WO2009149821A1

WO2009149821A1 - Method and device for labeling containers

Info

Publication number: WO2009149821A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/003653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manfred Pschichholz
Original assignee: Khs Ag
Priority date: 2008-06-12
Filing date: 2009-05-22
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: DE102008027913A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for labeling containers (1) by connecting at least one partial section (2.1, 2.2) of the respective label (2) to the container (1) or by overlapping the same with another partial section of the respective label (2), characterized in that bonding is established by a direct material connection by thermal energy input or by welding.

Description

Method and device for labeling containers

The invention relates to a method for labeling containers, such as bottles or bottle-like containers according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a device for labeling containers according to the preamble of claim 9.

Methods and devices for labeling containers are known in various designs. As a rule, the labeling takes place in devices or labeling machines in which the container to be labeled is placed on a feed dog, for example on a driven rotor revolving around a vertical machine axis. at least one labeling unit are moved past, which forms a labeling or label transfer station of the machine. The labeling unit is for the transfer of the labels to the container, for example with a circumferentially driven transfer element, e.g. equipped in the form of a circulating driven transfer drum. About the transfer element, the labels are each passed with a leading label end or label section to a moving past container and fixed there by adhering or fixed, so that the application of the labels to the container can then be done by rolling under rotation of the container about its vertical axis BA. The tracked during the transfer to the container label area is fixed to the container or in a so-called Rundumetikettierung overlapping the leading, already provided on the container label area.

It is also possible to attach the label ends accurately to shock or even with a defined distance from each other on the container.

The fixing of the labels to the containers or in the event of an overlap on themselves takes place using a suitable glue or adhesive or adhesive, for example using a hot glue or hot melt adhesive (hotmelt), which is applied via a gluing system, for example via a roller, spray and / or Spaltbeleimungssystem or a combination of different systems is applied to the labels, within the labeling or the labeling station. This leads, inter alia, to considerable contamination of the labeling, including with the disadvantage that such contamination, which also depend on the possibly with the temperature-changing viscosity of the glue or adhesive used, ie are temperature-dependent, to quality losses, but especially too Performance and efficiency losses during operation of the labeling lead through the need for a cleaning shutdown of the machine.

The object of the invention is to provide a method which avoids these disadvantages. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A device for labeling or a labeling machine are designed according to the patent claim 9.

In the invention, the fixing or bonding of the labels to or with the containers takes place thermally at at least one label area by a corresponding energy input, i. by directly bonding the materials (container and label) without the use of an additional adhesive, adhesive or adhesive having an adhesive or cohesive effect. Thermal fixing or bonding according to the invention is in particular a bonding by a fusion and / or welding connection, which is achieved by heating the label material and / or the material of the respective container.

For this purpose, the labels preferably exist at least at one label area and at least at the back side facing the container after labeling from a material which, by introducing energy, effects the thermally generated connection between the label and the respective container. The energy input is preferably carried out during or after the transfer of the labels to the container.

The energy input can take place in many different ways, for example by exposure to a hot fluid, by heat or infrared radiation, by electromagnetic radiation or waves, in particular in the microwave range, by sound waves, in particular ultrasound or by one or more laser beams. When using waves, it may be of particular advantage to use exclusively waves of one wavelength at a time. It may also be useful to use several waves with different wavelengths at a time.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection of the labels to the containers takes place exclusively thermally or by energy input, preferably at two label areas, namely at an anticipatory upon transfer to the respective container and at a lagging in this transfer label area, For example, in the form of an overlap or overlapping connection, in which the following Label area on the leading label area this overlapping fixed or attached.

In principle, it is also possible to perform only the first attachment or fixing of the labels during or immediately after the transfer to the container thermally or by energy input and the further fixing or attachment of the labels to the respective container, in particular also the fixing of the transfer follow the label area by using a glue, adhesive or adhesive. Even this embodiment has the advantage that adhesive or adhesives are avoided within the labeling and thus contamination of the labeling by glue, glue or adhesives.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1-7, which respectively show, in a schematic representation, the method steps of different methods for glueless labeling, i. for applying labels to containers without the use of an additional glue or glue, explained in more detail.

