EP3288872B1 - Supply roll having function marking, method for handling flat and/or strip material wound on supply rolls, and system for handling flat and/or strip material - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a supply roll with a roll core and flat and/or strip material, which is carried by the roll core with a large number of windings.

Such supply rolls can be used, for example, in the field of packaging technology. Devices are known which provide flat and/or strip material without interruption in order to wrap articles with the flat and/or strip material and thereby combine them. For example, the flat and/or strip material can be designed as a shrink film, with several beverage containers being wrapped using the shrink film and combined into containers.

If the supply of flat and/or strip material in a roll is exhausted, the roll must be replaced by another roll with new flat and/or strip material in order to be able to continue a packaging process and preferably carry it out without interruption.

In order to simplify the exchange of roles, the reveals US 4,948,060 A a handling system for rolls. The handling system includes a loading station and a splicing device. Rolls can be provided via the loading station. Several self-propelled vehicles can transport the rolls provided via the loading station to the splicing device.

Devices for an uninterrupted packaging process and corresponding supply rolls that can be used for an uninterrupted packaging process are, for example, from the DE 195 22 110 A1 known. In the device known from the DE application, two parallel shafts are provided on which supply rolls sit. Shrink wrap is unwound from the supply rolls and placed around items. The items then pass through a shrinking tunnel. If the supply of shrink film in a roll is exhausted, it will be Shrink film from another roll is connected to the tape supply of the first roll by welding.

If the shrink films of two rolls are to be connected by welding, a free end area of a new roll must first be removed and moved towards the other roll for the purpose of welding. The position of the free end region is often unknown, so that the new roll must first be rotated or oriented manually, whereupon the free end region is moved towards the further roll in order to weld it with shrink film from the further roll. This can cause problems with automated implementation. Manual alignments are cumbersome and involve a lot of personnel effort.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an at least partially automated device or a method for handling flat and/or strip material, by means of which supply rolls can be simplified and replaced while at least largely avoiding problems.

The above objects are achieved by a method and a device which comprise the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

An unclaimed supply roll is disclosed which comprises a roll core and flat and/or strip material which is carried by the roll core with a plurality of windings. The roll core can, for example, be made of cellulose or plastic and have a hollow cylindrical shape. If the supply roll is used in the field of packaging technology, the flat and/or strip material can be formed, for example, by shrink film or stretch film.

Furthermore, the supply roll has at least one functional marking, which is formed on an external free end region of the flat and/or strip material, so that information about the relative position of the free end region can be visually recognized via the at least one functional marking. The functional marking can be designed as an adhesive marking or as an adhesive marking and thus possibly partially or completely include an application of adhesive on at least one broad side surface. An adhesive connection can thus be formed between the at least one functional marking and the external free end region.

The disclosure is not limited to embodiments with only one functional marker. It is also conceivable that in various embodiments two or more than two functional markings are provided, each of which is formed in a defined relative position on the free end region of the flat and/or strip material of a supply roll.

Since the at least one functional marking is formed in a defined relative position on the outer free end region of the flat and/or strip material, conclusions about the actual position or the actual orientation of the free end region can be made by optically recognizing the at least one functional marking.

In particularly preferred embodiments, it can also be provided that the at least one functional marking comprises one or more adhesive markings, with a respective adhesive connection existing between the one or more adhesive markings and the free end region of the flat and/or strip material. Furthermore, it may be that the supply roll comprises at least one adhesive connection, which fixes the free end region of the flat and/or strip material to an outer layer of the flat and/or strip material adjacent to the free end region. Here, the respective adhesive connection of the adhesive marking can fix the free end region of the flat and/or strip material to the outer layer of the flat and/or strip material adjacent to the free end region. The adhesive marking or the adhesive marking can therefore be glued both to the free end region and to the outer layer of the flat and/or strip material. If there is more than one adhesive marking, all of the adhesive markings on the respective supply roll can fix the free end region on an outer layer of the flat and/or strip material adjacent to the free end region. Advantageously, the free end region can maintain its relative position on the roll by gluing. The risk of unintentional unwinding of flat and/or film material from the supply roll is reduced.

