Labeling machine and methods for converting and / or maintaining the labeling machine

Abstract

Labeling machine (1) for containers, of the rotary type and with lateral docking stations (3A to 3C) for labeling units (4A to 4C), and with a common operating unit (5) for the docking stations (3A to 3C), wherein the operating unit (5) can be pivoted and / or moved in a circumferential direction (6) into different access areas (7AL to 7CR) to the docking stations (3A to 3C) and labeling units (4A to 4C), characterized by an optoelectronic monitoring device (9) for person detection in the access areas (7AL to 7CR); and a control (12) for automatically blocking a hub (13, 14) of the docking stations (3A to 3C) based on person detection in the access areas (7AL to 7CR) that are not directly visible from the control unit (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rotary labeling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for converting and / or maintaining the labeling machine.

[0002] Labeling units can be docked in a height-adjustable manner on rotary labeling machines, see for example WO 2005 / 068302 A1. Furthermore, from EP 1 919 779 B1, operating consoles for treatment machines that can be swivelled to different machine angular positions and whose angular position is detected for control purposes are known.

[0003] When changing formats on modular labeling units, vacuum transfer cylinders, for example, need to be replaced. For this purpose, the control panel above can be swiveled into the area of ​​the respective labeling unit, and the docking station associated with that unit can be lowered to the floor using the push buttons or similar controls on the control panel. The undocked labeling unit can then be manually pulled back far enough to access the vacuum transfer cylinder and perform the necessary changeover work. Lowering and pulling back the labeling units completely ensures the most ergonomic handling of the relatively heavy vacuum transfer cylinders and / or provides sufficient access for further changeover work or similar tasks.

[0004] For the necessary occupational safety measures, particularly to prevent crushing injuries, only the labeling unit visible from the operator console can currently be lowered. Consequently, identical work processes must be repeated for the conversion of all labeling units. Accordingly, the docking of the converted labeling units also takes place separately and sequentially.

[0005] The procedure described above causes comparatively long setup times and production downtimes.

[0006] While systems using cameras and / or mirrors for monitoring shielded work areas that are not directly visible are known, for example from DE 20 2005 003 136 U1, the number of work areas that can be monitored simultaneously is severely limited due to a lack of overview. Alternatively, complex three-dimensional image data processing can be used, as described, for example, in DE 10 2007 007 576 A1, but this incurs undesirable effort.

[0007] In contrast, there is a need for an equally fast and safe conversion of labeling machines with docked labeling units, which can be controlled particularly advantageously by a single operating unit that can be positioned in different machine angle ranges of the labeling machine.

[0008] The stated problem is solved with a labeling machine according to claim 1. Accordingly, the labeling machine is of the rotary type and comprises lateral docking stations for labeling units as well as a common control unit for the docking stations, wherein the control unit can be pivoted and / or moved in a circumferential direction into different access areas to the docking stations and labeling units.

[0009] According to the invention, the labeling machine further comprises an optoelectronic monitoring device for detecting persons in the access areas. In addition, a control system is provided for automatically blocking a stroke of the docking stations based on person detection in the access areas not directly visible from the operating device. The stroke is, in particular, a downward stroke for undocking the labeling units. The stroke can also be an upward stroke for docking the labeling units and / or moving the labeling units into a vertical working position.

[0010] This allows all docking stations to be raised and lowered simultaneously. This is made possible in particular by the fact that the access area where the control unit is located can be directly viewed by operating personnel, while the other access areas can be automatically monitored by means of personnel detection.

[0011] Preferably, the control system is designed to prevent or interrupt the lifting action (i.e., the lowering and / or raising of the labeling units) if the presence of a person is detected in at least one access area where the operating unit is not located. This allows for the simultaneous optimization of occupational safety in the access areas for all labeling units.

[0012] Preferably, the control system is designed to disregard the detected presence of a person in access areas to docking stations not equipped with a labeling unit and / or in the access area where the operating unit is located. This prevents false positive results from the person detection and thus avoids unnecessary interruptions to the conversion process.

