EP3919397B1 - Segmented vacuum transfer cylinder - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a labeling unit according to patent claim 1 and a labeling machine according to patent claim 13.

Labeling units are usually used to apply labels to containers or packaging in order to label them according to their contents.

Such a labelling unit is used, for example, in the DE 202005002793 U1 described. A label strip is unrolled from a roll and fed to a cutting unit via a strip buffer and various guide rollers. In the cutting unit, the label strip is transported on a vacuum roller and cut into individual labels by a cooperating cutting rotor. The individual labels are then transferred from the vacuum roller to a vacuum transfer cylinder, where they are glued to the beginning and end of the label using a hot glue unit and attached to the containers. The containers are guided past the labeling unit in container holders using a carousel, for example, and are wound onto the container surface and glued by rotating the container.

US3905859A discloses a labeling unit suitable for applying labels to containers, comprising at least one unwinding device suitable for a label strip, a cutting rotor for cutting the label strip into individual labels and a vacuum transfer cylinder suitable for transferring the labels to the containers, wherein the vacuum transfer cylinder comprises a plurality of exchangeable change segments on whose outer contour surfaces the labels can be transported, wherein the change segments are arranged between strips firmly connected to the vacuum transfer cylinder, wherein the strips are designed as cutting surfaces for interacting with the cutting rotor for cutting the label strip and the strips are firmly connected to the vacuum transfer cylinder via holding elements.

With such labeling units, it can occasionally happen that the labels are damaged during transfer from the cutting unit to the vacuum transfer cylinder, which can potentially result in fluctuations in quality. Furthermore, when gluing using a hot glue unit, it can happen that in rare cases vapors from the hot glue escape, which can affect sensitive products.

In addition, labeling units are known which use pre-glued labels.

For example, the label tape already has pre-assembled glue strips on the reverse side opposite the printing side, for example at the beginning or end of the label. This means that the label tape is already coated with glue when it is fed through the entire labeling unit.

With all known labeling units, problems, quality fluctuations and disruptions in the labeling process can occur when changing products and/or label formats, which can possibly even lead to the labeling unit coming to a standstill and thus to production downtime.

For example, it is possible that glue from label tapes or glue from individual labels of different formats accumulates on the various parts of the labeling unit, e.g. rollers or cylinders, which can cause malfunctions.

In addition, glue can be removed in the cutting unit, for example, which then reduces the quality of the subsequent labels.

For example, wear of non-stick coatings on rollers or cylinders, caused by high pressure to hold and convey the labels and to pull or distort the labels into a certain predetermined pitch, can also cause malfunctions in the labeling unit, e.g. slipping of label tapes, jamming of label tapes, tearing of label tapes and the like.

Pulling or distorting the labels to a certain predetermined pitch means bringing labels into a certain predetermined distance between two consecutive labels, for example due to the distance between two containers to be labeled.

Task

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve a labeling unit or a labeling machine, in particular with regard to the efficiency, robustness and susceptibility to failure of the labeling unit or the labeling machine, with regard to the optimization of the possible uses of the labeling unit or the labeling machine, and with regard to the quality and accuracy of the labeling process.

Solution

This is achieved according to the invention by a labeling unit according to claim 1 and a labeling machine according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

A labeling unit described herein for applying labels to containers comprises at least one unwinding device for a label strip, at least one cutting rotor for cutting the label strip into individual labels and at least one vacuum transfer cylinder for transferring the labels to the containers.

The vacuum transfer cylinder in question comprises a plurality of interchangeable segments on whose outer contour surfaces the labels can be transported. The vacuum transfer cylinder can therefore be understood as a segmented cylinder.

The change segments are arranged between strips that are firmly connected to the vacuum transfer cylinder, whereby the strips are designed as cutting surfaces for interaction with the cutting rotor to cut the label strip.

The strips can therefore serve, for example, as counter elements to the cutting elements of the cutting rotor, i.e. the strips can come into direct contact with the cutting rotor when cutting the label tape or labels.

The strips can extend over the entire height of the vacuum transfer cylinder and be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

The strips can be designed with a flat, convex or notched counter surface or outer surface that interacts with the cutting rotor during cutting. The counter surface or outer surface or outer contour surface of the strips can be directed radially outwards on the vacuum transfer cylinder.

The labeling unit described here offers numerous advantages. Instead of cutting the label strip into individual labels in a separate cutting unit, the cutting can be done directly on the vacuum transfer cylinder, which can then transfer the labels directly and immediately to a container and apply them.

By cutting immediately before transfer to the containers, the transport distance of the cut labels can be kept as short as possible and transfer to other rolls or cylinders can be avoided.

This means that, for example, a malfunction can be avoided when transferring individual labels between the cutting unit and the vacuum transfer cylinder.

The said strips, which are designed as cutting surfaces for interaction with the cutting rotor for cutting the label strip, can be designed, for example, as hard metal strips, and make it possible in particular to cut the label strip or the labels precisely in order to provide individual labels of high shape quality. In particular, hard metal strips can be made of hardened steel in order to increase the cutting precision and to reduce material wear.

The strips, which are designed as cutting surfaces for interaction with the cutting rotor for cutting the label strip, are firmly connected directly or indirectly to the vacuum transfer cylinder via holding elements. For example, the possible holding elements can be an integral part of the vacuum transfer cylinder. For example, the holding elements can be firmly connected to an inner core or an inner support frame or a skeletal inner structure of the vacuum transfer cylinder or can be an integral part of the exemplary core of the vacuum transfer cylinder. This possible exemplary inner core structure of the vacuum transfer cylinder can also include cavities for accommodating components for supplying the vacuum transfer cylinder with negative pressure or compressed air or for accommodating other structural components, such as movement mechanisms. A fixed connection or rigid connection can be understood here in particular as, for example, a screw connection, clamping or gluing or similar. The holding elements can, for example, have a slot-like groove or recess that can be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder to accommodate the strips that can serve as cutting surfaces for interaction with the cutting rotor to cut the label strip.

The mounting elements can also be designed, for example, as frame mounts in a material-saving manner.

