Device and method for checking a label on a label carrier

Abstract

Device (5) for checking the positioning of a label on a label carrier, comprising: a control device, wherein the control device is configured to compare the actual state of the label with a target state, and, if the actual state deviates from the target state, to determine at least one possible source of error; and a display device for displaying an output of the control device, wherein the display device is configured to display the actual state of the label and, if the actual state deviates from the target state, to indicate at least one possible source of error.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for checking the positioning of a label on a label carrier, in particular on a bottle.

[0002] To ensure consistent labeling quality on label carriers by a labeling device, it is necessary to check the label position on the containers. A label position monitoring device is known from DE 19911074, which, if the label position deviates from a target position, sends a signal to control a correction device.

[0003] A similar inspection module is known from EP 1 449 778. This describes a method for checking the correct position of labels, whereby the data obtained regarding the label position are used for an automatic correction of the labeling. JP S62-127607 A discloses an inspection instrument for the secure positioning of a label on a transparent bottle; JP H06-138057 A discloses a device and a method for inspecting the appearance of a label; DE 10 2007 010 018 A1 discloses a method and an inspection device for examining containers; DE 10 2006 049 981 A1 discloses an operating aid for a device for treating containers; DE 10 2005 041 531 A1 discloses a position-adjustable control console; DE 6 95 20 992 T2 discloses a sheet conveyor.

[0004] From EP 1 561 690 a control device is known which performs a label seating check and in which detected deviations of a labeling result from a target specification are used for a position correction.

[0005] The correction process for the aforementioned devices is intended to be automated. However, since correct labeling depends on a multitude of parameters, an automatic correction, for example via the tilt of the labeling unit, often fails to identify the parameter actually responsible for a misalignment. As a result, practical experience has shown that automatically changing a single parameter frequently not only fails to correct the label's position but can even temporarily worsen it.

[0006] For an operator, the cause of label misalignment is often not immediately apparent. Furthermore, the sheer number of parameters makes correction difficult for the operator.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method that enable a simpler correction of defective properties, in particular an incorrect label position, of a label. This object is achieved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 10.

[0008] The device according to the invention for checking a label on a label carrier, in particular the positioning of a label on a label carrier, comprises a control device, wherein the control device compares the actual state of the label with a target state, and, if the actual state deviates from the target state, the control device determines at least one possible source of error, and a display device for displaying an output of the control device, wherein the display device displays the actual state of the label and, if the actual state deviates from the target state, displays the at least one possible source of error.

[0009] By displaying the current state along with a possible source of error in case of a deviation of the current state from the target state, an operator familiar with the labeling device can correct a faulty labeling in a simplified way.

[0010] The device can be used in particular to check one or more properties of a label on a label carrier, in particular wherein the one or more properties may include the presence of a label, the positioning of a label, the relative positioning of several labels to each other, the print quality of a label and / or the correctness of data applied to the label, for example a date.

[0011] The control device can be designed to determine whether the actual state of the label deviates from the target state according to a predetermined criterion. The predetermined criterion can include a minimum deviation, such as a minimum offset. This allows for tolerance ranges within which a deviation of the actual state from the target state is permitted. In particular, the control device and the display device can be designed such that, only if the actual state deviates from the target state according to the predetermined criterion, at least one possible source of error is identified and displayed.

[0012] The at least one possible source of error can include at least one setting or setting option of the labeling device. The control device can be designed such that, if the actual state deviates from the target state, the control device compares the value of at least one parameter of a setting of the labeling device with a target value.

[0013] The display device can be designed such that, if the actual state deviates from the target state, it shows the deviation detected by the control device. In particular, the type of deviation and / or numerical values ​​for the magnitude of the deviation can be displayed. This allows the operator to more easily determine the type and magnitude of the deviation.

[0014] The display can also show the target state. The target state can be displayed separately from the actual state. Alternatively or additionally, the target state can be displayed overlapping with the actual state. In this case, the display in the foreground of the overlap can be transparent, so that the actual and target states can be perceived simultaneously. Alternatively, the actual and target states can be displayed alternately in the same area of ​​the display, and the frequency of the alternating display can be varied by an operator.

