Device and method for printing labels

Abstract

Device for printing labels (1), in particular labels (1) provided on a carrier strip (2), - with at least one label feeding device (3) for providing and feeding labels (1), - with a transport device (4) comprising at least one transport means (9, 10) for transporting the labels (1) fed from the label feed device (3) in a transport direction, wherein the labels are fed as individual labels (1) to the transport device (4), - with a printing device (11) comprising a print head (11a) for printing the labels (1) transported by the transport device (4) and - with a detection device (12) for detecting the position of the respective label (1) in a section of the transport device (4), characterized in that the detection device (12) has a line or area camera (13) with which the side of the transport means (9, 10) facing the labels (1) when used as intended and / or a gap (19) formed in the transport direction between two transport means sections (17, 18) can be optically detected in a detection area (14).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for printing labels according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for printing labels according to the preamble of claim 15.

[0002] Various methods for printing labels, particularly product labels, are known from the prior art. These labels are either self-adhesive labels detachably arranged on a carrier strip or linerless labels, which are provided as a continuous strand and separated by cutting. The labels and / or the carrier strip can be made of paper or plastic. These types of labels, which are provided in particular as rolls or Liporello, are also part of the invention, which is described in detail below.

[0003] A known device for printing labels (EP 1 280 705 B1), from which the invention is based, has several separate label feed devices for providing and feeding labels, each of the label feed devices having an unwinding reel for unwinding a receipt roll composed of a carrier strip and the labels detachably attached thereto, a take-up reel for winding the label-free carrier strip, and a stripping head for deflecting the carrier strip and thereby detaching the respective label from the carrier strip. The label feed devices are all assigned to the same transport device, which, according to one embodiment, has a conveyor belt as the transport means. As soon as they are each activated, the label feed devices can feed individual labels to the transport device, which are then fed to a common printing device.After the labels have been printed in the printing device, they are applied individually or in multiples to a product using an application device.

[0004] In the cited prior art, a detection device for detecting the position of the respective label is provided in the transport direction upstream of the printing device, which may have a thermal head, inkjet print head, or laser print head as the print head. The detection device is arranged in a gap between the conveyor belt and a roller forming another transport means. Based on the detected label position, the print head can place the respective print on the label and correctly transfer the label to the application device.

[0005] For label detection on a transport device, color recognition sensors are generally used, which generate an immobile, highly focused light beam. When the light beam hits a label passing by, the light is reflected and the reflection is detected by the color recognition sensor / luminescence switch. The color recognition sensor thus operates on the principle of a light barrier. When a label is detected by the light beam, a corresponding detection signal is generated by the color recognition sensor, via which the print head is controlled so that the print can be placed on the intended label.

[0006] A problem with the previously described prior art, however, is that the label is detected by the detection device and a corresponding detection signal is generated even if the label is not optimally aligned with the print head. This often results in suboptimally placed printing on the label, for example, printing that is diagonal to the label edges or has an unwanted transverse or longitudinal offset, and in the worst case, even extends beyond the label edges or a label preprint. Further relevant prior art can be found, for example, in US 6 019 531 A, US 2017 / 0 243 086 A1, US 2011 / 0 181 650 A1, DE 20 2016 100 802 U1, and US 2020 / 0 156 816 A1.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the known device for printing labels in such a way that the respective label can be printed more precisely.

[0008] The above problem is solved in a device for printing labels according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0009] Specifically, it is proposed that the detection device comprise a line-scan or area-scan camera, with which the side of the transport means facing the labels during intended use, in particular the top side, and / or a gap formed in the transport direction between two transport means sections can be optically detected in a detection area. The detection area of ​​the detection device or the camera is thus arranged and configured such that the transport means and / or any transverse gap present, and thus also the labels transported by the transport means, possibly across the gap, through the detection area, are detected.

[0010] The key idea is to use a camera, namely a line scan or area scan camera, to detect labels on the means of transport, for example a conveyor belt, instead of a color detection sensor, which only generates a single, stationary point of light. Such a camera has a significantly larger detection range than a color detection sensor and therefore allows a label to be detected across its entire width (extension transverse to the direction of transport). In particular, a label can be detected across its entire length (extension in the direction of transport) with both a line scan and an area scan camera. With a line scan camera, the detection range is defined as a line, i.e. one-dimensional, and accordingly has a defined width. With an area scan camera, the detection range is defined as an area, i.e. two-dimensional, and accordingly has a defined length and width.

