Label roll and machine with label roll

Abstract

Label roll (1), with a roll core (2) and with a label strip (3) wound onto the roll core (2), characterized in that the roll core (2) has a plurality of rolls (5) arranged distributed over its circumference wound with the label strip (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a label roll comprising a roll core and a label strip wound onto the roll core. Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine, in particular a mailing machine, for receiving and / or dispensing mail, in particular piece goods, repackaged piece goods, and / or parcels, comprising at least one label roll containing a label strip accommodated in a label compartment, and a dispensing device for at least partially dispensing the label strip and / or for at least partially dispensing a label strip carried by the label strip and / or for dispensing labels carried by the label strip to a user.

[0002] Vending machines that accept and / or dispense goods on request and / or perform simple services, such as gaming, photo, cash, money exchange, and vending machines, are known in a wide variety of designs. Vending machines can also be designed as parcel vending machines, so-called packing stations, where customers can pick up specific shipments and deliver them themselves around the clock. In general, such machines can be referred to as shipment vending machines, which are used to pick up and / or drop off shipments, in particular general cargo, repackaged general cargo, and / or parcels. Therefore, the items picked up and / or dropped off do not necessarily have to be parcels in the true sense of the word. Accordingly, the shipment vending machines do not necessarily have to be operated by courier, express, and / or postal services.

[0003] In many cases, these machines contain a label roll and a label dispenser in a dedicated compartment. These can be customer receipts, for example, showing what service was provided by the machine and at what cost. The labels can be pre-printed on the label roll or at least partially individually printed by a printer before the labels are dispensed.

[0004] The label roll comprises a roll core with a circular cross-section onto which a label strip is wound. The label strip is partially unwound for dispensing labels and also partially dispensed from the dispensing device to the operator of the machine. The known label strips vary considerably depending on the desired use. In a simple case, the label strip is dispensed piece by piece from the dispensing device. If the label strip is perforated or will be perforated before dispensing, the front, free end of the label strip can be torn off by the user. In the case of adhesive labels, these can first be removably stuck to the label strip and then dispensed one after the other from the dispensing device. The adhesive labels are detached from the label strip beforehand if the adhesive labels are intended to be applied immediately.The adhesive labels can also be dispensed together with a piece of the label tape if the user needs to stick the adhesive label onto a substrate at a later date.

[0005] To ensure that every user receives a label and to avoid vending machines having to be taken out of service, it is important to ensure that the label rolls are replaced before no more labels can be dispensed. This means that an employee must swap the used label roll for a new one. Replacing the label rolls is particularly time-consuming and requires a lot of personnel in cases where, for whatever reason, the same employee who refills the vending machine with new items cannot do so - for example, because they do not have the approval or permission to do so - or in cases where the vending machine does not need to be restocked with new items or only needs to be restocked very rarely. To reduce this effort, fairly large label rolls are used, although these can require a considerable amount of space.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to design and develop the label roll and the machines of the type mentioned at the outset and explained in more detail above in such a way that the time and personnel expenditure for changing the label rolls can be reduced without having to provide a disproportionate amount of space for the label compartment.

[0007] This object is achieved in a label roll according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the roll core has a plurality of rolls distributed over its circumference wound with the label tape.

[0008] The above object is further achieved in a mailing machine according to the preamble of claim 10 in that the label roll is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.

[0009] The invention has recognized that longer label strips can be wound onto roll cores of label rolls in a space-saving manner if the roll cores have a plurality of rolls distributed over the circumference wrapped with the label strip. Therefore, the roll core itself does not form the roll from which the label strip is unwound, but rather the label strip is unwound from the rolls provided on the circumference. Rotation of the roll core as such is therefore not necessary. This makes it possible to adapt the roll core as optimally as possible to the space available for the label compartment, since the shape of the roll core, in particular the cross-section of the roll core wrapped by the label strip, no longer has to be circular, but can have a different shape.Although this shape may make it impossible for the roll core itself to rotate in the label compartment assigned to the roll core in order to unwind the label tape, the label tape can still be unwound or unwound via the rollers arranged on the circumference of the roll core.

