Labeling machine for labeling containers

Abstract

Labeling machine for labeling containers, the labeling machine comprising a labeling unit for transferring a label to a container and an acceleration device, which is designed and arranged to accelerate a portion of a label to be transferred to a container, after attaching a leading edge of the label to the container and before attaching a subsequent edge of the label to the container, relative to the surface of the container in such a way that an excess area of ​​the label is formed along a circumferential direction of the container, which remains after attaching the subsequent edge of the label.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a labelling machine for labelling containers according to claim 1 and a method for labelling containers with a labelling machine according to claim 9. State of the art

[0002] Devices and methods for labeling containers are generally known from the prior art. The labels can, for example, be designed as wraparound labels, which are attached to the container starting with a leading edge, then wrapped around the container, for example by rotating the container, and finally attached to the container with a trailing edge. The leading edge and the trailing edge can, as is known, overlap or not overlap.

[0003] By attaching the label with its leading edge and the trailing edge, it is ensured that the label sits as tightly as possible on the container and cannot slip off.

[0004] However, if the containers are labeled first and then filled, this can lead to problems, as containers, especially when filled with carbonated beverages, can expand radially, increasing their circumference. This change in circumference can range from several millimeters to one or more centimeters, depending on the pressure inside the container. The container material can also be relevant, as, for example, very thin-walled PET containers expand more when filled with pressurized product than comparatively thick-walled containers.

[0005] The expansion can cause the label to tear or detach, which reduces the quality of the containers or can lead to unwanted rejects. Task

[0006] Based on the known state of the art, the technical problem to be solved is therefore to specify a labeling machine and a method for labeling containers with which the labeling result can be guaranteed to be of high quality even for containers that are only filled after labeling. Solution

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the labeling machine for labeling containers according to claim 1 and the method for labeling containers with a labeling machine according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] The labeling machine according to the invention for labeling containers comprises a labeling unit for transferring a label to a container and an acceleration device, which is designed and arranged to accelerate a part of a label to be transferred to a container, after a leading edge of the label has been attached to the container and before a subsequent edge of the label has been attached to the container, relative to the surface of the container in such a way that an excess area of ​​the label is formed along a circumferential direction of the container, which remains after the subsequent edge of the label has been attached.

[0009] According to the invention, the formation of an excess area means that, measured along the label's path, the label length, measured from the leading edge, is greater than the distance measured along the surface of the container from the leading edge or the point where the leading edge is applied to the container. The excess area thus represents excess label material compared to the actual surface area. The excess area can, for example, be designed as an open loop or a bulge along the label's path.

[0010] The acceleration device preferably acts on the label itself and does not alter any movement of the container.

[0011] The fact that excess material remains after the subsequent edge of the label is attached means that the length of the label, measured from the leading edge to the subsequent edge, is greater than the extent of the container along its surface, measured from the leading edge to the subsequent edge. The length of the label can be, for example, at least 0.5 cm, at least 0.7 cm, or at least 1 cm greater than the extent of the container in the relevant direction.

[0012] This ensures that the label is reliably attached to the container. Furthermore, it accommodates the expansion of the container when subsequently filled with product, especially carbonated products, as the label can stretch along the container's contours by dissolving or conforming to the container's shape as it expands, thus preventing tearing. This improves the labeling result.

[0013] The acceleration device may include a roller designed to contact the label to form the excess area. Using a roller prevents creasing of the label, thus avoiding detrimental damage and consequently a reduction in the quality of the labeling result.

[0014] The roller can be a vacuum roller. Using a vacuum roller allows the label to be reliably guided when the excess area is formed, further reducing the formation of creases.

[0015] In one embodiment, the labeling machine includes a drive unit for driving the roller, wherein the drive unit is configured to drive the roller at a speed corresponding to a surface speed of the container and to drive the roller at a speed higher than the surface speed of the container to form the excess area.

[0016] The drive unit can be, for example, a servo motor or actuator. With this design, the excess area can be selectively formed at a specific point during the transfer of the label to the container.

