EP2342137B1 - Vacuum pad and labeling machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to vacuum pads for use in vacuum drums of Etikettieraggregaten according to the preamble of claim 1 and as from the De 20 2006 008 109 U known, as well as on a labeling.

Labeling for labeling bottles or similar containers are known in different designs, especially those with at least one circulating around a drum axis vacuum drum, with the transport of the labels within the respective labeling and / or the transfer of the labels to the past the labeling moved container takes place. In particular labeling units are also known in which the labels, for example the labels separated from a strip-shaped label material, are held on the vacuum drum to produce at least one glue application on the label and are thus moved past at least one glue application device or station.

For holding the labels on the respective vacuum drum, there are preferably interchangeably provided vacuum holders or vacuum pads, each of which has a plurality of vacuum openings on a section-like partial area projecting over the remaining peripheral surface of the vacuum drum and oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the drum axis in an axial direction. which are formed in the vacuum pad holes or channels with drum-side vacuum channels in combination.

By sucked with the vacuum or vacuum through the vacuum openings ambient air dust and dirt particles, but also glue or adhesive particles get into the interior of the vacuum pads or in the local channels and connections, which have a relatively small flow cross-section, for example of the order of magnitude between about 1.5 and 3 mm, and therefore pollute very quickly, with the result that the function of each vacuum is at least impaired. It is particularly disadvantageous if the vacuum pads work despite a constantly increasing contamination even over a longer period without errors, but then suddenly fail completely at an unpredictable time, with the result of unwanted production failures that can be resolved only after a lengthy troubleshooting.

The object of the invention is to show a vacuum bath, which makes it possible to detect contamination early on and to avoid associated, in particular unexpected production disturbances. To solve this problem, a vacuum pad according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A labeling unit with at least two such vacuum pads is the subject of claim 10.

The vacuum pump according to the invention is made of a transparent material, for example of a transparent plastic, at least in that part region of its pad body in which the channels forming the vacuum openings are provided. As a result, the pollution especially of the vacuum holes forming channels or holes, but also the contamination of underlying vacuum channels or openings can be easily and early detected, namely the fact that the operator by visual inspection to check the state of the channels within the vacuum pads and thus possible contamination recognize and / or remove in advance.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

Fig. 1

einen Behälter in Form einer Flasche mit einer Rundum-Etikettierung;

Fig. 2

in schematischer Darstellung und in Draufsicht ein Etikettieraggregat einer Etikettiermaschine;

Fig. 3

in perspektivischer Teildarstellung eine Vakuumtrommel des Etikettieraggregates der Figur 1;

Fig. 4

in perspektivischer Einzeldarstellung ein Vakuumpad gemäß der Erfindung zur Verwendung bei dem Etikettieraggregat der Figur 2 bzw. zur Verwendung an der Vakuumtrommel der Figuren 2 und 3;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch einen Trägerkörper des Vakuumpads der Figur 4;

Fig. 6

in perspektivischer Einzeldarstellung einen Einsatz des Vakuumpads der Figur 4;

Fig. 7

und 8 Darstellungen wie Figuren 4 und 6 bei einer weiteren Ausführung des Vakuumpads.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a container in the form of a bottle with wrap-around labeling;

Fig. 2

in a schematic representation and in plan view of a labeling of a labeling machine;

Fig. 3

in perspective partial view of a vacuum drum of the labeling of the FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 4

in perspective detail view of a vacuum pad according to the invention for use in the labeling of the FIG. 2 or for use on the vacuum drum of Figures 2 and 3 ;

Fig. 5

a section through a carrier body of the vacuum pump of FIG. 4 ;

Fig. 6

in perspective detail representation of an insert of the vacuum pump the FIG. 4 ;

Fig. 7

and 8 representations like FIGS. 4 and 6 in a further embodiment of the vacuum pump.

In the figures, 1 is designed as a rotating machine labeling machine for labeling bottles with labels 3, eg with wrap-around labels. For this purpose, the labeling machine consists in the known manner of a rotatably driven about a vertical axis of the machine in the direction of arrow A rotor 4 with a plurality of provided on the circumference of the rotor 4 and turntables 5 standing surfaces for each bottle 2. The bottles to be labeled second are supplied to the rotor 4 via a conveyor 6 at a bottle inlet so that in each case a bottle 2 upright on a turntable 5, that is oriented with the bottle axis FA oriented in the vertical direction. With the rotor 4, the bottles are moved, inter alia, past a labeling unit 7, on each of which a label provided on its rear side with glue jobs and held on the periphery of a vacuum drum 8 with a leading label end 3.1 is transferred to each bottle 6 moved past, and then wound or rolled up while turning the bottle 2 and pulling the label 3 from the vacuum drum 8 on the Bottle 2 is applied. The labeled bottles 2 are forwarded to a container or bottle outlet again at the conveyor 6 for removal.