[0010] For the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the roll core and the machine are described together below, without distinguishing between the label roll and the machine in detail. However, the skilled person will be able to determine, based on the context, which feature is particularly preferred with regard to the label roll and the machine.

[0011] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the label roll, the roll core has an elongated, preferably at least substantially oval or at least substantially rectangular, cross-section around which the label strip is wrapped. In this way, the space of a rectangular label compartment can be utilized for the label roll or for a long label strip. In this context, it is expedient, particularly to prevent the accidental detachment of adhesive labels, for the roll core to have rounded corners. This applies in particular to an otherwise substantially rectangular cross-section around which the label strip is wrapped.

[0012] The rollers of the label roll are preferably stationary along the circumference of the roll core to ensure reliable operation of the label roll. To prevent the label strip from slipping on the rollers or sliding off the roll core, it is advisable for the rollers to be designed as rubber-coated rollers. The rollers do not necessarily have to have rubber on their outside. A plastic with a fairly high coefficient of friction would be sufficient here. What is meant by a fairly high coefficient of friction also depends on the material of the label strip and therefore cannot be exhaustively stated here. Rubber-coated rollers are therefore preferably understood to mean those according to typical expert understanding. To hold the rollers reliably, the label roll can have a roll core housing on or in which the rollers are attached.This can be achieved particularly effectively by holding the roller axes of the rollers in the roller core housing.

[0013] In order to prevent the label strip from unintentionally unwinding and / or to simplify the winding of the label strip, the roll core can have at least one brake pad that can brake at least one of the circumferentially arranged rollers. In particular, it is expedient if the at least one brake pad is provided so as to be adjustable from a braking position in which it rests force-fittingly on at least one roller to a release position spaced apart from the at least one roller and back again. In order not to impair the winding and unwinding of the label strip, the at least one brake pad can, in the braking position, rest force-fittingly on the at least one roller on a side of the at least one roller that is at least substantially remote from the label strip. In other words, the at least one brake pad can be provided inside the roll core, while the label strip is provided on the outside of the roll core.The braking effect can be increased if the side of the brake pad which interacts with the at least one roller is made of rubber or a suitable plastic, in particular one which is resistant on the one hand and provides a high coefficient of friction on the other.

[0014] The adjustment of the brake pad from the release position to the braking position and back can be carried out reliably and easily if at least one spring means is assigned to the at least one brake pad in such a way that the restoring force supports the adjustment of the at least one spring means into the braking position and / or into the release position. This is particularly simple, especially to avoid unnecessary adjustment devices, if the corresponding adjustment of the brake pad is not only supported but also effected by the at least one spring means.

[0015] In order to ensure error-free operation of the label roll and to be able to control it reliably, it can be expedient if the at least one brake pad is at least partially made of a magnetic material. At least one electromagnet can then be assigned to the at least one brake pad in such a way that the at least one electromagnet can hold the brake pad in the release position and / or the braking position as a result of the magnetic force. The at least one electromagnet preferably holds the at least one brake pad in the release position and / or the braking position against the restoring force of the at least one spring means. By applying current to the at least one electromagnet, the at least one electromagnet generates a magnetic field that ensures that the brake pad is locked in the magnetic field.The brake pad is either held in the release position to allow the label strip to be pulled off, or the brake pad is held in the braking position to prevent this or to allow the label strip to be wound onto the roll core. In the release position, the at least one brake pad can rest against the at least one electromagnet or against at least one release stop.

[0016] To enable the brake pad to be adjusted back and forth between the braking position and the release position in a targeted manner and depending on the operation of the automatic system, at least one control device for controlling the at least one electromagnet is preferably assigned to the at least one electromagnet. In other words, the electromagnet can be energized or de-energized to generate a magnetic field, controlled by the control device.