[0017] It may be provided that the labeling machine includes a container holder for rotatably holding a container and that the container holder is designed to rotate the container in one direction of rotation during the transfer of the label and that the roller is designed to be rotated in the opposite direction of rotation to form the excess area.

[0018] With this embodiment, the label is pushed relative to the container by the roller, which enables the controlled formation of the excess area.

[0019] The labeling machine can be configured to apply a central adhesive to the label, and the acceleration device can be configured to form the excess label area along the container's circumference with the central adhesive, either before or after the label is attached to the container. The central adhesive can be designed, in particular, to detach easily from the container's surface when the container expands, without damaging the label. Providing a central adhesive allows for improved fixation of the excess label area (compared to fixing the excess area alone) between the leading and trailing edges, while simultaneously preventing the label from sagging if it is not fully adhered to the container's surface.

[0020] The center adhesive can be positioned exactly in the middle of the label, measured along its length from the leading edge to the trailing edge. However, this embodiment is not limited to such a specific arrangement of the center adhesive. The center adhesive can, in principle, be positioned anywhere between the leading and trailing edges of the label, as long as an excess area can be formed between the respective edge of the label and the center adhesive.

[0021] The acceleration device can be integrated as part of a label brushing unit. Since the label is typically pressed against the container during label brushing, this also allows for the targeted creation of an excess area. This reduces the complexity of the labeling machine.

[0022] The acceleration device can be a pressure roller for pressing the label onto the surface of the container. With this embodiment, the number of additional components required to generate the excess area is advantageously reduced further.

[0023] The invention further provides a method for labeling containers with a labeling machine, the labeling machine comprising a labeling unit for transferring a label to a container and an acceleration device, wherein the acceleration device accelerates a portion of the label to be transferred to the container relative to the surface of the container after a leading edge of the label has been attached to the container and before a subsequent edge of the label has been attached to the container, such that an excess area of ​​the label is formed along a circumferential direction of the container, which remains after the subsequent edge of the label has been attached. This method also reliably enables the labeling of containers that are filled only after labeling.

[0024] It can be provided that accelerating the portion of the label relative to the container surface includes increasing and decreasing the relative velocity of the label to the container surface. With this embodiment, the excess area can be created by selectively moving the label relative to the container surface, thus reducing the risk of label damage.

[0025] The acceleration device can include a roller, such as a vacuum roller, that contacts the label to form the excess area. This embodiment prevents the label from wrinkling when the excess area is created.

[0026] In one embodiment, the labeling machine includes a drive unit for driving the roller, wherein the drive unit drives the roller at least temporarily at a speed corresponding to the surface speed of the container and at least temporarily at a speed higher than the surface speed of the container in order to create the excess area. This embodiment allows for the targeted creation of the excess area when the label is applied.

[0027] The labeling machine may be designed to include a container holder for rotatably holding a container, wherein the container holder rotates the container in one direction during label transfer, while the roller for forming the excess label area rotates in the opposite direction. This further reduces the risk of creasing in the label.

[0028] The method can include the labeling machine applying a central adhesive to the label, with the accelerator forming the excess label area along the circumference of the container before or after the label is attached to the container with the central adhesive. With this embodiment, the excess area can be reliably fixed, and sagging or wrinkling of the label due to the existing excess area can be avoided.

[0029] The acceleration device can be designed as part of a label brushing unit, optionally acting as a pressure roller to press the label onto the container surface. This embodiment further improves the labeling result while maintaining or only minimally increasing the complexity of the labeling machine. Brief description of the characters Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a labeling machine. Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a labeling machine with an acceleration device as part of a label brushing unit. Detailed description

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a labeling machine 100. The labeling machine 100 is designed for labeling containers 130. The containers 130 can be, for example, bottles, cans, or the like. However, the invention is not limited in this respect. Preferably, however, containers are designed to be (essentially) rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the container and can be rotated about this longitudinal axis, as will be described in further embodiments.

