Device for labeling individual products

Abstract

Device (1) for labelling individual products (2), in particular packages or goods, - with a feed device (3) for transporting a respective product (2) along a transport path, - with a label dispenser (4) for providing a label (5) and - with a label application device (6) with a blow head (7) for applying the label (5) to the surface of the product (2), - wherein the blow head (7) has a blow head housing (8) with a pressure chamber (9), - wherein the blow head housing (8) has on the side facing the feed device (3) a housing part (10) with a plurality of housing openings (11) which connect the interior of the pressure chamber (9) with the environment of the blow head housing (8) and through which a burst of compressed air directed in a blowing direction (A) from the housing openings (11) to the feed device (3) can escape, - wherein the pressure chamber (9) has a compressed air connection (12) for introducing compressed air into the pressure chamber (9), characterized in that - that the label application device (6) has at least two sliding elements (13, 14, 15) which are movable between a first position in which the respective sliding element (13, 14, 15) can completely block at least some of the housing openings (11) and a second position in which the respective sliding element (13, 14, 15) can at least partially release several of these housing openings (11), - that in each sliding element (13, 14, 15) holes (16, 17, 18) are provided which are arranged in such a way, - that in the second position of the respective sliding element (13, 14, 15) they can be brought at least partially into overlap with the housing openings (11) that can be blocked in the first position by the sliding element (13, 14, 15), - that they are offset in the first position of the respective sliding element (13, 14, 15) to these housing openings (11), so that there is no overlap, - that at least one sliding element (13) forms a locking slide (13) which in the first position completely blocks all housing openings (11) and in the second position at least partially releases some or all housing openings (11), and - that at least one sliding element (14, 15) forms a label size adjustment cover (14, 15) which in the first position at least partially releases several housing openings (11) and completely blocks the remaining housing openings (11) and in the second position at least partially releases all housing openings (11).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for labeling individual products, in particular packages or goods, comprising a feed device for transporting a respective product along a transport path, a label dispensing device for providing a label, and a label applying device with a blowing head for applying the label to the surface of the product, wherein the blowing head has a blowing head housing with a pressure chamber, wherein the blowing head housing has, on the side facing the feed device, a housing part with a plurality of housing openings which connect the interior of the pressure chamber with the surroundings of the blowing head housing and through which a compressed air blast directed in a blow-off direction from the housing openings to the feed device can escape,wherein the pressure chamber has a compressed air connection for introducing compressed air into the pressure chamber, and wherein the label application device has at least one slide element which is movable between a first position in which the slide element can completely block at least some of the housing openings, and a second position in which the slide element can at least partially release several of these housing openings.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for labeling individual products, in particular packages or goods, in which a product is transported along a transport path by means of a feed device, in which the product is guided past a blow head of a label application device on the transport path, in which labels are provided in a label dispensing device, in which one of the labels is transported by the label dispensing device into a blow-off position between the blow head and the feed device, in which an overpressure is built up in a pressure chamber of the blow head and in which the label is transferred from the blow-off position to the product by means of a compressed air blast directed in a blow-off direction from the blow-off position to the feed device as soon as the product is in front of the blow-off position in the blow-off direction.

[0003] A device and method of the type mentioned above are known, for example, from EP 0 883 549 B1, DE 10 2010 040 009 A1, and DE 10 2011 012 919 A1. Here, packages are fed via an unspecified feed device to a label application device having a blow-off head for applying a label to the top of the respective package by blowing it off. For this purpose, the package is arranged vertically below the blow-off head in the direction of gravity, i.e., vertically below a section of the blow-off head with a plurality of housing openings that serve both to suck in and to blow off the respective label. A label adhering to the lower housing part of the blow head in a blow-off position is blown off by a blast of compressed air emerging from the housing openings and directed towards the feed device or the package as soon as the package is located below the label and is thereby transferred to the package.For the purposes of the invention, the blow-off position is defined as a position in which the label to be transferred to the product touches the blow head and is located within the effective range of those housing openings through which the compressed air blast exits / is discharged. This position can vary for labels of different sizes. Further relevant prior art can be found, for example, in JP S53-112 100 A, JP S53-112 099 A, JP 2008-74 422 A, JP 2012-12 069 A, DE 2 412 691 A, US 5 971 051 A, DE 10 2010 040 009 A1, and EP 0 883 549 B1.

[0004] The known device comprises a label dispensing device into which a printing device for printing the labels is integrated. The printed labels are provided at the outlet of a label dispensing device. The label provided overlaps with the underside of the die head and is sucked onto it, thereby transferring the label from the label dispensing device to the label application device.

[0005] In the cited prior art, the label is held in the blow-off position in the area of ​​the housing openings by generating suction pressure or suction air flow through the housing openings. The same openings serve simultaneously as suction openings and blow-off openings. To generate the suction force that sucks (press) the label in the area of ​​the openings on the underside of the blow-head housing, a vacuum generation unit is arranged inside the blow-head and is in fluid communication with the openings for the suction process. To blow the label off towards the package, an overpressure generation unit is arranged in the blow-head. This overpressure generation unit can be briefly brought into fluid communication via a valve arrangement with the same openings that previously built up the suction pressure in order to generate the compressed air blast that transfers the label to the package.

