EP3798148A1 - Fastening system for fastening a dispensing edge of a labelling unit for containers to a corresponding dispensing arm, and labelling unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastening system is described for fastening a dispensing edge designed to detach labels from a carrier strip on an associated dispensing arm of a labeling unit for containers. The dispensing edge is therefore attached to a holder that can be detached from the dispensing arm. Furthermore, the fastening system comprises a closure that can be actuated without tools for locking the holder on the dispensing arm. Due to the fact that the closure is a clamping closure that can be actuated by means of a clamping lever, the dispensing edge can be replaced in a simple, reproducible and ergonomic manner in the event of wear, a format change or the like.

Description

The invention relates to a fastening system according to the preamble of claim 1, a labeling unit equipped therewith and a corresponding labeling machine.

A generic fastening system is from DE 20 2015 103 482 U1 known. Accordingly, an interchangeable carrier with a dispensing edge is coupled to a dispensing arm by means of a lock based on two bolts arranged orthogonally to one another. The lock is actuated either by screwing in / unscrewing a locking bolt running transversely to the dispensing arm in a threaded hole or by a spring preload acting on the locking bolt, which must be counteracted manually to release the lock. Both types of actuation are, however, in need of improvement from an ergonomic point of view. In one case due to the numerous screwing movements for locking / releasing the lock, in the other case due to the fact that the spring preload has to be counteracted for a comparatively long time when exchanging the change holder, which makes it difficult to simultaneously handle the dispensing edge to be exchanged and used instead. In addition, the described bolt lock in the interior of the dispensing arm is relatively complex in terms of construction and contributes only little to a torsion-proof coupling of the dispensing edge. This requires additional form-fitting elements on the change holder and on the dispensing arm.

There is therefore a need for a fastening system which, when mounted on the labeling unit, is easily accessible for operating personnel and can be operated ergonomically and / or provides a stable and twist-proof interchangeable coupling between the dispensing arm and the dispensing edge with the least possible structural effort.

The problem posed is achieved with a fastening system according to claim 1.

Accordingly, it is a fastening system for fastening a dispensing edge, which is designed to detach labels from a carrier tape, to an associated dispensing arm of a labeling unit for containers.

The dispensing edge is attached to a holder that can be detached from the dispensing arm. Furthermore, the fastening system comprises a lock that can be operated without tools for locking the holder on the dispensing arm. According to the invention, the lock is a tension lock that can be actuated by means of a tension lever.

A tension lock in the sense of the invention has a tension lever which, when the tension lock is closed, exerts a tensile force on an associated closing angle or a similar locking element. The clamping lock can, for example, engage positively in the closing angle by means of a clamping hook coupled to the clamping lever. The clamping lever works in particular as a toggle lever which, when closing, is pressed in the direction of the components carrying the clamping lock.

The terms "tension hook" and "closing angle" correspond to the language used for tension locks. However, it could also be functionally corresponding locking elements with a different shape, provided that there is a mutual positive connection on tension when the tension lock is closed.

The clamping lock can be locked in the closed position in a manner known in principle by overpressing the clamping lever beyond a dead center and opened again by exceeding dead center in the opposite direction.

By simply pressing the clamping lever in the direction of the dispensing arm, the clamping lock can be closed in a particularly ergonomic way and opened just as ergonomically by actuating it in the opposite direction.

Due to the interlocking engagement of the clamping lever and the locking bracket with one another, the holder and dispensing arm are also drawn essentially plane-parallel to one another. This also makes it easier to lock the holder on the dispensing arm in a fixed rotational position.

As is known, the dispensing arm is used to guide the carrier tape to the detachment edge and back again and to position the dispensing edge on a transport path of the containers.

The tensioning lever can preferably be tilted about an essentially horizontal axis with respect to its bearing shoe, a bearing plate or similar mounting. This enables an ergonomic actuation of the tension lock in the area of an assigned labeling machine from above.

The fastening system preferably further comprises a first fastening element for fastening a mounting of the tensioning lever on the upper side of the dispensing arm. There the tensioning lever is particularly easily accessible and is arranged outside the lateral areas of the dispensing arm provided for guiding the carrier tape.

The first fastening element is preferably designed to grip around the dispenser arm from above and to fasten it to the side on the dispenser arm, in particular by means of a screw connection. This enables a structurally simple parallel alignment of the tension lock on the dispensing arm and a stable fastening of the first fastening element to fastening grooves or the like running longitudinally on the dispensing arm. This also makes it easier to retrofit dispensing arms with the fastening system.

The tension lock preferably comprises a closing bracket rigidly connected to the holder, and the tensioning lever can be brought into engagement with the closing bracket in such a way that the holder is pulled against the dispensing arm when the tension lock is closed. This enables play-free and reproducible positioning of the holder by striking it and tightening it on the dispensing arm.

