EP3024740A1

EP3024740A1 - Label-feeding apparatus and labelling apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3024740A1
Application number: EP14737189.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klaus Krämer; Lutz Deckert
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2013-07-23
Filing date: 2014-07-03
Publication date: 2016-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-03
Also published as: EP3024740B1; DE102013107841A1; WO2015010868A1; US10293967B2; US20160167821A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding labels to a container (2) which is to be labelled, comprising a label-strip-feeding means (3), by means of which a label strip (4) is supplied with a multiplicity of individual labels which are to be separated by cutting, also comprising a first transfer device (5), against which the at least one sub-length of the label strip (4) comes into abutment, wherein the first transfer device (5) is designed for applying retaining forces to the sub-length of the label strip (4) and for creating slippage between said sub-length of the label strip (4) and the first transfer device (5), having at least one cutting device (6) for severing a sub-length of the label strip (4) in order to produce a label, and having at least one second transfer device (7), against which at least one portion of the sub-length of the label strip (4) which is to be severed comes into abutment prior to the severing operation, wherein the second transfer device (7) is designed for applying retaining forces to said portion of the label strip (4), for creating slippage between said portion of the label strip (4) and the second transfer device (7) and, following the severing operation, for receiving the severed label and transporting it onwards. The invention is distinguished in that the first transfer device and/or second transfer device (5, 7) are/is designed, at least in part, in the form of a linearly conveying transfer device.

Description

Label feeding device and labeling device

The invention relates to a device for feeding labels according to the preamble of patent claim 1, to a labeling apparatus according to the preamble of claim 10 and a method for feeding labels to a container to be labeled according to the preamble of claim 1. 1

Generic Etikettenzuführvorrichtungen are already known. In this case, a continuous label tape is provided by a label tape feed. On the continuous label tape, a plurality of labels are provided contiguously, wherein from the label tape by cutting individual labels are formed. The label tape is with a partial length over a first

Transfer device and at least a second transfer device out. The transfer devices are in this case designed as a rotatably driven transfer drums, so that a deflection, for example, an S-shaped deflection of the label strip takes place. The transfer devices are also designed to effect holding or fixing forces on partial sections of the label strip adjacent to these transfer devices and are driven in such a way that the label strip has a slip in relation to these transfer devices.

This causes a tension at the free end of the label tape. This free end is separated after a certain feed with a certain length by a cutter, wherein the separation is such that the separated portion forms a label to be mounted on a container.

A disadvantage of the known from the prior art Etikettenzuführvorrichtung is that this causes an unduly high elongation of the label material due to the elasticity of the label material and passed through with slip under the label transfer units, so that consequently separated from the continuous label tape labels have different lengths. If the length deviations exceed a certain tolerance, unwanted effects occur during the gluing of the labels or during the printing process

Applying the labels on the containers to be labeled. Another Problem occurs during the separation of the labels from the label tape, wherein the label end under tension after the separation jumps back and can be stuck to the separation effecting cutting device. Based on this, it is an object of the invention to provide a Etikettenzuführvorrichtung, the error-free label feeder and in particular a

Separation of labels with low length tolerances possible.

The object is achieved on the basis of the preamble of independent claim 1 by its characterizing features. A labeling device is

The subject of claim 10 and a method for feeding labels to a container to be labeled is the subject of the sibling

Patent claim 1 1. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for feeding labels to a container to be labeled comprising a

Label tape feed, by means of which a continuous label tape is provided, a first transfer device, against which at least a partial length of the label tape comes to rest, wherein the first transfer means for

Forming a slip between this part length of the label strip and the first transfer device is formed, with at least one cutting device for separating a partial length of the label strip to produce a label and at least one second transfer device, relative to the at least a portion of the separated part length of the label tape prior to separation from Arrives installation, wherein the second transfer means for effecting Haltebzw. Fixing forces is formed on this portion of the label tape, for generating a slip between this portion of the label tape and the second transfer means and after the separation for further transport of the separated label.