[0017] In order for the roll core, which according to the invention does not have to rotate itself, to be held securely and, if necessary, stationary in a label compartment, it is advisable for the roll core housing to have lateral receptacles, in particular grooves, for receiving a holder for holding the label roll in a mailing machine. A positive fit in a label compartment is therefore recommended here. However, the roll core housing can also be mounted via lateral projections, in particular springs and / or ribs, which can engage in a receptacle of a holder to hold the roll core housing and thus the label roll, if necessary in a label compartment of a machine. Alternatively or additionally, the roll core housing can also have lateral feet for setting the roll core housing up on a surface, for example in a label compartment of a machine.To prevent the label strip from coming into contact with the substrate, it is advisable to position the label strip completely above the substrate, provided the substrate is flat. The feet must therefore be designed accordingly.

[0018] The label strip can, if required, be made at least substantially of paper or plastic. The label strip itself can form the labels or carry the labels. If the label strip itself forms the labels, the label strip can be separated step by step to provide individual labels. It is also possible for sections of the label strip to be cut or punched out one after the other. If it is intended to always produce labels of the same size, the label strip can be perforated at regular intervals to separate the labels. Otherwise, the label strip can be perforated by a perforating device after it has been pulled off the roll core and before it is dispensed to the user.Regardless of the above properties of the label strip, the label strip can carry at least one label strip releasably bonded to the label strip or a plurality of labels arranged one behind the other and releasably bonded to the label strip. The labels or the label strip can preferably be self-adhesive. For this purpose, an adhesive layer can be provided on the labels or the label strip, with which the labels or the label strip are releasably bonded to the label strip and which can be removed from the label strip together with the labels or the label strip. The same adhesive layer then makes it possible to bond the labels or the label strip to the desired substrate. In the case of a label strip, this label strip can be separated into individual labels before or after the label strip is dispensed.

[0019] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the machine, a printer, in particular a thermal printer, is provided for printing on the label tape, the label ribbon, and / or the labels. This allows the labels to be printed individually, which can increase convenience for the user and reduce label tape consumption. It is particularly effective and space-saving if the printer pulls the label tape from the roll core for printing. Additional transport devices for transporting the label tape can then be dispensed with if necessary. Alternatively or additionally, the printer can be provided for dispensing the label tape, the label ribbon, and / or the labels. Additional transport devices for dispensing the label tape can then be dispensed with if necessary. In principle, it is expedient for the printer to be designed as a thermal printer in terms of space requirements, reliability, and flexibility.

[0020] The machine preferably has an operating terminal for operation by the user. In this case, the operating terminal can interact with the control device such that, depending on the operation of the operating terminal and a corresponding control, the control device of the roll core activates or deactivates the at least one electromagnet. Alternatively or additionally, however, the at least one printer can also be controlled to pull label tape from the label roll, to print the label tape, to print the label tape, to print at least one label, to dispense the label tape, to dispense the label tape and / or to dispense at least one label. Thus, the use of the label roll is controlled as needed via the user's operation of the operating terminal, according to predetermined criteria.

[0021] The operating terminal can, if required, have a keyboard and / or a touchscreen for operation by the user, which enables very simple and reliable operation of the machine. Alternatively or additionally, the operating terminal can also have a receiving unit for receiving signals. The operating commands are then transmitted to the operating terminal in the form of signals without the operator having to press corresponding keys, fields, or switches. For this purpose, the operating terminal can, for example, comprise reading devices suitable for reading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, Near Field Communication (NFC) tags and / or barcodes, particularly two-dimensional barcodes, or other storage media. While a barcode can typically be read optically, an RFID tag or NFC tag can, if required, be read via a local radio network.Alternatively or additionally, the signal can be sent to the operator terminal via a local radio network or a mobile network, for example, Bluetooth or Wireless Area Local Network (WLAN) and / or a mobile network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE). The operator terminal then has appropriate receiving devices for this purpose.