For holding the labels on the circular cylindrical peripheral surface of the vacuum drum 8, which is synchronized about a vertical axis with the rotor 4, but in the opposite direction of rotation, i. is driven in the direction of arrow B, vacuum holders or vacuum pads 9 and 9a are provided with vacuum openings 10, in each case a vacuum pad 9 for holding the respective label 3 at its leading in the direction of rotation of the vacuum drum 8 label end 3.1 and a vacuum pad 9a for holding each label on the reference to the direction of rotation of the vacuum drum 8 tracked label end 3.2. The vacuum pads 9 and 9a are provided in pairs in an arc distance equal to the length of a label 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the labels 3 are generated by a web-shaped label material 3a, which is withdrawn from a supply (supply reel), not shown, in the direction of the arrow, by cutting or separating. For this purpose, the label material 3a is fed to the labeling unit 7 via several rollers 11 and a motor-driven removal device 12 and reaches a cutting roller 13, at which the length forming the respective label 3 is separated from the label material 3a and transferred to the vacuum drum. With the vacuum pads 9 and 9a held on the vacuum drum, each label 3 is moved past a gluing station 14 to produce a glue application at the ends 3.1 and 3.2. To ensure that the glue application takes place only at the ends 3.1 and 3.2 of each label 3, the strip-like vacuum pads 9 and 9a oriented with their longitudinal extension parallel to the axis of rotation of the vacuum drum 8 protrude slightly beyond the remaining circular cylindrical peripheral surface of the vacuum drum 8.

The vacuum drum is formed in several parts in the illustrated embodiment, that is, it consists of a lower plate-like or circular disk-like carrier 15, which is provided on a vacuum drum 8 driving vertical shaft 16, consisting of several, the peripheral surface of the vacuum drum 8 forming segments 17, arranged between the segments 17 strip-like and with their longitudinal extent parallel to the axis of the vacuum drum 8 oriented nozzle bodies 17.1 and consists of a circular disc-shaped cover 18 which is fixed to the shaft 16 so that the segments 17 and the nozzle body 17.1 are held clamped between the plate-shaped carrier 15 and the lid 18.

The nozzle body 17.1, which are for example also produced in one piece with a respective segment 17, are each formed with at least one vacuum distribution channel, which is connected via an unillustrated rotary connection with an external vacuum source and on the outside of the vacuum drum 8 and the drum forming drum body has a slot-shaped vacuum port 19, which extends over a larger part of the axial length of the nozzle body 17.1. On each nozzle body 17.1, a vacuum pad 9 or 9a is fixed, in such a way that the provided on the respective vacuum vacuum chambers 10 are connected via the vacuum port 19 with the vacuum channel of the respective nozzle body 17.1 in connection.

The FIG. 4 shows in perspective view the vacuum pad 9, which is formed in two pieces in the illustrated embodiment, consisting of a strip-like or substantially flat plate formed as a support body 20 and a replaceable on the support body 20 fixed insert 21 having the vacuum openings of the vacuum pump , The carrier body 20 is made, for example, as a molded part made of plastic, with a planar carrier body underside 22, with two parallel and spaced carrier longitudinal sides 23 and two carrier body narrow sides 24. At the two carrier body narrow sides 24, the carrier body 20 on its carrier body top 25 over the entire width each provided with a gradation 24.1 or 25.1 with holes 26 for fixing the vacuum pad 9 on the outer surface of the respective nozzle body 17.1.

On the carrier body upper side 25, starting from a step 24.1, a recess 27 for fastening the insert 21 is formed. The recess 27 extends in the carrier body longitudinal direction over a large part of the length of this carrier body, i. in the illustrated embodiment, approximately over half the length of the support body 20. For the positive fastening of the insert 21, the recess 27 has a C-shaped cross section of a bottom 28 and two each a partial length of a longitudinal side 23 forming over the bottom 28 wegstehende wall sections 29 is formed, which are each provided at its free edge with a reaching into the recess 27 angled portion 29.1. In the middle of the bottom 28 is provided with a diaphragm opening 30 which extends in the carrier body longitudinal direction over the greater part of the recess 27.

Outside the recess 27, two further holes 31 for fastening screws for fastening the vacuum pad 9 to the outer surface of the nozzle body 17.1 are provided on the two longitudinal sides 23 in the region of peripheral depressions. In the mounted state, the diaphragm opening 30 is congruent with a part of the vacuum connection opening 19. The remaining part of the vacuum connection opening 19 is covered or closed by the carrier body 20.