[0015] The display device can be designed such that, if the actual state deviates from the target state, particularly according to a predetermined criterion, the display of the actual state of a label is frozen. This allows an operator to better identify deviations between the actual and target states. In other words, the display of the actual state can be paused. This appears to be particularly advantageous when a high number of label carriers are checked by the control device per unit of time.

[0016] The display device can be designed in such a way that the actual state is only displayed if the actual state deviates from the target state, in particular according to a predetermined criterion.

[0017] The device may also include a correction device that can be operated by a person. The correction device may be designed so that a person can adjust or change parameters of the labeling device. The correction device may be operated via the display device. In this case, the display device may include a touchscreen.

[0018] The control device, the display device, and / or the correction device can be designed such that the verification, display, and / or correction takes place during operation of the labeling machine. This can reduce or eliminate downtime of the labeling machine.

[0019] The control device can be designed such that, if the actual state deviates from the target state, the control device determines at least one corrective action, in particular wherein the display device additionally displays the at least one corrective action. The corrective action can include an indication of how a parameter is to be changed in order to minimize the deviation of the actual state from the target state. In particular, the corrective action can include a numerical value that quantitatively indicates how a parameter of a setting should be changed.

[0020] In particular, the device can be designed such that only if the actual state deviates from the target state according to a predetermined criterion as described above, the control device determines at least one correction option and / or the display device additionally displays the at least one correction option.

[0021] The control device can be configured to store a corrective input from an operator in connection with a deviation of the actual state from the target state. In particular, the control device can store the deviation of the actual state from the target state and the corrective input entered by the operator to correct it.

[0022] The control unit can determine at least one possible correction based on the stored correction inputs. The control unit can compare a detected deviation of the actual state from the target state with the stored deviations and determine the stored deviation that differs least from the detected deviation. In this case, the at least one possible correction can correspond to the stored correction input associated with the specific stored deviation.

[0023] The control device can determine at least one correction option based on machine learning or artificial intelligence, in particular by means of an artificial neural network and / or a hidden Markov model. The artificial neural network and / or the hidden Markov model can be trained using correction inputs from an operator in connection with deviations of the actual state from the target state.

[0024] The control device may include a camera and / or a photoelectric sensor. In particular, the control device may include multiple cameras and / or photoelectric sensors.

[0025] The invention also provides a system comprising a labeling device and a device for checking a label. The device for checking a label and / or the labeling device may have one or more of the features described above.

[0026] In particular, the labeling device can comprise one or more labeling units. This allows multiple labels to be applied to a single label carrier. In this case, the label inspection device can be designed such that the inspection unit can inspect multiple labels simultaneously. Alternatively or additionally, a separate inspection unit can be provided for a plurality or for all labels on a label carrier.

[0027] The invention also provides a method for checking a label on a label carrier, in particular the positioning of a label on a label carrier, comprising determining whether the actual state of the label deviates from a target state, displaying the actual state by means of a display device, and if the actual state of the label deviates from the target state, determining at least one possible source of error, and displaying the at least one possible source of error.

[0028] The method can be used, in particular, with a device described above. The method can have one or more of the features described above.

[0029] Further features and advantages are explained below using the example figures. This shows Fig. 1. An illustration of a system comprising a labeling device and a device for checking a label on a label carrier; Fig. 2 An illustration of a display of a display device of a device for checking a label on a label carrier.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system comprising a labeling device and a device for checking a label on a label carrier. The label carrier can be, for example, a container, in particular a bottle. The labeling device in Fig. The assembly comprises an infeed star wheel 1, a container table 2, and an outfeed star wheel 3. A labeling unit 4 is arranged at the periphery of the container table 2. Multiple labeling units can also be arranged on the container table 2. In this case, the label carrier can be provided with multiple labels.

[0031] In Fig. In the first case, the device 5 for checking a label on a label carrier is also arranged at the periphery of the container table 2. Alternatively, however, the device can also be arranged after the discharge star 3 or partially on the container table 2 and partially after the discharge star 3. In particular, the display device of the device 5 for checking a label can be arranged spatially separate from the control device. Alternatively, the device 5 for checking a label can also be designed as a single module.

