EP2269910B1 - Glue preparation device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a glue processing device, in particular a glue heating device, which is preferably used for heating Etikettenleim, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Devices are known from the prior art, in which a container or label glue provided in the container is heated to a processing temperature by means of contact heating. The publication DE 9102068 U discloses such a device according to the preamble of claim 1. This has the disadvantage that compared to the required for the respective processing torque processing amount a significantly larger amount of glue is kept at the processing temperature, resulting on the one hand high energy losses and on the other a deterioration outgassing of the size of the glue, the outgassing causing a number of other negative effects, such as impairment of operators' health or the onset of outgassing in device components, which can affect these device components.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and a method for processing glue, in particular for heating glue, which, compared to devices or methods known from the prior art, have a reduced energy consumption and only a substantially reduced or none Outgassing of the glue allows.

The solution of the above object is achieved by the subject matter of the device claim 1, which describes a glue heating device and by the subject of the method claim 12th

The glue heating device in this case has at least one receiving area for receiving glue, a first tempering means for heating the glue in the receiving area and a transport device for transporting the glue from the first receiving area to a processing area.

According to the invention, a second tempering means for heating the glue carried in the transport line is provided in the region of the transport line. In this case, a heating device is preferably designated by the term tempering agent.

The receiving area corresponds, for example, each area or each container, which can be supplied in any way glue. The glue supply can be effected, for example, by a line element, through which the glue is introduced into the area or the container. It is also possible that the glue is made by pouring by means of another element or for example by feeding by means of trowel, spoon, bucket or similar containers.

It is also conceivable that, for example, in addition to a further feeding device also funnel elements and measuring devices are provided for the controlled feeding of the glue. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the supply of the glue to the container takes place in advance and only already at least partially filled containers are used in the device. In addition to containers, the glue supply could also be done via gutters or lines, which shows that in general a manual, semi-manual or automated glue supply is foreseeable.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first tempering means is provided for heating the glue from a first temperature to a second temperature, and the second tempering means is for heating the glue to a third temperature, the third temperature being higher than the second temperature , The third temperature is preferably a temperature between 110 ° C and 190 ° C and more preferably between 130 ° C and 170 ° C and the second temperature preferably a temperature between 70 ° C and 150 ° C and more preferably between 90 ° C and 130 ° C. This has the advantage that the heating process of the glue can be divided into a preheating process and a further heating process, which results in an energy-optimized adaptation of the heating of the glue.

According to the invention, the heating of the glue can be carried out contactlessly with the first tempering agent. This means that heating occurs, for example, only through the interaction of induction components, which are preferably spaced apart from one another. The two induction components are further movable relative to each other, wherein an induction component is preferably arranged on the container and preferably represents one or more induction plates and the second induction component is in contact with or coupled to a power supply. It is also possible that in the receptacle, a ferrite heating plate is inserted, which has a direct contact with the medium to be heated.