The fastening system preferably further comprises a second fastening element for fastening the closing bracket to the holder, in particular by means of a screw connection. This enables a simple and, if necessary, retrofitting installation of the locking bracket on the holder.

The upper sides of the first and second fastening elements provided for mounting the clamping lever mounting and the locking bracket are then preferably aligned with one another, so that the clamping lock works essentially plane-parallel in tension.

The toggle fastener preferably comprises a locking hook which is coupled to the tensioning lever or which is fastened / formed on it and which engages positively in the closing angle when the toggle fastener is closed. The locking hook and the locking bracket then work together when closing on train. The locking hook preferably runs under the tensioning lever in the sense of a beam. A locking hook working as an upper pull is also possible in principle.

The toggle fastener is preferably designed for manual closing and opening by actuating forces of 5-50 N. On the one hand, this enables ergonomic operation by hand when changing the dispensing edge and, on the other hand, a stable closed state during production.

The fastening system preferably further comprises a linear guide for guiding the holder on the dispensing arm in its longitudinal direction. Forces in the transverse direction of the dispensing arm can then be derived from the linear guide, so that the tension lock is mechanically relieved in this regard. The tension lock can therefore have a comparatively simple and inexpensive structure.

The linear guide preferably comprises a guide channel formed in the dispensing arm and a guide pin corresponding to it and rigidly arranged on the holder. This enables a simultaneous derivation of vertically and horizontally acting transverse forces.

The guide channel and guide pin then preferably have non-rotationally symmetrical cross-sections, in particular polygonal cross-sections. At the same time, this enables an anti-twist device and relieves the tension lock in this regard.

The object is also achieved with a labeling unit for attaching self-adhesive labels to containers, comprising a dispensing arm, a detachable holder with a dispensing edge for detaching the labels from a carrier tape and a fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims.

The labeling unit preferably further comprises a conveying device for providing a carrier tape equipped with the labels, in particular from a roll, and for receiving the unequipped, returning carrier tape.

The stated object is also achieved with a labeling machine comprising the labeling unit and a transport means, in particular designed as a carousel, for transporting the containers to the dispensing edge.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf das Befestigungssystem mit Spenderarm und Spendekante;

Figur 2

eine Schrägansicht des Befestigungssystems;

Figur 3

einen Längsschnitt entlang der Schnittlinie A-A in der Fig. 1; und

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines zugehörigen Etikettieraggregats als Bestandteil einer Etikettiermaschine.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

a plan view of the fastening system with dispenser arm and dispensing edge;

Figure 2

an oblique view of the fastening system;

Figure 3

a longitudinal section along the section line AA in FIG Fig. 1 ; and

Figure 4

a schematic representation of an associated labeling unit as part of a labeling machine.

As the Figure 1 As can be seen, the fastening system 1 for a dispensing edge 2 on a dispensing arm 3 comprises a (in the Figure 1 labeling unit (not shown) has a tension lock 4 with a tension lever 5. The tension lock 4 preferably comprises also in a manner known in principle a clamping hook 6 and a locking bracket 7, which in the Figure 1 are partially covered by the clamping lever 5.

The tensioning lever 5 comprises a (in the Fig. 2 designated) bearing shoe 5a, to which it is fastened to the dispensing arm 3 by means of a first fastening element 8.

The closing bracket 7 is fastened or formed on a second fastening element 9, which in turn is rigidly connected to a holder 10 carrying the dispensing edge 2.

When the tension lock 4 is open, the holder 10, together with the dispensing edge 2 attached to it, can be pulled off the dispensing arm 3 in its longitudinal direction 11.

The functions of the holder 10 for positioning the dispensing edge 2 with respect to the dispensing arm 3 by pivoting and for looping a carrier tape with labels around the dispensing edge 2 are known and are therefore not explained in detail. As is known, the holder 10 and the dispensing edge 2 could also be arranged on the dispensing arm 3 in a mirror-inverted manner with respect to the longitudinal direction 11 (for illustration in the figures).

The holder 10 can be exchanged without tools together with the dispensing edge 2, which can be viewed as a set-up part and / or as a component of the associated labeling unit that is subject to wear. The toggle fastener 4 makes this possible both quickly and ergonomically with the labeling unit otherwise positioned ready for operation.

The tensioning lever 5 is preferably mounted on the bearing shoe 5a so as to be rotatable about an axis 12 running essentially horizontally and transversely to the longitudinal direction 11. The clamping lever 5 can thus be tilted towards the dispensing arm 3 when the clamping lock is closed.

