Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C3/00—Labelling other than flat surfaces
  • B65C3/06—Affixing labels to short rigid containers
  • B65C3/08—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/08—Label feeding
  • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device and a method for oblique labeling of objects, preferably containers in a container treatment plant.
• Container treatment plants can have labeling machines for labeling containers.
• labeling machines can be used to label any type of object.
• WO 2018/202320 A1 discloses a labeling machine for applying label sheets to articles.
• a web feed unit feeds a web of label stock formed from a series of interconnected label sheets.
• a label transfer device receives the web from the web feeder at an input station and is adapted to supply individual label sheets to respective articles at an application station spaced from the input station.
• a cutting device cuts the web of label material into individual label sheets.
• the label transfer device includes a conveyor configured to retain the label sheets and release the label sheets themselves onto the articles at the application station.
• the conveyor has a closed transfer track and at least two label holders that can be moved on the transfer track by means of magnetic-inductive interaction.
• a disadvantage of the labeling machine known from WO 2018/202320 A1 can be that it is relatively inflexible and, for example, only suitable for simple labeling tasks.
• the invention is based on the object of creating an improved device for labeling which can preferably be used flexibly for different labeling tasks.
• One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for obliquely labeling objects, preferably containers (e.g. bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, flacons, etc., preferably for a container treatment system for manufacturing, cleaning, testing, filling, sealing, labeling, printing and /or packaging of containers for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid foodstuffs).
• the device has a (eg, single-track) object conveyor (eg, container conveyor) with a plurality of object holders (eg, container holders) for holding the objects (e.g., containers).
• the apparatus includes a label conveyor (e.g., single lane) having a plurality of label holders for holding a plurality of labels (e.g., one or more labels at a time).
• the device has an application area in which the labels held by the multiple label holders can be applied to the objects held by the multiple object holders (e.g. by releasing, pressing on, sticking and/or by applying compressed air). Upstream of the application area, the plurality of object holders for tilting the object held in each case and/or the plurality of label holders for tilting the label held in each case can be moved or moved to enable tilted labeling in the application area.
• the device advantageously enables oblique labeling of objects in a structurally simple manner.
• the device does not have to be completely adjusted in a costly manner, e.g. B. by means of another unit specially provided for this purpose.
• An inclined position of the object holder and/or the label holder can be sufficient to carry out the inclined labeling.
• the oblique labeling can be highly flexibly adaptable to different requirements and object formats, e.g. B. by tilting the labels and/or containers to different extents.
• the inclination can preferably be adjusted during operation, for example depending on a check of the accuracy of the labeling downstream of the application area.
• the multiple object holders can be moved or moved to reset, preferably erect, the object being held in each case and/or the multiple label holders to move back, preferably erect.
• the movement of the plurality of object holders for tilting the object held in each case and/or the plurality of label holders for tilting the label held in each case can be brought about or is caused by means of a mechanical and/or electronic controller.
• the objects held are each rotated about an object transverse axis (pitch axis) when tilted, preferably with respect to a current direction of movement of the respective object.
• the labels held are each rotated about a label transverse axis (pitch axis) when tilted, preferably with respect to a current direction of movement of the respective label.
• the labels are rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to a direction of movement of the labels.
• the labels are rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to a bearing surface of the labels on the label holder.
• the label conveyor has a linear drive, which is preferably designed as a long-stator linear drive or as a short-stator linear drive, with a number of movement devices.
• the plurality of movement devices each rotatably support and support one of the plurality of label holders. In this way, a highly flexible label conveyor can advantageously be created, which can easily enable oblique labeling.
• the several movement devices each carry a rotary drive, with which the respective label holder can be rotated about a label holder transverse axis (pitch axis), preferably with respect to a current direction of movement of the respective movement device.
• the device can preferably have a control unit which is designed to operate the respective rotary drive of the multiple movement devices upstream of the application area for rotating the respective label holder in order to tilt the respective label held.
• the label can be inclined for the inclined labeling in a simple manner.
• the plurality of movement devices each carry a rotatable bearing, with which the respective label holder can be rotated about a label holder transverse axis (pitch axis), preferably with respect to a current direction of movement of the respective movement device.
• the plurality of label holders are preferably each connected to a cam follower, preferably a roller, for rotating the respective label holder about the respective rotatable bearing.
• the device can have a control cam, preferably adjustable in height and/or angle of rotation, for following the control cam follower, with the control cam being designed, for example, for rotating the respective label holder about the rotatable bearing for tilting the respective label held upstream of the application area.
• a control cam preferably adjustable in height and/or angle of rotation, for following the control cam follower, with the control cam being designed, for example, for rotating the respective label holder about the rotatable bearing for tilting the respective label held upstream of the application area.
• the cam can preferably be arranged at least in the application area.
• the multiple movement devices each carry a rotatable bearing, with which the respective label holder can be rotated about a label holder transverse axis (pitch axis) with respect to a current direction of movement of the respective movement device.
• the linear drive can preferably have several further movement devices.
• one of the movement devices and one of the several further movement devices can form a pair, in which the respective further movement device is in a preferably mechanical, operative connection (e.g. by means of a toothed rack and gear wheel which mesh with one another) with the rotatable bearing of the respective movement device of the pair is that a relative movement of the pair to one another (e.g. approaching one another or moving away from one another) causes a rotation of the respective label holder about the rotatable bearing.
• the device can preferably have a control unit which is designed to operate the pairs upstream of the application area for moving relative to one another for rotating the respective label holder about the respective rotatable bearing for tilting the respective label held.
• one moving device may have a tag holder and the other may not, or both may have a tag holder and may differ, e.g. Control rotation mutually or the rotation control of the two is done by means of another movement device.
• the label conveyor includes a planar drive having a base oriented substantially vertically and a plurality of movers moveable over the base, preferably by magnetic interaction between the base and the plurality of movers.
• the plurality of movement devices can each carry one of the plurality of label holders.
• the device can have a control unit that is designed to control the multiple movement devices upstream of the application area for rotating the respective label holder for tilting the label held in each case for rotating about a central axis of the respective movement device (for example perpendicular to the vertical alignment of the base element and/or to verticals).
• the basic element has an increased vertical extension (e.g. at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm) at least in the application area, so that labels can preferably be applied to the objects at different heights.
• an increased vertical extension e.g. at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm
• an upper section of the basic element in the application area has a (eg arcuate) curvature towards the object conveyor, so that labels can preferably be applied to conical object sections.
• the base element can be adjusted in height in the application area.
• a height of an upper curved section of the basic element can thus preferably be adapted to different heights of conical sections of different object formats.
• the object conveyor is a conveyor carousel and the label conveyor extends in an arc shape in the application area along an arc-shaped section of the conveyor carousel, so that preferably several or very long labels can be applied to the same object. More time is preferably available for applying labels.
