EP2641836B1 - Label Applicator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying labels to goods, with an extendable, provided on the extendable end with an applicator manipulator arm.

Labels are used for product labeling and may include, for example, printed product information such as contents, price and manufacturer information or promotional information and the like. Applicators are used to attach the labels to a package of a particular product or to the product itself. For this purpose, the manipulator is adjustable between a transfer position for taking over the respective label from a feeder and an application position for applying the respective label to the respective product. Applicators bring the respective label so for example from a printer who prints the label, or from another feeder, transport the respective label to the respective product, such as an optionally packaged retail item, and thus label the goods.

From the document DE 10 2008 032 019 A1 an applicator according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, which has an Applizierkopf in the form of a resilient cup. The resilient cup can spring-loaded against the extension direction of the manipulator arm when applying a label when placing on a commodity dodge to ensure the smoothest possible touchdown. By means of an acceleration sensor, the spring-loaded retraction can be detected when placing the Applizierkopfs on the goods be so that then the Applizierkopf can be withdrawn from the goods.

According to Hooke's law, the spring force of a spring increases, as in the document DE 10 2008 032 019 A1 is disclosed, linear with the spring travel. Since the applicator head retracts from the goods only after a time delay when the applicator head, which is still in the outward movement at that time, retains its position, it may occasionally happen that the applicator head still functions despite the provision of a receding spring presses with a relatively large force on the respective commodity. This is to be avoided in particular for a product with a foil packaging.

The present invention has for its object to provide an applicator of the type mentioned above, which allows reliable application, especially in cases where the Applizierkopf is placed at high speed on the respective product.

This object is achieved by an applicator having the features of claim 1, and in particular by the fact that the Applizierkopf is supported on at least one snap spring element on the manipulator.

Instead of the known from the prior art Hook's spring according to the invention therefore a snap spring element is used. The spring characteristic of such a spring element increases initially monotonically up to a maximum value and then has an adjoining region with a negative spring characteristic curve, in which the spring force decreases with increasing spring travel. If the snap spring element is subjected to a force which exceeds the aforementioned maximum value, the abovementioned area is abruptly traversed by the snap spring element. Such snapping snap spring elements are, in the event that also still takes place an automatic snap back, known as a snap-fly spring elements.

The snapping over of the respective snap spring element can be used to detect the impact of the Applizierkopfs on a product, after which the extendable end of the manipulator arm and thus the Applizierkopf can be withdrawn against the direction of extension of the goods. The braking distance until the reversal of the drive of the extendable end of the manipulator arm, during which the applicator further in the extension direction, i. is moved to the goods, however, is compensated by the above-mentioned negative range of the spring characteristic curve, in particular overcompensated, so that despite the further approach of the Applizierkopfs associated with the braking distance to the goods, the force acting on the product spring force at least does not increase further.

As a result, a gentler touchdown of the Applizierkopfs is achieved on the respective product over the springs known from the prior art. Possible damage to the product or its packaging can therefore be avoided even better than known from the prior art. This applies in particular to applicators in which the applicator head is placed on the respective product at a comparatively high speed.

In particular, the respective snap spring element is thus designed such that it snaps into a snapped-over position or snap-in position when acted upon by a force exceeding a predetermined value and acting counter to the extension direction from a stable basic position, in particular temporarily or temporarily. Prefers the snap spring element is at least partially made of sheet steel.

However, the snap spring element or elements need not necessarily snap over during operation of the applicator. The operating parameters of the applicator can in principle also be set such that no snapping takes place in normal operation without special occurrences, but snapping over merely represents a safety function, ie. Only in exceptional cases, a snap takes place, in particular when the Applizierkopf unexpectedly on an obstacle located in front of the respective product, for example, a hand of an operator meets.

The snapped position may be a stable position or an unstable position. The respective snap spring element can therefore be designed as a bistable snap spring element or as a monostable snap spring element. A bistable snap-spring element is designed such that it only snaps back from its snapped-over position to the starting position when it is acted upon by a force which acts in the extension direction and exceeds a predetermined value. A monostable snap spring element, however, is designed so that it, when a restoring force of the snap spring element in the umgeschnappten position is greater than acting counter to the extension direction acting force, automatically snaps back from the umgeschnappten position in the basic position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the applicator is designed such that the snap-back of the respective snap spring element takes place from a stable, snapped position into a stable basic position by retracting the applicator head against a stop provided on the manipulating arm. As a result, the snap back of the respective Snap spring element or the resetting of the respective snap spring element can be achieved in the basic position in a simple manner.

