EP3549880A1 - Pressing device with motor - Google Patents

Abstract

Pressing device (1) for a labeling machine (3), for pressing an adhesive label (13) onto a product packaging (7). The pressing device (1) comprises a sliding element (5) as a support for a product packaging (7), a transport unit (17) for transporting a product packaging (7) along a transport direction (T) and a folding element (25) for folding one onto an upper side (67) of the product packaging (7) and protruding adhesive labels (13). The pressing device (1) further comprises a motor (57) and a pressing unit (11) which is driven by the latter and which is moved in a linear movement (L) during the operation of the pressing device (1) and which is configured to have one end by means of said linear movement (L) (27, 69) of the adhesive label (13) on an underside (15) of the product packaging (7).

Description

The present invention relates to a pressing device for a labeling machine.

Food products are often placed or portioned in a deep-drawn plastic tray and then sealed the shell with a plastic film by means of, for example, a heat seal seam airtight. In order to provide the consumer with information about the content of such a product packaging, printed labels are additionally applied to the product packaging. Increasingly popular are tape or strip-shaped labels, which can also extend over side surfaces of a product packaging, so at least partially surround the product packaging. It is important that the labels are applied straight and wrinkle-free and pressed, and this takes place in the fastest possible and continuous flow of goods of a production line.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved pressing device for pressing an adhesive label onto a product package.

This object is achieved by a pressing device with the features of claim 1 or by a method for pressing an end of an adhesive label having the features of claim 13. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

A pressing device according to the invention for a labeling machine for pressing an adhesive label onto a product packaging comprises a sliding element as support for a product packaging, a transport unit for transporting a product packaging along a transport direction and an unfolding element for folding over an adhesive label applied to an upper side of the product packaging and projecting beyond it. The slider may be a low friction coefficient slider plate, but may also include rollers or actively driven belts to assist in transporting the product package through the conveyor unit. Upstream in the conveyor line is a device as part of the labeling machine which is configured to apply the adhesive label to the top of the product package. The Andrückvorrichtung further includes a motor, for. B. a servo motor, and a driven by this and moving in operation of the pressing device in a linear motion pressing unit. The pressing unit is configured to press one end of the adhesive label onto an underside of the product package by means of said linear movement. The product packaging thus reaches the pressing device with the substantially horizontally on top of the product packaging resting label, the protruding part of the Umfaltelement is first folded over preferably substantially vertically downwards. The Umfaltelement can be a straight or curved Umfaltleiste, a straight or curved Umfaltstab or a combination of several such components in the form of a Umlenkkulisse. The pressing device then strips the end of the downward-facing adhesive label on the underside of the product packaging, wherein the product packaging rests on the correspondingly shaped sliding element, that during its movement along the transport direction always just the area of its underside remains free, at which the pressing of the Adhesive labels done. Thus, a usually narrow, elongate label may extend from an upper side along a lateral side to an underside of a product package and thus span a product package. With appropriate design, the adhesive label provides an appealing and informative product presentation. The pressing of one end of the adhesive label on the underside of the product packaging can be done by means of the pressing device described here during the ongoing transport of the product packaging.

The pressing unit preferably comprises a pressure brush or a pressure roller or a pressure blade. The pressure brush usually comprises elongated, arranged along a line with a small width bristles, which can point vertically, but also inclined upwards. The length of the pressure brush along the transport direction of the product packaging preferably corresponds at least to the width of the adhesive label to be pressed. The same applies to a pressure roller or a pressure blade, wherein all three components can also be smaller or larger than the width of the adhesive label. Since a relative transverse movement between the pressing unit and product packaging is eliminated due to the described arrangement and control of the pressing unit, a tearing of the label is reliably prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment, the pressing unit is arranged such that the linear movement performed by it is oblique, preferably at an angle α of about -65 ° to -75 °, to the transport direction of the product packaging. Such a movement sums up two movements, namely that orthogonal to the transport direction or to the movement of the product packaging, which serves for brushing the adhesive label, and the movement which follows the product packaging along the transport direction. Thus, the brushing of the adhesive label during the continuous movement of the product packaging can be done in a continuous flow of goods.

