Labeling device for labeling flexible packaging filled with a product

Abstract

Labeling device for labeling packages filled with a product, the labeling device comprising a transport device for transporting packages along a transport direction and a labeling unit for applying labels to packages, wherein the transport device comprises a recess for receiving the package and boundary surfaces on at least two sides of the recess, wherein the recess and the boundary surfaces are arranged such that the package can be arranged with the product in the recess and a packaging component on at least one of the boundary surfaces and wherein the labeling unit is designed to apply a label to the package while the product is arranged in the recess.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a labeling device for labeling packages filled with a product according to claim 1 and to a method for labeling packages filled with a product using a labeling device according to claim 9. State of the art

[0002] Labeling devices and methods for labeling products, especially packaging, are well known in the art. The labels are typically applied to a flat or slightly curved surface of the packaging to achieve the most crease-free labeling result possible.

[0003] However, there are types of packaging, particularly thermoformed packaging with elongated products and thus usually also elongated packaging shapes, that can only be labeled with great effort. For example, if the packaging is arranged lengthwise along the transport direction, a good labeling result is possible because the surface to be labeled is essentially flat. However, this also results in a large spacing between consecutive packages to be labeled. This arrangement, particularly when applying small labels to elongated products, only allows for reduced throughput. The product transport speed cannot be increased indefinitely due to limitations of the labeling process.Furthermore, the alignment of the products along the transport direction, especially when applying elongated labels, may require that the labels also be arranged in the longitudinal direction, for example, on a label roll. This reduces the available number of labels per roll for a given label roll size.

[0004] However, other arrangements of the packaging with products result in a relative arrangement of the surface to be labelled to the labelling unit, with which a flat or substantially flat surface to the surface to be labelled cannot be provided. Task

[0005] Based on the known state of the art, the technical problem to be solved is therefore to specify a device for labelling packages filled with a product, with which a high throughput and, at the same time, high labelling quality can be achieved even with elongated packages. Solution

[0006] This object is achieved by the labeling machine for labeling packages filled with a product according to claim 1 and the method for labeling packages filled with a product with a labeling device according to claim 9. Advantageous developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

[0007] The labeling device according to the invention for labeling packages filled with a product comprises a transport device for transporting packages along a transport direction and a labeling unit for applying labels to packages, wherein the transport device comprises a recess for receiving the package and boundary surfaces on at least two sides of the recess, wherein the recess and the boundary surfaces are arranged such that the package can be arranged with the product in the recess and a packaging component on at least one of the boundary surfaces and wherein the labeling unit is designed to apply a label to the package while the product is arranged in the recess.

[0008] The packaging filled with a product can, for example, be thermoformed packaging or flexible packaging (such as film bags) into which a product has been filled and which has preferably already been sealed. The packaging can be dimensionally stable or not dimensionally stable, and the invention is not limited in this regard. Preferably, but not necessarily, the packaging is elongated packaging which has a greater extent in one direction than in a direction running perpendicular thereto, wherein both directions can run in the transport plane of the packaging in the transport device. Preferably, the packaging is arranged in the recesses and the boundary surfaces such that its longest extent is arranged transversely to the transport direction.

[0009] In the following, a packaging component is understood to mean, for example, a part of the seal or the sealed seam, or any other part of the packaging that does not contain the product. In particular, this can include adhesive edges, adhesive corners, or edges of the packaging.

[0010] By arranging the part of the packaging in which the product is located in the recess and at least one packaging component resting on the boundary surface, any height difference caused by the spatial expansion of the product in the packaging is compensated for and the labeling unit can reliably apply a label, whereby an arrangement of the packages lengthwise in the transport direction is no longer necessary. This can increase throughput, particularly with elongated packages, while still ensuring the quality of the labeling result. As an alternative to increased throughput, the transport speed of the packages and thus the speed at which the labels must be applied to the packages can be reduced while maintaining the same throughput. This can also have a positive effect on the labeling result.Depending on the design of the labels (particularly in the case of elongated labels), as an alternative or in addition to the improved throughput, there may also be the possibility of accommodating more labels on a label roll with the same circumference or diameter, so that the frequency of roll changes in the labeling unit can be reduced.

[0011] The boundary surfaces can be arranged transversely to the transport direction. This also prevents the packaging from slipping in the transport direction during the labeling process and, in addition, this embodiment can be used particularly for labeling elongated packages.

[0012] In one embodiment, the labeling unit is designed to apply a label to the packaging in a labeling direction parallel to the transport direction. If the transport direction and the labeling device run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the packaging, this embodiment can achieve high throughput while simultaneously achieving good labeling results.

