EP2783993B1 - Device for labelling vessels and a method for controlling the device for labelling vessels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for labeling of vessels according to the preamble of claim 1 Ans and a method for controlling the device for labeling of vessels.

State of the art

The utility model font DE 20 2004 009 707 U1 discloses a device for labeling of vessels according to the preamble of claim 1 and comprising a container conveyor with on its periphery alternately laboriously positioned labeling stations with a label transfer and dispensing device adhering to a carrier tape labels by means of the dispenser in the transfer area to the superimposed in a self-rotation having adhering vascular coat and applied with a pressing device with pressure element for pressing the votes on the vessels labels. The pressing element of an inactive labeling station can be moved from its working position into a rest position at least slightly outside the vessel movement plane.

From the EP 2 098 455 A1 a device for applying labels to containers with a first pressing unit is known, which presses the labels against an outer wall of the containers. The first pressing unit is shorter in at least a partial area in the longitudinal direction of the containers than the label to be attached. The first pressing unit can be displaceable relative to the transport path of the containers.

The DE 10 2008 062 064 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for controlling a container handling machine, wherein the machine has a plurality of respective motorized turntables for aligning the containers. The motor drives of the turntable are each monitored separately, and in case of an error occurring in one or more of the turntable drive, the affected faulty turntable drives can be deactivated while continuing to operate the machine. In addition, each deactivated turntable drive triggers an at least partial deactivation of respectively subsequent processing and / or treatment steps of the container positions assigned to the deactivated turntable drive of the machine.

The DE 10 2009 034 217 A1 discloses a controller of turntables in labeling machines, wherein two or more nodes are defined, which can be spatially passed by the turntable. One or more rotational profiles between the first and the second node are defined, wherein a rotational course of a rotational movement of the Describes turntable by means of a drive element; the turntables can be rotatable in and / or counterclockwise. By controlling it is possible to make the rotational movement of the turntable more flexible, it is also possible to avoid unnecessary rotational movements of the turntable. A labeling machine may have a control that decides which rotation to use when passing a particular node.

DE 31 37 201 A1 discloses a labeling machine with a plurality of turntables, the rotation of which is controlled in one revolution of the turntable so that the recorded by them Etikettierobjekte with certain movement conditions pass through the stationed on the circumference of the turntable Etikettierorgane and Anbürstorgane. For example, the turntable can be pivoted with changing direction of rotation or held in certain angular positions.

DE 199 27 668 A1 discloses a labeling machine with a plurality of turntables, which are driven by servomotors, which are each driven by control units. An initial labeling unit for front labels, a first brushing station for the front labels, a second labeling unit for back labels and a second brushing station for the back labels are each arranged stationary in an orbit of the turntable in the direction of rotation. In an alignment area between the infeed star and the first labeling unit, the turntables are rotated by an angle until a color marking of the bottle passes through a light barrier. The control unit triggers a shutdown of the turntable. The arranged on the turntable bottle is thus aligned, followed by attaching the front label. After the turntable has been rotated by 180 ° between the first brushing station and the second labeling unit, the back label is placed exactly 180 ° offset from the front label.

Object of the invention

The invention has for its object to attach labels under high performance conditions at different vessel diameters and in different areas of the surface of the vessels by an effective and reliable device, the attachment of the labels is ensured without interrupting the labeling alternately with several redundant working label transfer devices.

solution

The object is achieved by the device for labeling according to claim 1 and by a method for controlling the device for labeling according to claim 11. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

In the context of the present invention, the term "vessel" is to be understood as meaning all containers, such as bottles, cans, jars with and without screw cap etc., which are suitable for holding any products, such as beverages, foods, medicaments, etc. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, only vessels will be discussed. By means of the vessel conveyor, vessels received by a vessel rotation device can be moved past various process stations, such as labeling stations, and rotated about an axis, for example about the longitudinal axis of the vessel or about an axis perpendicular to a transport plane. A labeling unit generally comprises a label strip having a plurality of labels arranged on a carrier material. The label is separated from the substrate and further the label is supplied to the vessel and pressed against the vessel by means of a pressing device.