[0011] A line scan or area scan camera is also significantly more accurate than a color detection sensor. Unlike a color detection sensor, which only generates information about the mere presence or absence of a label on the means of transport, a line scan or area scan camera can capture the entire label contour and also provide information about the position and / or orientation of the respective label on the means of transport. Such a camera can also determine the respective label type, which in turn makes it possible to use a wider variety of labels, as a camera has a comparatively high contrast and can therefore detect labels on a means of transport even if the label has no or only a slight color difference to the surface of the means of transport. In principle, it is even possible to capture transparent labels and / or the label thickness.The pre-printed label can also be clearly recognized. With the information that can be generated via a camera, the respective label can be printed particularly precisely in a subsequent printing process, i.e., the print can be optimally placed on the label, for example, even exactly up to the edges or corners of the label or a pre-print thereon. Reliable label identification is also possible, i.e., the label captured by the camera each time can be compared with a defined or stored specification (the "expected" label). Regardless of this, a line or area camera is less expensive to purchase than a color recognition sensor and is also easier to install, simply because a camera is less sensitive to vibrations.

[0012] A line scan camera has the particular advantage that, due to its line-shaped and therefore relatively narrow detection range, it can also detect labels through a narrow gap between two sections of the transport means, especially from below, which opens up more options for positioning the camera.

[0013] According to the embodiment according to claim 2, the line scan or area scan camera is arranged vertically above the transport means, i.e. above the transport means in the direction of gravity. In this case, in particular, the upper side of the transport means, on which the labels rest, faces the camera. In principle, however, other orientations or arrangements of the camera relative to the transport means and the label transported thereby are also conceivable, as long as it is guaranteed that the label can be detected as described. For example, the line scan or area scan camera can also be arranged vertically below the transport means. In this case, the camera is aimed in particular at or into a gap between two transport means sections adjacent in the transport direction, which gap the labels pass through during their transport.The respective transport means section is, for example, part of a conveyor belt or a conveyor roller, i.e. the gap is then arranged between two conveyor belts or between two sections of the same conveyor belt or between two conveyor rollers or between a conveyor roller and a conveyor belt.

[0014] According to the embodiment according to claim 3, the line scan or area scan camera is, in particular, a monochrome or color camera. Particularly preferably, this is a plug-and-play camera, preferably a USB camera ("USB": Universal Serial Bus). A detection device or camera that can be connected to the proposed device via "plug and play," i.e., by simply plugging it into a corresponding interface, in particular a USB interface, is particularly easy to install. In particular, a separate power supply is not required, since, for example, a USB interface is suitable for both data transmission and power supply.

[0015] In the embodiment according to claim 4, the detection device comprises at least one illuminant that illuminates the detection area at least partially, in particular completely. This allows a particular label and, if applicable, any preprinting on the label to be detected particularly precisely.

[0016] Claims 5 to 7 define preferred embodiments and arrangements of the detection zone. This zone is located, in particular, in front of the print head in the transport direction. The detection zone may overlap the print zone in the transport direction, or may be adjacent to the print zone in the transport direction, or may be spaced apart from the print zone in the transport direction. The "print zone" refers to the area of ​​the conveyor belt in which the print head can print. The label can then be printed and, in particular, adjusted within this print zone.

[0017] According to the embodiment according to claim 8, a reference point and / or a reference line is provided, via which the camera can be calibrated in the transport direction and / or transversely to the transport direction and / or perpendicular to the transport plane (at which the camera can be aligned). This reference point or reference line can be formed by the print head, in particular by its housing or prominent points or edges thereon, and can lie within or outside the detection range. For electronic calibration, the reference point or reference line is preferably located within the detection range; for mechanical calibration / alignment of the camera, the reference point or reference line can also lie outside the detection range. A "reference point" is a point that defines the origin of a coordinate system, in particular a Cartesian coordinate system (XY coordinate system or XYZ coordinate system).A “reference line” forms in particular a corresponding coordinate axis.

[0018] According to the preferred embodiment according to claim 9, a control device is provided. In a preferred embodiment, this control device controls the printing process for this label based on a contour of a label detected by the detection device and / or a detected pre-printing or contour of a pre-printing. Additionally or alternatively, the control device can also be used for slip monitoring, which will be explained below.

