being stabilized during labeling.

In principle, this reception of the centering bell can also be used as a gripper for preform orientation in a stretch blow molding machine, or for transport through any further treatment stations that take place before the containers are filled.

The centering bell can be driven from above, for example via a controllable servo drive or in another suitable manner. To accommodate the containers or the preforms, a machine head, on which the individual centering bells are located, must be brought into rotation via a motor, so that the machine head is set in rotary motion. During this rotational movement, the centering bells perform upward and downward movements. These upward and downward movements of the centering bells are required to accommodate the containers or preforms. You will be at defined positions during the Rotary motion completed, eg. When recording the article on the inlet star and the delivery of the article on the outlet star. The centering bell can thus be moved, for example, over a lift curve up and down. During a downward movement, the reception of the centering bell is guided into the mouth region of the container or preform opening, and the articles are held by diverse treatment stations during the transport through the positive and non-positive engagement in the mouth region.

After the container has been labeled, it must be detached from the centering, so that the container to the next treatment station, for example, can be transported to a bottling plant on. This detachment of the container from the centering can, for example, done via an ejector.

According to a preferred embodiment, the ejector on a lifting unit, which is arranged by means of a stationary retainer on an upper machine part.

According to a further embodiment, the ejector comprises a withdrawal sleeve and a retaining device. The ejector controlled by a so-called lift curve. Upon an upward movement of the centering a Abziehhülse, which is mounted as a movable part of the centering, moves against a follower retainer. This retaining device can also be referred to as Ausziehgabel. During this process, the retaining device pushes the mouth region of the articles out of the receptacle of the centering bell by means of a spring force. About this spring force, which is transmitted via a compression spring, the recording of the centering bell can be returned to the starting position.

The retaining device or the Ausziehgabel is fixedly mounted on the machine head. Its opening encloses a holder of the centering bell.

A rotational movement of the individual containers is advantageous in addition to the rotational movement of the mesh upper part for a labeling operation, so that the labels can be attached to the container. This rotational movement is only required and therefore preferably only carried out when the container to be labeled is on or shortly before a labeling. The own Rotational movement of the container can be accelerated via an additional rotary drive, for example. By means of a drive belt as needed.

Through the use of centering and the drive means of centering the complete traction is transmitted to the relatively strong mouth region of the container on the top centering bells and in particular their recordings. However, to ensure that the container remains dimensionally stable during labeling, it is additionally inflated with compressed air. By this container inflation would, for example, a centering plate, which is already known from the prior art, no longer necessary for fixing or centering of the container. However, the use of centering plates is based on accurate centering and positioning of the containers during labeling.

The inclusion of the centering bell comprises a sealing means for sealing the mouth region of the container, so that the injected air can not escape. This seal may, for example, by O-rings and / or jaws on the receiving area, which engages in the mouth region of the container, be attached. For example. Precision O-rings are a versatile sealing element and can be used for sealing the connection between the mouth of the container and the reception of the centering bell. Thus, a stable internal pressure can be produced in the container.

The compressed air is supplied to the container via a control and / or control valve, which is preferably positioned in the immediate vicinity of an outlet opening of the centering bell. In addition, this valve is connected via a connection with the centering bell. This connection is attached to the mounting of the centering bell. The compressed air is fed into the container inside the centering bell via a compressed air line. This compressed air line also serves to control and / or regulate a pressure prevailing in the container. Particularly for very thin-walled containers, a sufficient and defined overpressure in the containers is necessary in order to be able to carry out a labeling operation. To be able to label stiffer containers with this device, the supply of compressed air can be switched off, since the supply of compressed air is basically necessary only for very thin-walled container. With the control and / or control valve, a defined pressure is adjustable. In practice, pressure ranges with values between 0.08 and 1.8 bar have been found to be advantageous.

In the device according to the invention, the effective diameter of the recording of the centering bell can be configured to the dimensions of the mouth region of the container adaptable by the entire centering bell and / or the receptacle are designed to be interchangeable. The interchangeability of the centering bell can, for example, be realized by a bayonet closure or the like. In principle, other locking mechanisms are also conceivable, which are suitable for easily detachable connection of the parts in the direction of their longitudinal axis, said connection being made via a plug-in rotary movement of the centering bell and its mounting on the machine head.