[0013] The transport device can comprise a plurality of recesses and boundary surfaces, and adjacent recesses can optionally be separated from one another by a boundary surface. Preferably, all boundary surfaces are identical. This embodiment makes it possible to label a large number of individual packages, as well as packages connected in chains, with high quality and high throughput.

[0014] It can be provided that the labeling device comprises a pressing device upstream of a label application point, and the pressing device is designed to press the package with the product into the recess. The pressing device can comprise a movable stamp and / or a pressure roller and / or a pressure plate. The pressing device can thus compensate for or reduce any existing height differences in the package by pressing the package and thus pressing the product into the recess, which allows for subsequent labeling with improved reliability.

[0015] In one embodiment, it is provided that the transport device comprises a conveyor belt and wherein the boundary surfaces are arranged on the conveyor belt and the recesses are at least partially delimited by the boundary surfaces and the conveyor belt.

[0016] In this sense, the recess is open at the top (as seen from the transport plane of the packaging in the transport device) and bounded at the bottom by the conveyor belt and on at least two sides by the boundary surfaces. This design can be flexibly adapted to different packaging types and transport speeds.

[0017] The boundary surfaces can be detachably connected to the conveyor belt. The detachable connection of the boundary surfaces to the conveyor belt can be achieved, for example, via click or plug connections. A detachable connection between the boundary surfaces and the conveyor belt is understood to be a connection that can be removed without causing damage, at least for the boundary surfaces and the conveyor belt. This allows for easy conversion of the labeling device, for example, when changing the packaging format.

[0018] It can be provided that the recess's extension in a direction transverse to the transport direction is greater than the recess's extension parallel to the transport direction. This embodiment allows elongated packages to be arranged as closely as possible to one another, thus ensuring high labeling throughput despite the comparatively low transport speed of the packages.

[0019] According to the invention, a method for labeling packages filled with a product is further provided using a labeling device, the labeling device comprising a transport device for transporting packages along a transport direction and a labeling unit for applying labels to packages, wherein the transport device comprises a recess for receiving the package and boundary surfaces on at least two sides of the recess, wherein the recess and the boundary surfaces are arranged such that the package can be arranged with the product in the recess and a packaging component on at least one of the boundary surfaces, and wherein the method comprises applying a label to the package while the product is arranged in the recess.

[0020] With this process, packaging can be reliably labelled regardless of its length, either lengthwise or crosswise to the direction of transport.

[0021] The boundary surfaces can be arranged transversely to the transport direction. This prevents the packaging from slipping.

[0022] In one embodiment, the labeling unit applies the label to the packaging in a labeling direction parallel to the transport direction. This reduces the shear forces acting on the label during application, thus preventing damage.

[0023] The transport device can be provided with a plurality of recesses and boundary surfaces, and adjacent recesses can optionally be separated from one another by a boundary surface. This embodiment allows both individual packages and chain packages comprising interconnected individual packages to be reliably labeled.

[0024] In one embodiment, the labeling device comprises a pressing device upstream of a label application point, wherein the pressing device presses the packaging with the product into the recess before the label is applied to the packaging. By pressing the packaging into the recess, the labeling result can be improved.

[0025] The transport device can comprise a conveyor belt, wherein the boundary surfaces are arranged on the conveyor belt and the recesses are at least partially delimited by the boundary surfaces and the conveyor belt. Optionally, the boundary surfaces are detachably connected to the conveyor belt. This embodiment allows for flexible adaptation to different packaging formats.

[0026] The recess's extension in a direction transverse to the transport direction can be greater than the recess's extension parallel to the transport direction. This design allows for reliable labeling of elongated packages, especially at high throughput.

[0027] All embodiments described here can be combined with each other. Short description of the characters Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a labeling device for labeling packages filled with a product. Fig. 2 shows schematically an embodiment of a conveyor belt. Detailed description

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a labeling device 100 for labeling packages 130 filled with a product 131. In the embodiment shown here, the packages are, for example, partially deep-drawn packages and comprise a receiving area for the product 131, which in some embodiments can be formed as a flexible area, for example, in the form of a bag interior. Furthermore, the packages comprise a packaging component 133 in which no product is arranged and which, for example, serves as a boundary for the interior 132 and can, for example, comprise a sealing seam.

[0029] In the embodiment shown here, the packages 130 are elongated packages, which can have a greater dimension in one direction, in particular, than in a direction perpendicular thereto, preferably in all spatial directions perpendicular thereto. For example, the packages can be packages for elongated sausages, cheese sticks, or crackers.