[0006] The valve arrangement in the blow head is relatively complex. It consists of a three-way solenoid valve and a shape-changing pot diaphragm that can be moved back and forth in a diaphragm chamber. This creates excess pressure in a pressure chamber and then suddenly releases / releases it for the compressed air blast. The pressure chamber is first filled by the three-way solenoid valve opening the compressed air connection, allowing compressed air (air at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure or ambient pressure) to flow from the compressed air connection through the three-way solenoid valve, then through the diaphragm chamber past the pot diaphragm into the pressure chamber. As the compressed air flows into the pressure chamber, the pot diaphragm is pressed tightly against the inlet of an injection bore, which is in constant fluid communication with a separate distribution chamber, which in turn is in constant fluid communication with the housing openings.As soon as the pressure chamber is sufficiently filled, the three-way solenoid valve is switched to a position in which the compressed air connection is closed and at the same time a vent channel in fluid communication with the diaphragm chamber is opened. The side of the diaphragm chamber from which the compressed air was previously introduced and guided past the pot diaphragm into the pressure chamber is thereby suddenly vented. This causes the excess pressure in the pressure chamber to deform the pot diaphragm, pressing it against the outside of the diaphragm chamber, which in turn causes the pot diaphragm in the diaphragm chamber to be moved away from its previous position. This suddenly opens the inlet of the injection hole, whereby the compressed air is released from the pressure chamber via the injection hole into the distribution chamber and from there through the housing openings.The compressed air blast thus generated from the pressure chamber through the injection hole, further through the distribution chamber and finally through the housing openings then transports the label to the product, as mentioned above.

[0007] For the most precise label placement, it is important to direct the compressed air blast as centrally as possible to the label's surface. This ensures that the compressed air blast achieves a symmetrical force distribution across the label's surface. As with the previously described state-of-the-art technology, it must be taken into account that different sized labels may be required for different applications, all of which are moved by the label dispensing device to the blow-off position defined for the label. Ideally, the compressed air blast should act as centrally as possible for each label size.In the previously described prior art, the section with housing openings is adapted to different label sizes in the direction from the label dispensing device to the blow-off position by a manually adjustable slide element that can be moved horizontally in the direction from the label dispensing device to the blow-off position or counter to this direction, allowing several of the housing openings to be individually blocked or unblocked. This allows adaptation to different label lengths.

[0008] To accommodate different label widths, the entire blow head, and thus the section with the housing openings, is adjustable relative to the label dispensing device perpendicular to the direction running from the label dispensing device to the blow-off position. This adjustment is also done manually.

[0009] A disadvantage of the previously described state-of-the-art technology is that an operator must individually and precisely adjust the blowing head or the housing openings required for the compressed air blast for each different label size. This is quite time-consuming, especially given the manual adjustment requirements.

[0010] Overall, the device known from the state of the art for labelling individual products is very complex in design and relatively difficult to handle.

[0011] Based on this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for labeling individual products, in particular packages or goods, which has a simpler structure.

[0012] The previously derived and indicated object is achieved according to a first teaching of the present invention in a device for labelling individual products, in particular packages or goods, - with a feed device for transporting a respective product along a transport path (path taken by the product during transport), - with a label dispenser for providing a label and - with a label application device with a blowing head for applying the label to the surface of the product (facing the blowing head), - wherein the blow head has a blow head housing with a pressure chamber, - wherein the blow head housing has, on the side facing the feed device (underside), a housing part with a plurality of housing openings which connect the interior of the pressure chamber with the environment (outside) of the blow head housing and through which a compressed air blast (from the pressure chamber) directed in a blow-off direction from the housing openings to the feed device or surface of the transported product can escape, - wherein the pressure chamber has a compressed air connection for introducing compressed air into the pressure chamber (from an overpressure generating unit) and thereby released, - that the label application device has at least two slide elements which are movable between a first position in which the respective slide element can completely block or blocks at least some of the housing openings, preferably all of the housing openings (i.e. can interrupt or interrupts the fluid connection between the pressure chamber and the blow head environment), and a second position in which the respective slide element can at least partially release or releases several, preferably all, of these (blocked) housing openings (i.e. can release or releases the fluid connection between the pressure chamber and the blow head environment), - that holes are provided in each slide element, which are arranged in such a way that - that in the second position of the respective slide element, they can be brought into overlap at least partially (relative to the direction of the central axis of the housing openings) with the housing openings which can be blocked or are blocked in the first position by the respective slide element (i.e. through which there is then no fluid connection between the pressure chamber and the blow head environment), - that in the first position of the respective slide element they are offset from these housing openings (i.e. the housing openings that can be completely blocked in the first position) so that (relative to the direction of the central axis of the housing openings) there is no overlap, - that at least one slide element forms a closure slide which, in the first position, completely blocks all housing openings and, in the second position, at least partially releases some or all housing openings, and - that at least one slide element forms a label size adjustment panel which, in the first position, at least partially releases a plurality of housing openings and completely blocks the remaining housing openings and, in the second position, at least partially releases all housing openings.

[0013] A slide element refers to a component that can be displaced (slided) between the specified positions by means of a translational and / or rotational movement. In particular, it is a plate of constant thickness. Some or all of the slide elements described below can be designed and / or displaced in this manner.

[0014] When we talk about blockable housing openings, we mean that when these housing openings are blocked by the slide element, there is no fluid connection between the pressure chamber and the blow head environment, i.e. when the pressure in the pressure chamber is higher than in the environment, no air can escape from the pressure chamber through these housing openings.

[0015] When a first position of the slide element is mentioned, this preferably means an end position. When a second position of the slide element is mentioned, this preferably also means an end position, but this is not mandatory. The second position can also be an intermediate position, in particular one of several intermediate positions, between the first and another end position.