• Two or more consecutive movement devices can preferably apply labels to different sections of the object, possibly even to the back of the object. In other words, the movement devices can accompany the object holders over a certain distance with substantially the same distance. This can be advantageous in order, for example, to apply spiral-shaped/coil-shaped (in the labeled state) labels to the objects. If necessary, the object can even rotate several times in this extended application area.
• the plurality of movement devices each carry a positioning device which is designed to change a positioning angle of the label holder with respect to the respective movement device, so that labels can preferably be applied to conical object sections.
• a control unit is designed to operate the multiple movement devices upstream of the application area for rotating, preferably rollers, in order to operate a current direction of movement of the respective movement device, so that labels can preferably be applied to conical object sections.
• the multiple object holders are each formed by a first holding element, preferably embodied as one of an object head centering (e.g. container head centering) and a turntable, and a second holding element, preferably embodied as the other of the object head centering and the turntable.
• the first holding element and the second holding element preferably act together as a holding element pair to hold the respective object.
• the oblique position of the respective object can be effected or is effected by a relative movement of the respective pair of holding elements to one another. In this way, an inclined position of the objects for the inclined labeling can advantageously be made possible in a structurally simple manner.
• the first holding element and/or the second holding element can be height-adjustable, so that a height adjustment of the first holding element and/or the second holding element, which is necessary for the relative movement, is preferably made possible.
• the object conveyor has a first linear drive, which is preferably designed as a long-stator linear drive or as a short-stator linear drive, with a plurality of movement devices and a second linear drive, which is preferably designed as a long-stator linear drive or as a short-stator linear drive , with multiple movement devices on.
• the plurality of movement devices of the first linear drive can carry (and, for example, rotatably mount) the first holding elements (eg, height-adjustable).
• the plurality of movement devices of the second linear drive can preferably carry the second holding elements (and, for example, rotatably mount them).
• each form one of the several Movement devices of the first linear drive and one of the several movement devices of the second linear drive form a movement device pair, so that preferably a relative movement of the movement device pair to one another (e.g. approaching one another or moving away from one another) causes an inclined position of the object held in each case.
• the device preferably has a control unit which is designed to operate the movement device pairs in each case to move them relative to one another upstream of the application area in order to tilt the object held in each case.
• a control unit which is designed to operate the movement device pairs in each case to move them relative to one another upstream of the application area in order to tilt the object held in each case.
• first linear drive and the second linear drive can run parallel to one another (eg next to one another or one above the other).
• the second linear drive has a plurality of further movement devices, one of the movement devices of the second linear drive and one of the plurality of further movement devices of the second linear drive forming a pair in which the respective further movement device is operatively connected, preferably mechanically, in this way (e.g by means of a toothed rack and gear wheel that mesh with each other) with a rotatable mounting of the second holding element of the respective movement device is that a relative movement of the pair to one another (e.g. approaching or moving away from each other) causes a rotation of the respective second holding element about a vertical axis of the respectively held object.
• a control unit of the device can preferably be designed to operate the pairs in each case to move them relative to one another in the application area in order to rotate the respective second holding element in order to rotate the object held in each case.
• a rotation of the object during the application of the label can thus advantageously be made possible.
• the object conveyor is configured as a conveyor carousel having a first rotatable carousel that supports (e.g., rotatably supports) the plurality of first support members on a perimeter of the first rotatable carousel (e.g., height-adjustable), and a second rotatable carousel , which is formed by a plurality of segments that can be moved relative to one another, each of which carries one of the plurality of second holding elements (and supports it in a rotatable manner, for example).
• the multiple segments upstream of the application area are movable relative to each other and to the first rotatable carousel to tilt the object being held. bar, preferably by means of an individual drive and/or by means of mechanical guidance on a cam. In this way, a highly flexible object conveyor can also be advantageously created, which can easily enable oblique labeling.
• the first carousel can be arranged above the second carousel.
• the first rotating carousel can carry (and e.g. rotatably mount) a plurality of third holding elements on the circumference of the first rotating carousel (e.g. height-adjustable), preferably alternating with the plurality of first holding elements, the third holding elements being differ from the first holding elements for holding different object formats (e.g. container formats).
• an object format change e.g. container format change
• an object format change can be carried out by positioning either the first holding elements or the third holding elements directly above or below the second holding elements.
• the object conveyor has a rotatable carousel, which carries (and e.g. rotatably supports) the plurality of second holding elements on a circumference of the rotatable carousel, and a linear drive, which is preferably embodied as a long-stator linear drive or as a short-stator linear drive is, with several movement devices, on.
• the plurality of moving devices can carry (and, for example, rotatably support) the first holding elements (e.g., height-adjustable).
• the apparatus may include a controller that operates the plurality of moving devices upstream of the application area to move relative to the rotatable carousel to tilt the object being held.
• a controller that operates the plurality of moving devices upstream of the application area to move relative to the rotatable carousel to tilt the object being held.
• the object conveyor comprises a planar drive having a substantially vertically oriented base and a plurality of movers movable over the base by magnetic interaction between the base and the plurality of movers, the plurality of movers each supporting one of the plurality of object holders.
• the device can preferably have a control unit which is designed to rotate the plurality of movement devices upstream of the application area about one to operate its own central axis for rotating the respective object holder for tilting the object held in each case.
• a central axis of its own can be arranged perpendicularly to the conveying plane of the planar motor. In this way, a highly flexible object conveyor can also be advantageously created, which can easily enable oblique labeling.
• the device has a checking device which is designed to carry out a visual check of the oblique labeling of the multiple objects downstream from the application area, and a movement of the multiple object holders to tilt the multiple objects and/or the multiple label holders to tilt the Adjust or correct labels upstream of the application area depending on the visual inspection.
• control unit can refer to electronics (e.g. with microprocessor(s) and data memory) and/or a mechanical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic controller, which, depending on the training, can perform control tasks and/or control tasks and/or Even if the term “control” is used here, “regulations” or “control with feedback” and/or “processing” can also be included or meant.
• the moving devices can each be moved or driven independently of one another.
• lique labeling can preferably refer to labeling of an object, in which the label is applied to a surface of the object, at least in sections, in a helical manner with respect to a longitudinal axis or vertical axis of the object.
• a further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for obliquely labeling objects, preferably containers (e.g. by means of a device as disclosed herein), the method having:
• the object holders can, for example, align themselves again in a normal, vertical position (e.g. the extension of the connection from the centering bell to the turntable is aligned, e.g. in the center of the earth) before they deliver the labeled objects and pick up a new object, to then slant it again for the next labelling.
• a normal, vertical position e.g. the extension of the connection from the centering bell to the turntable is aligned, e.g. in the center of the earth
• the label holders can alternatively or additionally return to a normal position or orientation (in which they were, for example, if labeling would not be carried out at an angle on the same device in a different operating mode) before they pick up a new label again, to then slant it again for the next labelling.
