WO2009149828A1

WO2009149828A1 - Container, in particular bottle with an identification element for aligning the same

Info

Publication number: WO2009149828A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/003754
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen Herrmann
Original assignee: Khs Ag
Priority date: 2008-06-11
Filing date: 2009-05-27
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: PL2291313T3; EP2291313B1; EP2291313A1; DE102008027814A1; US20110073512A1; RU2010154137A

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) comprising at least one identification element (9). The at least one identification element (9) is arranged in the interior of the container (1) or preferably in the lateral wall (4) of the same.

Description

Container, in particular bottle with a recognition element for aligning

The invention relates to a container having at least one detection element.

Such containers can be used in the manner of bottles or the like for liquids, for example for drinks. The containers may be made of a transparent or translucent material, for example of glass or of a translucent plastic, e.g. Consist of PET. The containers are fed, for example, to a labeling machine in which a label in a predetermined and repeatable position should always be oriented identically to external design features on the outside of the container.

In order to be able to reach the desired position of the label, the containers are guided past a detection device which has, for example, suitable optical elements, evaluation units and control units. By means of the optical elements, the position of the container in the labeling machine is now recognized, for which purpose the at least one recognition element is used. The recognition element may be arranged in the form of an embossment, as a recess and / or indentation on the outside of the container. The optical elements detect the initially random position of the container in the labeling machine, based on the determined position of the at least one detection element. The detected actual position of the recognition element is compared with a stored target position (SoII image). From deviations of the actual position to the desired position, a correction amount is determined, which is fed as a correction signal to a rotatable container carrier, so that the container can be rotated into the desired position. This ensures that the label is always placed in the desired position on the container.

However, the containers of different manufacturers each have different recognition elements. For example, beer bottles of different brands may of course have different brand names imprinted on the outside of the bottle. As a distinguishing feature, a letter or other suitable symbol could then be used to align the container or the bottle from the actual position to the desired position. But also mineral water bottles can have such a brand embossing, which as Recognition element could be used. It is also conceivable to arrange the at least one detection element on a floor area outside the container.

[0005] However, since labeling containers or container series can be labeled by different beverage manufacturers in labeling machines, which can each have different recognition elements for aligning with the nominal position of the container, a separate learning process of the recognition device is of course also required if a subsequent container series is to be labeled, for example, by another beverage manufacturer. In order to teach the recognition device to the respective recognition elements, which can be differently positioned and / or executed as described, time-consuming actions have to be taken, whereby the labeling machine may have to be stopped.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container of the type mentioned above, which is improved by simple means to the effect as a learning process when changing the labeling machine, for example, on containers or container series different beverage manufacturers avoided or at least is largely reduced.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a container having the features of claim 1, wherein the at least one detection element is arranged in an interior of the container.

Due to the advantageous arrangement of the at least one recognition element inside the container, a learning process can be avoided when changing the labeling on containers or container series, for example, different beverage manufacturers or at least largely reduced, since the at least one recognition element, for example, on containers different beverage manufacturers are preferably identical. It is also conceivable that the recognition element can be arranged in a respective identical spatial association with other design features of the container. Because the recognition device no longer needs to be trained on the different recognition elements. Rather, the recognition device can be taught once to a universal recognition element to perform the alignment of the actual position in the desired position can. For this purpose, only the corresponding target image, which the new container or the new Container series corresponds to be stored in the evaluation unit. However, this is less expensive, since the respective target images are storable and correspondingly quickly retrieved. It is also favorable that the inside arranged recognition element from the outside is not recognizable, so that, for example, brand manufacturers can use a deviating from their trademark recognition element, without the distinctiveness of their character would be put in jeopardy. In other words, the recognition element is arranged inside the container such that a change of the exterior is avoided.

The container may have an orifice and a bottom opposite thereto. From the mouth opening, a side wall extends toward the ground. The side wall may have a container neck arranged in the region of the mouth opening and a container belly ending thereon. For example, a labeling area is provided on the container belly.

In the context of the invention, it is favorable if the at least one recognition element is arranged on the side wall in the interior of the container, wherein the at least one recognition element is expediently arranged in the labeling region. The recognition element is covered by the label, so that by means of this measure, a visual perception after labeling can be further excluded.

[0011] In order for the recognition element to be received by a recognition device, it is advantageously provided that the recognition element has recesses, indentations and / or elevations, wherein the recognition element is favorably designed as a three-dimensional, ie spatial element.

In order to further reduce the learning process, it is advantageously provided to arrange the at least one detection element in a defined position relative to the shape of the container. For example, the at least one detection element at a certain distance from the floor and / or the mouth opening, ie in a spatially defined arrangement, can always be arranged immediately inside the respective container.

