Vacuum transfer cylinder with suction rod circuit

Abstract

This invention relates to a labeling device (1) for affixing labels to a container, comprising: at least one unfolding device (7a) for a label strip (7); at least one cutting blade (5) for cutting the label strip into individual labels; and a vacuum transfer cylinder (2) for transferring the labels to the container, wherein the vacuum transfer cylinder (2) has a plurality of movable vacuum suction rods (16a, 16b, 16c, 17a, 17b, 17c, 18a, 18b, 18c, 19a, 19b, 19c, 20a, 20b, 20c, 21a, 21b, 21c) for suction, conveying, and transferring the labels. The label is described, wherein at least one vacuum suction rod is assigned to each label to be transported; at least one rod controller is used to control the movement of the vacuum suction rod, wherein the rod controller includes at least one control cam that interacts with at least one control roller (16aa) of the vacuum suction rod (16a) to control the movement of the corresponding vacuum suction rod (16a), and wherein the at least one vacuum suction rod (16a) assigned to the label to be transported is controlled by the control cam (11a, 12a) of the rod controller, or wherein all vacuum suction rods (16a, 16b, 16c) assigned to the label to be transported are controlled by the control cam (11a, 12a) of the rod controller.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a labeling unit, to a labeling machine, and to a method for applying labels to containers. BACKGROUND

[0002] Labels are usually applied to containers or packages by means of a labeling unit in order to label the containers or packages according to their contents.

[0003] For labeling containers such as beverage bottles, it is known, for example, from DE 20 2012 003 268 U1 or DE 10 2015 214 011 A1 to first separate a sheet-shaped label from a ring-shaped label strip provided by a label roll in a cutting unit and then to transfer the label to a continuously rotating vacuum transfer drum which applies the label to the container. If desired, glue can additionally be applied to the label at a leading portion and at a trailing end of the label while the label is being transported on the vacuum transfer drum. In order to receive the label, transport the label and apply the label to the container, the vacuum transfer drum has switchable movable suction bars for suctioning, holding and transporting the label with respect to a lateral leading region and a trailing region of the label.

[0004] These switchable and movable suction bars can be selectively switched, for example, from an outer radial working position, in which the suction bars guide the label segment, for example, so that it is held against a glue application device located in the periphery of the vacuum transfer drum, for example, in order to prevent a collision with the glue application device, to an inner alternative position.

[0005] However, the known mechanisms or circuits for switching the suction bars of the vacuum transfer drum are too slow and sluggish, limit the productivity and capacity of the labeling unit or labeling machine and / or make the labeling unit or labeling machine extremely susceptible to collisions with moving away too slowly from the suction bars and to malfunctions of components of the labeling unit or of components of the labeling machine which are located in close proximity to the vacuum transfer drum. SUMMARY

[0006] Object

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a labeling unit or a labeling machine or a method for applying labels to containers, respectively, in particular with respect to the efficiency, performance, productivity, capacity, robustness and susceptibility to malfunctions of the labeling unit or labeling machine or of the labeling process.

[0008] Solution

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a labeling unit, by a labeling machine and by a method.

[0010] The exemplary labelling unit can comprise one, some or all of the following components or features, respectively:

[0011] • at least one unwinding device for unwinding a label web,

[0012] • at least one cutting unit for cutting the label web into individual labels,

[0013] • at least one vacuum transfer cylinder for transferring the labels to the containers, wherein the vacuum transfer cylinder can have a plurality of movable vacuum suction rods for suctioning, transporting and transferring the labels, wherein at least one vacuum suction rod can be associated with each label to be transported, respectively,

[0014] • at least one rod controller for controlling the movement of the vacuum suction rods, wherein the rod controller can comprise at least one control cam which interacts with at least one control roller of the vacuum suction rods, so that the movement of the respective vacuum suction rod can be controlled,

[0015] • and wherein the at least one vacuum suction rod associated with a label to be transported can be controlled by the control cam of the rod controller, or wherein all vacuum suction rods associated with a label to be transported can be controlled by the control cam of the rod controller.

[0016] The exemplary labelling unit can additionally comprise at least one glue application device for applying glue to the labels on the vacuum transfer cylinder before the labels are transferred to the containers.

[0017] The exemplary vacuum suction rod can also be referred to as vacuum rod or suction rod.

[0018] The exemplary rod controller can also be referred to as rod circuit.

[0019] Exactly one vacuum suction rod or at least one vacuum suction rod or a plurality of vacuum suction rods can be associated with a label to be transported.

[0020] The vacuum rod can be formed integrally or can also be formed from one part or from several parts.

[0021] For example, different regions or different parts of a single vacuum suction rod can be associated with different regions of a label, for example, a leading region of a label to be transported and / or an end region of a label to be transported and / or a middle region of a label to be transported.

[0022] It is also conceivable that at least two vacuum suction rods can be associated with one label / each label to be transported, and wherein one vacuum suction rod of the at least two vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can be configured for a leading region of the label to be transported / this label, and another vacuum suction rod of the at least two vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can be configured for a trailing region of the label to be transported / this label.

[0023] It is likewise conceivable that, for example, at least three vacuum suction rods can be associated with one label / each label to be transported, and wherein a vacuum suction rod of the at least three vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can be configured for a leading region of the label to be transported / this label, another vacuum suction rod of the at least three vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can be configured for a middle region of the label to be transported / this label, and another vacuum suction rod of the at least three vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can be configured for a trailing region of the label to be transported / this label.

[0024] These exemplary three vacuum suction rods can be referred to as, inter alia, a leading rod, a middle rod, and a trailing rod.

[0025] This can, inter alia, facilitate handling and processing of longer or wider labels compared to standard labels, since, for example, these labels can be better held on the vacuum transfer drum.

[0026] For example, labels having a height of between 20 and 260 mm and a length of between 120 and 700 mm can be processed with the labeling unit described herein or with the vacuum transfer drum described herein.

[0027] The exemplary vacuum suction rods, in particular the longitudinal axis of the exemplary vacuum suction rods, can be oriented or arranged parallel to or inclined to or orthogonal to the longitudinal axis or rotational axis of the vacuum transfer drum.

[0028] For example, a vacuum suction rod that is oriented or arranged inclined to or orthogonal to the longitudinal axis or rotational axis of the vacuum transfer drum and can be associated with a label to be transported can be oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the vacuum suction rod extends substantially over a part or a majority or the entire length of the label to be transported / this label.

[0029] It is also possible that, for example, the longitudinal axis of the exemplary vacuum suction bar of the vacuum transfer drum can be oriented or arranged substantially parallel or exactly parallel to the longitudinal axis or the axis of rotation of the vacuum transfer drum, so that the longitudinal axis of the vacuum suction bar can extend substantially over the entire width or height of the label / portion of the label to be transported.

[0030] As mentioned above, the vacuum suction bar is movable and the movement of the vacuum suction bar can be effected by a bar controller. The movement of the vacuum suction bar is to be understood as meaning the movement of the vacuum suction bar, respectively, in relation to the longitudinal axis or the axis of rotation of the vacuum transfer drum, in particular radially. In particular, the radial movement of the vacuum suction bar can occur between two different working positions or working supports of the vacuum suction bar. For example, the vacuum suction bar can each have an outer working position and an inner working position, wherein the radial distance of the vacuum suction bar from the longitudinal axis or the axis of rotation of the vacuum transfer drum is greater in the outer working position than in the inner working position.

