EP2479114B1 - Labelling machine and method for operating a labelling machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a labeling machine and a method for operating a labeling machine with at least one labeling. In labeling technology, self-adhesive labels are increasingly used for labeling objects, such as bottles, cans or similar containers. Labeling with self-adhesive labels is usually more expensive than labeling with other methods, such. As the Rund um Labeling with label strips from the roll or from a label magazine, but enjoys this variant by the high quality and the great design possibilities ever greater popularity.

Thus, there have been some developments in recent years that have promoted high speed labeling with self-adhesive labels. Modern labeling machines for self-adhesive labels, as for example from the European patent application EP 2 110 353 A2 are known, have two unwinding on. Each unwinding device has a support surface on which label strip rolls can be placed in order subsequently to unwind the strip of labels from these rolls. In this way, a continuous labeling operation is possible, since, if the one roll is emptied on one of the two unwinding, can be changed without interrupting the unwinding to the other, full role.

A problem with such machines, however, is that while the downtime periods with respect to label tape feed have been minimized, the empty carrier tape must be removed, stored and disposed of after labeling.

So goes from the European patent application EP 1 619 129 A1 show that when the label tape storage - here in the form of a role - is full, it must be changed. Thus, the situation arises that although the downtime of the machines could be minimized with respect to the label feed, machine downtime still has to be accepted when changing the label stock tape storage with respect to the carrier belt removal.

In order not to have to stop the operation in the Trägerbandabfuhr a labeling machine, discloses the international patent application WO 2007/107267 A1 a device with which a perpetual labeling operation is possible. Thus, the device has two groove rolls driven by at least one drive motor. The groove rollers are arranged in such a way to each other that they touch part of the circumference and thus pinch the guided past the contact surface carrier tape and non-positively in a Bandleiteinrichtung, which is designed as a holder for a Etikettenleerbandspeicher transport. The label storage tape can be formed from a bag, a large basket or a large box in which the carrier tape is stored. The problem, however, is that these embodiments of the label tape storage can not save the volume to be stored carrier tape. Therefore, the international patent application discloses WO 2007/124821 A1 and the European patent application EP 1 672 684 A1 in each case a device for storing a carrier tape emptied of labels, wherein an emptied carrier tape to be stored can be wound on a winding mandrel.

The CA 2 662 276 discloses a labeling machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to provide a labeling machine which enables a continuous labeling operation and a volume-efficient carrier tape storage.

This object is achieved by a labeling machine with the features of claim 1.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a labeling machine, which allows a continuous labeling and avoids downtime of the labeling machine.

This object is achieved by a method for operating a labeling machine comprising the features of claim 3.

The device for storing a carrier tape emptied of labels comprises a continuously drivable discharge device for the emptied carrier tape. Such a withdrawal device is for example already in the international patent application WO 2007/107267 A1 disclosed, so that a fed emptied carrier tape can be transported via two grooved rollers, which are driven by at least one drive motor, slip-free.

In the following explanations, terms such as "downstream" and "upstream" and similar terms always refer to a direction of the label-emptied carrier tape along the transport path within the apparatus for storing a carrier tape emptied of labels. The take-off device is arranged downstream of a drivable winding mandrel, on which the empty carrier tape can be wound up and from which the wound-up empty carrier tape can be removed. The emptied carrier tape is then removed from the mandrel when a certain amount of empty carrier tape is rolled onto the mandrel. The level of emptied carrier tape on the mandrel can be monitored for example by a suitable sensor device. If a predefined threshold (maximum level) is reached, then an acoustic or optical signal is output, which indicates to an operator that the carrier tape from the mandrel must be removed. The term "winding mandrel" in this context, all types of thorns such as steel rods, steel pipes, etc. understood that allow winding of the emptied of labels carrier tape.

In a first embodiment according to the invention, the winding mandrel is preferably drivable indirectly via a drive motor in which, for example, a toothed belt connects a toothed belt wheel of a drive motor to the winding mandrel. In another embodiment, the mandrel is directly driven, such as by a drive motor mounted in the winding mandrel.

The decrease of the wound emptied carrier tape from the winding mandrel takes place, for example, via a guide disk assigned to the winding mandrel. The guide disc, which is secured by means of a clamping screw against accidental loosening during operation of the device is provided in particular for the fact that an operator of such a device can not (or) in or on the driven during operation winding mandrel (grab). That is, first the tensioning screw must be loosened and then the guide disc pulled down by the winding mandrel in order subsequently to be able to remove the emptied carrier tape wound onto a bearing surface around the winding mandrel of the device. Between the take-off device and the winding mandrel, a deflecting unit regulating the speed of the winding mandrel is arranged for the empty carrier tape. The deflection unit and the mandrel are arranged on a common base element, to which preferably also the elements described below are (releasably) attached or stored or assigned.