The insert 21 is made of a transparent plastic, such as PVC, for example made of soft PVC, with a flat or essential plan bottom 32 with two long sides 33 and two end faces 34. The consistent over the entire length cross-sectional profile of the insert 21 sets is composed of a profile section of greater width forming the underside 32, which is substantially rectangular in cross-section, from an adjoining, likewise rectangular cross-section profile section of reduced width and from an upper trapezoid-like profit section in cross section. The latter forms the top 35 of the insert 21 with three surface portions 35.1 - 35.3, of which the central surface portion 35.1 is parallel to the bottom 32 and the side surface portions 35.2 and 35.3 are inclined relative to the surface portion 35.1.

When mounted on the carrier body 20 insert 21 of the underside 32 forming profile section of greater width is suitably received in the recess 27 and formed on the longitudinal sides 33 gradations 36 are positively engaged behind each of a bend 29.1. With its remaining part of the insert 21 projects beyond the carrier body top 25.

To form the vacuum openings 10 21 holes or channels 37 are provided with a larger cross-section and holes or channels 38 with a smaller cross-section in the insert, in such a way that all channels 37 and 38 open at one end to the bottom 32 in a central region there. At the upper side 35, the channels 37 are mainly open at the surface area 35.1 and form the vacuum openings 10 there, while the channels 38 at the surface areas 35.2 and 35.3 as well as at the transition between the surface areas 35.1 and 35.3 are open and the vacuum openings 10 there form ( FIG. 6 ).

When mounted vacuum pump 9 are all channels 37 and 38 via the aperture 30 and the vacuum port 19 with the vacuum channel of the respective nozzle body 17.1 in connection. The vacuum pad 9 is mounted so that the vacuum openings 10 formed by the channels 38 are located on the surface area 35.3 respectively at the side of the vacuum pad 9 holding the label end 3.1. In order to ensure the correct assembly of these inserts 21 despite the interchangeability of the inserts 21, the insert 21 is coded, for example by a chamfer 39 on a longitudinal side 33. An encoding corresponding to this coding or slope 40 is also in the region of the recess 27 provided, so that the insertion of the respective insert 21 in this recess 27 only in the correct orientation is possible.

Through the production of the respective insert 21 made of a transparent material, it is possible to visually check the functionality of this insert and thus of the vacuum pad 9 optically and any functionalities impairing the soiling, in particular the Vacuum openings 10 forming channels 37 and 38 and contamination of the aperture 30 and the underlying vacuum = port 19 and the nozzle body formed in the 17.1 vacuum channel early to recognize.

The FIG. 7 shows in a perspective view, the vacuum pad 9a, which in turn consists of the support body 20 and an insert 21a, which is held positively in the recess 27 of the support body 20 and initially differs from the insert 21 only by a modified cross section, in the In that the top surface 35a is formed by the three surface regions 35a.1-35a.3, of which the surface regions 35a.1 and 35a.2 extend parallel to the bottom surface 32 and the surface region 35a.3 forms a slope.

In the insert 21a again several channels forming the vacuum openings 10 are provided, specifically only the channels 37 with the larger cross-section; which open at the top 35a at the surface area 35a.1 and at the transition between the surface areas 35a.1 and 35a.3 and at the bottom 32 in the middle region, in such a way that when the vacuum chamber 9a mounted all channels 37 through the aperture 30 and the vacuum connection opening 19 are in communication with the vacuum channel of the nozzle body 17.1.

The insert 21a is likewise made of the transparent plastic and, for the correct mounting on the carrier body 20, again has the chamfer 39 which cooperates with the bevel 40 there.

The length of the insert 21 or 21a corresponds to the width of the labels to be processed 3. By using vacuum pads 9 and 9a with inserts 21 and 21a shorter or greater length an adaptation of the labeling unit 7 to labels 3 smaller width or greater width is possible. The carrier body 20 is then adjusted with respect to the length of its recess 27 and the length of the aperture 30 to the length of the respective insert 21 and 21a, and indeed with the same length and width of the carrier body 20th

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible. Thus, it was assumed above that the carrier body 20 is made as a molded part made of plastic. Of course, it is also possible to manufacture the respective carrier body 20 from a metallic material.