The present invention includes at least two labeling stations intended for labeling containers with the same type of label. For a trouble-free labeling process, it is provided that one of the labeling stations is active. Active here means that the labeling is equipped with labels and these labels on vessels that are moved past by means of the vessel conveyor and the vessel rotation devices at this active labeling, applies and these applied labels are then pressed by means of the pressing device to the vessel. The pressing against the vessel takes place in this case by a mechanical interaction with the pressing device, so that in a region in which the vessel and pressing device touch, a pressure is exerted, which leads to a pressing of the label. Since the vessel and the pressure device generally touch only in a limited area, which does not cover the entire surface of the label, the label is partially pressed against the vessel and in passing on the vessel by means of the vessel conveyor and the vessel rotation device in other areas pressed the vessel, so that when the vessel leaves the labeling station, the label is fully or partially pressed against the vessel, depending on the size ratios of the label, the vessel and / or the pressing device.

In order to apply the labels and press the applied labels, the vessel rotation devices in the second area of an active labeling station rotate in the second direction. In this case, the second area can be understood as the physical extent of the active labeling station along the transport path or the physical extent which has been increased by further areas before and after the active labeling station.

Assuming that the conveying of the vessels by means of the vessel conveyor takes place in a conveying direction along the transport path, the rotation in the second direction is given by a point on the surface of the vessel which is adjacent to the labeling station Rotation of the vessel rotation device superimposed also moves in the conveying direction.

When viewed from the top of the device for labeling, which is shown in a two-dimensional plane, the conveying direction of a linear conveyor in this plane can face forward and when the active labeling station are arranged on the left of the linear conveyor, the rotation of the vessel rotation device takes place in the second direction clockwise. A carousel is assumed to rotate in a clockwise direction and the active labeling station is located on the outer circumference of the carousel. The rotation of the vessel rotation device takes place in the second direction in the clockwise direction.

By providing at least two labeling stations, which are provided for the labeling of vessels with the same type of label, it is possible to equip a labeling unit of an inactive labeling station with new labels while another labeling station is active, so there is no interruption of the labeling process comes. A labeling station is said to be inactive because it does not apply labels to containers and does not press labels onto containers; an inactive labeling station can be equipped with labels or not equipped with labels.

By means of the vessel conveyor and the vessel rotation devices vessels are also moved past an inactive labeling station. If the vessel rotation devices, as in the case of the active labeling stations, were also rotated in the second direction, contact of a vessel with the pressure device of an inactive labeling station would result in wear of the pressure device. In addition, a label that has been applied by an active labeling station on a vessel before the vessel is moved past the non-active labeling station can be loaded by contact with the pressing device.

It is therefore provided that in the first region of an inactive labeling station, the vessel rotation device is rotated in the first direction, so that a vessel of the vessel rotation device can roll on the pressing device of the non-active labeling wholly or partially. The first area here can be understood to be the physical extent of the non-active labeling station along the transport path or the physical extent which has been increased by further areas before and after the non-active labeling station.

Whether a vessel rolls completely or partially on the pressure device depends on the circumference of the vessel, the length of the pressure device and / or the speed with which the vessel is moved past the pressure device. It is also possible that the rolling process a slip is superimposed, wherein the vessel is pulled along with the label on the pressing device. Also, a vessel may have on its circumference one or more indentations, so that in the region of the indentations no unrolling can take place on the pressing device.

By completely or partially unrolling the vessels on the pressing of an inactive labeling the wear of the pressing device is significantly reduced. In addition, there is also no load on labels that have already been applied by an active labeling station on a vessel when the vessel passes through an inactive labeling station.

When viewed from the top of the device for labeling, which is displayed in a two-dimensional plane, the conveying direction of a linear conveyor in this plane can face to the front and when the inactive labeling station are arranged on the left of the linear conveyor, the rotation of the vessel rotation device takes place in the first direction counterclockwise. For a carousel it is assumed that it rotates in a clockwise direction and the inactive labeling station is arranged on the outer circumference of the carousel. The rotation of the vessel rotation device takes place in the first direction counterclockwise.

The activity information of the at least two labeling stations can relate to the respective current state of a labeling station; for example, inactive or active. The control device generates control commands for the at least one vessel rotation device based on the activity information. Thus, the individual vessel rotation devices may be caused to rotate in the first direction or the second direction, respectively.