The base element of the device may further be associated with a main switch so that the drivable winding mandrel can be switched on and off at any time. This is particularly advantageous when the device must be quickly turned off in case of danger to avoid injury to an operator by moving parts of the device.

In particular, the deflection unit is preferably designed such that it has at least two deflection rollers, between which a third deflection roller is arranged. In this case, a guide along the transport path of the emptied carrier tape is designed to be displaceable for the third deflection roller in the base element. Depending on the position of the third deflection roller, the speed of the winding mandrel can be controlled along the guide.

Furthermore, the third deflection roller can be actuated by the operator in the new threading of empty carrier tape on the mandrel such that the rotational speed of the winding mandrel is increased in the meantime, so that during the changeover time of the trigger device further deducted and emptied carrier tape in the shortest possible time on the Winding mandrel passes.

In a further preferred embodiment, a control knob is formed on the third deflection roller. The control knob is designed so that, when actuated, it determines an optimum position of the third deflection roller with respect to the empty carrier tape supplied to the third deflection roller and with respect to the driven winding spindle along the guide. About the determined position of the third deflection roller and the Aufrollgeschwindigkeit as well as the tightness of the wound mandrel to be wound on the emptied carrier tape, that is the winding severity, adjustable. If the position of the third deflection roller is determined, the third deflection roller engages in the guide formed in the base element.

The labeling machine according to the invention comprises at least one labeling unit, to each of which a device for storing a carrier tape emptied of labels according to one of the previously described embodiments or according to a combination of the previously described embodiments is assigned.

In a first embodiment, the base element of the device is attached to a labeling unit via a carrier having at least one holder element. In a further embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the labeling machine has a stand unit provided for the base element on, so that no direct attachment of the respective labeling is provided with the device. Advantageously, the base element then has at least one carrying handle, which allows the base element to be placed in a positionally variable manner as a function of the stand unit.

The listed embodiments all have one common advantage, which lies in the fact that the device can be arranged outside a security area of the labeling machine. Thus, the risk of injury to an operator is reduced by a running labeling machine. In addition, the device does not have to be provided with safety switches, which also switch off the labeling machine when changing the empty carrier tape. Thus, the labeling allows a continuous labeling operation even when changing the empty carrier tape.

The method according to the invention for operation enables a slip-free stripping and feeding a depleted from labels carrier tape to a winding mandrel. On the mandrel then the empty carrier tape is wound up. In addition, the level of the wound on the mandrel unwound carrier tape is continuously measured. The measurement takes place, for example, via a sensor device, for example a light barrier device, which detects when a maximum fill level has been reached. Once this maximum level has been reached, the emptied carrier tape wound onto the mandrel is first severed and then removed. Both when cutting and when removing the wound emptied carrier tape while the emptied carrier tape continues to be pulled without slippage. After the wound emptied carrier tape has been removed from the winding mandrel, the trailing severed emptied carrier tape is wound onto the mandrel. In this process step, the emptied carrier tape continues to be withdrawn without slippage.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Vorderansicht einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Speichern eines von Etiketten entleerten Trägerbandes;
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Rückansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig.1, wobei die kontinuierlich antreibbare Abzugseinrichtung für das entleerte Trägerband zur besseren Übersicht nicht dargestellt ist;
• Fig. 3 eine schematische Draufsicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 eine schematische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung im Schnitt A-A der Fig. 2;
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Perspektivansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1, wobei auch hier die kontinuierlich antreibbare Abzugseinrichtung für das entleerte Trägerband nicht dargestellt ist; und
• Fig. 6 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Etikettiermaschine, der mehrere Vorrichtungen zugeordnet sind.

In the following, the invention and its advantages will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic front view of an embodiment of the device for storing a label-emptied carrier tape;
• Fig. 2 a schematic rear view of the device according to Fig.1 , wherein the continuously driven discharge device for the empty carrier tape is not shown for clarity;
• Fig. 3 a schematic plan view of the device according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 4 a schematic side view of the device in section AA of Fig. 2 ;
• Fig. 5 a schematic perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1 , wherein also here the continuously driven discharge device for the empty carrier tape is not shown; and
• Fig. 6 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the labeling machine according to the invention, which are associated with a plurality of devices.

In the figures, identical reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the labeling machine according to the invention and the method may be configured and are not to be understood as a final limitation. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of the device 1 for storing a depleted label carrier tape 3. The device 1 allows a slip-free stripping and feeding a deflated carrier tape 3 via a continuously driven trigger device 5 to a driven motor 25 with a winding mandrel 7. The emptied carrier tape 3 is wound on the winding mandrel 7.