[0031] The movement of the vacuum suction bar between the different exemplary working positions can also be referred to as switching the vacuum suction bar, in particular.

[0032] The outer working position can be understood, for example, as a suitable working position or initial position of the vacuum suction bar. For example, the vacuum suction bar can be elastically preloaded against a stop in the outer position. In the outer working position, the vacuum suction bar can, for example, guide the sucked label region against the glue roller of the glue application device and / or can receive the label and / or can press the label onto / against the container.

[0033] In contrast, the radially inwardly arranged inner working position can be understood as an alternative position of the vacuum suction bar.

[0034] The unloaded vacuum suction bar, i.e. the vacuum suction bar not in contact with a label or a label region, or not holding or transporting a label or a label region, can be temporarily switched to or switched back to the inner working position or the alternative position, respectively, for example, in order to avoid collisions with possible components along the periphery of the vacuum transfer drum.

[0035] The bar controller for controlling the movement or for switching the vacuum suction bar can comprise at least one control cam or lifting control cam, which interacts with at least one control roller or roller cam of the vacuum suction bar or with at least one control roller coupled to the vacuum suction bar, respectively, to control the movement or switching of the respective vacuum suction bar.

[0036] The or the exemplarily control cams can be arranged in a fixed position below the vacuum transfer drum, i.e. the control cams do not co-rotate with the vacuum transfer drum, but can be configured to be displaceable or switchable in their horizontal and / or vertical orientation or position.

[0037] In other words, the control cams can be switched into the travel path of the control rollers or roller cams of the vacuum suction bars, respectively (i.e. the control rollers pass by and contact the control cam / roller cam, and the vacuum suction bar is switched, for example), or switched out of the travel path of the control rollers or roller cams of the vacuum suction bars, respectively (i.e. the control cam passes by the control cam / roller cam without contact, and the vacuum suction bar is not switched, for example).

[0038] As mentioned above, the movement of the at least one vacuum suction bar associated with the label to be transported can be controlled by a control cam of the bar controller, or, respectively, all vacuum suction bars associated with the label to be transported can be controlled by a control cam of the bar controller.

[0039] In other words, all vacuum suction bars associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can be moved and controlled by a single control cam of the bar controller or by exactly one control cam of the bar controller, respectively.

[0040] Incidentally, this refers to a respective specific position or specific working area of the vacuum transfer drum or a respective specific point in time / specific time window, and does not exclude that one vacuum suction bar or all vacuum suction bars associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can also be controlled by another, different control cam of the bar controller at a different point in time / at a different position.

[0041] The number of vacuum suction bars associated with the label to be transported, respectively, can also be referred to as a group of vacuum suction bars or simply as a group of bars, wherein the exemplarily group, i.e. the group of vacuum suction bars or the group of bars, can comprise at least one vacuum suction bar.

[0042] In other words, for example, at a given position of the vacuum transfer drum, for example, in a specific working area or at a specific point in time / at a specific time window, the vacuum suction bars associated with the label to be transported, i.e. the bars of the group of bars, respectively, are never moved and controlled by more than one control cam.

[0043] Depending on the division of the vacuum transfer drum, the exemplarily vacuum transfer drum can have at least one or at least two, three, four, six or more groups of bars.

[0044] In other words, the exemplarily groups of vacuum suction bars or groups of bars can each be moved and controlled by a single control cam of the bar controller or by exactly one control cam of the bar controller, respectively.

[0045] The illustrative control cam or these illustrative control cams may be arranged along a partial circle. The illustrative control cam or these illustrative control cams may also be slidable themselves and optionally brought to a desired defined position along the illustrative partial circle. For example, the control cam may be slidably or pivotally mounted on a support plate. The control cam may be horizontally and / or vertically movable.

[0046] By eliminating the need for multiple control cams to control vacuum suction rods individually associated with the labels to be transported, the rod controller can be simplified and implemented more efficiently and quickly.

[0047] In particular, it can reduce the time required to switch vacuum suction rods, or correspondingly shorten the switching interval of vacuum suction rods.

[0048] Therefore, it is advantageous that the vacuum transfer cylinder can operate continuously at high rotational speeds without having to slow down or stop.

[0049] This increases production output compared to known labeling units or labeling machines.

[0050] For example, more than 11,000 labels per hour can be processed by either the labeling unit or the labeling machine described herein, wherein the vacuum transfer cylinder can rotate continuously, for example, at 3 revolutions per second or more.

[0051] In the labeling unit described herein, for example, at least two vacuum suction rods may be associated with each label to be transported.

[0052] Additionally, the lever controller may include, for example, at least two control cams that interact with at least one control roller of the vacuum suction lever so that the movement of the corresponding vacuum suction lever can be controlled.

[0053] At least one of the vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported may have at least two control rollers, which may be arranged in two different planes.

[0054] Additionally, at least one vacuum suction rod associated with the label to be transported, for example, the vacuum suction rod associated with a label to be transported / the leading area of ​​the label, may have only one control roller, which may be disposed in one of the two planes mentioned above.

[0055] Then, at least one control cam of the lever controller can be associated with a plane in which one of the at least two control rollers of the vacuum suction rod with at least two control rollers is disposed, and at least one control cam of the lever controller can be associated with a plane in which the second control roller of the vacuum suction rod with at least two control rollers is disposed.

[0056] Therefore, the at least one lever controller can be configured to control the movement of the at least two vacuum suction levers associated with the label to be transported via one of the at least two control cams.

[0057] Both control cams can be arranged on partial circles with the same radius, but in different planes and at different rotation angles of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0058] These different rotational angular positions of the vacuum transfer tube can be associated with, for example, different working areas of the vacuum transfer tube, such as the label pickup area, the label adhesive application area, and the label transfer area.

[0059] As described above, all vacuum suction rods associated with the label can be moved, controlled, or switched by individual control cams.

[0060] The advantage of using several planes is, in particular, that the vacuum suction rods associated with the label can be switched differently.

[0061] For example, a vacuum suction rod (lead rod) associated with the leading area of ​​the label may extend or switch to an outer working position when the label is transferred to the container or during the transfer, while a vacuum suction rod (middle rod or end rod) associated with the middle or end area of ​​the label may retract or switch to or switch back to an inner working position.

[0062] This can make the label transfer to the container more trouble-free, for example, by preventing the vacuum suction rod (e.g., the middle rod or the end rod) that is not associated with the label’s leading area from colliding with the container, and / or by preventing the vacuum suction rod that is not associated with the label’s leading area from getting entangled with the portion of the label that is applied to the container.

[0063] This is particularly advantageous when dealing with labels that are much longer than standard labels.

[0064] By using several planes for the control rollers or control cams respectively to control the vacuum suction rods associated with the labels to be transported, the rod controller can also be more efficient and faster, because it eliminates the need for unnecessary adjustments or shifts to the control cams to switch vacuum suction rods.

[0065] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the labeling unit or the lever controller described herein each includes at least two control cams, which can be arranged on two different partial circles with different radii, in particular, for example, at least one control cam arranged on the inner partial circle and at least one control cam arranged on the outer partial circle, wherein the radius of the outer partial circle is greater than the radius of the inner partial circle.