• the label holders can be aligned in the area of the label holder and preferably along at least a quarter, preferably at least half of the total circulation path such that the labels are placed with their longest side or extent perpendicular to the transport path, in particular vertically. In this way, the overall transport path can be kept short, since more label holders can be arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel over a certain distance than if they were rotated in such a way that the longest side of a label was essentially parallel to the transport direction.
• adjacent label holders can have a different distance from one another in the label receiving area than in the label dispensing area (ie in the application area).
• the labels When unfolded, the labels can have a diamond-shaped or parallelogram-like shape, with two opposite sloping sides of the labels being able to be applied to cylindrical objects in such a way that these sloping sides are both parallel to a cylinder axis of the objects.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a device for labeling according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a container with oblique labels
• FIGS 3 to 11 schematic views of an application area of the device for
• FIGS. 12 to 14 show schematic views of an object conveyor of the device for labeling according to several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
• Figure 1 shows a device 1 for labeling objects 3 with individual labels or label sheets or label sheets 2 (in Figure 1, for reasons of clarity, only a single label
• the objects 3 are preferably containers, e.g. B. Bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, flasks or bundles, packs, pallets, etc.
• the objects 3 can each have an axis (vertical axis or longitudinal axis) A.
• the device 1 can preferably be included in a container treatment system for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid foodstuffs. In the container treatment plant, the containers can be produced, cleaned, checked, filled, closed, printed and/or packaged, for example, in addition to being labelled.
• the device 1 can have an object conveyor 4 and a label conveyor 7 .
• the device 1 is preferably designed in such a way that it applies the labels 2 to the corresponding objects 3 by transferring the labels 2 to the objects 3 from the label conveyor 7 .
• the object conveyor 4 can be designed, for example, as a carousel conveyor, the objects
• the object conveyor 4 is designed to rotate continuously about a respective vertical axis B perpendicular to the plane of FIG.
• the objects 3 are held by object holders of the object conveyor 4 .
• the objects 3 are transported with their axes A parallel to axis B and advanced along a path P.
• Path P is defined by a circumferential arc extending about axis B in a horizontal plane.
• the object conveyor 4 can be designed differently, for example as a conveyor that extends linearly at least in sections and has a linear drive, for example a long-stator linear drive or short-stator linear drive, or a planar drive for moving the objects 3.
• the label conveyor 7 is designed to hold, move forward and release the labels 2 .
• the label conveyor 7 can transfer the labels 2 to the objects 3 in the application area 9 (or at the application station 9).
• the label conveyor 7 is arranged on one side of the object conveyor 4 . In the application area 9 the label conveyor 7 is arranged directly next to the object conveyor 4 so that the labels 2 can be transferred from the label conveyor 7 to each of the objects 3 moving forward on the object conveyor 4 .
• the label conveyor 7 preferably has a linear drive 18 .
• the linear drive 18 can be an endless drive or form a closed conveyor track 19 .
• the linear drive 18 has a plurality of movement devices (movers or runners) 20 .
• the movement devices 20 can be moved along the conveyor track 19 .
• the movement devices 20 can preferably be moved by means of magneto-inductive interaction.
• the linear drive 18 is preferably a long-stator linear drive.
• the movement devices 20 are equipped with permanent magnets.
• Long stator segments with individually excitable electromagnets 27 are arranged along the conveyor track 19 .
• the movement devices 20 can be moved independently of one another along the conveyor track 19 by the electromagnets 27 being controlled or excited individually.
• the linear drive 18 can be designed as a short-stator linear drive.
• the movement devices 20 are equipped with individually excitable electromagnets, the short stators. Permanent magnets are arranged along the conveyor track 19 .
• the movement devices 20 can be moved independently of one another along the conveyor track 19 by their electromagnets being controlled or excited individually.
• a planar drive can be used as a particularly preferred alternative. Exemplary embodiments are described herein, for example, with reference to Figures 6-10.
• the planar drive has a basic element as a conveyor track 19 and also a number of movement devices 20 .
• the preferred plate-shaped base element can be vertical and parallel to the axes B and be aligned with C.
• the movement devices 20 can be moved freely and independently over the base element by means of magnetic interaction with the base element.
• the motion devices 20 may also be rotated (e.g., yaw), pitched (e.g., pitch and/or roll) and/or spaced relative to the base member via magnetic interaction with the base member.
• the basic element forms a stator of the planar drive.
• the movement devices 20 form runners (also called "mover") of the planar drive.
• the movement devices 20 can be carried by the base element without contact.
• the basic element can, for example, have a plurality of distributed electromagnets, e.g. B. electrical coils have.
• the movement devices 20 can have permanent magnets.
• the electromagnets are preferably arranged in a matrix which extends in a plane of the base element (here preferably a vertical plane).
• a power supply to the electromagnets of the base can be controlled as desired to establish electromagnetic fields at a desired position of the base with a desired field strength.
• a propulsion, a rotation, an inclination and/or a stroke of the movement devices 20 can be brought about by corresponding electromagnetic fields of the electromagnets of the basic element.
• the label conveyor 7 prefferably be designed as a rotatable gripper cylinder or to have one.
• the movement devices 20 can transport the labels from the feed station 8 to the application area 9 .
• the movement devices 20 can preferably be moved independently of one another along the conveyor track 19 .
• the conveyor track 19 can define a closed magnetic-inductive path R for the movement devices 20 .
• the conveyor track 19 may be horizontal and coplanar with the track P of the object conveyor 4.
• the conveyor track 19 has a substantially triangular shape.
• the triangular shape may consist of three rectilinear branches 21,22,23 interconnected by three curved vertex portions 24,25,26.
• the branch 22 can be arranged along the path R downstream of the feed station 8 and upstream of the application area 9 .
• Branch 22 may extend between apex portions 24 and 25 .
• Branch 23 may extend between apex portions 24 and 26 .
• Branch 21 may extend between apex portions 25 and 26 .
• the application area 9 can be arranged on the apex section 24 of the conveyor track 19 .
• the application area 9 can be substantially tangential to the Object conveyor 4 run.
• the feeding station 8 can be arranged on the branch 21, which can oppose the apex portion 24 and is preferably orthogonal to the axes D as well.
• a cutting device 10 can be arranged opposite the branch 22 .
• the conveyor track 19 may have any other suitable shape, e.g. B. has a circular shape.
• the above functions can also be assigned to different branches, with the branch that is then additionally present being used, for example, for the already mentioned accompanying the objects 3 .
• the additional branch would then not be completely linear, for example, but slightly curved (not shown)
• the movement devices 20 can have a cuboid or disc shape.
• the moving devices 20 can carry label holders for holding the labels 2 .
• the label holders can hold the labels in any suitable way, e.g. B. mechanical, electrostatic or pneumatic etc.
• the label holders can, for example, have at least one movable gripper, e.g. B. each at an upper and lower part (or a front and rear part or central) holding the label 2 in question.
• the gripper or grippers can be moved in the application area 9 to release the labels 2 .
• each label 2 z. B. is part of the web 6 or is separate from the web 6 itself, held on the respective label holder only by static electricity, without the need for suction or mechanical gripping, for example.
