EP2221154B1 - Cutting tool to cut labels - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cutting tool, in particular for cutting labels. In the beverage manufacturing industry, it is common to label containers for drinks. It is both known that self-adhesive labels are attached to the containers as well as that labels are connected by means of a glue with the containers. In both cases, these labels can be rolled from rolls, then cut and mounted in this cut form on the container.

For this purpose, various cutting devices for cutting these labels are known from the prior art. In a common variant of such cutting tools, a cutting rotor is provided, which cooperates with a roller and cuts the labels in each case at predetermined intervals. For this purpose, cutting blades are mounted or clamped on this cutting rotor. Inaccurate positioning of these cutting blades can quickly lead to unilateral wear of these cutting blades during operation. Also, in devices known from the prior art, the changeover times for such cutting blades are often considerable.

From the DE 4209752 C2 a device for cutting material is known. In this case, a cutting blade is provided as well as two complementary trained and interlocking clamping strips which are pressed apart by an inflatable medium, wherein the cutting blade is clamped by the pressing apart of these two clamping strips. However, this device is relatively complicated to handle since the two are intertwined joined strips must be matched very closely to one another to achieve precise guidance and on the other hand to prevent tilting of these two strips against each other.

From the German patent application number DE 10 2007 058 816 A1 The Applicant is also a cutting tool is known in which a cutting element is clamped in a cutting rotor, for which purpose a loading body is loaded by a corresponding air-filled suspension element. This loading body engages behind a portion of the cutting rotor and is therefore guided in its direction of movement at several guide surfaces. In this way, although a comparatively stable hold this movement element is achieved, but on the other hand, it can also lead to jamming and replacement of this moving body is very expensive, since this first the housing of the cutting tool itself must be dismantled. Furthermore, this approach also requires a multi-part design of the housing.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cutting tool available, which is compared to the described prior art cheaper to produce and simpler. This is inventively achieved by a cutting tool according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A cutting tool according to the invention, in particular for cutting labels, has a housing arranged rotatably about a rotation axis and a cutting element arranged on this housing, this cutting element having a cutting edge which extends substantially in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, this cutting element is detachably arranged in a recess formed by a plurality of walls of the housing recess of the housing.

In addition, a loading body is provided in the recess, which loads the cutting element in a working operation in a loading direction for holding the cutting element on the housing and a suspension element which exerts a force on the loading body in the loading direction in the working operation of the cutting tool. there this loading body is guided by a guide surface relative to the housing and this guide surface extends in a plane to which the axis of rotation is parallel.

According to the invention the guide surface is the only to the rotation axis parallel guide surface, which guides the movement of the loading body in the loading direction P with respect to the housing.

Advantageously, said plane is parallel to a plane which is driven by the loading direction and the axis of rotation.

The housing is in particular the so-called cutting rotor on which at least one cutting element and preferably two or more cutting elements are arranged. The cutting element is preferably - especially permanently - charged against exactly one wall of the recess.

The recess, on which the cutting element is arranged, is advantageously located on an outer circumference of the housing and is open in a radially outward-pointing direction.

The loading body is in particular a tensioning strip which serves for clamping the cutting element. The suspension element is in particular an expandable suspension element for clamping the cutting element. The guide surface guides the movement of this loading body to clamp the cutting element. In the case of the above DE 42 09 752 C2 two interlocking strips are provided, ie there are for this purpose at least two guide surfaces which extend parallel to the axis of rotation, resulting in a total of a relatively complex structure.

So are in the case of DE 42 09 752 C2 arranged in the recess next to the cutting element itself at least three separate elements, namely the interlocking clamping strips and arranged between these clamping strips suspension device. Therefore, this structure is also relatively complicated to assemble. Also in the case of the internal state of the art, two mutually parallel guide surfaces are provided, between which the here L-shaped loading body is guided.

Surprisingly, it has been shown in a variety of experiments that the originally considered necessary L-shaped configuration for stabilizing the loading body and thus the cutting element is not absolutely necessary, but also with only one guide surface a corresponding stabilization of the loading body and also the Cutting elements can be achieved. The advantages of the embodiment according to the invention consist in a simpler production of the entire system.

According to the invention, the recess is formed by a plurality of walls of the housing and these walls are preferably formed integrally with each other. Thus, the recess is designed much simpler than the above cited prior art, since neither complementary strips are provided, nor a two-part or multi-part recess.