The essential aspect of the invention is that the first and / or second transfer device at least partially as a linear promotional

Transfer device is formed. The invention is based on the finding that the increase in tensile forces on the free end of the label tape by the second

Transfer forces exerted on the transfer device and the transfer devices moved with slippage under the label strip can be reduced in that the wrap angle, i. of the

Angular region in which a partial length of the label strip circumferentially applied against drum or roller-like transfer means is reduced. By using a linear conveying transfer device, i. a transfer device on which the label strip is conveyed in a straight line, the wrap angle and thus the increase in the forces acting on the label tape forces can be minimized such that impermissible variations in length of the separated labels from the label strip can be effectively avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and / or second

Transfer device at least in the transfer area, in which the transfer of the separated label from the first transfer device to the second

Transfer device takes place, designed as a linear conveying transfer device. The free end of the label tape is before the separation of a label by the effected by the first and / or second transfer means holding or. Fixing forces and the slip held on tension, wherein the label tape with a first portion of the label later separated from the first

Transfer device and with a further portion of the later separated label against the second transfer device is present. By the formation of the first and / or second transfer means as a linear promotional

Transfer facilities in the transfer area between these two

Transfer devices become one when using drum or

roller-type transfer means caused deflection, in particular an S-shaped deflection of the label tape in the transfer area considerably reduced, so that the increase in tensile forces in the advancing of the free end of

Label tape on the second transfer device or the force exerted on the free end of the label tape tensile forces are minimized. In a preferred embodiment, the first and / or second transfer device is designed as a belt conveyor. In this case, a loop-shaped conveyor belt is stretched over at least one pair of preferably roller-like support rollers out and thereby driven circumferentially. In this case, straight-line conveyor belt areas form on which the linear conveyance of the label strip can take place between the carrier rollers.

Preferably, the first and / or second transfer means for generating the Haltebzw. Fixing forces formed by suction of a partial length of the label strip or the separated label. In this case, the transfer devices preferably have openings which can be acted upon by negative pressure, so that when the label strip is in contact with these openings, suction and thus fixation thereof take place. By this kind of fixation of the

Label tape opposite the transfer means, it is possible to effect a slip between the transfer means and the label tape. By this slip, a tensile force on the label tape is achieved, so that this particular in the region of the free end on which the individual labels from

Label tape to be cut off, held on tension. In a preferred embodiment, the first transfer device has a transport speed that is greater than the feed rate of the label strip through the label strip feed. Because of the higher

Transport speed of the first transfer device compared to

Label tape feed exists between the first transfer means and the label tape portion which abuts against the first transfer means, a slip which holds the label tape between the label tape feed and the first transfer means to tension.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transfer device has a transport speed equal to or greater than that

Transport speed of the first transfer device. This will do that

Label tape also held between the first transfer means and the second transfer means to voltage, wherein the second Transfereinnchtung has a slip against the label tape.

In particular, the transport speed of the second transfer device is greater than the feed rate of the label feed, so that after the separation, the separated label is moved at a higher speed than the free end of the label strip. As a result, a time window is created in which the application of the label can be done on the container to be labeled.

The first transfer device is preferably a transfer drum driven in rotation about an axis of rotation, against which the label strip abuts, in sections, peripherally in a defined angular range. Due to the at least partial enclosure of the first transfer device by the label tape this is deflected by a defined angle in its direction of movement. In a preferred embodiment, the first transfer device

Component of a cutting device and / or the first transfer device is formed with a cutting device for separating the label from the continuous label tape. In particular, the first transfer device is designed as a cutting drum. By means of this cutter can a

desired length of the label tape to be separated in the region of the free end, which results from this separation to be mounted on a container label. After separation, the separated label is preferably further transported by the second transfer means and fed to the container to be labeled.

Preferably, in the region of the second transfer device is a

Gluing device provided by means of a glue application to the back of the label. In particular, the gluing device as

Spray gluing device may be formed, i. the glue is applied by spraying or spraying the label with glue.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a

Labeling device for labeling containers, wherein for supplying the Labels for the container to be labeled, a device is provided as described above.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for feeding labels to a container to be labeled, in which a label tape is provided with individual labels to be separated by cutting, in which at least a partial length of the label tape comes to rest against a first transfer means, through which the part length the label tape stretched under slippage

is weiterertransportiert, wherein a partial length of the label tape is separated by means of a cutting device for producing a label, wherein at least one second transfer device, with respect to the at least one

Subsection of the separated part length of the label tape comes to rest before separation, holding forces on this portion of the label tape and a slip between this portion of the label tape and the second transfer means are effected and wherein after the separation, the second transfer means causes the further transport of the separated label.

The essential aspect of the method according to the invention is that a partial length of the label strip is linearly conveyed by the first and / or second transfer device.

In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the

Label tape at least in the transfer area, in which the transfer of the separated label from the first transfer means to the second

Transfer device takes place, conveyed linearly.

Further preferably, at least a portion of the label tape is sucked by the first and / or second transfer means.

Further preferably, the first transfer device is rotationally driven as a transfer drum about a rotation axis.

Preferably, the continuous label tape is in the region of the first

Transfer device cut, thereby separating individual labels. Transfer roller or transfer drum in the sense of the invention means a transfer device having a circular cross-section and around a

Rotary axis is driven by rotation.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function. Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination, in principle, the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their

Dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1 by way of example a first embodiment of an inventive

Feeding device in a schematic plan view; and

Fig. 2 by way of example a second embodiment of an inventive

Feeding device in a schematic plan view.

