EP2845814A1 - Labelling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a labeling machine (1), in particular for cold glue labeling, comprising: a labeling carousel (2); at least one labeling unit (6) with a lower frame (7) and a slide (8) movably mounted on the lower frame for radially aligning the labeling unit with respect to the labeling carousel. According to the invention formed on the carriage and the base guide elements for the labeling a Verstellbahn (9, 10) fixed to the Etikettierkarussell facing inner adjustment section (21) with a radial course and facing away from the Etikettierkarussell and deviating in the lateral direction from the radial course outer adjustment ( 22) with a particular curved course. As a result, the labeling unit can be moved in an ergonomically favorable and space-saving manner between a labeling position and a set-up position.

Description

The invention relates to a labeling machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

In labeling machines with laterally attached to a rotating Etikettierkarussell labeling units, it is for example from the DE 87 03 015 it is known to adapt the radial position of the respective labeling unit on the labeling carousel to the diameter of the respective container to be labeled. For this purpose, the labeling unit is positioned and fixed in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the labeling carousel. In the DE 87 03 015 For this purpose, a stationary undercarriage is laterally docked on the labeling carousel and the labeling unit is fixed by means of a cross slide on the undercarriage. The cross slide can be moved radially by means of a pivoting lever between an inner labeling position and an outer setting position, for example, for the change of the gripper cylinder or the like. The cross table also allows a fine adjustment of the labeling in tangential direction with respect to the trajectory of the container.

The disadvantage of such radially extending adjustment paths is an improvement from an ergonomic point of view access to the labeling and a comparatively large amount of space with respect to each occupied by the labeling units Maschinenwinkelbe-rich, especially in the immediate vicinity of inlet stars or the like. It must then be kept a certain minimum distance from the inlet stars in order to allow the necessary access to the labeling units in an area between the labeling and the inlet star.

There is thus a need for improved in this respect labeling machines with labeling, which can be adjusted between an inner Etikettierstellung and an external Umrüststel-ment ergonomically favorable and space-saving.

The object is achieved with a labeling machine according to claim 1. There is a Eti-kettierkarussell available, which is continuously driven in a conventional manner and comprises a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed stations for receiving and / or positioning to be labeled container. Furthermore, at least one labeling unit is provided, which is mounted on a base frame by means of a movable carriage on the base. The carriage also serves for the radial alignment of the labeling with respect to the Etiket-animal carousel.

According to the guide elements are present on the carriage and the base frame, which form a predetermined adjustment for the labeling. The adjustment path comprises an inner adjustment section facing the labeling carousel with a radial course relative to the labeling carousel and an outer adjustment section facing away from the labeling carousel and leading away from the radial course in plan view. This is understood to mean that the labeling unit can be adjusted radially in the inner adjustment section, in particular for adapting the labeling position to the container cross section. Outwardly, the radial adjustment movement of the labeling unit changes into a movement along a path that deviates reproducibly from it. In particular, curved outer adjustment sections and / or rectilinear outer adjustment sections whose adjustment direction deviate in plan view from the inner adjustment path by an angle of at most 45 ° are advantageous.

A reproducible deviation from a radial adjustment track can be generated, for example, by means of curved guide rails or the like. Likewise, a reproducible controlled superposition and / or stringing of linear movements is conceivable, for example by means of synchronously controlled, stacked linear tables.

The labeling machine according to the invention is particularly suitable for cold glue labeling of containers, which are, for example, beverage bottles or the like. However, also conceivable are aggregates for hot glue labeling and / or pre-glued labels. The described bases, carriages and / or guide elements are basically suitable for all types of labeling units, such as those for container equipment with wrap-around labels from the roll, with wrap-around labels from the stationary label-sheet container, and / or with self-adhesive labels from the Role.

The inner adjustment section preferably comprises an adjustment area for setting a radial labeling position of the labeling unit, and the outer adjustment section comprises a set-up position for converting the labeling unit. This allows on the one hand an exact adjustment of the radial labeling position while maintaining the tangential labeling position, and on the other hand the start of an ergonomically favorable conversion position, which deviates laterally from an imaginary radial trajectory. For example, the labeling unit can thereby be moved to a lateral edge of the undercarriage, which facilitates access to the labeling unit for operating personnel. Under the setup position is general To understand a position in which the labeling is not operated but is accessible for In-service purposes, retooling or the like.

