EP3385178B1 - Labelling machine for labelling containers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a labeling machine for labeling containers, such as bottles, in the beverage processing industry according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Labeling machines are basically known from the prior art. This allows labels of various lengths to be applied to containers. The labels can be pre-cut in a magazine or can be unrolled from a roll of labels and then applied to the container. Different variants of gluing the labels are also known.

The longer the labels become, the longer it takes to apply the labels to the containers. With wrap-around labels in particular, lengths between 15 and 30 cm can occur.

After the labels have been transferred from the vacuum cylinder to the container, the labels are wound onto the container by rotating it. In the case of long labels, a vacuum board is provided to avoid "fluttering" parts of the labels that have not yet been applied to the container, which holds the part of the label that has not yet been wrapped around the container until the label is completely wound onto the container.

The vacuum required for this is generated by a vacuum pump, which is connected to a perforated plate of the vacuum board, and sucks air through this perforated plate, with which the label is sucked to the openings and ultimately held by the vacuum board.

In order to hold the label effectively on the vacuum board, flow velocities in the openings of the perforated plate in a range from 50 m / s to 300 m / s are not uncommon.

Such a labeling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 is from JP S59 93628 A known.

With these orders of magnitude, however, sound waves are generated either already in the openings or at least in the cavity of the vacuum board. This noise development is annoying and in the worst case can even be harmful to the health of workers who work in the immediate vicinity of the labeling machine.

task

Based on the known state of the art, the technical problem to be solved consists in specifying a labeling machine which enables reliable labeling without creating a noise that is disadvantageous for the operator.

solution

This object is achieved by the labeling machine according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

The labeling machine according to the invention for labeling containers such as bottles in the beverage processing industry comprises a transport device for the containers and a vacuum cylinder for transporting and transferring labels to the containers at a transfer point, with a vacuum board for holding at least part of the label downstream of the transfer point , while the label is being applied to the container, is arranged and wherein the vacuum board has a cavity which is delimited at least on the label side by a perforated plate with several openings for sucking the labels and on the other side by a base body and is characterized in that, that an insulating compound is arranged in the cavity.

In this context, the holding of the labels by the vacuum board simply means that the labels are prevented from uncontrolled movement while they are being wrapped around the container. Parts of the label that have not yet been completely applied to the surface of the container can be sucked in by the vacuum board in such a way that their movement is only possible along the path defined by the vacuum board. At the same time, the force acting on the labels through the suction or holding of the vacuum board is designed so that the label or part of the label can be detached from the vacuum board as soon as it is wound onto the container without the vacuum having to be switched off .

The main body of the vacuum board only provides a delimitation of the cavity on the sides of the vacuum board that are not delimited by the perforated plate. It therefore has no specific shape or any other function, but can be connected in a known manner, for example via lines, to a vacuum source, such as a vacuum pump, so that the cavity can be connected to the vacuum source via the base body.

The insulating compound is to be understood as meaning any flexible, in particular any porous material, such as, for example, sponges or mats or fleeces. In particular, the term insulating compound includes materials that are permeable to air, so that a vacuum can be applied to the perforated plate even when the insulating compound is arranged in the cavity.

By filling at least part of the cavity with the insulating compound, a considerable reduction in the noise development can be achieved with the otherwise constant size of the holes in the perforated plate and the suction effect of the vacuum source, so that with the same suction force or adhesive force acting on the labels, the noise development is decisive can be reduced. In particular, this insulating compound can reduce the development of noise to a level that is acceptable for the operator.

In one embodiment, the insulating material is or comprises a fleece, in particular an abrasive fleece. These materials are particularly permeable and at the same time have good noise absorption.

Furthermore, the insulating material can comprise polyester-based polyurethane. This material can be produced simply and inexpensively in a form suitable for use as an insulating compound.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the insulating mass has a specific weight between 20 and 40 kg / m ² , particularly preferably between 25 to 35 kg / m ² . Since the cavities in the vacuum board are usually only a few square centimeters or square decimeters in size, the basic construction of the vacuum board can remain unchanged despite the additional weight due to the insulating material, which allows existing vacuum boards to be upgraded with the insulating material at low cost.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the insulating compound has a pore number of 5 to 90, preferably 10 to 80 and / or the insulating compound has 1 to 35, preferably 4 to 32 pores per centimeter. The number of pores or the number of pores per centimeter is sufficiently large to allow sufficient permeability for the sucked air and is at the same time sufficient to ensure the absorption of noise.