Preferably, the respective snap spring element is formed as a curved in a stable basic position in the extension of the manipulator arm, in particular arcuately stretched, leaf spring. With such springs a snap function is particularly well realized. In addition, such springs are simple and inexpensive to produce. In particular, the respective leaf spring is elongated or strip-shaped.

The respective snap spring element can be mounted with its two ends on the manipulator arm. In principle, however, it is also possible that the one or more snap spring elements are mounted with the respective two ends on the Applizierkopf.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the manipulator arm at its extendable end a support platform, in particular with a receiving space, for the at least one snap spring element. The carrier platform may comprise a bottom section and two side sections projecting from the bottom section in the extension direction and projecting, in particular extensions, between which the respective snap spring element is mounted. In the receiving space, the at least one snap spring element, in particular in the umgeschnappten position, are added. Through the receiving space ensures that there is enough space for the snap-back and snap of the snap spring elements or is available.

The respective snap spring element can then engage with its two ends in corresponding recesses or recesses of the two side sections loosely and / or captively. The respective snap spring element can therefore be held without friction or frictional connection and without further connecting elements. The recesses are formed in particular on the inner sides of the two side sections.

In addition, the respective side section can be divided at the level of the at least one recess along a dividing line into two parts which are detachably fixedly connected to one another. This allows the snap spring element (s) to be inserted into the recesses without excessive deformation, and only after that the two respective parts are connected together.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the respective snap spring element may be mounted floating at its two ends in the extension direction. A floating bearing can be achieved for example by the aforementioned loose engagement of the two ends of the respective Schappfederelements in the corresponding recesses of the two side sections. In the lateral direction, the two ends of the respective snap spring element are preferably fixed. The life of the respective snap spring element can be increased by the floating bearing. Under a floating bearing is also the case to understand that the two ends of the respective snap spring element in the respective position, ie in the starting position and in the umgeschnappten position, immovable, but due to the snap or snap back but a movement takes place.

A particular floating bearing of the respective snap spring element may at both ends of the respective snap spring element, in particular within the aforementioned recesses in the extension direction extending guide elements, in particular pins, which act on both sides in particular as a lateral stop for the two ends of the respective snap spring element and / or against which the respective snap spring element is supported in the lateral direction. The respective snap spring element is then arranged between, with respect to the respective snap spring element, opposing guide elements, in particular clamped.

To act on the respective snap spring element with a force acting counter to the direction of extension, it is preferred if the respective snap spring element is held between two crossheads or cross connectors firmly connected to the applicator head. Preferably, the two traverses are arranged parallel to one another and / or on the side of the applicator head opposite to an applicator plate and spaced therefrom.

Preferably, two in particular identical snap spring elements are provided, which are arranged in particular parallel to each other. This is particularly advantageous if the snap spring elements are designed as leaf springs.

The respective snap spring element can be reversibly exchangeable. There may be provided a plurality of snap spring elements or groups of snap spring elements which differ in their spring characteristic from each other and which are selectively used to hold the Applizierkopfs on the manipulator. As a result, the applicator can be adapted to the respective product to be labeled. For example For example, in a product where a particularly soft touchdown of the applicator head is desired, snap spring elements having small spring stiffnesses, flat spring characteristics, and / or comparatively small maximum spring force values at which the snap spring elements snap over may be employed. For products where a harder touchdown is desired, snap spring elements with greater spring hardness or spring stiffness, steeper spring characteristics and / or comparatively large maximum values can be used.

It can be provided in addition to the at least one snap spring element - an elastic support and / or additional spring support for a Applizierplatte the Applizierkopfs. In this case, there is a two-stage damping or suspension of Applizierplatte.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a positive guidance is provided, which is designed to prevent tilting of the applicator head relative to the extension direction in a stable basic position and / or during an extension and / or retraction of the applicator head. This allows a high positioning accuracy of the labels can be achieved on the goods. In particular, tilting of the applicator head can also be prevented if the applicator head encounters a product, i. the goods oppose the Applizierkopf a resistance. The positive guide may comprise at least one rod which engages in a respective counter-shaped opening or rod receptacle.