According to the invention, a pressure piece of a deformable material is arranged between the cutting element and a wall of the recess. This pressure piece is preferably supported against a wall of the recess and serves to load the cutting element and thus to its clamping. Preferably, this pressure piece is a rubber pressure piece. In a further advantageous embodiment, the pressure piece is arranged in a recess provided in one of the walls.

According to the invention, a guide element which can be separated from the housing and which forms the guide surface is arranged in the recess of the housing. Thus, on the one hand fitting plates may be provided in the recess as well as the said guide element, which is replaceable in particular in the event of wear. Preferably, this guide element or another element in the recess made of an elastomer or a flexible material. In this way, this guide member also perceives damping functions for such forces acting in the radial direction of the cutting blade. By this type of damping, the cutting blade can be spared.

In case of DE 10 2007 058816 is provided in place of this guide element another Drucckissen. However, it has been found that the solution now proposed on the one hand is less expensive and on the other hand more suitable because the said elastomer is flexible, but allows only limited movements of the cutting element in the radial direction. This flexible element is in particular parallel to the bottom wall of the recess and thus extends parallel to the above-mentioned guide surface.

According to the invention, the suspension element is integrated in one of the walls of the housing. However, it would also be possible that the suspension element is integrated in the loading body itself or in a recess of the loading body.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one region of the suspension element can be expanded or moved by a gaseous medium. This means that the suspension element can be, for example, an inflatable element or an expandable chamber, which expands when exposed to the gaseous medium, in particular with air. In addition, however, the suspension element can also be a piston which can be moved in a recess in order to load the loading body in this way.

Preferably, the cutting element is supported on at least two mutually non-parallel surfaces relative to the loading body. Preferably, the cutting element is supported on two mutually perpendicular surfaces relative to the loading body. These two surfaces can form a step on which rests the cutting element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the loading body has a flexible groove in the loading direction, in which the cutting element is arranged. This is clamped or clamped by loading this groove, which may be formed for example by a body of the loading body and a flexible web, the cutting element in the loading body.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the suspension element has a flexible membrane. In addition, the cutting tool preferably has a feed device in order to supply the suspension element with gas.

Fig. 1

Eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung zum Schneiden von Etikettenstreifen;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Schneidwerkzeuges;

Fig. 3

eine Detaildarstellung des Schneidwerkzeugs aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Federungselements;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung des Federungselements aus Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schneidwerkzeugs;

Fig. 7

eine detailiertere Darstellung des in Fig. 6 gezeigten Schneidwerkzeugs; und

Fig. 8

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schneidwerkzeugs.

Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, the cutting tool in the direction of the axis of rotation on a plurality of successively arranged suspension elements. Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

A schematic representation of an inventive arrangement for cutting label strips;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of a cutting tool not according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a detailed view of the cutting tool Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a suspension element;

Fig. 5

a sectional view of the suspension element Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

an embodiment of a cutting tool according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a more detailed representation of the in Fig. 6 shown cutting tool; and

Fig. 8

a further embodiment of a cutting tool according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention 25 for cutting labels. In this case, a cutting roller 30 is provided, which first carries an endless label strip. This cutting roller 30 has a plurality of counter cutting bars 28 which are distributed in the circumferential direction of the cutting roller 30. Furthermore, the cutting roller 30 has suction devices to the label on the outer periphery the cutting roller 30 to tighten. In operation, the cutting roller 30 rotates in a predetermined direction of rotation about a rotation axis Y, here for example in the counterclockwise direction.

The reference numeral 1 refers to a cutting tool according to the invention, which cooperates with the cutting roller 30 for cutting the labels. More specifically, the rotation of the cutting rotor or housing 2 of the cutting tool 1 is synchronized to the rotation of the cutting roller 30 such that the cutting elements 4 meet each other when moving with the counter-cutting bars 28 to cut the labels. The cutting tool 1 has two cutting elements 4 here. The cutting tool 1 is driven by a (not shown) motor, if necessary. With linear motor drive.

Fig. 2 shows a representation of a housing or rotor according to the invention 2. In the in Fig. 2 As shown, the housing 2 is completely assembled, ie the cutting blade 4 and a loading body 12 are already arranged on the housing. The reference numeral 14 refers to a recess of the housing in which the cutting blade 4 and the loading body 12 are arranged. The housing 2 or the rotor is arranged rotatably about a rotation axis X.