Preferably, the inner adjustment section is shorter than the outer adjustment section. This allows a space-saving combination of adjustment and setup position.

Preferably, the guide elements comprise guide rollers fastened to the carriage and at least one guide rail fastened to the underframe with a guide section curved in the outer adjustment section. In particular, the guide rail then runs straight in the inner adjustment section and guides the labeling unit in the radial direction. The guide rail then preferably proceeds continuously from the straight inner guide section into the curved outer guide section. Here, the outer guide portion may comprise different adjoining curvatures. These curvatures can then also have mutually opposite curvature directions and form, for example, S-shaped adjustment paths. In this way, the adjustment path in the outer adjustment section, starting from the respective labeling position, can be flexibly adapted to suitable set-up positions. Likewise, a labeling position of the labeling unit which is eccentric relative to the undercarriage can be realized in order to realize a labeling position which is particularly close to an adjacent unit, such as an infeed star. This maximizes the total machine angle range available for labeling units.

The carriage preferably runs on support rollers, in particular ball rollers, and / or Gleitele-elements, such as sliding plates made of plastic and / or sliding plates of a porous material which generates by means of a compressed air supply to a friction friction reducing air cushion. The porous material may be aluminum foam or the like.

Preferably, frets or the like are formed on the guide rollers, which engage in the horizontal direction on and / or under the guide rail. This allows anchoring of the carriage in the vertical direction on the base. Likewise, in the region of the guide rollers in and / or under the guide rail engaging webs or the like may be present.

Preferably, an eccentrically mounted guide roller for securing the Etikettieraggregats against displacement along the guide rail is formed on the carriage. By twisting the guide roller about the associated eccentric axis, the carriage can be clamped to the base frame.

Preferably, the subframe comprises a guide plate, wherein the at least one guide rail is formed in the form of at least one recess and / or an outer contour of the guide plate. The guide rollers formed on the carriage then run along the recess and / or outer contour. The recess and / or outer contour can be adapted in a comparatively simple manner to the respectively required adjustment paths. In addition, the guide plate allows a particularly low design for the guide elements according to the invention.

In an alternative embodiment, the guide elements comprise a stationary mounted and movable in the radial direction lower linear guide and mounted on the lower linear guide and relative to the radial direction horizontally rotated at an acute angle linear guide. The upper linear guide is then preferably rotated by an angle of at most 45 degrees relative to the lower linear guide.

Preferably, the labeling is then rotatably mounted on the upper linear guide. As a result, access for operating personnel when converting the labeling machine can be further improved.

Preferably, at least two labeling units are present on the labeling machine according to the invention, which can be moved relative to their bases, along different displacement paths. The different adjustment paths allow optimum utilization of the available machine angle range for the attachment of labeling units or expand the machine angle range available for the labeling in the immediate vicinity of inlet stars or the like. The different adjustment paths thus allow both an effective utilization of the available space and an improved ergonomic view Stel-ment labeling machines during retrofitting.

Preferably, the base can be in radial alignment with the Etikettierkarussell dock, and the inner adjustment section extends in plan view at an angle of at least 5 ° relative to the radial orientation. The radial orientation of the undercarriage is defined, for example, with respect to a central reference axis of the undercarriage. The reference axis is, for example, a central axis of the outer contour of the undercarriage in plan view. One Such course of the inner adjustment allows a relative to the radial orientation of the underframe laterally, in the sense of off-center, offset labeling of the labeling. As a result, the labeling unit in the labeling position can be arranged particularly close to an adjacent unit, for example an infeed star or the like. When adjusting the labeling unit in the set-up position can still ensure a suitable access for operators between the inlet star and the labeling unit in particular by means of a curved outer adjustment.

Particularly advantageous is thus an arrangement in which the relevant undercarriage, seen in the direction of rotation of the labeling carousel, is docked following an inlet star present on the labeling machine. The total machine angle range available for the labeling units can thereby be increased.

