EP2602202B1 - Method and device for labelling containers with stretch sleeves - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for labeling containers with label sleeves according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding labeling method.

Containers, such as beverage bottles, can be labeled, inter alia, by pulling tubular film sleeves over the container jacket surface. As an alternative to the thermal shrinking of film sleeves find particularly elastically deformable film sleeves due to the lower material and energy consumption increasingly interesting.

A device for labeling containers according to the preamble of claim 1 is shown in FIG US 2004/0261949 described.

Especially for the labeling of three-dimensional curved lateral surfaces with highly elastic film sleeves describes the WO 2008/076718 a labeling device with spreader units, in which a plurality, substantially parallel to each other and circumferentially grouped around a central recess spreading fingers are provided. The spreading fingers are radially displaceable relative to the central recess and can be moved far enough apart that a film sleeve placed over the spreading fingers is stretched by the spreading fingers and a bottle to be labeled can be pushed upwards into the film sleeve through the central recess. The film sleeves are preferably first fixed by suction on the spreading fingers and then repelled during the transfer to the bottle by means of compressed air from the spreading fingers.

By sucking the film sleeve can indeed be secured against rotation on the spreading fingers. The problem, however, is that the rotational position of the bottle to be labeled in the labeling can change, especially when lifting the bottle in the spreader. This is disadvantageous especially in the case of bottles with a non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section, since with these usually a labeling oriented with respect to the rotational position is required. But even with rotationally symmetrical bottles adhering to the rotational position is generally desirable.

There is thus a need for a labeling device in which the containers can be reliably labeled in the correct rotary position, as well as for a correspondingly improved labeling method.

The object is achieved on the one hand with a device according to claim 1. Accordingly, this comprises: spreader units for spreading the label sleeves; Lifting units for lifting the containers upright into the spread label sleeves; and leadership units, which can be closed around the container on the lifting units for lateral guidance of the container when lifting. According to the invention, the guide units are for locking formed the rotational position of standing on the lifting units container. This makes it possible to prevent the containers from changing their rotational position during further transport on a labeling wheel or the like due to vibrations and / or centrifugal forces. Consequently, a given in the transfer of the container to the labeling device rotational position of the container with greater reliability and less deviation can be maintained up to the area of the spreader units.

Preferably, the guide units have a locking position, in which the rotational position of the container is locked by a frictional connection and / or a positive connection between the guide units and the side wall of the container. For this purpose, for example, adjustable guide elements and / or clamping elements may be provided on the guide units. By means of a frictional connection, in particular rotationally symmetrical wall sections can be fixed in a simple manner. By positive engagement in particular non-rotationally symmetric wall sections can be fixed in a simple manner.

In a particularly favorable embodiment of the device according to the invention, the guide units also have a guide position for guiding the container during lifting, in which the effective width of the guide unit with respect to the container is greater than in the locking position. As a result, for example, an undesirable frictional engagement during lifting can be reduced or avoided. Thus, the container material can be gently raised to the desired labeling position in the spreader unit. Furthermore, the separate locking position and the separate guide position allow a targeted adaptation of a takeover and transport phase and a lifting phase of containers with different dimensions, cross sections and / or materials.

Preferably, in the guide position, a circumferential air gap between the guide unit and the side wall of the container is provided, in particular an air gap of at least 1 mm in width. A circumferential air gap is to be understood as meaning a circumferentially extending air gap in the case of an ideally assumed coaxial alignment of the container and the guide unit. By definition, the circumferential air gap is provided in the region of circumferentially extending guide elements. This is the case, for example, if the guide unit is constructed in the form of shell-shaped halves. The air gap is then defined in areas in which the container wall and the guide shells face each other.

In a particularly favorable embodiment of the device according to the invention, the guide units comprise rollers for guiding the containers during lifting, wherein between the rollers and the side wall of the container with respect to the side wall in the circumferential Direction acting positive engagement and / or frictional connection can be produced. For a friction fit, for example, rollers with a tread rubber or the like are suitable. Rolls whose running surface is adapted to the surface profile of a section of the container wall lying opposite the respective roller are suitable, for example, for a positive fit. With the help of the guide rollers, a change from a locking position of the guide unit to a guide position can be dispensed with. With the help of the rollers twisting of the container can be avoided both immediately after stopping the container on the lifting unit and when lifting the container. The rollers allow a particularly gentle material lifting of the container.