The entire centering unit, that is, the centering bell and / or the centering plate, can be designed as a tooling part, so that containers or preforms with different dimensions of their mouth region can be accommodated. Furthermore, with the replacement of the fitting parts, a guide set and / or other parts, containers already filled and provided with closure could be subsequently labeled.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for containers or preforms, which are preferably made without a support ring. From the already known prior art, the support rings for fixing and centering of the container are indispensable. With the device according to the invention, however, these support rings can be omitted, since the containers are held and fixed to the inner wall of its mouth region. However, the device according to the invention is, of course, also suitable for processing containers or preforms which have conventional support rings, since these in no way impair the functioning of the container fixation according to the invention.

In a method for labeling of ungrounded containers with overhead opening by means of a container treatment device according to the invention, the containers or bottles are fixed during labeling by means of a centering unit. This procedure for the labeling of non-contact containers is particularly applied to containers that are designed thin-walled in order to produce a dimensionally stable container during labeling can. The container is subjected to an internal pressure. The internal pressure is through a in the centering bell embedded control and control valve generates. Thus, the containers can be acted upon with different internal pressures.

The device according to the invention is preferably constructed in a single labeling machine or in a block variant of a stretch blow molding machine with a labeling machine. Alternatively, an installation between a block variant of a stretch blow molding machine, a labeling machine and a filling plant would be possible.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer Behandlungsstrecke für Behälter.

Fig. 2

zeigt ein Maschinenoberteil, an dem Behälter zur Etikettierung weitertransportiert werden können.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer Seitenansicht einer Zentrierglocke.

Fig. 4

zeigt einen Schnittverlauf A-A senkrecht durch eine Zentrierglocke aus der Fig. 3.

Fig. 5

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Zentrierglocke.

Fig. 6

zeigt einen Schnittverlauf B-B waagrecht durch eine Zentrierglocke aus der Fig. 5.

Fig. 7

zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Zentrierglocke.

Fig. 8

und

Fig. 9

zeigen eine schematische Darstellung einer Zentrierglocke mit einem Anschluss für ein Regel- und/oder Steuerventil.

Fig. 10

zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer Anordnung eines Behälters und einer Zentriereinheit an einem Maschinenoberteil.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as a non-restrictive example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same components in principle have the same reference numerals and will not be explained several times.

Fig. 1

shows a schematic view of a treatment path for containers.

Fig. 2

shows a machine head, can be transported to the container for labeling.

Fig. 3

shows a schematic representation of a side view of a centering bell.

Fig. 4

shows a section AA perpendicular through a centering of the Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 5

shows a plan view of a centering bell.

Fig. 6

shows a section BB horizontally through a centering bell from the Fig. 5 ,

Fig. 7

shows a perspective view of a centering bell.

Fig. 8

and

Fig. 9

show a schematic representation of a centering bell with a connection for a control and / or control valve.

Fig. 10

shows a schematic representation of an arrangement of a container and a centering unit on a machine head.

Fig. 1 shows a treatment line for the manufacture and labeling of objects in the form of plastic containers, such as PET containers for drinks, hereinafter referred to briefly container. The container 2 (see. Fig. 10 ) have in the head area on no support ring on which the container 2 can be transported through the system 1. Along a conveyor line F is arranged a plurality of processing machines. The plant 1 comprises a rotating stretch blow molding machine 70 with an outlet star 74, which again adds the finished blown plastic container 2 to the conveyor line F. In front of the stretch blow molding machine 70, a furnace (not shown) is arranged in which the preforms (not shown) are brought to the required temperature so that they can be processed with the stretch blow molding machine 70. In the schematic representation of the stretch blow molding machine 70 shown here, the transport device 71 is designed as a wheel. It is also conceivable that the transport device 71 may be formed as a substantially linear transport device. The preforms pass from the furnace via an inlet star 72 into the stretch blow molding machine 70. The stretch blow molding machine 70 is followed by a rotating labeling machine 76 along the processing path VS. The rotary labeling machine 76 comprises an inlet star 72 and an outlet star 74. The labeling machine 76 can furthermore be arranged downstream of the processing path VS, a rotating filling and closing machine (not shown). Each of the machines arranged along the processing line VS has its own motor, not shown, by means of which it can be continuously driven together with its variable speed starwheels.