[0066] Then, some circles may have a common center point, which may be set, for example, on the longitudinal axis or the rotation axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder, or on the extension line of the longitudinal axis or the rotation axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0067] Optionally, the control rollers or control cam rollers of the vacuum suction rods associated with the label, or the control rollers or roller cams of the set of vacuum suction rods described above or herein, may be / are associated with the illustrative inner or outer portion circle of the control cam, such that the control rollers or roller cams of the set of vacuum suction rods or vacuum suction rods associated with the label may optionally interact with the control cam tread on the illustrative inner or outer portion circle so that they can be controlled or switched in this manner.

[0068] Then, this association of the control rollers of the vacuum suction rods associated with the label, or the association of the control rollers of a set of vacuum suction rods with the illustrative partial circle, can be fixed, variable, or switchable, for example, so that the control rollers of a set of vacuum suction rods can be associated with a specific partial circle depending on the operating configuration.

[0069] In other words, different sets of vacuum suction rods or different sets of rods can be switched and controlled separately by different control cams along different partial circles or on different partial circles, for example, along an inner partial circle / the inner partial circle and / or an outer partial circle / the outer partial circle.

[0070] This can also help allow the vacuum suction rod to be switched faster or more flexibly, especially to switch the vacuum suction rod back or forth more quickly to avoid collisions with components in the peripheral working area of ​​the labeling unit.

[0071] Therefore, the labeling unit can operate faster, thus achieving higher performance and capabilities for the labeling unit.

[0072] The labeling unit described above or in this article may include, for example, at least two pairs of control cams, wherein the control cams of a pair of control cams are disposed on different partial circles, for example, disposed on an inner partial circle or on an outer partial circle.

[0073] The control cams in a pair of control cams can, for example, be set or arranged in the same plane.

[0074] For example, the control cams in a pair of control cams can be set relative to each other.

[0075] The illustrative possible common plane of the control cams in a pair of control cams may correspond to at least one control roller of at least one of the vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported, which may be disposed in one of the planes.

[0076] The labeling unit described above or herein may have, for example, a first pair of control cams located in a first plane and a second pair of control cams located in a second plane, wherein the second plane may be different from the first plane, and wherein the second plane may correspond to at least one control roller of at least one of the vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported may be disposed in one of the planes / the plane.

[0077] The illustrative control cam or the illustrative pair of control cams can be associated with different working areas of the labeling unit or with different rotational angle positions of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0078] An illustrative labeling unit may have various components for manipulating and processing labels, which may be positioned, for example, along or near the periphery of a rotating vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0079] In particular, the labeling unit may include, for example, an adhesive application device for applying adhesive to a label on a vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0080] Then, a possible illustrative first pair of control cams may be associated with, for example, the working area of ​​an adhesive application device, while a possible illustrative second pair of control cams may be associated with another different working area, such as a working area for transferring labels to containers.

[0081] For example, if the rotating vacuum transfer cylinder is within a predetermined rotational position range, or if the vacuum suction rod of the rotating vacuum transfer cylinder associated with the label is within a predetermined rotational position range, the illustrative control roller of the vacuum suction rod described herein may interact with corresponding associated and correspondingly arranged control cams or pairs of control cams to switch the vacuum suction rod associated with the label, or to switch a set of rods associated with the label, for example, to retract one or more vacuum suction rods or to switch one or more vacuum suction rods back.

[0082] Depending on the label format and / or the type of container and / or the distance between the container flow fed to the labeling unit to apply the label and adjacent containers and / or the label loading onto the vacuum transfer cylinder, the vacuum suction rod can be quickly controlled, for example, quickly switched out, in order to prevent, in particular, the vacuum suction rod from colliding with components near the periphery of the vacuum transfer cylinder, and / or to prevent the rotational rate or speed of the vacuum transfer cylinder from slowing down, so that the labeling unit can operate at full performance and maximum speed.

[0083] The illustrative control cams and / or pairs of control cams described above and in this article may slide in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis or the axis of rotation of the vacuum transfer cylinder, and / or may slide in the vertical direction parallel to the longitudinal axis or the axis of rotation of the vacuum transfer cylinder, respectively.

[0084] This makes it particularly easy for the labeling unit to adapt to different label formats, different container formats, and / or different distances between containers to be labeled.

[0085] The labeling unit described above and herein may further include, for example, a vacuum transfer cylinder, which may have at least two sets of vacuum suction rods respectively associated with different labels to be transported, wherein each set may include at least one vacuum suction rod, and wherein the set of vacuum suction rods may be controlled by control cams located on different partial circles.

[0086] This can also help enable more efficient, faster, and less delayed control or switching of the vacuum suction rod associated with the tag.

[0087] As described above, for example, the control cams may be set on the inner or outer partial circles, respectively, wherein the radius of the outer partial circle is larger than the radius of the inner partial circle.

[0088] For example, adjacent or consecutive vacuum suction rods or vacuum suction rod groups associated with the label can be alternately controlled or switched by control cams located on the inner or outer partial circles.

[0089] For example, it is conceivable that a first set of vacuum suction rods with a first label is switched or controlled by a first control cam on a first partial circle (e.g., an inner partial circle / the inner partial circle), a second set of vacuum suction rods with a second label is switched or controlled by a second control cam on a second partial circle (e.g., an outer partial circle / the outer partial circle), and a third set of vacuum suction rods with a third label is again switched or controlled by a first control cam on a first partial circle (e.g., an outer partial circle / the outer partial circle).

[0090] For completeness, it should be noted that the term "vacuum suction rod or vacuum suction rod assembly associated with a label" should be understood to mean only that all of these vacuum suction rods or vacuum suction rod assemblies can manipulate or load labels, and does not mean that every vacuum suction rod or vacuum suction rod assembly associated with a label is loaded / must be loaded with a label.

[0091] Therefore, the concept of a vacuum suction rod or vacuum suction rod assembly being associated with a label only includes the following options: a label or no label (i.e., a gap) can be associated with a vacuum suction rod or vacuum suction rod assembly.

[0092] For example, depending on the number and size of possible gaps in the container flow of the container to be labeled that can be fed to the labeling unit, optionally, the vacuum suction rod or vacuum suction rod assembly that can be associated with the label may not be loaded with the label.

[0093] An illustrative labeling machine may have a labeling unit with one, some or all of the above features, and may additionally have, for example, a conveyor with container sockets for transporting containers, particularly containers to be labeled or containers already labeled, respectively.

[0094] An illustrative conveyor can be constructed as a linear machine or a rotating machine.

[0095] An illustrative method for applying labels to a container, wherein the labels are transferred to a labeling unit / vacuum transfer cylinder of the labeling unit, affixed therein, and conveyed by a vacuum suction rod, wherein at least one vacuum suction rod or a group of vacuum suction rods may be associated with each label to be conveyed, and wherein the at least one vacuum suction rod may have at least one control roller, the illustrative method may include one, some, or all of the following steps.

[0096] The movement of the at least one vacuum suction rod is controlled by at least one lever controller, wherein the lever controller may include at least one control cam that interacts with at least one control roller of the vacuum suction rod to control the movement of the corresponding vacuum suction rod.

[0097] • And wherein, at least one vacuum suction rod associated with the label to be transported may be controlled by a control cam of a rod controller, or wherein all vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported may be controlled by a control cam of a rod controller, or wherein a group of vacuum suction rods associated with each label may be individually controlled by a control cam of a rod controller.

[0098] As described above, all vacuum suction rods, or a group of vacuum suction rods associated with or potentially associated with the label to be transported, can be moved, controlled, or switched by a rod controller, a control cam of the rod controller, or exactly one control cam of the rod controller.

