Hot glue mechanism with suction device for labeling machine and labeling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a hot glue mechanism with a suction device for a labeling machine and the labeling machine. The hot glue mechanism (1) comprises a glue applicator roller (3) which can rotate around the longitudinal axis (2) of the glue applicator roller (3), a glue container for providing hot melt glue and a shell (4), and the glue applicator roller (3) is partially arranged in the shell. Furthermore, the hot glue mechanism (1) comprises at least one first suction tube (5, 6) for sucking glue vapour along the glue applicator roller (3) in a glue application region (7). The labeling machine comprises the hot glue mechanism (1) so as to apply hot melt glue to labels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot adhesive mechanism with a suction device for a labeling machine and a labeling machine. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that hot melt adhesives generate adhesive vapor when heated, and this hot melt adhesive is used, for example, in applicator rollers for applying hot melt adhesive to labels or containers. When the adhesive vapor condenses at a cold surface, such as the surface of a component, adhesive particles deposit there and contaminate the machine. For example, oil contained in the hot melt adhesive may evaporate. This results in high cleaning costs. Furthermore, the vapor can pose a health hazard to operators.

[0003] EP 3 456 644 A1 discloses a hot glue mechanism including a glue-applying roller arranged in a housing and a filter unit connected to the housing and having a suction device that can draw out fluids, such as solid and liquid components of glue, from inside the housing before gas can leave the hot glue mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Purpose

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a hot adhesive mechanism with a suction device for a labeling machine and a labeling machine, both of which enable efficient suction and separation of adhesive vapor.

[0006] Solution

[0007] This objective is achieved by a hot adhesive mechanism with a suction device for a labeling machine and a labeling machine as described in the main aspects of this application. Further embodiments are disclosed in the minor aspects of this application.

[0008] The hot adhesive mechanism of the labeling machine for labeling containers in the beverage processing industry according to the present invention includes a coating roller rotatable about its own longitudinal axis, an adhesive container for providing hot melt adhesive, and a housing in which the coating roller is partially arranged. Furthermore, the hot adhesive mechanism includes at least one first suction tube for suctioning adhesive vapor along the coating roller within the application area.

[0009] With the aid of at least one first suction tube, the glue vapor generated during the operation of the hot glue mechanism can be sucked in and then drawn out, so that the glue vapor does not contaminate the environment in which the hot glue mechanism is located (e.g., a machine shop) and also avoids odor interference caused by glue vapor.

[0010] The gel vapor can be drawn in from both inside and outside the shell.

[0011] To enable suction, one or more pumps may be provided, which may be directly or indirectly connected to the at least one first suction tube.

[0012] The longitudinal axis of the coating roller can be oriented parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0013] Adhesive vapor can be generated when hot melt adhesive is heated.

[0014] The at least one first suction tube is arranged along the coating roller to draw in adhesive vapor, which means that the at least one first suction tube is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coating roller. It is possible that uniform or substantially uniform cooling can occur along the length of the coating roller while the adhesive vapor is drawn out by means of the at least one first suction tube.

[0015] This avoids localized cooling of the coating roller during the extraction of adhesive vapor, for example, when adhesive vapor may only be extracted from the lower end of the coating roller.

[0016] The hot adhesive mechanism may include two first suction tubes for drawing adhesive vapor along the adhesive roller within the adhesive application area. The first suction tube may be positioned at a first end region of the adhesive application area, and the second suction tube may be positioned at a second end region of the adhesive application area. The first and second end regions may be adjacent to an opening in the housing that keeps the adhesive application area open.

[0017] Within the application area, hot melt adhesive can be transferred to the label or the container to which the label is to be applied.

[0018] Within the application area, a portion of the cylindrical surface of the coating roller may be located outside the housing. As the roller rotates about its longitudinal axis, a continuously changing portion of the cylindrical surface (through rotation) correspondingly lies outside the housing. This portion of the cylindrical surface may extend to 2 / 9 of the roller's circumference. A portion of the top and / or bottom surface of the coating roller may also be located outside the housing.

[0019] In addition to openings that keep the adhesive application area open, the housing may include closed surfaces (e.g., an upper housing surface, a lower housing surface, and one or more side housing surfaces). These closed surfaces may consist of multiple individual sections. The closed surfaces may include small gaps, such as in the areas between the individual sections. Sufficient suction and desiccation volumetric flow rates can reduce adhesive vapor escape at these gaps.