Furthermore, it was assumed above that the respective insert 21 or 21a is provided interchangeably on the carrier body 20. In principle, it is also possible to produce the carrier body 20 with the associated insert 21 or 21a as an exchangeable molded part, for example by spraying the insert 21 or 21a on the carrier body 20 made of metal or plastic and / or in a two-component injection molding using a harder plastic for the carrier body 20 and a softer and transparent plastic for the respective use 21 and 21a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

labeling

2

bottle

3

label

3.1

leading label end

3.2

lagging label end

4

rotor

5

turntable

6

carrier

7

labeling

8th

vacuum drum

9, 9a

Vacuum holder or vacuum pump

10

vacuum port

11

role

12

puller

13

cutting roller

14

gluing station

15

carrier

16

Shaft of the vacuum drum 8

17

drum segment

17.1

nozzle body

18

circular disc-shaped lid

19

Vacuum connection opening in the nozzle body 17.1

20

support body

21, 21a

commitment

22

Carrier body base

23

Carrier body longitudinal side

24

Support body narrow side

24.1

gradation

25

Carrier body top

26

drilling

27

recess

28

Bottom of the recess 27

29

wall sections

29.1

angling

30

Aperture in the floor 28

31

drilling

32

Bottom of the insert 21, 21a

33

long sides

34

narrow sides

35, 35a

Top of the insert 21 and 21a

35.1-35.3

area

35a.1-35a.3

area

36

gradation

37, 38

channel

39

bevel

40

sloping surface

Claims (12)

1. Vacuum pad for use on vacuum drums (8) of labelling machines for the labelling of bottles or like containers (2) with labels (3), with a plurality of vacuum openings (10) provided at least at one partial area (21, 21a) of the vacuum pad (9, 9a), which are formed by channels (37, 38), on which a vacuum can be imposed, in the at least one partial area (21, 21a), characterised in that the vacuum pad (9, 9a), at least in the partial area (21, 21a) comprising the vacuum openings and the channels (37, 38), is made of a transparent material, for example of a transparent plastic.
2. Vacuum pad according to claim 1, characterised in that, at least in the partial area comprising the vacuum openings (10) and the channels (37, 38), it is made of a transparent elastic plastic, for example of PVC or soft PVC.
3. Vacuum pad according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it consists of at least a carrier body (20) which can be secured, preferably in an exchangeable manner, to a vacuum drum (8) of a labelling machine (7), and of at least one insert (21, 21a) provided at the carrier body (20), at which the vacuum openings (10) and the channels (37, 38) forming these openings are provided, and that at least the insert (21, 21 a) are manufactured from the transparent material.
4. Vacuum pad according to claim 2, characterised in that the carrier body (20) forms a carrier body rear side or underside (22) for securing to a vacuum drum (8), and that the at least one insert (21, 21a) projects with an area comprising the vacuum openings (10) over a carrier body upper side (25) facing away from the carrier body underside (22).
5. Vacuum pad according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vacuum openings (10) are provided on an upper side (35, 35a) of the vacuum pad, (9, 9a) extending in a longitudinal direction of the vacuum pad, (9; 9a) or on at least one surface area (35.1 - 35.3; 35a.1 - 35a.1, 35a.3) of this upper side extending in the longitudinal direction of the vacuum pad (9, 9a).
6. Vacuum pad according to claim 5, characterised in that it is configured as convex on its upper side (35, 35a) comprising the vacuum openings, for example, with at least two surface areas (35.1 - 35.3; 35a.1, 35a.3) enclosing an angle with one another.
7. Vacuum pad according to any one of claims 3, 4, characterised in that the carrier body (20) is configured as plate shaped, preferably as a longitudinally-extended rectangular plate.
8. Vacuum pad according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier body (20) comprises a cut-out (27) for the positive-fit accommodation of the partial area comprising the vacuum openings (10) and the channels (37, 38) pertaining thereto, or of an insert (21, 21 a) forming this partial area.
9. Vacuum pad according to claim 8, characterised in that, at a base (28) of the cut-out (27), a panel opening (30), preferably extending in the longitudinal direction of the vacuum pad, is provided, for connection to a vacuum connection opening (19) of a vacuum drum (8), and that the channels (37, 38) forming the vacuum openings (10) end at this panel opening (30).
10. Labelling device for use in a labelling machine for the labelling of bottles or like containers (2), with a vacuum drum (8) capable of being driven and circulating about a drum axis (16) and with at least two vacuum pads (9, 9a) offset about the drum axis (16) for the holding of the labels (3), characterized in that the vacuum pads (9, 9a) are configured in accordance with any one of the preceding claims 1-9.
11. Labelling device according to claim 10, characterised in that the vacuum pads (9, 9a) are installed with their longitudinal extension in the direction of the drum axis at the vacuum drum (8) in the area in each case of at least one vacuum connection opening (19) provided there.
12. Labelling device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised by a gluing station (14) for the provision of glue applications onto the labels (3) held at the vacuum drum (8) and moved past the gluing station (14).

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