• the label holders preferably hold the labels 2 pneumatically. Connections or openings can be arranged on the end faces of the label holders, which can alternatively be used to generate suction or excess pressure on the web 6 or the label 2 .
• each movement device 20 with its respective label holder
• Label 2 or more labels 2 holds alone.
• the movement devices 20 can, for example, work together in pairs in order to jointly hold a label 2 with their label holders.
• each label 2 has a front portion held by the front mover 20 of the respective pair and a rear portion held by the rear mover 20 of such pair.
• the device 1 can also have a label web feed unit 5, a feed station 8, the cutting device 10, a first tank 32, a second tank (covered by the first tank 32), a printing device 42, a gluing device 43, a service conveyor 45 and/or a testing device 50 have.
• the label web feed unit 5 can transfer a label material web 6 to the label conveyor 7 at the feed station 8 .
• the feed station 8 is at a distance from the application area 9 .
• the label web feed unit 5 can be arranged on a side of the label conveyor 7 opposite the object conveyor 4 .
• the label web feed unit 5 can be arranged directly next to the label conveyor 7 in the area of the feed station 8 .
• the label web feed unit 5 can have several rolls 11 of the web 6 .
• the label web feed unit 5 can be arranged opposite the feed station 8 of the label conveyor 7 .
• the respective axes C of the rollers 11 can be vertical and parallel to the axes A and B.
• the web 6 is formed by a series of labels 2 joined together.
• the labels 2 can, for example, have a rectangular, square or round shape.
• the labels 2 can be obtained by cutting the web 6, initially wound on a relative reel 11, with the aid of the cutting device 10.
• the label web feed unit 5 can also have a corresponding feed actuator 12 for each roll 11 .
• the feed actuator 12 may be detachably coupled to a front portion 13 of the corresponding web 6 .
• the feed actuator 12 can be selectively actuated to move toward and away from the label conveyor 7 to feed the web 6 to the label conveyor 7 when desired.
• each feed actuator 12 may include a housing and a piston.
• the housing can be arranged on one side of the respective roller 11 .
• the piston can be moved through the housing towards and away from the infeed station 8 of the label conveyor 7 or reciprocated along a respective horizontal axis D orthogonal to the axes A,B,C.
• the infeed actuators 12 can be selectively actuated to feed the webs 6 unwound from the respective rolls 11 to the infeed station 8 of the Label conveyor 7 to pass.
• Each piston may have a plate at its free axial end. The platen may be provided with a plurality of apertures which may be selectively connected to a source of vacuum around the leading portion 13 of the respective web
• release of the leading portion 13 of the web 6 can be achieved by simply disconnecting the apertures of the respective plate from the vacuum source.
• the cutting device 10 can be configured to cut the web 6 of label material held by the label conveyor 7 into individual labels 2 .
• the cutting device 10 can be arranged, for example, at a position opposite the branch 22 of the conveyor track 19, i.e., for example, in a position between the infeed station 8 and the application area 9.
• the cutting device 10 can have, for example, a housing 40 and a knife 41.
• the blade 41 can be moved by the housing 40 along an axis F orthogonal to the branch 22.
• the knife 41 can cut the web 6 into individual labels 2.
• the labels 2 can be transferred to the label conveyor at least temporarily as individual sheets (and thus not as a web 6). In that case, the cutting device 10 is not absolutely necessary for the time being.
• labels 2 can be transferred to the label conveyor at least temporarily as pre-sticked individual labels 2, so-called dispensing labels.
• the cutting device 10 and the gluing device 43 are not absolutely necessary for the time being.
• the first tank 32 may be annular and rotatable.
• the first tank 32 can be supplied with a vacuum source (not shown), such as. B. a vacuum pump connected.
• the first tank 32 may be connected to a first rotatable manifold 33 .
• the first manifold 33 can be connected, on the one hand, to the first tank 32 and the vacuum source and, on the other hand, to each label holder carried by the moving devices 20, through a respective fluid line 34.
• the fluid line 34 can be designed, for example, at least in sections, as an elastic and/or flexible hose.
• the fluid line may have an ON/OFF valve (shutoff valve) to allow or prevent the connection of the respective label holder to the first manifold 33 .
• the second tank may be annular and rotatable.
• the second tank can, for example, be arranged underneath the first tank 32 and is therefore also covered in FIG.
• the second tank can go with you connected to a compressor (not shown).
• the second tank may be connected to a second rotatable manifold.
• the second distributor can be connected on the one hand to the second tank and to the compressor and on the other hand to each label holder carried by the movement devices 20 by a respective fluid line.
• the fluid line can be designed, for example, at least in sections, as an elastic and/or flexible hose.
• the fluid line may have an ON/OFF valve (shutoff valve) to allow or prevent the connection of the respective label holder to the second manifold.
• the first tank 32, the second tank, the first manifold 33 and the second manifold may all be pivoted about a common vertical axis E parallel to the A, B and C axes.
• the first tank 32, the second tank, the first distributor 33 and the second distributor can be arranged and stacked on top of one another essentially in the central area delimited by the conveyor track 19.
• the printing device 42 can be designed for printing the labels 2 or the web 6, e.g. B. with predetermined patterns or bar codes.
• the gluing device 43 can be designed to apply glue to the labels 2 .
• the gluing device 43 can be a glue atomizer, for example.
• glue atomizer for example.
• the printing device 42, the cutting device 10 and the gluing device 43 are all arranged on the branch 22 of the conveyor track 19 in a row next to one another.
• the cutting device 10 may be positioned between the printing device 42 and the gluing device 43, with the printing device 42 being upstream of the others.
• the service conveyor 45 can have a closed operating circuit.
• the service conveyor 45 can be arranged laterally in relation to the label conveyor 7 in front of the branch 23 of the conveyor track 19 .
• the service conveyor 45 can be configured to selectively receive moving devices 20 from the label conveyor 7 for cleaning and/or maintenance or/and to selectively replace moving devices 20 with moving devices 20 of a different type in the event of a label format change.
• the service conveyor 45 is of the same type as the label conveyor 7, e.g. B. having a long-stator linear drive or a short-stator linear drive.
• the service conveyor 45 can have a closed conveyor track 46, which can be equipped with a large number of individually excitable magnets or permanent magnets.
• the conveyor tracks 19 and 46 can share the branch 23 along which the moving devices 20 can be exchanged between the tracks 19 and 46, e.g. B. when labeling is stopped or during operation. It is possible, in the event of a change in label format, by appropriate control and operation of the conveyors 7, 45, to replace the movement devices 20 currently used with other movement devices 20 which are suitable for the new label format. It is also possible for the label holders to be designed to hold different label formats.
• the service conveyor 45 can be dispensed with, for example, and an extension of the basic element for parking, servicing, cleaning, etc. of the movement devices 20 can be considered instead.