[0019] In particular, the printing process can be automatically adjusted as soon as a label passes through the detection area which has a different width, length, position and / or orientation than a predetermined target value for the width, length, position and / or orientation or which has a different width, length, position and / or orientation than the immediately preceding label (claim 10). The “position” means the position relative to the lateral boundaries of the means of transport or relative to a longitudinal marking on the means of transport, i.e. the position in the transverse direction, which can then be used to determine a transverse offset between a predetermined target position and the actual label position (actual position) or even a transverse offset between two labels transported one behind the other. The “orientation” means the alignment of the respective label or the direction of the edges of the label in relation to the direction of transport or.This refers to the direction of the lateral boundaries of the transport means or a longitudinal marking on the transport means, which allows the determination of an angular offset between a specified target orientation and the actual label orientation (actual orientation) or even an angular offset between two labels transported one behind the other. In particular, the printing process can be controlled and / or adjusted in such a way that the print extends to the contour (outer edges) of the label or to the pre-printed area.

[0020] According to the further embodiment according to claim 12, the printing device has, in particular, a thermal head with a thermal strip as the print head. However, it is also conceivable to use a laser print head or an inkjet print head.

[0021] The transport device can in turn comprise at least one conveyor belt as transport means, preferably exactly one conveyor belt or several conveyor belts, and / or at least one unit with one or more transport and / or pressure rollers (claim 13). "Transport rollers" refers to rollers on which a label can be transported. "Pressure rollers" are rollers that press the label against another transport means, such as a conveyor belt or transport rollers, during its transport. The transport means can also comprise transport means sections that are immediately adjacent to one another in the transport direction, between which said gap is formed in the transport direction, wherein the transport means sections can be part of a conveyor belt or a unit of transport rollers.

[0022] According to the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 14, a plurality of label feed devices are provided, each configured to provide and feed labels and associated with the same transport device, the same detection device, and / or the same printing device. The proposed label feed device(s) preferably comprises an unwinder, a stripping head, and a take-up reel. The unwinder serves to receive a receipt roll with a label strip, wherein the label strip is preferably a carrier strip with labels detachably attached thereto. In principle, however, the label strip can also be a material strip from which labels are formed by cutting the material strip to length.In the preferred case of a carrier strip with detachably attached labels, these labels are removed at the stripping head by sharply deflecting the carrier strip, with the then label-free carrier strip being wound onto the take-up reel. If several such label feeders are provided, different label types can be fed in, or one label feeder can take over the feeding of labels if the label supply of a previously active label feeder has been exhausted. Especially in the case where labels are fed to the same print head via different label feeders, it is advantageous to detect the labels with particular precision.

[0023] According to the further teaching of claim 15, which has independent significance, a method for printing labels, in particular labels provided on a carrier strip, is claimed, wherein the labels are provided via at least one label feed device and fed to a transport device which transports the labels in a transport direction past a detection device to a printing device in which the labels are printed. An essential feature of the method, which can be carried out using a device as defined above, is that the labels are optically detected in a detection area of ​​the detection device by a line scan or area scan camera of the detection device. This results in the same advantages as described above in connection with the device.

[0024] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which shows only exemplary embodiments. In the drawing Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a device according to the proposal for printing labels and Fig. 2 shows the detail ii from Fig. 1 a) in an enlarged view and b) in a plan view.

[0025] Fig. 1 exemplarily and purely schematically shows a device according to the proposal for printing labels 1, in particular adhesive labels 1, which are here detachably provided on a carrier strip 2. The device has a plurality of separate label supply devices 3 via which the individual labels 1 are provided and fed to a transport device 4.

[0026] Each of the label feed devices 3 is constructed according to the same principle. The label feed devices 3 comprise a payoff reel 3a, a stripping head 3b, and a rewind reel 3c. The payoff reel 3a serves to hold a receipt roll 5, which in this case comprises a carrier strip 2 to be unwound with labels 1 detachably attached thereto. The carrier strip 2, loaded with labels 1, is guided from the payoff reel 3a to the stripping head 3b, where the carrier strip 2 is strongly deflected, here by more than 90°, for example, whereby the labels 1 are automatically released from the carrier strip 2. The carrier strip 2, then freed of the labels 1, is finally rewound by the rewind reel 3c.

[0027] The individual components of the label feed device 3, in particular the unwinding reel 3a, stripping head 3b and winding reel 3c, are arranged here in a cassette 6, which can be removed from the device as a whole or is replaceable.