The change of the direction of rotation from the first direction to the second direction and vice versa is preferably not abrupt, but, for example, with a slowing down of the rotational speed until reaching a standstill and then increasing the rotational speed in the other direction.

und zudem sind im Abrollbereich p die erste Geschwindigkeit v ₁ ( p ) und die Transportgeschwindigkeit v_T ( p ) entgegengesetzt ausgerichtet, d.h. es gilt $\overrightarrow{v_1}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}=-\overrightarrow{v_T}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\mathrm{.}$

The vessel conveyor may be adapted to transport the vessels at a transport speed v _T along the transport path, wherein the rotation in the first direction is adapted to the vessel rotation device of the inactive labeling station at a first speed v ₁ make. In the rolling area p is the amount | v ₁ ( p ) | the first speed equal to the amount | v _T ( p ) | the transport speed, ie it applies $\left|\overrightarrow{v_1}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\right|=\left|\overrightarrow{v_T}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\right|.$

and also in the roll-off area p the first speed v ₁ ( p ) and the transport speed v _T ( p ), ie it applies $\overrightarrow{v_1}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}=-\overrightarrow{v_T}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\mathrm{,}$

The Abrollbereich of the vessel on the pressing device is generally planar, but is here by the vector p described.

wobei t die Zeit ist und r der Ortsvektor.A velocity vector is determined by the direction of movement and the amount. The amount indicates here which distance a point of a body travels within a certain period of time. In general, therefore: $\overrightarrow{v}={\lim }_{t\to 0}\frac{\mathrm{\Delta }\overrightarrow{r}\left(t\right)}{\mathrm{\Delta }t}.$

where t is the time and r the location vector.

Because the transport speed and the first speed in the rolling region of the vessel are equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction, the vessel can be optimally unrolled on the pressing device of the non-active labeling station, since the vessel is not pulled along the pressing device. This could happen if the amounts of the two speeds are not equal.

The pressing device may comprise brushing elements. The brush elements can also provide for non-uniformity of vessel surfaces for a proper pressing labels on such a surface.

In another embodiment, the pressing device may comprise a molded part, which is provided with a support, comprising foam, wherein the foam is preferably closed-cell. A closed-cell foam does not absorb any liquids because the walls between the individual cells are completely closed.

The overlay can be covered with a foil. Thus, penetration of liquid into the material of the overlay, e.g. the foam, and / or wetting the material of the overlay, e.g. of the foam, can be avoided with liquid, and thus can be used as a foam open cell, closed cell and / or mixed cell - comprising open-cell and closed-cell foam - foam. Open cell foam has cell walls that are not closed so that an open cell foam can absorb fluid.

When the film is worn, it can be replaced with the overlay, i. also the foam, does not need to be replaced, but the edition can be covered with a new film.

It can also be provided to use an integral foam as a foam. An integral foam comprises a core of foam cells and a cell-free surface which can be considered as a kind of skin; the density in an integral foam increases from inside to outside. Also in this case, the foam may additionally be covered with a film.

The pressing device may also comprise a roller, wherein the roller may comprise rubber-elastic material and / or foam. The roller is preferably rotatably mounted about its axis parallel to the vessel axis.

To protect the roll against wear, at least one lateral surface of the roll can be covered with a film.

In another embodiment, the pressing device may comprise a foam with a band, the band comprising polytetrafluoroethylene.

In a further embodiment, the pressing device may comprise a brush body, wherein the brush body comprises a plastic body, on which individual bristle elements are arranged. A bristle element may be implemented as a tuft of individual bristles, the ends of the bristles being connected to the vessels and / or labels in FIG Come in contact, are so designed, for example, rounded, that the vessels and / or labels are not damaged. A bristle element can also be embodied as a single bristle, with the end of the bristle that comes into contact with the vessels and / or labels being so rounded, for example rounded, that the vessels and / or labels are not damaged.

The pressing devices may be geometrically designed so that they are suitable for use in a carousel or for use in a linear conveyor. In a pressing device comprising a molded part, which is provided with a support, for use in (a) be provided in a carousel that the molding is bent according to the radius' of the carousel, so that the support on the convex side the molding is located and (b) be provided in a linear conveyor that the molding is straight.

The same can be provided for a pressing device which comprises a brush body, wherein the brush body comprises a plastic body on which individual bristle elements are arranged. In this case, the plastic body would then be bent or straight.

The invention further relates to a method of controlling a device for labeling vessels as described above or below, the method comprising the step of conveying a vessel received by a vessel rotation device of the device by means of the vessel conveyor of the device along the transport path. Furthermore, the method comprises the step of rotating the vessel device in the first direction in the first region of an inactive labeling station or rotating the vessel device in the second direction in the second region of an active labeling station.