It can be seen that the loading body 12 is somewhat shorter in the direction of the axis of rotation X than the recess 14 of the housing. In an assembled state, limiting pieces or stops (not shown) are also introduced above and below the loading body 12, whereby they can be screwed into the housing 2 via a threaded bore 18, for example. These limiting pieces (not shown) prevent the loading body 12 from being displaced with respect to the housing in the direction of the axis of rotation X.

It can further be seen that the cutting element 4 has a projection 4c extending in the direction of the axis of rotation X (and also a corresponding projection at the lower end), so that this cutting element is also held in the radial direction by the two limiting pieces. In this way it can be achieved that in case of failure of the compressed air supply, the cutting blade still can not be thrown during rotation out of the housing. Accordingly, a projection 22 is also disposed on the loading body 12, which by the (not shown) limiting pieces is held, so that the loading body 12 can not be thrown out of the housing in case of failure of the compressed air supply.

Fig. 3 shows a partial view of a cutting tool not according to the invention 1. It can be seen here again the housing 2, which here has three walls 2a, 2b, 2c, which together in Fig. 2 form recess 14 shown. The two side walls 2a and 2c are parallel to each other and the wall 2b is perpendicular to the two walls 2a and 2c.

The reference numeral 4 designates the cutting element, which has a cutting edge 6 which projects beyond the housing 2 in a radial direction R. This cutting element 4 is held between a pressure piece 16 and the loading body 12. For this purpose, the loading body is urged in a loading direction P.

The reference numeral 20 refers here to a suspension element or clamping element, which in the in Fig. 3 shown embodiment is arranged in a recess 17 of the loading body 12. By this arrangement of the suspension element 20 in the recess 17, a stability of the entire arrangement is achieved in a particularly advantageous manner. This suspension element 20 can expand in the loading direction P and press a region of the suspension element 20 against the wall 2a, in order to exert a force on the cutting element 4 in the direction P inversely.

In operation, this suspension element 20 is permanently under pressure so that permanently the said force is exerted on the cutting element 4.

Thus, the loading body 12 in the direction of arrow P is at least slightly displaceable relative to the recess 14 and the wall 2b.

Between a guide element 22, which here by means (not shown) fitting washers against the wall 2b, the loading element 12 is guided along a guide surface F, said guide surface F here by the loading direction P and a direction perpendicular to the plane plane, which in turn parallel to the in Fig. 2 shown rotational axis X is formed. The reference symbol E denotes the plane in which the guide surface F lies. Another guide surface between the loading body 12 and the recess 14 for guiding the loading body in the direction P does not exist, however, as mentioned above, it has been found that such a further guiding surface is not necessary either. As shown, stops may be provided on the respective end faces of the housing to prevent the loading body 12 from shifting in the direction of the axis of rotation X relative to the housing 2.

The cutting element 4 rests with two side surfaces 4a and 4b on the loading body 12 and is thus arranged in a stage of the loading body 12.

It can be seen that in the in Fig. 3 shown cutting tool, the recess is integrally formed, which in turn a simplification of the cutting tool 1 is achieved.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a suspension element 20. This suspension element has a circumferential groove 52, which connects a base body 21 of the suspension element with a flexible membrane 54. This groove allows the flexible membrane 54 to move in the direction P upon expansion of the suspension element.

It would be possible that several such suspension elements 20 are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the axis of rotation X.

Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of a suspension element 20. In addition to the flexible membrane 54, the circumferential groove 52 is again shown here. In addition, the suspension element has a cavity 57 into which an air-admission body 58 is inserted in a sealing manner. Via a supply line 55, the suspension element 20 air can be supplied and in this way the flexible membrane 54 in Fig. 5 be pushed down.

Fig. 6 shows a further schematic representation of a cutting tool according to the invention. One recognizes here a fastening means 27 such as a screw, which serves for fastening a cover 29 on a side wall of the recess 14. This cover 29 prevents the escape of compressed air. Reference numeral 31 refers to an air supply line for supplying compressed air to the suspension element 20. Also in this embodiment is only a guide surface F between the loading body 12 and the recess 14 is present.

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the in Fig. 6 shown cutting tool. In this embodiment, the suspension element 20 is designed as a piston-like element which is movable within a piston chamber 62. Compressed air is supplied to this piston space 62 via a supply line 63, and in this way a contact surface of this piston can be moved in the direction P and in this way the loading body 12 can be prestressed in order to clamp the cutting element 4. It can be seen that the load body forms two gaps 12a and 12b between itself and the cutting element 4.