Between the take-off device 5 and the mandrel 7 is a speed of the winding mandrel 7 regulating deflecting unit 9 for deflecting the empty carrier tape 3 is arranged. The deflection unit 9 and the mandrel 7 are mounted on a common base member 11. In order to be able to quickly switch off the winding mandrel 7 driven in an emergency, the main element 11 of the device 1 is assigned a main switch 29. Likewise, the mandrel 7 is switched on again by pressing the main switch 29 again.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device 1, the deflection unit 9 has two deflection rollers 13, 15, between which a third deflection roller 17 is displaceably arranged in a guide 19 formed in the base element 11 along a transport path 21 of the emptied carrier belt 3. Depending on the position of the third guide roller 17 along the guide 19, the speed of the winding mandrel 7 is adjustable.

In addition, the level 23 of the wound on the winding mandrel 7 emptied carrier tape 3 is continuously measured. The measurement takes place via a sensor device 37 (see FIG. 2 ). Is a maximum level reached 23M, that is, when a certain maximum amount of deflated carrier tape 3 is rolled onto the winding mandrel 7, as in FIG. 1 1, the emptied carrier tape 3 wound onto the mandrel 7 is first severed and then the emptied carrier tape 3 wound on a support surface 27 around the mandrel 7 is removed. Both when cutting and when removing the wound emptied carrier tape 3 while the emptied carrier tape 3 continues to be withdrawn without slip through the trigger device 5. After the wound emptied carrier tape 3 of the winding mandrel 7 was removed, which is continuously wound by the discharge device 5 separated severed carrier tape 3 wound on the winding mandrel 7. In this process step, moreover, the emptied carrier tape 3 continues to be withdrawn without slip by the removal device 5.

In the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 1 An attachment of the base member 11 of the device 1 to a labeling unit 51 (see FIG. 6 ) a labeling machine 49 (see also FIG. 6 ) but via a carrier 33 with two holder elements 35. If, instead of the carrier connection, a stator unit described above for the base element 11 is provided, the base element 11 has carrying handles 31. These are intended to be able to place the base element 11 in a positionally variable manner as a function of the stand unit, for example outside a safety area, so that a risk of injury to an operator by a running labeling machine 49 is reduced.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic rear view of the device 1 according to Fig.1 Wherein the sensor device is shown 37th The sensor device 37 may be, for example, a light barrier device which detects when a maximum filling level 23M of the deflated carrier strip 3 wound on the winding mandrel 7 has been reached, so that then the severing and the removal of the wound emptied carrier strip 3 according to the description of FIG Fig. 1 can be done.

In the preferred embodiment shown here, the mandrel 7 is indirectly via a drive motor 25 (see FIG. 1 ), wherein the drive motor 25 in Fig. 2 is covered by a toothed belt wheel 41. The indirect drive takes place in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 in that a toothed belt 39 connects the toothed belt wheel 41 of the drive motor 25 with the winding mandrel 7. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that other drive possibilities of winding mandrel 7 are also conceivable.

The other elements of the Fig. 2 are already described in detail in the preceding description of the figures. Only the continuously drivable Discharge device 5 for the empty carrier tape 3 is not shown here for a better overview.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the device 1 after Fig. 1 , wherein in particular the elements are shown, which are required upon reaching a maximum level 23M to remove the wound on the winding mandrel 7 emptied carrier tape 3 can. The removal takes place via a winding mandrel 7 associated with the guide disc 43. The guide plate 43, which is securely mounted by means of a clamping screw 45 on the winding mandrel 7 of the device 1, reduces an already mentioned above risk of injury to an operator of such a device 1. The following must for removal the deflated carrier tape 3 first loosening the clamping screw 45 and then the guide plate 43 are pulled down by the winding mandrel 7, to then remove the wound on a bearing surface 27 around the winding mandrel 7 around emptied carrier tape 3 of the device 1. The other elements of the Fig. 3 are already detailed in the Fig. 1 described.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of the device 1 in section AA Fig. 2 , as previously described in detail. In the preferred embodiment shown here, a control knob 47 is formed on the third deflection roller 17. The control knob 47 is designed so that when actuated an optimal position of the third guide roller 17 with respect to the third guide roller 17 supplied empty carrier tape 3 and with respect to the driven winding mandrel 7 along the guide 19 gem. Fig. 2 determined. About the position of the third guide roller 17 thus determined, both the reeling speed and the tightness of the wound on the mandrel 7 to be wound empty conveyor belt is adjustable.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the device 1 according to Fig. 1 , All elements of the Fig. 5 are already detailed in the previous ones Fig.1 to 4 described.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the labeling machine 49 according to the invention for the labeling of objects 67 like bottles, cans, etc. with self-adhesive labels. The articles 67 are fed to a feed dog 65 of the labeling machine 49 in the transport direction 61. Then brought by means of a Einteilschnecke 59 to a predetermined machine distance objects 67 are passed over a feed star 55 a container table 53. The container table 53 moves the objects 67 in the direction of rotation 63 past three labeling units 51. The labeling units 51 provide the articles 67 with self-adhesive labels. The labeled objects 67 pass back to the feed dog 65 via an outlet star 57 and are fed to a packer (not shown) in the transport direction 61, for example.