[0028] How Fig. 1 shows, the label feed device 3 and / or the unwinding reel 3a, the stripping head 3b and / or the winding reel 3c are connected via an associated control line 7 to a control device 8 of the device, which will be explained in more detail below. This allows each of the label feed devices 3 to be activated or deactivated as needed. “Activating” means that the label feed device 3 is positioned and / or controlled in such a way that individual labels 1 can be fed to the transport device 4. It is conceivable that the other label feed devices 3 are deactivated, i.e. do not feed any labels 1 themselves. However, it is also conceivable that further label feed devices are also activated and feed labels 1 at the same time.

[0029] The transport device 4 comprises at least one transport means 9, 10, with which the labels 1 fed by the respective label feed device 3 are transported in a transport direction, wherein the labels are fed as individual labels 1 to the transport device 4. One of the transport means is a conveyor belt 9, which interacts with another transport means in the form of a unit comprising several pressure rollers 10. The conveyor belt 9 has a drive, which is also coupled to the control device 8. The unit of pressure rollers 10 serves to press the labels 1 against the surface of the conveyor belt 9 during transport so that they remain as optimally positioned and aligned as possible on the conveyor belt 9. The conveyor belt 9 here has two transport means sections 17, 18, one of which is curved and one of which is straight.A gap 19 is formed between these, over which the respective label 1 is conveyed from the curved to the straight transport section.

[0030] The transport device 4 transports the individual labels 1, in particular continuously, in the transport direction to a printing device 11 with a print head 11a, which is configured to print the labels 1 transported by the transport device 4. The printing device 11 is also connected to the control device 8 via its own control line 7. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the print head 11a is a thermal head with a thermal strip. This can be used to change the color, in particular blacken, of a thermosensitive medium through the application of localized heat. The corresponding printing process, so-called thermal printing, can be direct thermal printing, thermal transfer printing, or thermal sublimation printing. In principle, however, the proposed solution also encompasses other printing processes, for example laser printing processes or inkjet printing processes.Accordingly, a laser print head or inkjet print head can also be provided as the print head.

[0031] Individual labels can now be fed to the aforementioned printing device 11 from each of the label feed devices 3 by means of the transport device 4, wherein the labels 1 are guided past a detection device 12 for detecting the position and orientation of the respective label 1 in a section of the transport device 4 before reaching the printing device 11. The label feed devices 3, which can be activated independently of one another and can also provide different labels here, are therefore assigned to the same transport device 4, the same printing device 11, and the same detection device 12 in the exemplary embodiment described here.

[0032] It is now essential that the detection device 12 has a line or area camera 13, with which the side of the conveyor belt 9 facing the transported labels 1, here the top side, can be optically detected in a detection area 14. Accordingly, when a label 1 passes the detection area 14, the respective label 1 is also detected. This is described in detail in the Fig. 2a and b.

[0033] The detection device 12 is also connected to the control device 8 via its own control line 7. In this way, data generated by the detection device 12 relating to the width, length, position and / or orientation of the label 1 passing through the detection area 14 can be processed by the control device 8, which uses this data to control the print head 11a in such a way that a print can be placed optimally and with high precision on the respective label 1. In this way, the geometry of even complex labels 1 can be recognized using a line or area camera 13 and an associated printing process can be adapted accordingly. Since the detection area 14 can be selected to be at least wide enough that a label 1 can be completely detected in the transverse direction (transverse to the transport direction) and preferably also completely detected in the longitudinal direction or in the transport direction, the position orThe transverse offset of a label and / or the orientation or angular offset of the label 1 can be detected, and a printing process associated with the respective label 1 can be controlled or adjusted accordingly. A further advantage of the comparatively large detection area 14 is that a detection device 12 or a corresponding camera 13 can be particularly easily aligned with the respective transport means, here the individual conveyor belt 9. This is much more difficult with the prior art, which uses a color recognition sensor.

[0034] Since the label 1 can be completely captured, which is also possible with a line scan camera 13 when the individual captured lines are combined into a two-dimensional image, the respective label 1 can, if necessary, even be printed right up to its edges, i.e., its outer contour, and in particular, even to its corners. Even if the label 1 fed to the capture area 14 and subsequently to the printing device 11 already has a preprint, by detecting the preprint or the contour of the preprint, a print can be placed particularly precisely relative to the preprint.