[0013] Preferably, the optoelectronic monitoring system includes laser scanners for the access areas. This allows the access areas and, if applicable, the labeling units to be scanned contactlessly in a flexible and proven manner with regard to spatial arrangement. The measurement data from the laser scanners can be easily integrated into the control system of the docking stations.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the optoelectronic surveillance system includes cameras for the access areas. This enables a qualitative differentiation of detected persons, objects, movement patterns, or the like, for example, by comparing current image data with reference image data.

[0015] Preferably, the laser scanners and / or cameras can be deactivated individually, particularly on both sides or selectively on one side, in order to selectively exclude the access area where the control unit is located from person detection. For example, laser scanners and / or cameras could be deactivated on the side of a labeling unit facing the control unit and activated on the opposite side. This enables reliable and easy-to-implement avoidance of false positive results in person detection.

[0016] Preferably, the control system is designed to control the docking stations in such a way that the docked labeling units can be lowered simultaneously for undocking. All occupied docking stations then perform a downward stroke at the same time. This minimizes setup times and the number of required operator operations.

[0017] Preferably, the control system is designed to control the docking stations in such a way that the associated labeling units can be docked and / or raised to their vertical working position simultaneously. All occupied docking stations then perform an upward stroke at the same time. This minimizes changeover times and the number of required operating steps.

[0018] Preferably, the labeling machine comprises at least two labeling units that can be docked to the docking stations and include interchangeable vacuum transfer cylinders for labels. Lowering the docking stations and replacing the vacuum transfer cylinders creates special requirements regarding occupational safety and ergonomics, which can be met with the aid of optoelectronic personnel detection while simultaneously minimizing changeover times.

[0019] Preferably, the control unit is designed to trigger the automated docking / undocking of the labeling units to / from the docking stations. For example, the control unit includes pushbuttons or similar devices that only cause a downward and / or upward stroke of the docking stations when the pushbutton is pressed. Software buttons on a touchscreen of the control unit or similar devices can serve the same purpose. The operator must then be present at the control unit for docking / undocking and can thus directly see the relevant access area and initiate the changeover operations with the necessary safety precautions.

[0020] The stated problem is also solved by a method according to claim 11. Accordingly, this method serves to retool and / or maintain a labeling machine according to at least one of the embodiments described above and comprises the following steps: a) positioning the control unit at one of the access areas; b) optoelectronic person detection in all access areas to docking stations occupied by a labeling unit that are not directly visible from the control unit; c) triggering the undocking at the control unit and lowering the labeling units only if the person detection is negative; and d) retooling or maintaining the labeling units. Step c) is performed while step b) is continuously repeated. Step d) preferably includes moving the lowered labeling units away from the docking stations.

[0021] Preferably, when converting labeling units, the vacuum transfer cylinders for labels are replaced. The relatively heavy vacuum transfer cylinders can then be replaced efficiently, both ergonomically and in compliance with current occupational safety regulations, in both the lowered and extended positions of the labeling units.

[0022] Preferably, the labeling units are lowered simultaneously. This reduces or minimizes changeover times.

[0023] Preferably, the method further comprises a step e) for, in particular simultaneously, raising the converted and / or maintained labeling units into their vertical working position. All labeling units can thus be raised into the specified, and in particular identical, vertical working position in a comparatively short time. This allows for quick and easy control of format changes.

[0024] Preferably, the person detection in the access area where the control unit is located is selectively deactivated and / or bypassed. For example, the associated optoelectronic monitoring devices can be switched off. It is also conceivable to use the signals supplied by the monitoring device to be suppressed solely for plausibility checks or other control purposes.

[0025] The optoelectronic monitoring devices can be arranged or attached to racks, to existing machine parts, for example the machine ring or the machine top, or to the respective labeling unit.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the single drawing. This shows a schematic top view of the labeling machine according to the invention.

[0027] As the single schematic figure shows, the labeling machine 1 for containers, such as bottles or the like, is of the rotary type and comprises a preferably continuously rotating container carousel 2, at the periphery of which stationary docking stations 3A, 3B and 3C for labeling units 4A, 4B and 4C are provided. The number of docking stations and labeling units shown is merely an example.

