EP3495280B1 - Labeller with presser module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a labeler having the features of claim 1.

From the EP 2 666 728 B1 a labeler is known for applying labels to a web of film in rows. The labeler is arranged on a thermoforming packaging machine after a sealing station. Essentially, the labeler has a label dispenser and a transfer device to which labels are fed one behind the other by means of the label dispenser. The transfer device is designed to move the labels picked up by it to a predetermined position above an article web provided below, comprising a plurality of sealed packages positioned next to one another, in order to then press the labels onto the cover film of the respective packages. For this purpose, the transmission device has a large number of pin slide plates, which are mounted in a height-adjustable manner by means of a lifting device, in order to press the labels firmly onto the cover film.

The known pin slide plates have an integral structure. For this purpose, a base plate with a one-piece plate design is used, to which several spring-loaded pressure pins are attached. To accommodate the plurality of pressure pins, the base plate contains a corresponding plurality of receiving openings formed thereon. These can only be formed in the base plate with great manufacturing effort. In addition, only certain materials can be used to manufacture the base plate.

Another disadvantage of the known pin slide plates is that their assembly, in particular the assembly of the pressure pins, which consist of several individual small parts, has proven to be extremely difficult and time-consuming. In addition, the one-piece base plates take up a great deal of storage space. In addition, base plates of different sizes have been produced up to now, resulting in a large number of variants with increasing storage costs. Since the production materials suitable for the base plate are rather expensive, the production costs of the base plates are heavily dependent on their size.

In the DE 10 2006 047 488 A1 discloses a labeler with a settling box which has a plurality of pressure stamps for applying labels to a film web.

EP 1 177 982 A1 discloses a labeler according to the preamble of claim 1, having a slide assembly with sleeves fixedly attached to a plate and spring-loaded stamps therein for pressing labels onto packaging.

WO 2017/102642 A1 discloses a thermoforming packaging machine with a labeler arranged behind the sealing station.

US 2004/0250960 A1 discloses an apparatus for applying a label to a packaging base.

The object of the invention is to improve a labeler according to the type described above with regard to the disadvantages associated with the prior art, the slide assembly being particularly inexpensive to manufacture and easy to clean.

This object is achieved with a labeler according to claim 1. Improved developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

The labeler according to the invention comprises a label dispenser and a transfer device for transferring a series of labels dispensed to the transfer device onto an article web. The transfer device comprises at least one height-adjustable slider assembly for pressing the labels onto the article web, the slider assembly having a base plate and a plurality of pressure elements. According to the invention, the slide assembly further comprises at least one cassette module assembled with the base plate, on which one or more of the pressure elements are arranged in each case.

In the invention, the slide assembly has a modular structure, the respective pressure elements being fastened to the base plate of the slide assembly by means of the cassette module designed to accommodate them. As a result, the base plate can be manufactured much more easily because the respective pressure elements are no longer arranged directly on it, but on the cassette module or modules. The cassette module as such can be manufactured simply and inexpensively with regard to its attachment to the base plate and with regard to the reception of the respective pressure elements, which results in additional savings potential for the manufacturing process.

In the invention, the cassette module forms a carrier unit for one or more pressure elements. As a result, the base plate design is independent of the design of the pressure elements, so that the base plate can be manufactured as a base component in a cost-effective manner and whose training is possible as a standard for several applications. This allows both the pure manufacturing costs of the base plate and the associated storage costs to be reduced.

Overall, the modular structure of the slide assembly according to the invention offers considerable advantages in the assembly and manufacturing process compared to the known integral structure. In particular, the pressure pins no longer need to be individually mounted on the base plate. Rather, by means of the cassette module, several pressure pins, which are preferably already preassembled on the cassette module, can be fastened to the base plate in a few simple steps or in an automated manner.

Furthermore, the modular slide assembly is better suited for service and cleaning purposes. Against this background, different materials that are ideally suited for production and the purpose and meet the highest hygienic standards can be used for the respective modules.