In one embodiment, a wedge that does not rotate with the vacuum cylinder is arranged at the transfer point on the vacuum cylinder for depositing a label transferred to a container at the transfer point, and the vacuum board extends downstream from the wedge, with the insulating compound does not completely fill the part of the cavity adjoining the wedge.

The part of the cavity adjoining the wedge is the part of the cavity which follows next downstream of the wedge. This part can for example make up 1/5 or 1/4 or 1/3 of the entire cavity. The fact that the insulation does not completely fill this part does not mean that there is no insulation in this part of the cavity, but only means that the insulation does not completely fill this part of the room, for example only half or 80%.

This can ensure that the inevitable reduction in the suction effect of the vacuum source at the openings of the perforated plate is avoided at least immediately after the wedge, which causes the label to detach from the vacuum cylinder, in order to avoid uncontrolled movement of the label at this point before at least a substantial part of the label is taken over by the container.

According to the invention, the insulating compound fills 40 to 90, preferably 60 to 80% of the volume of the cavity. Depending on the desired noise reduction, for example by only 5 dB or by up to 20 dB, completely filling the cavity of the vacuum board can also be disadvantageous with regard to possible losses in the suction power for holding the labels. These disadvantages can be minimized if only as much of the cavity is filled with the insulation material as is essential to reduce the noise level.

It can also be provided that a brushing is located downstream of the vacuum board, which comprises a brush plate for pressing the labels onto the container. Reliable pressing of the labels onto the containers can thus be ensured, which can improve their adhesion to the containers.

In a further development of this embodiment, the distance covered by a container in the transport device along the entire vacuum board and the brushing is 30 cm or more. The use of a vacuum board is necessary precisely for such distances covered by the container. However, since these then have a not inconsiderable length, noise is generated especially here, so that the use of the insulating compound in such a vacuum board is particularly advantageous.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1

shows a schematic view of a labeling machine according to the invention according to one embodiment

Figure 2a + b

Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a vacuum board according to an embodiment

Figure 3a-3d

shows schematic representations of different embodiments of the insulation material

Detailed description

Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of a labeling machine 100, which is designed as a rotary machine with a carousel 101. In this case, a plurality of container receptacles comprising, for example, a turntable and centering devices are usually provided on the periphery of the carousel in order to receive containers 130 and to rotate them about their longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, a labeling unit 102 is shown on the periphery of the carousel 101, which supplies a vacuum cylinder 122 with labels via a label supply 121. The labels can either come from a magazine with labels that have already been cut, or they can be supplied from a roll (as shown here). If the labels are provided on a roll, a cutting device 123 can be provided on the labeling unit 102, which can cut through the otherwise continuous label strip and cut the labels to length.

The labels are finally transferred to the containers 130 by the vacuum cylinder 122. In order to prevent that during or immediately after this transfer, parts of the label that are not yet firmly pressed onto the container get into uncontrollable movement due to the high transport speed and rotational speed of the container and, for example, get wrinkles or tears, a vacuum board 140 is on downstream of the transfer point 160 which the vacuum cylinder 142 transfers the label to the container.

The vacuum board is arranged in such a way that it can hold the part of the labels that is not yet fully attached to the container by sucking the labels at least on this part. For this purpose, the vacuum board comprises a cavity which is delimited by a base body 141, for example in the form of a cuboid or a cylinder jacket segment, and a perforated plate 142. Openings 142 are arranged in the perforated plate in such a way that its openings point in the direction of the containers 130 to which the labels are applied (hereinafter also referred to as the label side). Furthermore, the cavity is connected to a vacuum source 143, for example a vacuum pump or a ventilation system, so that the air can be sucked out of the cavity, which in turn leads to a draft of air through the holes of the perforated plate so that a label can be sucked in.

Furthermore, a brushing 150 can be arranged downstream of the vacuum board 140, with the aid of which the labels applied to the container can be pressed on again in order to ensure, for example, that a sufficient adhesive effect is achieved.

According to the invention, an insulating material 144 is arranged inside the vacuum board 140, which can at least reduce the noise development within the cavity of the vacuum board by absorbing sound waves or by influencing the air flow within the cavity from the holes to the vacuum source 143.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the distance covered by the container along the carousel from the transfer point 160 to leaving the area of the brushing 150 is at least 30 cm. In such embodiments of labeling machines, the distances covered by the labels, as long as they have not yet been completely wound up on the container, are comparatively long, so that the use of a vacuum board is almost essential. The associated size of the vacuum board usually results in noise development which is unfavorable for the operator and which can advantageously be reduced by using the insulating compound 144 according to the invention within the vacuum board 140.