In an expedient embodiment, the pressing unit is arranged on a carriage mounted on a guide, wherein the carriage is connected to the motor or servomotor via a belt. In this case, the belt z. B. configured to transmit a rotational movement of the motor as a linear movement of the carriage and thus the pressing unit. The belt is on the one hand fixedly connected to the carriage and on the other hand runs over a driven by the rotor of the motor roller. The pressure unit is usually detachably connected to the carriage, for example by one or more screw connections, but can also be made in one piece with this. The use of a servo motor is particularly advantageous, since its driving mechanism exact travel paths and speeds are possible. By changing its direction of rotation, a forward and a return movement can be generated. If the pressure unit or even the pressure brush is detachably attached to the carriage, then they can be exchanged to use different size Andrückbürsten, or to exchange brushes, which have a wear to exchange, the drive components can remain unchanged. Instead of a belt driven rotary motor, a linear motor can also be used to move the carriage.

Typically, the guide comprises two parallel, preferably cylindrical rods. The carriage is mounted on the rods via corresponding recesses, for example bores, and can be pulled along the rods along the rods. The rods can be arranged vertically one above the other, but also diagonally offset. By the use of two parallel rods, a stable storage and guidance of the carriage is given, so that it is stably protected against tilting.

Ideally, the carriage comprises two surfaces, each extending through a recess of a Abdeckkulisse. In order to protect the drive components of the pressure unit against contamination as well as an operator on the conveyor line before moving parts, the drive components can be housed. In order to guide the movement of the carriage from the Abdeckkulisse, so the case out, slots or recesses in the upper side are present. In order to achieve the highest possible rigidity, two parallel surfaces, which are oriented vertically and in their extension parallel to the direction of movement, are advantageous. Thus, the recesses in the Abdeckkulisse can be as narrow as possible, with their length is adapted to the required infrastructure.

In a preferred variant, the pressing unit is oriented in a basic position and during the linear movement at right angles to the product packaging. For the appropriately arranged Pressing brush means this that their elongated bristles thus extend substantially along the transport direction of the product packaging and by the orthogonal movement of the Andrückeinheit the adhesive label is always brushed through the entire length of the Andrückbürste. This ensures that all areas of the adhesive label are pressed on the underside of the product packaging.

In a particularly advantageous variant, the basic position of the pressing unit is adjustable in order to adapt the pressing device to product packages of different sizes. Thus, the starting point of the linear movement in relation to the transport direction can be offset within the limits of the maximum possible travel path to the outside or to the inside. Symmetrically, the end point or reversal point is determined. So the track can be adapted to the product packaging so that it is minimal in any case, so just as long as necessary. Thus, the time required for the pressing process is always kept to a minimum, which means a maximum throughput of product packaging.

Preferably, a (servo) motor controller is configured to control the linear motion of the pressing unit to have a constant speed v during the pressing operation. Since the transport of the product packaging usually takes place at a constant transport speed, it makes sense to move the pressure brush adapted thereto, so that an additional unfavorable relative movement is prevented. The acceleration and deceleration takes place accordingly before or after the pressing process. This ensures that the brush always takes the correct position with respect to the adhesive label. However, the control device and the motor would also be capable of driving a variable speed pattern during the pressing operation.

Suitably, the speed v of the pressing unit at least during a portion of the pressing process is equal to v = transport speed / cosine (a). As described above, α is the angle which the linear movement of the pressing unit includes with the transporting direction of the product package. Depending on the angle α and the transport speed of the product packaging, v is thus the speed of the pressing unit which is necessary to carry out the pressing movement and at the same time to follow the movement of the product packaging. So the adhesive label can be pressed evenly and completely.

In a common variant, the (servo) motor control is configured such that the pressure unit is moved back to the pressing position from a rear end position directly in the home position. The pressing unit is thus delayed as quickly as possible and then accelerated directly to a return movement. There is thus no standstill in the turning position. Because in the Return movement no constant speeds must be maintained, can be accelerated in this as quickly and long as possible to subsequently, possibly after a phase of constant travel, but which is not mandatory to decelerate the pressure unit back to the basic position. As a result, the travel times can be kept to a minimum and the cycle performance, ie the product packaging processed per unit of time, to a maximum.