The holding elements have openings on their outer contour surfaces, particularly vacuum openings, through which a negative pressure can be applied. For example, the label strip can be better fixed on the bar, which can serve as a base or counter surface to the cutting edge of the cutting rotor during the cutting process, and the label strip can be cut more precisely without slipping, which can ensure better quality of the labels in terms of their geometry.

In this case, for example, at least some of the openings or bores of the outer contour surfaces of the holding elements can also be designed to accommodate fastening means, e.g. screws or pins, in order to be able to fix in particular said strips serving as cutting surfaces to/in the holding elements.

The vacuum transfer cylinder can be designed to be rotatable. The vacuum transfer cylinder can in particular be designed to transfer the labels to the containers directly after cutting.

The vacuum transfer cylinder or the interchangeable segments of the vacuum transfer cylinder can be equipped with vacuum openings to suck in the labels for transport.

The vacuum transfer cylinder can be connected to a vacuum pump for vacuum supply, for selective and targeted application of negative pressure to some or all of the vacuum openings on the outside of the vacuum transfer cylinder, i.e., for example, both to openings on the outer contour surface of the interchangeable segments and to possible openings in the holding elements.

The interchangeable segments of the vacuum transfer cylinder can have a suction bar which can divide the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments into at least two areas.

The suction bar can also have vacuum openings through which a negative pressure can be selectively and specifically applied. For this purpose, the vacuum openings can be connected to the aforementioned example vacuum pump of the vacuum transfer cylinder. The suction bars can therefore be understood as vacuum bars or vacuum suction bars.

These exemplary suction strip(s) can be used in particular to hold the label tape or labels and to transfer/apply the labels to an object or container to be labeled.

In particular, a suction bar of a changeable segment of the vacuum transfer cylinder can be arranged in such a way that it can divide the outer contour surface of a changeable segment into a first region whose radial peripheral circumference corresponds to the length of a label and into a second region whose radial peripheral circumference can correspond to a predetermined pitch between two labels that are applied to two different containers.

The suction bar can be understood as a starting suction bar that sucks up the beginning of the label strip or the beginning of the label. In other words, the suction bars can each be assigned to the/an initial area of a label or to/the initial area of a label strip.

The strips serving as cutting surfaces or the strips serving as cutting surfaces and/or their holding elements can be assigned to the/an end area of a label

The exemplary geometry and division of the interchangeable segments of the vacuum transfer cylinder, which are each limited, for example, by the strips serving as cutting surfaces, or by the holding elements of the strips serving as cutting surfaces, and in which a suction strip divides the interchangeable segments into at least two areas, can, among other things, make it easier to bring the labels into a desired division or to pull or warp them into a desired division.

As mentioned, pulling or distorting the labels to a certain predetermined pitch can be understood as bringing labels to a certain predetermined distance between two consecutive labels, for example due to the distance between two containers to be labeled.

When the labels are pulled or warped on the vacuum transfer cylinder, the cut label can slide with a non-glued side on the vacuum transfer cylinder subjected to negative pressure, or the vacuum transfer cylinder can rotate away from under a label that is held firmly, e.g. by the cutting rotor, until the desired pitch is achieved. For example, when the labels are picked up by the vacuum transfer cylinder, an additional switchable roller can optionally be pressed onto a label web conveyor roller to temporarily hold the label or label web in place so that the vacuum transfer cylinder has rotated away from under the label or label web by a desired pitch.

To facilitate the sliding of the label or label tape, the interchangeable segments of the vacuum transfer cylinder can be provided with a non-stick coating.

The exemplary suction strips can have at least one outer contour surface with an outer diameter that can be larger than the outer diameter of the interchangeable segments and/or larger than the outer diameter of the holding elements and/or or larger than the outer diameter of the strips which are designed as cutting surfaces.

In particular, an exemplary suction bar may have a bulge or protrusion or elevation or projection, e.g. a step-shaped or stair-shaped projection.

This can, for example, make it easier to label recessed areas of containers.

In this case, a recessed region of a container can be understood to mean, in particular, a container region of the outer surface of the container which has a smaller outer diameter than adjacent outer regions of the container.

The exemplary suction bars of the exemplary interchangeable segments of the vacuum transfer cylinder described herein can be designed to be movable or displaceable and in particular can be configured to carry out a radial movement or can be configured to be connected or displaced or moved between different radial working positions or working positions.

For example, the example suction bars can have a first radial working position for picking up and transferring labels and a second radial working position, whereby the radius of the second radial working position can be smaller than the radius of the first radial working position. Said example second radial working position can be understood as an avoidance position, for example to prevent collisions of the suction bars with parts of the cutting rotor, parts of a gluing device or other components of the labeling unit. Said first radial working position can be understood and defined as the radial starting position of the suction bars, for example.

Said exemplary possible radial movement of the suction bars can, for example, comprise a retraction or retraction of the suction bars to radial positions in which the outer contour surface(s) of the suction bars have/have a radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder that is smaller, equal to or only minimally larger than, for example, the radial distance of the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments, where, for example, smaller or larger can be understood to mean a relative distance range of up to 5 mm or up to 10 mm or more.

Likewise, the example possible radial movement of the suction bars can include extending or pulling out the suction bars to radial positions in which the outer contour surface(s) of the suction bars have a radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder that is greater than, for example, the radial distance of the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments, where, for example, greater can be understood as a relative distance range of up to 2 mm or up to 10 mm or more. In this case, extending or pulling out the suction bars can be understood in particular to mean that the suction bars can be moved from said example avoidance position to said example starting position.

The exemplary possible extension, or said exemplary radial starting position, of the suction bars can facilitate the labeling of said exemplary retracted areas of containers since better contact of the suction bar with a container to be labeled or better contact of a label transported by the suction bar with a container to be labeled can be achieved.

The exemplary possible retraction of the suction bars can, as already mentioned, be used, among other things, to prevent possible collisions with other components, e.g. a collision with the cutting rotor and/or a collision with a possible gluing component, in certain working areas of the labeling unit.

An exemplary labeling unit can, for example, comprise at least one control cam mechanism or a sliding mechanism or a switching mechanism for controlling the movement of the suction bars, e.g. comprising a switching cam or control curve which interacts with a switching roller.