However, it is also conceivable that the free end region itself is glued to the layer of flat and/or strip material adjacent to the free end region. Thus, at least one adhesive connection can be arranged between the side of the free end region pointing in the direction of the adjacent layer and the adjacent layer.

It is also conceivable that the adhesive mark or a broad side surface of the adhesive mark is reduced in area in the direction of the outer layer, so that the connection between the outer layer and the adhesive mark has a lower adhesive force than the connection between the free end region and the adhesive mark . In particular, the adhesive marking can taper towards the outer layer. Embodiments in which the adhesive marking has two opposite broad side surfaces which have a triangular shape and one of which is designed as an adhesive surface have proven successful here. The free end region can advantageously simply be removed, the connection between the adhesive marking and the adjacent outer layer being released and the connection between the adhesive marking and the free end region being retained.

It can also be the case that the at least one functional marking has at least one identification which assigns the functional marking a specific rotational position with respect to the end edge of the external free area. Here, the at least one marking can, for example, comprise a transparent and preferably rectilinear viewing window, via which the course of the end edge of the external free end region can be optically recognized. Practice has shown that functional markings, especially if they are designed as adhesive markings, can also be applied to the free end area manually. In addition, it may be that the connection or formation of the functional marking on the free end area is carried out automatically.

In addition, further markings or optical markings come into consideration in order to assign a specific rotational position to the at least one functional marking with regard to the end edge of the outer free end region. For example, symbols such as an arrow representation or the like can be provided, which, with the aid of the end edge, refers to the corresponding specific rotational position for the at least one functional marking.

In addition, at least one functional marking can have at least one identification which assigns the at least one functional marking a central position with regard to the longitudinal extent of the supply roll. A marking over half the length of the longitudinal extent can be placed on the supply roll or on the flat and/or strip material, preferably along a winding path. be applied. With the aid of the marking, the at least one functional marking can then be applied at least approximately centrally to the free end region of the flat and/or strip material of the supply roll. A transparent viewing window can be provided as a marking in order to assign the central position to the functional marking. Here too, symbolism, such as an arrow representation or the like, can be provided, which uses the marking to point to the corresponding central position for the at least one functional marking.

The supply roll can also include an RFID transponder on which information about the supply roll is stored. For example, information on the number of windings, the type of flat and/or strip material in question, the length of the supply roll and/or other information can be stored on the RFID transponder. The information can then be read from the RFID transponder using a corresponding RIFD reader and, if necessary, shown on a display and/or used for working parameters of the packaging machine. The RFID reader can be arranged in the area of an installation position for the supply roll or in the area of a holding mandrel. It is also conceivable that a handling device, which places the respective supply roll on a holding mandrel, carries the RFID reader.

The RFID transponder can be fixed on the flat and/or strip material of the respective supply roll and, for example, glued onto the flat and/or strip material of the respective supply roll. In particularly preferred embodiments, the RFID transponder can be designed as part of the functional marking. It is also conceivable that the RFID transponder is embedded in the free end region of the flat and/or strip material or that the flat and/or strip material forms a pocket in the free end region which accommodates the RFID transponder.

In general, it can be advantageous if the functional markings are equipped and used to transmit and/or provide information and/or data about the film rolls to a packaging machine and/or handling device. Printed optical codes or the mentioned RFID transponders can be used as information carriers suitable for this purpose.

It is also conceivable that the at least one functional marking has a QR code, which contains corresponding information in coded form, as before mentioned, has to the supply roll. In addition, other codings, such as barcodes, are suitable, which can be used to record information about the supply roll.

In particularly preferred embodiments, at least one functional marking can consist of a print job applied to the free end region in a defined relative position. The print job can include at least one marking designed as a line, which extends parallel to a terminal edge of the outer free end region of the flat and/or strip material. The line can extend partially or completely over the entire width of the flat and/or strip material. In particular, the print job can be designed in such a way that it points to a central position with regard to the longitudinal extent of the supply roll. Thus, with the aid of the print job and its optical detection, an axial alignment of the supply roll can be determined and, if necessary, corrected when inserted into an installation position described below, so that the axial alignment of the supply roll in the respective installation position corresponds to a target orientation.