[0032] If the labeling device comprises multiple labeling units, a control device for checking a label can be arranged after each labeling unit. Alternatively, a single control device can be arranged after all labeling units. In this case, the control device can be designed to check multiple labels on a single label carrier.

[0033] The system can also include a reject element designed to remove incorrectly labeled label carriers from the production process. The reject element can be integrated as part of the label inspection device.

[0034] A correction device of the device 5 for checking a label can be connected to a control element of the labeling device. This allows parameters of the labeling device settings, in particular of the labeling unit 4, to be set or changed via the correction device. Settings of the labeling unit can include, for example, the adhesive height or the inclination of the labeling unit.

[0035] The control device can be designed such that, if the actual state deviates from the target state according to a predetermined maximum criterion, the control device sends a signal to stop the labeling device. The predetermined maximum criterion can, for example, include a maximum offset.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates an example of a display of a display device of a device for checking a label on a label carrier.

[0037] This schematic display example shows the current state of a label and the target state in two different sub-areas 6 and 7 of the display. Alternatively or additionally, the current state and target state can also be displayed in the same area of ​​the display. The display of the current state and the target state can be edited using display controls 8 and 9, respectively. Display controls 8 and 9 can, for example, include tools for enlarging a display of the current state or target state, or similar image editing tools.

[0038] In the exemplary display of the Fig. Furthermore, the deviation of the actual state from the target state, as detected by the control device, is shown in area 10 of the display. In this example, the detected deviation corresponds to an offset of two millimeters. If the control device has detected multiple deviations, multiple deviations may be displayed in area 10.

[0039] Section 11 of the example display shows possible sources of error that could have caused the deviation shown in section 10. In this example, possible sources of error mentioned are that the adhesive height and / or the inclination of the labeling unit could be incorrectly set.

[0040] The display unit can be designed to also provide a user interface for a correction device. Particularly if the display element is a touchscreen, an operator can directly adjust operating parameters or settings of the labeling unit on the display. For example, an operator can select the "adhesive height" parameter in area 11. Following this selection, the display unit shows the current value of the "adhesive height" parameter and provides the operator with options to modify it. An operator input to change a parameter can then be transmitted to the labeling unit via the correction device. There, the setting can be changed, for example, by a motor.

[0041] In the example advertisement in Fig.In addition, at least one correction option is displayed in area 12 of the display. The correction option may include a suggestion on how the deviation could be corrected. In these examples, the at least one correction option corresponds to the suggestion "Increase adhesive height". The correction option may also include numerical values. This allows the correction option to be specified quantitatively. In this example, a quantitative correction option could be: "Increase adhesive height by 2 mm".

[0042] It is understood that the features mentioned in the previously described embodiments are not limited to these specific combinations and are also possible in any other combination. In particular, the display device can show an output from the control device in various formats.

Claims

[1] Device (5) for checking the positioning of a label on a label carrier, comprising: a control device, wherein the control device is configured to compare the actual state of the label with a target state, and, if the actual state deviates from the target state, to determine at least one possible source of error; and a display device for displaying an output of the control device, wherein the display device is configured to display the actual state of the label and, if the actual state deviates from the target state, to indicate at least one possible source of error. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein, if the actual state deviates from the target state, the display device is designed to indicate the deviation of the actual state from the target state as determined by the control device. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device is further configured to indicate the target state. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a correction device operable by an operator. [5] Device according to claim 4, wherein the correction device can be operated at least partially via the display device. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, if the actual state deviates from the target state, the control device is configured to determine at least one correction option, in particular wherein the display device is configured to additionally display the at least one correction option. [7] Device according to one of claims 4-6, wherein the control device is configured to store a correction input from an operator in connection with a deviation of the actual state from the target state. [8] Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control device is configured to determine at least one correction option based on machine learning or artificial intelligence, in particular by means of an artificial neural network and / or a hidden Markov model. [9] Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control device comprises a camera and / or a photoelectric sensor. [10] Method for checking the positioning of a label on a label carrier, comprising: Determine whether the actual state of the label deviates from a target state; Displaying the current status using a display device; and if the actual state of the label deviates from the target state: Identify at least one possible source of error and Displaying at least one possible source of error.

Images