Furthermore, it would also be possible for the loading body 12 to be sprung in the radial direction R by means of a further suspension element, which may be another element which can be expanded with compressed air. This further expandable element could be arranged between the guide element 22 and the wall 2b of the recess 14. The reference numeral 36 denotes a feed line for the continuous air supply of the piston 20. A corresponding feed line could also be provided in the case of a different kind of suspension element.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a cutting tool according to the invention. Again, the loading body 12 is loaded by a movable as Federlement 20 in the direction P piston 20, more precisely a relative to a space 62 movable piston. The reference numeral 61 refers to sealing means for sealing the space 62. Via a supply line 63, as mentioned above, the space 62 can be subjected to continuous pressure.

The loading body 12 here has a groove 13 in which the cutting element is arranged. More specifically, when the loading body 12 is loaded in the direction P, a land 12c of the loading body is pressed against a body 12d of the loading body, and thus the cutting element 4 is sandwiched between these two elements. Again, a pressure piece 16 is provided, which is supported against the wall 2a of the recess 14. The said web 12c is here connected via a transverse connection 12e to the main body 12d, whereby a relatively unhindered mobility this web 12c is achieved for pinching. Also in this embodiment, the loading body 12 has only one guide surface for guiding the movement with respect to the recess 14 in the direction P.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cutting tool

2

Housing or cutting rotor

2a, 2b, 2c

walls

4

cutting element

4a, 4b

faces

4c

head Start

6

cutting bar

12

loading body

12a, 12b

column

12c

web

12d

body

12e

cross connection

13

groove

14

recess

16

Pressure piece

17

recess

18

threaded hole

20

The suspension pad

21

body

22

Führungslement

24

head Start

27

fastener

28

Counter-cutting bars

29

cover

30

cutting roller

36

air supply line

52

groove

54

flexible membrane

55

feed

57

cavity

58

Luftbeaufschlagungskörper

61

seal means

62

piston chamber

63

feed

e

level

F

guide surface

P

load direction

R

Direction, radial

X, Y

axis of rotation

L

longitudinal direction

Claims (8)

1. Cutting tool (1), in particular for cutting labels, comprising a housing (2) which is arranged such as to be able to rotate about an axis of rotation (X), and a cutting element (4) which is arranged on this housing (2), wherein this cutting element (4) has a cutting edge (6) which extends essentially in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (X), and wherein this cutting element (4) is detachably arranged in a recess (14) of the housing (2) formed by a plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c) of the housing (2), with a loading body (12) arranged in the recess (14) which loads the cutting element (4) in a working mode in a loading direction (P) in order to hold the cutting element on the housing, and with a springing element (20) which exerts a force on the loading body (12) in the loading direction (P) in the working mode of the cutting tool, and wherein a movement of the loading body (12) in the loading direction (P) is guided by a guide surface (F) and this guide surface runs in a plane (E), to which the axis of rotation (X) is parallel, and the guide surface (F) is the only guide surface (F) running in the plane (E) which guides the movement of the loading body (12) in the loading direction (P),
   wherein a pressure piece (16) made from a deformable material is arranged between the cutting element (4) and a wall (2c) of the recess (14) and wherein a guide element (22) which can be separated from the housing (2) and which forms the guide surface (F) is arranged in the recess (14),
   characterized in that
   the springing element (20) is integrated in one of the walls (2a, 2b, 2c) of the housing.
2. Cutting tool according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the recess (14) is formed by a plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c) of the housing (2) and these walls (2a, 2b, 2c) are formed in one piece with one another.
3. Cutting tool (1) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the pressure piece (16) is arranged in a recess provided in one of the walls (2a, 2b, 2c).
4. Cutting tool (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the guide element (22) or a further element arranged in the recess (14) of the housing (2) is made from a flexible material.
5. Cutting tool (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   at least one region of the springing element (20) can be moved by a gaseous medium.
6. Cutting tool (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the springing element (20) has a flexible membrane (54).
7. Cutting tool (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the cutting tool (1) has a supply device for supplying the springing element with gas.
8. Cutting tool (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the cutting tool has a plurality of springing elements (20) arranged one behind the other in the direction of the axis of rotation.

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