Short description of the figures

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Etikettieren mit einem Linearförderer;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Etikettieren mit einem Karussell;

Figur 3

eine schematische Ansicht eines Abrollbereichs;

Figur 3a

eine vergrößerte Ansicht der Figur 3;

Figur 4a

eine gerade Andrückvorrichtung mit einem Formteil, das mit einer Auflage versehen ist;

Figur 4b

einen Querschnitt der Figur 4a;

Figur 4c

eine gekrümmte Andrückvorrichtung mit einem Formteil, das mit einer Auflage versehen ist;

Figur 4d

einen Querschnitt der Figur 4c;

Figur 5

eine Andrückvorrichtung mit einer Rolle, wobei die Mantelfläche der Rolle mit einer Folie bespannt ist;

Figur 6a

eine Frontansicht einer geraden Andrückvorrichtung mit einem Bürstenkörper, der einen Kunststoffkörper umfasst, auf dem einzelne Borstenelemente angeordnet sind;

Figur 6b

einen Querschnitt der Figur 6a; und

Figur 6c

einen Querschnitt einer gekrümmten Andrückvorrichtung mit einem Bürstenkörper.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings. It shows:

FIG. 1

a plan view of a device for labeling with a linear conveyor;

FIG. 2

a plan view of a device for labeling with a carousel;

FIG. 3

a schematic view of a Abrollbereichs;

FIG. 3a

an enlarged view of the FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 4a

a straight pressing device with a molded part, which is provided with a support;

FIG. 4b

a cross section of FIG. 4a ;

Figure 4c

a curved pressing device with a molded part, which is provided with a support;

FIG. 4d

a cross section of Figure 4c ;

FIG. 5

a pressing device with a roller, wherein the lateral surface of the roller is covered with a film;

FIG. 6a

a front view of a straight pressing device with a brush body comprising a plastic body on which individual bristle elements are arranged;

FIG. 6b

a cross section of FIG. 6a ; and

FIG. 6c

a cross section of a curved pressing device with a brush body.

Detailed description of the figures

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a device for labeling with a linear conveyor 1, which moves in a transport direction TL. Left hand of the linear conveyor 1 four labeling stations 2, 3, 4, 5 are shown, each comprising a labeling unit 6, 7, 8, 9 and a pressing device 10, 11, 12, 13 include. It is provided that the first two labeling stations 2, 3 (along the transport path) are adapted to attach a first type of labels - eg front labels - to vessels, while the other two labeling stations 4, 5 are adapted to a second type of labels - eg back labels - to attach to the vessels.

Shown are eight vessel rotors 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, which may be turntables, centering or centering punches, which are designed to vessels around a longitudinal axis of the vessels or about an axis perpendicular to a transport plane is to rotate in a first direction (for example counterclockwise) or to rotate in a second direction (for example in a clockwise direction) or not to rotate the vessels. Each of the vessel rotation devices 14-21 is individually controllable in order to be able to rotate a vessel in a desired manner for a labeling and / or for another treatment process. By means of a control device 22 can be controlled by control commands in each case a direction of rotation and / or a rotational speed of a vessel rotation device. The individual control of the vessel rotation devices is preferably carried out by means of a data bus control.

In FIG. 1 the first labeling station 2 and the fourth labeling station 5 are active, whereas the second labeling station 3 and the third labeling station 4 are inactive. The four marked areas 23, 24, 25, 26 indicate the areas in which a vessel rotation device essentially has a direction of rotation. In the transition between two such areas, a change of direction of rotation can take place or the direction of rotation can be maintained. It is also possible to maintain or change the amount of rotational speed. In addition, the rotation may be stopped for a period of time, for example, to change the direction of rotation of a vessel rotation device.