[0099] In particular, each label to be transported by the vacuum transfer cylinder may be associated with at least two vacuum suction rods, or with a corresponding set of vacuum suction rods with at least two vacuum suction rods, wherein at least one of the vacuum suction rods associated with the label to be transported may have at least two control rollers that can be arranged in two different planes.

[0100] The illustrative lever controller may include at least two control cams, the at least one of which interacts with at least one control roller of the vacuum suction lever to control or switch the movement of the corresponding vacuum suction lever.

[0101] At least one control cam of the lever controller may be associated with a plane in which one of the at least two control rollers of the vacuum suction lever having at least two control rollers may be disposed.

[0102] Additionally, at least one control cam of the lever controller may also be associated with a plane in which the second of the at least two control rollers of the vacuum suction lever having at least two control rollers may be disposed.

[0103] An illustrative lever controller can control the movement of the at least two vacuum suction levers associated with the label to be transported via one of the at least two control cams.

[0104] For example, vacuum suction rods, each associated with a different label to be transported, can be controlled by control cams located on different partial circles.

[0105] For example, at least one control cam can be arranged on the inner partial circle, and at least one control cam can be arranged on the outer partial circle, wherein the radius of the outer partial circle is greater than the radius of the inner partial circle.

[0106] Then, some circles may have a common center point, which may be set, for example, on the longitudinal axis or the rotation axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder, or on the extension line of the longitudinal axis or the rotation axis of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0107] Therefore, for example, vacuum suction rods or vacuum suction rod assemblies associated with different labels to be transported can be alternately controlled by control cams on different partial circles.

[0108] For example, adjacent or consecutive vacuum suction rods or vacuum suction rod assemblies associated with the label can be alternately controlled or switched by control cams on the inner or outer partial circles.

[0109] For example, it is conceivable that a first set of vacuum suction rods with a first label is switched or controlled by a first control cam on a first partial circle (e.g., an inner partial circle / the inner partial circle), a second set of vacuum suction rods with a second label is switched or controlled by a second control cam on a second partial circle (e.g., an outer partial circle / the outer partial circle), and a third set of vacuum suction rods with a third label is again switched or controlled by a first control cam on a first partial circle (e.g., an outer partial circle / the outer partial circle).

[0110] Alternatively, vacuum suction rods or groups of vacuum suction rods, which may be associated with different labels to be transported, may be controlled by control cams in at least one pair of control cams, wherein the control cams in the at least one pair of control cams may be set on different partial circles.

[0111] In an illustrative case, the control rollers of vacuum suction rods or vacuum suction rod assemblies that can be associated with, for example, adjacent labels or label positions or gaps on a vacuum transfer cylinder, can be alternately arranged on / along illustratively different partial circles on which control cams are set, such that vacuum suction rods or vacuum suction rod assemblies that can be associated with labels or gaps respectively can always be switched by a single control cam.

[0112] The vacuum suction rod assemblies, which can be associated with different labels or gaps to be transported, may each have, for example, a lead rod, an end rod, and optionally at least one intermediate rod.

[0113] The illustrative labeling unit, illustrative labeling machine, and illustrative method for applying labels to containers described herein offer numerous advantages over known prior art.

[0114] For example, regardless of the label format, such as, in particular, the label length, and / or the container format and / or the gap between the containers to be labeled in the container flow, and / or whether all vacuum suction rods or all vacuum suction rod groups are individually loaded with labels or label areas, or only some vacuum suction rods or only some vacuum suction rod groups are individually loaded with labels or label areas, and / or regardless of the provided label inflow, the vacuum transfer cylinder can operate at maximum rotational speed or maximum rotation rate because the vacuum suction rods can always be switched out and switched quickly enough, and for example, the vacuum transfer cylinder does not need to decelerate, thus preventing extended vacuum suction rods / unswitched-back vacuum suction rods from colliding with components / units (e.g., adhesive application devices) along the periphery of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0115] This can particularly improve the performance of the labeling unit and minimize the risk of damage to the labeling unit.

[0116] Compared to conventional techniques for switching vacuum suction rods, the labeling unit described in this paper, by way of example, is particularly effective in avoiding unnecessary and cumbersome movement of the control cam to enable the desired switching operation of the vacuum suction rod. Attached Figure Description

[0117] Further illustrative aspects of the invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0118] Figure 1 An illustrative labeling machine is shown in a schematic top view.

[0119] Figure 2 An illustrative labeling unit is shown.

[0120] Figure 3 An illustrative perspective side view of a vacuum transfer cylinder is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0121] Figure 1 An illustrative labeling unit 1 is shown by way of example. The labeling unit 1 includes a vacuum transfer cylinder 2 and an adhesive application device 3 arranged statically in the periphery of the vacuum transfer cylinder 2.

[0122] Furthermore, examples of possible feed rollers 4 and cutting units 5 are schematically indicated, through which labels 6 can be separated from label strips 7 arranged in a ring on a label roll in a known manner and transferred to vacuum transfer cylinder 2.

[0123] Label 6 can be held at the vacuum transfer cylinder 2 by a vacuum suction rod (not shown) in the manner described above and below, and, for example, successively contact the glue roller 3a formed on the glue unit 3 for applying glue, to continuously apply the label.

[0124] The label 6, to which glue has been applied, can then be transferred to the container 9 to which the label is to be applied in the area of ​​the continuously rotating container turntable 8.

[0125] The labeling unit 1 and the labeling turntable 8 or conveyor 8 may be part of a labeling machine 10 formed, for example, in the lateral body region, for example, to label a container 9 that is clamped in a centered manner on a rotating plate 8a in the full circumference.

[0126] Figure 2 A schematic top view of a labeling machine / a labeling unit of the illustrative labeling machine 10 / a vacuum transfer cylinder of the illustrative labeling unit 1 / the illustrative vacuum transfer cylinder 2 is shown by way of example, wherein the labeling machine can be connected to... Figure 1 The labeling machine is similar or identical to the labeling machine and may include, for example, a conveyor 8 having a rotating plate 8a to receive a container that can be fed to the labeling unit; an adhesive application device 3; and a cutting unit 5.

[0127] For clarity, the label and vacuum transfer cylinder 2, or the vacuum suction rod or control cam of the vacuum transfer cylinder 2 that may make observation difficult or obstruct observation of the vacuum transfer cylinder 2, are not shown.

[0128] The vacuum transfer cylinder 2 can rotate about its longitudinal axis or rotation axis 13, for example, counterclockwise.

[0129] The vacuum transfer cylinder 2 has, for example, six different groups of vacuum suction rods or rod groups 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, each group including, for example, three vacuum suction rods. That is, rod group 16 includes, for example, three vacuum suction rods 16a, 16b, 16c, wherein one rod / rod 16a can be associated with the leading area of ​​the label, i.e., a leading suction rod 16a; one rod / rod 16b can be associated with the middle area of ​​the label, i.e., a middle suction rod 16b; and one rod / rod 16c can be associated with the ending area of ​​the label, i.e., an ending suction rod 16c.

[0130] Similarly, lever assemblies 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 may each have, for example, vacuum suction levers 17a, 17b, 17c (lever assembly 17), 18a, 18b, 18c (lever assembly 18), 19a, 19b, 19c (suction lever assembly 19), 20a, 20b, 20c (lever assembly 20), and 21a, 21b, 21c (lever assembly 21), wherein reference numerals a, b, and c (as previously for lever assembly 16) may refer to the corresponding leading suction lever (a), intermediate suction lever (b), and end suction lever (c) of the respective lever assembly.