The Fig. 2 shows a machine head 56, on which the container 2 (see. Fig. 10 ) can be applied for labeling and further transported. The standing incoming containers (not shown) are of a conveyor belt (not shown) to an inlet star (not shown) passed, which transfers the container (not shown) to the machine head 56. At this machine upper part 56 11 centering units 10 (see FIG. Fig. 10 ) are attached, the containers via special centering bells 12 (see. Fig. 3 ) for further transport. The centering bells 12 are attached to stationary brackets 11 which are fixed to the machine head 56. Likewise, on a support ring 58 of the Machine upper part 56 a retainer 54 and Ausziehgabel attached, which surrounds the centering bell 12 by about 180 degrees (see. Fig. 10 ). The retainer 54 is mounted below the machine support ring 58 such that the opening 55 of the retainer 54 in which the centering bell 12 is located opposite to this attachment to the machine support ring 58.

The machine head 56 is driven by a rotary drive 50, preferably formed by a motor, so that it rotates about an axis of rotation R and the attached brackets 11 of the centering bell 12 and the retainer 54 are moved during the rotational movement. The machine head 56 can be used both in a labeling machine (not shown) and in a stretch blow molding machine (not shown).

Above the machine support ring 58 further rotating devices 60 are mounted for driving the centering units 10. These rotary devices 60 may include, for example, rotary transmission members 62 which may be individually driven by means of a toothed belt or the like (not shown) to bring the containers for labeling into the required position.

The Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a centering unit 10 consisting of a centering bell 12 with receptacle 14. The centering bell 12 includes a plug-on head 22 which is connected to the holder 11 (see. Fig. 2 ), a withdrawal sleeve 24, a compression spring 28, a star wheel 30. Below the centering bell 12, the receptacle 14 for the mouth region 6 of the container 2 is arranged. As movable elements, the star wheel 30 are formed in connection with the receptacle 14 of the container 2.

The receptacle 14 comprises sealing means 16, which provide a tight connection between the mouth region 6 of the container 2 or a preform 14 and the receptacle. The sealing means 16 may consist of O-rings 18 and / or clamping jaws 20.

Fig. 4 shows a section AA perpendicular to the centering unit 10 of the Fig. 3 , From the sectional view can be seen how the individual elements of the centering bell 12 and receptacle 14 work together. The receptacle 14 can be moved, for example, over the star wheel 30 about the displacement path V up and down. This process is, for example, in an upward movement of the centering unit 10th triggered during operation of the machine. This upward movement is by means of a lifting cam (not shown), which on the machine head 56 (see. Fig. 2 ) is attached allows. In this case, the compression spring 28 is compressed by the star wheel 30, since the star plate 30 is connected via an inner guide 38 with the receptacle 14 and the withdrawal sleeve 24. The star wheel 30 engages with attached fingers 32 (see. Fig. 6 ) in guides 26 of the withdrawal sleeve 24 and moves upward along the displacement path V (see. Fig. 3, 4 . 5 and 6 ).

In Fig. 5 is a plan view of the centering unit 10 is shown. In the plug-on head 22, a receiving opening 34 is provided, into which the holder 11, which is attached to the machine head 56, can be inserted and fixed.

Fig. 6 shows a section BB horizontally through the centering unit 10 from the Fig. 5 , From this representation, it can be seen that the fingers 32 of the star wheel 30 are mounted offset therefrom, or in the exemplary embodiment form an odd number of fingers 32. Also, the jaws 20, which are attached as a sealing means 16 to the receptacle 14 of the centering unit 10, have an odd number. Below the receptacle 14 is a connection 36 for a control and / or control valve 40 (see. Fig. 8 ) intended. From the Fig. 6 It can also be seen that the fingers 32 of the star wheel 30 can fulfill other functions. On the one hand, these serve as a stop or holding means of the compression spring 28 and on the other hand as a stop for the upper edge of the mouth region 6 of the container 2 (see. Fig. 10 ) or preforms (not shown).

In the Fig. 7 the centering unit 10 is shown in a perspective view. The guides 26 for the fingers 32 of the star wheel 30 are clearly shown in the view. Also, there is the contact surface of the compression spring 28 on the upper surfaces of the fingers 32 of the star wheel 30 and the arrangement of these fingers 32 and the O-rings 18 and the jaws 20 on the receptacle 14 of the centering unit 10 clearly visible. Likewise, the receiving opening 34 for the holder 11 (see. Fig. 2 ) imaged on the plug-in head 22.