[0031] The labeling machine 100 can include a transport device 102, for example in the form of a carousel, along which the containers 130 can be moved. In the embodiment shown here, the carousel 102 is rotated about the axis of rotation R, and the containers can be transported along the carousel in container holders 103, which can be arranged along the circumference of the carousel. However, the invention is not limited in this respect, and other embodiments of the transport device 102 are also conceivable in principle, such as a linear transport device in which the containers can be transported.

[0032] The labeling machine 100 further comprises a labeling unit 101, which is designed to transfer a label 140 to a container 130. The label 140 can be a wraparound label that can be completely wrapped around the container 130 along its circumference. Alternatively, the label 140 can be designed as a label that can only be partially wrapped around the container along its circumference, extending, for example, up to 75% or up to 50% along the container's circumference.

[0033] To attach a label 140 to the container, it may be provided, in particular, that a leading edge 141 and a trailing or rear edge 143 of the label 140 are coated with glue or other adhesives so that the leading and trailing edges of the label 140 can adhere to the container. Alternatively, it may also be provided that suitable adhesives are applied to appropriate locations on the surface of the container.

[0034] The labeling unit can be designed in a generally known manner and is shown here only schematically as a vacuum cylinder rotatably mounted about a rotational axis D, which can hold a label or part of a label by applying a vacuum and transfer it to the container 130 by releasing the vacuum. Labeling units are, however, generally known from the prior art.

[0035] Downstream of the labeling machine, a filler can be arranged in each described embodiment, which fills the labeled container with a product, in particular a carbonated beverage. For the sake of clarity, this filler is not shown here, but it can be designed in a generally known manner.

[0036] According to the invention, the labeling machine 100 further comprises an acceleration device 110. The acceleration device 110 is designed to accelerate a portion of the label, for example by physical contact with the label relative to the surface of the container 130, during the transfer of the label to the container, but after the transfer of the leading edge 141 and before the transfer of the trailing edge 143, such that a portion of the label is accelerated relative to the surface of the container 130, for example by physical contact with the label. Fig. 1. A schematically represented excess area 144 forms, for example, a partially open loop in the label. According to the invention, this remains until the subsequent edge 143 of the label has also been attached to the container.

[0037] In the schematic view of the Fig. 1 The formation of the excess area is to be understood as such that the label length between any two arbitrarily chosen points 151 and 152, at which the label can preferably lie on the surface of the container (for example, a point on the leading edge and a point on the trailing edge), is greater than the extent of the container along this direction and along the surface of the container.

[0038] In the schematic view shown, the direction between points 151 and 152 along the surface of the container is its circumferential direction U. For a container with a circular cross-section, this length corresponds to a circular arc segment whose length L0 = rα, where α is the angle spanned by the circular arc segment. In the case of a wraparound label, L0 corresponds to the circumference of the container. The length of the label 140 with the excess area 144 is accordingly, measured along the path L of the label, between points 151 and 152, greater than the length of the circular arc segment.It is understood that, even when the label lies perfectly flush against the surface of the container according to the depicted curve N, the length of the label between points 151 and 152 is always slightly greater than the container's circumference U, as shown here. This is because the label rests on the container's surface and has a radial extension, albeit a slight one. However, the difference in label length measured along the curve with the excess area 144 is even greater than this unavoidable difference and can be, for example, 0.5 cm or more, 0.7 cm or more, or even more than 1 cm.

[0039] The length of the excess area, or the additional label length between points 151 and 152, can be selected to compensate for container expansion during filling, ensuring that the label lies completely or almost completely flat against the container's surface after filling. This is achieved by dissolving or stretching the excess area to compensate for the container's expansion and, consequently, the label's expansion between the leading and trailing edges, which are fixed to the container after application. This prevents the label from tearing due to container expansion, for example, caused by an increase in internal pressure when filling with carbonated beverages.

[0040] The formation of the excess area relative to the leading and trailing edges is fundamentally arbitrary. Thus, the excess area can be formed closer to the leading edge or closer to the trailing edge.