As the Figure 2 can be seen, the clamping lever 5 is preferably arranged by means of the first fastening element 8 on the top 3 a of the dispensing arm 3.

The bearing shoe 5a of the tensioning lever 5 is preferably screwed, riveted or rigidly connected to it in another suitable manner on the upper side of the first fastening element 8.

The first fastening element 8 preferably engages around the dispensing arm 3 in a substantially U-shape from above. The first fastening element 8 can be fastened laterally to the dispensing arm 3 by means of at least one screw connection 13. For this purpose, at least one corresponding fastening groove 14 can be formed on the side of the dispensing arm 3.

The clamping lever 5 can be securely fastened to the dispensing arm 3 with the fastening element 8 as well as positioned at a suitable distance from the first closing bracket 7, for example by appropriately moving and tightening the screw connections 13 in the fastening grooves 14, for example by means of slot nuts there.

It is easy to see in the Figure 2 also the second fastening element 9, which is preferably designed in the form of an orthogonal fastening angle. A vertical leg 9a of the second fastening element 9 is preferably fastened to the holder 10 by means of a screw connection 15.

A horizontal leg 9b of the second fastening element 9 then extends above the dispensing arm 3 towards the clamping lever 5 and thus enables the locking bracket 7 to be easily fastened. The locking bracket 7 can, for example, be screwed, riveted or otherwise fixed to the horizontal leg 9b be connected. The closing bracket 7 could also be an integral part of the second fastening element 9.

As the Figure 3 in longitudinal section along the in the Figure 1 The illustrated section line AA can be seen in detail, the clamping hook 6 can be integrated into the clamping lever 5. The clamping hook 6 can also be designed as a separate component and coupled to the clamping lever 5 in terms of drive technology, as is known, for example, from clamping locks that work on the principle of a beam, i.e. with a clamping lever 5 arranged above the clamping hook 6.

When the tension lock 4 is closed, the clamping hook 6 engages in the closing angle 7 in a manner known in principle and pulls it towards itself. Like in the Figure 3 As can be seen, the clamping hook 6 and the locking bracket 7 can overlap each other when the clamping lock 4 is closed (viewed in plan view), provided that this does not prevent manual closing and opening of the clamping lock 4 and / or is used to secure the lock.

The clamping lock 4 can be closed manually by pressing the clamping lever 5 with an actuating force 16 of, for example, 5 to 50 N and the resulting positive locking of the clamping hook 6 with the closing angle 7. By lifting the clamping lever 5 in the opposite direction with an essentially corresponding actuating force, the clamping lock 4 can be opened again in an equally simple and ergonomic manner. The tension lock 4 is held in the closed position in a manner known in principle, for example by pressing the tensioning lever 5 and / or tensioning hook 6 over a dead point with respect to a cam 5b or similar stop formed on the bearing shoe 5a, and is released again by crossing the dead point in the opposite direction.

In the Figure 3 a linear guide 17 for the holder 10 on the dispensing arm 3 is also shown. The linear guide 17 accordingly preferably comprises a guide channel 18 formed in the dispensing arm 3 and a corresponding guide pin 19 fastened or formed on the holder 10. The linear guide 17 guides the holder 10 with as little play as possible with respect to the dispensing arm 3 in its longitudinal direction 11.

Guide channel 18 and guide pin 19 preferably have polygonal or otherwise twist-proof corresponding cross-sections. An anti-rotation lock of the holder 10 seated on the dispensing arm 3 can, however, also be achieved in other ways, such as, for example, by means of undercuts or similar measures which are known in principle.

The holder 10 is pushed onto the dispensing arm 3 in the longitudinal direction 11. The upper sides of the first fastening element 8 and of the horizontal leg 9b of the second fastening element 9 are preferably guided plane-parallel to one another until the locking bracket 7 is positioned in the longitudinal direction 11 in a suitable manner with respect to the clamping lever 5 and / or clamping hook 6 for the proper actuation of the clamping lock 4.

For the reproducible positioning of the holder 10 on the dispensing arm 3, it can comprise stop surfaces 20, shown as an example, for the holder 10 and / or guide pins 19 for limiting the feed in the longitudinal direction 11.

Forces acting transversely on the holder 10 can at least partially be diverted from the linear guide 17 into the dispensing arm 3.

The clamping fastener 4 essentially only has the task of preventing the holder 10 from being unintentionally pulled off the dispensing arm 3 in the longitudinal direction 11. For this purpose, the form fit between the clamping hook 6 and the closing bracket 7 can exert a suitable tensile force on the holder 10, so that it is pulled against the dispensing arm 3 by the clamping lock 4 in the longitudinal direction 11 without play.