The invention relates to a method for handling flat and/or strip material wound onto supply rolls. As part of the method, at least one functional marking is applied to an external free end region of the flat and/or strip material of a supply roll in a defined relative position. The at least one functional marking can be designed according to the previous description. Furthermore, the at least one functional marking can comprise an adhesive marking, which is glued to the free end region of the flat and/or strip material or has an adhesive application, by means of which adhesive application the adhesive marking is connected to the free end region. Connecting the adhesive marking to the free end region of the flat and/or strip material can be done automatically or manually. The adhesive application can be designed as part of the adhesive marking.

As part of a further process step, which may follow the application of the functional marking to the free end region, the supply roll is placed on a holding mandrel. For example, a handling device can be provided which places the supply roll on the holding mandrel. The holding mandrel can be designed as part of an installation position of a packaging machine and If necessary, be rotated or actuatorically rotated to unwind the flat and/or strip material from the respective supply roll.

In a further method step, the position of the at least one functional marking is optically recognized. For this purpose, optical sensors and, for example, one or more camera systems can be provided in order to optically detect the position of the at least one functional marking. It is conceivable, for example, that the location or position of the at least one functional marking is optically recognized and the supply roll is then placed on the holding mandrel. For example, a handling device can be provided which has an optical sensor or a camera system, which detects the position of the at least one functional marking and then places the supply roll on the holding mandrel so that the free end region or the at least one functional marking has a specific Orientation or position.

However, it is also conceivable that one or more optical sensors are positioned in the area of the holding mandrel or in the area of a respective installation position for the supply roll and detect a position of the at least one functional marking after the supply roll has been placed on the holding mandrel. If the position of the at least one functional marking does not match a predetermined target position, the holding mandrel can rotate the supply roll until the position of the at least one functional marking matches a predetermined target position. Thus, in a further process step, the free end region is aligned depending on the optical detection. The free end area can be aligned by rotating the holding mandrel on which the respective supply roll sits.

Practice has shown that functional markings can be easily recognized if the functional marking has areas of high contrast on a broad side surface facing away from the supply roll. So at least a first recognizable area of the at least one functional marking can be black and at least one further area, which may adjoin the first area, white and / or transparent.

In a further process step, the free end area is gripped and pulled off the supply roll. For this purpose, for example, a suction and/or gripping device or a suction rod can be provided, which reaches the free end region via Negative pressure is detected and leads in the direction away from the supply roll. Since this step takes place after the at least one functional marking or the free end region has been aligned, the free end region can be picked up in a targeted and problem-free manner by the suction and/or gripping device and removed in the direction away from the respective supply roll. In packaging machines, the free end region can then be connected to flat and/or strip material already running in the packaging machine, which may be unwound from a further supply roll at a further installation position. For this purpose, for example, a vertically movable welding rod can be provided, which moves the free end region against the flat and/or strip material already guided in the packaging machine.

It is also conceivable that the at least one functional marking is applied to the external free end region at least approximately centrally and/or with a specific rotational position with respect to a terminal edge of the external free end region. As already mentioned above, the at least one functional marking can have one or more markings in order to connect the at least one functional marking to the free end region at least approximately centrally and/or with a specific position or rotational position. In particular, embodiments have proven useful in which the at least one identification is formed by a transparent viewing window with a T-shape. The at least one marking can also serve to check a correct fit or a correct defined relative position of the at least one functional marking on the free end region of a respective supply roll.

In addition, it can be that at least one functional marking is designed as an adhesive marking, which is connected and in particular glued to a free end region of the flat and/or strip material and to a layer of the flat and/or strip material adjacent to the free end region, so that the at least one functional marking or adhesive marking fixes the free end region on the adjacent layer of the flat and/or strip material. In particular, embodiments have proven useful in which the adhesive mark is connected to the free end region and the adjacent layer via an adhesive connection in such a way that an adhesive force of the adhesive connection between the free end region and the adhesive mark is greater than an adhesive force between the adjacent layer and the adhesive mark . The free end region can therefore simply be removed from the supply roll or from the flat strip material, whereas the at least one functional marking or adhesive marking remains connected to the free end region.