In a further variant, the transport unit comprises a headband for transporting the product packaging. The headband is arranged so that it comes into contact with the product packaging from above and moves it by means of frictional force over the sliding element of the pressing device. For the headband materials can be selected which produce a particularly high stiction with the product packaging, such as rubber or rubber compounds, whereas the slider should have the lowest possible coefficient of friction, as is the case for example with polished stainless steel or Teflon. The arrangement of the transport unit above the product packaging so the bottom of the product packaging for pressing the adhesive label remain accessible.

Usually, the transport unit is configured for continuous transport of the product packages. The product packaging labeled from above is fed via a belt body and transferred to the pressure device. If the transport speeds of the feeding belt body and of the headband of the pressing device are the same, the transfer of the product packaging and its transport within the pressing device takes place as a continuous movement. For this purpose, the speed of the transport unit via a control device is adjustable. Thus, the clock power of the pressing device can be synchronized with the other stations of the conveyor line and there is no collection or delay area must be provided before the pressing.

In a further variant, the pressing device has two pressing units, which are arranged in their respective basic position on different sides of the pressing device, in order in each case to press one end of an adhesive label on the underside of the product packaging. Thus, an adhesive label, which rests on the top of a product package and on both sides, on a right and a left side protrudes, are first folded by two Umfaltelemente at the respective ends in a substantially vertical orientation and then the ends of the left and right be pressed by means of the two pressure units on the bottom of the product packaging. The movement components orthogonal to the transport direction of the two pressure units are thus opposite, whereas the movement components along the transport direction are the same.

The pressure units are expediently arranged such that the travel paths of their linear movements do not intersect, which can be realized, for example, by arranging the pressure units so that their travel paths lie one after the other along the conveying direction. Thus, it is possible to guide an adhesive label from the top of a product package over two side surfaces to the bottom and press there, so to span a product packaging symmetrical. It is also possible to have two adhesive labels, which are spaced apart, for example, on the top, run over a respective lateral surface to the bottom. Both can increase the attractiveness of the goods on sale.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Andrückvorrichtung als Teil einer Etikettiermaschine,

Figur 2:

Komponenten einer Andrückvorrichtung,

Figur 3:

eine Andrückvorrichtung welche geeignet ist, zwei gegenüberliegende Enden eines Haftetiketts anzudrücken,

Figur 4a,b,c:

eine Produktverpackung mit einem Haftetikett, zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten beim Durchlauf einer Andrückvorrichtung.

Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the figures. Show

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of a pressing device as part of a labeling machine,

FIG. 2:

Components of a pressing device,

FIG. 3:

a pressing device which is suitable for pressing two opposite ends of an adhesive label,

FIG. 4a, b, c:

a product packaging with an adhesive label, at different times during the passage of a pressing device.

Corresponding components are each provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a pressing device 1 here as an example as part of a labeling machine 3. The pressing device 1 comprises a sliding member 5 in the form of a sliding plate as a support for a product package 7 with an omission 9, which is sufficiently wide, so that a pressing unit 11, an adhesive label 13 on a bottom 15th the product packaging 7 can press. The sliding element 5 is mounted on spacer legs 16 and thus positioned at a desired height. The pressing device 1 comprises a transport unit 17 which, for example, as shown here, moves the product packaging 7 along the transport direction T by means of two synchronously operated head bands 19. A feed belt 21 transports the product packaging 7 to the pressing device 1, and a discharge conveyor 23 takes over the further transport after the labeling has taken place. An umfaltelement 25 folds a projecting end 27 of the adhesive label 13 in a substantially vertical position, from which it is pressed by the pressing unit 11 to the bottom 15 of the product package 7. Within a cover gate 29, so a housing 29, drive components of the pressing device 1 are encapsulated. In this illustration, in addition to the supply and Abförderbändern 21, 23 further parts of the labeling machine 3 can be seen. Thus, by means of a wiper edge 31 of a label dispenser 33, the adhesive label 13 is applied by a carrier tape to the product package 7. One can see here a product packaging 7 in a first, right-hand position with the adhesive label 13 on top and in a second, downstream position with the adhesive label 13 folded down and a third, further downstream position with the product packaging 7 pressed on the underside 15 Adhesive label 13.