Preferably, the rollers have a substantially straight tread cross section, in particular of at least 5 mm in width. With such a tread cross section, the rollers can cooperate with a correspondingly rectilinear portion of the container cross-section, to prevent by positive engagement twisting of the container. Particularly advantageous are treads of at least 10 mm wide, which can reliably muster sufficient forces between the rollers and the container surface to stabilize the rotational position.

The rollers may also be adapted to the container cross-section and / or they may be adapted to conform to the container shape. For this purpose, the running surface of the rollers may be formed substantially as a negative of the cross-sectional area to be guided. For example, a concavely curved running surface is suitable for guiding and stabilizing a convexly curved container cross-section and vice versa. The treads could be elastically deformable, for example made of rubber or a suitable plastic, so that they adapt to the shape of the guided container cross-section when pressed.

The clear cross section of the guide units preferably has straight regions and / or regions with different curvature for aligning and positively locking the container. This can be non-rotationally symmetrical container lock in a predetermined rotational position. It is also possible, when closing the guide units, to exert a torque on an incorrectly oriented container so that it is aligned in accordance with the straight areas and / or the areas with different curvature. Thus, a predetermined rotational position can also be ensured in the event that the containers are transferred to the device according to the invention in a non-prescribed or incorrect rotational position.

Preferably, the guide units comprise balls and / or rollers rotatable about vertical axes, which can be brought into contact with the side wall of the containers when closing the guide units. This allows the rotational position of the container when closing the guide units align particularly effective. In particular, a force for closing the guide units material can be gently converted into a torque for aligning the container. By means of suitable ball bearings and / or roller bearings, it is possible, for example, to reduce frictional forces when aligning the containers to a desired rotational position.

Preferably, the guide means comprise at least two guide shells or the like which complement each other circumferentially to a vertical guide channel for the containers. Under guide shells fall according to the invention also guide baskets, guide rails and the like. Preferably, the guide shells form half shells, which can be opened and closed, for example, around a lateral joint. The guide shells could also be driven linearly towards each other. With the help of at least two guide shells, for example, separate locking positions and guide positions can be realized in a particularly simple and reliable manner.

Preferably, the guide units comprise an electrically controllable switching mechanism. As a result, the guide units can be adapted particularly flexibly to different types of containers and machine speeds. A switching mechanism here is to be understood as a mechanism for opening and closing the guide units. According to the invention can be adjusted with the switching mechanism and locking positions guide positions of the guide units.

Preferably, a labeling carousel is further provided on the device according to the invention, are provided on the circumferentially evenly distributed labeling stations, each comprising a lifting unit, a guide unit and a spreading unit. This makes it possible to realize particularly high machine performance.

The stated object is further achieved by a method according to claim 12. Accordingly, this comprises the steps of: a) settling the containers on lifting units; b) locking the rotational position of the container by the closing of guide units to the container standing upright on the lifting units; c) spreading the label sleeves; and d) lifting the containers into the spread label sleeves, the containers being guided laterally in the guide units. Step b) is preferably carried out before step d). The rotational position could also after a partial lifting of the container, especially immediately before immersion in the spreader unit, aligned and / or locked. In this case, step b) should be carried out during step d) or step d) should be interrupted in order to carry out step b).

Preferably, the container rotation position is further locked during the lifting of the container and / or the container rotation position is aligned during lifting. As a result, the rotational position of the container can be maintained and / or adjusted with particularly high accuracy. The locking and / or alignment can be done both positive and frictional. The lifting can be interrupted for the locking and / or the alignment.

Preferably, the containers have a non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section, and the containers are forced by the closing of the guide units by means of positive locking in a predetermined rotational position. This can be achieved, for example, with guide units whose inner cross section is adapted to the cross section of an associated container section.

Preferably, the guide units form in step d) guide channels, which are set to lock the container in step b) closer than in step d). Such an adjustment of the guide channels makes it possible to provide a guide unit with a locking function in a particularly simple and flexibly adaptable manner.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schnitt durch eine Etikettierstation beim Spenden einer Etikettenhülse und beim Anheben eines Behälters in die gespreizte Etikettenhülse;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Etikettiervorrichtung mit mehreren, an einem Etikettierrad umlaufenden Etikettierstationen;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Führungseinheit für rotationssymmetrische Behälter;

Fig. 4A, 4B

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Führungseinheit für nichtrotationssymmetrische Behälter;

Fig. 5

eine Variante der Führungseinheit für nichtrotationssymmetrische Behälter mit optionalen Führungsrollen; und