[0030] The labeling device 100 comprises a transport device 101 that can transport the packages 130 with the product 131 filled therein along a transport direction T. For this purpose, the transport device 101 can comprise, for example, a conveyor belt 110 or a conveyor chain or the like, on which the products 130 can be conveyed along the transport direction T. The conveyor belt or the conveyor chain or the like can be designed, for example, as an endless conveyor belt.

[0031] The labeling device further comprises a labeling unit 105 that can apply labels 151 to packages 130 transported in the transport device 101. It may be preferred that a labeling direction E in which the labeling unit 105 applies the labels 151 to the packages is the same as the transport direction T of the packages in the transport device. This avoids shear forces acting on the label during the application of the label, which, in contrast, could occur when the label is applied in a direction transverse to the transport direction T if the packages continue to be transported during the label application.

[0032] The labeling unit 105 can be designed in a generally known manner and, in particular, can be arranged above the transport devices so that the labels 151 can be applied to the packages transported in the transport device 101. The labels 151 can, for example, be held on a label roll and, on this label roll, for example, be present as pre-cut labels on a label strip substrate, from which they are separated by a dispensing edge before being transferred to the packages 130. Alternatively, embodiments are also conceivable in which the labels are already pre-cut and self-adhesive in a magazine and only need to be applied or pressed onto the packages. Other embodiments are also conceivable here, and the invention is not limited with regard to the precise design of the labeling unit.

[0033] The transport device 101 further comprises, for example, as part of the conveyor belt 110, depressions 102 and boundary surfaces 103 and 104 delimiting these depressions. In the embodiment shown here, a first boundary surface 103 is arranged downstream of the depression 102 and a second boundary surface 104 is arranged upstream of the depression 102. In this embodiment, the depression 102 is thus delimited by a front and rear boundary surface 103 and 104, as seen in the transport direction. Other embodiments are also conceivable in which the depression 102 is delimited, for example, additionally or exclusively by boundary surfaces to the left and right, as seen in the transport direction.

[0034] The recess 102 and the boundary surfaces 103 and 104 are designed, according to the enlarged view shown, such that a first part 132 of the packaging with the product 131 can come to rest in the recess 102 and a further packaging component, such as the sealing seam or the like, referred to here as packaging component 133, can come to rest on the boundary surfaces 103 and / or 104. This creates a labeling surface 134 of the packaging 130 that is at least partially flat or flatter than the original shape of the packaging, to which a label 151 can be applied as reliably and as wrinkle-free as possible. This is particularly advantageous for embodiments in which the packaging 130 has a greater extent extending transversely to the transport direction T than the extent of the packaging in the transport direction T.This allows the number of packages positioned per unit length of the transport device 101 to be increased, since these do not have to be arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction and yet a surface 134 that is sufficiently straight for labeling with a label 151 can be provided.

[0035] The boundary surfaces 103 and 104 can each comprise a side surface 141 pointing in the direction of the recess 102 and a cover surface 142 on which the packaging component 132 can rest. The side surfaces 141 can extend vertically, for example, upwards from the conveyor belt 110 and thus delimit the recess 102 by vertical side surfaces. However, it can also be provided that the side surfaces 141 enclose an angle with the surface of the transport device 101 and in particular an angle with the surface of the conveyor belt 110. This angle can be an angle measured between the surface of the transport device 101 and the side surface 141 and can in particular be an acute angle. This ensures that the recess 102 extends in the direction of the transport device 101 orthe surface of the conveyor belt 110 is tapered and can have a centering effect on the packaging so that it can be reliably positioned in the recess.

[0036] The cover surfaces 142 can run horizontally or parallel to the surface of the transport device or conveyor belt 110, thus preventing the packaging from tilting. A connecting edge between the cover surface 142 and the side surface 141 can, if possible, be realized with an obtuse angle or rounded, so that there are no sharp edges that could damage the packaging 130.

[0037] An extension of the boundary surfaces 103 and 104 parallel to the transport device can in principle be selected in each described embodiment such that the cover surface 142 or the entire boundary surface 103 or 104 has an extension in the transport direction T which is so large that the packaging components 133 can come to rest completely thereon and do not extend beyond the respective cover surface 142 when the first part 132 of the packaging is positioned in the recess 102.

[0038] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the extent of the cover surface 142 corresponds to at least twice the extent of the packaging component 133, so that immediately adjacent recesses 102 can be separated from one another by a respective boundary surface, e.g., the boundary surface 104, and packages can be inserted into recesses at the closest possible distance from one another but without overlap of parts of the packages. This can increase the throughput of the labeling process. Furthermore, this selection of the extent of the boundary surface 104 ensures that there is no overlap, or only the smallest possible overlap, between immediately adjacent packages, so that the labeling result is not negatively influenced.