In FIG. 1 has the transport direction TL in the image plane upwards. Accordingly, a vat rotation device is rotated in the region of an inactive labeling station counterclockwise and rotated in the region of an active labeling station in a clockwise direction. The first labeling station 2 is active, and thus the vessel rotation devices 14, 15 are rotated clockwise in the area 23 belonging to the first labeling station 2. The second labeling station 3 is inactive, so that in the transition of belonging to the first labeling station 2 area 23 belonging to the second labeling station 3 area 24, a change of direction of rotation of Gefäßrotiervorrichtungen done so that the Gefäßrotiervorrichtungen 16, 17 rotate counterclockwise. Since the third labeling station 4 is also inactive, in the region 25 belonging to the third labeling station 4, the direction of rotation of the vessel rotation devices 18, 19 can be maintained in the counterclockwise direction. The fourth labeling station 5 is active so that, in the transition of the region 25 belonging to the third labeling station 4 to the region 26 belonging to the fourth labeling station 5, the direction of rotation of the vessel rotation devices changes so that the vessel rotation devices 20, 21 rotate in the clockwise direction.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a device for labeling with a carousel 27, which rotates in a clockwise direction and conveys objects in a transport direction TK. On the outer circumference of the carousel 27 four labeling stations 28, 29, 30, 31 are shown, each comprising a labeling unit 32, 33, 34, 35 and a pressing device 36, 37, 38, 39 include. It is envisaged that the first two labeling stations 28, 29 (along the transport path) are adapted to attach a first type of label - eg front labels - to containers while the other two label stations 30, 31 are adapted to a second type of label - eg back labels - to attach to the vessels.

Shown are eight vat rotation devices 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, which may be turntables, centering bells or centering punches, which are designed to vessels around a longitudinal axis of the vessels or about an axis perpendicular to a transport plane is to turn in a first direction or to turn in a second direction or not to rotate the vessels. Each of the vessel rotation devices 40-47 is individually controllable in order to be able to rotate a vessel in a desired manner for a labeling and / or for another treatment process. By means of a control device 48 by control commands in each case a direction of rotation and / or a rotational speed of a vessel rotation device to be controlled. The individual control of the vessel rotation devices is preferably carried out by means of a data bus control.

In FIG. 2 For example, the first labeling station 28 and the fourth labeling station 31 are active, whereas the second labeling station 29 and the third labeling station 30 are inactive. The four marked areas 49, 50, 51, 52 indicate the areas in which a vessel rotation device has a substantially one direction of rotation. In the transition between two such areas, a change of direction of rotation can take place or the direction of rotation can be maintained. It is also possible to maintain or change the amount of rotational speed. In addition, the rotation may be stopped for a period of time, for example, to change the direction of rotation of a vessel rotation device.

As the carousel 27 rotates clockwise, a vat rotator is rotated counterclockwise in the region of an inactive labeling station and rotated clockwise in the region of an active labeling station. The first labeling station 28 is active, and thus the vessel rotation devices 40, 41 are rotated clockwise in the area 49 belonging to the first labeling station 28. The second labeling station 29 is inactive, so that in the transition of the area 49 belonging to the first labeling station 28 to the area 50 belonging to the second labeling station 29, the direction of rotation of the vessel rotation devices changes so that the vessel rotation devices 42, 43 rotate counterclockwise. Since the third labeling station 30 is also inactive, in the area 51 belonging to the third labeling station 30, the direction of rotation of the vessel rotating devices 44, 45 can be maintained in the counterclockwise direction. The fourth labeling station 31 is active so that in the transition of the region 51 belonging to the third labeling station 30 to the region 52 belonging to the fourth labeling station 31, the direction of rotation of the vessel rotation devices changes so that the vessel rotation devices 46, 47 rotate in the clockwise direction.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a Abrollbereichs and FIG. 3a shows an enlarged view of the section A of FIG. 3 , The vessel conveyor 53 conveys the vessels at a transport speed v _T and the vat rotator 57 rotates in the region of the inactive labeling station 54 at a first speed v ₁ counterclockwise. The roll-off area 58 of the vessel on the pressing device 56 is generally planar, but is hereinafter referred to as the vector p described. Since the vessel conveyor 53, the vessel rotation device 57 at the transport speed v _T conveyed past the pressing device 56, the rolling region 58 moves accordingly the Andrückvorrichtung 56th In the FIGS. 3 and 3a the roll-off area 56 would move up in the drawing plane.

und dass im Abrollbereich 58 die erste Geschwindigkeit v ₁ ( p ) und die Transportgeschwindigkeit v_T ( p ) entgegengesetzt ausgerichtet sind, d.h. $\overrightarrow{v_1}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}=-\overrightarrow{v_T}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\mathrm{.}$

In the in FIG. 3 illustrated case, have the transport speed v _T and the first speed v ₁ the vessel rotation device 57 such values that in Abrollbereich 58 the amount | v ₁ ( p ) | the first speed equal to the amount | v _T ( p ) | the transport speed is, ie $\left|\overrightarrow{v_1}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\right|=\left|\overrightarrow{v_T}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\right|.$

and that in Abrollbereich 58, the first speed v ₁ ( p ) and the transport speed v _T ( p ) are oriented oppositely, ie $\overrightarrow{v_1}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}=-\overrightarrow{v_T}\overrightarrow{\left(p\right)}\mathrm{,}$

Because the transport speed and the first speed in the rolling region of the vessel are equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction, the vessel can be optimally unrolled on the pressing device of the non-active labeling station, since the vessel is not pulled along the pressing device.