The FIGS. 8 and 9 correspond largely to the FIGS. 3 and 4 However, they differ from these by the control and / or control valve 40 attached to the connection 36. This regulating and / or control valve 40 is in the immediate vicinity of Outlet opening 44 of the centering unit 10 is positioned and ensures via a compressed air line 42 that in the container 2, which is attached to the receptacle 14 of the centering unit 10, the desired pressure can be produced (see. Fig. 10 ). Like from the Fig. 9 it can be seen, the compressed air line 42 is arranged centrally in the centering unit 10 and with the holder 11 (see. Fig. 2 ) via a device which on the machine head 56 (see. Fig. 2 ) is connected.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of a connection of a container 2 and a centering unit 10. This compound can also be made instead of a container 2 with a preform (not shown). This may, for example, be advantageous for the stretch blow molding machine 72 (cf. Fig. 1 ), which was named at the beginning.

From the illustration it can be seen how the centering bell 12 is mounted on the plug-in head 22 on the bracket 11. It is also clearly evident how the retaining device 54 rests on the withdrawal sleeve 24. The receptacle 14 engages the container 2 at its overhead opening 4 in the mouth region 6. By the injection of compressed air into the container 2, this is stabilized. This stability is necessary, for example, during a labeling operation, so that the thin-walled container 2 can not buckle. The compressed air is via the control and / or control valve 40 (see. 8 and 9 ) injected into the container 2.

The controlled separation of the container 2 from the centering bell 12 can, for example, be defined and controlled by means of a suitable lifting curve. In Fig. 10 the bifurcated retaining device 54 can be seen, which supports the separation of the container 2 from the centering bell 12.

It should be mentioned at this point that containers with carrying rings can also be processed; The device according to the invention thus relates to containers or preforms without a support ring or with a support ring.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

investment

2

container

4

opening

6

mouth area

10

centering

11

bracket

12

centering

14

admission

16

sealant

18

O-ring

20

jaws

22

Aufsteckkopf

24

withdrawal

26

guide

28

compression spring

30

star washer

32

Stop, or finger

34

Receiving opening for holder

36

Connection for control and / or control valve

38

inner guide

40

Control and / or control valve

42

Compressed air line

44

outlet opening

50

rotary drive

52

ejector

54

Retaining device or extension fork

55

opening

56

Machine head

58

Support ring, machine ring

60

rotator

62

Rotary transmission element, eg gear, roller

70

stretch

72

feed star

74

outlet star

76

labeling

D

diameter

F

conveyor line

R

axis of rotation

V

displacement

VS

processing line

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus for labelling containers (2), in particular for labelling thin-walled bottles, having an opening (4) located at the top, the apparatus comprising at least one centring unit (10) for holding the containers (2) in place during the labelling process, wherein the centring unit (10) comprises a centring bell (12) and means (14) for a form- and force-locking insertion into a mouth area (6) of the opening (4) of the container (2), characterised in that the centring unit (10) comprises an ejecting means for releasing the containers (2) from the centring bell (12).
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ejecting means comprises a lifting unit arranged at a top section of the machine by means of a stationary retaining device (54).
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the ejecting means comprises a withdrawal sleeve (24) and a retaining device (54).
4. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the ejecting means may be controlled by a lifting cam.
5. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the ejecting means comprises a pressure spring (28).
6. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the centring bell (12) comprises a sealing means (16) for sealing the container (2).
7. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the centring bell (12) is assigned a regulator valve and/or a control valve (40) for controlling and/or adjusting the pressure in the container (2), said regulator valve and/or control valve being arranged in a compressed air line (42) which leads into the container (2).
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the regulator valve and/or the control valve (40) is located in the immediate vicinity of the discharge opening (44) of the centring bell (12).
9. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the effective diameter (D) of the centring bell (12) is adjusted to the dimensions of the mouth area (6) of the containers (2).
10. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the centring bell (12) is replaceable.
11. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the centring bell (12) comprises a rotary drive (50) for rotating the containers (2).
12. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims wherein the centring bell (12) and/or a centring disk of the centring unit (10) is formed as a handling part.
13. The apparatus according to one of the previous claims with at least one container (2) being held by the centring bell (12) wherein the container (2) may preferably be manufactured from a preform without a carrying ring.

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