Figures 2a and b show the construction of the vacuum board 140 in more detail Figure 2a a container 130 moves along the carousel 101 and is held on a turntable 270 and with the aid of a centering device 271. In the situation shown here, the label 131 is wound onto the container. This label is partially held by the vacuum board 140 in the area 272, which is shown hatched here. While the container moves along the periphery of the carousel, at least part of the label is sucked in and held by the openings 245 in the vacuum board or the negative pressure applied to it, so that the label 131 is no longer free to move and the course of the Vacuum board 140 must follow.

For this purpose, a series of openings 245 can be provided in the perforated plate 142, which openings can be distributed uniformly over the perforated plate 142, for example. Except for these openings the vacuum board 140 preferably has no further openings - apart from an opening in the base body 141 which leads to the vacuum source, which is not shown here. The insulating compound 144 is shown here as a cuboid compound which is arranged within the cavity enclosed by the base body 141 and the perforated plate 142. As with reference to Figure 3c described, the insulating material can be attached to the base body, for example, by releasable connections. As in Figure 2a As can be seen, the insulating compound 144 does not necessarily have to fill the entire cavity.

Figure 2b shows the vacuum board, the perforated plate 142 also being at least partially removed from the base body 141. An opening 274 leading to a line 273 is provided in the base body 141, so that the cavity can be connected to the vacuum source 143 via the line 273.

In the embodiment shown here, the insulating mass 144 is shown as a fibrous mass, such as, for example, a fleece or the like, and fills only part of the cavity between perforated plate 142 and base body 141. In particular, in the embodiment shown, no insulation material 144 is arranged above opening 274 or in the area of opening 274, so that air can be sucked out of the cavity through opening 274 without hindrance and damage to the insulation material caused by permanent suction can also be avoided.

This embodiment of the insulating compound, in particular in the form of a fibrous compound, is not mandatory.

The Figures 3a to 3d show different embodiments for this.

In the Figure 3a the vacuum board 300 is shown with the base body 301 only. In the base body 301 there is an insulating compound 302, the width I of which corresponds approximately to the width b of the cavity within the base body. The height h of the insulating compound 302 is, however, smaller than the height d of the cavity in the base body 301. The insulating compound 302 is therefore provided as a strip within the cavity which extends essentially over the entire width of the cavity extending in the transport direction of the container. However, the cavity is not filled or covered by the insulating material along its entire height. Likewise, the depth k of the insulating compound corresponds to only a fraction of the depth c of the cavity in the base body, with the insulating compound 302 preferably being arranged on the side of the base body 301 opposite the label side (the side on which the perforated plate is arranged) in order to cover the To prevent holes in the perforated plate. Thus fills in this embodiment the insulating material 302 from a volume that is smaller than the volume of the cavity. In particular, the strip shown here can extend over a region of the cavity that has the opening (not shown here) to the line, which in turn leads to the vacuum source (see FIG Figure 2b ) so that it is not covered and air flow is unhindered.

In Figure 3b is a for Figure 3a An alternative embodiment is shown in which, instead of one large-area insulating compound, several insulating compounds 312 to 314 are arranged in the base body 311 of the vacuum board 310. These can be spaced from one another and also have different shapes. While they are shown here as cuboid structures, one or more insulating compounds 312 to 314 can also have other shapes. For example, they can be triangular, circular, or otherwise shaped. Such a piece-wise formation of the insulating masses can be helpful, for example, to retrofit different, existing vacuum boards without covering the opening leading to the vacuum source.

In principle, the insulation compounds used can consist of different materials. However, soft, in particular porous and flexible materials, such as, for example, polyester-based polyurethane, are preferred. Fibrous materials such as abrasive nonwovens or other textile-based nonwovens and foams are also conceivable here. The materials have in common that they can absorb sound well or ensure that the inflowing air is distributed in order to reduce the sound level.

For this purpose, materials are particularly preferred in which the proportion of openings or cavities in the total volume is greater than the proportion provided with material. In particular, materials with a pore number between 10 and 90, particularly preferably between 50 and 80, are advantageous. These still allow a good flow of air while at the same time effectively reducing the noise level. In the case of particularly porous and machine-made foams, a number of pores of 1 to 35 pores per centimeter, particularly preferably 4 to 32 pores per centimeter, can also be achieved.

In order not to significantly increase the load on the vacuum board due to the additional weight of the insulation material, materials with a specific weight not exceeding 40 kg / m ^{2 have been} considered. Materials with a specific mass of 20 to 40 kg / m ² are particularly preferred.