[0016] By providing, according to the invention, several slide elements as part of the blow head or as part of the label application device, in particular inside the pressure chamber, the housing openings, which serve for suction or blow-off, can be provided directly in a housing part delimiting the pressure chamber. A slide element as described above can be provided with holes to open the fluid connection to the housing openings for the compressed air blast or to block it to build up overpressure in the pressure chamber. In this way, the pressure chamber can be continuously connected to the overpressure generation unit, i.e., compressed air can be continuously introduced into the pressure chamber via the compressed air connection without a separate valve necessarily having to interrupt the compressed air supply to the pressure chamber. Such a valve can nevertheless be provided optionally if required.In addition, there is no need for an arrangement of membrane chamber with internal pot membrane, additional injection hole and additional distribution chamber, which complicates the construction of a label application device, in order to suddenly release the compressed air from the pressure chamber for the compressed air burst.

[0017] A slider element as defined above can be used alternatively or additionally to adapt the label application device to labels of different sizes. As described below, one or two slider elements can be used to release an individual range of housing openings for the compressed air blast, which is then optimized for one of several different label lengths and / or widths. In this way, the center of the compressed air blast or the center of the area with the (released) housing openings intended for generating the respective compressed air blast (through which, in the case of a compressed air blast, air is blown out rather than sucked in) can always be precisely aligned to labels of different lengths and / or widths.The term “unblocking an individual area of ​​housing openings” means that if these housing openings are not otherwise blocked (for example, by another valve element), air can escape from the pressure chamber into the environment.

[0018] Further embodiments of the device according to the invention are now described below.

[0019] Thus, according to one embodiment, the label application device is provided with at least three slide elements which are movable between a first position in which the respective slide element can or does block at least some of the housing openings completely, and a second position in which the respective slide element can or does release these housing openings at least partially, wherein holes are provided in each slide element which are arranged such that, in the second position of the respective slide element, they can be at least partially brought into overlap with the housing openings which can be blocked by the slide element in the first position, and in the first position of the respective slide element, they are offset from these housing openings so that there is no overlap.The device according to the invention therefore has at least one slide element designed as a closing slide, i.e. a slide element which completely blocks the housing openings when an overpressure is to be built up in the pressure chamber, and at least partially, preferably completely, opens them up in order to generate the compressed air blast. At the same time, the device according to the invention has at least one, preferably two slide elements designed as label size adjustment panels, i.e. slide elements with which a certain area of ​​the housing openings can be opened up for the compressed air blast and a correspondingly different area can be blocked in order to achieve an alignment of the compressed air blast as centrally as possible to the label, even with different label lengths and / or widths. In each of the slide elements provided according to the invention, both the closing slide and thethe label size adjustment panels, the holes always connect the side of the respective slider element facing the feed device with the side facing away from the feed device, i.e. the openings have a central axis which intersects the side of the slider element facing the feed device and the side facing away from the feed device and in particular runs perpendicular thereto.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one slide element, preferably all slide elements, is / are arranged inside the pressure chamber. However, it is also conceivable to provide at least the closing slide, which opens all openings for the compressed air blast and blocks them otherwise, on the outside (underside) of the housing part with the housing openings.

[0021] According to another embodiment, at least one slide element, preferably all slide elements, is / are each connected to a drive (which effects the movement). The respective drive, which is in particular connected to a control device, moves the respective slide element between the first and second positions.

[0022] According to yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one slide element, preferably all slide elements, is / are plate-shaped (i.e., as a so-called slide plate). Such a slide plate can be made of metal and has a thickness in a range of 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably in a range of 1 to 3 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 1 to 2 mm. The respective slide element, in particular the plate-shaped slide element, can also be coated, for example, to optimize the seal and / or to achieve particularly good sliding properties during movement.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment, it can be provided that at least one slide element, preferably all slide elements, is or are movable at an angle, in particular perpendicular, to the blow-off direction between the respective first position and second position.

[0024] In the following, various embodiments of a device according to the invention with a closure slide are described.

[0025] As mentioned above, at least one slide element can form a closure slide. This can be positioned and / or its holes arranged such that it completely blocks all housing openings in the first position and at least partially, preferably completely, releases several, preferably all, housing openings in the second position.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the closure slide seals against the housing part with the housing openings, in particular on the side of the housing part facing away from the feed device, whereby it directly closes / covers all housing openings in the first position. Preferably, the closure slide is movable parallel to the housing part, in particular perpendicular to the central axis of the housing openings.

[0027] Furthermore, at least one stationary perforated plate with perforated plate openings can be arranged in the pressure chamber, wherein the number of perforated plate openings corresponds in particular to the number of housing openings and the perforated plate openings are (exactly) aligned with the housing openings (in the blow-off direction or in the direction of the central axis of the housing openings), wherein the perforated plate openings narrow in particular towards the housing openings (thereby forming nozzles). The narrowest cross-section of the perforated plate openings corresponds in particular to the cross-section of the housing openings. The closure slide is then arranged in particular between the stationary perforated plate and the housing part with the housing openings.In particular, the closure slide also lies in a sealing manner against the stationary perforated plate, in particular on the side of the stationary perforated plate facing the feed device, and is preferably movable parallel to the stationary perforated plate, in particular perpendicular to the central axis of the perforated plate openings. The central axis of the perforated plate openings runs in particular coaxially to the central axis of the housing openings aligned therewith. By arranging the closure slide between the perforated plate and the housing part, the tightness in the first position of the closure slide is optimized, since in this case two sealing surfaces are provided between the pressure chamber and the outside of the blow head. Several stationary perforated plates can also be provided, with one or each of the perforated plates being arranged on the side of the closure slide facing away from the feed device.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the device, it is provided that the holes of the locking slide have different hole cross-sections, i.e. different cross-sectional shapes and / or cross-sectional areas, wherein the holes arranged in a central section (relative to the direction of movement of the locking slide) have in particular a greater length (dimension in the direction of movement of the locking slide) and / or a greater width (dimension transverse to the direction of movement of the locking slide) and / or a larger cross-sectional area than the other holes (i.e. the holes in the other sections of the locking slide on both sides of the central section).