Preferably, a Umschnapperkennungseinrichtung is provided to detect a snapping the snap spring element, in particular from a stable basic position. Preferably, the applicator is designed, upon detection of a snap-on, the extendable end of the manipulator arm and thus the Applizierkopf against the extension direction withdraw. The Umschnapperkennungseinrichtung may be, for example, a Hall sensor or a switch.

The extendable end of the applicator can be moved, for example, by means of a spindle drive or a pneumatic cylinder. In addition, means may be provided to rotate the applicator head about the longitudinal axis of the manipulator arm.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims, the description of the figures and the drawing.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Applikator mit einem Applizierkopf, der über zwei bistabile Blattfedern an einem Manipulatorarm gehaltert ist, wobei die Blattfedern in einer stabilen Grundstellung dargestellt sind,

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Applizierkopfs aus Fig. 1 in einer anderen Perspektive,

Fig. 3

den Applikator aus Fig. 1, wobei die Blattfedern in einer stabilen umgeschnappten Stellung dargestellt sind,

Fig. 4

eine Trägerplattform, in der die aus Fig. 1 bekannten Blattfedern aufgenommen sind, wobei die Blattfedern in einer stabilen Grundstellung dargestellt sind, und

Fig. 5

die Trägerplattform aus Fig. 4, wobei die Blattfedern in einer stabilen umgeschnappten Stellung dargestellt sind.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an applicator according to the invention with an applicator head, which is held by two bistable leaf springs on a manipulator arm, wherein the leaf springs are shown in a stable basic position,

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of the Applizierkopfs Fig. 1 in a different perspective,

Fig. 3

the applicator off Fig. 1 wherein the leaf springs are shown in a stable, snapped position,

Fig. 4

a carrier platform in which the Fig. 1 known leaf springs are recorded, wherein the leaf springs are shown in a stable basic position, and

Fig. 5

the carrier platform Fig. 4 , wherein the leaf springs are shown in a stable umgeschnappten position.

The applicator 11 according to the invention for applying labels, not shown, to goods comprises a manipulator arm 13, at one end of an applicator or punch 15 is provided. This end of the manipulator arm 13 is axially, ie along the longitudinal extension of the manipulator arm 13, and telescopically extended and retracted. The extension direction 17 of the manipulator arm 13 thus corresponds to the direction of the longitudinal extension of the manipulator arm 13. To allow the extension of the Applizierkopfs 15, the manipulator arm 13 is formed as a spindle drive comprising an unrecognizable threaded rod, at the free end of the Applizierkopf 15 is attached and which is drivable by a motor 23 via a belt transmission, in particular a toothed belt transmission, of which only the two pulleys 19 and 21 are shown. In Fig. 1 the applicator head 15 is shown in a slightly extended position, especially before a label is applied to a product. When fully extended, the manipulator arm 13 may be approximately twice the length.

In particular, from the enlarged view of the Applizierkopfs 15 in Fig. 1 can be seen, the Applizierkopf 15 comprises a perforated plate 59 and a fan 61, which allows a respective label is sucked and held on the perforated plate 59. For attaching the respective label to a product, the manipulator arm 13 is then extended in the direction of the goods, wherein the respective label adheres to the goods in contact with the goods due to an attached to the underside of the label adhesive layer. The perforated plate 59 is supported on in particular four frame bars 63 on a bottom plate 65 of the Applizierkopfs 15. The fan 61 is disposed within the frame formed by the bottom plate 65, the frame bars 63 and the perforated plate 59.

According to the invention, the applicator head 15 is fastened to the extendable end of the manipulator arm 13 via two bistable snap leaf springs 25, 27. The two leaf springs 25, 27 are bent in their stable basic position in the extension direction of the manipulator arm 13. The two identical, mutually parallel leaf springs 25, 27 are supported with their respective two ends by a support platform 29 which is attached to the extendable end of the manipulator arm 13. At least approximately in the middle, the two leaf springs 25, 27 between two fixedly connected to the Applizierkopf 15 trusses 31, 33 are held. The two trusses 31, 33 are firmly connected to the bottom plate 65 of the Applizierkopfs 15.

If the Applizierkopf 15 pressed during extension of the manipulator arm 13 against a product to apply a label there, grab the two leaf springs when exceeding a certain contact pressure from their respective stable basic position, as in Fig. 1 is shown in a umgeschnappte position, as in Fig. 3 is shown. The spring characteristic of the two leaf springs 25, 27 is due to their design as snap springs in such a way that when snapping the spring force and thus the pressure applied to the respective product pressure against the contact pressure, which acts on the product immediately before snapping, is reduced. As a result, a gentle placement of the applicator is possible on the product. Damage to the product or packaging of the product can be avoided.