In FIG. 4a is a schematic view of a pressing device 59 is shown with a molding 60, which is provided with a support 61. FIG. 4b shows a cross section of this pressing device 59, in which the straight design of the molding 60 can be seen. The surface of the support 61, on which the vessels can roll or be pressed, is preferably parallel to the straight surface of the molded part 60, wherein the support 61 may be bevelled or rounded in an initial and an end region of the pressing device 59. The bevel or rounding allows a gentle transition from vessels to the pressing device or from the pressing device. Due to the straight shape of the molded part 60 and the support 61, the pressing device 59 is suitable for use in a linear conveyor. For the overlay 61, various materials may be provided, such as open-cell, closed-cell and / or mixed cellular foam, integral foam or the like, which preferably have an elasticity.

In Figure 4c is a schematic view of a pressing device 62 is shown with a bent mold part 63 which is provided with a support 64. FIG. 4d shows a cross section of this Andrückvorrichtung 62. The surface of the support 64 on which the vessels can roll or be pressed, preferably has the same or a similar bend as the molding 63, wherein the support 63 in a beginning and an end portion of the Andrückvorrichtung 62 can be bevelled or rounded. Due to the curved shape of the molding 63, the pressing device 62 is for use in a carousel suitable. The materials of the curved support 64 may correspond to those of the straight support 61 of the pressing device 59 with the straight mold part 60.

In FIG. 5 a pressing device 65 is shown, which comprises a roller 66, wherein the lateral surface of the roller 66 is covered with a film 67. The roller 66 is rotatably mounted about its axis 68, so that the roller 66 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on in which direction and with which direction of rotation a vessel rolls on the roller 66 or is pressed against it. The roller 66 preferably comprises a rubber elastic material and / or foam.

The FIG. 6a shows a pressing device 71 in a front view, which comprises a brush body with a plastic body 69, on which individual bristle elements 70 are arranged. In the embodiment shown, the bristle elements 70 are arranged symmetrically to each other on the plastic body 69. But it can also be provided that bristle elements are not arranged symmetrically to each other or that only in some areas of the plastic body 69, a symmetrical arrangement of the bristle elements is provided. A bristle element may be implemented as a tuft of individual bristles, wherein the ends of the bristles which come into contact with the vessels and / or labels are such, for example rounded, that the vessels and / or labels are not damaged. A bristle element can also be embodied as a single bristle, with the end of the bristle that comes into contact with the vessels and / or labels being so rounded, for example rounded, that the vessels and / or labels are not damaged.

The FIG. 6b shows a cross section of the pressing device 71 of the FIG. 6a , The plastic body 69 is straight, and not all bristle elements 70 are shown for the sake of clarity. Due to the straight shape of the plastic part 69, the pressing device 71 is suitable for use in a linear conveyor.

The FIG. 6c shows a cross section of a pressing device 72, which comprises a brush body with a bent plastic body 73, on which individual bristle elements 70 are arranged. For clarity, not all bristle elements 70 are shown. Due to the curved shape of the plastic part 73, the pressing device 72 is suitable for use in a carousel.

Claims (11)

1. Device for labeling containers, as bottles, cans, and packages, the device comprising:

   - a container conveyor (1, 27, 53), such as a carousel or a linear conveyor, adapted to convey containers along a transport path,

   - at least one container rotation device (14-21, 40-47, 57), such as a rotary table, a gripper, or a centering bell, where each container rotation device (14-21, 40-47, 57) is adapted to receive a container and where each container rotation device (14-21, 40-47, 57) is further adapted to rotate said one container in a first direction, e.g. counterclockwise, about an axis or to rotate it in a second direction, e.g. clockwise, about said axis in the opposite direction or to not rotate said container,