[0020] Alternatively, the housing may include an opening that keeps the application area open and another opening located above the application roller component. This second opening may be provided in the surface of the upper housing.

[0021] Labeling machines can be designed to affix one or more labels to containers, such as bottles.

[0022] The hot glue mechanism may include a scraper for uniformly applying glue to a coating roller, scraping glue off the coating roller, and transferring glue to a label or container. The scraper may be disposed within a housing.

[0023] The at least one first suction tube may be disposed outside the housing. It may be secured to the housing or the cover described below by one or more tube clamps.

[0024] The at least one first suction tube may include suction holes, wherein these suction holes may be provided along the entire length of the coating roller. The suction holes may be designed to be circular, elliptical, or slit-shaped.

[0025] The suction orifice can be oriented such that it points towards the outer surface of the coating roller. A virtual line along the radius of the coating roller can pass through the center point of the suction orifice and extend along the radius of the suction tube.

[0026] The suction orifice can be oriented such that it is inclined to the outer surface of the coating roller. A virtual line along the radius of the coating roller passing through the center point of the suction orifice forms an angle (not equal to 180°) with a virtual line along the radius of the suction tube passing through the center point of the suction tube.

[0027] The suction holes of the at least one first suction tube may be spaced apart from each other by the same or nearly the same distance.

[0028] The at least one first suction tube may be designed such that the adhesive vapor is drawn in the opposite direction to the force of gravity.

[0029] Therefore, the at least one first suction tube can be closed at its lower end, preventing the suction of adhesive vapor through this end. Conversely, the at least one first suction tube can be open at its upper end, allowing adhesive vapor to be drawn out through this end. The suction of adhesive vapor can be performed via the suction bridge of the hot glue mechanism and / or via other suction devices of the hot glue mechanism. The borehole diameter of the at least one first suction tube can vary along the height.

[0030] The hot glue mechanism may also include a second suction tube for drawing glue vapor, which may be arranged above the upper end of the glue applicator roller and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the glue applicator roller.

[0031] To enable suction, one or more pumps may be provided, which may be directly or indirectly connected to the second suction tube.

[0032] Here, the second suction tube can be arranged so that it is flush or nearly flush with the adhesive application area above it.

[0033] When two first suction tubes are provided, the second suction tube can be arranged such that it lies or is approximately located in the plane formed by the longitudinal axis of the two first suction tubes.

[0034] The upper end of the coating roller can be the top surface of the coating roller.

[0035] The second suction tube may be disposed outside the housing. The second suction tube may be secured to the housing or the cover described below by one or more tube clamps or clamping elements.

[0036] The second suction tube may include a suction port.

[0037] The suction holes of the second suction tube can be spaced at equal or nearly equal distances from each other. For example, the diameter of the suction tube can be 6 mm. The diameter of the coating roller can be 195 mm.

[0038] The suction hole can be designed as round, oval, or slit.

[0039] The suction orifice can be oriented such that it points towards the top surface of the coating roller. A virtual line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coating roller can pass through the center point of the suction orifice and extend along the radius of the suction tube.

[0040] The suction orifice can be oriented such that it is tilted towards the top surface of the coating roller. A virtual line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coating roller and passing through the center point of the suction orifice forms an angle (not equal to 180°) with a virtual line along the radius of the suction tube relative to the center point of the suction orifice.

[0041] The suction tube (the at least one first suction tube or the second suction tube) may be arranged such that it can receive an airflow of adhesive vapor and can be drawn in by a defined deflection. The defined deflection may be set such that the angle can be set in the range of 135° to 225°.

[0042] The suction tubes (at least one first suction tube or a second suction tube) can converge into the suction bridge.

[0043] The suction tubes (at least one first suction tube or a second suction tube) may converge into a connecting element. The connecting element may be included in the suction bridge.

[0044] The suction bridge may be designed as a (unique) conduit. The suction bridge may include an adaptation region where the at least one first suction tube and the second suction tube may converge and transition into the (unique) conduit of the suction bridge.