• the checking device 50 can carry out a visual check with regard to the correct attachment of the labels 2 to the objects 3 .
• Correct attachment may include correct positioning and/or correct orientation (e.g., skew orientation) of the labels 2 to the objects 3 .
• the testing device 50 can have a camera and an image recognition system, for example.
• the camera may be aimed at a portion of the object conveyor 4 downstream from the application area 9 .
• the object holders of the object conveyor 4 and/or the label holders of the label conveyor 7 can be moved upstream of the application area 9 in order to enable the labels 2 to be correctly attached to subsequent objects 3.
• Objects 3 with labels 2 which have been attached to the object 3 outside of predefined areas or not attached to the object 3 at all can be ejected downstream of the inspection area at position 50 with the aid of a separator (not shown).
• the operation described is described below with reference to FIG. The operation described is purely exemplary and can be modified depending on the configuration and equipment of the device 1 .
• the web 6 of one roll 11 is fed to the label conveyor 7 at the infeed station 8, while the webs 6 of the other rolls 11 are kept separate from the infeed station 8.
• the piston 15 of the feed actuator 12, which carries the web 6 to be fed to the label conveyor 7, is brought along its axis D to an advanced position. In this position, its respective plate brings the front portion 13 of the web 6 into contact with a selected label holder carried by a moving device 20.
• the pistons 15 of the other feed actuators 12 are coupled to the respective front portions 13 of the other tracks 6 and are all held in retracted positions along their D axes.
• the front section 13 of the selected label web 6 is dragged along the conveyor path 19 and the path R by the respective movement device 20 .
• the label web 6 is thus continuously unwound from the respective roll 11 and moved forward to the application area 9 .
• Each label 2 forming the web 6 in use adheres progressively, e.g. B. at its front and rear part or centrally on the respective label holders, which are carried by the moving devices 20 and the label 2 e.g. by suction through the respective openings can hold.
• the web 6 is first printed on each label 2 with predetermined patterns and/or bar codes by the printing device 42 . Then the web 6 is cut into individual labels 2 by reciprocating the knife 41 of the cutting device 10 along the axis F. Then the labels 2 are wetted with glue by the gluing device 43, e.g. B. sprayed.
• a rotating knife roller or a laser can be used for cutting.
• Each label 2 is then detached from the respective label holder and the respective direction of movement 20 in the application area 9 by gradually cutting off the vacuum and activating the overpressure on the label 2 and applied to a corresponding object 3 .
• the vacuum on each label holder is gradually cut off and the overpressure is gradually activated to to allow transfer of the corresponding label 2 onto the corresponding object 3, which is simultaneously advanced on the object conveyor 4, preferably rotating about its axis A.
• the movement devices 20, which have already released the respective label 2 can be controlled in such a way that they move faster on the conveyor track 19 than the movement devices 20 still fitted with the labels 2, until they reach the feed station 8 again.
• the movers 20 that need to be replaced, cleaned or serviced are selectively routed to the service conveyor 45 via the common branch 23 .
• the moving devices 20 in operation can be preemptively disconnected from the corresponding fluid lines (34, among others).
• the new or cleaned moving devices 20, which enter the conveyor track 19, can be connected to these fluid lines (34, among others) before labeling begins.
• labeling can continue simply by activating one of the other feed actuators 12 to feed the leading portion 13 of the respective web 6 to a selected moving device 20 or label holder carried thereby.
• FIG. 2 shows, purely by way of example, an object 3 which has been equipped with oblique labels 2 .
• One of the oblique labels 2 extends helically around an example. Cylindrical, cuboid or prismatic section of the object 3, z. B an object body, preferably a container body.
• the other bias label 2 extends helically around a conical portion of the object 3, e.g. B. an object neck, preferably a container neck.
• the device 1 can be designed, for example, to apply one or both types of sloping labels 2 .
• FIGS. 3 to 15 allow oblique labeling of the objects 3.
• Oblique labeling can be made possible by moving the plurality of object holders upstream of the application area 8 in order to tilt the object 3 held in each case.
• skewed labeling can be made possible by moving the plurality of label holders to position the label 2 held at a slant.
• the techniques for skewing the labels 2, which are described by way of example with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10 can be combined with the techniques for skewing the objects 3, which are described by way of example with reference to FIGS 11 to 15 can be combined if desired.
• the objects 3 and/or labels 2 pass through the application area 9 at an angle. Downstream from the application area 9, the objects 3 and/or the label holders can be moved back (upright).
• FIG. 3 shows a section through the application area 9.
• the label conveyor 7 has a linear drive 18 with a plurality of movement devices 20 (only one shown in FIG. 3).
• the linear drive 18 is preferably designed as a long-stator linear drive, in which electromagnets 27 arranged in series drive or move the movement devices 20 in magnetic interaction with permanent magnets 52 of the movement devices 20 .
• the linear drive 18 can, for example, also be designed as a short-stator linear drive.
• the movement devices 20 are guided and supported along the conveyor track 19 .
• the conveyor track 19 can have a plurality of conveyor track sections arranged parallel one above the other or next to one another, along which the movement devices 20 can be moved and supported.
• the movement devices 20 can be guided and supported on the conveyor track 19 by means of a plurality of sliding shoes or rotatable rollers 54 .
• the movement devices 20 can each have a control unit 56 and carry a rotary drive 58 and a label holder 60 .
• the device 1 can have a control unit 62 .
• the rotary drive 58 carries the label holder 60.
• the rotary drive 58 supports the label holder 60 in a rotatable manner.
• the label holder 60 is designed to rotate the label holder 60 about a label holder transverse axis or label transverse axis G.
• the transverse axis G is defined as the transverse axis of the label holder 60 or the label 2 with respect to the current direction of movement of the respective movement device 20 and thus of the label holder 60 and the label 2 .
• the rotary drive 58 can receive electrical energy via a current collector of the movement device 20 .
• the current collector can be guided on a conductor rail of the label conveyor 7 (sliding energy transfer).
• the rotary drive 58 can receive electrical energy from the label conveyor 7 without contact, for example by means of electromagnetic induction.
• an electrical supply line for supplying the rotary drive 58 can be connected to the movement device 20, comparable to the fluid line 34 shown.
• the rotary drive 58 can be designed, for example, as an electric motor.
• the controller 62 may be in signal communication with the controller 56 of the motion device 20 .
• the control unit 62 can send movement commands to the control unit 56 to operate the rotary drive 58 .
• the movement commands from the control unit 62 can cause the rotary drive 58 upstream of the application area 9 to be operated to rotate the label holder 60 to tilt the label 2 held.
• the rotary position of the rotary drive 58 for holding the inclined position of the label 2 is maintained.
• the object 3 is labeled with the label 2 at an angle.
• the object 3 can rotate about the axis A, z. B. by means of a holding element (e.g. turntable) 64, which can be part of one of the object holders of the object conveyor 4.