The exemplary exchange segments of the labeling unit can cover the entire outer diameter of the vacuum transfer cylinder with their outer contour surfaces, whereby the outer diameter of the vacuum transfer cylinder can, for example, be in a size range of approximately 400 - 600 mm, e.g. approximately 500 mm.

The full coverage can make it easier to pull or warp the labels or label tape over the outer contour surface of the vacuum transfer cylinder so that the labels can be more easily placed in the location and position intended for labeling.

A complete coverage of the outer diameter of the vacuum transfer cylinder or the outer contour surface of the vacuum transfer cylinder by the exemplary interchangeable segments can be understood to mean that the surface comprising the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments together with the outer contour surfaces of the strips that serve as cutting surfaces and together with possible outer contour surfaces of the holders of the strips, cover the outer contour surface of the vacuum transfer cylinder completely or almost completely.

For example, a vacuum transfer cylinder can comprise two, three, four, six or more interchangeable segments.

For example, with an even number of interchangeable segments, all interchangeable segments can have the same shape, e.g. a shape similar to a piece of cake or a piece of cake end, of the same size, in particular with the same volume. With an odd number of interchangeable segments, however, the interchangeable segments can differ in shape and/or size, in particular volume.

Depending on the division of the vacuum transfer cylinder into interchangeable segments, the vacuum transfer cylinder has a correspondingly different number of bars that serve as cutting surfaces and, for example, a correspondingly different number of possible holders for the bars.

Other divisions of the vacuum transfer cylinder with a different number of interchangeable segments are also possible.

The exemplary vacuum transfer cylinder described herein can therefore be viewed as a segmented drafting, cutting and transfer cylinder.

By segmenting the vacuum transfer cylinder using the example changeable segments described here, it is easier to convert the labeling unit to different label types and formats and it is also easier to maintain the vacuum transfer cylinder. As a result, the downtime of the labeling unit or the labeling machine can be reduced.

In particular, for example, the changeover to new label formats can be carried out independently of the vacuum transfer cylinder or independently of the basic structure of the vacuum transfer cylinder, since only the change segments have to be replaced.

The exchange of the individual, lighter and more manageable interchangeable segments can be carried out more easily and quickly than, for example, the exchange of a complete and heavier vacuum transfer cylinder of the conventional type.

The segmented design of the vacuum transfer cylinder described here also simplifies the repair of damaged vacuum transfer cylinder parts, since, for example, defective interchangeable segments can be replaced quickly and easily.

The segmented design can also save weight and installation space. The easy removal of the interchangeable segments can also facilitate access to internal parts of the vacuum transfer cylinder and/or access to other parts of the labeling unit or other parts of the labeling machine, for example for maintenance work.

The cutting rotor of an exemplary labeling unit can be designed to be rotatable about an axis. The cutting rotor can comprise at least one sheath arranged on the circumference, which can cooperate with the strips of the vacuum transfer cylinder designed as cutting surfaces for cutting.

The exemplary cutting edges can each be formed on radially extending arms of the cutting rotor. The cutting rotor can comprise two arms, each with a cutting edge, which are oriented outwards in opposite directions to the axis of rotation of the cutting rotor.

The cutting rotor can be connected to a direct drive to control the rotational position and/or the rotational speed of the cutting rotor. This allows the rotational movement of the cutting rotor to be controlled independently of the vacuum transfer cylinder in such a way that the position and/or speed of the cutting edges correspond exactly to the strips of the vacuum transfer cylinder designed as cutting surfaces and/or move at the speed of the label strip.

This results in a particularly precise cut of the label strip into individual labels. Direct drive can mean that the drive is mechanically independent of the drive of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

The vacuum transfer cylinder can be connected to a direct drive to control the rotation position and/or rotation speed of the vacuum transfer cylinder. This makes it possible to print different label lengths on the vacuum transfer cylinder. and to regulate its rotational movements accordingly. Direct drive can mean that the drive is mechanically independent of the cutting rotor and/or drive rollers for conveying the label strip.

The direct drive of the cutting rotor and/or the vacuum transfer cylinder can be a servo motor that includes a rotary encoder. By designing the direct drive as a servo motor, the direct drive can be precisely controlled with high torques. Servo motor can mean that this is a brushless electric motor whose drive shaft is coupled to the rotary encoder. The rotary encoder can be designed to detect the rotary position and/or the rotary speed of the servo motor.

The exemplary labeling unit can also comprise, for example, a control unit which can be designed to control a rotational position and/or rotational speed of the cutting rotor and/or the vacuum transfer cylinder.

Furthermore, the exemplary control unit can be designed to control a possible movement of the exemplary suction strips.

For example, the control unit can be configured in particular to radially retract exemplary suction strips in a predetermined range of rotational positions of the vacuum transfer cylinder, for example in an area in the vicinity of the cutting rotor and/or in an area in the vicinity of a possible gluing device.

The exemplary control unit can, among other things, also regulate and control possible control cams which can alternatively or additionally control the radial stroke of the suction bars and, for example, optionally bring control cams into contact with possible control rollers of the suction bars.

An exemplary control unit can be understood in particular as a digital computer-controlled control unit or digital control electronics.

The example labeling unit is described here in particular using pre-glued labels, but can also be used for non-pre-glued labels. The precise cutting and the immediate transfer of the individual labels to the containers results in particularly consistent label quality. When processing non-pre-glued labels, a gluing unit can be arranged on the vacuum transfer cylinder to glue the labels with hot or cold glue.

For the optional use of non-pre-glued labels, the exemplary labeling unit can have a movable gluing device for gluing labels on the vacuum transfer cylinder, which can glue labels on the vacuum transfer cylinder optionally or as required and can be moved or displaced accordingly, for example.

The mentioned possible exemplary control unit can also be designed to control the movement of the possible gluing device or a possible gluing process.

The labeling unit can be arranged, for example, in a beverage processing plant. The labeling unit can be arranged downstream of a filling plant for filling a product into the containers.

The containers can be designed, for example, to hold drinks, hygiene products, pastes, chemical, biological and/or pharmaceutical products. The containers can be, for example, plastic bottles, glass bottles, tubes and/or cans.