Fig. 6

eine Variante der Führungseinheiten für rotationssymmetrische Behälter mit optionalen Führungsrollen.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic section through a labeling station when donating a label sleeve and when lifting a container in the spread label sleeve;

Fig. 2

an illustration of a labeling device according to the invention with several, on a labeling wheel rotating labeling;

Fig. 3

a schematic plan view of a guide unit according to the invention for rotationally symmetrical container;

Fig. 4A, 4B

a schematic plan view of a guide unit according to the invention for non-rotationally symmetrical container;

Fig. 5

a variant of the guide unit for non-rotationally symmetrical container with optional guide rollers; and

Fig. 6

a variant of the guide units for rotationally symmetrical container with optional guide rollers.

As the Fig. 1 and 2 can recognize the device 1 according to the invention for labeling containers 2 with label sleeves 3, such as elastic film sleeves made of LDPE or the like, a plurality of uniformly distributed on a Etikettierrad 4 labeling 5 with spreading units 6 for spreading the label sleeves 3, with lifting units 7 upright standing receiving and lifting the incoming container 2 in the spread label sleeves 3, with guide units 8 for laterally guiding the container 2 during lifting of the container 2 within actively controllable guide shells 8a, and with lifting units 9 for gripping and pulling the labeled container 2 from the spreader units 6. In the Fig. 1 the operation of a single labeling station 5 is shown in successive treatment phases I to VI. In the Fig. 2 For the sake of clarity, only two of the labeling stations 5 are shown.

Schematically indicated are also a stationary label dispenser 10, an inlet star wheel 11 or the like for transferring the container to be labeled 2 to the lifting units 7. To forward the labeled container 2 can be used in a known manner (not shown) outlet star wheel or the like.

In detail, the positions I to VI of the Fig. 1 one of the labeling stations 5 when circulating the Etikettierrads 4 in the plane pointing out of the plane of transport 4a from donating the label sleeves 3 on the spreader units 6 to reach a predetermined stroke position, in which the container 2 are positioned within the spread label sleeves 3 for subsequent labeling.

At the position I, the label dispenser 10 separates the label sleeves 3 in a known manner from a film tube 3a and shoots them over expansion segments 6a, which are evenly distributed circumferentially and radially displaceable around a central recess 6b of the expansion unit 6. At position I, the lifting unit 7 is in a lower position and is not yet occupied by a container 2.

The position II shows a state immediately after feeding a container 2. Accordingly, the container 2 is turned off by the inlet starwheel 11 on the lifting device 7 upright. Here, the container 2 is guided laterally and fixed in a predetermined rotational position.

The position III shows a state in which the label sleeve 3 is stretched by moving apart of the expansion segments 6a. Further, the guide unit 8 is closed around a portion of the container side wall 2a. The container 2 is consequently guided laterally by the guide unit 8. According to the invention, guide shells 8a which are movable relative to each other the guide unit 8 so far moved together that the container 2 is taken over with unchanged rotational position and locked in this.

The position IV shows a state in which the label sleeve 3 has been expanded so far that the container 2 can be lifted by the central recess 6b of the spreader units 6 upwards into the spread label sleeve 3. Furthermore, the labeling station 5 has now left the region of the inlet starwheel 11, so that the container 2 is guided laterally only by the guide unit 8.

For lifting the container 2, the seat of the guide unit 8 can be loosened around the container 2 to slide the container 2, as indicated at the position V, in the lifting direction 7 'of the lifting unit 7 by the guide unit 8. However, the guide unit 8 is only so far relaxed that the container 2 remains sufficiently guided laterally when lifting.

At the position VI, a state is shown after fully lifting the container 2 to a predetermined position within the spreader unit 6. The labeling is then carried out in a known manner by blowing off the label from the spreading fingers in order to minimize the friction, by gripping the mouth region of the container 2 and lifting with the lifting unit 9 from the spreading unit 6.

The guide unit 8 with the guide shells 8a is schematically in the plan view of Fig. 3 when guiding a rotationally symmetrical container 2 in a guide position 13, in which between the container side wall 2a and the guide shell 8a of the guide unit 8, a circumferential air gap 14 is provided. The air gap 14 has, for example, a width of 1 to 2 mm. This ensures on the one hand a sufficiently accurate guidance of the container 2 when lifting. On the other hand, undesirable frictional forces between the container side wall 2a and the guide shells 8a of the guide unit 8 are avoided. The guide shells 8a form a guide channel with respect to the container 2 effective clearance 19 from.