The base plate and the cassette module are preferably assembled along a module plane. In the assembled state, the base plate and the cassette module or modules attached to it are in the form of a modular slide plate. A defined interface is preferably formed between the base plate and the cassette module, which interconnects the base plate and the cassette module in a form and / or force fit. The advantage of this is that the defined interface between the base plate and the cassette module can be designed to be structurally simple, excellent for uncomplicated and possibly automated module assembly, for example in the form of edges that are only straight against one another. It is useful if the pressure element is biased into a disengaged first position on the cassette module by means of a spring. The spring-loaded mounting of the pressing element ensures that it can be pushed out of the first position into a second, indented position on the cassette module during a pressing process for applying the labels, so that a maximum permissible pressing force for applying the labels to the film web is not exceeded.

According to a variant, the cassette module is detachably connected to the base plate. In this embodiment, the cassette module can be removed from the base plate, in particular for a cleaning process, for example without tools / manually or by using a tool. This variant is also of particular interest when it is provided that the cassette module or modules are to be replaced when a predetermined number of operating hours is reached, so to speak a renewal of the slide assembly is desired.

According to the invention, the cassette module is attached to the base plate by means of a coupling member. The coupling element is primarily designed to hold the base plate and the cassette module against one another along the defined interface. The coupling member is preferably made from the same material as the cassette module. The coupling link can consist of a pair of connector tabs which can be connected to one another at their respective ends. The connector tabs are preferably designed in this way and are connected to one another linked that they can be fastened at least in sections on opposite outer sides of the base plate in order to connect the cassette module to the base plate.

The coupling member is dimensioned such that it can be used to guide the slide assembly along a guide plane. In addition to its actual connector function, the coupling link can also be used as a guide component. The coupling member can thus perform a double function in that it can be used both for fastening the cassette module to the base plate and as a guide means for the slide assembly.

It would be expedient for the guiding function if a surface section formed by the coupling member is at least partially coplanar with a surface formed by the cassette module. As a result, seen in the guide plane, an effectively usable guide surface for the slide assembly could be further enlarged, whereby a particularly stable and positionally accurate guide, particularly suitable for continuous operation, can be produced.

As an alternative to coupling the cassette module to the base plate in a manually detachable manner without the use of additional tools, the assembly could also be designed so firmly that the cassette module can only be dismantled from the base plate by means of specially provided tools, possibly by machine. This can result in advantages with regard to a stable assembly of the slide assembly.

For a cleaning process, according to a variant, the entire slide assembly could be removed from the transfer device and fed to an immersion bath. The removal of the slide assembly, its cleaning in the immersion bath and the reinstallation of the slide assembly can take place within a tight timeframe.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the cassette module comprises at least one first receptacle, in which the coupling member is attached in such a way that at least in sections an outside of the coupling member together with an outside of the cassette module lie within the guide plane, ie merge into one another without a protrusion. As a result, the coupling link can be attached to the cassette module in a particularly space-saving and inconspicuous manner. Furthermore, there is an enlarged guide surface for the slide assembly and, in particular, there are also fewer places for potential deposition of contaminants.

The cassette module preferably comprises at least one second receptacle, for example on a side facing away from the base plate, in which at least one connector element is attached in order to secure the one or more pressing elements to the cassette module. For this purpose, the connector element preferably extends within the second receptacle over the entire width of the cassette module. Furthermore, the connector element can be dimensioned in such a way that an outer side thereof runs flat with at least a section of the outer side of the cassette module when the connector element is fastened in the second receptacle. As a result, the cassette module is compact and particularly suitable for hygienic operation.

A plurality of connector elements can expediently also be fastened in the second receptacle. The connector elements are preferably fastened one above the other in the second receptacle, the connector elements being arranged laterally offset from one another within the module plane, and wherein one of the connector elements protrudes over a side edge of the cassette module in order to be fastened to a further cassette module. Cassette modules arranged next to one another on the base plate can thus be fastened to one another.

According to a variant, the pressure element is designed in several parts. The pressure element can be configured as a spring-mounted slide pin. The pressure element preferably comprises a pin, a pin and a pressure piece attached to an end of the pin protruding from the cassette module, for example a plastic cap for pressing the labels on.

A plurality of cassette modules are preferably installed next to one another on the base plate. The respective cassette modules can be configured to each receive a plurality, preferably two or four, pressing elements. A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that a cassette module designed to accommodate two pressure elements can be produced from a cassette module designed to accommodate four pressure elements, for example by a separating process.