In the Figure 3c an embodiment is shown in which the base body 321 of the vacuum board 320 has a connecting element 323 and the insulating material 322 has a complementary one Connector 324 has. This can be, for example, buttons or plugs or similar elements that can be detached without tools. These connecting elements allow a reliable installation or reliable positioning of the insulating compound 322 in the cavity of the base body 321. Instead of a single connecting element, several connecting elements 323 can also be provided in the cavity of the base body 321 or on the insulating compound 322. If a single insulation compound is not provided, but several insulation compounds, for example with reference to Figure 3b described, each of these insulating compounds can have one or more connecting elements and can be connected to suitable connecting elements 323 at corresponding points in the base body.

Figure 3d shows a further embodiment, in which in particular the location or position of the insulating compound 332 in the base body 331 of the vacuum board 330 is relevant. In the in Figure 3d The illustrated embodiment is the vacuum board 330 immediately downstream of the vacuum cylinder 122, such as this one in FIG Figure 1 has been described. In addition, the vacuum cylinder has a wedge 334, which can detach a label 131 from the vacuum nozzles 335 in order to ensure transfer to the container 130, which is shown here only in dashed lines.

Because the vacuum cylinder 122 is rotating at a substantial speed, the wedge 334 removes the label from the cylinder very quickly. In order to prevent the label from making arbitrary movements in the immediate vicinity and at the same time being reliably transferred to the container, the vacuum board 330 can already suck in the label here and thus reliably guarantee the transfer. Since a large suction effect is necessary for this immediately after the label is detached by the wedge, it can be provided that the insulating compound 332 does not extend into the part of the vacuum board 330 immediately adjacent to the wedge 334.

For example, the insulating compound 323 can be arranged in such a way that the first third of the cavity, which extends downstream of the wedge 334, is not filled with insulating compound. Since the air can pass unhindered through the openings in the perforated plate 333, the suction effect is not significantly influenced by the insulating material arranged in the remaining area of the cavity and on an increase in the suction power of a provided vacuum source or an increase in the holes in the perforated plate can be dispensed with in vain with a vacuum board without insulating material to train a constant suction power.

In particular, existing vacuum boards can be retrofitted with an insulating compound without their function being significantly affected.

The ones in the Figures 3a to 3d described embodiments can be combined with one another. So can one or more insulation materials according to the Fig. 3d are distributed in the cavity and for basically every conceivable insulating compound corresponding connecting elements for connection to the base body are provided. Likewise, all of these embodiments can be combined with the general embodiments of Figures 1 , 2a and 2 B be combined.

Claims (8)

1. Labelling machine (100) for labelling containers (130), such as bottles, comprising a transport device (101) for the containers and a vacuum cylinder (122) for transporting and transferring labels (131) onto the containers at a transfer point (160), wherein downstream of the transfer point a vacuum panel (140) is disposed for holding at least part of the label while the label (131) is applied to the container, and the vacuum panel has a cavity which is bounded at least on the label side by a perforated plate (142) with a plurality of openings for sucking the labels (131) and on the other side by a main body (141), characterized in that an insulating compound (144) is arranged in the cavity, the insulating compound (144) filling 40 to 90%, preferably 60 to 80% of the volume of the cavity.
2. Labelling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the insulating compound (144) is a nonwoven fabric, in particular an abrasive nonwoven fabric, or comprises the same.
3. Labelling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulating compound (144) comprises polyester-based polyurethane.
4. Labelling machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulating compound (144) has a specific weight between 20 and 40 kg/m², particularly preferred between 25 and 35 kg/m².
5. Labelling machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insulating compound (144) has a void ratio of 5 to 90, preferably 10 to 80 and/or wherein the insulating compound includes 1 to 35, preferably 4 to 32 pores per centimetre.
6. Labelling machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at the transfer point (160) at the vacuum cylinder (122) a wedge (334) not rotating with the vacuum cylinder, is arranged for peeling a label (131) to be transferred to a container at the transfer point, and wherein the vacuum panel (330) extends downstream from the wedge (334) and the insulating compound (332) does not completely fill the part of the cavity adjoining the wedge (334).
7. Labelling machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a brushing device (150) comprising a brush plate for pressing the labels onto the containers is arranged downstream of the vacuum panel (140).
8. Labelling machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein the distance covered by a container in the transport device along the entire vacuum board (140) and the brushing device (150) is 30 cm or longer.

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