To lock the in the Fig. 3 Only schematically indicated rotational position 2b of the container 2 in the guide unit 8 are preferably the guide shells 8a from in the Fig. 3 shown leading position 13 to a (not shown) locking position further moved together. In this, the container side wall 2a is clamped between the guide shells 8a to produce a frictional engagement between the guide shells 8a and the container 2. Consequently, the air gap 14 is interrupted in the locking position at contact points 16 relative to the guide position 13.

In the Fig. 3 Furthermore, an electrically controllable switching mechanism 8b for opening and closing the guide unit 8 is indicated by dashed lines. The guide shells 8a can be opened, for example, as in the Fig. 3 indicated by curved arrows, or linearly move toward and away from each other.

The guide shells 8a could be formed as any guide elements, such as a grid, rails and the like. The guide shells 8a may also consist of several shells one above the other, they may include horizontal cutouts and / or they may be partially interrupted, provided that they form a guide channel for guiding the container 2 in the direction of the spreader units 6 in the guide position 13. The guide position 13 and the locking position differ in the example in that the effective clear cross section of the guide channel in the locking position is narrower than in the guide position thirteenth

This is in the FIGS. 4A and 4B shown for a container 22 with non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section. Accordingly, the container side wall 22a comprises rectilinear portions 22b in cross section. In this case, the guide unit 28, which is only indicated schematically in cross section, comprises guide shells 28a, which are adapted to the shape, in particular the cross section, of the container 22 with a non-rotationally symmetrical cross section. In the example, rectilinear guide shells 28a are shown in cross-section. These enclose the container 22 such that a locking of the rotational position 22c of the container 22 is ensured by means of positive engagement.

In the Fig. 4A is the guide unit 28 in the guide position 23, so that, as already described above for the rotationally symmetrical container cross section, an air gap 24 between the guide shells 28a and the container side wall 22a is provided. As the Fig. 4A can be seen, is in a positive connection between the guide unit 28 and the container 22 optionally already in the guide position 23, a sufficient locking of the rotational position 22c of the container 22 ensured.

It may, however, as in the Fig. 4B is indicated, a separate locking position 25 may be provided, in which the air gap 24 between the container side wall 22a and the guide shells 28a is interrupted at least in contact areas 26. Thereby, the locking of the rotational position 22c of the container 22 can be additionally secured. In the locking position 25, the clear width 29 is lower than in the guide position 23rd

The Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a lateral guidance of the container 22 by means of optional guide rollers 29 which rotatably mounted on the guide shells 28a about horizontal axes 29a are. The guide rollers 29 preferably have a shape adapted to the cross section of the container 22 tread shape. In the example, the tread 29b of the rollers 29 has a rectilinear cross section. The width of the straight running surface 29b is preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm. In other words, the tread 29b abuts against the container side wall 22a in a contact region 29c in parallel therewith. This prevents twisting of the container 22 relative to the guide unit 28. In addition, the rollers 29 allow a low-friction lifting of the container 22 in the spreading unit 6. In addition, the rollers 29 taken alone can achieve a sufficient locking effect of the rotational position 22c of the container 22. In this case, the separate locking position 25 of the guide unit 28 is dispensable in non-rotationally symmetrical containers 22.

The guide rollers 29 could lock the rotational position 22c of the container 22 also substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 29a in frictional engagement with the container side wall 22a. It is irrelevant whether it is a container 2 with rotationally symmetrical cross section or a container 22 with non-rotationally symmetrical cross section. For example, the running surface 29b of the guide rollers 29 could be made of rubber, silicone or a comparable material. The rollers 29 would also be stored in this case about horizontal axes of rotation 29a. This would ensure a locking of the rotary position 2c and a gentle lifting of the symmetrical container 2 in the guide unit 8.

In a further advantageous embodiment could be provided analogous to the guide rollers 29 inwardly open ball and / or roller bearings with balls and / or rollers 30, which for the sake of simplicity in the Fig. 5 are indicated only by dashed lines. In this case, suitable ball or roller cages would be provided in the guide shells 8a, 28a. With such balls and / or rollers, which are rotatably mounted in this case about a vertical axis 30a, the alignment of the rotational position 22c could not be rotationally symmetrical container 22 are facilitated by the container 22 by means of the guide shells 28a and the balls and / or rollers 30th is forced into a predetermined by the guide shells 28a rotational position.