[0028] Furthermore, the labeling machine 1 includes a common control unit 5 for the docking stations 3A to 3C, wherein the control unit 5 can be pivoted on a mounting arm or the like in a circumferential direction 6 to different machine angle positions next to and / or above one of the docking stations 3A, 3B, 3C. Moving the control unit 5 along a circumferential rail or the like would also be conceivable.

[0029] Each docking station 3A to 3C and each labeling unit 4A to 4C is assigned access areas 7AL to 7CR, which enable operating personnel to carry out the work necessary for converting the labeling units 4A to 4C, in particular the replacement of vacuum transfer cylinders 8 integrated into the labeling units 4A to 4C. The access areas 7AL to 7CR are, for example, located on both sides of the labeling units 4A to 4C, but may also be located on only one side, and are shown in the figure as an example separated from each other by dashed lines.

[0030] For the purpose of detecting persons in the access areas 7AL to 7CR, an optoelectronic monitoring device 9 is preferably provided above the docking stations 3A to 3C and the labeling units 4A to 4C, for example comprising laser scanners 9AL to 9CR, in order to determine the presence of operating personnel in the access areas 7AL to 7CR.

[0031] For this purpose, 2D / 3D laser scanners commonly used in occupational safety are suitable, for example, those with internal rotating mirrors and a rotatable laser head / 2D laser scanner. Such laser scanners are, for example, safety components according to Directive 2006 / 42 / EC. They enable continuous scanning of the access areas to be monitored for the presence of operating personnel and can be mounted on frames (not shown) above access areas 7AL to 7CR and appropriately aligned. Alternatively, such laser scanners can also be arranged or attached to existing machine parts, such as the machine ring or the upper machine head, or to the respective unit.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the optoelectronic monitoring device 9 can include at least one camera (not shown) for image-based person detection. The safety-relevant presence of operating personnel can then be determined, for example, by comparison with pre-programmed image data, such as permissible movements of machine components and / or still images.

[0033] As the diagram schematically illustrates, only those laser scanners 9AL, 9BL, 9BR, 9CL, 9CR and / or correspondingly assigned cameras are included in the person detection system if the control unit 5 is not positioned at their assigned access areas 7AL, 7BL, 7BR, 7CL, and 7CR. This is schematically indicated by surveillance radiation 10L and 10R, for example, laser radiation, for the left and right sides of the surveillance device 9, respectively. The direction of the arrow is intended only to symbolize the activation and assignment of individual laser scanners and the surveillance radiation to the respective access areas to be monitored.

[0034] Individual laser scanners 9AL to 9CR could also be selectively deactivated for access areas 7AL to 7CR that are not, or are not intended to be, equipped with a labeling unit 4A to 4C (not shown). Likewise, functionally equivalent monitoring devices 9' with laser scanners or the like could be arranged elsewhere, for example between the labeling units (schematically indicated in the figure).

[0035] The labeling machine 1 further comprises a control unit 12, which controls the docking stations 3A to 3C depending on inputs at the operating unit 5 and based on the person detection of the optoelectronic monitoring device 9. In particular, the control unit 12 is configured to selectively trigger or block a downward stroke 13, shown schematically in the figure and pointing into the plane of the drawing, for lowering the labeling units 3A to 3C to the floor, and / or an upward stroke 14, shown schematically in the figure and pointing out of the plane of the drawing, for raising the labeling units 3A to 3C from the floor.

[0036] To avoid crushing or other personal injury, the downward stroke 13, and possibly also the upward stroke 14, is automatically blocked by the control unit 12 if the presence of at least one person is detected in one of the access areas (in the example shown 7AL, 7BL, 7BR, 7CL and 7CR) where the operating unit 5 is not located.