The labels can be, for example, labels that are applied with an adhesive (such as glue). The labels can be cut outs of paper or plastic, which in particular include a print that identifies, describes and/or advertises the contents of the containers. The label strip can be pre-glued. Pre-glued can mean that the label strip has a print on one side and at least partially a layer of glue on the other side. The layer of glue can be designed with glue surfaces that correspond to the print. The label strip can be provided with two strips of glue per label, which are applied to the beginning and end of the label. The label strip can be pre-glued and wound onto rolls in an unwinding device.

An exemplary labeling machine may include a conveyor with container receptacles for transporting the containers and a labeling unit that may have the features described herein individually or in any combination.

The labeling machine can be arranged in a beverage processing plant. The labeling machine can, for example, be arranged downstream of a filling device for a product into the containers.

The labeling machine is described here primarily using pre-glued labels, but can also be used for non-pre-glued labels.

The conveyor can comprise a linear conveyor and/or a carousel. The conveyor can be designed to guide the containers past the labeling unit with container holders. The container holders can be designed to rotate, optionally in order to rotate the containers when the labels are applied by the labeling unit.

• Fig.1 : Beispielhaftes Etikettieraggregat in schematischer Draufsicht
• Fig. 2 : Beispielhafter Vakuumtransferzylinder in erster Ansicht
• Fig. 3a : Beispielhafter Vakuumtransferzylinder in zweiter Ansicht
• Fig. 3b : Beispielhaftes Wechselsegment in erster Ansicht
• Fig. 3c : Beispielhaftes Wechselsegment in zweiter Ansicht
• Fig. 4a : Beispielhafte Saugleiste
• Fig. 4b : Beispielhaftes Wechselsegment mit Behälter

Further exemplary aspects of the invention are explained below using the embodiment shown in the figures.

• Fig.1 : Example labelling unit in schematic top view
• Fig.2 : Example vacuum transfer cylinder in first view
• Fig. 3a : Example vacuum transfer cylinder in second view
• Fig. 3b : Example change segment in first view
• Fig. 3c : Example of a change segment in second view
• Fig. 4a : Example suction bar
• Fig. 4b : Example of a change segment with container

The Fig.1 shows, by way of example and schematically, a top view of a possible labeling unit 1, which may have some or all of the components and features described above as examples.

The exemplary label tape 2 can have a label print on its front side, which can be repeated sequentially one after the other per label 20a, 20b, 20c. Corresponding to the label print, a strip of glue can be applied to the back of the label tape, e.g. at the beginning and end of the label. The label tape can be rolled up and provided on an exemplary label tape storage roll 16a, already pre-assembled with print and strip of glue.

The exemplary pre-glued label tape 2 can thus be unrolled from the label tape storage roll 16a, fed to the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 and cut there into individual labels 20a, 20b, 20c by means of the cutting rotor 5.

The individual labels 20a, 20b, 20c can then be sucked in by the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 during further transport and applied to the container 3 by the vacuum transfer cylinder 6, e.g. glued to the container 3 by means of pre-glued glue strips.

The exemplary straight vacuum transfer cylinder 6 with a circular base comprises a plurality of exchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d on whose outer contour surfaces the labels 20a, 20b, 20c can be transported.

The illustrated uniform division or segmentation of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 into four interchangeable change segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, which are all of the same dimension, is merely an example and other divisions, e.g. with different numbers of change segments and/or with differently dimensioned change segments, are also possible.

The exemplary exchange segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are arranged, for example, between the strips 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d which are firmly connected to the vacuum transfer cylinder 6.

The strips 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d can be designed as cutting surfaces for interaction with the exemplary cutting rotor 5 for cutting the label strip 2 and can be designed, for example, as hard metal strips.

In the example shown, the label strip 2 is cut by the cutting rotor 5, for example by interaction with the strip 8a as a counter element and cutting surface on the vacuum transfer cylinder 6, and the exemplary label 20a is produced.

The label strip 2 or the labels can be sucked to and onto the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 or to and onto the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d via exemplary suction strips 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d of the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, which have openings, in particular vacuum openings, to which a negative pressure can be applied.

The interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d can also have corresponding vacuum openings in their outer contour surfaces for the selective and targeted application of negative pressure in order to suck in and hold the labels for transport.

By means of an exemplary targeted coordination of the movements of the cutting rotor 5 and/or the conveyor roller(s) 12 and the vacuum transfer cylinder 6, the cut labels 20a, 20b, 20c can be cut to a desired pitch, ie to a desired distance 19a, 19b between two consecutive labels, brought, pulled or distorted.

For example, it is conceivable that after cutting a label 20a from the label strip 2 on a bar 8a of a change segment 6a, the label strip 2 is held until the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 has rotated further under the label strip 2 by an angle of rotation that corresponds to a desired division 19a, 19b, in order to then be able to be sucked back onto the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 or onto the subsequent change segment 6d by a suction bar 7d of a subsequent change segment 6d in order to be able to cut the next label from the label strip 2 on the bar 8d of the subsequent change segment 6d.

For this purpose, the suction strips 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can be arranged in such a way that they each divide the outer contour surface of the respective interchangeable segment 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d into at least two areas, for example as illustrated on the interchangeable segment 6a, into a first area 6a1 whose radial peripheral circumference corresponds to the length of a label 20a and into a second area 6a2 whose radial peripheral circumference corresponds to a predetermined pitch 19a, 19b between two labels 20a, 20b which are to be applied to two different containers.

This exemplary suction bar arrangement can, among other things, increase the accuracy with which labels can be applied to different containers. In addition, the easy exchangeability of the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d can make it easier to convert the labeling unit to other label types or other label formats or other container spacings, since, for example, other interchangeable segments with other suction bar arrangements that can be optimized for other respective label types or label formats or other container spacings can be quickly and easily inserted into the labeling unit.

The labels can slide with their side facing the vacuum transfer cylinder 6, which can be unglued and provided with a print, over the outer contour surface of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 or over the outer contour surface of the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.

Also shown as examples are holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d of the strips 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d serving as cutting surfaces.

The holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are firmly connected to the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 or to the core or to a support frame 11 of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

In addition, as already mentioned, the holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d also have outer contour surfaces with openings through which a negative pressure can be applied, for example in order to pull the label tape to a bar 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d during the cutting process and to temporarily fix it, so that a more precise cutting process can be made possible.

The core or the supporting frame 11 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 can be regarded as a skeleton of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6.

However, the illustrated radial structure of the core or the support frame 11 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 around the axis of rotation 22 is only an example.

The exemplary suction strips 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can have at least one outer contour surface with an outer diameter that can be larger than the outer diameter of the interchangeable segments and/or larger than the outer diameter of the holding elements and/or larger than the outer diameter of the strips 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. In particular, an exemplary suction strip can have a bulge or protrusion or elevation or a projection, e.g. a step-shaped or stair-shaped projection. For the sake of clarity, this is shown in the Fig.1 but not shown.

The exemplary suction strips 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d of the exemplary interchangeable segments of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 described herein can be designed to be movable or displaceable and in particular can be configured to be able to carry out a radial movement with respect to the axis of rotation 22 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6.

Said exemplary possible radial movement of the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can, for example, comprise a retraction or retraction of the suction bars to radial positions in which the outer contour surface(s) of the suction bars have/have a radial distance from the longitudinal axis or rotation axis 22 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 that is smaller, equal to or only minimally larger than, for example, the radial distance of the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.

As mentioned above, the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can be retracted or retracted to a radial avoidance position.

Likewise, the exemplary possible radial movement of the suction bars can comprise extending or pulling out the suction bars to radial positions in which the outer contour surface(s) of the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d has/have a radial distance from the longitudinal axis or from the rotation axis 22 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 that is greater than, for example, the radial distance of the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.

As mentioned above, the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can therefore have a radial starting position and the extension or pulling out of the suction bars can be understood, for example, as the movement of the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d from a radial avoidance position to the/a radial starting position.

The exemplary possible extension of the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d or the possible radial starting position can facilitate the labeling of the containers, in particular the labeling of said exemplary retracted areas of containers, since better contact of the suction bars or better contact of the labels transported by the suction bars with the containers can be achieved.

The exemplary possible retraction of the suction bars into an avoidance position can be used, among other things, to prevent possible collisions with other components, e.g. with the cutting rotor and/or a possible gluing component (not shown), in certain working areas of the labeling unit.

In the example shown, for example, in the area marked with the dashed arrow 21, an exemplary angular range of rotational positions of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6, the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can be retracted in such a way that a collision with the conveyor roller or conveyor roller 12 and/or with the cutting rotor 5 can be prevented. The suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can therefore be in said exemplary radial avoidance position in this area 21 and outside the area 21, for example, in said exemplary radial starting position.

The exemplary control unit 18 of the labeling unit can be configured to control the rotational position and/or rotational speed of the cutting rotor 5 and/or the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 and also optionally the possible exemplary movements of the suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d.

Likewise, the exemplary control unit 18 can be configured to control and regulate the selective and targeted application of negative pressure or pressure to openings or vacuum openings in outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and/or in outer contour surfaces of the suction strips 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and/or in outer contour surfaces of the holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d.

An exemplary guidance or an exemplary run of the label strip 2 within the labeling unit 1 can be carried out as follows.

Using the exemplary unwinding device 4, the label tape 2 can first be unrolled from the label tape storage roll 16a and fed to a splicing device 17. There, if the end is reached, it can be glued together with the beginning of another label tape on a second label tape storage roll 16b, thereby avoiding an interruption in production when changing the roll.

The label strip 2 can then run through a possible label strip buffer 15, for example to compensate for fluctuations when the label strip 2 is unrolled. The label strip 2 can then be fed to the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 via a possible guide 14 and the two exemplary rollers 13 and 12 in such a way that the side provided with a print, for example, is directed towards the outer contour surface of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 and the side of the label strip 2 used for fastening to the container 3 is directed outwards.

After the exemplary cutting process of the label strip 2 on a bar 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 as described above and the transport of the cut labels 20a, 20b, 20c on the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 to the container 3 to be labeled.

There, for example, a first strip of glue at the beginning of the label can first be pressed onto the container 3 and the container can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to wind up the label 20c until the end of the label slightly overlaps the beginning of the label (for example 5 mm). With an exemplary second strip of glue at the end of the label, the end of the label can be glued to the outside of the beginning of the label.

As mentioned above, instead of pre-glued label tapes or labels, non-pre-glued label tapes or labels can also be used. For this purpose, the labeling unit 1 can optionally have a gluing station (not shown) which applies glue to a label tape or onto a label, e.g. before or after the cutting process on the vacuum transfer cylinder 6.

In addition, the Fig.1 It can be seen that all the previously described elements (except for the container 3) can be arranged on a frame 10 and can be moved modularly, for example, relative to a carousel or another device.

Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the cutting rotor 5 can be connected to a direct drive (not shown here) which can precisely regulate the rotational position and the rotational speed of the cutting rotor 5 about its axis of rotation.

During the cutting process, it can be ensured that the cutting edge of the cutting rotor 5 hits a bar of the vacuum transfer cylinder at a predefined position and that both have the same speed relative to each other.

The speed can correspond to the tape speed of the label tape 2. This can ensure a more precise cut.

In addition, the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 can also be connected to a direct drive (not shown here) which is designed to regulate the rotational position and the rotational speed of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6.

This allows the rotary movement of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 to be adapted, for example, to the label length, the container circumference and the working cycle of a transport carousel (not shown here). The direct drives of the cutting rotor 5 and the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 can be designed as servo motors.

The exemplary control unit 18 mentioned can be designed as digital control electronics, which can evaluate the position signals from the direct drives of the cutting rotor 5 and the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 and can adjust the power supplies of the direct drives accordingly such that the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 and the cutting rotor 5 perform the desired rotational movement.

In addition, the control unit 9 can be connected to an electronic variety management database in order to be able to call up the control parameters for the direct drives according to the container type of the containers 3.

For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the arrows not provided with reference symbols in the Fig.1 represent the conveying and running direction of the label tape or labels and illustrate the direction of rotation of the vacuum cylinder 5, the container 3 and the label tape storage rollers 16a, 16b.