The guide shells 8a, 28a could be operated with different switching mechanisms. For example, mechanical cam controls would be suitable. However, electrically controllable switching mechanisms which switch, for example, piezoelectrically, magnetically or by means of a servomotor are particularly advantageous. Also conceivable are pneumatic controls and circuits for realizing the switching mechanism of the guide units 8, 28.

The guide shells could be adapted to any non-rotationally symmetric cross sections. For example, guide shells could be used for elliptical container cross sections are also in the guide position and / or in the locking position have an elliptical cross-section. This also applies to polygonal cross sections and any combination of polygons, ovals and circle segments. In general, the guide shells are then provided with areas of different curvature to allow a locking positive engagement and lateral guidance.

The Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an optional lateral guidance of the rotationally symmetrical container 2 by means of guide rollers 29, the running surface 29b is formed concave in cross section. The running surface 29b is thus essentially designed as a negative of the convexly curved container cross section. For complex container cross sections, a reverse constellation would also be conceivable, ie convexly curved tread cross sections, which lead to concave regions of the container cross section. Indicated by dashed lines is a variant in which the running surface 29b 'of the guide rollers 29 elastically deforms when closing the guide shells 8a and adapts to the container cross section. Suitable materials for elastic treads 29b 'are, for example, rubber, silicones, plastics and the like. The rotatable about horizontal axes of rotation 29a guide rollers 29 can, as in the Fig. 6 is indicated, for example, be provided on three sides of the container 2.

Claims (15)

1. Device (1) for labelling containers (2, 22) with sleeve labels (3), comprising:

   - spreading units (6) for spreading the sleeve labels;

   - lifting units (7) for lifting the containers standing in an upright position into the spread sleeve labels; and comprising

   - guide units (8, 28), characterised in that the guide units can be closed in order to provide lateral guidance for the containers standing on the lifting units during lifting,

   and
   the guide units are designed to lock the rotational position (2b, 22c) of the containers standing on the lifting units.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide units (8, 28) have a locking position (25) in which the rotational position (2b, 22c) of the containers (2, 22) is locked by a friction lock and/or a positive form fit between the guide units and the side wall (2a, 22a) of the containers.
3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide units (8, 28) also have a guiding position (13, 23) for guiding the containers (2, 22) during lifting, in which the effective clearance width (19, 29) of the guide units relative to the container is greater than in the locking position (25).
4. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a circumferential air gap (14, 24) is provided between the guide unit (8, 28) and the side wall (2a, 22a) of the container in the guiding position (13, 23), in particular an air gap of at least 1 mm width.
5. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide units (28) comprise rollers (29) for guiding the containers (22) during lifting, and a positive form fit and/or a friction lock acting in the circumferential direction relative to the side wall can be established between the rollers and the side wall (22a) of the containers.
6. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the running surfaces (29b) of the rollers (29) have an essentially straight cross-section, in particular of at least 5 mm width.
7. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the clearance cross-section of the guide units (28) has straight regions and/or regions with a different curvature for orienting and locking the containers (22) in a positive form fit.
8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein spheres and/or rollers (30) rotatable about vertical axes (30a) are provided on the guide units (28) which can be moved into contact with the side wall (22a) of the containers as the guide units close.
9. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide units (8, 28) comprise at least two guide shells (8a, 28a) or similar, which complement one another circumferentially to form a vertical guide passage for the containers (2, 22).
10. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide units (8) comprise an electrically activatable switch mechanism (8b).
11. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a labelling carousel (4), on which labelling stations (5) respectively comprising a lifting unit (7), a guide unit (8) and a spreading unit (6) are provided in a circumferentially uniformly distributed arrangement.
12. Method of labelling containers (2, 22) with sleeve labels (3), comprising the steps:

    a) depositing the containers on lifting units (7);

    b) locking the rotational position (2b, 22c) of the containers by closing guide units (8, 28) around the containers standing in an upright position on the lifting units;

    c) spreading the sleeve labels; and

    d) lifting the containers in the direction of the spread sleeve labels, the containers being laterally guided in the guide units.
13. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rotational position (2b, 22c) is also locked and/or oriented as the containers (2, 22) are being lifted.
14. Method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the containers (22) have a cross-section that is not rotationally symmetrical and are forced into a predefined rotational position by means of a positive form fit due to the closing of the guide units (28).
15. Method as claimed in at least one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the guide units (8, 28) form guide passages in step d) which are set more narrowly in step b) than in step d) in order to lock the containers (2, 22).

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