Device for labelling containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10A-10E) for labeling containers (12). The device (10A-10E) has a container conveyor (14) for conveying containers (12) and at least one label dispenser (18) for providing labels. The device (10A-10E) has a planar drive system (16A-16E) configured to transport labels from the at least one label dispenser (18) to the container conveyor (14) for attachment to the containers (12). The device can improve flexibility of labeling.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a device for labelling containers. BACKGROUND

[0002] Container handling facilities can have labelling machines for labelling containers such as bottles and cans.

[0003] Labelling machines are generally known, for example from DE 197 41 476 Al. In the labelling machine described therein, a carousel is rotatably supported on a table arranged on a chassis. At the periphery of the carousel, labelling machine groups are arranged for depositing labels on vessels transported on the carousel. To this end, each labelling machine group has its own motor and forms a spatially independent unit with it. The unit is arranged on the carousel.

[0004] It is possible with this labelling machine to adapt the labelling machine to different equipment variants and / or vessel types, for example different bottles. To this end, the machine group with the associated motor can be removed from the table and replaced by a new machine group corresponding to the modified vessel and having its own motor.

[0005] There are also linear movers that dispense labels directly onto bottles, for example sleeve labellers or tube labellers.

[0006] The task on which the invention is based is to provide an alternative and / or improved device for labelling containers, preferably for increasing flexibility and for reducing the conversion time for different equipment variants or vessel types.

[0007] The task on which the invention is based is to provide an alternative and / or improved device for labelling containers, preferably for increasing flexibility and for reducing the conversion time for different equipment variants or vessel types. SUMMARY

[0008] The task is solved by the features of the following solution. Advantageous further developments are explained in the description.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for labelling containers. The device has a (e.g. monorail) container conveyor for conveying containers. The device has at least one label dispenser for providing labels. The device has a planar drive system configured to transport labels from the at least one label dispenser to the container conveyor for attachment to the containers, e.g. by means of a control unit.

[0010] The device offers great flexibility in labeling containers. Differentiated labeling is possible, including labeling unique to the container ("labeling on demand"). The device can be adapted to different container shapes, container sizes, container feed distances, etc. without modification. For this, for example, only the control of the movement means of the planar drive system can need to be changed. The planar drive system has no components that come into contact with one another, which makes the planar drive system run virtually wear-free. Unlike a container carousel for labeling containers: there is no large rotating mass that needs to be driven. In addition, the movement means can perform a prescribed movement that improves the labeling during the actual labeling process. For example, the movement means can be tilted, rotated, raised or lowered relative to the base element during the labeling. In principle, the device disclosed herein also offers the possibility of being connected to different base machines or conveyors. This flexibility involves, for example, connection to different base machine indexing plates, different base machine pitches, connection to circular movers and linear machines, etc.

[0011] Preferably, the planar drive system can be a magnetic planar drive system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the planar drive system has a (e.g. flat) base element and at least one movement means. Preferably, the at least one movement means can be moved to the at least one label dispenser by means of a magnetic interaction with the base element to take over a label and to the container conveyor to attach the taken-over label to a container.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one movement means can be moved back again to the at least one label dispenser by means of a magnetic interaction with the base element after attaching the taken-over label.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one movement means can be carried contactlessly by the base element by means of the magnetic interaction, preferably on the upper side or the lower side of the base element.

[0015] It is also possible to eject a dried label from the at least one movement means at or after a production interruption.

[0016] In another embodiment, the at least one movement means has a label holder for holding a label (and preferably for taking over a label from the at least one label dispenser and / or for attaching to a container).

[0017] In one extension, the label holder has a label gripper, a label clamp, a label suction device, a label support device and / or a label tray.

[0018] In one embodiment variant, the planar drive system (e.g. by means of the control unit) is configured such that the at least one moving device moves together with the containers on the container conveyor, preferably at the same speed, and here the labels are attached to the containers. In this way the attachment of the labels can advantageously be improved, especially even at very high speeds.

[0019] Preferably, the speed of the at least one moving device can be variably adapted to the different speeds of the containers on the container conveyor.

[0020] In another embodiment variant, the planar drive system (e.g. by means of the control unit) is configured such that the at least one moving device stops, slows down, speeds up and / or performs a predetermined movement pattern at the at least one label dispenser to take over the labels. Thus, the handover of the labels can be improved.