• a holding element e.g. turntable
• control unit 62 it is possible for the control unit 62 to have a direct signal connection to the rotary drive 58 and for the movement device 20 not to have its own control unit 56, for example.
• the signal connection can be wired or wireless.
• the signal connection can be wired, for example by means of a signal pickup of the movement device 20, which is guided on a signal line of the label conveyor 7 (looping signal transmission).
• the wired signal connection can be made by means of an electrical signal line that is connected to the movement device 20, comparable to the fluid line 34 shown.
• the wireless signal connection can, for example, be via radio, Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree, WiMAX, IrDA, optical radio link (FSO) and/or LiFi.
• FIG. 4 also shows a section through the application area 9.
• the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is modified as follows compared to the embodiment of FIG.
• the moving device 20 carries a rotatable bearing or a rotatable bearing 66.
• the rotatable bearing 66 supports the tag holder 60 so as to be rotatable about the tag holder transverse axis or tag transverse axis G.
• the tag holder 60 is connected to a cam follower 68, preferably rigidly.
• the cam follower 68 can be designed, for example, as a roller or a sliding shoe.
• the control cam follower 68 is rotatably or pivotably connected to the rotatable bearing 66 via the label holder 60 .
• the cam follower 68 can follow a cam 70 .
• the cam 70 can pivot or rotate the cam follower 68 and thus the label holder 60 about the transverse axis G.
• the cam 70 can be designed in such a way that the cam follower 68 carries the label holder 60 upstream of the application area 9 for tilting the held label 2 about the transverse axis G.
• the rotary position of the rotary drive 58 for holding the inclined position of the label 2 is held by means of the cam 70 .
• the object 3 is labeled with the label 2 at an angle.
• the object 3 can rotate about the axis A, z. B. by means of the holding element 64.
• the cam 70 can turn the label holder 60 back again by means of the cam follower 68 and the rotatable bearing 66 to erect the label holder 60, which is now empty.
• an adjusting device 72 is included.
• the adjusting device 72 can enable a height adjustment and/or an angle of rotation adjustment of the control cam 70, if desired, so that, for example, an adjustment of the label positioning and/or label orientation is made possible.
• Figure 5 shows a side view of a section of the label conveyor 7 upstream of and in the application area 9.
• the label conveyor 7 has a linear drive 18 with a plurality of movement devices 20 (only two shown in Figure 5) and a number of further movement devices 74 (only two in Figure 5 shown) on.
• the linear drive 18 is preferably designed as a long-stator linear drive or a short-stator linear drive.
• the moving devices 20, 74 are guided and supported along the conveyor track 19, for example as explained in relation to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG.
• the movement devices 20 carry a rotatable bearing or a rotatable bearing 66, for example as described with regard to the embodiment of FIG.
• One of the moving devices 20 can follow one of the further moving devices 74, which in turn can follow one of the moving devices 20, and so on.
• One of the moving devices 20 and one of the further moving devices 74 form a pair. The pair moves together along the track 19. A relative distance between the moving device 20 and the moving device 74 of the pair during movement along the conveyor belt 19 is adjustable.
• the moving device 74 is operatively connected to the rotatable bearing 66 of the moving device 20 for rotating the label holder 60 and thereby the label 2.
• Die The operative connection is designed such that a change in the relative distance between the moving device 20 and the moving device 74 of the pair causes the label holder 60 and thus the label 2 to rotate about the rotatable bearing 66 .
• the operative connection can be, for example, a mechanical operative connection or drive connection.
• the moving device 74 of the pair can carry a rack 76 .
• the moving device 20 of the pair can carry a gear 78 .
• the gear wheel 78 is rotatably supported by means of the rotatable bearing 66 .
• the gear 78 supports the label holder 60.
• the rack 76 can mesh with the gear 78.
• a relative movement of the movement devices 20, 74 of the pair to one another causes a rotation of the gear wheel 78 and thus of the label holder 60 and the label 2 held.
• the gear wheel 78 and thus the label holder 60 and the label 2 counterclockwise rotated when the further movement device 74 moves towards the movement device 20 .
• the gear wheel 78 and thus the label holder 60 and the label 20 are rotated counterclockwise when the further moving device 74 moves away from the moving device 20.
• the mechanical operative connection is designed differently, for example as a belt drive or as a combination of roller conveyor (carried by the further movement device 74) and roller (carried by the movement device 20).
• the control unit 62 can be designed so that the movement device 20 and the further movement device 74 of a pair move during the movement along the conveyor track 19 upstream of the application area 9 relative to one another in order to rotate the respective label holder 60 about the respective rotatable bearing 66 in order to incline the Move each held label 2.
• the movement device 20 and the further movement device 74 maintain a relative distance from one another.
• the slanted label 2 is applied to the object 3.
• the movement device 20 and the further movement direction 74 of the pair can again move relative to one another, preferably in order to rotate the label holder 60 back.
• Figure 6 shows a side view of a section of the label conveyor 7 upstream of and in the application area 9.
• the label conveyor 7 has a planar drive 80 with a vertically aligned base element 82 and a plurality of movement devices 20 (only two shown in Figure 6).
• the base element 82 also forms the conveyor track 19.
• the movement devices 20 carry the label holders 60.
• the control unit 62 can operate the movement devices 20 in such a way that they rotate about their own central axis H upstream of the application area 9 .
• the central axis H is preferably orthogonal to the vertically oriented basic element 82.
• the label holder 60 carried on the respective movement device 20 is rotated by the rotation and the label 2 is thus positioned at an angle.
• the moving device 20 traverses the application area 9 with the label 2 positioned at an angle, the label 2 being applied to the object 3 . Downstream from the application area 9, the movement device 20 can be rotated back around its own central axis H.
• Figure 7 shows a side view of a section of the label conveyor 7 in, upstream of and downstream of the application area 9.
• Figure 7 shows an optional supplement for embodiments in which the label conveyor 7 has the planar drive 80, for example as in the embodiment of Figure 6.
• the base element 82 in the application area 9 can have an increased vertical extent or height in comparison to sections of the base element 82 arranged upstream and downstream. The movement devices 20 can thus be moved at different heights over the base element 82 in the application area 9, for example depending on the object format or the attachment position for the label 2 held in each case.
• stator can either be designed as shown in FIG. 7 and the two movement devices 20 moving at different heights really emit their label simultaneously (in that one waits a little for the other) on the same object or at least in quick succession.
• stator continuously has a height in which two movement devices 20 have space “next to one another”.
• Figure 8 shows a plan view of the application area 9.
• Figure 8 shows an optional supplement for exemplary embodiments in which the label conveyor 7 has the linear drive 18, such as in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 3, 4 and 5, or the planar drive 80, such as for example in the embodiments of Figure 6 or Figure 7.
• the object conveyor 4 can be designed as a rotating conveyor carousel.
• the label conveyor 7 extends in an arc in the application area 9 over a relatively long section along an arcuate section of the conveyor carousel, preferably with respect to an imaginary horizontal plane.