[0039] Furthermore, by appropriately selecting the extent of the boundary surfaces 103 and 104 in the transport direction T, it can be ensured that both individual packages 130 and interconnected packages can be labeled, wherein the extent of the boundary surfaces 103 and 104, and in particular of the cover surface 142, is selected in this case such that preferential insertion of individual packages and packages interconnected via the respective packaging components 133 is possible. This reduces any possible retooling effort when labeling individual packages and chain packages.

[0040] Upstream of the labeling unit 105, and in particular upstream of a labeling point or application point P of labels to the packaging, a pressing device 106 can be arranged, which is generally designed to press packaging that has already been at least partially inserted into the recess 102 toward the recess, so that the packaging with the product or the first part 132 of the packaging with the product 131 is pressed as completely as possible into the recess 102. This ensures that the surface to be labeled is as flat as possible.

[0041] The pressing device may comprise a movable pressing element 161, which may be designed, for example, as a stamp, and presses each package and / or a successive group of packages (connected or unconnected packages) into the recess.

[0042] Here, it can also be provided that such a stamp is activated based on a prior detection that it is necessary to press a specific package into the recess. Suitable sensors, such as a camera, can be provided for this purpose. Based on the measured sensor data, it can be determined whether pressing into the recess with the pressing device is necessary for a specific package, and only then is the pressing device actuated to press the package into the recess. In this way, packages can be selectively pressed into the recesses.

[0043] Instead of a stamp, a movable pressure element comprising or embodied as a pressure roller 161 can also be provided. The pressure roller can be mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation extending transversely to the transport direction and arranged above the transport plane, so that packages transported beneath the pressure roller are pressed by the pressure roller toward the recess. For this purpose, the pressure roller can be moved analogously to the stamp described.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the pressure roller is preloaded, for example, by a spring element in the direction of the transport plane or the recess. In its initial state, the pressure roller is at a distance from the transport plane that is less than the depth of a recess, so that the pressure roller (in the absence of packaging) would protrude into the recess. If a package is transported under the pressure roller in a recess, the pressure roller is raised against the spring force and can thus cause the packaging to be pressed into the recess.

[0045] The pressure roller can run on the packaging (i.e., be set in rotation about its axis of rotation by contact with the packaging). Alternatively or additionally, a drive element (e.g., a servo motor) can be provided to drive the pressure roller about the axis of rotation, which can drive the pressure roller in such a way that the tangential speed on the surface of the pressure roller that comes into contact with the packaging is equal to the transport speed of the packaging in the transport device 101. This reduces forces acting on the packaging counter to the transport direction, enabling more reliable transport.

[0046] Alternatively, the pressing element 161 can also be designed as a flexible or rigid pressing element. A flexible pressing element can, for example, be a metal spring or a rubber lip 161, which is positioned such that it either ends directly above the boundary surfaces 103 and 104 or, in a relaxed position, can extend into a recess 102. Preferably, the flexible pressing element 161 runs transversely to the transport direction T and extends across the entire width of the transport device or at least across the entire width of the packaging, so that the entire packaging is pressed into the recess and defects are avoided as far as possible.

[0047] If a package which is at least partially positioned in a recess is now moved in the transport direction T, the flexible element 161 causes the package to be pushed into the recess 102, whereby the energy expenditure for this is comparatively low.

[0048] If the pressing element 161 is designed as a rigid pressing element 161, this can be designed, for example, as a pressing element 161. This then preferably extends at least a short distance from the boundary surfaces 103 and 104 in order to avoid damage to the packaging and in particular to the packaging components 133 when the first packaging part 132 is pressed into the recess. In this case, the pressing element 161, regardless of whether it is a flexible or rigid pressing element, can preferably be inclined in the transport direction T, so that the packaging is not conveyed against the edge of the pressing element 161, but rather strikes the pressing element 161 flatly and only subsequently passes through the edge or end of the pressing element 161.

[0049] Fig.2 shows a further embodiment of a transport device 200. In the embodiment shown here, the transport device comprises a conveyor belt 200 or is designed as a conveyor belt 200, and boundary surfaces 201 can be arranged on the conveyor belt 200. It is provided that the boundary surfaces 201 can be connected, preferably detachably, to the conveyor belt 200. For this purpose, each boundary surface 201 can comprise a receiving element 211 that can receive a connecting element 221 of the conveyor belt 200, so that the boundary surface is firmly but detachably connected to the conveyor belt 200.