Figures 1 - 4 show a simplified schematic representation of the steps in the labeling of containers 1, for example, bottles or other containers, with labels 2 using the so-called LM system or LM method in which each label 2 with a leading label end or Range 2.1 passed to the respective container 1 moved past a transfer element 3 at a transfer position 4. Each label 2 is then rolled on the container 1 moving away from the transfer element in the direction of the arrow A and finally with a trailing label end or area 2.2 on the container 1 or the label end 2.1 overlapping the label 2 fixed.

For rolling up the labels 2, the containers 1, which, for example, are rotationally symmetrical with respect to a vertical container axis on their outer surface to be labeled BA are formed, rotated about this container axis BA, as indicated in the figures 1 - 4 with the arrow B. The containers 2 are arranged on a conveyor 5 which is formed, for example, by a rotor of a labeling machine revolving around a vertical machine axis and on which the containers 1 are arranged upright, ie oriented with their container axis BA in the vertical direction.

The transfer element 3, which forms a labeling or label transfer station 6 of the labeling and is part of a Etikettieraggregates is shown as a transfer drum, which is driven circumferentially during labeling around a vertical drum axis according to the arrow C, in opposite directions to the rotational movement B of the container first but such that the peripheral region of the transfer element 3 at the transfer position 4 rotates in the same direction and synchronously with the movement A of the container 1.

For holding the labels 2 and the label ends 2.1 and 2.2, the transfer element 3 is provided with holding or transfer pads, which are formed for example as a vacuum holder.

A special feature of the method illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is that the fixing of the respectively leading label area 2.1 to the respective container 1 is effected thermally, i. for example, by welding. For this purpose, the labels 2 and / or the containers 1 are designed accordingly, i. at least on their label side facing the respective container 1 after labeling, the labels 2 consist of a material which, due to the energy input and the heating produced, enables gluing or welding without additional aids, e.g. the labels 2 are made on their inside label with a corresponding plastic or coated with solid hot melt adhesive at normal ambient temperatures.

To fix the respectively leading label area 2.1 to the containers 1 moving past the label transfer station 6, an energy or radiation source 9 is provided at this label transfer station, which causes an energy input when the label 2 is transferred to the label 2 or to the label area 2.1 , For the bonding or welding of the label end 2.1 with the container 1. The energy input to the respective label area 2.1, for example, by the holding this label area transfer pad 7 therethrough. For this purpose, the transfer pad 7 is formed in a corresponding manner, for example, consisting of a for the Energy input permeable material and / or as an apertured transfer pad, etc.

The energy input can take place in various ways, for example by laser radiation, by heat or infrared radiation, by electromagnetic radiation, by ultrasound, by exposure to a hot fluid, etc., in each case with appropriate design of the energy or radiation source. 9

The joining of the label areas 2.1 takes place partially, i. for example, punctiform, as indicated in Figure 2 with the connection or fixing points 10. Of course, other attachment or connection patterns are conceivable. For example, a fixing of the label areas with a continuous, for example, also closed line structure is possible, for example by attaching all the edges of the label to the container.

In a following in the direction of transport A on the label transfer station 6 fuser 11 glueless fixing the lagging label area 2.2 to the respective container 1 or when forming the labels 2 for an all-round labeling on the rolled on the container 1 label 2 overlapping the label area 2.1. For this purpose, the fixing station 11 has an energy or radiation source 12 corresponding to the energy or radiation source 9, by means of which the hot thermal bonding or welding of the respective label section 2.1 takes place by means of energy input, for example punctiform again, as shown in FIG Fixing points 13 is indicated. It goes without saying that in this case too, other attachment or fixing patterns are possible.