A particularly favorable embodiment of the labeling machine according to the invention further comprises a protective hood surrounding the labeling carousel, wherein the labeling machine is designed such that the labeling unit can only be adjusted along the inner adjustment section in a lowered operating position of the protective hood. By this is meant that a radial adjustment of the labeling in the range of available labeling positions in the operating position of the guard is possible.

Preferably, the labeling can then be adjusted along the outer adjustment only in a raised setup position of the guard. This serves to comply with relevant health and safety regulations.

Preferably, the labeling machine then further comprises a locking device for the labeling, which prevents a start of the outer adjustment section in the locked state. Furthermore, there is then a circuit breaker for monitoring the locking device. Occupational safety can thus be further increased with the help of automatic monitoring switching circuits.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäß Etikettiermaschine in einer Rüststellung;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Etikettiermaschine der Figur 1 in einer Etikettierstellung;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung erfindungsgemäßer Führungselemente in einer Rüststellung;

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Führungselemente in einer Etikettierstellung;

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Führungselemente in einer verriegelten Rüststellung;

Figur 6

eine alternative Ausführungsform erfindungsgemäßer Führungselemente in einer schematischen Darstellung; und

Figur 7

eine schematisch angedeutete Variante der alternativen Ausführungsform mit einem zusätzlichen Drehtisch für das Etikettieraggregat.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a plan view of a labeling according to the invention in a set-up position;

FIG. 2

a plan view of the labeling of the FIG. 1 in a labeling position;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of inventive guide elements in a set-up position;

FIG. 4

a schematic representation of the guide elements according to the invention in a labeling position;

FIG. 5

a schematic representation of the guide elements according to the invention in a locked set-up position;

FIG. 6

an alternative embodiment of inventive guide elements in a schematic representation; and

FIG. 7

a schematically indicated variant of the alternative embodiment with an additional turntable for the labeling.

As the FIG. 1 can recognize the labeling machine according to the invention 1 in a preferred embodiment, a Etikettierkarussell 2 with a protective cover 3 and in a conventional manner circumferentially uniformly distributed rotary brackets 4 for labeling container 5. For clarity, in the FIG. 1 only a single pivot bracket 4 with an associated container 5 shown. The operation of such a labeling carousel 2 is known and will therefore not be explained further below.

The labeling machine 1 further comprises labeling units 6 which are mounted on sub-frames 7 by means of (in the FIG. 1 only schematically indicated for one of the labeling units 6) carriage 8 are stored. The carriages 8 serve to anchor the labeling units 6 on the lower frames 7 in the vertical direction and are movable relative to the lower frames 7 along adjustment tracks 9, 10 between an inner labeling position 11 and an outer setting position 12 of the labeling units 6. The FIG. 2 illustrates the position of the labeling 6 in the inner labeling 11, the FIG. 1 their position in the setup position 12th

The number of labeling units 7 shown here is merely exemplary. It should be clarified that in different machine angle ranges 13, 14 of the labeling machine 1 different adjustment paths 9, 10 can be formed. This serves, for example, for a particularly effective utilization of the total available machine angle range for the labeling units 6. For example, one is particularly close to an inlet star 15 of the labeling machine 1 lying labeling 11 for the example in the left area of FIG. 1 illustrated labeling unit 6 allows.

The adjusting tracks 9, 10 associated guide elements and support elements are in the Figures 3-7 shown schematically. Accordingly, the carriage 8 run on support rollers 16, which are preferably designed as ball rollers, and / or on functionally comparable Gleitele-elements (not shown). Suitable sliding elements are for example sliding plates made of plastic or sliding plates made of porous aluminum foam or the like, which by means of a compressed air supply (not shown) can form a friction-reducing air cushion to the undercarriage 7 out.

The guide elements are preferably formed on the sub-frames 7 in the form of guide rails 17 and on the carriage 8 in the form of guide rollers 18. According to a preferred embodiment of the guide rails 17, these can be formed in a guide plate 19 fastened to the underframe 7 as a recess 19a and / or as an outer contour 19b. The recess 19a and / or the outer contour 19b of the guide plate 19 then cooperate with the guide rollers 18 on which preferably below the guide plate 19 laterally overlapping collars 20 or the like anchoring elements are formed to lift the carriage 8 of the guide plate 19 and thus from To prevent base frame 7. The collars 20 preferably rotate with the guide rollers 18. It would also be conceivable to form on the recess 19a and / or the outer contour 19b at least one groove extending in the longitudinal direction (not shown), engage laterally in the collars 20 or the like in a functionally corresponding manner to the carriage 8 in the vertical direction anchor. The support rollers 16 and the collars 20 are only in the FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically indicated, showing the carriage 8 in the outer set-up position 12 and in the inner labeling 11 from above. Hidden elements are shown in dashed lines.

The FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that the adjusting tracks 9, 10 each comprise an inner rectilinear adjustment section 21 and a curved outer adjustment section 22. The rectilinear adjustment section 21 essentially serves to radially adapt the labeling position 11 to different container diameters. The curved adjustment portion 22 allows a lateral retraction of the labeling unit 6 relative to the base frame 7. This is in the FIG. 1 schematically indicated and shows the improved compared to an exclusively radial displacement ergonomics when retrofitting the labeling units 6 by operators 23 by the areas to be converted the labeling unit 6 are moved to the side edge of the undercarriage 7.

The FIG. 1 clarifies further that, depending on the machine angle range 13, 14 of the labeling unit 6 and the associated undercarriage 7 different adjustment paths 9, 10 relative to a mean, radial reference axis 24 of the respective undercarriage 7 may be advantageous. For example, in the immediate vicinity of the inlet star 15, a radial inner adjustment section 21a may be advantageous, whose profile 25 is rotated relative to the reference axis 24 in plan view by an angle 26, which is preferably at least 5 °. In contrast, when positioning the labeling unit in the central machine angle range 13, an inner adjustment track 21 b may be advantageous, which essentially coincides with the course of the reference axis 24, as on the right side of FIG FIG. 1 is shown schematically.

In order to improve the ergonomics when equipping the Etikettieraggregats 6, then, for example, an outer adjustment track 22a may be formed, in which the direction of curvature changes once, as this also exemplary in the FIG. 1 is shown. Thus, by suitably designed guide elements, in particular with guide rails 17 in the form of recesses 19a and / or outer contours 19b formed on a guide plate 19, adjustment paths for the labeling units 6 can be formed in a simple and flexible manner.

The FIG. 5 illustrates a variant of the guide rails 17 and the guide rollers 18, in which a guide roller 18a, is mounted eccentrically. By rotating in the direction of the arrow 18d, the eccentrically mounted guide roller 18a can be pressed against the associated guide rail 17 and fix the carriage 8 along the guide rail 17 in a predetermined position in this way. The eccentrically mounted guide roller 18a could also be at the in the FIGS. 3 and 4 form embodiment illustrated.

Another embodiment of the guide elements according to the invention is in the FIGS. 6 and 7 shown. Accordingly, the guide elements could be formed as a combination of a lower linear unit 31 and a mounted on this upper linear unit 32. As the FIG. 6 illustrates, the lower linear unit 31 preferably comprises guide rails 31 a or the like, which are radially aligned and along which a lower carriage 31 b in the direction 31 'to the setup position 12 can be moved. Guide rails 32a are then preferably mounted on the lower carriage 31b, along which an upper carriage 32b can be displaced linearly in the direction 32 'toward the setup position 12. Based on the radial orientation of the lower linear unit 31, the upper linear unit 32 is then pointed Angle 33, in particular of at most 45 °, rotated in plan view. By combined displacement of the lower and upper linear units 31, 32, suitable adjustment paths 9, 10 can be realized. The position of the upper carriage 32 is then shifted in the labeling position 11, for example by a lateral offset 34 with respect to an imaginary radial center line R of the lower carriage 31 to position the labeling unit mounted thereon 6 as close as possible to an adjacent inlet star 15 or the like.

The separate linear units 31, 32 allows a particularly flexible adaptation of the adjustment paths 9, 10 to different labeling units 6, the machine angle ranges 13, 14 and / or to different container diameter. In contrast, allowed in the Figures 3-5 embodiment illustrated a particularly low profile, with minimal equipment cost for the control and / or control of the change between the labeling 11 and the setup position 12th

The FIG. 7 shows this one around a mounted on the upper linear unit 32 turntable 35 advanced embodiment, which allows additional adjustment by rotation 35 'of the labeling unit 6. With the aid of the additional turntable 35, for example, in the set-up position 12, an area of the labeling units 6 which is otherwise particularly difficult to reach for operators can be turned towards the operating personnel 23 in order to facilitate setting.