[0131] For example, if the vacuum transfer cylinder 2 is fully loaded with labels, that is, if each lever group carries or is in contact with a label, a maximum of six labels can be manipulated and processed simultaneously by the vacuum transfer cylinder 2. However, it is also conceivable that not all lever groups or not all vacuum suction levers are individually occupied / loaded or filled with labels, that is, for example, the vacuum transfer cylinder may therefore carry or process fewer than six labels.

[0132] For example, it is conceivable that only rod groups 16, 18, 20 or only rod groups 17, 19, 21 are filled with labels, for example, to take into account the gaps or distances between containers (not shown) in the flow of containers to be processed. For example, only every other rotating plate 8a of conveyor 8 can be loaded with containers to be labeled.

[0133] Each vacuum suction rod may be movable to perform radial movement relative to the axis of rotation 13, and may have at least one control roller or be correspondingly coupled to at least one control roller, the at least one control roller interacting with at least one control cam so that the movement of the vacuum suction rod can be controlled.

[0134] In the example shown, the illustrative control rollers are identified by the reference numerals aa, cc, and bb to indicate the association between the control rollers and the corresponding vacuum suction rods.

[0135] For example, reference numeral 16aa indicates the control roller of vacuum suction rod 16a in rod assembly 16, reference numeral 16bb indicates the control roller of vacuum suction rod 16b in rod assembly 16, and reference numeral 16cc indicates the control roller of vacuum suction rod 16c in rod assembly 16.

[0136] Correspondingly, reference numerals 17aa, 17bb, and 17cc represent illustrative control rollers of the vacuum suction rod of rod group 17; reference numerals 18aa, 18bb, and 18cc represent illustrative control rollers of the vacuum suction rod of rod group 18; reference numerals 19aa, 19bb, and 19cc represent illustrative control rollers of the vacuum suction rod of rod group 19; reference numerals 20aa, 20bb, and 20cc represent illustrative control rollers of the vacuum suction rod of rod group 20; and reference numerals 21aa, 21bb, and 21cc represent illustrative control rollers of the vacuum suction rod of rod group 21.

[0137] It should be emphasized that, due to Figure 2 The perspective view does not show or makes visible any other possible control rollers associated with the vacuum suction rod, which are located in another plane, for example, in a plane below the plane of the control rollers that are drawn in a visible manner. In this respect, refer to Figure 3 An illustrative three-dimensional side perspective view.

[0138] For example, it is also shown that the control roller of the vacuum suction rod of the rod assembly can be associated with different illustrative partial circles 14, 15, such as outer partial circle 14 and inner partial circle 15.

[0139] Exemplary control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b may be arranged or positioned on or along partial circles 14 and 15. These control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b are arranged as control cam pairs by way of example, wherein control cam pair 11 is associated with control cams 11a and 11b by way of example, and control cam pair 12 is associated with control cams 12a and 12b by way of example.

[0140] Illustrative control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b or control cam pair 11, 12 can be positioned below the rotating vacuum transfer cylinder 2.

[0141] The illustrative control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b or control cam pair 11, 12 themselves may be movable and optionally moved / slid to a position on / along partial circles 14, 15.

[0142] For example, control cam 12a can be moved from a position on the inner portion circle 15 to a position set to be further inward than the radius of the inner portion circle 15, and control cam 12b can be moved from a position on the outer portion circle 14 to a position set to be further outward than the radius of the outer portion circle 14.

[0143] Control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b or control cam pairs 11, 12 can be associated with different working areas 22, 23. In this example, control cams 11a, 11b of control cam pair 11 are associated, for example, with working area 22 of a container (not shown) for transferring labels onto a rotating plate 8a of conveyor 8, and control cams 12a, 12b of control cam pair 12 are associated, for example, with working area 23 of adhesive application device 3.

[0144] As shown in the figure, the control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b of a pair of control cams 11 and 12 can be arranged opposite to each other on different partial circles 14 and 15 and are all arranged in a common plane.

[0145] However, it is possible that the control cams 11 and 12 can be set in different planes.

[0146] For example, the control cam pair 12 associated with the working area of ​​the glue application device 3 can be set on a different plane than the control cam pair 11 associated with the working area 22 for transferring the label to the container.

[0147] Furthermore, for perspective purposes, the control cam or the control cam pair with cams 11 and 12 are positioned on these different possible planes respectively. Figure 2 It is invisible in the middle. In this respect, also refer to... Figure 3 An illustrative three-dimensional side perspective view.

[0148] The plane on which the control cam pair 11, 12 is set can correspond to at least one plane in which at least one control roller 16aa, 16bb, 16cc, 17aa, 17bb, 17cc, 18aa, 18bb, 18cc, 19aa, 19bb, 19cc, 20aa, 20bb, 20cc, 21aa, 21bb, 21cc of at least one of the vacuum suction rods associated with a tag to be transported from one of the rod groups 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21, is set, such that due to the interaction of the at least one control roller of the vacuum suction rod with the control cam of the control cam pair 11, 12, the corresponding vacuum suction rod can therefore switch as the control roller travels on or along the control cam due to the rotation of the vacuum transfer cylinder.

[0149] Therefore, an illustrative lever controller for controlling / switching the movement of a vacuum suction lever may include at least one control cam, such as control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, which interact with at least one control roller of the vacuum suction lever to control or switch the movement of the corresponding vacuum suction lever (e.g., 16a, 16b, 16c, 17a, 17b, 17c, 18a, 18b, 18c, 19a, 19b, 19c, 20a, 20b, 20c, 21a, 21b, or 21c).

[0150] In the illustrative case shown, the vacuum suction rods of levers 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 are alternately associated with control cams on different partial circles. This association is merely an example and can be modified. For example, because the control rollers of the vacuum suction rods of the levers can be switched / reconstructed to interact with control cams on different partial circles, lever 16 can, for example, be switched via control cams / multiple control cams on the outer partial circle 14 instead of control cams / multiple control cams on the inner partial circle 15.

[0151] It should be emphasized that the number of lever groups, the number of vacuum suction rods within a lever group, the division of lever groups and vacuum suction rods within a lever group, and the association of lever groups with partial circles or control cams or a pair of control cams, are merely illustrative examples. Other divisions or numbers of lever groups or vacuum suction rods, and other numbers of control cams or control cam pairs, are also possible. For example, a lever group may specifically include only two vacuum suction rods, such as only a lead suction rod and a tail suction rod; that is, for example, an intermediate suction rod may be omitted.

[0152] It is also conceivable that more than two planes are used for the control cam, and more than two control rollers are used for each vacuum suction rod in more than two planes.

[0153] Due to the interaction between the lever controller or the control roller and the control cam, the vacuum suction rod can switch between the outer working position and the inner working position. The radial distance of the vacuum suction rod from the longitudinal axis or the rotation axis 13 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 2 in the outer working position is greater than the radial distance of the vacuum suction rod from the longitudinal axis or the rotation axis 13 of the vacuum transfer cylinder 2 in the inner working position.

[0154] An illustrative possible construction of labeling unit 1 can be described as follows.

[0155] • The leading suction rods 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, and 21a have control rollers, wherein all the control rollers of the leading suction rods are arranged in the same plane.