• the conveyor track 19 or the basic element 82 runs in an arc in this section and at a substantially constant distance from the arc-shaped section of the conveyor carousel.
• Figure 9 shows a sectional view through an application area 9.
• Figure 9 shows an optional supplement for exemplary embodiments in which the label conveyor 7 has the planar drive 80, for example as in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 6, 7 and 8.
• the base element 82 has an upper section 84 in the application area 9 .
• the upper section 84 is curved towards the object conveyor 4, preferably in a uniform arc shape and/or with respect to an imaginary vertical plane perpendicular to the vertical alignment plane of the base element 82. If the movement devices 20 are moved along the upper curved section 84 through the application area 9, the labels 2 be applied to, for example, conical object sections of the objects 3.
• the base element 82 prefferably be adjustable in height at least in the application area 9 . It can thus be achieved that a height position of the upper curved section 84 can be changed in order to adapt to different object formats.
• Figure 10 shows a sectional view through an application area 9.
• Figure 10 shows an optional supplement for exemplary embodiments in which the label conveyor 7 has the planar drive 80, for example as in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 6, 7 and 8.
• the movement devices 20 can each carry an adjustment device 86 .
• the adjusting device 86 can carry the respective label holder 60 .
• the adjusting device 86 can, for example, be designed as an actuator, for example an electromagnet.
• the setting device 86 can change a setting angle of the label holder 60 (and thus of the label 2) with respect to the respective movement device 20. In other words, the adjusting device 86 can rotate the label holder 20 about a current direction of movement of the respective movement device 20 .
• the moving device 20 can traverse the application area 9 for applying the held label 2 to a conical section of the object 3 .
• control unit 62 can be designed to rotate the multiple movement devices 20 upstream of the application area 9 hen to operate a longitudinal axis of the respective movement device 20 with respect to the current direction of movement of the respective movement device 20.
• the moving devices 20 can be rotated about a roll axis upstream of the application area 9 in order to change an angle of incidence of the moving device 20 (and thus the label holder 60 and the label 2) with respect to the alignment plane of the base element 82.
• the movement devices 20 can traverse the application area 9 for applying the held label 2 to a conical object section of the object 3 in the engaged orientation with respect to the basic element 82 .
• FIGS. 11 to 15 A number of exemplary embodiments are disclosed below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15, in which the objects 3 can be tilted by the object conveyor 4 for tilted labeling.
• the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 11 to 14 are based on the principle that the object holders for the objects 3 are at least in two parts, and the two parts can be moved relative to one another in order to tilt the respective object 3.
• the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 is based on the ability of the movement devices themselves to rotate in order to tilt the respective object 3 .
• Figure 11 shows a side view of a section of the object conveyor 4 upstream of and in the application area 9.
• the object conveyor 4 has a first linear drive 88, a second linear drive 90 and a plurality of object holders, each of which is formed by two holding elements 64, 92. Each pair of holding elements 64, 92 holds one of the objects 3.
• the linear drives 88, 90 can be endless drives or form closed conveyor tracks 96, 98.
• the conveyor tracks 96, 98 can run parallel to one another.
• the linear drive 88 has a plurality of movement devices (movers or runners) 100 .
• the moving devices 100 are guided and supported along the conveyor path 96 .
• the movement devices 100 can preferably be moved by means of magneto-inductive interaction.
• the linear drive 90 has a number of movement devices (movers or runners) 102 and a number of further movement devices 104 .
• the moving devices 102, 104 are guided along the conveyor path 96 and supported. One of the moving devices 102 can follow one of the other moving devices 104, which in turn can follow one of the moving devices 102, etc.
• the moving devices 102, 104 are movable by means of magnetic-inductive interaction.
• the linear drives 88, 90 are preferably designed as long-stator linear drives or short-stator linear drives.
• the holding element 92 can be held on the respective movement device 100 in a height-adjustable manner by means of an adjustment device 106 .
• the adjusting device 106 can compensate for a changing distance between the holding elements 64 and 92, which hold an object 3, by following the holding element 92, for example using a spring.
• the holding element 92 can be mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to an axis I (e.g. by means of a pivot pin or a ball and socket joint).
• the I axis is orthogonal to an imaginary vertical plane and orthogonal to a current direction of movement of the respective movement device 100 along the conveyor path 96.
• the axis I is a pitch axis for the holding element 92 with respect to the current direction of movement of the respective movement device 100.
• the holding member 92 can hold each object 3 in an upper portion of the object 3 .
• the holding element 92 can be designed, for example, as an object head centering, preferably a container head centering.
• the holding element 64 can be rotatably mounted with respect to the axis A.
• a rotation with respect to axis A can be brought about, for example, by means of a preferably mechanical operative connection between the further movement device 104 and the rotatable bearing of axis A, comparable to the operative connection that has already been described with reference to FIG.
• each movement device 102 can have, for example, a rotary drive (e.g. electric motor) for rotating the holding element 64 about the axis A.
• the support member 64 may be rotatably mounted with respect to an axis J, e.g. B. by means of a pivot or a ball joint.
• the J axis is parallel to the I axis.
• the J axis is orthogonal to an imaginary vertical plane and orthogonal to a current direction of movement of the respective movement device 102 along the conveyor track 98.
• the J axis is for the holding element 64 with respect to the current direction of movement respective movement device 102 a pitch axis.
• the holding element 64 can hold a respective object 3 in a lower section of the object 3, preferably supporting it from below.
• the holding element 64 can preferably be designed as a turntable.
• one of the movement devices 100 and one of the movement devices 102 form a movement device pair.
• the respective holding elements 64, 92 also form a pair.
• a relative movement of the movement devices 100, 102 of the pair to one another (e.g. approaching each other or moving away from each other) in combination with a height compensation of the holding element 64 by means of the adjusting device 106 enables the object 3 to be rotated about a transverse object axis K, which lies in a horizontal plane and is perpendicular to the axis A.
• the holding element 92 rotates about the axis I.
• the holding element 64 rotates about the axis J. In this way, an inclined position of the object 3 held in each case can be made possible.
• the control unit 62 can move the movement devices 100 and 102 of a pair upstream of the application area 9 relative to one another, and the holding element 92 can be lowered by means of the adjustment device 106 so that the object 3 is inclined about the axis K.
• the movement devices 100 and 102 pass through the application area 9 with the object 3 positioned at an angle.
• the label 2 is applied to the object 3 positioned at an angle.
• the holding element 64 can be rotated about the axis A, e.g. B. by means of the associated movement device 104 or a separate rotary drive.
• the movement devices 100 and 102 of a pair can be moved relative to one another and the holding element 92 can be moved upwards by means of the adjustment device 106, so that the object 3 is rotated back about the axis K and is erected.
• Figure 12 shows a sectional view of an object conveyor 4.
• the object conveyor 4 is designed as a conveyor carousel with a first rotatable carousel 108 and a second rotatable carousel 110 .