The guide elements according to the invention in the form of guide rails 17, guide rollers 18, linear units 31, 32 can also be combined on the labeling machine 1 according to the invention. For example, could be desirable for a particular type of labeling 6, a particularly low design and in the Figures 3-5 schematically indicated guide plate 19 come as a guide element used. In contrast, for a further type of labeling unit 6, if appropriate, a flexible adjustment would be particularly advantageous, which could be realized by means of linear units 31, 32.

Decisive is the combination of a straight radially extending inner Verstellab-section 21 for adjusting the labeling 11 and an adjoining and laterally away from the radial course leading outer Verstellabschnitts 22 with at least one lying within the outer adjustment setup position of the associated labeling 6 for the improved Access when setting up the labeling unit.

The change between labeling position 11 and set-up position 12 can be adapted to conventional safety regulations with the aid of the protective hood 3 and an associated locking element 3a. For example, the operation of the Verriegelungsele-element 3a and / or the eccentric guide roller 18a with a safety switch (not shown) monitored in such a way that a start-up of the set-up position 12 only after unlocking and raised guard 3 is possible.

Claims (15)

Labeling machine (1), in particular for cold glue labeling, comprising: a labeling carousel (2); and at least one labeling unit (6) having a base frame (7) and a carriage (8) movable on the base frame for supporting and radially aligning the labeling unit with respect to the labeling carousel,
characterized in that
guide elements for the labeling unit formed on the carriage and the undercarriage define an adjustment track (9, 10) with an inner adjustment section (21) facing the labeling carousel with a radial course and an outer adjustment section (22) facing away from the labeling carousel and deviating in the lateral direction from the radial course with a particular curved course. Labeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the inner adjustment portion (21) comprises an adjustment range for setting a radial labeling position (11) of the labeling unit (6) and the outer adjustment portion comprises a setup position (12) for converting the Etikettieraggregats. Labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner displacement portion (21) is shorter than the outer displacement portion (22). Labeling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide elements on the slide (8) fixed guide rollers (18) and at least one guide rail (17) fixed to the base frame with a curved in the outer adjustment section (22) course. Labeling machine according to claim 4, wherein on the guide rollers (18) on the guide rail (17) in the horizontal direction engaging and / or cross-over collars (20) are formed. Labeling machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein on the carriage (8) an eccentrically mounted guide roller (18a) for securing the labeling unit (6) against displacement along the guide rail (17) is formed. Labeling machine according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the lower frame (7) comprises a guide plate (19) and the at least one guide rail (17) in the form of at least one recess (19a) and / or an outer contour (19b) of the guide plate is formed. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide elements comprise a stationary mounted and in the radial direction (R) movable lower linear guide (31) and one mounted on the lower linear guide and with respect to the radial direction horizontally rotated by an acute angle (33) upper linear guide (32). Labeling machine according to claim 8, wherein the labeling unit (6) is further rotatably mounted on the upper linear guide (32). Labeling machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two labeling units (6) are present, which can be moved relative to their bases (7) along different displacement paths (9, 10). Labeling machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (7) in radial alignment (R) on the Etikettierkarussell (2) can dock and the inner adjustment portion (21 a) in plan view at an angle (26) of at least 5 ° relative to the radial orientation. Labeling machine according to claim 11, wherein the lower frame (7), seen in the direction of rotation of the labeling carousel (2), is docked following an inlet star (15) present on the labeling machine. Labeling machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective hood (3) surrounding the labeling carousel (2), wherein the labeling machine is designed such that the labeling unit (6) in a lowered operating position of the protective hood only along the inner adjustment section (FIG. 21) can be adjusted. Labeling machine according to claim 13, wherein the labeling unit (6) along the outer adjustment portion (22) can be adjusted only in a raised set-up position of the protective hood (3). Labeling machine according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a locking device (3a), which prevents in the locked state, a start of the outer Verstellabschnitts (22), in particular comprising a circuit breaker for monitoring the locking device.

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