[0029] The middle section is defined as a section that extends in particular over the entire width (dimension transverse to the direction of movement of the closure slide) and / or the entire length (dimension in the direction of movement of the closure slide). In particular, it is provided that the middle section extends over the entire length of the closure slide when the direction of movement of the closure slide runs parallel to the direction in which the label is dispensed (label dispensing direction) and / or is transported from the dispensing position to the blow-off position (label transport direction). Accordingly, it is conceivable that the middle section extends over the entire width of the closure slide when the direction of movement of the closure slide runs orthogonal or transverse to the label dispensing direction and / or label transport direction.

[0030] By providing larger holes in the central section, it is achieved that when the closure slide is moved from the first position, in which all housing openings are blocked, towards the second position, those housing openings that are aligned with the holes of the larger cross-section in the closure slide when the second position is reached are released earlier than the other openings. In this way, a blast of compressed air can be generated that slightly pre-folds the label in one axial direction during the blow-off process, thereby improving its flight characteristics. The blast of compressed air, or the blowing force it exerts on the label, thus acts earlier and / or more strongly over one of the label's lines of symmetry than in the adjacent zones.For this purpose, it is particularly preferred if the holes in the central section have a greater width and a greater length than the holes in the other sections to the side thereof and are designed in particular as elongated holes, whereas the holes in the other sections are designed in particular as circular holes. In particular, the hole cross-section of the other holes (i.e., the holes in the middle section adjacent sections) the cross-section, preferably the cross-sectional shape and / or the cross-sectional area, of the housing openings.

[0031] In the following, some embodiments of a device according to the invention with one or more label size adjustment panels will be described.

[0032] As mentioned above, the invention also provides for at least one slider element to form a label size adjustment panel. This can be positioned and / or its holes arranged so that - if the housing openings in the housing part are not otherwise blocked, for example by the closure slider - - in the first position, several housing openings (or fluid connections through the housing part with the housing openings) are at least partially, preferably completely, released and the remaining housing openings or fluid connections are completely blocked and - in the second position, all housing openings or fluid connections are at least partially, preferably completely, released.

[0033] In this regard, it should be emphasized again that the second position is not necessarily a final position of the locking slide, but can also be an intermediate position between two final positions. Therefore, if the second position is not a final position, it is conceivable that the label size adjustment panel can be positioned and / or its holes arranged in such a way that - if the housing openings in the housing part are not otherwise blocked, for example by the locking slide - - in the first position, it completely releases several housing openings and completely blocks the remaining housing openings, - in the second position (intermediate position) partially releases all the housing openings or completely releases only some of the housing openings and partially or completely blocks the others and - in a third position, all housing openings are completely exposed.

[0034] In particular, two slide elements are provided, each forming a label size adjustment panel which can be positioned and / or whose holes are arranged so that - if the housing openings in the housing part are not otherwise blocked, for example by the closure slide - - in the first position, several housing openings are at least partially, preferably completely, released and the remaining housing openings are completely blocked and - in the second position, all housing openings are at least partially, preferably completely, released or - if the second position is not an end position - - in the first position, it completely releases several housing openings and completely blocks the remaining housing openings, - in the second position (intermediate position) partially releases all the housing openings or completely releases only some of the housing openings and partially or completely blocks the others and - in a third position, all housing openings are completely exposed.

[0035] According to one embodiment, it is provided that - if the housing openings are not otherwise blocked - one of the label size adjustment panels in the first position opens up other housing openings (or other fluid connections through the housing part with the housing openings) than another label size adjustment panel. With one of the described label size adjustment panels, for example, the blow head or the label application device can then be adjusted to different label lengths. With the other of the label size adjustment panels, adjustment to different label widths can be achieved. It is also entirely conceivable that one label size adjustment panel and the other label size adjustment panel can be positioned in their first position at the same time, whereby - if the housing openings are not otherwise blocked - in particular a smaller number of housing openings orFluid connections are released than in the case where only one label size adjustment panel or only the other label size adjustment panel is positioned in its first position. In principle, it is also conceivable that if both label size adjustment panels are in the first position, all housing openings are blocked and / or if both label size adjustment panels are in the second position, all housing openings are released.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, at least one label size adjustment panel lies sealingly against the stationary perforated plate, in particular on the side of the stationary perforated plate facing away from the feed device, and is preferably movable parallel to the stationary perforated plate, in particular perpendicular to the center axis of the perforated plate openings. It can also be provided that one label size adjustment panel lies sealingly against another label size adjustment panel, in particular on the side of the other label size adjustment panel facing away from the feed device, and is preferably movable parallel to the other label size adjustment panel, in particular perpendicular to the center axis of the holes of the other label size adjustment panel. In the latter case, a stationary perforated plate can also be provided, to which the upper label size adjustment panel (iethe one of the two panels furthest from the feed device) bears sealingly against the stationary perforated plate. In particular, it is provided that each of the label size adjustment panels and / or the one of the label size adjustment panels furthest from the feed device bears sealingly against the stationary perforated plate, wherein the label size adjustment panel sealingly bears sealingly against the stationary perforated plate bears in particular against the side of the stationary perforated plate facing the feed device.

[0037] The label size adjustment panel(s) is / are preferably movable parallel to the locking slide, which opens or closes all housing openings. In particular, both label size adjustment panels are movable in the same direction, and in particular in the same direction as the locking slide.