The cassette module can be produced particularly cost-effectively when it is made of plastic. The cassette module is preferably an injection molded part. According to a variant, the coupling member and / or the connector element are also manufactured as an injection-molded part, preferably from the same plastic as the cassette module.

The cassette module, the coupling link and / or the connector element are preferably made from polyamide (PA) or from polyoxymethylene (POM). For an appropriate use in the invention, these materials are particularly suitable as construction materials because of their high strength and toughness.

According to a variant, the base plate is made from hard paper. The hard paper is preferably made of paper as the carrier material and phenol / formaldehyde resin as the binder. For example, a hard paper of the type HP 2061.9 could be used. The base plate is preferably made from hard paper with a phenol or melamine coating. This allows the mechanical properties of the base plate to be improved even further. In addition, such coated base plates are ideal for cleaning processes.

As already mentioned, the cassette module can be designed to accommodate at least two or four pressure elements. In particular, the cassette module can be a pre-assembly module, i.e. the respective pressing elements are already mounted on it before the cassette module together with the pressing elements secured to it are attached to the base plate. The respective pressure elements can therefore be quickly attached to and removed from the base plate.

The labeler according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously on a packaging machine in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine or a traysealer.

Fig. 1

einen Ausschnitt einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Etikettierer,

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Etikettierers in einer ersten Stellung,

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht wie in Figur 2 in einer Zielstellung,

Fig. 4

eine Rückansicht des Etikettierers mit Hubantrieb,

Fig. 5

eine isoliert dargestellte Schieberbaugruppe des Etikettierers,

Fig. 6

eine Darstellung der Schieberbaugruppe aus Figur 5 in Schnittrichtung A,

Fig. 7

eine Explosionsdarstellung der in den Figuren 5 und 6 gezeigten Schieberbaugruppe,

Fig. 8

eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schieberbaugruppe und

Fig. 9

einen Traysealer, an welchem ein erfindungsgemäßer Etikettierer einsetzbar ist.

Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following figures. Show it

Fig. 1

a section of a thermoforming packaging machine with a labeler according to the invention,

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of the labeler in a first position,

Fig. 3

a view like in Figure 2 in a goal

Fig. 4

a rear view of the labeller with lifting drive,

Fig. 5

an isolated slide assembly of the labeler,

Fig. 6

an illustration of the slide assembly Figure 5 in cutting direction A,

Fig. 7

an exploded view of the Figures 5 and 6 slide assembly shown,

Fig. 8

an embodiment of the slide assembly according to the invention and

Fig. 9

a traysealer on which a labeler according to the invention can be used.

The same components are provided with the same reference symbols throughout the figures.

Figure 1 shows a section of a thermoforming packaging machine 1 with a sealing station 2, into which a lower film 3 and a cover film 4 are fed in order to produce packaging 5. In the sealing station 2, for example, twelve packs 5, divided into four lanes S and three rows R, are sealed in one work cycle. In the transport direction T, a labeler 6 with a control 7 is arranged after the sealing station 2 in order to apply labels 8 to the twelve packagings 5 from above onto the cover film 4 in one work cycle. The controller 7 of the labeler 6 can also be integrated in a controller 9 of the thermoforming packaging machine 1. The labeler 6 has a label dispenser 10, a displacement device 11 and a transmission device 12.

Figure 2 shows the label dispenser 10 with a carrier tape 13 for labels 8, the labels 8 being detached from the carrier tape 13 via a dispensing edge 14 and transferred to the transfer device 12. The transmission device 12 is shown without cladding for better illustration. By means of a vacuum generated by a fan (not shown), the labels 8 can be held with their non-adhesive upper side on the transport belt 16, while a first row R1 of labels 8 with the number of tracks S is picked up by the transfer device 12. During this phase, a lifting device 17 of the transmission device 12 is in a receiving position. In order to apply the row R1 of labels 8 downwards onto the cover film 4, the displacement device 11 moves the label dispenser 10 with the transfer device 12 in or against the transport direction T into the position in which the row R1 of labels 8 from above onto the cover film 4 should be applied. The transmission device 12 is then located above an article path A. The displacement device 11 is driven by a schematically illustrated motor 11a, for example a servo or stepper motor, and a toothed belt drive 11b. The transfer device 12 can, however, already be positioned above the article web A of packaging 5 while the first row R1 of labels 8 is being received.