In particularly preferred embodiments, it can be provided that one or more functional markings are printed on the free end region in a defined relative position. A print job can be formed into conceivable embodiments of the supply roll according to the previous description. In particular, it may be that a line is printed on the free end region, which runs parallel or at least approximately parallel to a terminal edge of the free end region.

The invention also relates to a device for handling flat and/or strip material wound onto supply rolls. The device comprises a device by means of which at least one functional marking can be applied to an external free end region of the flat and/or strip material of a supply roll in a defined relative position. The device can, for example, comprise a handling device, by means of which a functional marking designed as an adhesive mark can be applied to the external free end region.

In addition, the device, which can optionally be designed as a packaging machine, comprises at least one and preferably two installation positions which are provided for the rotating reception of supply rolls with flat and/or strip material. The at least one installation position can be assigned a holding mandrel onto which the supply roll is placed. The holding mandrel can, if necessary, fix the supply roll in a clamping manner by increasing its cross-sectional diameter.

In addition, a handling device is provided for inserting the respective supply roll into the at least one installation position. For example, several supply rolls can be arranged on a pallet, received by the handling device and inserted into the respective installation position. Before the supply rolls are received by the handling device, the free end region of the respective supply roll can already have at least one functional marking or be connected to an adhesive marking.

The device also includes an optical detection device, by means of which a position of the at least one functional marking can be recognized. The optical detection device can, for example, comprise at least one camera system.

One or more means are also provided, by means of which the free end region of a respective supply roll can be aligned depending on the optical detection, so that the free end region of the respective supply roll has a predetermined position in the installed position. For example, the one or more means can be designed as a holding mandrel or comprise a holding mandrel on which the respective supply roll sits in a clamping manner. In order to align the free end region, the holding mandrel can be rotated by a certain amount until the free end region or the at least one functional marking reaches a target position.

In preferred embodiments, the device can comprise at least one printing station, by means of which at least one functional marking can be printed on the outer free end region of the flat and/or strip material of a respective supply roll in a defined relative position.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Vorratsrolle;
• Figur 2 zeigt die Funktionsmarkierung der Vorratsrolle aus Figur 1;
• Figur 3 zeigt eine weitere Funktionsmarkierung, wie sie für diverse Ausführungsformen einer Vorratsrolle Verwendung finden kann;
• Figur 4 zeigt eine weitere Funktionsmarkierung, wie sie für diverse Ausführungsformen einer Vorratsrolle Verwendung finden kann;
• Figur 5 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Vorratsrolle;
• Figur 6 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• Figur 7 verdeutlicht Schritte, wie sie Bestandteil bei der Umsetzung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens sein können und zeigt mehrere Einrichtungen bzw.

Stationen, wie sie als Bestandteil diverser Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ausgebildet sein können.In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail using the attached figures. The proportions of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, as some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

• Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a supply roll;
• Figure 2 shows the function marking of the supply roll Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 shows another functional marking as it can be used for various embodiments of a supply roll;
• Figure 4 shows another functional marking as it can be used for various embodiments of a supply roll;
• Figure 5 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a supply roll;
• Figure 6 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• Figure 7 clarifies steps that can be part of the implementation of the method according to the invention and shows several devices or

Stations as they can be designed as part of various embodiments of the device according to the invention.

Identical reference numbers are used for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numbers that are necessary for the description of the respective figure are shown in the individual figures. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be designed and do not represent a final limitation.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a supply roll 5. The supply roll 5 has a roll core 6, which can be made of cellulose or plastic, for example, and is designed as a hollow cylinder. Due to the hollow cylindrical shape, the supply roll 5 or the roll core 6 can be placed on a holding mandrel 15 or picked up by a handling device 10 and placed on a holding mandrel 15 (cf. Figure 5 ).

Flat and/or strip material 8 with a large number of windings is carried by the roll core 6. The flat and/or strip material 8 is designed as a shrink film 9.