Further, a Hall sensor 67 is provided, with which the Umschnappbewegung the two leaf springs 25, 27 can be detected. For this is the Applizierkopf 15 with a non-illustrated, laterally attached to the two trusses 31, 33 provided magnet which abruptly approaches the Hall sensor 67 when snapping the two leaf springs 25, 27. Once such a snap is detected, the applicator head 15 is withdrawn from the respective product.

The time delay from detecting the snap up to reversing the drive, i. the time in which the Applizierkopf 15 is further extended by the manipulator arm 13 in the direction of the respective product, this poses no problem, since the distance covered in this time by the extendable end of the manipulator arm 13 by a by snapping the two leaf springs 25th 27 causes retraction of the applicator head 15 from the product at a correspondingly selected extension speed and processing speed of the snap-detection signal can be compensated or overcompensated.

The Fig. 3 shows the stable umgeschnappte position of the two leaf springs 25, 27 after the Applizierkopf 15 has hit a product or packaging. The leaf springs 25, 27 are snapped and remain in the umgeschnappten position until the Applizierkopf 15 is moved back from its extended position almost completely back to its retracted position, as in Fig. 3 is shown.

How out Fig. 2 it can be seen, immersed when moving back the Applizierkopfs 15 attached to the manipulator arm 13 pin 73, in particular metal pin, through the bottom portion 43 of the support platform 29 and presses on the traverse 31 and thus the two leaf springs 25, 27 back to the stable basic position, ie there is a snap back. The pin 73 is not rigid with the manipulator arm 13 connected, but stored there spring-damped. As a result, a hard impact of Applizierkopfs 15 is prevented on the pin 73.

In principle, it is also possible that leaf springs are used, which - as soon as the Applizierkopf is reversed by the respective product, ie as soon as the Applizierkopf no force is opposed by the respective product - from the in Fig. 3 shown position due to their restoring force automatically back to the in Fig. 1 snapping back to the position shown.

According to a further development not shown, spiral springs are arranged around the frame bars 63, and the frame bars 63 can dip into the bottom plate 65. In this way, an additional damping of the perforated plate 59 can be achieved when placed on a product.

The Applizierkopf 15 has on two opposite sides in each case a directed in the extension direction 17 guide rod 35, 37, which engages in a respective, attached to a respective side of the support platform 29 ring-shaped eyelet 39, 41. As a result, a guide of the Applizierkopfs 15 is achieved relative to the support platform. A tilting of the Applizierkopfs 15 relative to the extension direction 17 of the Manipulierarms 13 during extension and retraction of the Applizierkopfs 15 and in particular also when placing the Applizierkopfs 15 to the respective product can be reliably avoided.

In the Fig. 4 and 5 is the storage of the two leaf springs 25, 27 in a support platform 29 extending from the support platform according to the Fig. 1-3 in the form of eyelets 39, 41 slightly different, shown in more detail. Like from the Fig. 4 and 5 can be seen, the support platform 29 comprises a bottom portion 43 which on two opposite sides in each case one in the extension direction 17 facing wall portion 45, 47, wherein the two leaf springs 25, 27 are mounted and clamped between these two wall sections 45, 47. For this purpose, the two leaf springs 25, 27 engage with their respective two ends in respective recesses 49 of the two wall sections 45, 47. When not installed, the two leaf springs 25, 27 are each flat or not bent. The length of the leaf springs 25, 27 is slightly larger than the available clamping length between the two respective recesses 49, and when inserting the leaf springs 25, 27 stretched. The space formed between the two wall sections 45, 47 can be referred to as a receiving space for the two leaf springs 25, 27.

The respective end of the respective leaf spring 25, 27 stands on two, arranged in the respective associated recess 49, in the extension direction 17 directed pins 51, 53 (which, however, are shown only to the leaf spring 27) and is supported against it. The two leaf springs 25, 27 and the support platform 29 are thus not firmly connected to each other, but the two leaf springs 25, 27 only engage loosely in the support platform 29 a. The recesses 49 are higher than the thickness of the leaf springs 25, 27. As a result, the leaf springs 25, 27 are guided only on the pins 51, 53 and can snap freely within the recesses 49. For a floating mounting of the two leaf springs 25, 27 realized in the support platform 29. In the respective stable position, i. however, if there is no snap or snapback, the leaf springs 25, 27 are immovable.