[0021] In another embodiment variant, the at least one label dispenser has a tubular label dispenser for providing tubular labels (e.g. extendable). Preferably, the planar drive system (e.g. its base element) is oriented in a vertical plane.

[0022] In one extension, the planar drive system (e.g. by means of the control unit) is configured such that the at least one moving device moves together with the containers on the container conveyor, preferably at the same speed, and here the attachment takes place by covering the containers with the transported tubular labels, preferably by lowering the at least one moving device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the at least one label dispenser has a plurality of label dispensers dispensing different labels (e.g. different shape, color, size, imprint, decoration, self-adhesive or not, etc.).

[0024] In one extension, the planar drive system is configured (e.g. by means of the control unit) to transport different labels from the plurality of label dispensers to different containers for attachment to these containers, preferably for performing container-specific on-demand labeling. Alternatively, the planar drive system can be configured (e.g. by means of the control unit) to transport different labels from the plurality of label dispensers to the same containers for attachment to these containers, preferably for performing mixed labeling of the containers. It is also possible that the same planar drive system is switched between these two configurations.

[0025] In another embodiment, the at least one label dispenser has a plurality of label dispensers dispensing the same label.

[0026] In an expansion, the planar drive system (e.g. by means of the control unit) is configured to transport the same labels from the plurality of label dispensers to different containers for attachment to the containers. For example, the throughput can be increased by performing label picking in parallel and, if necessary, label attachment in parallel.

[0027] In an embodiment, the containers conveyed by the container conveyor have different sizes (e.g. diameters) and / or shapes (e.g. detectable by means of a sensor of the apparatus). Preferably, the planar drive system can be configured (e.g. by means of the control unit) to move the at least one mobile device essentially always identically close to containers having different sizes and / or shapes for attachment of labels. Thus, the planar drive system can be flexibly used for different types of containers.

[0028] In another embodiment, the planar drive system (e.g. by means of the control unit) is configured to tilt the at least one mobile device relative to the base element during attachment of the label, preferably for attachment to a tilted section (e.g. a neck region) of the container. Alternatively or additionally, the planar drive system may, for example (e.g. by means of the control unit), be configured to rotate the at least one mobile device relative to the base element during attachment of the label, preferably about its central axis. In this way, the placement of the label can advantageously be improved.

[0029] In an embodiment variant, the planar drive system (e.g. by means of the control unit) is configured to move the at least one mobile device at different intervals along the container conveyor (e.g. detected by means of a sensor) to adapt to different intervals between containers.

[0030] In another embodiment variant, the planar drive system (e.g. by means of the control unit) is configured to not move the mobile device with the label to a container gap (e.g. detected by means of a sensor) between otherwise identically spaced containers.

[0031] In an embodiment, the apparatus can also have a gumming device for gumming the labels. Preferably, the planar drive system can be configured (e.g. by means of the control unit) to transport labels from the at least one label dispenser to the gumming device for gumming and to transport the gummed labels to the container conveyor for attachment to the containers.

[0032] In an expansion, the at least one mobile device can be moved to the gumming device by means of a magnetic interaction with the base element for gumming of the picked label and / or from the gumming device to the container conveyor.

[0033] Preferably, the base element can be substantially frame-shaped, rectangular, circular or ring-shaped. In principle, the base element can thus be adapted to different facility layouts and installation space conditions. For example, a planar drive system with a circular base element can be particularly suitable for replacing a circular motor labelling machine in an existing container handling facility, wherein no changes to the facility layout are necessary.

[0034] Preferably, the gumming device and / or the label dispenser can be arranged on the outside or on the inside of the base element.

[0035] Preferably, the device disclosed herein can be used in a container handling facility, for example for manufacturing, cleaning, testing, filling, sealing, labelling, printing and / or packaging containers for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid food.

[0036] It is possible that the planar drive system can be arranged along, preferably adjacent to, a container conveyor.

[0037] It is also possible that the planar drive system, for example its base element, is oriented in a horizontal plane.

[0038] For example, the container conveyor can be a linear, for example single-track, conveyor, for example a belt conveyor, or a circular motor conveyor.

[0039] Preferably, the term "control unit" can refer to an electronic device, for example with microprocessor(s) and data memory, which is capable of assuming (open-loop) control tasks and / or (closed-loop) regulation tasks and / or processing tasks according to the design. Even if the term "control" is used herein, with this term "regulation" or rather "feedback control" and "processing" can also be included or indicated as appropriate.