The supply roll 5 further comprises a functional marking 2, in the present case designed as an adhesive marking 3, which is connected to an external free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 in a defined relative position. If the position of the functional marking 2 is known or has been recognized, conclusions can be drawn about the relative position of the free end region 7.

The supply roll 5 rests on a support bracket 12, which limits the freedom of movement of the supply roll 5 on the support bracket 12 via two side stops 14. It is conceivable, for example, that the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is applied to the supply roll 5 or to the free end region 7 of the supply roll 5, while the supply roll 5 rests on the holding frame 12. It can also be that the supply roll 5 is placed on the holding bracket 12, already has a functional marking 2 and is moved from the holding bracket 12 into an installation position EB (cf. Figure 6 ) of a packaging machine is used.

A summary of the Figures 1 and 2 clarifies the relative position of the functional marking 2 on the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9. The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 has a marking 22, which is designed as a transparent viewing window 24 and has a straight line. The adhesive marking 3 is connected to the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 in such a way that a final edge 18 of the free end region 7 extends completely along the marking 22 or along the transparent viewing window 24. Since the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 itself is designed as an adhesive marking or forms an adhesive application on its broad side surface facing the flat and/or strip material 8, the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 can be glued manually onto the free end region 7, so that the end edge 18 can be seen via the transparent viewing window 24. After connecting the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 to the free end region 7, the transparent viewing window 24 allows a check to be made regarding the correct position of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3. If the end edge 18 cannot be seen in the transparent viewing window 24, then the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 removed and, if necessary, connected again to the free end area 7.

On the supply roll 5 or on the flat and/or strip material 8, a marking 16 is applied over a winding course at approximately half the amount of the longitudinal extension of the supply roll 5. Furthermore, a synopsis of the Figures 1 and 2 a certain positioning of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 with respect to the marking 16. The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 has a further marking 20, which runs approximately perpendicular to the marking 22 and is also designed as a transparent viewing window 24. Both markings 20 and 22 form a T-shape. The marking 20 or the marking 20 designed as a transparent viewing window 24 also has a straight course. The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is applied to the free end region 7 or is connected to the free end region 7 in such a way that the marking 16 extends along the marking 20 or along the transparent viewing window 24 of the marking 20. With regard to the longitudinal extent of the supply roll 5, the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is thereby placed approximately centrally on the free end region 7 of the supply roll 5. The marking 20 or the marking 20 designed as a transparent viewing window 24 also allows a check of the correct position or position of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 after connection to the free end region 7. If the marking 16 cannot be seen in the transparent viewing window 24, so the function marking 2 or Adhesive marking 3 is removed from the free end region 7 and placed again on the free end region 7, so that the marking 16 extends along the marking 20 or along the transparent viewing window 24.

If the position of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is recognized, conclusions can be drawn about the position of the free end region 7 as well as the position or dimensioning of the supply roll 5. Detecting the free end region 7 after optical recognition of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 and removing the free end region 7 from the supply roll 5 are then possible without any problems.

Figure 1 also shows that the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 fixes the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 on an outer layer 11 of the flat and/or strip material 8 adjacent to the free end region 7. The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is thus glued both to the free end region 7 and to the outer layer 11, so that the free end region 7 or the flat and/or strip material 8 cannot be unintentionally unwound. Due to the triangular shape of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3, the adhesive force formed between the free end region 7 and the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is greater than an adhesive force which is formed between the outer layer 11 and the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 . The free end region 7 can therefore be easily removed, with the adhesive connection between the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 and the outer layer 11 being released, but the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 still being connected to the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 remains connected.

Figure 3 shows a further functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3, as used for various embodiments of a supply roll 5 (cf. Figure 1 ) can be used. Also the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 of the exemplary embodiment Figure 2 has a marking 22, which gives the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 a certain rotational position with regard to the end edge 18 (cf. Figure 1 ) of the external free end region 7 is assigned. Just like the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 of the exemplary embodiment Figure 2 has the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 in Figure 3 a marking 20, which assigns a central position to the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 with regard to the longitudinal extent of the supply roll 5. About labeling 20, the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 can be made with the help of the marking 16 (cf. Figure 1 ) should be centered. The markings 20 and 22 are also each designed as a transparent viewing window 24.