Like the transfer element 3, the energy or radiation source 9 is also provided radially outside the circular movement path on which the containers 1 are moved with the feed dog or rotor 5. Furthermore, the fixing station 11 or its energy or radiation source 12 are located radially outside this movement path. In principle, the fixing stations 11 and the associated energy or radiation source 12 could also be arranged within the circular path of movement of the containers 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the process steps for glue-less labeling using a so-called RM system, in which the labels are in each case after the transfer of the label section leading past the supply of the labels still at the transfer station 6, that is close to the transfer element 3 by rolling on the rotating about its vertical axis container 1 mounted and still effected in the transfer station 6 and the effected by energy input thermal fixing of the lagging label section 2.2. In these methods shown in Figures 5 and 6, the container 1 turn in the direction of arrow B and the transfer element 3 in the opposite direction in the direction of arrow C. The container 1 are on the conveyor 5, for example, on the rotor of a labeling machine of rotating type a transport direction A 'is moved, which is opposite to the transport direction A of Figures 1 - 4, but also the rotational movement of the container 1 and the transfer element 3 at the transfer position 4 for the labels 2 to the respective container 1. Since the rolling of the labels 2 to the container 1 as well as the fixing of the lagging label sections 2.1 at the label transfer station 6, in this method, the energy or radiation source 9 is also used to fix the lagging label areas 2.2, the energy input here over and / or or through the transfer pad 8. This is designed accordingly, for example in the form as has been explained above for the transfer pad 7.

FIG. 7 schematically shows a method in which the labels 2 are removed from the containers 1 to be labeled directly from a label magazine 14 which does not move along with them on the transport element 5, i. is arranged on the movement path of the container 1 located on the transport element 5.

The containers 1 are formed in this method, for example, at least on their surface to be labeled for at least temporarily fixing a label area, such as the label area 2.1, e.g. by an appropriate surface design of the labels 2 on their after labeling the respective container 1 facing back and / or by applying a temporary fixing causing fixative on the container 1 before passing the label magazine 14 and / or by electrostatic charging of the container at least one Area of their area to be labeled, etc.

The label 2 in each case directly removed label 2 is then applied in turn by turning the respective container on this by winding or rolling. Following the labeling magazine 14 in the trapezoidal direction A, the fixing station 11 is provided, with which the other label area, for example the label area 2.2, overlaps the label area 2.1 by energy input or thermally fixed, namely for the formation of the respective wrap-around labeling. The fixing of the respective label region 2.2, for example, in turn punctiform corresponding to the fixing points 13 of Figure 4. Here, however, other fixing patterns are conceivable.

The energy or radiation sources 9 and 12 are preferably controlled such that not only the respectively desired connection pattern, for example the punctiform connection pattern represented by the fixing or connection points 10 or 13, or another connection pattern, for example a strip-shaped, linear or other partial Connection pattern results, but the effect of the connection energy input occurs only when actually a to be connected label section 2.1 or 2.2. is in the sphere of action of the relevant energy and radiation source 9 and 12 respectively.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the fixing station 11 and the associated energy or radiation source 12 are located within the circular movement path on which the containers 1 are moved with the feed dog or rotor 5. In principle, the fixing station and the associated energy or radiation source 12 could also be arranged radially outside the circular movement path in this embodiment.

It has been assumed above that not only the fixing of the label area (2.1) which precedes the transfer to the containers, but also the fixing of the label area (2.2) takes place thermally by the input of energy. Especially with a method (LM system) as described in connection with FIGS. 1-4, it is also possible to fix the label area 2.2 by gluing with additional glue or glue, in particular also with an overlapping connection of the label area 2.2 with the label area 2.1. The corresponding fixation station is then located as an additional auxiliary unit outside of the transfer element 3 having labeling so that fouling of the labeling and the components of this labeling by glue or glue is not to be feared. In this embodiment, therefore, only the adhering of the labels 2 takes place at its label section 2.1, e.g. by thermal bonding or fixing and the final bonding by glue or glue.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without that thereby the inventive concept underlying the invention is abandoned.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container, for example bottle