[0040] The above-mentioned preferred embodiments and features of the application can be combined with one another in any combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] In the following, further details and advantages of the application are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therein:

[0042] Figure 1 a schematic top view of a device for labelling containers according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0043] Figure 2 a schematic top view of a device for labelling containers according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0044] Figure 3 a schematic top view of a device for labelling containers according to yet another different embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0045] Figure 4A schematic top view of an apparatus for labeling containers according to yet another different embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0046] Figure 5 A schematic side view of an apparatus for labeling a container according to yet another different embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] The embodiments shown in these figures correspond at least partially to each other, such that similar or identical parts are equipped with the same reference numerals and descriptions of them are also available in the descriptions of other embodiments or figures to avoid repetition. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1 A device 10A for labeling containers 12, such as bottles (glass bottles, PET bottles, etc.) and cans, is shown. The device 10A includes a container conveyor 14, a planar drive system 16A, a label dispenser 18, and an adhesive applicator 20.

[0049] The container conveyor 14 preferably transports containers 12 using a single-track container flow. The container conveyor 14 can extend in a straight line, for example... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The container conveyor 14 can be implemented in any manner and method, for example, as a belt conveyor. The container conveyor 14 is arranged next to the planar drive system 16A. Preferably, the container conveyor 14 and the planar drive system 16A are directly adjacent to each other. The container conveyor 14 conveys the container 12 along the planar drive system 16A.

[0050] The planar drive system 16A is designed to transport labels from the label dispenser 18 to the container conveyor 14 for affixing to the container 12.

[0051] The planar drive system 16A has a base element 22 and a plurality of moving devices (movers or actuators) 24. The moving devices 24 can move freely and independently on the base element 22 by means of magnetic interaction with the base element 22. The moving devices 24 can also rotate relative to the base element 22 by means of magnetic interaction with the base element 22 (e.g., yaw). The moving devices 24 can also tilt relative to the base element 22 by means of magnetic interaction with the base element 22 (e.g., pitch and / or roll). The moving devices 24 can also perform up or down lifting movements relative to the base element 22 by means of magnetic interaction with the base element 22. The number of moving devices 24 can be freely selected according to the application, wherein at least one moving device 24 is provided.

[0052] The base element 22 forms a stator of the planar drive system 16A. The mobile devices 24 form a rotor of the planar drive system 16A. The mobile devices 24 are carried by the base element 22 in a contactless manner. For example, the base element 22 can have a plurality of electromagnets, for example electric coils, arranged in a distributed manner. The mobile devices 24 can have permanent magnets. The electromagnets are preferably arranged in a matrix extending in the plane, here: the horizontal plane, of the base element 22. A control unit (not shown) of the planar drive system 16A can control the power supply to the electromagnets of the base element 22 in order to establish an electromagnetic field with a desired field strength at a desired position of the base element 22. Propulsion, rotation, tilting and / or lifting of the mobile devices 24 can be induced by the respective electromagnetic field of the electromagnets of the base element 22.

[0053] In Figure 1 In an embodiment, the base element 22 is oriented in a horizontal plane. The base element 22 also has a rectangular shape. Other shapes of the base element 22 are also possible, for example circular, frame-shaped, ring-shaped, etc., as desired. The label dispenser 18 and the gluing device 20 are arranged next to, preferably outside, the base element 22. It is also possible to arrange the label dispenser 18 and / or the gluing device 20 inside if the base element 22 is frame-shaped or ring-shaped. It is possible that the label dispenser 18 and / or the gluing device 20 protrude beyond the base element 22 for better accessibility. The mobile devices 24 can be arranged above the base element 22 and can be rectangular, for example. The movement of the mobile devices 24 can be controlled by the control unit of the planar drive system 16A.

[0054] The mobile devices 24 each have a label holder 26. The label holder 26 is designed to hold a label. The label holder 26 can be embodied as a label gripper, a label clamp, a label suction device, a label support device, a label pallet or another device, with or without an actuator.

[0055] The mobile devices 24 can move in succession to the label dispenser 18. The labels are picked up at the label dispenser 18. The labels can be picked up by the label holder 26 and / or handed over by the label dispenser 18. Here, depending on the requirements of the respective label dispenser 18, the mobile devices 24 can be stopped, slowed down, accelerated, execute a predetermined movement pattern, etc., accordingly. The labels are held by the label holder 26.