[0035] With the proposed device and in particular the provided detection device 12, the printing process can also be adapted to the respective next label. In other words, it is possible to adapt the printing process within the period from detecting the contour of label 1 to the start of the printing process assigned to label 1. If a subsequent label 1 then reaches the detection area 14 with a different position or orientation, the printing process assigned to this label 1 can be immediately adapted for this subsequent label 1. It can also be automatically checked before printing whether the correct label format is being fed for the respective product ID or inserted into the corresponding cassette 6.

[0036] By coupling the control device 8 to the drive of the conveyor belt 9 on the one hand and to the detection device 12 on the other hand, slip monitoring can also be implemented, in particular such that the detection device 12 detects markings provided on the respective means of transport 9, via which markings the control device 8 can determine the actual speed of the means of transport 9 and which it can then compare with the detected actual speed of the drive of the conveyor belt 9. A difference between the determined actual speed of the means of transport 9 and the detected actual speed of the drive of the conveyor belt 9 then indicates slip and can in particular be displayed to an operator and / or automatically corrected.

[0037] In the following, the Fig. 2a and b further details of the detection device 12 of the proposed device for printing labels 1 are described.

[0038] Thus, the line scan or area scan camera 13 according to the exemplary embodiment is a color camera. However, the use of a monochrome camera is also conceivable in principle. The entire detection device 12 and thus also the camera 13 are connected to the rest of the device and in particular to the control device 8 via a plug and play interface, in particular a USB interface, i.e. an interface that allows both data transmission and the power supply of the camera 13. This also makes it possible to supply power to separate lighting means 15 of the detection device 12, which illuminate the detection area 14 at least partially, in particular completely. In the case illustrated here, the entirety of the camera 13 and lighting means 15 is connected to the device or the control device 8 by means of the plug and play interface or USB interface in the manner described.

[0039] How Fig. 2a, the detection device 12 or the line scan or area camera 13 is arranged vertically above the means of transport 9, at least vertically above the detection area 14. The detection device 12, in particular the line scan or area camera 13 and / or the lighting means 15, is or are aligned perpendicular to the surface of the means of transport 9 in the detection area 14. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to align the detection device 12 or the camera 13 and / or the lighting means 15 obliquely to the surface. A detection device 12, in particular a line scan camera 13, could also be arranged below the means of transport 9 and / or be directed onto or into a gap 19 between two sections of the means of transport 9, in order to then detect the labels, in particular from below, when they cross the gap 19. It must only be ensured that the detection area 14 is aligned to the means of transport orConveyor belt 9 is aligned such that a fed label 1 can be grasped at least largely, in particular completely, transversely to the transport direction and preferably also in the transport direction. What is preferred is . Fig. 2b, the detection area 14 is even designed such that a label 1 can be arranged completely, i.e. over its entire length, in the detection area 14.

[0040] For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment described here, the detection area 14 has a length (extension in the transport direction) of at least 100 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, particularly preferably at least 200 mm, and in particular has a length that corresponds at least to one label length. Furthermore, the detection area here has a width (extension transverse to the transport direction) of at least 50 mm, preferably at least 100 mm, particularly preferably at least 150 mm, and in particular has a width that corresponds at least to one label width. Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2b, the detection area 14 even extends laterally, i.e., in the transverse direction, beyond the transport means or conveyor belt 9. In principle, the detection area 14 detects at least one of the lateral edges 9a, 9b, preferably both lateral edges 9a, 9b, of the transport means or conveyor belt 9. For the purposes of the invention, "lateral edges" means the edges that delimit the transport means 9, 10 in the transverse direction.

[0041] The detection area 14, which is arranged in front of the print head 11a in the transport direction, is spaced apart in the transport direction from the printing area 16, in which printing can generally take place and which is defined here by the thermal strip. Preferably, the distance is less than one label length. In particular, the distance is a maximum of 100 mm, preferably a maximum of 50 mm, and particularly preferably a maximum of 20 mm. However, it is also conceivable for the detection area 14 to be adjacent to the printing area 16 in the transport direction or even to overlap the printing area 16 in the transport direction.

[0042] As in Fig.2b is also shown schematically, the line or area camera 13 is calibrated or calibrated in the transport direction and / or transversely to the transport direction and / or perpendicular to the transport plane or transport means surface with respect to a reference point P and / or a reference line L. Here, the reference point P is a point or the reference line L is a line on the print head 11a, wherein the reference point P and the reference line L are each arranged outside the detection area 14.

[0043] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for printing labels 1, in particular labels 1 provided on a carrier strip 2, which method can preferably be carried out using the device described above.