The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 of the exemplary embodiment Figure 3 also has an RFID transponder 25, which is firmly connected to the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3. Information about the respective supply roll 5 to which the adhesive mark 2 is stuck can be stored on the RIFD transponder 25. It is conceivable here that information about the number of windings, the type of the respective flat and/or strip material 8, the amount of longitudinal extension of the supply roll 5 and/or other information are stored on the RFID transponder 25. Through a corresponding RFID reading device, which is not shown in the figures of this patent application and, for example, in the area of an installation position EB (cf. Figure 6 ) can be arranged, there is then the possibility of reading out the RFID transponder 25.

If information about the number of windings of the supply roll 5 is stored on the RFID transponder 25, it can be provided that a packaging machine is controlled after reading out the RFID transponder 25, taking the stored information into account. Based on the number of windings stored, if necessary, the packaging machine can indicate a necessary replacement of the supply roll 5 or initiate or automatically carry out an exchange or replacement of the almost completely applied supply roll 5.

The embodiment Figure 3 with an RFID transponder 25 is to be understood as an example. It can thus be provided that the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 provides information about the supply roll 5 via coding instead of the RFID transponder 25 or in addition to the RFID transponder 25. The coding can be designed, for example, as a QR code, bar code and/or other coding.

It is also conceivable that the supply roll 5 forms a pocket in the free end region 7, by means of which an RFID transponder 25 is received and fixed to the free end region 7. In these conceivable embodiments, the RFID transponder is not part of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3. Figure 4 shows a further functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3, as can be used for various embodiments of a supply roll 5. The Functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is designed to be almost completely transparent and also has markings 20 and 22, by means of which refer to a predetermined relative position of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 on the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8. The markings 20 and 22 are in the embodiment according to a functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 Figure 4 designed as arrow representations 26. Alternatively, further symbols or further configurations can also be provided for the markings 20 and 22 in order to refer to the corresponding relative position for the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 on the free end region 7 and, if necessary, their central alignment on the supply roll 5.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a supply roll 5. The supply roll 5 of the exemplary embodiment Figure 5 Just like the supply roll 5 of exemplary embodiment 1, it forms a free end region 7 with a closing edge 18. The flat and/or strip material 8 of the supply roll 5 is designed as a shrink film 9. The flat and/or strip material 8 is carried by a roll core 6, which is mounted on a holding mandrel 15 in an installation position EB (cf. Figure 6 ) sits up.

The function marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 off Figure 5 also has a marking 20 which extends along a terminal edge 18 of the free end region 7 or of the flat and/or strip material 8. By means of the marking 20, the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 can easily be applied or glued to the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 in a defined relative position. The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is also used in the exemplary embodiment Figure 5 the free end region 7 is fixed to an adjacent layer of the flat and/or strip material 8, so that the free end region 7 is held essentially immovable on the supply roll 5 via the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3. Compared to the functional markings 2 or adhesive markings 3 from the Figures 1 to 4 The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 has several triangular markings 27 which are positioned along the end edge 18 of the free end region 7. The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 with its triangular markings 27 can also extend over or along the entire end edge 18 in conceivable further embodiments.

Due to the several triangular markings 27, the optical detection device 30 can detect a respective position of the free end region 7 even if the supply roll 5 is placed inaccurately on the holding mandrel 15 or if the supply roll 5 is imprecisely aligned relative to the detection device 30. In the present case, the triangular markings 27 are only to be understood as examples, so that in various further embodiments other markings or symbols can also be provided, by means of which the supply roll 5 or the free end region 7 can be aligned with the aid of the optical detection device 30.

Figure 6 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention. The device 100 is intended for handling flat and/or strip material 8 wound on supply rolls 5.

The device 100 includes a device 50 (cf. Figure 7 ), in the Figure 5 is not shown and by means of which the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 can be applied to the outer free end region 7 of the flat and / or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 in a defined relative position. The functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is in Figure 5 already connected to the external free end region 7 or is applied to it.