[0156] • The intermediate suction rods 16b, 17b, 18b, 19b, 20b, 21b and the end suction rods 16c, 17c, 18c, 19c, 20c, 21c each have two control rollers disposed in two different planes, wherein one of the two planes is the same as the plane in which the roller of the leading suction rod is disposed.

[0157] • The initial position of this / all vacuum suction rods that do not interact with the control cam is the extended position / outer working position.

[0158] • No control cam is arranged in the working area 24 of the cutting rotor 24. In this working area, the label can be received by the vacuum transfer cylinder 2.

[0159] • In particular, the following illustrative cases can be distinguished at the working area 23 of the adhesive application device 3:

[0160] Scenario 1: The pole group set in working area 23 is occupied by a label / loaded with a label.

[0161] All vacuum suction rods in the rod group in working area 23 are either in the outer working position or in the inner working position.

[0162] The control cams 12a and 12b in the working area 23 can move away from or switch out of the path of the control roller, that is, the control roller passes through the control cams 12a and 12b without contact, or the control cams 12a and 12b can be set in the path of the control roller, that is, positioned on / switched to part of the circle 14 or 15.

[0163] Scenario 2: The lever group in working area 23 is not occupied by a label / is loaded with a label. All control cams 12a and 12b in working area 23 are moved / switched into the path of the control roller, i.e., control cams 12a and 12b are on their associated partial circles 14 or 15. Therefore, all vacuum suction levers in the lever group in working area 23 are retracted, i.e., in the inner working position. For example, this prevents unloaded vacuum suction levers from being contaminated with glue. Depending on which partial circles 14 or 15 the control roller of the lever group in working area 23 is set on, the end suction lever and the middle suction lever are controlled or switched by the inner partial circle control cam 12a or by the outer partial circle control cam 12b.

[0164] • Similar distinctions can be made between the following situations at work area 22 / label transfer location to container transfer location.

[0165] Scenario 1: The pole group set in working area 22 is occupied by a label / loaded with a label.

[0166] The lead suction rod in the rod assembly in the working area 22 is in and maintained in the outer working position because the control roller of the lead suction rod is set on a different plane than the plane in which the control cams 11a and 11b are set.

[0167] The end suction rod and intermediate suction rod in the rod assembly located in working area 22 retract / retract because one of the corresponding control rollers of the end suction rod or intermediate suction rod is located on the same plane as the plane in which control cams 11a, 11b are located. Depending on which part circle 14, 15 the control roller of the rod assembly located in working area 22 is located on, the end suction rod and intermediate suction rod are controlled or switched by the inner part circle control cam 11a or by the outer part circle control cam 11b.

[0168] Case 2: The lever assembly in working area 22 is not occupied by a label / has a label on it, which is no different from Case 1. The vacuum levers in the lever assembly in working area 22 switch as in Case 1. In particular, for example, the arrangement and position of control cams 11a and 11b can remain unchanged. In other words, control cams 11a and 11b do not need to be moved / switched. For example, the control cams can only be fixed once at the start of operation, and can only be changed during the conversion process as needed, for example, when changing products.

[0169] Figure 3 A perspective side view of a labeling machine / a labeling unit of the labeling machine 10 / a vacuum transfer cylinder of the labeling unit 1 / the vacuum transfer cylinder 2 is shown by way of example, wherein the vacuum transfer cylinder 2, the labeling unit 1, and the labeling machine 10 can be used with a previous Figure 1 and Figure 2 The vacuum transfer tube, labeling unit, and labeling machine are the same as or similar.

[0170] This illustrative perspective side view advantageously allows for better illustration. Figure 2 Different control rollers and control cams or control cam pairs of the labeling unit 1 are set in the aforementioned different planes 26, 27.

[0171] Figure 3 It shows the relationship with Figure 2 An illustrative rotational position of the same vacuum transfer cylinder 2, wherein, for example, the rod assembly 16 (including vacuum suction rods 16a, 16b, 16c) is positioned in the working area 22, i.e., the label transfer area from the vacuum transfer cylinder 2 to a container (not shown) that may be set on a rotating plate 8 of, for example, a conveyor 8.

[0172] The lever assembly 18 (including vacuum suction levers 18a, 18b, 18c) is, for example, arranged in the working area 23, i.e., where glue can be applied to the area of ​​the label (not shown) by a glue application device / glue application device 3.

[0173] The lever assembly 17 (including vacuum suction levers 17a, 17b, 17c) is positioned, for example, between the working areas 23, 22, and allows unobstructed view of the illustrative control rollers of the lever assembly 17.

[0174] As can be seen, for example, the leading suction rod 17a has (only) one control roller 17aa in the illustrative plane 26, while the intermediate suction rod 17b and the end suction rod 17c each have two control rollers 17bb, 17bbb or 17cc, 17ccc, respectively, wherein one of the two corresponding control rollers of the intermediate suction rod 17b and the end suction rod 17c is in the same plane 26 as the control roller 17aa of the leading suction rod 17a.

[0175] Therefore, control rollers 17aa, 17bb, and 17cc are in the same plane 26, while control rollers 17bbb and 17ccc of the intermediate suction rod 17b and the end suction rod 17c are both located in plane 27, which is different from plane 26 where the control roller 17aa of the leading suction rod 17a is located. For example, plane 26 is located above plane 27 with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0176] However, this arrangement is only an example, and it is also conceivable that, for example, plane 26 could be positioned below plane 27, or, for example, the control roller 17aa of the lead suction rod 17a could be positioned in the lower / lowest plane.

[0177] Also shown and illustrated by way of example for the lever assembly 17 are illustrative lever-type control roller switching mechanisms 25a, 25b, and 25c, which allow the control rollers of the vacuum suction rod to move or switch back and forth between different partial circles, for example, between the inner partial circle 15 and the outer partial circle 14.

[0178] Then, the illustrative control roller switching mechanism can simultaneously move all the control rollers of the vacuum suction rod.

[0179] In the illustrative configuration shown, the control rollers 17aa, 17bb, 17bbb, 17cc, and 17ccc of the lever group 17 are arranged on the outer portion circle 14, that is, all the control rollers of the lever group 17 travel along the outer portion circle 14, while the control rollers of the lever groups 16 and 18 move along the inner portion circle 15.

[0180] For clarity, only the control roller 18aa of the lead suction rod 18a in the lever group 18 is indicated by reference numerals, while the control rollers 16aa of the lead suction rod 16a in the lever group 16, as well as the control rollers 16bb, 16bb, 16cc and 16ccc of the intermediate suction rod 16b and the end suction rod 16c, are indicated by reference numerals.

[0181] Figure 3 The perspective view also allows for the illustration of illustrative spatial arrangements of control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b arranged in an exemplary manner below the vacuum transfer cylinder 2, or correspondingly, control cam pairs 11 (including control cams 11a, 11b) and control cam pairs 12 (including control cams 12a, 12b).

[0182] The control cams 11a and 11b of the control cam pair 11 are arranged opposite each other on partial circles 14 and 15, wherein the control cam 11a can be arranged on the partial circle 15, i.e. the inner partial circle 15, while the control cam 11b can be arranged on the partial circle 14, i.e. the outer partial circle 15.