In Figure 3 the phase is shown in which the lifting device 17, which has several slide assemblies 18 with spring-loaded pressure elements 19, has been moved downward so that the labels 8 are lifted off the transport belt 16 by the pressure elements 19, which are each in the form of slide pins 19a and are pressed onto the cover sheet 4. The slide assemblies 18 are moved into the target position by means of a motor 20 (for example by means of a servo motor, a stepping motor or a DC motor) and a belt drive 21. This can be set by the operator in such a way that an optimal and predefined pressing force is generated for pressing the labels 8 by the spring-loaded pressing elements 19.

The Figure 4 shows the construction of the lifting device 17 in the view in the transport direction T. The motor 20 transmits its rotary movement and its torque to a belt 22 which is connected to a base plate 23. By means of two pulleys 24 and guides 25 for the base plate 23, the rotary movement of the motor 20 is converted into a vertical movement of the base plate 23, whereby the slide assemblies 18 attached to it are displaced downward. The slide assemblies 18 are spaced apart from one another which is large enough to be able to pass between the transport belts 16 in order to pick up the labels 8 from the transport belt 16 and apply them to the cover film 4.

In the Figure 5 is one of the in Figure 4 shown slide assemblies 18 shown isolated in detail. The slider assembly 18 has a modular construction. The slide assembly 18 comprises, in particular, a base plate 26 and a multiplicity of cassette modules 27 attached to it. The respective cassette modules 27 are attached to the base plate 26 by means of a plurality of coupling members 28. According to Figure 5 the respective coupling links 28 are aligned vertically spaced apart from one another.

In the Figure 5 For example, six cassette modules 27a are attached to the base plate 26, each of which is configured to receive four pressure elements 19. A cassette module 27b, which is only provided for receiving two pressure elements 19, is attached to the outside right in the image plane.

Figure 5 also shows that the cassette modules 27 attached next to one another to the base plate 26 are attached to one another. The respective cassette modules 27 are connected by means of an upper row 29a of connector elements 29. A lower row 29b of connector elements 29 is attached to the respective cassette modules 27 in order to secure the pressure elements 19 arranged thereon.

In Figure 5 the respective pressure elements 19 are designed as slide pins 19a. The respective slide pins 19a are by means of a spring 30 in the according to Figure 5 first position P1 shown preloaded. When the labels 8 are pressed onto the cover film 4, the respective slide pins 19a can be pushed into the cassette module 27 carrying them.

Figure 6 shows the in Figure 5 The slide assembly 18 shown in a sectional view in the direction of view A. The base plate 26 is assembled with the respective cassette modules 27 aligned in a module plane M. The coupling members 28 and the respective cassette modules 27 are configured and connected to one another in such a way that they form outer sides A1, A2, the respective outer sides A1, A2 together defining a guide plane E. Also shows Figure 6 that an outside A3 of the connector elements 29 also lies within the guide plane E. The respective outer sides A1, A2, A3 can thus jointly form an enlarged guide surface F in order to move the slide assembly 18 along the guide plane E in a precisely positioned manner. This also results in a smooth surface that is particularly suitable for hygienic operation, to which contamination is reduced or not liable at all.

Figure 7 shows the slide assembly 18 in an exploded view. The base plate 26 contains a plurality of fastening openings 31 to which the coupling links 28 can be fastened. The base plate 26 also has clearances 32 at which sprue points 33 of the coupling links 28 can engage, the clearances 32 being able to be used as alignment aids in order to secure the coupling links 28 in a vertical orientation. The base plate 26 further comprises a mounting part 34, by means of which the base plate 26 can be fastened to the base plate 23.

Figure 7 also shows an interface 35 for assembling the base plate 26 with the cassette modules 27, the interface 35 being formed from a straight end edge 35a of the base plate 26 and a correspondingly straight connection edge 35b of the respective cassette modules 27. In accordance with Figure 5 In the assembled state shown, the coupling members 28 hold the terminating edge 35a and the connecting edge 35b to one another, so that the respective cassette modules 27 are fixed in place relative to the base plate 26.