In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 shows a device according to the invention for feeding labels. In this case, for example, a wound on a roll or a similar storage medium label tape 4 is provided as a continuous tape on which a plurality of individual labels to be separated by cutting successively, ie, for example, immediately successively or spaced apart from each other at a certain distance. By means of a label tape feeder 3, for example, a Label tape drive 3.1 in the form of a counter-rotating pair of rollers, through which the label tape 4 is passed, has, the label tape 4 via a first and second transfer means 5, 7 out. The first

Transfer unit 5 is in the embodiment shown as a transfer roller or

Transfer drum formed and driven counterclockwise. The label tape 4 comes to the periphery of the first transfer device 5 to the plant and wraps it in a partial area with a wrap angle a.

Subsequently, a second is connected to the first transfer device 5 on the circumference

Transfer device 7 is provided, which is designed as a transfer belt, i.

at least in sections has transfer areas in which a linear, straightforward promotion of the label tape 4 i. without curvature of the same takes place. The

Transfer device 7 is formed for example by a loop or loop-like, endless belt, which is formed on at least two support rollers 7.1, 7.2 stretched circumferentially. Between the support rollers 7.1, 7.2 form rectilinear

Band areas 7.3, 7.4, wherein at least one such linear belt area 7.4 of the promotion of a partial length of the label strip 4 is used.

The first and / or second transfer device 5, 7 is for sucking the portion of the transfer device 5, 7 in connection with the

Label tape 4 is formed. For example, a vacuum source or

Vacuum source (not shown), which is connected to the transfer means 5, 7 and which exerts by sucking air through openings provided on the transfer means 5, 7 holding or fixing forces on the label strip 4, the fixing of the label strip 4 with respect to the

Transfer means 5, 7 effect. Other types of fixation are conceivable, for example by electrostatic charging. Preferably, only the second transfer device for sucking the label strip 4 is formed. The label tape is first supplied to the first transfer device 5 via the label tape drive 3.1 and lies outside with a first partial length with respect to the first transfer device 5. The label strip continues to run with a second partial length in the region of the second transfer device 7 and lies with this second part length with respect to the straight band region 7.4.

The label tape feed 3.1 causes a transport of the label tape 4 at a first speed Vi, which is different from the second and third speeds V ₂ , V ₃ , which cause the first transfer means 5 and the second transfer means 7. In particular, the first speed Vi is smaller than the second and third speeds V ₂ , V ₃ . Preferably, the third speed V _{3 may be} greater than or equal to the second speed V ₂ . By the retention effect of the label tape feeder 3, which causes the label tape over its entire length can be transported only at the speed Vi and the greater transport speeds of the first and second transfer means 5, 7 with respect to the feed rate, with the label tape 4 from the label tape feeder 3rd the first and second transfer means 5, 7 is supplied, arises between the first

Transfer device 5 and the partial length of the label strip 4, the

outside circumference relative to the first transfer device 5 is applied or

between the partial length of the label strip 4, compared to the second

Transfer means 7 is applied, a slip, so that the label tape 4 by the guided under the label tape 4 first and second

Transfer devices 5, 7 and the at least by the second transfer device 7 relative to the label tape caused holding or fixing forces is stretched.

The feeding device 1 further comprises a cutting device 6, with which a desired partial length of the label strip 4, which forms a label to be mounted on a container 2 label, can be separated. Immediately before

Disconnect is thereby a first portion of the separated part length of the label tape with respect to the first transfer means 5 and a second portion opposite the second transfer means 7 at. After this

Cutting the label tape 4 at the desired location by means of

Cutting device 6 eliminates the retention effect that the label tape feed 3 has exerted on the opposite to the first and second transfer means 5, 7 portion of the label tape, so that the separated label with a greater transport speed in comparison to the feed speed of the label tape feed 3, preferably further transported without slip. The separated label can be further transported to a further transfer device 8 (FIG. 1) or to a device 9 which conveys the container 2 to be labeled (FIG. 2), so that the labels are applied to the containers 2, for example by the second transfer device 7 he follows.

Through the use of at least one linear conveying transfer device 7 are compared to transfer devices, which are designed as circumferentially driven transfer drums and a multiple deflection of the

Label tape 4 cause a reduced tensile force on the separated

Part length of the label strip 4 exercised. In particular, by a linear conveying transfer device 7, the wrap angle a, on which the

Label tape under slip against the first and second

Transfer means 5, 7 is applied, be substantially reduced, resulting in a

Reduction of the tensile stress of the label tape leads. This reduced

Tensile stress causes the label strip 4 undergoes a reduced elongation, so that undesirable length deviations are prevented by an unduly high elongation of the label strip 4.