In FIG. 2 components of the pressing device 1 are shown, wherein the Abdeckkulisse 29 is indicated by dashed lines. It is the sliding member 5 with the obliquely to the transport direction T oriented 9, within which the pressure unit 11 can move at least partially detect. The pressing unit 11 comprises an elongated pressure brush 35 or pressure roller 35 or a pressure blade 35 and a connecting piece 37 and is mounted on a carriage 39. The carriage 39 is slidably mounted on a guide 43. The guide 43 is here in the form of two parallel, diagonally offset, cylindrical rods 45, which are fixed by two anchors 47 on a bottom plate 49 formed. The carriage 39 is fixedly connected via a connecting part 51 with a belt 53. The belt 53 is tensioned around two rollers 55, one of which by a motor, for. B. a servo motor, 57 is driven. The motor 57 is controlled by a controller 71, which is usually an electronic data processing unit. The illustrated arrangement of the drive components, a rotational movement R of the motor 57 and thus the rollers 55 is transmitted as a linear movement L on the pressing unit 11. In a top 59 of the Abdeckkulisse 29 two recesses 61 are provided, through which two surfaces 63 of the carriage 39 extend and within which a linear movement L of the carriage 39 is possible. According to the structural conditions, the pressing unit 11 can perform the linear movement L from a basic position G to an end position E, wherein the linear movement L is inclined at an angle α to the transport direction T, as shown here with the corresponding arrows.

FIG. 3 shows a pressing device 1, which is suitable to press two opposite ends of a self-adhesive label 13. For this purpose, two sliding elements 5 as well as the associated pressure units 11 and the drive components installed inside each cover cover 29 are arranged underneath the transport unit 17. The recesses 9 in the sliding elements 5 and the recesses 61 in the Abdeckkulissen 29 are oriented to the transport direction T, that only a left end of an adhesive label 13 and then its right end is pressed. Of the Carriage 39 and the pressure unit 11 are here in each case in its basic position G, ie the starting position before the pressing operation shown. The basic positions G are adjacent to a first, or viewed in the direction of transport T left side 73, and a second, right side 75, respectively. The Umfaltelement 25 is the left side 73 visible for this purpose, and a corresponding Umfaltelement is present on the opposite right side 75. Shown is also the label dispenser 33, in which a carrier film is guided over a wiping edge 31 in order to release the adhesive labels 13 applied to it and to apply them to an upper side of a product package 7.

FIG. 4a shows a product package 7, on the top 67 through the label dispenser 33 an adhesive label 13 is applied. In this example, the adhesive label 13 is dimensioned such that a left and a right end 27, 69 protrude beyond the product package 7, wherein the protruding ends 27, 69 are longer than the height of the product package 7. Alternatively, the adhesive label 13 may also have only one projection, or it may be applied two adhesive labels 13, each with a supernatant.

FIG. 4b shows the product packaging 7 FIG. 4a After the two protruding ends 27, 69 of the adhesive label 13 have been folded over by folded-over folding elements 25 on both sides in a substantially vertical direction about an upper edge 68 of the product package 7.

Figure 4c shows the product package 7 of the two preceding figures, after the two ends 27, 69 of the adhesive label 13 were pressed by means of a pressing unit 11 to the bottom 15 of the product package 7. The adhesive label 13 is thus folded over the upper edge 68 and the lower edge 70 of the product package 7. Since the adhesive label 13 is stably pressed against the upper and lower sides 67, 15 of the product package 7, it is also possible to label product packages 7 which have a laterally protruding upper edge 68, such that the adhesive label 13 is incomplete with a side surface 77 of the product package 7 is in contact.

The method steps for pressing an end 27, 69 of an adhesive label 13 onto an underside 15 of a product package 7 are explained below.
According to the invention, the product package 7 is fed by a feed belt 21 or a comparable device to a transport unit 17, after an adhesive label 13 has already been applied to an upper side 67 of the product package 7 and projects beyond the product package 7. The transport unit 17 then transports the product package 7 along a transport direction T during the following method steps. By an umfaltelement 25, the protruding end 27, 69 of the adhesive label 13 is folded over an upper edge 68 of the product package 7 and then extends in a substantially vertical direction. Subsequently, the protruding end 27, 69 of the adhesive label 13 is pressed on a bottom 15 of the product package 7 by means of a pressing unit 11. The pressing unit 11 is thereby driven by a motor, for. B. a servomotor, driven 57 and during the pressing of the adhesive label 13 in a linear movement L moves.