[0183] For example, the two control cams 11a and 11b are both set in the same plane, which in this example is plane 27. In this plane, the second control rollers of the intermediate and end suction rods in the vacuum transfer cylinder's rod assembly are similarly arranged, i.e., for example, control rollers 17bbb, 17ccc (rod assembly 17), 16bbb, and 16ccc (rod assembly 16). The second control rollers of the intermediate and end suction rods in rod assemblies 18, 19, 20, and 21 are also set in plane 27, but because... Figure 3 The perspective is not visible / not shown.

[0184] The control cams 12a and 12b of the control cam pair 12 are arranged opposite each other on partial circles 14 and 15, wherein the control cam 12a may be arranged on the partial circle 15, i.e. the inner partial circle 15, while the control cam 12b may be arranged on the partial circle 14, i.e. the outer partial circle 15.

[0185] The control cams 12a and 12b are similarly arranged in a common / same plane (i.e., arranged above plane 27 / parallel to plane 27 in plane 26).

[0186] Therefore, the control cams 12a and 12b can share plane 26 with the upper control rollers of the vacuum suction rod, that is, share the plane with the corresponding individual control rollers of the leading suction rods 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, and 21a (i.e., control rollers 16aa, 17aa, 18aa, 19aa, 20aa, and 21aa), and each share the plane with the upper control rollers of the intermediate suction rod and the end suction rod (i.e., control rollers 16bb, 17bb, 18bb, 19bb, 20bb, 21bb and 16cc, 17cc, 18cc, 19cc, 20cc, and 21cc).

[0187] In the illustrative configuration of the labeling unit 1 shown, the vacuum rods in the lever groups 16, 18, and 20 can be controlled or switched by control cams 11a and 12a along the inner circle 15 / on the inner circle 15, and the vacuum rods in the lever groups 17, 19, and 21 can be controlled or switched by control cams 11b and 12b along the outer circle 14 / on the outer circle 14.

[0188] Those vacuum suction rods having control rollers disposed in plane 26 can be controlled or switched by control cams 12a, 12b of control cam pair 12, and those vacuum suction rods having control rollers disposed in plane 27 can be controlled or switched by control cams 11a, 11b of control cam pair 11.

[0189] In other words, the intermediate suction rod and the end suction rod of the vacuum suction rod assembly can be controlled or switched by the control cam of control cam pair 11 and the control cam of control cam pair 12, because the intermediate suction rod and the end suction rod in all vacuum suction rod assemblies can each set the control roller in plane 26 and the control roller in plane 27.

[0190] In the example shown, on the other hand, the lead suction rods in the vacuum suction rod assembly can each be controlled or switched by only one control cam of the control cam pair 12, because the lead suction rods in the vacuum suction rod assembly have only a single control roller, for example, that is only set in the plane 26.

[0191] As described above, the control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b or the control cam pairs 11, 12 are themselves movable or slidable and correspondingly adjustable. For example, the control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b or the control cam pairs 11, 12 can be mounted on movable support plates 28a, 28b, 29a, through which the control cams 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b or the control cam pairs 11, 12 can be moved / adjusted / switched horizontally and / or vertically.

[0192] Possible motion mechanisms or switching mechanisms for moving the control cam may also include, for example, electromagnetic or hydraulic switching drives. The switching mechanism for moving the control cam 11b is indicated, for example, by reference numeral 30 in the accompanying drawings.

[0193] Therefore, the control cam can be selectively moved into partial circles 14, 15 and / or planes 26, 27 to establish contact with the control roller of the vacuum suction rod (which rotates together with the vacuum transfer cylinder) so as to control / switch the vacuum suction rod according to the desired operating configuration of the labeling unit.

[0194] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that, for the sake of clarity, Figure 2 Only some of the figure labels in the original text were transferred.

[0195] It is accompanied by a picture. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The three pages.

[0196] The reference numerals in the attached figures are assigned as follows:

[0197] 1 Labeling unit

[0198] 2 Vacuum Transfer Cylinder

[0199] 3. Adhesive application device / adhesive unit

[0200] 4 feed rollers

[0201] 5 cutting units / cutting rotor

[0202] 6 tags

[0203] 7 Labels

[0204] 7a Label Strip Unfolding Device

[0205] 8 conveyors / container turntables / labeling turntables

[0206] 8a Rotary plate for receiving containers

[0207] 9 containers

[0208] 10 Labeling Machine

[0209] 11 Illustrative (First) Control Cam Pair

[0210] 11a Illustrative Control Cam

[0211] 11b Illustrative Control Cam

[0212] 12 Illustrative (Second) Control Cam Pair

[0213] 12a Illustrative Control Cam

[0214] 12b Illustrative Control Cam

[0215] 13 illustrative axes of rotation / longitudinal axes

[0216] 14. Illustrative (first) partial circle, illustrative outer partial circle

[0217] 15. Illustrative (Second) Part Circle, Illustrative Inner Part Circle

[0218] 16 Illustrative (First) Suction Rod Assembly / Rod Assembly

[0219] 16a Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / Lead Suction Rod / Lead Rod

[0220] 16b Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / Intermediate Suction Rod / Intermediate Rod

[0221] 16c Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / End Suction Rod / End Rod

[0222] 16aa Exemplary Control Cam

[0223] 16bb illustrative control cam

[0224] 16BBB Illustrative Control Cam

[0225] 16cc illustrative control cam

[0226] 16cc illustrative control cam

[0227] 17. Illustrative (Second) Suction Rod Assembly / Rod Assembly

[0228] 17a Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / Lead Suction Rod / Lead Rod

[0229] 17b Illustrative Vacuum Suction Rod / Intermediate Suction Rod / Intermediate Rod

[0230] 17c Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / End Suction Rod / End Rod

[0231] 17aa Exemplary Control Cam

[0232] 17aa Exemplary Control Cam

[0233] 17bbb Illustrative Control Cam

[0234] 17cc Exemplary Control Cam

[0235] 17ccc Exemplary Control Cam

[0236] 18. Illustrative (Third) Suction Rod Assembly / Rod Assembly

[0237] 18a Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / Lead Suction Rod / Lead Rod

[0238] 18b Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / Intermediate Suction Rod / Intermediate Rod

[0239] 18c Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / End Suction Rod / End Rod

[0240] 18aa Exemplary Control Cam

[0241] 18bb illustrative control cam

[0242] 18cc illustrative control cam

[0243] 19. Illustrative (Fourth) Suction Rod Assembly / Rod Assembly

[0244] 19a Illustrative Vacuum Suction Rod / Lead Suction Rod / Lead Rod

[0245] 19b Illustrative Vacuum Suction Rod / Intermediate Suction Rod / Intermediate Rod

[0246] 19c Illustrative Vacuum Suction Rod / End Suction Rod / End Rod

[0247] 19aa Illustrative control cam

[0248] 19bb Illustrative Control Cam

[0249] 19cc illustrative control cam

[0250] 20. Illustrative (Fifth) Suction Rod Assembly / Rod Assembly

[0251] 20a Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / Lead Suction Rod / Lead Rod

[0252] 20b Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / Intermediate Suction Rod / Intermediate Rod

[0253] 20c Exemplary Vacuum Suction Rod / End Suction Rod / End Rod

[0254] 20aa Exemplary Control Cam

[0255] 20bb illustrative control cam

[0256] 20cc illustrative control cam

[0257] 21. Illustrative Example (Sixth) Suction Rod Assembly / Rod Assembly

[0258] 21a Illustrative Vacuum Suction Rod / Lead Suction Rod / Lead Rod

[0259] 21b Illustrative Vacuum Suction Rod / Intermediate Suction Rod / Intermediate Rod

[0260] 21c Illustrative Vacuum Suction Rod / End Suction Rod / End Rod

[0261] 21aa Illustrative control cam

[0262] 21bb Illustrative Control Cam

[0263] 21cc illustrative control cam

[0264] 22. Illustrative work areas / locations for transferring labels to containers.