• the carousels 108 and 110 are rotatably mounted on a central support 112, e.g. B. in each case by means of a rotary joint.
• the carousels 108 and 110 are rotatable relative to each other.
• the first carousel 108 is positioned above the second carousel 110 .
• the first carousel 108 can be driven to rotate.
• the rotary drive can be brought about, for example, by means of magnetic interaction.
• the magnetic interaction can exist, for example, between a plurality of electromagnets 114 and a plurality of permanent magnets 116 .
• the electromagnets 114 can be arranged at least in sections around a (eg, outer) circumference of the central support 112 .
• the permanent magnets 116 may be disposed about a (e.g., inner) perimeter of the first carousel 108 .
• the second carousel 110 can be driven to rotate independently of the first carousel 108.
• the rotational drive can be effected, for example, by means of magnetic interaction.
• the magnetic interaction can exist, for example, between a plurality of electromagnets 118 and a plurality of permanent magnets 120 .
• the electromagnets 118 can at least partially a (e.g., outer) perimeter of central support 112 .
• the 120 may be disposed about a (e.g., inner) perimeter of the second carousel 110 .
• the first carousel 108 carries the first holding elements 92 on its periphery.
• the holding elements 92 can be rotatable about the axis I, e.g. B. by means of pivots or ball joints.
• the holding elements 92 can be adjustable in height.
• the height adjustability can be adjusted by means of a cam follower (e.g. roller or sliding shoe) 122 which follows a cam 124 and which is connected to the holding element 92 .
• the holding element 92 can also be supported on the control cam 124 by means of the control cam follower 122 .
• a height adjustment device for adjusting the height of each holding element 92 could be provided.
• the second carousel 110 is formed by multiple segments 126 .
• the segments 126 are arranged side by side along an arc of a circle.
• the segments 126 each carry a plurality of permanent magnets 120 on a (z. B. inner) circumference of the respective segment 126.
• the segments 126 each carry a holding element 64 and a rotary drive 128, z. B. servo drive or direct drive, for rotating the holding element 64 for rotating the object 3 about the axis A during labeling.
• the holding elements 64 can be pivoted about the axis J, e.g. B. by means of pivots or ball joints.
• the segments 126 can be driven independently of one another.
• the segments 126 can in the circumferential direction via a mechanism such. B. a cam be coupled, which causes a pulling apart and pushing together of the segments 126 to each other during rotation.
• a relative movement between holding elements 64 and 92 assigned to one another can thus be achieved.
• the cam 124 can be designed in such a way that it compensates for a height offset of the first holding element 92 when the object 3 is tilted.
• the relative movement and the height adjustment can be used in such a way that the object 3 held in each case can be tilted upstream of the application area 9 , can cross the application area 9 for labeling in an inclined position and after the application area 9 can be uprighted again.
• Figure 13 shows a side view of an object conveyor 4.
• the object conveyor 4 has a rotatable carousel 130 and a linear drive 132 with movement devices 134 .
• the linear drive 132 is arranged above the carousel 130 .
• the rotatable carousel 130 supports the plurality of support members 64 on a periphery of the carousel 130.
• the support members 64 are mounted for rotation about the axis J, e.g. B. by means of pivots or ball joints.
• the carousel 130 also carries a number of rotary drives 128, which hold the holding elements 64 to rotate about axis A. It is possible that the rotary drives 128 pivot with the holding elements 64 when rotating about the axis J.
• the linear drive 132 is preferably a long-stator or short-stator linear drive.
• the moving devices 134 are guided and supported along a circumferential (e.g. annular) conveyor track 136 .
• the movement devices 100 can preferably be moved by means of magneto-inductive interaction.
• FIG. 13 also shows a pitch delay T between two consecutive movement devices 134 .
• the movement devices 134 each carry an adjusting device 106 which in turn carries a respective holding element 92 .
• the adjusting device 106 can compensate for a changing distance between the holding elements 64 and 92, which hold an object 3, by following the holding element 92, for example using a spring.
• the holding element 92 is rotatably mounted about an axis I, z. B. by means of pivots or ball joints.
• the object 3 can be clamped between one of the holding elements 92 and one of the holding elements 64 .
• the object 3 can be tilted by means of a movement of a movement device 134 relative to the respectively associated holding element 64 , with the height offset of the holding element 92 being compensated for by the adjusting device 106 .
• the control unit 62 can move the movement device 134 upstream of the application area 9 relative to the respective associated holding elements 64, and the holding element 92 can be lowered by means of the adjusting device 106 such that the object 3 is tilted. Downstream of the application area 9, the movement device 134 can be moved relative to the respective associated holding elements 64, and the holding element 92 can be moved upwards by means of the adjusting device 106 that the labeled object 3 is turned back and upright.
• FIG. 14 shows, purely schematically, two top views of a first carousel of an object conveyor 4.
• the technology from FIG. B. in the embodiment of Figure 12 can be used.
• the first carousel 108 supports the first support members 92 about the perimeter of the first carousel 108. In intermediate positions between the support members 92, the first carousel 108 supports third support members 138.
• the support members 92 and 138 are always alternately about the perimeter of the first carousel russell's 108 arranged.
• the third holding elements 138 differ from the first holding elements 92, so that a different object format can be held (e.g. centered) with the third holding elements 138 than with the first holding elements 92.
• the first carousel 108 is rotated relative to the second carousel (hidden in FIG. 14), so that the third holding elements 138 are now positioned directly above the second holding elements 64 .
• Figure 15 shows a side view of a section of an object conveyor 4 upstream and in an application area 9.
• the object conveyor 4 has a planar drive 140 with a vertically aligned base element 142 and a plurality of movement devices 144 (only two shown in Figure 15).
• the moving devices 144 carry the holding elements 64 and 92 which form the object holders for holding the objects 3 .
• the control unit 62 can operate the movement devices 144 in such a way that they rotate about their own central axis L upstream of the application area 9 .
• the central axis L is preferably orthogonal to the vertically oriented basic element 142.
• the object holder 64, 92 carried on the respective movement device 144 is rotated by the rotation and the object 3 is thus placed at an angle.
• the moving device 144 traverses the application area 9 with the object 3 positioned at an angle, the label 2 being applied to the object 3 . Downstream from the application area 9, the movement device 144 can be rotated back around its own central axis L to erect the object 3.
• the object 3 is rotated when the label 2 is applied, e.g. B. by means of magnetic interaction between the respective movement device 144 and the base element 142 for tilting/adjusting the respective movement device 144 or by means of a rotary drive carried by the respective movement device 144, which is, for example, drivingly connected to the holding element 64.
• the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the idea of the invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection.
• the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the subclaims independently of the claims referred to.
• the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another.
• the features of the subclaims are also independent of all features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independent of the features relating to the presence and/or the configuration of the object conveyor, the label conveyor and/or the application area of independent claim 1.

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• 2021
  • 2021-01-04 DE DE102021100023.8A patent/DE102021100023A1/de active Pending
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