[0045] To enable suction, one or more pumps may be installed, which may be connected to the suction bridge.

[0046] The suction bridge can be located outside the housing or cover. It can be secured to the housing or the cover as described below using one or more pipe clamps.

[0047] The intake bridge may include an air intake device for introducing a defined amount of outside air. For example, the outside air may include ambient air or cooled ambient air. The temperature of the outside air may be lower than the temperature of the adhesive vapor. The temperature of the adhesive vapor may be in the range of 40°C to 50°C. The temperature of the outside air may be 5°C to 20°C lower than the temperature of the adhesive vapor. The air intake device may include a controllable or adjustable one-way valve.

[0048] The suction bridge may include an air mixer for mixing external air with adhesive vapor. This air mixer generates an external air-adhesive vapor mixture. The air mixer may be arranged inside the suction bridge. Mixing lowers the temperature of the adhesive vapor, causing adhesive residues in the vapor to condense and precipitate.

[0049] An air mixer can be arranged downstream of the air intake device for introducing a predetermined amount of outside air, along the intake direction. The air mixer can be designed as either active or passive.

[0050] The air mixer may include a stator inside the suction bridge. This stator may be a controllable or adjustable rotor. During mixing, an external air-glue vapor mixture may be generated.

[0051] A piping system for further cooling can be installed downstream of the intake bridge. By further cooling the external air-glue vapor mixture, the glue can be condensed and precipitated from the glue vapor.

[0052] To enable suction, one or more pumps may be installed, which may be connected to a piping system.

[0053] The piping system may include a 2° slope so that, for example, a liquid adhesive may flow to the separation point by gravity. The piping system may include a first deflection, for example 90° to 95°, from a first pipe arranged vertically or substantially vertically to a second pipe arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally, followed by a second deflection, for example 180°, to a third pipe arranged downwards at an angle of, for example 10°, and a third deflection, for example 180°, to a fourth pipe arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally. The first pipe may be an extension of the suction pipe. To enable suction, one or more pumps may be provided, which may be connected to the fourth pipe of the piping system.

[0054] A cover may be arranged on the surface of the upper housing.

[0055] If the housing includes, for example, an opening that keeps the glue application area open and another opening above the glue roller component, which may be provided in the surface of the upper housing, then a cover can be used to prevent glue vapor from escaping through the other opening to the vicinity of the hot glue mechanism.

[0056] The cover may be designed such that the at least one first suction tube can be disposed outside the cover. The cover may be designed such that the second suction tube can be disposed outside the cover or housing. The cover may be designed such that the suction bridge can be disposed outside the cover.

[0057] In addition, a labeling machine for labeling containers, such as bottles, in the food industry is provided, wherein the labeling machine includes a hot glue mechanism as described above or below for applying hot melt adhesive to the label.

[0058] In addition, a container handling device is provided for handling containers, such as bottles, in the food industry, wherein the container handling device includes a blow molding machine, a labeling machine and a filling device as described above or below in the direction of container transport. Attached Figure Description

[0059] For better understanding and illustration, the accompanying drawings exemplarily illustrate aspects and / or embodiments of the invention. Wherein:

[0060] Figure 1 This is a top-view perspective of the hot glue mechanism, with the cover removed and the front housing wall shown in a transparent manner.

[0061] Figure 2 When the cover is installed Figure 1 The oblique view,

[0062] Figure 3 A front view of the hot glue mechanism with the cover attached is shown.

[0063] Figure 4 A detailed diagram of the air mixer is shown, and

[0064] Figure 5 A piping system is shown for further cooling of the external air-glue vapor mixture. Detailed Implementation

[0065] Figure 1 This shows a top oblique view of the hot glue mechanism 1, where the cover (the cover will be...) Figure 2 (Further description follows) The front housing wall has been removed and is now transparent. The hot glue mechanism 1 includes a glue-applying roller 3 capable of rotating about its own longitudinal axis 2, a glue container for providing hot melt glue, and a housing 4 in which the glue-applying roller 3 is partially arranged.