The second induction component is designed such that it can emmit an electromagnetic field into which the first induction component can be introduced. This has the advantage that when replacing the receiving area no disassembly or assembly of the heater is required. The induction-heated component is preferably attachable to the inside of the receiving area, whereby a better insulation of the receiving area is made possible, since a closed insulating layer can be provided around the receiving area. This has the advantage that between the container and the electrical part of the heater no physical connection is needed and thus the container or the receiving area can be removed very easily for cleaning or similar activities from the device or more containers with different types of glue for replacement can be kept, since an exchange of containers can be carried out extremely quickly.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pump device, in particular an glue pump, is provided for transporting the glue preferably within the device. This has the advantage that, depending on the control of the pump, any or the respectively required amount of glue can be transported in the device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pump device has a motor which is detachably connected or pluggable with the glue receiving device. This has the advantage that the motor of the pump device can be easily replaced if necessary. For this reason, different-strength engines are foreseeable, which can be used as needed. It is also conceivable that the entire pump device be interchangeable, i. simply releasably connected to the glue receiving device, whereby different strength pumps can be provided if necessary. Furthermore, such a construction reduces the expense of repair or service measures when the corresponding devices (motor, pump device) can be quickly and easily disassembled or mounted on the glue heating device due to a suitable plug-in system. It is possible that the receiving area or container are exchanged in one piece and a cleaning of the glue pump is eliminated.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a glue roller for distributing the glue is provided in the processing area, wherein the glue roller by means of a (third) tempering agent in a temperature range of 110 ° C to 190 ° C, preferably in a temperature range of 130 ° C to 170 ° C and particularly preferably according to the second temperature is temperature controlled. This is advantageous because the glue can be processed in the same configuration previously set in the transport line. It is also conceivable that the third temperature control means provides a temperature different from the second temperature. For example, the temperature set by the third tempering means may be below the second temperature, thereby reducing, for example, the flowability of the glue or the temperature may be above the second temperature, thereby also adapting the flowability, adhesion and other parameters of the glue to the present conditions are or are adjustable as desired.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the glue roller is detachably connected to the glue heating device. This is advantageous because, as already in the case of the pump device, there is an easy-to-dismantle or to be installed device element, by means of which the flexibility of the entire device is increased and a simplified cleaning of the glue roller or of the entire device is made possible becomes. Preferably, the glue roller is pluggable connected to the device. This means that the device can be easily adapted to changed boundary conditions or circumstances, for example, by exchanging the glue roller. Furthermore, the glue roller can be produced inexpensively and simply, since a partial unscrewing or a complete unscrewing of the glue roller is not required and the bearing of the roller can be effected by means of a shaft.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first tempering means is an induction heating and / or the second tempering is at least partially a heating line, in particular a heating hose and / or a heating tube, and / or the third tempering is a non-contact heating, in particular an induction heater. This embodiment variant is advantageous in that by means of the contactless heating a high flexibility of the device is made possible, i. a simple assembly or disassembly of individual coupled with the contactless heaters facilities can be done. The heating line or the second tempering means embodied as heating tube or heating tube also represents an advantageous embodiment, since a smaller amount of glue within the transport line in a transport state or in a static or stationary state can be tempered compared to the amount of glue held in the receiving space. As temperature is to be understood in addition to a heating also a cooling or a retention of the respective temperature. It is also conceivable that the second tempering is designed as a contactless heating. The third tempering means preferably has at least one induction plate.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one sensor device is provided for determining parameters, in particular the temperature of the individual devices and / or the glue parameters. This embodiment is advantageous since, in addition to other properties, the sensors can detect, for example, temperature, flow rate, glue composition and viscosity of the glue as well as properties of the individual devices. Properties of the devices here are, for example, the output, the power, the operating hours, the temperature, the abrasion and / or the wear. The detected parameters can be output for example via an output device, such as a screen, displays or acoustically an operator.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable that a control device is provided, which carries out a corresponding control of the device on the basis of input variables and the detected measured variables. This is also advantageous, since an operator is only required for setting the control device or for monitoring the working process of the device, whereby manual control of the glue heating device by an operator is likewise conceivable.