[0022] The label roll can be used particularly effectively and beneficially when the mailing machine is a parcel machine, in particular a packing station, for the operator to independently pick up and / or deliver parcels. In this case, due to certain specifications, only certain people, typically not the delivery staff themselves, can change the label rolls. Therefore, changing the label rolls is particularly labor- and time-intensive. Furthermore, with these machines it is desirable for the machines to print address labels and / or return labels for returning returned items. The user can then stick these labels on a parcel and then deliver the parcel to the machine. However, this option leads to high consumption of label tape, which is why the advantages of the invention are of particular interest here. This is also the case when the machine is designed to print customer receipts.Regardless of whether a customer receipt, an address label, a return label or another label is being printed or issued, it is advisable to print and / or issue the corresponding label based on information provided via the operator terminal.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1A-B a label roll according to the invention in a schematic side view, Fig. 2 the label roll in a schematic front view, Fig. 3 a machine according to the invention in a schematic front view, Fig. 4 the operating terminal of the machine from Fig. 3 in a schematic frontal view and Fig. 5 one from the machine of Fig. 3 issued customer receipt or return receipt in a schematic top view.

[0024] In the Fig. 1A-B and Fig. Figure 2 shows a label roll 1 in a schematic side view and a schematic sectional view. The label roll 1 has a roll core 2, around whose circumference a label strip 3 is wound, specifically with a plurality of windings. The roll core 2 comprises a roll core housing 4, which is shown transparently or dashed for clarity, allowing a view into the interior of the roll core housing 4.

[0025] A plurality of rollers 5 are provided running around the circumference of the roll core 2 in a cross-section, partially forming the circumference of the roll core 2. The label strip 3 is wound around the rollers 5 and rests against the rollers 5 on the outer sides. The rollers 5 are held stationary in the roll core housing 4 via the roller axes 6 of the rollers. When the label strip 3 is pulled off, the label strip 3 slides along the circumference of the roll core 2 on the rollers 5 of the roll core 2. The roll core 2 itself, however, does not rotate or only rotates insignificantly. What is not shown in detail is that the rollers 5 are rubberized along the circumference of the rollers 5, i.e. they consist of rubber or a similar plastic.

[0026] The inner sides of some rollers 5, i.e. the sides that are assigned to the inside of the roller core housing 4, are assigned brake pads 7, which are arranged in the Fig. 1A in the braking position locking the corresponding rollers 5 and in the Fig. 1B in the release position releasing the associated rollers 5. Adjacent to the rollers 5, the illustrated and in this respect preferred brake pads 7 have a rubber coating or a plastic 8. On the side facing away from the rollers 5, the brake pads 7 are made of a magnetic metal 9. Also assigned to these sides are spring means 10 which, due to their spring forces, press the brake pads 7 outwards and against the rollers 5 in order to lock the rollers 5 in the braking position and prevent the label strip 3 from accidentally unwinding. Electromagnets 11 are provided to move the brake pads 7 into the release positions separated from the rollers 5 and arranged further inside the roll core housing 4, so that the rollers 5 can rotate freely.If a current is applied to them, the electromagnets 11 generate a magnetic field which attracts the brake pads 7 and holds them in the release position, namely against the restoring forces of the spring means 10. In the release position, the brake pads 7 rest against the electromagnets 11 in the illustrated and in this respect preferred roller core 2.

[0027] The electromagnets 11 are controlled by a control device 12. The control device 12 specifies when the electromagnets 111 are energized and when they are not. The control device 12 thus determines when the rollers 5 of the roll core 2 can rotate freely and when they cannot. Only when the rollers 5 can rotate freely can a piece of the label strip 3 be pulled off the label roll 1. The removal of the label strip 3 is effected by a printer 13, in particular a thermal printer, which pulls the label strip 3 partially through the printer 13 for printing and thus pulls it off the label roll 1.

[0028] In order to effectively utilize the space in an elongated label compartment, the cross-section of the roll core 2, around which the label tape 3 is wound, is also elongated. This is the Fig. 1. The corners of the roll core 2 are rounded to ensure unwinding without damaging the label strip 3 or accidental detachment of labels or adhesive labels from the label strip 3 in the corners of the roll core 2. Fig. 2 shows that the label roll 1 has feet 14 for inserting the label roll 1 into a label compartment of a machine. The feet 14 protrude downwards so far that the label strip 3 does not touch the bottom of the label compartment, which would hinder the unwinding of the label strip 3. Furthermore, the roll core housing 4 has ribs 15 on the sides that can be inserted into receptacles in the label compartment 17 to hold the label roll 11 in the desired position in the label compartment 17.