   - at least two labeling stations (2-5, 28-31, 54) positioned along the transport path, where each labeling station (2-5, 28-31, 54) comprises a labeling assembly (6-9, 32-35, 55) and a pressing-on device (10-13, 36-39, 56, 59, 62, 65, 71, 72), where the labeling assembly (6-9, 32-35, 55) is adapted to provide labels to be applied to containers, where the pressing-on device (10-13, 36-39, 56, 59, 62, 65, 71, 72) is adapted to press a label applied to a container onto the container,

   - a control device (22, 48),

   where one container being received by the at least one container rotation device (14-21, 40-47, 57) is moved past the at least two labeling stations (2-5, 28-31, 54) by the container conveyor (1,27, 53),
   characterized in that
   the control device (22, 48) is adapted such that control commands for an individual control of the at least one container rotation device (14-21, 40-47, 57) are generated based on activity information of the at least two labeling stations (2-5, 28-31, 54), where a rotation direction of the container rotation device (14-21, 40-47, 57) is controlled by the control commands such that:

   - in a region (24, 25, 50, 51) of an inactive labeling station (3, 4, 29, 30, 55) of the at least two labeling stations, the container rotation device (16,19, 42-45, 57) is rotated in the first direction, so that a container of the container rotation device (16,19, 42-45, 57) by rotation in the first direction rolls completely or partially onto the pressing-on device (11, 12, 37, 38, 56) of the inactive labeling station (3, 4, 29, 30, 54); and

   - in a region (23, 26, 49, 52) of an active labeling station (2, 5, 28, 31), the container rotation device (14, 15, 20, 21, 40, 41, 46, 47) is rotated in the second direction, so that, by rotation in the second direction, a label applied to a container of the container rotation device (14, 15, 20, 21, 40, 41, 46, 47) by the labeling assembly (6, 9, 32, 35) of the active labeling station (2, 5, 28, 31) is completely or partially pressed onto the container by the pressing-on device (10, 13, 36, 39) of the active labeling station (2, 5, 28, 31).
2. The device according to claim 1, where the container conveyor (1, 27, 53) is adapted such taht the containers are conveyed at a conveying velocity ( v_T ) along the transport path, and where a rotation velocity of the container rotation device (16, 19, 42-45, 57) in a region (24, 25, 50, 51) of the inactive labeling station (3, 4, 29, 30, 54) is controlled by the control commands such that the rotation in the first direction is configured to rotate the container rotation device (16, 19, 42-45, 57) in a region (24, 25, 50, 51) of the inactive labeling station (3, 4, 29, 30, 54) at a first velocity ( v ₁ ), where in a rolling-on region (58, p ) the absolute value (| v ₁ ( p )| ) of the first velocity ( v ₁ ) is equal to the absolute value (| v_T ( p )|) of the conveying velocity ( v_T ) and where in the rolling-on region (58, p ) of the container onto the pressing-on device (11, 12, 37, 38, 56) the first velocity ( v ₁ ( p )) and the conveying velocity v _T ( p )) are oriented oppositely.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, where the pressing-on device (10-13, 36-39, 56, 71, 72) comprises brush members.
4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, where the pressing-on device (10-13, 36-39, 56, 59, 62) comprises a formed member (60, 63) being provided with a support (61, 64) comprising foam, wherein preferably the foam is closed-cell.
5. The device according to claim 4, where the foam comprises integral foam.
6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, where the support (61, 64) is covered with a foil.
7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, where the pressing-on device (10-13, 36-39, 56, 65) comprises a roll (66), where the roll (66) comprises rubbery-elastic material and/or foam.
8. The device according to claim 7, where at least a cover surface of the roll (66) is covered with a foil (67).
9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, where the pressing-on device (10-13, 36-39, 56) comprises foam with a tape, where the tape comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, where the pressing-on device (10-13, 36-39, 56, 71, 72) comprises a brush body, where the brush body comprises a plastic body (69, 73) on which individual bristle members (70) are disposed.
11. Method for controlling a device according to one of the claims 1 to 10, where the method comprises the step of:

    - conveying a container being received by a container rotation device (14-16, 19-21, 40-47, 57) of the device along the transport path using the container conveyor (1, 27, 53) of the device;

    - rotating the container device (16, 19, 42-45, 57) in the first direction in the region (24, 25, 50, 51) of an inactive labeling station (3, 4, 29, 30, 55) or rotating the container device (14, 15, 20, 21, 40, 41, 46, 47) in the second direction in the region (23, 26, 49, 52) of an active labeling station (2, 5, 28, 31).

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