At least some of the sensors used for temperature detection are preferably designed as contactless sensors. Such sensors are known, for example, from the applicant's product line CONTIFORM, in which contactless temperature detection is carried out by means of infrared measuring heads. The sensors are preferably used for detecting the temperature of the glue roller, whereby this in turn is easier to decouple or removable from the Leimaufheizvorrichtung, since the sensors are not installed in the glue roller. However, it is also conceivable that such sensors are provided in the region of the container and / or the transport line.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving area is a container whose surface facing the interior of the container is at least partially magnetically preferably ferromagnetic. Preferably, at least part of the inner surface of the container is at least partially made of iron. This embodiment is advantageous in that magnetic field lines are bundled by an at least partially magnetic configuration of the inner surface of the container or by the inserted ferrite heating disk, whereby due to eddy currents and Ummagnetisierungsverlusten a heating of the magnetic surface portion. The magnetization losses contribute in such an arrangement with about 30% for heat generation. It should be noted that the inserted disc can be applied independently of the described invention.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least sections of the container, in particular of the container bottom or at least one heating disk, are designed as a ferristic bottom or ferristic heating disk (which is inserted into the container). This has the advantage that the magnetic or ferromagnetic container sections can be brought directly into contact with the medium, ie with the glue. As a result, the disadvantage of multiple heat transfer avoided, ie a heat transfer from a magnetic element to a container portion and of the container portion on the medium or the glue. The heat transfer in the sense of the present invention preferably takes place directly from the magnetic surface portion on the glue. Particularly preferably, the surface of the container is provided with ribs for improving the heating transition. These ribs increase the contact area between the magnetic container portion and the glue. Furthermore, by such an embodiment, a large-scale heating of the container or of the glue in the container is possible, whereby a faster and better heat distribution can be achieved compared to conventional heaters.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container is at least partially constructed in multiple layers, wherein at least one insulating layer is provided to prevent heat loss. This is advantageous because of energy savings. Energy savings result from the demand-driven heating of different glue components. This embodiment is also advantageous because a shock protection is realized by the insulation, whereby the possible risk of combustion is significantly reduced. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the container can be made, for example by deep drawing of stainless steel. This is advantageous over a production of aluminum since this material is very expensive. A stainless steel glue container does not interfere with inductive heating because stainless steel is not magnetic and therefore there is no bundling of the magnetic field lines through the bottom of the stainless steel glue container.

It is also conceivable that the housing of the glue container is molded from plastic, which in turn results in a reduction of the assembly time, since an assembly of the housing or the container parts is eliminated. Furthermore, plastic has a much higher insulating effect than stainless steel, which significantly improves the insulation of the container, resulting in lower power consumption.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first tempered glue portion has a first temperature and a second tempered glue portion has a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature and the first glue portion is greater than the second glue portion. This is beneficial since In this way, a temperature control of different volumes takes place, by which it is possible with little energy expenditure to heat a continuously or discontinuously provided amount of glue. This is also advantageous because of a reduction in the outgassing of the glue, since only a small proportion of the glue is heated above a temperature (about 130 ° C.) at which outgassing of the glue can take place. This leads to a preservation of the glue quality, whereby the glue remains longer lasting and the leakage of glue vapors in the machine and / or in the area of the machine or in the filling hall is avoided.

The invention is also directed to a glue heating method according to claim 12, which in particular serves for heating label size and comprises the steps of heating a receiving area by means of a first tempering means and transporting the glue in a transport line. Here, the receiving area for receiving glue and the glue is transported by means of the transport line from the receiving area to a processing area.

According to the invention, the glue is heated within the transport line by means of a tempering means provided in the region of the transport line. In the transport device is preferably heated higher than in the receiving area. This method is advantageous because it allows an energetically favorable treatment of the glue.

According to the invention, contactless heating of the glue is carried out by the first tempering agent. This has the advantage that the container can be removed or replaced without much effort, resulting in a simplification of the maintenance or cleaning work on the glue container. In a further preferred method, a body to be heated, such as a heating disk, is inserted into the interior of the receiving area.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first proportion of glue is heated in the receiving area, wherein this amount of glue is greater than the amount of glue which is heated in the transport line. This embodiment is advantageous because, due to the natural balance behavior between different states, a temperature increase of the glue relative to the ambient temperature requires a higher energy requirement in order to keep the temperature of the glue at the respective level. ever smaller therefore the amount to be heated and / or the lower the target temperature, the lower the required energy consumption.

Furthermore, a glue container is provided for receiving and heating glue for the preparation of, in particular hot glue, wherein the glue container preferably consists of at least two layers.

The container has an inner surface that is at least a first material that is different than a second material that forms the outer surface. This structure is advantageous since a temperature control area and a contact area are formed spatially and on account of the different material properties.

The first surface preferably consists of magnetic steel or stainless steel in conjunction with induction plates or magnetic or ferromagnetic elements. This is advantageous because stainless steel is relatively cheap and containers made from it can be easily produced by deep drawing.