In order to keep the two leaf springs 25, 27 captive in the support platform 29, the two edge portions 45, 47 are each formed in such a two-part that the in Fig. 4 in the extension 17 still open recesses 49 each by a corresponding cover 55 and 57th are covered, wherein in the Fig. 4 and 5 corresponding division lines 69, 71 can be seen. In principle, however, other, in particular not two-part training are possible.

As has become clear from the above explanations, a particularly gentle and therefore gentle application of labels to goods can be achieved due to the use of snap-spring elements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

applicator

13

manipulator

15

applicator

17

of extension

19

pulley

21

pulley

23

engine

25

Snap-leaf spring

27

Snap - leaf spring

29

carrier platform

31

traverse

33

traverse

35

Corporate Office

37

Corporate Office

39

eyelet

41

eyelet

43

bottom section

45

wall section

47

wall section

49

recess

51

pen

53

pen

55

cover

57

cover

59

perforated plate

61

Fan

63

frame bar

65

baseplate

67

Hall sensor

69

dividing line

71

dividing line

73

pen

Claims (15)

1. An applicator for applying labels onto products, having an extendable manipulator arm (13) which is provided with an application head (15) at the extendable end,
   characterised in that
   the application head (15) is held at the manipulator arm (13) via at least one catch spring element (25, 27) having a spring characteristic which increases monotonously up to a maximum value and which has a range adjoining it in which the spring force drops as the spring excursion increases.
2. An applicator in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the respective catch spring element (25, 27) is configured as a bistable catch spring element which only snaps back from a snapped-over position into a starting position when acted on by a force exceeding a predefined value and acting in the extendable direction.
3. An applicator in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the applicator (11) is configured such that the snapping back of the respective catch spring element (25, 27) from a stable snapped-over position into a stable base position takes place by retracting the application head (15) towards an abutment (73) provided at the manipulator arm (13).
4. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the respective catch spring element (25, 27) is configured as a leaf spring which is arched in the extendable direction (17) of the manipulator arm (13) in a stable base position and which is in particular tensioned in arc shape.
5. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the respective catch spring element (25, 27) is supported at its two ends at the manipulator arm (13).
6. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the manipulator arm (13) has a support platform (29) at its extendable end, with the support platform (29) preferably comprising a base section (43) and two side sections (45, 47), in particular prolongations, which project from the base section (43) in the extendable direction (17), which are disposed opposite one another and between which the respective catch spring element (25, 27) is supported.
7. An applicator in accordance with claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the two ends of the respective catch spring element (25, 27) loosely engage into corresponding cut-outs (49) of the two side sections (45, 47).
8. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the respective catch spring element (25, 27) is floatingly supported at its two ends in the extendable direction (17).
9. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a support of the respective catch spring element (25, 27) comprises guide elements (51, 53), in particular pins, which extend in the extendable direction at both ends of the respective catch spring element (25, 27) and which act as a lateral abutment for the two ends of the respective catch spring element (25, 27).
10. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the respective catch spring element (25, 27) is held between two crossbeams (31, 33) fixedly connected to the application head (15) to apply a force acting against the extendable direction (17) to the respective catch spring element (25, 27).
11. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    two catch spring elements (25, 27), in particular identical catch spring elements, are provided which are in particular arranged in parallel with one another.
12. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the respective catch spring element (25, 27) is reversibly replaceable; and/or in that a plurality of catch spring elements (25, 27) or groups of catch spring elements (25, 27) are provided whose spring characteristics differ from one another and which are used selectively for holding the application head (15) at the manipulator arm (13).
13. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    an elastic support and/or an additional spring support is/are provided for an application plate (59) of the application head (15).
14. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    a compulsory guide (35, 37, 39, 41) is provided which is configured to prevent a tilting of the application head (15) with respect to the extendable direction (17) in a stable base position and/or on an extending and/or retracting of the application head (13).
15. An applicator in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    a snap-over recognition device is provided to recognize a snapping over of the catch spring element (25, 27), with the applicator (11) in particular being configured to retract the end of the extendable manipulator arm (13) on the recognition of a snapping over, the retraction taking place against the extendable direction (17).

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