[0041] In one embodiment, the labeling machine, and particularly in the area of ​​the labeling unit, applies a central adhesive layer 142 to the side of the label facing the container, in addition to any adhesive points on the leading and trailing edges. This central adhesive layer can be pressed onto the container, thereby further securing the label. In one embodiment, the central adhesive layer can be designed to detach when the container is filled and expands accordingly, without damaging the label. This can be achieved by ensuring that the adhesive force between the container and the central adhesive layer is less than the force required to tear the label, so that when the container expands due to filling with, for example, carbonated beverages after the label has been applied, the central adhesive layer detaches first, before the label tears.

[0042] In embodiments where a corresponding central adhesive is provided, the excess label material can be formed between the leading edge and the central adhesive or between the central adhesive and the trailing edge of the label. This secures the excess material between the points of the label connected to the container, which are closer together in the circumferential direction of the container than the leading and trailing edges. This prevents the label from sagging on the surface of the container and any wrinkling.

[0043] The center adhesive can either be positioned exactly in the middle between the leading edge and the trailing edge, or at any other location between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the label, whereby the distance between the center adhesive and the leading or trailing edge of the label must be chosen so that an excess area of ​​sufficient length, compared to the normal course N of the label, can be formed on the surface of the container.

[0044] For example, if an excess area with a length L (e.g., 0.8 cm) is to be formed between the leading edge and the center adhesive, the distance between the leading edge and the center adhesive may be at least twice or three times the length of the excess area, measured, for example, in the circumferential direction of the container, to prevent the center adhesive from sticking to the leading edge and thereby negatively affecting the labeling result. The same applies to the distance between the center adhesive and the trailing edge if the excess area is positioned between them.

[0045] The invention is not limited to the formation of a single central gluing layer. Multiple central gluing layers can also be provided to prevent unintentional sagging of the label. If multiple central gluing layers are provided, one embodiment may also provide for the formation of two or more excess areas between adjacent central gluing layers, between the leading edge of the label and the subsequent central gluing layer, and / or between the last central gluing layer and the subsequent edge of the label. These excess areas can be of only a small size, thus preventing sagging of the label, which could lead to undesirable wrinkling.For example, it may be provided that if a total length L of all excess areas is required to compensate for the expansion of the container during subsequent filling, the length A of each excess area is A=L / n, where n is the number of excess areas.

[0046] The provision of at least two excess areas is also possible when providing a single central gluing, whereby an excess area is formed between the leading edge and the central gluing and an excess area is formed between the central gluing and the following edge 143.

[0047] The acceleration device 110 is not fundamentally limited in its design, as long as it can create one (or more, as described above) excess area in the label in accordance with the invention by accelerating at least a part of the label relative to the surface of the container.

[0048] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the acceleration device is designed as a roller 110, which can be rotated about a rotational axis F that preferably runs parallel to a rotational axis E of the container 130. The directions of rotation of the roller 110 and the container are opposite, at least during the formation of the excess area 144, so that the label is accelerated relative to the moving surface of the container. Before and / or after the formation of the excess area, the rotational speed of the roller can be reduced to be equal to or substantially equal to the surface speed of the rotating container, so that the roller moves the label at a speed equal to the surface speed of a point on the container, and thus no additional relative movement of the label to the container occurs.This allows a targeted excess area to be created and maintained until the middle gluing and / or the subsequent edge is attached.

[0049] The roller can be of any design, but preferably has a surface that exhibits the greatest possible difference between the coefficient of rolling friction and the coefficient of sliding friction, relative to the label material. This ensures that the label does not slide on the roller when accelerated, which could negatively affect the formation of the excess area.

[0050] For example, the roller surface can be made of or encased in silicone. Additionally or alternatively, the roller can be designed as a vacuum roller, which uses a vacuum to hold the label in place to create the excess area. This ensures reliable label guidance for forming the excess area. Once the excess area is formed, the vacuum can be released, leaving the roller to simply guide the label.

[0051] The acceleration device may include a drive element 180 configured to drive the roller 110 to form the excess area. For this purpose, the drive element may, for example, be designed as a servo drive or actuator and be controlled by a control unit (not shown here), such as a computer with an associated processor and memory, such that the drive element accelerates the roller to a speed (i.e., increases its rotational speed compared to the rotational speed of the container) that is greater than the surface speed of the container 130.