[0029] In the Fig. 3 shows a machine 16, in particular a mailing machine for picking up and / or delivering mail, in particular piece goods, repackaged piece goods and / or parcels, with a label compartment 17 for receiving label rolls. The machine 16 is designed in particular as a parcel machine, in particular a packing station, for the independent collection and / or delivery of parcels by the operator. For this purpose, the illustrated and in this respect preferred machine has a plurality of compartments 18 for receiving parcels. The compartments 18 can be opened by a user, specifically by means of an operating terminal 19. In addition, an output device 20 is provided, which is designed to at least partially output the label strip 3 and / or the at least partially output a label strip and / or label carried by the label strip 3 to a user.

[0030] The operating terminal 19 is in the Fig. 4 in detail. The illustrated and in this respect preferred operating terminal 19 has a touchscreen 21 and a keyboard 22 via which the operator can make inputs. The operating terminal 19 also has reading devices 23 which are capable of reading barcodes, in particular two-dimensional barcodes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and / or Near Field Communication (NFC) tags. Furthermore, receiving devices 24 are provided for receiving signals via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, for example Bluetooth, Wireless Area Local Network (WLAN), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE). The operator can transmit signals containing or representing control commands for the machine 16 via all of these channels.

[0031] The operating terminal 19 for operation by the user is cooperatively connected to the control device 12 such that the control device 12 of the roll core 2 is activated or deactivated depending on the control commands entered on the operating terminal 19 or transmitted to the operating terminal 19. If the control device 12 is activated, the electromagnets 11 are supplied with current, so that a magnetic field is generated for moving the brake pads 7 into the release position. If the control device 12 is deactivated, the voltage supply to the electromagnets 11 is interrupted, so that the brake pads 7 move into the braking position due to the restoring forces of the spring means 10. The control device 12 and / or the operating terminal 19 can also activate the printer 13, so that it pulls the label strip 3 from the roll core 2, prints labels, and forwards the printed labels to the output device 20.The labels are delivered from the machine 16 to the output device 20 and can thus be received by the user at the output device 20.

[0032] The printer 13 is, in particular, a thermal printer that can optionally print on the label tape 3, a label tape carried by the label tape 3, or individual labels. The label tape and / or the labels can be removably affixed to the label tape 3 with a self-adhesive layer. The label tape or the labels are dispensed either with the label tape 3 or without the label tape 3. In the latter case, the used label tape 3 is collected in the vending machine 16 until disposal.

[0033] The illustrated machine 16 is designed to print and issue labels, in particular in the form of customer receipts, stickers and / or return labels, in particular based on information provided via the operating terminal 19. A corresponding label 25, for example in the form of a customer receipt, a corresponding sticker and / or a corresponding return label, is shown schematically in the Fig. 5, wherein the label 25 in the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment already has pre-printed information in areas 26, which can be supplemented in other areas 27 with individual information that can be printed in certain areas by the printer 13 of the machine 16. However, any information can also be printed by the printer 13 in the machine 16, particularly for dispensing very different labels 25. List of reference symbols 1 label roll 2 roll cores 3 label tape 4 roll core housings 5 rolls 6 roller axes 7 brake pad 8 Plastic 9 Metal 10 spring means 11 Electromagnet 12 Control device 13 printers 14 feet 15 ribs 16 machines 17 Label compartment 18 compartments 19 Operating terminal 20 Output device 21 touchscreen 22 Keyboard 23 reading devices 24 reception facilities 25 labels 26.27 area