The second surface is preferably made of plastic, such as. B. Olodur 3-000-00-008-6. This is advantageous since plastic is easy to process by means of plastic casting or plastic syringes. Furthermore, plastic has an insulating effect, which leads to energy savings or reduces the risk of burn injuries when the container comes into contact.

Furthermore, at least one insulation layer is preferably provided between the first and the second surface. This has the advantage that a further improved combustion protection is achieved and even more energy can be saved. It would also be possible to insert in a container which consists of a first material, a heating plate, which is inductively heated (from the outside).

The container or the heating plate can preferably be heated by means of a contactless tempering means. This embodiment is advantageous since magnetic field lines are bundled by a partial magnetic configuration of the inner surface of the container, whereby due to eddy currents and Ummagnetisierungsverlusten a heating of the magnetic surface portion. The magnetization losses contribute in such an arrangement with about 30% for heat generation. This embodiment is also advantageous because a simple replacement of the container for simplified disassembly, assembly, cleaning or maintenance of Leimaufheizvorrichtung, individual facilities of Leimaufheizvorrichtung or container is possible.

At this point it should be pointed out that all the features disclosed in the application documents develop individually or in combination with each other in a generic manner or glue-heating devices known from the prior art.

Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of attached drawings, in which an example Leimaufheizvorrichtung for the heating of glue and in particular for the heating of Etikettenleim is shown. Components of the glue heating device, which in the figures at least essentially coincide with respect to their function, can be identified by the same reference symbols, these components not having to be numbered or explained in all figures.

Fig. 1

Eine Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Leimaufheizvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung eines Leimbehälters.

Show:

Fig. 1

An illustration of a glue heating device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a representation of a glue container.

In Fig. 1 a glue heating device 1 is shown in a perspective view. The glue heating device 1 has a receiving area 2, which is designed in the form of a container. In the interior of the receiving region 2, a first temperature control means 4 is provided, which is heat-contactless. The first tempering means 4 is therefore designed as an induction plate or as a plurality of induction plates.

In the receiving area 2 projects a transport line 6a, by means of which the glue located in the receiving area 2 is transported to a processing area 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the transport line consists of two transport lines 6a and 6b, of which at least one represents a second temperature control means 10b or both a second temperature control means 10a, 10b, wherein the individual portions 10a, 10b of the second temperature control means can be controlled jointly or separately. The second Temperierungsmittel 10a, 10b here is a heating cable. These heating cables heat the glue to the processing temperature.

Between the two transport line pieces 6a and 6b, a pump device 12 is provided which sucks glue from the receiving area 2 via the transport line 6a and feeds it to the processing area 8 via the transport line 6b. The pump device 12, like the motor 14 of the pump device 12, is attached to the glue heating device 1, whereby a simple exchange or replacement of the pump device 12 or of the motor 14 of the pump device 12 is possible. The lines 6a, 6b are advantageously pluggable.

The processing area 8 of the glue heating device 1 is designed as a glue scraper through which the glue is applied in the appropriate dosage or thickness on the glue roller 16.

The glue roller 16 may in this case be made of solid material and is also designed to be pluggable, i. Also, the glue roller 16 can be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled. The glue roller 16 is rotatably supported by means of a drive shaft 17. For heating or tempering of the glue roller 16, a third temperature control means 18 is provided, which also allows contactless heating of the glue roller 16.

The contactless heating of the glue roller 16 and the other devices also mentioned above can be done by means of thermal radiation, but is preferably carried out by means of an induction heater. The third tempering means 18 therefore constitutes an induction plate.

By means of the sensor device 20 is a contactless temperature measurement of the glue roller 16 and / or provided on the glue roller 16 glue feasible.