[0044] In the proposed method, the labels 1 are each provided via at least one label feed device 3 and fed to a transport device 4. The labels 1 are then transported by the transport device 4, as described in detail above, past a detection device 12 to a printing device 11, in which the labels 1 are each printed. In particular, the printed labels 1 are then each applied to a product. According to the proposal, the labels 1 are optically detected in a detection area 14 by a line or area camera 13 of the detection device 12.

Claims

[1] Device for printing labels (1), in particular labels (1) provided on a carrier strip (2), - with at least one label feeding device (3) for providing and feeding labels (1), - with a transport device (4) comprising at least one transport means (9, 10) for transporting the labels (1) fed from the label feed device (3) in a transport direction, wherein the labels are fed as individual labels (1) to the transport device (4), - with a printing device (11) comprising a print head (11a) for printing the labels (1) transported by the transport device (4) and - with a detection device (12) for detecting the position of the respective label (1) in a section of the transport device (4), characterized bythat the detection device (12) has a line or area camera (13) with which the side of the transport means (9, 10) facing the labels (1) when used as intended and / or a gap (19) formed in the transport direction between two transport means sections (17, 18) can be optically detected in a detection area (14). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the line or area camera (13) is arranged vertically above or below the transport means (9, 10). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the line or area camera (13) is a monochrome or color camera, and / or that the line or area camera (13) and / or the detection device (12) can be connected to the rest of the device via a plug and play interface, preferably a USB interface. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the detection device (12) has at least one illuminating means (15) which illuminates the detection area (14) at least in sections, in particular completely. [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the detection area (14) is arranged in front of the print head (11a) in the transport direction, preferably that the detection area (14) overlaps the printing area (16) in the transport direction or borders on the printing area (16) in the transport direction or is spaced from the printing area (16) in the transport direction, in particular at most 100 mm, preferably at most 50 mm, particularly preferably at most 20 mm. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the detection area (14) has a length of at least 100 mm, preferably at least 150 mm, particularly preferably at least 200 mm, and / or that the detection area (14) has a width of at least 50 mm, preferably at least 100 mm, particularly preferably at least 150 mm. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the detection area (14) also detects one of the lateral edges (9a, 9b) or both lateral edges (9a, 9b) of the means of transport(s) (9, 10). [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the line or area camera (13) is calibrated or can be calibrated in the transport direction and / or transversely to the transport direction and / or perpendicular to the transport plane with respect to a reference point (P) and / or a reference line (L), preferably that the reference point (P) or the reference line (L) is a point or a line on the print head (11a) and / or lies within or outside the detection area (14). [9] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a control device (8) is provided, preferably that the control device (8) controls an associated printing process of the print head (11a) based on a contour of a label (1) detected by the detection device (12) and / or based on a pre-printing or contour of a pre-printing of a label (1) detected by the detection device (12), and / or that the control device (8) monitors and / or displays and / or readjusts a slip of the transport means (9) based on markings on the transport means (9) detected by the detection device (12). [10] Device according to claim 9, characterized bythat the control device (8) automatically adapts the printing process as soon as a label (1) passes the detection area (14) which has a different width, length, position and / or orientation than a predetermined target value for the width, length, position and / or orientation or which has a different width, length, position and / or orientation than the immediately preceding label (1), preferably that the adaptation of the printing process takes place within the period from the detection of the contour to the start of the associated printing process. [11] Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the printing process can be controlled and / or adjusted in such a way that the print reaches right up to the contour. [12] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the printing device (11) has as print head (11a) a thermal head with a thermal strip, a laser print head or an inkjet print head. [13] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the transport device (4) has as transport means (9, 10) at least one conveyor belt (9) and / or at least one unit with one or more transport and / or pressure rollers (10). [14] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a plurality of label feeding devices (3) are provided, each of which is configured to provide and feed labels (1) and which are assigned to the same transport device (4), the same detection device (12) and / or the same printing device (11), preferably that the label feeding devices (3) can be activated independently of one another and / or provide different labels (1). [15] Method for printing labels (1), in particular labels (1) provided on a carrier strip (2), preferably using a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the labels (1) are provided via at least one label feed device (3) and fed to a transport device (4) which transports the labels (1) in a transport direction past a detection device (12) to a printing device (11) in which the labels (1) are printed, wherein the labels are fed to the transport device (4) as individual labels (1), characterized by that the labels (1) are optically detected in a detection area (14) by a line or area camera (13) of the detection device (12).

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