The Fig.2 shows an example of part of the labelling unit 1 of the Fig.1 in schematic spatial view comprising the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 with rotation axis 22, the cutting rotor 5 and the conveyor roller / conveyor roller 12 and a part 27 of the frame 11 on which the labeling unit is mounted.

For reasons of clarity, neither a label strip nor individual labels are shown.

The exemplary interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d can be seen, which are arranged between the exemplary holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, as well as the strips 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d received by the holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, which serve as a cutting surface for cutting a/the label strip on the vacuum transfer cylinder 6.

It can also be seen that the exemplary holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d can be connected to an exemplary core 11 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 6.

Also visible are the exemplary suction bars 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d of the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.

The exemplary perspective representation of the Fig.2 It also makes it possible to recognize the exemplary openings or exemplary vacuum openings 24, 25, 26 in the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments, the suction strips and the holding elements.

For perspective reasons, however, only the openings 26 in the interchangeable segments 6a and 6b, as well as the openings 24 in the holding element 9b and the openings 25 in the suction strips 7a and 7b can be seen.

As mentioned above, a part of the openings or bores 24 of the holding elements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d can be designed to receive fastening means, e.g. screws or pins, in order to be able to fix the strips 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d serving as cutting surfaces.

It can also be seen that behind the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, i.e. inside the vacuum transfer cylinder 6, i.e. between the axis of rotation 22 or between the skeleton 11 and the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, the vacuum transfer cylinder 6 can have cavities 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, which can be used, for example, among other things, in particular to accommodate vacuum channels or compressed air channels, for supplying said openings 24, 25, 26 with negative pressure or compressed air.

Likewise, these exemplary cavities 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d can, for example, provide space for accommodating movement and control mechanisms, e.g. for movement and control mechanisms for suction strips, such as a control cam mechanism.

The cavities 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d can communicate with each other and form a common cavity 28.

The Fig. 3a shows the vacuum cylinder 6 from Fig.2 or from Fig.1 from a different perspective, rotated approximately 180° clockwise, and wherein a replacement segment was removed from the vacuum cylinder 6.

For better orientation and overview, the reference symbols for the frame part 27 of the labeling unit 1, the cutting rotor 5, the conveyor roller 12, the rotation axis 22 of the vacuum cylinder 6, the skeleton 11 of the vacuum cylinder 6, the interchangeable segments 6a, 6b and 6d, the suction bar 7b, the bars 8c, 8d and the holding elements 9c, 9d have been drawn in as examples.

The missing or removed exchange segment 6c is in the Fig. 3b and Fig.3c shown in two different views.

The exemplary removal of the interchangeable segment 6c provides an exemplary view of the interior of the vacuum cylinder 6. It can be seen, for example, that the core or the skeleton or the inner support frame 11 of the vacuum cylinder 6 comprises the axis of rotation 22 can have a dumbbell-like shape and the support elements of the strips, as can be seen in the example of support element 9d, can have a frame 35 for producing a firm connection with the inner support frame 11 of the vacuum cylinder 6.

It can also be seen that the interior of the vacuum cylinder 6 can essentially have a cavity 28 or a plurality of cavities, wherein, for example, the reference numeral 28c designates an exemplary cavity which lies between the axis of rotation 22 and the missing change segment 6c.

The reference numerals 30b1, 30b2 identify exemplary fastening elements, e.g. screw connections, with which the exchange segment 6b can be connected to the vacuum cylinder 6 or to the inner support frame 11 of the vacuum cylinder 6.

The Fig. 3b shows, by way of example, a perspective front view of the interchangeable segment 6c with suction bar 7c removed from the vacuum cylinder 6. The suction bar 7 can divide the outer contour surface of the interchangeable segment 6c into a first region 6c1 whose radial peripheral circumference can correspond to the length of a label and into a second region 6c2 whose radial peripheral circumference can correspond to a predetermined pitch between two labels that are applied to two different containers.

The height 29 of the exchange segment 6c can be equal to or greater than the height of the containers to be labeled and can be, for example, between 100 mm and 300 mm.

The reference numeral 26 designates exemplary openings, exemplary vacuum openings, in the outer contour surface of the interchangeable segment 6c and the reference numerals 30c1, 30c2 designate exemplary fastening elements, e.g. screw elements, with which the interchangeable segment 6c can be firmly connected to the vacuum cylinder 6 or to the inner support frame 11 of the vacuum cylinder 6.

The Fig. 3c shows an exemplary perspective rear view of the interchangeable segment 6c in which the exemplary rod-like fastening elements, e.g. screw elements 30c1, 30c2, can be seen, as well as a plurality of channels or hoses 32, 33 for supplying openings of the interchangeable segments with vacuum or compressed air.

For reasons of clarity, not all channels or hoses are shown. For example, only one of the nine possible channels 32 is shown in the drawing.

In addition, exemplary possible centering elements 31c1, 31c2, e.g. centering pins, are shown with which the interchangeable segments 6c can be more easily centered during installation in the vacuum cylinder 6.

In addition, the reference numeral 34 designates an exemplary movement mechanism or an exemplary control mechanism for controlling the movement of the suction bar 7c, in particular for controlling a radial movement of the suction bar 7c.

The Fig. 4a shows, by way of example, a suction bar 36 with an associated exemplary movement mechanism or sliding mechanism 39 or an exemplary control mechanism for controlling the movement of the suction bar 7c, in particular for controlling a radial movement 42 of the suction bar 7c.

For example, the exemplary switching mechanism or movement mechanism 39 can comprise a control cam or switching cam 40 in cooperation with a switching roller 41, thus forming an exemplary control cam mechanism which enables a radial movement of the suction bar 36 for retracting or extending the suction bar 36, i.e. for moving or switching the suction bar between different radial working positions or working positions.

The suction bars of the interchangeable segments can also be designed to be interchangeable, so that when converting, e.g. when changing the container type or label type, only the suction bar and not the entire interchangeable segment needs to be replaced.

In other words, the Fig. 4a The suction bar 36 shown can also be used with the interchangeable segments described in the preceding figures.