[0038] Finally, according to yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided that it further comprises a product data memory for providing product-specific information (for example, information on the type of product and / or on the length, width and / or height of the product, etc.) and a label data memory for providing label-specific information (for example, information on the type of label, in particular with regard to application in a thermal direct printing process or thermal transfer printing process, and / or information on the length and / or width of the label and / or on the printing intensity, etc.), wherein in the label data memory, in particular, the respective position of the label size adjustment aperture(s) during the compressed air burst is stored individually for different label sizes.The respective assignments of the positions to the various label sizes are deliberately not stored in the product data memory. The product data memory is therefore less suitable for this information, since the same product requires different information on a different labeling device with, for example, a pneumatically operated cylinder to apply the respective label to the product. Users who use several different labeling devices can therefore easily use the same product database on all of their labeling devices according to the invention without having to make any adjustments. For this purpose, the labeling device according to the invention has a label data memory that is independent of the product data memory and can be used to automatically make the necessary settings on the blow head when a specific label, in particular a specific label length and / or width, is selected.

[0039] The device according to the invention can have a corresponding control device connected to the label data memory, which automatically recognizes and executes the relationship between label size and the settings to be made. Thus, the user does not even have to create and maintain this data.

[0040] The previously derived and indicated object is further achieved according to a second teaching of the present invention in a method for labelling individual products, in particular packages or goods, preferably using a device as defined above, - in which a product is transported along a transport path using a feed device, - in which the product is transported past a blow head of a label application device, - in which labels are provided in a label dispensing device, - in which one of the labels is transported by the label dispensing device into a blow-off position between the blow head and the feed device, - in which an overpressure is built up in a pressure chamber of the blow head and - in which the label is transferred from the blow-off position to the product by means of a compressed air blast directed in a blow-off direction from the blow-off position to the feed device, as soon as the product is in front of (below) the blow-off position in the blow-off direction, thereby released, - that the compressed air blast escapes from the pressure chamber (into the environment) through holes in at least two slide elements movable between a first and a second position and through housing openings in a housing part facing the feed device, which at least partially overlap with them and which connect the interior of the pressure chamber with the environment of the blow head, - that at least one slide element forms a closure slide which, in the first position, completely blocks all housing openings and, in the second position, at least partially releases some or all housing openings, and - that at least one slide element forms a label size adjustment panel which, in the first position, at least partially releases a plurality of housing openings and completely blocks the remaining housing openings and, in the second position, at least partially releases all housing openings.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the compressed air blast is generated in that a slide element forming a closure slide is moved from a first position, in which the closure slide completely blocks all housing openings while the overpressure (in the pressure chamber) is built up, to a second position in which all housing openings are at least partially, preferably completely, opened.

[0042] According to another embodiment of the method, it is provided that, before the closure slide is moved from the first position to the second position, at least one slide element forming a label size adjustment panel, in particular two slide elements each forming a label size adjustment panel, is / are each moved into a position in which the respective label size adjustment panel - if the housing openings in the housing part are not otherwise blocked, for example by the closure slide - at least partially, preferably completely, releases a plurality of housing openings and completely blocks the remaining housing openings.

[0043] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and developing the device and method according to the invention. In this regard, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims following claims 1 and 20, and, on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a device according to the invention for labeling individual products, Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of a part of an embodiment not according to the invention of a blow head for the device in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of a section of the blow head in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a schematic view of a closure slide of a blow head for a device according to the invention, Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of a part of an embodiment of a blow head for the device in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6a)- Fig. 6c) different positions of label size adjustment panels of a blow head for the device in Fig. 1.

[0044] In Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for labeling individual products 2, in particular packages or goods. The device 1 has a feed device 3 for transporting a respective product 2 along a transport path. Furthermore, a label dispensing device 4 for providing labels 5 and a label application device 6 with a blowing head 7 for applying the respective label 5 to the surface of the product 2 are components of the device 1.

[0045] During operation of the device 1, the product 2 to be labelled is transported on the feed device 3, which is, for example, a belt conveyor, in a product transport direction X. During the transport of the product 2, a label 5 is detached from a carrier strip inside the label dispenser 4 by means of the label dispenser 4 and then fed to the blow head 7. The latter takes place in the Fig. 1, by means of a conveyor device 25, which conveys each provided label 5 individually from the label dispensing device 4 into a position referred to as blow-off position P vertically below the blow-off head 7. From the blow-off position P, the respective label 5 is then blown off in a blow-off direction A onto the product 2 by means of a compressed air blast generated by the blow-off head 7, as soon as the product 2 is located vertically below the blow-off position P.

[0046] The blow head 7, through which the compressed air blast is generated and released, has a blow head housing 8 with a pressure chamber 9 arranged therein ( Fig. 2, Fig. 5). The blow head housing 8 has, on the underside facing the feed device 3, a housing part 10 with a plurality of housing openings 11 that connect the interior of the pressure chamber 9 with the environment (the area outside the blow head housing 8). A blast of compressed air directed from the housing openings 11 toward the feed device 3 can then escape from the pressure chamber 9 through these housing openings 11 in the aforementioned blow-off direction A.

[0047] In order to be able to align the compressed air blast optimally in the center of the label 5, two label size adjustment panels 14 and 15 are arranged in the blow head housing 8 and in particular in the pressure chamber 9, which can be moved into different positions for different label sizes depending on data stored in a label data memory 24 (label-specific information), in order to block several of the housing openings 11 during the compressed air blast and to release others - if the housing openings in the housing part are not otherwise blocked, for example by the locking slide.

[0048] Independently of the label data memory 24, the device 1 further comprises a product data memory 23 with product-specific information stored therein.

[0049] The arrangement and function of the label size adjustment panels 14 and 15 will be explained in more detail below using the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6a) to Fig. 6c) is explained.