It is also conceivable to provide at least one second detection element in the interior of the container, which is connected to the first detection element and / or may also be arranged in a spatially defined position to the floor or the mouth opening. A particular advantage is the fact that very prominent markings can be provided at an exposed point, which are technically easily detectable. Nevertheless, the subsequent labeling also remains without adverse effects, as there are no edges or edges due to the undisturbed outer surface, which would lead to undesirable air pockets and visual disadvantages.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims and the following description of the figures. It shows the only one

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a container in cross section.

FIG. 1 shows a container 1 in a basic representation, for example in the manner of a bottle, e.g. a beverage bottle. The container 1 may be made of a transparent or translucent material, for example of glass or of a translucent plastic, e.g. Consist of PET.

The container 1 has a mouth opening 2, a bottom 3 opposite thereto and a side wall 4.

The side wall 4 has a container neck 6 and a container belly 7. The container neck 6 is an example of the mouth opening 2 via a cylindrical portion conically widening in the container belly 7 over. On the container belly 7 opposite to the mouth opening 2 of the bottom 3 is arranged. The bottom 3 is merely flat by way of example. Of course, the bottom 3 may also have other embodiments. The individual components of the container 1 are outlined for clarity, with a respective wall thickness is shown exaggerated thick. Of course, the container 1 is made in one piece.

On the container belly 7 a labeling 8 is arranged, which is indicated by dashed boundary. The labeling area 8 should be indicated only by way of example. Of course, there may also be a labeling area in the neck area. In the interior of the container 1, a detection element 9 is arranged. The recognition element 9 is exaggerated in size, and may also be referred to as embossing or Innenembossing. In principle, the recognition element 9 can be arranged as a three-dimensional element with recesses (not shown) and / or elevations 10 in the side wall 4, preferably in the labeling area 8. In a preferred embodiment, the recognition element 9 is introduced into the side wall 4 by suitable means, without the container properties being impaired by the recognition element 9. For example, the recognition element 9 could be embodied by means of elevations in the form of a sign of the Applicant, which is indicated by way of example in FIG. The outer contour of the side wall 4 may remain in this case deformation, which means in the example shown that this is uniformly cylindrical.

Of course, the detection element 9 may also be arranged in a bottom area, or at other suitable locations within the container 1.

The illustrated position of the recognition element 9 preferably within the labeling area 8 is to be understood merely as an example. It is possible to arrange the recognition element 9 in a defined spatial position, for example based on the floor 3 and / or the mouth opening 2. It is also meaningful in the context of the invention if the recognition element 9 is not only identical in terms of its design in containers, for example different beverage manufacturers, but is also arranged as identically as possible in its defined position.

In addition, a second detection element could be arranged in the interior of the container 1, which may also be arranged in a spatially defined position to the bottom and / or the mouth opening 2 and preferably also to the first detection element 9. Of course, more than two recognition elements may be provided inside the container 1.

The detection element 9 is used for example for aligning the container 1 in a labeling machine from an actual position to a desired position to label the container or containers with a label in a predetermined relation to external design features of the container 1. For this purpose, the container 1 is guided past a detection device which detects the actual position of the container 1 by, for example, optical elements receive the detection element 9. In an evaluation unit, the actual position is compared with a desired position, wherein from the deviations a correction signal is determined, which causes a rotation of a container carrier so that the container 1 is rotated from the actual position to the desired position. This can also take place in at least two steps, namely in a first coarse alignment and in an adjoining second fine alignment.

It is possible to provide a second detection device, or at least a second optical system, which is coupled to the evaluation unit. This can also be understood as a safety function if, after the first position correction, the container 1 has not yet reached the desired position.

Of course, the invention should not be limited to the described orientation of containers in labeling machines. Rather, twisting the container from an actual position to a desired position can also be useful on other machines, for example in printing presses for printing the containers or previously applied labels in a predetermined relationship to external design features. Of course, the described container can be designed not only as a beverage bottle. Rather, the container may also differ from the illustrated form and quite different media record.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container

2 mouth opening

3 floor

4 side wall

5

6 container neck

7 tank belly

8 labeling area

9 recognition element

10

11 recess / notch

12 survey

Claims

claims

Container having at least one detection element (9), characterized in that the at least one detection element (9) is arranged in an interior of the container (1).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one detection element (9) in a side wall (4) in the interior of the container (1) is arranged.

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one detection element (9) in a labeling region (8) of the container (1) is arranged.

4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection element (9) recesses (11), notches and / or elevations (12).

5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recognition element (9) is designed in three dimensions.

6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection element (9) is arranged in a defined position in the interior of the container (1).