[0050] The receiving element 211 can, for example, be a hollow space, and the connecting element 221 can be designed as a pin, a stud, or something similar. Screw connections between the boundary surface 201 and the conveyor belt are also conceivable, in which case the receiving element 211 can then be designed, for example, as a bore extending vertically or substantially vertically through the boundary surface 201, and the screw can be screwed into this bore.

[0051] With this embodiment, it is possible to vary the number of boundary surfaces and also their spacing, so that, for example, areas with connecting elements 222 are not provided with a boundary surface 201 in a specific configuration of the transport device 200. This makes it possible to adapt the transport device to, for example, intended groupings of packages.

[0052] In one embodiment, receiving elements 211 can also be provided in the conveyor belt and connecting elements 221 can be provided as part of the respective boundary surface. Regardless of this selection, it can be provided that, in a direction transverse to the transport direction, each boundary surface comprises at least two receiving elements or connecting elements, and the transport device comprises corresponding elements. The spacing of the connecting elements 221 or the receiving elements 211 in the transport device can be selected in the transport direction such that different types of packaging can be transported and reliably labeled by appropriately offsetting boundary surfaces, so that when changing types, preferably only one exchange or offset of boundary surfaces is required.

Claims

[1] Labeling device (100) for labeling packages (130) filled with a product (131), the labeling device comprising a transport device (101) for transporting packages along a transport direction (T) and a labeling unit (105) for applying labels (151) to packages (130), wherein the transport device (101) comprises a recess (102) for receiving the package (130) and boundary surfaces (103, 104) on at least two sides of the recess (102), wherein the recess and the boundary surfaces are arranged such that the package with the product in the recess and a packaging component (133) on at least one of the boundary surfaces (103, 104) can be arranged and wherein the labeling unit (105) is configured to apply a label to the package while the product is arranged in the recess. [2] Labeling device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the boundary surfaces (103, 104) are arranged transversely to the transport direction (T). [3] Labeling device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the labeling unit (105) is configured to apply a label (151) to the packaging (130) in a labeling direction (E) parallel to the transport direction (T). [4] Labeling device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transport device (101) comprises a plurality of recesses (102) and boundary surfaces (103, 104) and wherein optionally adjacent recesses (102) are separated from each other by a boundary surface. [5] Labeling device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the labeling device (100) comprises a pressing device (106) upstream of an application point (P) of labels (151) and wherein the pressing device (106) is configured to press the packaging (130) with the product into the recess (102). [6] Labeling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transport device (101) comprises a conveyor belt (110) and wherein the boundary surfaces (103, 104) are arranged on the conveyor belt and the recess (102) is at least partially bounded by the boundary surfaces and the conveyor belt. [7] Labeling device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the boundary surfaces (103, 104) are detachably connected to the conveyor belt (110). [8] Labeling device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an extent of the depression (102) in a direction transverse to the transport direction (T) is greater than an extent of the depression (102) parallel to the transport direction (T). [9] Method for labelling packages (130) filled with a product (131) using a labelling device, the labelling device (100) comprising a transport device (101) for transporting packages along a transport direction (T) and a labelling unit (105) for applying labels (151) to packages (130), wherein the transport device comprises a recess (102) for receiving the package (130) and boundary surfaces (103, 104) on at least two sides of the recess, wherein the recess and the boundary surfaces are arranged such that the package with the product in the recess and a packaging component (133) on at least one of the boundary surfaces can be arranged, and wherein the method comprises applying a label (151) to the package (130) while the product (131) is arranged in the recess (102). [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein the boundary surfaces (103, 104) are arranged transversely to the transport direction (T). [11] Method according to claim 10, wherein the labeling unit (105) applies the label (151) to the packaging (130) in a labeling direction (E) parallel to the transport direction (T). [12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the transport device (101) comprises a plurality of depressions (102) and boundary surfaces (103, 104) and wherein optionally adjacent depressions are separated from each other by a boundary surface. [13] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the labeling device (100) comprises a pressure device (106) upstream of an application point (P) of labels (151) and wherein the pressure device (106) presses the packaging (130) with the product (131) into the recess before the label is applied to the packaging. [14] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the transport device (101) comprises a conveyor belt (110) and wherein the boundary surfaces (103, 104) are arranged on the conveyor belt and the recesses (102) are at least partially bounded by the boundary surfaces and the conveyor belt, wherein optionally the boundary surfaces are detachably connected to the conveyor belt. [15] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein an extent of the depression (102) in a direction transverse to the transport direction (T) is greater than an extent of the depression parallel to the transport direction (T).

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