Can be seen in Figure 6 also an installation position EB for the rotating reception of the supply roll 5. For this purpose, a holding mandrel 15 is arranged in the installation position EB, which can be spread in order to hold the supply roll 5 in a clamping manner. The supply roll 5 is pushed onto the holding mandrel 15 via the handling device 10. The handling device 10 can grasp the supply roll 5 via its own mandrel 28 and place it on the holding mandrel 15. The holding mandrel 15 is connected to an actuator 40 or can be moved in rotation via the actuator 40.

Furthermore, an optical detection device 30 is arranged in the area of the installation position EB, which can be designed as a camera system 32, for example. A position of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 can be recognized via the optical detection device 30. The handling device 10, the actuator 40 and the optical detection device 30 or the camera system 32 are connected to a control device S. If the position of the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 has been recognized by the optical detection device 30 or by the camera system 32, the control device S may give a rotating one Movement of the holding mandrel 15 via the actuator 40, so that the functional marking 2 or adhesive marking 3 is thereby brought into a predetermined target position. A suction and/or gripping device or a suction rod not shown in the figures of this patent application can then grasp and remove the free end region 7 of the supply roll 5. Following this, the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 of the supply roll 5 can be welded to a flat and/or strip material or a shrink film of another supply roll.

As in Figure 3 shown, the supply roll 5 or the functional marking 2 can have an RFID transponder 25. At least one reading device for the RFID transponder 25 can then be arranged in the area of the installation position EB and/or carried by the handling device 10.

Figure 7 clarifies steps as they can be part of the implementation of the method according to the invention and shows several devices or stations as they can be designed as part of various embodiments of the device 100 according to the invention.

Number 60 refers to an extruder, which has several rollers 70 and 80 downstream in the conveying direction. A certain distance is formed between the rollers 70 and 80 in the conveying direction, by means of which distance the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 can be stretched in the conveying direction. A contact roller is referred to with number 85, with the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 being stretched in the transverse direction between the contact roller 85 and the last roller 80 in the conveying direction. After passing through the contact roller 85, the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 is passed on to one of the winding rollers 91 to 93, via which the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 can be arranged on a roll core 6 .

If the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 is completely arranged on a roll core 6, the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 was separated via the cutting device 90. The cutting device 90 can be designed, for example, as a cutting knife and emit a laser beam for the purpose of the respective separation. The winding rollers 91 to 93 can each be exchanged via the turning cross 95, so that the winding rollers 91 to 93 can be selectively provided in order to use one of the Winding rollers 91 to 93 to arrange flat and/or strip material 8 or shrink film 9 on a roll core 6.

The winding rollers 91 to 93 and the winding cross 95 together form the winding device 98. A device 50 is arranged in the area of the winding device 98, by means of which a functional marking 2 (cf. Figures 1 to 6 ) or adhesive marking 3 can be applied to the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9. The device 50 is designed as a printing station 52. Here, the device 50 or printing station 52 is a predetermined relative position relative to the cutting device 90 and/or one in Figure 7 an unrecognizable contact element for the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 is provided, so that the functional marking 2 can be applied in a defined relative position to the free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9. Due to the predetermined relative position of the device 50 or printing station 52 relative to the cutting device 90 or relative to the winding device 98, the respective functional marking 2 can be applied with high accuracy and reproducibly to the respective free end region 7 of the flat and/or strip material, even with several successive supply rolls 5 8 or the shrink film 9 are applied. In particular, embodiments have proven successful in which the device 50 or printing station 52 places a respective functional marking 2 on the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9 immediately before a separation process for the flat and/or strip material 8 or the shrink film 9, which is effected by means of the cutting device 90 Band material 8 or the shrink film 9 applies.