According to Figure 7 the respective cassette modules 27 include holding projections 36a, 36b in the region of the connecting edge 35b, which are provided in such a way that the terminating edge 35a of the base plate 26 can be received between them. The holding projections 36a, 36b ensure that the cassette modules 27 remain stably aligned on the base plate 26 along the module plane M even in continuous operation.

The respective cassette modules 27 are equipped with a first and a second receptacle 38a, 38b. Figure 7 shows that the coupling members 28 can be fastened in the first receptacle 38a and the connector elements 29 can be fastened in the second receptacle 38b.

In the Figure 7 the respective cassette modules 27 are each shown as a pre-assembly module V1, V2, the respective pre-assembly modules V1, V2 being fastened next to one another on the base plate 26 in a first assembly step by means of the coupling members 28 and then connected to one another in a second assembly step by means of the connector elements 29b, so that, overall, a stable composite can be produced for the slide assembly 18.

Figure 8 shows a slider assembly 18 '. According to Figure 8 are according to the assembly of the in Figure 5 A plurality of cassette modules 27 are fastened next to one another on a base plate 26 ′ along the defined interface 35. In addition to the in Figure 5 The slide assembly 18 shown in FIG Figure 8 The illustrated slide assembly 18 'is integrally attached to the base plate 26' coupling members 28 'which can be used as additional guide means. Together with the designed outer sides A1, A2, A3 of the coupling links 28, the module cassettes 27 and the connector elements 29, the additionally provided coupling links 28 ′ can enlarge the guide surface F further. For an improved guiding function, the respective coupling links 28, 28 ′ are arranged in a region B so that they partially overlap.

According to the schematic representation in Figure 9 the labeler 6 according to the invention can also be used on a traysealer 40.

In the invention, the respective cassette modules 27 are primarily used as carrier units for the pressure elements 19. The base plate 26 as such does not therefore need to be designed to accommodate the respective pressure elements 19 with a plurality of specifically made receiving openings. The cassette modules 27 can be manufactured as injection-molded parts from a cost-effective material and can be manufactured without difficulty in terms of process engineering for receiving and assembling the respective pressure elements 19. The combination of the respective modules of the slide assembly 18, 18 ′ according to the invention results in considerable advantages over the prior art for the production and application process. The respective modules of the invention Slide assemblies 18, 18 'also offer advantages for their storage and come into consideration for different applications. The modular structure also offers a wide range of expansion options.

Claims (13)

1. Labelling device (6), comprising a label dispenser (10) and a transfer device (12) for transferring a row (R1) of labels (8) dispensed to the transfer device (12) to an article web (A), the transfer device (12) having at least one slide assembly (18) mounted thereon in a vertically adjustable manner for pressing the labels (8) onto the article web (A), the slide assembly (18) comprising a base plate (26) and a plurality of pressure elements (19), wherein the slide assembly (18) further comprises at least one cassette module (27) assembled with the base plate (26), one or more of the pressure elements (19) being arranged on each cassette module (27), characterized in that the cassette module (27) is fastened to the base plate (26) by means of a coupling element (28), wherein the coupling element (28) is dimensioned so as to be insertable for guiding the slide assembly (18) along a guide plane (E).
2. Labelling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate (26) and the cassette module (27) are assembled along a module plane (M).
3. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing element (19) is pre-loaded by means of a spring (30) into a disengaged first position (P1) on the cassette module (27).
4. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette module (27) is detachably connected to the base plate (26).
5. Labelling device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the cassette module (27) comprises at least one first receptacle (38a), wherein the coupling element (28) is fastened in such a way that at least in sections an outer side (A2) of the cassette module (27) lies within the guide plane (E).
6. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette module (27) comprises at least one second receptacle (38b), wherein at least one connector element (29) is fastened in order to secure the pressing element (19) to the cassette module (27).
7. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of cassette modules (27) are mounted side by side on the base plate (26).
8. Labelling device according to claim 7, characterized in that the cassette modules (27) arranged side by side are fastened to one another.
9. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette module (27) is formed from plastic.
10. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette module (27) is an injection-moulded part.
11. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette module (27) is designed to receive two or four pressing elements (19).
12. Labelling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette module (27) is a pre-assembly module (V1, V2).
13. Packaging machine in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine (1) or a tray sealer (40) comprising a labelling device (6) according to one of the preceding claims.

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