[0056] The labels can be moved to the gluing device 20 by means of the respective mobile device 24. The gluing device 20 can glue the labels, for example with cold glue or hot glue. For example, the gluing device 20 can also be embodied as a dispensing machine.

[0057] By means of the respective movement device 24, the label is moved to one of the containers 12 conveyed by the container conveyor 14. The movement device 24 moves together with the container 12, preferably at the same speed, and there attaches the label to the container 12. This attachment can be carried out or supported, for example, by means of a feed movement of the movement device 24 and / or the label holder 26. In order to carry out the attachment, the movement device 24 can also be turned, for example, about its central axis, and / or tilted, for example, relative to the base surface 22.

[0058] It is possible that the containers 12 have different dimensions, for example diameters. In this case, the attachment of the label can be adapted to the respective dimension of the container 12. For example, the movement device 24 can always move essentially identically close to the respective container 12. The diameter of the container 12 can be detected beforehand, for example, by means of a sensor or stored as an optional value in the control unit. The same principle can also apply to different container shapes.

[0059] After the attachment, the respective movement device 24 can move back to the label dispenser 18 again in order to pick up the next label. Preferably, all movement devices 24 can move independently of one another, preferably relative to the base element 22 on a path which is essentially ring-shaped or frame-shaped.

[0060] It is possible that no separate gumming device 20 is included. Rather, the label dispenser 18 can have, for example, an integrated gumming device, can dispense labels which are already gummed, or can dispense self-adhesive labels.

[0061] It is also possible that the label attached to the container 12 is also fixed and / or smoothed by an optional label fixing device 28. For example, the label fixing device 28 can have a label brushing device for brushing the label. The label fixing device 28 can also have a label rolling sponge for rolling the label. Alternatively or additionally, the label can already be completely positioned, fixed and smoothed on the respective container 12 by the label holder 26.

[0062] The containers 12 can be conveyed by the container conveyor 14 at different intervals or in a non-uniform manner. The movement of the movement devices 24 can be adapted such that the movement devices 24 also move at different intervals along the container conveyor 14 during the attachment of the labels, i.e. adapted to the different intervals between the containers 12. The different intervals between the containers 12 can be detected, for example, by means of a non-contact, for example optical, or tactile sensor of the device.

[0063] Containers 12 can be conveyed at equal intervals by container conveyor 14, however, container gaps may occur in the container flow. The movement of moving device 24 can be adapted so that no moving device 24 transports a label to a container gap. Container gaps can be detected, for example, by means of a non-contact (e.g., optical) or tactile sensor of device 10A.

[0064] Figure 2 Another device 10B for labeling container 12 is shown.

[0065] and Figure 1 Unlike device 10A, device 10B has a non-linear container conveyor 14'. Instead, the container conveyor 14' conveys the container 12 on a curved path, at least in the region of the planar drive system 16B (which is implemented similarly to the planar drive system 16A). The container conveyor 14' can be implemented, for example, as a circular mover or a rotary conveyor.

[0066] Figure 3 Another device 10C for labeling container 12 is shown. The special feature of device 10C is that it has multiple label dispensers 18.

[0067] Therefore, device 10C can, for example, allow container-specific labeling, in which containers 12 can be equipped with different labels, such as container-unique labels (“labeling on demand”). Specifically, the first moving device 24 can remove a first label from the first label dispenser 18 and affix it to the first container 12, applying adhesive at the adhesive applicator 20 if necessary, as required for label affixing. The second moving device 24 can remove a second label from the second label dispenser 18 and affix it to the second container 12, applying adhesive at the adhesive applicator 20 if necessary, as required for label affixing, and so on. The first and second labels differ in shape, size, markings, etc.

[0068] Device 10C can also be used for mixed labeling. Here, different labels can be affixed to the same container 12. Specifically, the first moving device 24 can remove a first label from the first label dispenser 18 and affix it to the first container 12, applying adhesive at the adhesive applicator 20 if necessary, as required for label affixing. The second moving device 24 can remove a second label from the second label dispenser 18 and affix it to the first container 12, applying adhesive at the adhesive applicator 20 if necessary, and so on. The first and second labels differ in shape, size, and markings.