[0037] In the example shown, the operating unit 5 is located in access area 7AR on the right side of the labeling unit 4A and the docking station 3A. From there, at least the access areas 7AL, 7BR, 7CL, and 7CR are at least partially obscured by machine components and therefore not directly visible enough to reliably rule out the presence of a person. Consequently, the laser scanners 9AL, 9BR, 9CL, and 9CR of the optoelectronic monitoring device 9 are active for person detection during docking / undocking. Although access area 7BL could theoretically be visually monitored from the operating unit 5, the associated laser scanner 9BL is also optionally active in the example shown.

[0038] In contrast, automatic personnel detection in access area 7AR is suppressed or deactivated, as the presence of operating personnel is essential there for operating control unit 5 via pushbuttons, touchscreen, or similar devices. The assigned access area 7AR can therefore be visually monitored by the operator of control unit 5 during the lowering of the labeling unit 4A, as was previously the case.

[0039] The control system assigns the operating unit 5 to one of the access areas 7AL to 7CR using stationary position switches 15 or similar devices, which interact, for example, with a corresponding trigger 16 that can be pivoted or moved (not shown) along with the operating unit 5 on the labeling machine 1. In this way, the access area 7AR where the operating unit 5 is currently located can be identified and excluded from automatic personnel detection.

[0040] In contrast, the access areas 7AL, 7BL, 7BR, 7CL and 7CR, where the operating unit 5 is not located, are monitored by automatic person detection using the optoelectronic monitoring device 9 at least during the actuation of triggering push buttons or the like on the operating unit 5, in order to avoid personal injury, in particular crushing when the labeling units 4A to 4C are lowered to the floor.

[0041] After the labeling units 4A to 4C have been completely lowered to the floor and undocked from the docking stations 3A to 3C, the labeling units 4A to 4C can each be moved individually away from the labeling machine 1 and the associated docking stations 3A to 3C by operating personnel to such an extent that an equally ergonomic and safe replacement of the vacuum transfer cylinders 8 or other maintenance measures are possible.

[0042] For the sake of completeness, the figure also shows a machine frame 17, a container inlet 18 and a container outlet 19.

[0043] When changing over for a format change or similar maintenance measures, the labeling machine 1 can be operated as follows, for example: During the labeling process, operating unit 5 is located, for example, in access area 7AR and can be operated there. After the labeling process is interrupted, for example, by operating unit 5, a format change is manually triggered at operating unit 2. For this purpose, operating unit 5 can be positioned in any access area from 7AL to 7CR.

[0044] The position switches 15 determine in which access zone 7AL to 7CR the control unit 5 is located, and the determined access zone 7AR (in the example shown) is excluded from automatic person detection. For this purpose, the associated laser scanner 9AR can be deactivated, for example by switching it off. Likewise, the evaluation of its detection results can be suppressed.

[0045] In contrast, the other access areas, where the control unit 5 is not positioned, are automatically monitored for the presence of at least one person using the assigned laser scanners 9AL, 9BL, 9BR, 9CL and 9C and / or cameras.

[0046] If no person is detected in the automatically monitored access areas, a control signal is sent to the docking stations 3A to 3C by pressing a push button or similar device on the control unit 5, preferably only when the push button is pressed. This signal is used to lower the attached labeling units 4A to 4C, in particular simultaneously, and finally to place them on the ground. The downward stroke 13 triggered for this purpose is automatically interrupted at any time a person is detected in the monitored access areas, and preferably also manually interrupted by releasing the push button or similar control element on the control unit 5.

[0047] The labeling units 4A to 4C can be detached from the docking stations 3A to 3C by the downward stroke 13 and / or by releasing additional anchoring elements (not shown) between the labeling units 4A to 4C and the docking stations 3A to 3C. For the purposes of the present invention, undocking means at least placing the labeling units 4A to 4C on the ground, for example to allow the labeling units 4A to 4C to be withdrawn from the container carousel 2.

[0048] After undocking, the labeling units 4A to 4C can be moved far enough away from the container carousel 2 to allow for an ergonomic and safe exchange of the vacuum transfer cylinders 8.