With the tension lock 4, in particular in combination with the linear guide 17, the fastening can be made considerably easier and more ergonomic than known locking mechanisms for a dispensing edge on a dispensing arm of a labeling unit.

The Figure 4 shows schematically and by way of example such a labeling unit 21, which is designed to detach labels 22 from a carrier tape 23 on the dispensing edge 2 and to attach the labels 22 detached there to containers 24.

Accordingly, the labeling unit 21 comprises, in a known manner, a conveying device 25 for providing the carrier tape 23 equipped with the labels 22, preferably from a roll 26, and for receiving the unequipped, returning carrier tape 23, preferably on a further roll 27.

As the Figure 4 Furthermore, as can be seen, the labeling unit 21 is integrated in a known manner into a labeling machine 31 in which the containers 24 are transported to the dispensing edge 2 on a carousel 32, for example. Instead of a carousel 32, however, a linear conveyor or other means of transport for the containers 24 would also be conceivable.

Regardless of the design of the labeling machine 31 in this regard, the dispensing edge 2, together with its holder 10, can be exchanged by operating personnel both quickly and in an ergonomically favorable manner when the labeling unit 21 is otherwise ready for use by manually actuating the toggle fastener 4.

In particular, an overhead arrangement of the tensioning lever 5 enables good access to the tension lock 4 and its simple and reliable actuation.

In addition, the tension lock 4 described is then arranged outside the conveying areas for the carrier tape 23 running laterally on the dispensing arm 3.

The dispensing arm 3, the dispensing edge 2 and the associated, overhead tension lock 4 are, as shown and described above, designed for the lateral labeling of the containers 24. In principle, an arrangement tilted laterally by 90 ° would also be conceivable for these assemblies for labeling the containers 4, container lids or the like from above. That is, the carrier tape then runs on the top and bottom of the dispenser arm. The tension lock 4 would then preferably be arranged laterally.

The fastening of the first and second fastening elements 8, 9 by means of screw connections 13, 15 makes it easier to retrofit existing dispensing arms and holders for dispensing edges with the tension lock 4 described, if desired.

For example, an existing screw connection of the holder to the dispensing arm could be replaced by machine screws, such as hexagon socket screws, by the ergonomically advantageous tension lock 4.

Claims (13)

Fastening system (1) for fastening a dispensing edge (2) designed for detaching labels (22) from a carrier tape (23) to an associated dispensing arm (3) of a labeling unit (21) for containers (24), the dispensing edge (2) on a holder (10) releasable from the dispensing arm (3) is attached and the fastening system (1) comprises a lock that can be operated without tools for locking the holder (10) on the dispensing arm (3), characterized in that the lock is secured by means of a clamping lever (5) to be operated toggle fastener (4). Fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning lever (5) can be tilted about a substantially horizontal axis (12). Fastening system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first fastening element (8) for fastening a bearing shoe (5a) of the tensioning lever (5) on the upper side (3a) of the dispensing arm (3). Fastening system according to claim 3, wherein the first fastening element (8) is designed to grip around the dispenser arm (3) from above and to fasten it to the side on the dispenser arm (3), in particular by means of a screw connection (13). Fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the tension lock (4) comprises a locking bracket (7) rigidly connected to the holder (10) and the tensioning lever (5) cooperates with the locking bracket (7) in such a way that the holder (10) thereon when closing the toggle fastener (4) is pulled against the dispensing arm (3). Fastening system according to Claim 5, further comprising a second fastening element (9) for fastening the closing bracket (7) to the holder (10), in particular by means of a screw connection (15). Fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the toggle fastener (4) comprises a locking hook (6) formed on the clamping lever (5) or coupled to it, which engages positively in the closing bracket (7) when the toggle fastener (4) is closed. Fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the toggle fastener (4) is designed for manual closing and opening by actuating forces of 5-50 N. Fastening system according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a linear guide (17) for guiding the holder (10) on the dispensing arm (3) in its longitudinal direction (11). Fastening system according to claim 9, wherein the linear guide (17) comprises a guide channel (18) formed in the dispensing arm (3) and a guide pin (19) corresponding to it and rigidly arranged on the holder (10). Labeling unit (21) for attaching self-adhesive labels (22) to containers (4), comprising a dispensing arm (3), a detachable holder (10) with a dispensing edge (2) for detaching the labels (22) from a carrier tape (23) and a fastening system (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Labeling unit according to claim 11, further comprising a conveying device (25) for providing a carrier tape (23) equipped with the labels (22), in particular from a roll (26) and for receiving the unequipped returning carrier tape (23). Labeling machine (31) with the labeling unit (21) according to claim 11 or 12 and furthermore with a transport means, in particular designed as a carousel (25), for transporting the containers (24) to the dispensing edge (2).

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