[0265] 23 Illustrative work areas / positions for applying adhesive to labels

[0266] 24 Illustrative work areas / locations for receiving tags

[0267] 25a Illustrative control roller switching mechanism

[0268] 25b Illustrative control roller switching mechanism

[0269] 25c Illustrative control roller switching mechanism

[0270] 26 Illustrative First Plane

[0271] 27. Illustrative Second Plane

[0272] 28a is an illustrative movable support plate used to control cam 12a.

[0273] 28b is an illustrative movable support plate used to control cam 12b.

[0274] 29b is an illustrative movable support plate for controlling cam 11b.

[0275] 30 An illustrative switching mechanism for controlling cam 11b

Claims

1. A labelling unit (1) for applying labels to containers, comprising: at least one unwinding device (7a) for a label web (7), at least one cutting unit (5) for cutting the label web into individual labels, at least one vacuum transfer drum (2) for transferring the labels to the containers, wherein the vacuum transfer drum (2) has a plurality of movable vacuum suction rods (16a, 16b, 16c, 17a, 17b, 17c, 18a, 18b, 18c, 19a, 19b, 19c, 20a, 20b, 20c, 21a, 21b, 21c) for suction, transport and transfer of the labels, wherein at least two vacuum suction rods (16a, 16b, 16c) are each associated with each label to be transported, at least one rod controller for controlling the movement of the vacuum suction rods, wherein the rod controller comprises at least two control cams which interact with at least one control roller (16aa, 16bb, 16bbb, 16cc, 16ccc) of a vacuum suction rod (16a, 16b, 16c) to control the movement of the vacuum suction rod (16a, 16b, 16c), wherein the at least two control cams (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) are arranged on two different partial circles (14, 15) having different radii, and at least one control cam (11a, 12a) is arranged on the inner partial circle (15) and at least one control cam (11b, 11b) is arranged on the outer partial circle (14), and wherein all vacuum suction rods (16a, 16b, 16c) associated with labels to be transported are controlled by control cams (11a, 12a) arranged on the inner partial circle (15) or by control cams (11b, 12b) arranged on the outer partial circle (14).

2. The labelling unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the vacuum suction rods (16b, 16c) associated with labels to be transported has at least two control rollers (16bb, 16bbb, 16cc, 16ccc) arranged in two different planes (26, 27), and at least one control cam (11a, 11b) of the rod controller is associated with the plane (27) in which one of the at least two control rollers of the vacuum suction rod (16b, 16c) having at least two control rollers (16bb, 16bbb, 16cc, 16ccc) is arranged. and at least one control cam (12a, 12b) of said rod controller is associated with a plane (26) in which a second control roller of said at least two control rollers of said vacuum suction rod (16b, 16c) with at least two control rollers (16bb, 16bbb, 16cc, 16ccc) is arranged, and wherein said at least one rod controller is configured to control the movement of said at least two vacuum suction rods (16a, 16b, 16c) associated with a label to be transported, respectively, by one of said at least two control cams (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b).

3. The labelling unit (1) according to one of claims 1-2, comprising at least two pairs of control cams (11, 12), wherein, The control cams of a pair of control cams are arranged on different partial circles (14, 15).

4. The labelling unit (1) according to claim 3, wherein The control cams of a pair of control cams (11, 12) are arranged within the same plane (26, 27), and wherein said plane (26, 27) corresponds to a plane (26, 27) in which at least one control roller of at least one of said vacuum suction rods associated with a label to be transported is arranged.

5. The labelling unit (1) according to claim 4, comprising a first pair of control cams (12) in the first plane (26) and a second pair of control cams (11) in the second plane (27), wherein, The second plane is different from the first plane, and wherein the second plane corresponds to a plane in which at least one control roller of at least one of said vacuum suction rods associated with a label to be transported is arranged.

6. The labelling unit (1) according to claim 5, comprising a glue application device (3) for applying glue to the labels on the vacuum transfer drum (2) before the labels are transferred to the containers, wherein, The first pair of control cams (12) is associated with a work area (23) of the glue application device (3), and the second pair of control cams (11) is associated with a work area (22) for transferring the label to the container.

7. The labelling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, comprising at least two groups (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) of vacuum suction bars respectively associated with different labels to be transported, wherein, A set respectively comprising at least one vacuum suction rod, and wherein the vacuum suction rods of said at least two sets are controlled by control cams located on different partial circles (14, 15).

8. The labelling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein At least two vacuum suction rods (16a, 16c) are respectively associated with each label to be transported, and wherein one vacuum suction rod (16a) of said at least two vacuum suction rods respectively associated with a label to be transported is configured for a leading area of said label to be transported, and another vacuum suction rod (16c) of said at least two vacuum suction rods respectively associated with a label to be transported is configured for a terminal area of said label to be transported.

9. A labeling machine (10) having a labeling unit (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a conveyor (8) with a container seat (8a) to transport the container.

10. A method for applying a label to a container, in which method a label is transferred to a vacuum transfer drum (2), attached in the vacuum transfer drum and conveyed by vacuum suction bars (16a, 16b, 16c), wherein At least two vacuum suction rods (16a, 16b, 16c) are respectively associated with each label to be transported, wherein each vacuum suction rod has at least one control roller (16aa, 16bb, 16bbb, 16cc, 16ccc), the method comprising: - the movement of the at least one vacuum suction bar (16a, 16b, 16c) is controlled by at least one bar controller, wherein the bar controller comprises at least two control cams (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) which interact with at least one control roller of a vacuum suction bar to control the movement of the vacuum suction bar, wherein the at least two control cams (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) are arranged on two different partial circles (14, 15) having different radii, and at least one control cam (11a, 12a) is arranged on the inner partial circle (15) and at least one control cam (11b, 11b) is arranged on the outer partial circle (14), and wherein all vacuum suction bars associated with a label to be transported are controlled by the control cams (11a, 12a) arranged on the inner partial circle (15) or by the control cams (11b, 12b) arranged on the outer partial circle (14).

11. The method for applying a label to a container according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the vacuum suction bars associated with a label to be transported has at least two control rollers (16bb, 16bbb, 16cc, 16ccc) arranged in two different planes (26, 27), and wherein at least one control cam (12a, 12b) of the bar controller is associated with the plane (26) in which one of the at least two control rollers of the vacuum suction bar having at least two control rollers is arranged, and wherein at least one control cam (11a, 11b) of the bar controller is associated with the plane (27) in which a second one of the at least two control rollers of the vacuum suction bar having at least two control rollers is arranged, and wherein the at least one bar controller is configured to control the movement of the at least two vacuum suction bars associated with a label to be transported by one of the at least two control cams (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) respectively.

12. The method according to one of the preceding claims 10 or 11, wherein, The vacuum suction bars associated with different labels to be transported respectively are controlled by control cams of at least one pair of control cams (11, 12), wherein the control cams (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) of the at least one pair of control cams (11, 12) are arranged on different partial circles (14, 15).

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