[0066] Furthermore, the hot glue mechanism 1 includes two first suction tubes 5 and 6 for drawing glue vapor along the coating roller 3 within the glue application area 7. In this case, the two first suction tubes 5 and 6 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis 2 of the coating roller 3. The first suction tube 5 of these first suction tubes may be arranged at a first end region of the glue application area 7, and the second suction tube 6 of these first suction tubes may be arranged at a second end region of the glue application area 7. The first end region and the second end region are adjacent to an opening in the housing 4, which keeps the glue application area 7 open. Within the glue application area 7, hot melt adhesive can be transferred to a container for a label or a label to be applied.

[0067] The two first suction tubes 5 and 6 include suction holes 8, which are arranged along the entire length l of the coating roller 3. This allows for uniform or substantially uniform cooling along the length l of the coating roller 3 as adhesive vapor is drawn out by means of the two first suction tubes 5 and 6.

[0068] The suction holes 8 are spaced equidistant from each other by a distance d1 and are designed to be circular.

[0069] The two first suction tubes 5 and 6 are arranged outside the housing 4. They are fixed to the housing 4 by tube clamps 9 (and as shown in the figure). Figure 2 (Also shown is a cover). An alternative clamping unit (not shown) can be provided to replace the pipe clamp.

[0070] The two first suction tubes 5 and 6 are designed such that adhesive vapor can be drawn through the suction hole 8 in the opposite direction of gravity. For this purpose, each of the two first suction tubes 5 and 6 is designed to be closed at its lower end, preventing the absorption of adhesive vapor through this lower end. Conversely, each of the two first suction tubes 5 and 6 is open at its upper end, allowing adhesive vapor to be drawn out through this upper end and, for example, drawn to the suction bridge 10 and then through it.

[0071] The hot glue mechanism 1 also includes a second suction tube 11 for absorbing glue vapor, which is arranged above the upper end 12 (top surface) of the glue coating roller 3 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 of the glue coating roller 3.

[0072] Here, the second suction tube 11 is arranged such that it is flush or nearly flush with the adhesive application area 7. Therefore, the second suction tube 11 is located or nearly located in the plane formed by the longitudinal axis of the two first suction tubes 5 and 6.

[0073] The second suction tube 11 is arranged outside the housing 4 (and as shown in the image). Figure 2 (As shown, it is fixed to the cover by a pipe clamp).

[0074] The second suction tube 11 includes suction holes 13, each spaced equidistant from the other by a distance d2. The suction holes 13 are designed to be circular.

[0075] The two first suction tubes 5 and 6 converge with the second suction tube 11 in the suction bridge 10. The suction bridge 10 is designed as a single conduit 14. The suction bridge 10 includes an adaptation region 15, at which the two first suction tubes 5 and 6 and the second suction tube 11 converge and transition into the single conduit 14 of the suction bridge 10.

[0076] The suction bridge 10 includes an air intake device 16 for introducing a predetermined amount of external air. For example, the external air may include ambient air or cooled ambient air. The temperature of the external air may be lower than the temperature of the adhesive vapor. The temperature of the adhesive vapor may be in the range of 40°C to 50°C. The temperature of the external air may be 5°C to 20°C lower than the temperature of the adhesive vapor. The air intake device 16 may include a controllable or adjustable check valve or an uncontrollable valve. Furthermore, the suction bridge 10 includes an air mixer 17 for mixing the external air with the adhesive vapor. Figure 4 (Detailed description in the text).

[0077] A piping system for further cooling of the external air-glue vapor mixture can be installed downstream of the suction bridge 10. This piping system will... Figure 5 Further details are provided below.

[0078] In addition to the opening that keeps the application area 7 open, the housing 4 also includes another opening 18 above the application roller 3 component. This other opening 18 is located in the upper housing surface 19. To prevent adhesive vapor from escaping from this other opening, a cover can be installed on the upper housing surface 19 (see...). Figure 2 ).

[0079] Figure 2 It is shown that the cover has been installed at 21 o'clock. Figure 1 A perspective view.

[0080] Since the housing 4 includes another opening 18 on the upper housing surface 19 above the glue roller 3 component, in addition to the opening 20 that keeps the glue application area 7 open, the glue vapor can be prevented from escaping to the area around the hot glue mechanism 1 through the other opening 18 by means of the installed cover 21.

[0081] The cover 21 is designed such that the two first suction tubes 5 and 6, the second suction tube 11, and the suction bridge 10 are arranged outside the cover 21. The fitting area 15 of the suction bridge 10 is fixed to the cover 21 by a tube clamp 22.