2 label

2.1, 2.2 end of label

3 transfer element, e.g. transfer drum

4 label transfer position

5 transporter, for example rotor

6 label transfer station

7, 8 holding or transfer pad

9 energy or radiation source

10 tack or fixation point

11 fuser

12 energy or radiation source

13 fixation point

14 label magazine

A ₁ A 'Transport direction of the carrier 5

B Direction of rotation of the container 1 when rolling up the respective

Labels 2

C direction of rotation of the transfer element 3

BA tank axis

Claims

claims

1. A method for labeling of containers (1) by connecting at least one section (2.1, 2.2) of the respective label (2) with the container or overlapping with another portion of the respective label (2), characterized in that the connecting thermally Energy input takes place.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the labels (2) in each case at least a first portion (2.1) fixed to the respective container and / or adhered to a second portion (2.2) to form an all-around labeling with itself thermally connected or welded.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the energy input by heat or infrared radiation, by laser radiation, by electromagnetic waves, preferably in the microwave range, by sound waves, for example, ultrasound and / or a hot fluid.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by labels (2) which at least at one after labeling the respective container (1) facing the label back and at least in the label subregions to be joined from a thermal bonding, e.g. the welding enabling material, for example, consist of a thermoplastic material or a hot melt adhesive, and / or by the use of containers which consist at least on their outer surface to be labeled from a thermal compound or welding permitting material or a corresponding coating.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal bonding, e.g. Welding of the respective label area (2.1, 2.2) takes place partially, for example in the form of a punctiform, strip-shaped, line-shaped and / or honeycomb-shaped connection or attachment or fixing pattern.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing of a first and / or a further label area (2.1, 2.2) takes place on the respective container (1) during and / or directly during the transfer of the label, for example in the area one Label transfer station (6) or a transfer element there (3), for example by an energy input via and / or by the transfer element (3) and / or a transfer pad (7) of this transfer element.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1) for transferring the labels (2) with a conveyor (5) on a label magazine (14) are moved past, and that the respective label after applying, for example Roll on the container (1) is thermally connected to this container or overlapping with itself.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the labels (2) are connected at two opposite label areas or label ends (2.1, 2.2) with the container (1) or overlapping with itself.

9. Device for labeling of containers (1) with labels (2), which are respectively connected at and / or after the transfer to a container (1) with this, characterized by at least one energy or radiation source (9, 12) for Producing a thermal connection or for welding at least one label area (2.1, 2.2) of the respective label (2) with the container (1) and / or for thermally connecting the respective label (2) to itself at least a partial area.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the energy or radiation source (9, 12) for a thermal connection by an energy input to the labels (2) and / or container (1) is formed, for example by a hot Fluid, by electromagnetic radiation, eg by microwave radiation, by sound waves, e.g. by ultrasound and / or by at least one laser beam.

11.Vorrichtung according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one energy or radiation source (9) in the region of a label transfer station or a local transfer element (3) for transferring the labels (2) to the container (1) is provided, wherein the Energy input for fixing the labels

(2) on the containers (1), for example, via and / or by the transfer element

(3) or via and / or by segments of the transfer element.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the transfer element (3) or the segments (7, 8) of the transfer element (3) consist of a permeable to the energy input or the radiation material and / or provided with openings.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy or radiation source (9, 12) and / or the radiation emitted by this energy or radiation source are controllable such that a partial connection takes place, for example in the form of a punctiform , line-shaped, strip-shaped or honeycomb-shaped connection pattern.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one provided on the label transfer area (6) energy or radiation source (9) both for thermally connecting a in the transfer to the respective container (1) preceding Eti chain nbere I s (2.1) as well as a label area (2.2) following the transfer, wherein preferably a transfer element (3) is provided at the label transfer station (6) for transferring the labels (2) to the container (1) moved past a transport element (5) ) is provided, which at the label transfer area (4) in opposite directions to a transport direction (A ') of the transport element (5) rotates.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the transport direction (A) of the transport element (5) on the label transfer station (6) at least one fixing station (11) with an energy or radiation source (12) is provided for thermally fixing each at the transfer to the container (1) tracked label area (2.2).

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the transport direction (A) on the label transfer station or on this label transfer station exhibiting labeling unit and provided at the label transfer station energy or radiation source (9) following a gluing device for fixing the labels (2 ) on a tracked during the transfer and / or overlap forming label area.

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one energy or radiation source (9, 12) is designed for a controlled pulsed or modulated energy output or for a controlled or pulsed energy input.

18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one energy or radiation source with respect to their power and / or radiation direction and / or wavelength to the material properties of the labels (2) and / or the container (1) is adaptable.