[0050] First, however, the functioning of another slide element in the pressure chamber 9 will be discussed. A closure slide 13 is provided, which serves to completely block all housing openings 11 when an overpressure builds up in the pressure chamber 9, and to completely release them in order to suddenly discharge the overpressure through the free housing openings 11 (i.e., those not blocked by the label size adjustment panel(s)) to generate the aforementioned compressed air blast. The functioning of the closure slide 13 is explained below using the exemplary embodiment in the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 illustrates this.

[0051] The Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 show only a single slide element arranged in the pressure chamber 9, namely the closure slide 13, as well as a perforated plate 20 arranged vertically below it and a perforated plate 20' arranged vertically above it. As in the further embodiment in Fig. 5, however, a first label size adjustment panel 14 and optionally, optionally with a further perforated plate 20' arranged vertically therebetween, a second label size adjustment panel 15 can be provided as additional slide elements vertically above the closure slide 13, optionally with a perforated plate 20' arranged vertically therebetween. These label size adjustment panels 14 and 15 are not mandatory, however, and can be omitted, for example, if the alignment of the blow head with respect to labels of different sizes is carried out in a different way, for example in the transport direction X by means of the Fig. 1, which transports labels 5 from the label dispensing device 4 to the blow-off position P, or in the transverse direction by providing a moveability of the entire blow head.

[0052] In Fig. 2 is an example of the structure of a pressure chamber 9 for a device 1 according to Fig. 1. The pressure chamber 9 is delimited at the bottom by a housing part 10 of the blow head housing 8, in which the housing openings 11 are arranged. The housing openings 11 are formed here by a plurality of hollow cylinders 26 which extend from a plate-shaped section 27 of the housing part 10 in the blow-off direction A. The hollow cylinders 26 are designed here, for example, as separate sleeves which are mechanically sealed to the housing part 10. All other sides of the pressure chamber 9 are blocked by pressure chamber walls 28. In one of the pressure chamber walls 28, a compressed air connection 12 for introducing compressed air into the pressure chamber 9 is provided. The compressed air connection 12 is shown here only schematically as an opening. Air at overpressure (pressure higher than the ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure) enters the pressure chamber 9 through this opening.

[0053] At the lower end of the pressure chamber 9, here mounted on an optional stationary perforated plate 20, is a slide element in the form of a closure slide 13. This closure slide 13 is sealingly arranged between the perforated plate 20, which rests on the housing part 10 with the housing openings 11, and another perforated plate 20'. "Sealing" in the sense of the invention always means gas-tight.

[0054] The locking slide 13 is, as Fig. 4, is provided with a plurality of holes 16. In a first position of the closure slide 13 relative to the housing part 10, which is stationary (immovable) with respect to the remaining blow head housing 8, and the likewise stationary perforated plates 20 and 20', the closure slide 13 blocks all housing openings 11 (meaning the channels running in the blow-off direction A in the housing part 10 or in the hollow cylinders 26). This state of the blow head 7 is in Fig. 2 and is used to fill the pressure chamber 9 with compressed air.

[0055] The closure slide 13 can then be used to generate a compressed air blast into the Fig. 3, in which the housing openings 11, which were still blocked by the locking slide 13 in the first position, are released. The pressurized air in the pressure chamber 9 can then suddenly escape in the blow-off direction A through the housing openings 11 or channels in the housing part 10 that are not blocked by one of the label size adjustment panels. The compressed air blast thus generated then transports a label 5 located in the blow-off position P onto the surface of a product 2 located underneath.

[0056] How Fig. 3, each stationary perforated plate 20 or 20' has perforated plate openings 21 that are exactly aligned with the housing openings 11. When the closure slide 13 is in the second position, in which the housing openings 11 are released by the closure slide, a continuous channel for the escape of the compressed air blast is formed from a perforated plate opening 21 via the respective aligned hole 16 in the closure slide 13 and finally via the respective aligned housing opening 11 in the housing part 10.

[0057] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a plate-shaped closure slide 13, as previously described. In this embodiment, the holes 16 arranged in the central section 22 (relative to the direction of movement of the closure slide 13) are shaped differently than the other holes 16 in the two adjacent sections. For example, the holes 16 in the central section 22 are elongated holes, whereas the other holes 16 have a circular cross-section. Furthermore, the holes 16 in the central section 22 are wider than the holes 16 with the circular cross-section. As a result, when the closure slide 13 is moved from the first position to the second position, a blast of compressed air is generated that acts earlier and more strongly on the center of the label, causing the respective label 5 to be slightly pre-folded in the center to improve its flying properties.

[0058] Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment with the optional additional arrangement of the two label size adjustment panels 14 and 15 above the closure slide 13. The two label size adjustment panels 14 and 15 are also plate-shaped and, just like the closure slide 13, are movable between a first position and a second position perpendicular to the blow-off direction A. The movement is effected here, for example, by a drive 19, but can also be performed manually.

[0059] If the housing openings 11 are not otherwise blocked, that is to say if in the present case the locking slide 13 is in the second position and therefore releases all the housing openings 11, a label size adjustment panel ensures that in the first position of the respective label size adjustment panel several housing openings 11 are completely released and the remaining housing openings 11 are completely blocked, while in the second position of this label size adjustment panel all housing openings 11 are completely released. The latter is in Fig. 5, where both label size adjustment covers 14 and 15 are in the second position in which all housing openings 11 are exposed.

[0060] In this regard, it should be noted that in the exemplary embodiments described here, the first position and second position only represent exemplary end positions. In particular, the second position can also be an intermediate position, in particular one of several intermediate positions, between the first and a further end position. Thus, the case would also be conceivable that in the first position of the respective label size adjustment panel, several housing openings 11 are completely exposed and the remaining housing openings 11 are completely blocked, in a second position of this label size adjustment panel all housing openings 11 are only partially exposed or only some of the housing openings 11 are completely exposed, and in a third position of this label size adjustment panel all housing openings 11 are completely exposed.