In the event that the separated labels are fed directly to the container 2 to be labeled by the second transfer device 7, a gluing device 10 can be provided in the region of the second transfer devices 7, in particular in the region 7.4 which effects the rectilinear conveyance of the label Glue application to the back of the label causes. Preferably, the

Gluing device designed as Spritzbeleimungsvorrichtung, i. there is a spray application of the glue on the back of the label.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that a variety of changes or modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention. In the exemplary embodiments described, it has been assumed that the first transfer device 5 following the label tape feed 3

Transfertronnnnel and the second, in the transport direction subsequent

Transfer device 7 is designed as a linear conveying transfer device.

Notwithstanding this, it is likewise possible to form the first transfer device 5 following the label strip feed 3 as a linearly conveying transfer device and to provide a transfer drum as the second transfer device 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 feeder

2 containers

3 label tape feed

3.1 Label tape drive

4 label tape

5 first transfer device

6 cutting device

7 second transfer device

7.1, 7.2 idlers

7.3, 7.4 straight band area

8 transfer device

9 conveyor

10 gluing device α wrapping angle

Vi first speed

v ₂ second speed

v ₃ third speed

Claims

Patent claims

Device for feeding labels to a container to be labeled

(2) comprising a label tape feeder

(3), by means of which a label tape (4) with a large number of individual labels that can be separated by cutting

is provided, a first transfer device (5), against which at least a partial length of the label tape (4) comes into contact, the first transfer device (5) for generating a slip between this partial length of the label tape (4) and the first transfer device (5) is designed, with at least one cutting device (6) for cutting off a partial length of the label tape (4) to produce a label and with at least one second transfer device (7), opposite which at least a portion of the partial length of the label tape (4) to be separated before cutting off System arrives, the second transfer device (7) for effecting holding forces on this section of the label tape (4), for generating a slip between this section of the label tape (4) and the second transfer device (7) and after separation for taking over and for Further transport of the separated label is designed, characterized in that the first and / or second transfer device (5, 7) is designed at least in sections as a linearly conveying transfer device.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and/or second transfer device (5, 7) is linear at least in the transfer area in which the separated label is transferred from the first transfer device (5) to the second transfer device (7). promoting

Transfer device is designed.

Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and/or second transfer device (5, 7) is designed as a transfer belt.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second transfer device (5, 7) for generating the holding forces by sucking in a partial length of the

Label tape (4) or the separated label is formed.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the first transfer device (5) has a

Transport speed (V ₂ ) which is greater than that

Feeding speed (Vi) of the label tape through the

Label tape feeder (3).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the second transfer device (7) has a

Transport speed (V ₃ ) which is equal to or greater than that

Transport speed (V ₂ ) of the first transfer device (5).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the first transfer device (5) is a transfer drum driven in rotation about an axis of rotation.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the first transfer device (5) is part of a

Cutting device (6) is and/or with a cutting device (6).

Separation of the label from the continuous label tape (4) is formed.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that a gluing device (10) is provided in the area of the second transfer device (7).

10. Labeling device for labeling containers (2), thereby

characterized in that a device according to one of the preceding claims is provided for feeding the labels to the container (2) to be labeled.

1 1 . Method for feeding labels to a container (2) to be labeled, in which a label tape (4) is provided with a large number of individual labels to be separated by cutting, in which at least a partial length of the label tape (4) rests against a first

Transfer device (5) passes through which the partial length of the label tape (4) is transported further under fixation by holding forces and under slippage, with a partial length of the label tape (4) being transported by means of a

Cutting device (6) is separated to produce a label, holding forces being applied to this partial section of the label strip (4) by at least a second transfer device (7), against which at least a portion of the partial length of the label strip (4) to be separated comes into contact before being separated

Label tape (4) and a slip between this section of the label tape (4) and the second transfer device (7) are caused and after separation the second transfer device (7) the

Further transport of the separated label is effected, characterized in that a partial length of the label strip (4) is conveyed linearly by the first and/or second transfer device (5, 7).

12. The method according to claim 1 1, characterized in that a portion of the label tape (4) is conveyed linearly at least in the transfer area in which the separated label is transferred from the first transfer device (5) to the second transfer device (7).

13. The method according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that

at least a portion of the label tape (4) is sucked in by the first and/or second transfer device (5, 7).

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the first transfer device (5) is driven in rotation as a transfer drum about an axis of rotation.

15. The method according to one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the continuous label tape is cut in the area of the first transfer device (5).