In Fig. 2 the receiving area 2 or the container 2 is shown. This container 2 can be made in any shape, ie with straight or flat sections or curved sections. The inner surface 22 serves for direct heat transfer from the first temperature control means 4 to the glue provided in the container 2. The inner surface 22, through which the heat transfer to the glue can take place, just executed be or also along the walls of the container 2 extend. To increase the heat-transferring surface portions, the inner surface 22 can also be formed rib-shaped. The inner surface 22 is made magnetic at least in the heat-transmitting region. Between the magnetically executed inner surface 22 and an insulating layer 24, a stainless steel layer may be provided. The insulating layer 24 may further be surrounded by a plastic layer forming an outer shell 26 or the induction layer may itself form the outer shell 26. Instead of the inner surface can also be provided in the container insertable induction plate.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Leimaufheizvorrichtung

2

Pick-up area, container

4

first tempering agent

6a, 6b

transport line

8th

processing area

10a, 10b

second tempering agent

12

pump means

14

engine

16

glue roller

17

drive shaft

18

third tempering agent

20

sensor device

22

Inner surface, heating disk

24

insulation layer

26

outer shell

Claims (13)

1. A glue heating apparatus (1), in particular for heating glue for labels, comprising a receiving area (2) for receiving glue, a first tempering means (4) for heating the glue in the receiving area (2), which is provided in the interior of the receiving area (2), a conveying line (6a, 6b) for conveying the glue from the first receiving area (2) to a processing area (8), a second tempering means (10a, 10b) for heating the glue conveyed in the conveying line (6a, 6b) being provided in the region of the conveying line (6a, 6b), characterized in that the heating of the glue is carried out without contact by the first tempering means (4), which is capable of being heated.
2. A glue heating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first tempering means (4) is provided for heating the glue from a first temperature to a second temperature and the second tempering means (10a, 10b) is provided for heating the glue to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is higher than the second temperature.
3. A glue heating apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pump device (12), in particular a glue pump (12), is provided for conveying the glue preferably inside the glue heating apparatus.
4. A glue heating apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the pump device (12) has a motor (14) which is connected to the glue heating apparatus (1) in a releasable manner.
5. A glue heating apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a glue roller (16) for spreading the glue is provided in the processing area, wherein the glue roller (16) is capable of being tempered by means of a third tempering means (18) in a temperature range of from 110°C to 190°C, preferably in a temperature range of from 130°C to 170°C, and in a particularly preferred manner corresponding to the second temperature.
6. A glue heating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the glue roller (16) is connected to the glue heating apparatus (1) in a releasable manner.
7. A glue heating apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first tempering means (4) is an induction heating means and/or the second tempering means (10a, 10b) is at least in sections a heating line, in particular a heating hose and/or a heating pipe and/or the third tempering means (18) is a heating means without contact, in particular an induction heating means.
8. A glue heating apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor device (20) for determining parameters, in particular the temperature of the individual devices and/or the parameters of the glue, is provided.
9. A glue heating apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving area (2) is a container (2), the surface (22) of which towards the interior of the container is magnetic, in particular ferromagnetic, at least in part and preferably consists of iron at least in part.
10. A glue heating apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the container (2) is constructed at least in sections in a plurality of layers, wherein at least one insulating layer (24) is provided in order to prevent heat losses.
11. A glue heating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first tempered portion of the glue is at a first temperature and a second tempered portion of the glue is at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature and the first tempered portion of the glue is larger than the second tempered portion of the glue.
12. A method of heating glue, in particular for heating glue for labels, comprising the steps:

    heating a receiving area (2) by means of a first tempering agent (4) provided in the interior of the receiving area (2), wherein the receiving area (2) serves for receiving glue, and

    conveying the glue in a conveying line (6a, 6b), wherein the glue is conveyed by means of the conveying line (6a, 6b) from the receiving area (2) to a processing area (8),

    inside the conveying line (6a, 6b) the glue being heated with a second tempering means (10a, 10b) provided in the region of the conveying line (6a, 6b),

    characterized in that a heating of the glue is carried out by the first tempering agent (4), which is heated without contact.
13. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that a first portion of the glue is heated in the receiving area (2) and this portion of the glue is larger than the portion of the glue which is heated in the conveying line (6).

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