In the illustrated embodiment, the labeling machine 49 comprises three labeling units 51, wherein each labeling unit 51 is assigned in each case a device 1 for storing a carrier tape 3 emptied of labels according to one of the previously described embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the labeling machine 49 may comprise a total of more or fewer than three labeling units 51.

An attachment of the device 1 to each one of the three labeling units 51, as already in Fig. 1 described, reduces a risk of injury to an operator by a running labeling machine 49, since the devices 1 are arranged outside a security area of the labeling 49, the security area substantially the container table 53, the infeed star 55, the outlet star 57, the Einteilschnecke 59 and the feed dog 65 includes.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device for storing a carrier tape emptied of labels

3

carrier tape

5

off device

7

mandrel

9

Return unit

11

base element

13

first pulley

15

second deflection roller

17

third pulley

19

guide

21

transport

23

level

23M

maximum level

25

drive motor

27

bearing plate

29

main switch

31

handle

33

carrier

35

holder element

37

sensor device

39

toothed belt

41

toothed belt

43

guide disc

45

clamping screw

47

control knob

49

labeling

51

labeling

53

container table

55

feed star

57

outlet star

59

infeed worm

61

transport direction

63

direction of rotation

65

carrier

67

object

Claims (3)

1. A labelling machine (49), comprising at least one labelling unit (51), to which is assigned a device (1) for storing a conveyor belt (3) emptied of labels, wherein the device (1) comprises
   a continuously drivable draw-off device (5) for the emptied conveyor belt (3), and
   a drivable winding mandrel (7) which is arranged downstream of the draw-off device (5) and on which the emptied conveyor belt (3) can be wound up and from which the wound-up emptied conveyor belt (3) can be removed, and wherein
   a deflection unit (9) is provided for the emptied conveyor belt (3), which controls the speed of the winding mandrel (7) and which is arranged between the draw-off device (5) and the winding mandrel (7), wherein the deflection unit (9) and the winding mandrel (7) are arranged on a common base element (11),
   characterized in that
   the base element (11) of the device (1) is attached to a labelling unit (51) of a labelling machine (49) by means of a carrier (33) with at least one holder element (35), and that
   a guide disc (43) is detachably mounted on the winding mandrel (7) by means of a clamping screw (45), and the emptied conveyor belt (3) can be wound on a bearing surface (27) around the winding mandrel (7), wherein the emptied conveyor belt (3) can be wound onto the winding mandrel (7) between the guide disc (43) and the bearing surface (27) in such a way that the clamping screw (45) is first released for removing the emptied conveyor belt (3), and then the guide disc (43) must be pulled down from the winding mandrel (7) in order subsequently to be able to remove the emptied conveyor belt (3) which is wound on the bearing surface (27) around the winding mandrel (7).
2. Labelling machine (49) according to claim 1, wherein the deflection unit (9) comprises at least two deflection rollers (13, 15), between which a third deflection roller (17) is movably arranged along a guide (19) formed in the base element (11) along a transport path (21) of the emptied conveyor belt (3), and wherein the rotational speed of the winding mandrel (7) can be regulated as a function of the position of the third deflection roller (17) along the guide (19).
3. A method for operating a labelling machine (49) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the following steps:

   - slip-free removal and feeding of a conveyor belt (3) emptied of labels to the winding mandrel (7);

   - winding up the emptied conveyor belt (3) onto the winding mandrel (7);

   - determining the filling level (23) of the emptied conveyor belt (3) wound onto the winding mandrel (7);

   - severing the emptied conveyor belt (7), and pulling down the guide disc (43) from the winding mandrel (7), and removing the wound-up emptied conveyor belt (3) from the winding mandrel (7) when a maximum filling level (23M) is reached, while furthermore the emptied conveyor belt (3) is withdrawn without slip; and

   - winding up the severed, emptied conveyor belt (3) onto the winding mandrel (7), while continuing to remove the emptied conveyor belt (3) in a slip-free manner.

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