[0049] Afterwards, and / or after other maintenance measures on the labeling units 4A to 4C, they can be moved back to the container carousel 2 and docked at the docking stations 3A to 3C. For this purpose, the upward stroke 14 is triggered, optionally after additional anchoring of the labeling units 4A to 4C. This preferably takes place under the same safety conditions as for the downward stroke 13.

[0050] The labeling units 4A to 4C are raised by the upward stroke 14 to a suitable vertical working position (not shown) for the subsequent labeling with the vacuum transfer cylinder 8, whereby the vertical working position can be specifically adapted to the format of the containers and labels to be processed (each not shown).

[0051] Automatic person detection takes place at least during the execution of the downward stroke 13 and preferably also during the execution of the upward stroke 14.

[0052] During the necessary setup work on the individual labeling units 4A to 4C, the automatic person detection is suppressed or switched off by means of the optoelectronic monitoring device 9.

Claims

[1] Labeling machine (1) for containers, of the rotary type and with lateral docking stations (3A to 3C) for labeling units (4A to 4C), and with a common operating unit (5) for the docking stations (3A to 3C), wherein the operating unit (5) can be swiveled and / or moved in a circumferential direction (6) into different access areas (7AL to 7CR) to the docking stations (3A to 3C) and labeling units (4A to 4C), characterized by an optoelectronic monitoring device (9) for person detection in the access areas (7AL to 7CR); and a control (12) for automatically blocking a hub (13, 14) of the docking stations (3A to 3C) based on person detection in the access areas (7AL to 7CR) that are not directly visible from the control unit (5). [2] Labeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the control (12) is configured to prevent the lowering and / or raising of the labeling units (4A to 4C) when the presence of a person is detected in at least one access area (7AL to 7CR) where the operating unit (5) is not located. [3] Labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control (12) is configured to disregard the detected presence of a person in access areas to docking stations not equipped with a labeling unit and / or in the access area (7AL to 7CR) where the operating unit (5) is located. [4] Labeling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optoelectronic monitoring device (9) comprises laser scanners (9AL to 9CR) for the access areas (7AL to 7CR). [5] Labeling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optoelectronic monitoring device (9) comprises cameras for the access areas (7AL to 7CR). [6] Labeling machine according to claim 4 and / or 5, wherein the laser scanners (9AL to 9CR) and / or cameras can be selectively deactivated individually in order to selectively exclude the access area (7AL to 7CR) where the control unit (5) is located from person detection. [7] Labeling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control (12) is configured to control the docking stations (3A to 3C) such that the docked labeling units (4A to 4C) can be lowered simultaneously for undocking. [8] Labeling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control (12) is configured to control the docking stations (3A to 3C) in such a way that the associated labeling units (4A to 4C) can be docked simultaneously and / or raised to their vertical working position. [9] Labeling machine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least two labeling units (4A to 4C) which can be docked to the docking stations (3A to 3C) and which include interchangeable vacuum transfer cylinders (8) for labels. [10] Labeling machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating unit (5) is designed to trigger the machine docking / undocking of the labeling units (4A to 4C) to / from the docking stations (3A to 3C). [11] Method for retrofitting and / or maintaining a labelling machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising the steps: a) Positioning the control unit (5) at one of the access areas (7AL to 7CR); b) Optoelectronic person detection in all access areas (7AL to 7CR) to docking stations (3A to 3C) equipped with a labeling unit (4A to 4C) that are not directly visible from the operating unit (5); c) Triggering the undocking at the control unit (5) and completely lowering the labeling units (4A to 4C) only if the optoelectronic person detection yields a negative result; and d) Retrofitting or maintaining the labeling units (4A to 4C), wherein step c) is carried out while step b) is in progress. [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein, when converting the labeling units (4A to 4C), vacuum transfer cylinders (8) formed on them are exchanged for labels. [13] Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the labeling units (4A to 4C) are lowered simultaneously. [14] Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a step e) for, in particular, simultaneously lifting the converted and / or maintained labelling units (4A to 4C) into their vertical (4A to 4C) working position. [15] Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the person detection in the access area (7AL to 7CR) where the control unit (5) is positioned is selectively deactivated and / or bypassed.

Images