[0061] As especially the detail X in Fig. 5, when the closure slide 13 is open (closure slide 13 in the second position), a channel for the compressed air blast is formed by the aligned holes 17 and 18 of the two label size adjustment panels 14 and 15, the respective perforated plate openings 21, the hole 16 in the closure slide 13 and finally the housing opening 11 of the housing part 10, whereas in the position of the closure slide 13 shown in detail X, this channel is blocked.

[0062] As the Fig. 6a) to 6c) illustrate, when two label size adjustment covers 14 and 15 are present in the first position, different areas of housing openings 11 can be exposed. The views in the Fig. 6a) to 6c) are directed vertically from above onto an optional additional stationary perforated plate 20', which can be located vertically above the label size adjustment panels 14 and 15 (in Fig. 5 not shown), whereby the optional stationary perforated plate 20' may have the same features as the stationary perforated plate 20.

[0063] In Fig. 6a) shows that all perforated plate openings 21 of the perforated plate 20 are exposed when both locking slides 14 and 15 are in the second position. In other words, in this case, all housing openings 11 of the housing part 10 are also exposed when the locking slide 13 is also in the second (open) position.

[0064] In Fig. 6b), the first label size adjustment aperture 14 is in the first position, whereas the second label size adjustment aperture 15 remains in the second position as in Fig. 6a. In this case, only a portion of the perforated plate openings 21 of the perforated plate 20 are exposed, whereas a larger portion of the perforated plate openings 21 are blocked. Accordingly, in this case, when the locking slide 13 is open, the housing openings 11 aligned with the exposed perforated plate openings 21 are also exposed, while the housing openings 11 aligned with the blocked perforated plate openings 21 are blocked.

[0065] Fig. Figure 6c) shows an arrangement of the two label size adjustment panels 14 and 15, in which both label size adjustment panels are in the first position. In this case, the area with the exposed perforated plate openings 21 and, accordingly (with the locking slide 13 open), the area with the exposed housing openings 11 is even smaller than in the Fig. 6b) shown condition.

[0066] As the Fig. 6a) to Fig.6c), by adjusting the two label size adjustment panels 14 and 15, individual areas of the perforated plate openings 21 and the housing openings 11 can be exposed, through which the compressed air blast acts when the closure slide 13 is in the second (open) position. This possibility of creating individual areas allows the compressed air blast to be adjusted or aligned relative to the label surface, so that even labels 5 with different dimensions can always be optimally captured by the compressed air blast.