In addition, it can also be mentioned that the functional markings 2 or adhesive markings 3 can be equipped and used to transmit and/or provide information and/or data about the film rolls 5 to a packaging machine and/or handling device 10. Printed optical codes or the aforementioned RFID transponders 25 can be used as information carriers suitable for this purpose.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications or changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Reference symbol list

2

Function marking

3

Adhesive marker

5

supply roll

6

Roll core

7

Free end area

8th

Flat and/or strip material

9

Shrink wrap

10

Handling device

11

External location or adjacent location

12

bracket

14

attack

15

retaining mandrel

16

mark

18

Final edge

20

Labelling

22

Labelling

24

Transparent viewing window

25

RFID transponder

26

Arrow representation

27

Triangular marking

28

mandrel

30

Optical detection device

32

Camera system

40

Actor

50

Furnishings

52

Printing station

60

extruder

70

roller

80

roller

85

contact roller

90

cutting device

91

winding roller

92

winding roller

93

winding roller

95

Turning cross

98

winding device

100

contraption

E.B

Installation position

S

Control device

Claims (14)

1. A method for handling flat material and/or strip material (8) wound on supply rolls (5), in which method

   - at least one function marking (2) is applied in a defined relative position onto an externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) on a supply roll (5);

   - the supply roll (5) is positioned on a holding mandrel (15);

   - the location of the at least one function marking (2) is optically identified;

   - the free end section (7) is aligned based on the optical identification;

   - the free end section (7) is temporally thereafter gripped and extracted from the supply roll (5).
2. The method according to claim 1, in which the free end section (7) is aligned by a rotation of the holding mandrel (15) on which the particular supply roll (5) is positioned.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which at least one function marking (2) is applied onto the externally arranged free end section (7) at least approximately centrally and/or in a specific position with regard to the end edge (18) of the externally arranged free end section (7).
4. The method according to one or more of the claims 1 to 3, in which at least one function marking (2) is designed as adhesive marker (3), which is connected and, in particular, glued to a free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) and to a layer (11) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) adjacent to the free end section (7), such that the adhesive marker (3) fastens the free end section (7) to the adjacent layer (11) of flat material and/or strip material (8).
5. The method according to claim 4, in which the adhesive marker (3) is connected to the free end section (7) and to the adjacent layer (11) by way of an adhesive bond such that an adhesive force of the adhesive bond between the free end section (7) and the adhesive marker (3) is formed to be greater than an adhesive force between the adjacent layer (11) and the adhesive marker (3).
6. The method according to one or more of the claims 1 to 5, in which one or more function markings are printed in a defined relative position onto the free end section.
7. The method according to claim 6, in which a line running parallel to an end edge (18) of the free end section (7) is printed onto the free end section (7).
8. The method according to one of the claims 3 to 7, in which the location or position of the at least one function marking (2) is optically identified and the supply roll (5) is temporally thereafter positioned on the holding mandrel (15).
9. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 8, in which a suction device and/or gripping device or a suction rod is provided, which seizes the free end section (7) via negative pressure and guides the free end section (7) away from the supply roll (5).
10. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 8, in which a suction device and/or gripping device or a suction rod is provided, which seizes the free end section (7) via negative pressure and guides the free end section away from the supply roll (5), whereupon the free end section (7) is connected to flat material and/or strip material already passing through a packaging machine.
11. The method according to claim 10, in which a vertically movable sealing bar is provided, which moves the free end section (7) against the flat material and/or strip material already being guided in the packaging machine.
12. An apparatus (100) for handling flat material and/or strip material (8) wound on supply rolls (5), the apparatus comprising:

    - a device (50) by means of which at least one function marking (2) can be applied in a defined relative position onto an externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) on a supply roll (5);

    - at least one installation position (EB) provided for the rotating reception of supply rolls (5) of flat material and/or strip material (8);

    - a handling device (10) for mounting the particular supply roll (5) into the at least one installation position (EB);

    - an optical detection device (30) by means of which a position of the at least one function marking (2) can be identified;

    - one or more means by means of which the free end section (7) of a particular supply roll (5) can be aligned based on the optical detection such that the free end section (7) of the particular supply roll (5) in the installation position (EB) has a predefined position; and

    - a suction device and/or gripping device or a suction rod, which can seize the free end section (7) via negative pressure and guide the free end section (7) away from the supply roll (5).
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, in which the device (50) comprises at least one printing station (52) by means of which at least one function marking (2) can be printed in a defined relative position onto the externally arranged free end section (7) of the flat material and/or strip material (8) on a particular supply roll (5).
14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, in which the optical detection device (30) comprises at least one camera system (32).

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