The linear movement L carried out by the pressing unit 11 preferably takes place obliquely, preferably at an angle α of approximately -65 ° to -75 °, relative to the transport direction T of the product packaging 7.

Furthermore, it is expedient that the linear movement L carried out by the pressing unit 11 takes place at a speed v = transport speed / cosine (a) during the pressing operation.

Starting from the above-described embodiments of a pressing device 1, many variations of the same are possible. Thus, for example, the transport unit 17 instead of a headband 19 to transport the product packaging 7 by entrainment. The guide 43, on which the carriage 39 is slidably mounted, may instead of cylindrical rods 45 also comprise rectangular or polygonal rods, of which then a single may be sufficient to prevent tilting of the carriage 39. The carriage 39 may also comprise only a single surface 63, which is for example formed as part of a double-T-shape, in order to ensure a sufficient torsional rigidity. As a result, only one recess 61, through which the surface 63 extends, would be sufficient. In addition, it is conceivable to arrange the components of the pressing device 1 vertically, that is to say in the above-described embodiments, through 90 °, so that labels 13 can be pressed against lateral surfaces of a product package 7 as described above.

Claims (15)

Pressing device (1) for a labeling machine (3), for pressing an adhesive label (13) on a product package (7), wherein the pressing device (1) has a sliding element (5) as a support for a product packaging (7), a transport unit (17) for transporting a product packaging (7) along a transport direction (T) and an unfolding element (25) for folding over an adhesive label (13) applied to and protruding over an upper side (67) of the product packaging (7), characterized in that the pressing device (1) further comprises a motor (57) and a pressing unit (11) driven by the latter and moved in a linear movement (L) during operation of the pressing device (1), which is configured to have one end (27) by means of said linear movement (L) , 69) of the adhesive label (13) on an underside (15) of the product packaging (7). Pressing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing unit (11) comprises a pressure brush (35) or a pressure roller (35) or a pressure blade (35). Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing unit (11) is arranged such that its linear movement (L) obliquely, preferably at an angle α of about -65 ° to -75 °, to the transport direction ( T) of the product packaging (7). Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing unit (11) is arranged on a carriage (39) mounted on a guide (43), the carriage (39) being connected to the motor (57) via a belt (53). is connected and the belt (53) is configured to transmit a rotational movement (R) of the motor (57) as a linear movement (L) on the carriage (39). Pressing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide (43) comprises two parallel, preferably cylindrical rods (45). Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing unit (11) in a basic position (G) and during the linear movement (L) at right angles to the product package (7) is oriented. Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic position (G) of the pressing unit (11) is adjustable in order to adapt the pressing device (1) to product packages (7) of different sizes. Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a controller (71) of the motor (57) designed as a servomotor is configured to control the linear movement (L) of the pressing unit (11) so that it is at a constant speed during the pressing operation having. Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed (v) of the pressing unit (11) at least during a portion of the pressing process v = transport speed / cosine (a), where α is the angle between the linear movement (L) of the pressing unit ( 11) and the transport direction (T) of the product package (7). Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (71) is configured such that the pressing unit (11) is moved back to a pressing operation from a rear end position (E) directly in the basic position (G). Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport unit (17) for a continuous transport of the product packaging (7) is configured. Pressing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has two pressing units (11) which are arranged in their respective basic position (G) on different sides (73, 75) of the pressing device (1), in each case one end (27, 69). an adhesive label (13) on the underside (15) of the product packaging (7). Method for pressing one end (27, 69) of an adhesive label (13) onto a lower side (15) of a product package (7), characterized by the following method steps: Transporting a product package (7) along a transport direction (T) by means of a transport unit (17), wherein on the top (67) of the product packaging (7) a sticking over this adhesive label (13) is applied; Folding the adhesive label (13) around an upper edge (68) of the product package (7) by a fold-over element (25); Pressing one end (27, 69) of the adhesive label (13) on a lower side (15) of the product package (7) by a pressing unit (11) driven by a motor (57) and during pressing of the adhesive label (13) in one Linear movement (L) is moved. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the of the pressing unit (11) executed linear movement (L) obliquely, preferably at an angle α of about -65 ° to -75 °, to the transport direction (T) of the product packaging (7) , Method according to Claim 14, characterized in that the linear movement (L) carried out by the pressing unit (11) takes place at a speed v = transport speed / cosine (a) during the pressing operation.

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