The exemplary suction bar 36 has an exemplary step or an exemplary projection 38 which divides the outer contour surface 37 of the suction bar 36 into at least two regions or into two outer contour surface parts 37a, 37b, wherein the outer contour surface part or the outer contour surface 37b has an outer diameter which is larger than the outer diameters of the (not shown) interchangeable segments, the holding elements and the strips serving as cutting surfaces of a vacuum transfer cylinder (not shown).

The height 48 of the outer contour surface 37b can correspond to the height of a recessed area of a container to be labeled.

The Fig. 4b shows in perspective and simplified an exemplary relative positioning of an exemplary change segment 45 of a vacuum transfer cylinder (not shown) to a container 43 to be labeled. The exemplary change segment 45 has the Fig.4a described exemplary suction bar 36. The exemplary interchangeable segment 45 or the exemplary suction bar 36 are fully compatible with the previously described interchangeable segments of the exemplary vacuum cylinder 6 from Fig.1 , Fig.2 , Fig. 3a , Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c .

The container 43 to be labeled has, for example, an exemplary recessed area 44, i.e. a container area of the outer surface of the container 43 which has a smaller outer diameter than adjacent or other outer areas of the container 43, such as the bottom area 43 of the container, which has a larger outer diameter than the exemplary recessed area 44.

In an exemplary labeling process, the vacuum cylinder on which the exchange segment 45 can be located and the container 44 can be positioned such that the retracted container area 44 and the outer contour surface 37b of the suction bar 36 can be at the same height.

In the example shown, the base 47 of the interchangeable segment 45 is above the base 46 of the container 43. However, this configuration is only an example. It is also possible, for example, for the base 47 of the interchangeable segment 45 to be at the same height or in the same plane as the base 46 of the container 43.

For reasons of clarity, the Fig. 4b No label is shown on the change segment.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the vacuum transfer cylinder can have a cover, which is not shown in the figures, in order to allow a view into the interior of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

There follow 5 sheets with the figures Fig.1 , Fig.2 , Fig. 3a , Fig. 3b , Fig. 3c , Fig. 4a and Fig.4b .

• 1 Etikettieraggregat
• 2 Etikettenband, beispielhaftes vorbeleimtes Etikettenband
• 3 Zu etikettierender Gegenstand, z.B. Behälter
• 4 Abrollvorrichtung
• 5 Schneidrotor
• 6 Vakuumtransferzylinder, segmentierter Vakuumtransferzylinder
• 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Wechselsegmente
• 6a1, 6a2 Beispielhafter Bereiche der Außenkonturfläche des Wechselsegmentes 6a
• 6c1, 6c2 Beispielhafter Bereiche der Außenkonturfläche des Wechselsegmentes 6c
• 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d Beispielhafte Saugleisten
• 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d Leisten, beispielhafte Hartmetallleisten
• 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d Beispielhafte Halterungselemente zur Aufnahme / Halterung der Leisten
• 10 Beispielhaftes Gestell für Etikettieraggregat, beispielhaftes Gehäuse
• 11 Beispielhafter Kern, beispielhaftes Skelett, beispielhaftes inneres Tragegerüst
• 12 Beispielhafte Förderrolle / Förderwalze
• 13 Beispielhafte Förderrolle / Förderwalze
• 14 Beispielhafte Führung
• 15 Beispielhafter Etikettenbandpuffer
• 16a, 16b Beispielhafte Etikettenbandspeicherrolle
• 17 Beispielhafte Spleiß-Vorrichtung
• 18 Beispielhafte Regelungseinheit
• 19a, 19b Beispielhafte Teilung, beispielhafter Abstand zwischen zwei aufeinanderfolgenden Etiketten
• 20a, 20b, 20c Beispielhafte Etiketten, beispielhafte vom Etikettenband abgeschnittene / abgetrennte Etiketten
• 21 Beispielhafter Bereich, beispielhafter Winkelbereich von Drehpositionen des Vakuumtransferzylinders in dem etwaige vom Vakuumtransferzylinder radial abstehende Komponenten eingezogen werden können um Kollisionen zu vermeiden
• 22 Beispielhafte Drehachse des Vakuumtransferzylinders
• 23 Beispielhafte räumliche Ansicht eines Teils eines Etikettieraggregat
• 24 Beispielhafte Öffnung(en), beispielhafte Vakuumöffnung(en), in Halterungselement, beispielhafte Bohrung zur Aufnahme von Befestigungsmitteln
• 25 Beispielhafte Öffnung(en), beispielhafte Vakuumöffnung(en), in Saugleiste
• 26 Beispielhafte Öffnung(en), beispielhafte Vakuumöffnung(en), in Wechselsegment
• 27 Beispielhafter Teil eines Gestells des Etikettieraggregates
• 28, 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d Beispielhafte Hohlräume, die mit einander in Verbindung stehen können
• 29 Beispielhafte Höhe eines Wechselsegmentes
• 30c1, 30c2 Beispielhafte Befestigungselemente, beispielhafte Verschraubung
• 31c1, 31c2 Beispielhafte Zentrierelemente
• 32, 33 Beispielhafte Kanäle zur Versorgung von Öffnungen der Wechselsegmente mit Vakuum oder Druckluft
• 34 Beispielhafter Steuermechanismus zur Steuerung der Bewegung der Saugleiste 7c
• 35d Beispielhafter Rahmen von Haltelement 9d
• 36 Beispielhafte Saugleiste
• 37 Beispielhafte Außenkonturfläche der Saugleiste
• 37a Beispielhafter Außenkonturflächenteil der Saugleiste, beispielhafte Außenkonturfläche
• 37b Beispielhafter Außenkonturflächenteil der Saugleiste, Außenkonturfläche
• 38 Beispielhafte Stufe, beispielhafter Vorsprung
• 39 Beispielhafter Bewegungsmechanismus bzw. Schiebemechanismus bzw. Schaltmechanismus, beispielhafter Steuernockenmechanismus
• 40 Beispielhafte Schaltnocke, beispielhafte Steuerkurve
• 41 Beispielhafte Schaltrolle
• 42 Beispielhafte radiale Bewegung
• 43 Behälter
• 44 Beispielhafte eingezogener Behälterbereich
• 45 Beispielhaftes Wechselsegment
• 46 Beispielhafter Boden des Behälters
• 47 Beispielhafter Boden des Wechselsegmentes
• 48 Beispielhafte Höhe des Vorsprungs, beispielhafte Höhe des Außenkonturflächenteils der Saugleiste
• 49 Beispielhafte Höhe des eingezogenen Behälterbereichs

The reference symbols are assigned as follows.