Claims

[1] Device (1) for labelling individual products (2), in particular packages or goods, - with a feed device (3) for transporting a respective product (2) along a transport path, - with a label dispensing device (4) for providing a label (5) and - with a label application device (6) with a blow head (7) for applying the label (5) to the surface of the product (2), - wherein the blow head (7) has a blow head housing (8) with a pressure chamber (9), - wherein the blow head housing (8) has, on the side facing the feed device (3), a housing part (10) with a plurality of housing openings (11) which connect the interior of the pressure chamber (9) with the surroundings of the blow head housing (8) and through which a compressed air blast directed in a blow-off direction (A) from the housing openings (11) to the feed device (3) can escape, - wherein the pressure chamber (9) has a compressed air connection (12) for introducing compressed air into the pressure chamber (9), characterized by , - that the label application device (6) has at least two sliding elements (13, 14, 15) which are movable between a first position in which the respective sliding element (13, 14, 15) can completely block at least some of the housing openings (11), and a second position in which the respective sliding element (13, 14, 15) can at least partially release several of these housing openings (11), - that holes (16, 17, 18) are provided in each slide element (13, 14, 15) which are arranged in such a way, - that in the second position of the respective slide element (13, 14, 15) they can be at least partially brought into overlap with the housing openings (11) which can be blocked by the slide element (13, 14, 15) in the first position, - that in the first position of the respective slide element (13, 14, 15) they are offset from these housing openings (11) so that there is no overlap, - that at least one slide element (13) forms a closure slide (13) which, in the first position, completely blocks all housing openings (11) and, in the second position, at least partially releases some or all housing openings (11), and - that at least one slide element (14, 15) forms a label size adjustment panel (14, 15) which, in the first position, at least partially releases a plurality of housing openings (11) and completely blocks the remaining housing openings (11) and, in the second position, at least partially releases all housing openings (11). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the label application device (6) has at least three slide elements (13, 14, 15) which are movable between a first position in which the respective slide element (13, 14, 15) can completely block at least some of the housing openings (11), and a second position in which the respective slide element (13, 14, 15) can at least partially release several of these housing openings (11), preferably all of these housing openings (11), wherein holes (16, 17, 18) are provided in each slide element (13, 14, 15) which are arranged such that, in the second position of the respective slide element (13, 14, 15), they can be at least partially brought into overlap with the housing openings (11) which can be blocked in the first position by the slide element (13, 14, 15), and in the first position of the respective slide element (13, 14, 15) are offset from these housing openings (11) so that there is no overlap. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one slide element (13, 14, 15), preferably all slide elements (13, 14, 15), is / are arranged inside the pressure chamber (9). [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one slide element (13, 14, 15), preferably all slide elements (13, 14, 15), is / are each connected to a drive (19). [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one slide element (13, 14, 15), preferably all slide elements (13, 14, 15), is / are plate-shaped. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one slide element (13, 14, 15), preferably all slide elements (13, 14, 15), is / are movable at an angle, in particular perpendicular, to the blow-off direction (A) between the respective first position and second position. [7] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking slide (13) in the second position completely releases some, preferably all, housing openings (11). [8] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the closure slide (13) lies sealingly against the housing part (10) with the housing openings (11), in particular on the side of the housing part (10) facing away from the feed device (3) and is preferably movable parallel to the housing part (10), in particular perpendicular to the central axis of the housing openings (11). [9] Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized bythat at least one stationary perforated plate (20, 20') with perforated plate openings (21) is arranged in the pressure chamber (9), wherein the number of perforated plate openings (21) corresponds in particular to the number of housing openings (11) and the perforated plate openings (21) are in particular aligned with the housing openings (11), wherein the perforated plate openings (21) narrow in particular towards the housing openings (11). [10] Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the closure slide (13) is arranged between the stationary perforated plate (20, 20') and the housing part (10) with the housing openings (11). [11] Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized bythat the closure slide (13) lies sealingly against the stationary perforated plate (20, 20'), in particular on the side of the stationary perforated plate (20, 20') facing the feed device (3), and is preferably movable parallel to the stationary perforated plate (20, 20'), in particular perpendicular to the central axis of the perforated plate openings (21). [12] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holes (16) of the closure slide (13) have different hole cross-sections, wherein the holes (16) arranged in a central section (22) in particular have a greater length and / or a greater width and / or a larger cross-sectional area than the remaining holes (16). [13] Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized by that the hole cross-section of the remaining holes (16) corresponds to the cross-section of the housing openings (11). [14] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that two slide elements (14, 15) each form a label size adjustment panel (14, 15) which, in the first position, at least partially, preferably completely, releases a plurality of housing openings (11) and completely blocks the remaining housing openings (11) and, in the second position, at least partially, preferably completely, releases all housing openings (11). [15] Device (1) according to claim 14, characterized by in that a label size adjustment panel (14) in the first position exposes different housing openings (11) than another label size adjustment panel (15), wherein in particular, when both label size adjustment panels (14, 15) are in the first position, all housing openings (11) are blocked and / or when both label size adjustment panels (14, 15) are in the second position, all housing openings (11) are exposed. [16] Device (1) according to claim 15, characterized bythat the one label size adjustment panel (14) and the other label size adjustment panel (15) can be positioned simultaneously in their first position, whereby in particular a smaller number of housing openings (11) are exposed than in the case that only the one label size adjustment panel (14) or only the other label size adjustment panel (15) is positioned in its first position. [17] Device (1) according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized by that at least one label size adjustment panel (14) lies sealingly against the stationary perforated plate (20, 20'), in particular on the side of the stationary perforated plate (20, 20') facing away from the feed device (3) and is preferably movable parallel to the stationary perforated plate (20, 20'), in particular perpendicular to the central axis of the perforated plate openings (21). [18] Device (1) according to claim 17, characterized bythat each of the label size adjustment panels (14, 15) and / or the label size adjustment panel (14) furthest away from the feed device (3) lies sealingly against a stationary perforated plate (20, 20'), wherein the label size adjustment panel (14, 15) lying sealingly against the stationary perforated plate (20, 20') lies in particular against the side of the stationary perforated plate (20, 20') facing the feed device (3). [19] Device (1) according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized by that a label size adjustment panel (15) lies sealingly against another label size adjustment panel (14), in particular on the side of the other label size adjustment panel (14) facing away from the feed device (3), and is preferably movable parallel to the other label size adjustment panel (14), in particular perpendicular to the central axis of the holes (17) of the other label size adjustment panel (14). [20] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device (1) further comprises a product data memory (23) for providing product-specific information and a label data memory (24) for providing label-specific information, wherein in the label data memory (24) in particular the respective position of the label size adjustment aperture(s) (14, 15) during the compressed air burst is stored individually for different label sizes. [21] Method for labelling individual products (2), in particular packages or goods, preferably using a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - in which a product (2) is transported along a transport path by means of a feed device (3), - in which the product (2) is guided past a blow head (7) of a label application device (6) on the transport path, - in which labels (5) are provided in a label dispensing device (4), - in which one of the labels (5) is transported by the label dispensing device (4) into a blow-off position (P) between the blow head (7) and the feed device (3), - in which an overpressure is built up in a pressure chamber (9) of the blow head (7) and - in which the label (5) is transferred from the blow-off position (P) to the product (2) by means of a compressed air blast directed in a blow-off direction (A) from the blow-off position (P) to the feed device (3), as soon as the product (2) is located in front of the blow-off position (P) in the blow-off direction (A), characterized by , - that the compressed air blast escapes from the pressure chamber (9) through holes (16, 17, 18) in at least two slide elements (13, 14, 15) movable between a first and a second position and through housing openings (11) at least partially overlapping therewith in a housing part (10) facing the feed device (3), which connect the interior of the pressure chamber (9) with the surroundings of the blow head (7), - that at least one slide element (13) forms a closure slide (13) which, in the first position, completely blocks all housing openings (11) and, in the second position, at least partially releases some or all housing openings (11), and - that at least one slide element (14, 15) forms a label size adjustment panel (14, 15) which, in the first position, at least partially releases a plurality of housing openings (11) and completely blocks the remaining housing openings (11) and, in the second position, at least partially releases all housing openings (11). [22] Method according to claim 21, characterized by in that the compressed air blast is generated in that a slide element (13) forming a closure slide is moved from a first position, in which the closure slide (13) completely blocks all housing openings (11) while the overpressure is built up, into a second position in which all housing openings (11) are at least partially, preferably completely, opened. [23] Method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized bythat before the closure slide (13) is moved from the first position to the second position, at least one slide element (14, 15) forming a label size adjustment panel, in particular two slide elements (14, 15) each forming a label size adjustment panel, is / are each moved into a position in which the respective label size adjustment panel (14, 15) at least partially, preferably completely, releases a plurality of housing openings (11) and completely blocks the remaining housing openings (11).

Images