[0069] It is also possible that at least some of these label dispensers 18 dispense identical labels. Thus, multiple mobile devices 24 can be supplied, for example, in parallel, with identical labels for attaching to different containers 12. In particular, a first mobile device 24 can take a first label from a first label dispenser 18 and attach it to a first container 12, if necessary with intermediate gluing at the gluing device 20, as far as is required for attaching the label. A second mobile device 24 can take a second label from a second label dispenser 18 and attach it to a second container 12, if necessary with intermediate gluing at the gluing device 20, as far as is required for attaching the label, and so on. The first and second labels are designed to be identical.

[0070] Figure 4 A further device 10D for labeling containers 12 is shown, which is similar to the device 10A of Figure 1 .

[0071] The device 10D is special in that the label dispensers 18 and the gluing device 20 are not arranged outside the planar drive system 16D. Rather, the label dispensers 18 and the gluing device 20 are arranged directly within the periphery or area of the planar drive system 16D. For example, the base element 22 can have recesses for the label dispensers 18 and the gluing device 20. Alternatively, the label dispensers 18 and the gluing device 20 can be suspended above the planar drive system 16D. Such a configuration can be particularly cost-effective, for example, in terms of installation space.

[0072] A further particularity of the device 10D is that the label holders 26', for example embodied as label trays, themselves perform the supply movement to the respective container 12 for attaching the label. For example, the label holders 26 can stretch out to attach the label and retract again after attaching the label, as shown in Figure 4 . It is also possible that the label holders 26 or the mobile devices 24 additionally rotate and / or tilt relative to the base element 22 during attachment.

[0073] Figure 5 A further device 10E for labeling containers 12 is shown.

[0074] The device 10E has label dispensers 18' that dispense tubular labels, so-called sleeve labels. The label dispensers 18' can be arranged, for example, above a base element 22'. The base element 22' is oriented in a vertical plane.

[0075] The mobile device 24 moves to the label dispenser 18'. At the label dispenser 18', the label holder 26 of the respective mobile device 24 takes over the single tubular label 30. Here, the mobile device 24 can, for example, come to a standstill. The tubular label 30 is held here in an at least partially unrolled manner by the label holder 26. The label dispenser 18' can, for example, hand over the tubular label 30 by means of a mandrel that unrolls the tubular label 30.

[0076] The mobile device 24 moves together with the held tubular label 30 to the container conveyor 14. The mobile device 24 moves together with one of the containers 12, respectively, that is to say in the conveying direction of the container conveyor 14 or the containers 12 and at the speed of the container conveyor 14 or the containers 12. During the movement together, the mobile device 24 slips the tubular label 30 over the respective container 12. Here, the mobile device 24 can also move increasingly closer to the container conveyor 14 or be constantly lowered during the movement together. In the handover region of the tubular label 30, the movement path of the mobile device 24 can correspond to a downhill section, preferably with a constant downhill gradient, as is shown in Figure 5 .

[0077] During or after the slipping on, the tubular label 30 is detached from the label holder 26 or the tubular label 30 autonomously detaches from the label holder 26. The detachment can be supported, for example, by a rotational movement of the mobile device 24 relative to the base element, a tilting movement of the mobile device 24 relative to the base element 22 and / or a lifting movement of the mobile device 24 relative to the base element 22 to approach the base element 22.

[0078] Finally, the mobile device 24 can move back to the label dispenser 18' to pick up a new tubular label 30.

[0079] It is possible that the container conveyor 14 conveys containers 12 with different diameters. The adaptation to different diameters can be performed by means of a lifting movement of the mobile device 24 relative to the base element 22, so that the mobile device 24 can always move substantially equally close to the containers 12 even in the case of different container diameters.

[0080] The application is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, numerous variants and modifications are possible, which likewise exploit the idea of the application and thus fall within the scope of protection.

[0081] List of reference signs

[0082] 10A-10E Device for labelling

[0083] 12 Container

[0084] 14 Container conveyor

[0085] 16A-16E planar drive system

[0086] 18 label dispenser

[0087] 20 gumming device

[0088] 22 base element

[0089] 24 moving device

[0090] 26 label holder

[0091] 28 label securing device

[0092] 30 tubular label

Claims

1. An apparatus (10A-10E) for labelling containers (12), having: a container conveyor (14) for conveying containers (12); at least one label dispenser (18) for providing labels; and a planar drive system (16A-16E) configured to transport labels from the at least one label dispenser (18) to the container conveyor (14) for attachment to the containers (12).

2. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 1, wherein: the planar drive system (16A-16E) has a base element (22) and at least one mobile device (24); and the at least one mobile device (24) is movable by means of a magnetic interaction with the base element (22) to the at least one label dispenser (18) to take over a label and to the container conveyor (14) to attach the taken over label to the container (12).

3. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 2, wherein: the at least one mobile device (24) has a label holder (26) for holding a label.

4. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 3, wherein: the label holder (26) has a label gripper, a label clamp, a label suction device, a label support device and / or a labelling pallet.

5. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: the planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured such that the at least one mobile device (24) moves together with a container (12) on the container conveyor (14) and in the process attaches the label to the container (12).

6. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 2, wherein: the planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured such that the at least one mobile device (24) stops, decelerates, accelerates and / or performs a predetermined movement pattern at the at least one label dispenser (18) to take over the label.

7. The apparatus (10E) according to claim 2, wherein: the at least one label dispenser (18) has a tubular label dispenser (18') for providing tubular labels (30); and the planar drive system (16E) is oriented in a vertical plane.

8. The apparatus (10E) according to claim 7, wherein: the planar drive system (16E) is configured such that the at least one mobile device (24) moves together with a container (12) on the container conveyor (14) and in the process the attachment of the transported tubular label (30) takes place by capping the transported tubular label (30) over the container (12).

9. The apparatus (10C) according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one label dispenser (18) has a plurality of label dispensers which dispense different labels; and the planar drive system (16C) is configured such that the at least one mobile device (24) moves together with a container (12) on the container conveyor (14) and in the process the attachment of the label to the container (12) takes place by capping the label over the container (12). the planar drive system (16C) is configured to transport the different labels from the plurality of label dispensers (18) to different containers (12) for attachment to these containers (12); or the planar drive system (16C) is configured to transport the different labels from the plurality of label dispensers (18) to the same containers (12) for attachment to these containers (12).

10. The apparatus (10C) according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one label dispenser (18) has a plurality of label dispensers dispensing identical labels; and the planar drive system (16C) is configured to transport the identical labels from the plurality of label dispensers (18) to different containers (12) for attachment to these containers (12).

11. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 2, wherein: the containers (12) conveyed by the container conveyor (14) have different sizes and / or shapes; and the planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured to move the at least one mobile device (24) substantially identically close to containers (12) having different sizes and / or shapes for label attachment.

12. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 2, wherein: the planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured to tilt the at least one mobile device (24) relative to the base element (22) during attachment of the label; and / or the planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured to rotate the at least one mobile device (24) relative to the base element (22) during attachment of the label.

13. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 2, wherein: the planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured to move the at least one mobile device (24) at different intervals along the container conveyor (14) to adapt to different intervals between the containers (12); or the planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured to not move a mobile device (24) with a label to a container gap between otherwise identically spaced containers (12).

14. The apparatus (10A-10D) according to claim 2, further having: a gumming device (20) for gumming labels, wherein: the planar drive system (16A-16D) is configured to transport the labels from the at least one label dispenser (18) to the gumming device (20) for gumming and to transport the gummed labels to the container conveyor (14) for attachment to the containers (12).

15. The apparatus (10A-10D) according to claim 14, wherein: the at least one mobile device (24) is movable to the gumming device (20) for gumming of a picked-up label and / or from the gumming device (20) to the container conveyor (14) by means of a magnetic interaction with the base element (22).

16. The apparatus (10A-10E) of claim 5, wherein, The planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured such that the at least one moving device (24) moves together with the container (12) at the same speed.

17. The apparatus (10E) of claim 8, wherein, The planar drive system (16E) is configured such that the at least one moving device (24) moves together with the container (12) at the same speed.

18. The apparatus (10E) of claim 8, wherein, The transported tubular labels (30) are applied over the containers (12) by lowering the at least one moving device (24).

19. The apparatus (10C) according to claim 9, wherein: The planar drive system (16C) is configured to transport the different labels from the plurality of label dispensers (18) to different containers (12) for being attached to these containers (12) for performing container-unique on-demand labeling; or The planar drive system (16C) is configured to transport the different labels from the plurality of label dispensers (18) to the same containers (12) for being attached to these containers (12) for performing mixed labeling of these containers (12).

20. The apparatus (10A-10E) according to claim 12, wherein: The planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured to tilt the at least one moving device (24) relative to the base element (22) during the attachment of the labels for tilting sections of the containers (12) to which they are attached; and / or The planar drive system (16A-16E) is configured to rotate the at least one moving device (24) around its central axis during the attachment of the labels.

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