• 1 labelling unit
• 2 Label tape, example pre-glued label tape
• 3 Object to be labelled, e.g. container
• 4 Unwinding device
• 5 Cutting rotor
• 6 Vacuum transfer cylinder, segmented vacuum transfer cylinder
• 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Interchangeable segments
• 6a1, 6a2 Example areas of the outer contour surface of the interchangeable segment 6a
• 6c1, 6c2 Example areas of the outer contour surface of the interchangeable segment 6c
• 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d Example suction strips
• 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d strips, exemplary hard metal strips
• 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d Example mounting elements for holding / retaining the strips
• 10 Example frame for labelling unit, example housing
• 11 Example core, example skeleton, example internal supporting framework
• 12 Example conveyor roller / conveyor roller
• 13 Example conveyor roller / conveyor roller
• 14 Exemplary leadership
• 15 Example label tape buffer
• 16a, 16b Example label tape storage roll
• 17 Example splicing device
• 18 Example control unit
• 19a, 19b Example pitch, example distance between two consecutive labels
• 20a, 20b, 20c Example labels, example labels cut / separated from the label tape
• 21 Example range, example angular range of rotational positions of the vacuum transfer cylinder in which any components protruding radially from the vacuum transfer cylinder can be retracted to avoid collisions
• 22 Example rotation axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder
• 23 Example spatial view of a part of a labelling unit
• 24 Example opening(s), example vacuum opening(s), in mounting element, example hole for receiving fastening means
• 25 Example opening(s), example vacuum opening(s), in suction bar
• 26 Example opening(s), example vacuum opening(s), in change segment
• 27 Example part of a frame of the labelling unit
• 28, 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d Examples of cavities that can be connected to each other
• 29 Example height of a change segment
• 30c1, 30c2 Example fastening elements, example screw connection
• 31c1, 31c2 Example centering elements
• 32, 33 Example channels for supplying openings of the interchangeable segments with vacuum or compressed air
• 34 Example control mechanism for controlling the movement of the suction bar 7c
• 35d Example frame of holding element 9d
• 36 Example suction bar
• 37 Example outer contour surface of the suction bar
• 37a Example outer contour surface part of the suction bar, example outer contour surface
• 37b Example of outer contour surface part of the suction bar, outer contour surface
• 38 Exemplary level, exemplary advance
• 39 Example movement mechanism or sliding mechanism or switching mechanism, example control cam mechanism
• 40 Example switching cam, example control curve
• 41 Example shift pulley
• 42 Example radial movement
• 43 containers
• 44 Example of a recessed container area
• 45 Example change segment
• 46 Example bottom of the container
• 47 Example floor of the exchange segment
• 48 Example height of the projection, example height of the outer contour surface part of the suction bar
• 49 Example height of the retracted container area

Claims (13)

1. A labeling unit (1) for applying labels to containers (3), comprising at least one unwind unit (4) for a label tape (2), a cutting rotor (5) for cutting the label tape into individual labels (20a, 20b, 20c) and a vacuum transfer cylinder (6) for transferring the labels (20a, 20b, 20c) to the containers,
   wherein the vacuum transfer cylinder (6) comprises a plurality of replaceable interchangeable segments (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), on the outer contour surfaces of which the labels can be transported, the interchangeable segments (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) being arranged between strips (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) firmly connected to the vacuum transfer cylinder (6), the strips (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) being designed as cutting surfaces for cooperating with the cutting rotor (5) for cutting the label tape (2), and the strips (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) are firmly connected to the vacuum transfer cylinder (6) via retaining elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), and wherein the retaining elements (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) have outer contour surfaces with openings (24) by means of which a negative pressure can be applied.
2. The labeling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interchangeable segments (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) have a suction strip (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) which divides the outer contour surfaces of the interchangeable segments at least into two regions (6a1, 6a2, 6c1, 6c2).
3. The labeling unit (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the suction strip (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is arranged in each case in such a way that it divides the outer contour surface of an exchangeable segment (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) into a first region (6a1, 6c1) whose radial peripheral circumference corresponds to the length of a label and into a second region (6a2, 6c2) whose radial peripheral circumference corresponds to a predetermined pitch (19a, 19b) between two labels which are applied to two different containers.
4. The labeling unit (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the suction strips (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) have at least one outer contour surface with an outer diameter which is larger than the outer diameters of the exchangeable segments (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), the retaining elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) and the strips (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) which are designed as cutting surfaces.
5. The labeling unit (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the suction strips (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) are designed to be movable and in particular are configured to perform a radial movement.
6. The labeling unit (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one control cam mechanism (39) for controlling the movement of the suction strips (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d).
7. The labeling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strips (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) designed as cutting surfaces for cooperating with the cutting rotor for cutting the label tape are formed as hard metal strips.
8. The labeling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interchangeable segments (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) with their outer contour surfaces circumferentially cover the entire outer diameter of the vacuum transfer cylinder (6).
9. The labeling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two, three, four, six or more interchangeable segments.
10. The labeling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (18), adapted to control a rotational position and/or rotational speed of the cutting rotor (5) and/or of the vacuum transfer cylinder (6) and/or wherein the control unit (18) is adapted to control the movement of the suction strips (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) in a labeling unit according to one of claims 7 to 11.
11. The labeling unit (1) according to the preceding claim and according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the control unit (18) is configured to radially retract the suction strips (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) in a predetermined range of rotational positions of the vacuum transfer cylinder (6).
12. The labeling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a movable gluing device for gluing labels on the vacuum transfer cylinder (6).
13. A labeling machine with a labeling unit (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and with a conveyor with container holders for transporting the containers.

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