Claims

[1] Label roll (1), with a roll core (2) and with a label strip (3) wound onto the roll core (2), characterized by that the roll core (2) has a plurality of rolls (5) distributed over its circumference wound with the label strip (3). [2] Label roll according to claim 1, characterized by that the roll core (2) has an elongated, preferably at least substantially oval or at least substantially rectangular, in particular provided with rounded corners, cross-section around which the label tape (3) is wrapped. [3] Label roll according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the rollers (5) are provided in a stationary manner along the circumference of the roller core (2) and / or that the rollers (5) are rubberized rollers (5) and / or that the rollers (5), in particular the roller axles (6), are held in a roller core housing (4). [4] Label roll according to one of the sprays 1 to 3, characterized bythat the roll core (2) has at least one brake pad (7) and that the at least one brake pad (7) is provided so as to be adjustable from a braking position in which it rests non-positively on at least one roll (5) into a release position spaced apart from the at least one roll (5) and back, and that, preferably, the at least one brake pad (7) in the braking position rests non-positively on the at least one roll (5) on a side of the at least one roll (5) which is at least substantially remote from the label strip (3). [5] Label roll according to claim 4, characterized by that at least one spring means (10) is assigned to the at least one brake pad (7) in such a way that the restoring force causes or at least supports the adjustment of the at least one spring means (10) into the braking position and / or the release position. [6] Label roll according to claim 4 or 5, characterized bythat the at least one brake pad (7) is at least partially formed from a magnetic material, that at least one electromagnet (11) is assigned to the at least one brake pad (7) in such a way that the at least one electromagnet (11) can hold the brake pad (7) in the release position and / or the braking position as a result of the magnetic force of the electromagnet (11), in particular counter to the restoring force of the at least one spring means (10). [7] Label roll according to claim 6, characterized by that at least one control device (12) for controlling the at least one electromagnet (11) is assigned to the at least one electromagnet (11). [8] Label roll according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the roll core housing (4) has lateral receptacles, in particular grooves, for receiving a holder for holding the label roll (1) in a machine (16) and / or that the roll core housing (4) has lateral projections, in particular springs and / or ribs (15), for engaging in a receptacle of a holder for holding the label roll (1) in a machine (16) and / or that the roll core housing (4) has lateral feet (14) for setting up the roll core housing (4) on a surface in such a way that the label strip (3) is arranged entirely above a flat surface. [9] Label roll according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the label strip (3) is formed at least substantially from paper or plastic and / or that the label strip (3) is perforated at regular intervals for separating individual segments of the label strip (3) and / or that the label strip (3) carries at least one label strip releasably glued to the label strip (3) or a plurality of labels arranged one behind the other and releasably glued to the label strip (3). [10] Machine (16), in particular a mailing machine for receiving and / or delivering mail, in particular piece goods, repackaged piece goods and / or parcels, with at least one label roll (1) which is accommodated in a label compartment (17) and has a label strip (3) and a dispensing device (20) for at least partially dispensing the label strip (3) and / or for at least partially dispensing a label strip carried by the label strip (3) and / or for dispensing labels carried by the label strip (3) to a user, characterized by that the label roll (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] Machine according to claim 10, characterized bythat a printer (13), in particular a thermal printer, is provided for printing the label tape (3), the label tape and / or the labels and that, preferably, the printer (13) pulls the label tape (3) from the roll core (2) for printing and / or that the printer (13), in particular a thermal printer, is provided for dispensing the label tape (3), the label tape and / or the labels. [12] Machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterized bythat an operating terminal (19) for operation by the user is provided in such a way that it interacts with the control device (12) that, depending on the operation of the operating terminal (19), the control device (12) of the roll core (2) can be controlled to activate and / or deactivate the at least one electromagnet (11) and / or the printer (13) to pull label tape (3) from the label roll (1), to print on the label tape (3), the label tape and / or the labels and / or to dispense the label tape (3), the label tape and / or the labels. [13] Machine according to claim 12, characterized bythat an operating terminal (19) for operation by the user has a keyboard (22), a touchscreen (21), reading devices (23) for reading barcodes, in particular two-dimensional barcodes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and / or Near Field Communication (NFC) tags and / or receiving devices (24) for receiving signals via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, for example Bluetooth, Wireless Area Local Network (WLAN), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE). [14] Machine according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by that the shipment machine is a parcel machine, in particular a packing station, for the independent collection and / or delivery of parcels by the operator. [15] Machine according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized bythat the machine is designed to print and issue labels, in particular in the form of customer receipts and / or return labels, in particular based on information provided via the operating terminal (19).

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