[0082] Figure 3 The front view of the hot glue mechanism 1 with the cover 21 attached is shown. The distance d3 between the first first suction tube 5 and the second first suction tube 6 of the two first suction tubes can be seen, as well as the opening 20 in the housing 4 that keeps the glue application area 7 open.

[0083] Figure 4 A detailed view of the air mixer 17 is shown. The suction bridge 10 includes the air mixer 17 for mixing external air with adhesive vapor. The air mixer 17 generates a mixture of external air and adhesive vapor. The air mixer 17 is arranged inside the suction bridge 10. Mixing lowers the temperature of the adhesive vapor, allowing the adhesive to condense and / or condense from substances contained within the adhesive vapor.

[0084] The air mixer 17 is arranged downstream of the air intake device 16 for introducing a predetermined amount of external air along the intake direction.

[0085] The air mixer 17 includes a stator 23 inside the intake bridge 10. The stator 23 may be a controllable or adjustable stator.

[0086] Figure 5 A piping system 24 for further cooling of the external air / glue vapor mixture is shown, which may be located downstream of the suction bridge 10 for further cooling of the external air-glue vapor mixture.

[0087] The piping system 24 includes a 2° slope so that, for example, liquid adhesive can flow to the separation point by gravity. The piping system 24 includes a first deflection 25, for example, 90° to 95°, from a first pipe 26 arranged vertically or substantially vertically to a second pipe 27 arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally, followed by a second deflection 28, for example, 180°, to a third pipe 29 arranged downwards at an angle of, for example, 10°, and a third deflection 30, for example, 180°, to a fourth pipe 31 arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally. The first pipe 26 may be an extension of the suction pipe 10.

[0088] Further cooling of the external air-glue vapor mixture can be achieved in piping system 24, causing the glue in the external air-glue vapor mixture to condense and precipitate. The condensate (glue) is easier to separate than the gas (glue vapor or external air-glue vapor mixture).

Claims

1. A hot adhesive mechanism (1) for labeling containers in the beverage processing industry, wherein the hot adhesive mechanism (1) comprises: - A coating roller (3) capable of rotating around its own longitudinal axis (2). - A container for supplying hot melt adhesive. - Housing (4), in which the adhesive roller (3) is partially arranged. Its features are, The hot glue mechanism (1) includes at least one first suction tube (5, 6) for suctioning glue vapor along the glue roller (3) within the glue application area (7).

2. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first suction tube (5, 6) is arranged outside the housing (4).

3. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction hole (8) of the at least one first suction tube (5, 6) is provided along the entire length (l) of the glue coating roller (3).

4. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the suction holes (8) of the at least one first suction tube (5, 6) are each spaced apart by the same or nearly the same distance (d1).

5. The hot glue mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one first suction tube (5, 6) is designed such that glue vapor is drawn in the opposite direction to the action of gravity.

6. The hot glue mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the hot glue mechanism further comprising a second suction tube (11) for absorbing glue vapor, the second suction tube being arranged above the upper end (12) of the glue coating roller (3) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2) of the glue coating roller (3).

7. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the second suction tube (11) is arranged outside the housing (4).

8. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the suction holes (13) of the second suction tube (11) are spaced apart from each other by the same or nearly the same distance (d2).

9. The hot glue mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the suction tubes (5, 6, 11) are arranged such that they can receive the airflow of the glue vapor and can be suctioned by a defined deflection.

10. The hot glue mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the suction tubes (5, 6, 11) converge into the suction bridge (10).

11. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the suction bridge (10) includes an air intake device (16) for introducing a predetermined amount of external air, wherein the external air includes, for example, ambient air or cooled ambient air.

12. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the suction bridge (10) includes an air mixer (17) for mixing the external air with the glue vapor.

13. The hot glue mechanism according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a piping system (24) for further cooling is provided downstream of the suction bridge (10).

14. The hot glue mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a cover (21) is arranged on the upper housing surface (19).

15. A labeling machine for labeling containers, such as bottles, in the food industry, characterized in that, The labeling machine includes a hot glue mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 to apply hot melt adhesive to the label.

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