[0052] This causes the label to move faster compared to the surface of container 130, thus creating the excess area 144. Once the excess area is formed, the drive element 180 can be controlled to reduce the speed or decelerate the roller until the roller speed equals the surface speed of the container. This also adjusts the transport speed of the label to the surface speed of the container, so that it is transferred back onto the container in contact with the surface.

[0053] All embodiments described here are, in principle, combinable with one another. It is understood that the acceleration device is arranged in a position within the labeling machine that allows for the formation of an excess area after the leading edge has been transferred to the container, but before the subsequent edge has been transferred to the container; otherwise, the label would already be completely in contact with the container surface. If a center adhesive is applied, the acceleration device must also be arranged so that the excess area is formed after the leading edge has been transferred to the container and before the center adhesive has been transferred to the container, or can be formed after the center adhesive has been transferred to the container and before the subsequent edge 143 has been transferred to the container.

[0054] Fig. Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a labelling machine 200.

[0055] In this embodiment as well, the labeling machine 200 is merely an example, designed as a carousel for transporting the containers 230, with a labeling unit arranged at its periphery for transferring the labels 240. Again, it is merely an example that both the leading edge and the trailing edge 241 or 243 of the label are provided with adhesive, and that an additional intermediate adhesive 242 may be provided. This intermediate adhesive has the same properties as that associated with the Fig. The middle sizing described in 1. Likewise, the one described in Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is not limited with regard to the number or position of the central adhesive strips. All embodiments of the Fig. 1 apply accordingly.

[0056] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the labeling machine 200 comprises a label brush 210. This brush presses a label transferred to the container onto the container's surface, thus preventing creasing. The label is pressed onto the container's surface before the trailing edge of the label is transferred to the container and after the leading edge of the label is transferred. The label brush can be configured to inherently slow the label's movement relative to the container's movement. This creates a tensile force acting on the label in the opposite direction to the container's movement, ensuring that the label adheres to the container's surface.

[0057] In one embodiment, the acceleration device is designed as part of the label brushing unit 210. If the label brushing unit includes, for example, a pressure roller (also shown here as element 210) that presses the label 240 against the surface of the container and optionally delays its movement relative to the movement of the container's surface, then the acceleration device can be the brushing roller. By appropriately controlling the movement or rotation of the brushing roller (for example, according to the principle associated with the Fig. In the embodiments described in Figure 1 for the roller 110, a relative movement of the label to the surface of the container 230 can be effected such that an excess area 244 is formed. Subsequently, the speed of the brushing roller can be reduced again so that it takes over the pressing function.

[0058] Analogous to Fig.1. The excess area may be formed between the leading edge of the label and a central adhesive layer, or between the central adhesive layer and the trailing edge of the label. To prevent the excess area from being torn apart or reduced in size by tensile forces exerted on the label by the label brushing mechanism, as described above, the label brushing mechanism may be controlled after the excess area has formed and before reaching the central adhesive layer or the trailing edge, so that it exerts at least no forces on the label acting against the direction of movement of the container. This prevents the formed excess area from disintegrating completely or partially, which could otherwise lead to tearing again when the container is filled, for example, with carbonated liquids.

[0059] Alternatively, the label brushing can be controlled again after the excess area has formed, so that it exerts a tensile force on the label in the opposite direction of the container's movement. In this embodiment, the length of the excess area can be selected such that even after the label is pulled apart by the tensile forces exerted by the label brushing, a sufficiently large excess area remains to ensure that the label does not tear when the container is filled.For example, it may be provided that if an excess area of ​​0.5 cm in length is required to compensate for the expansion of the container during filling, the excess area actually formed by the label brushing has an extent of 0.8 cm or 1 cm, and the tensile forces acting on the label again after the excess area has formed pull the label apart by a maximum of 3 mm or a maximum of 5 mm, so that the remaining excess area is still sufficiently large.

[0060] While not explicitly described in the preceding embodiments and particularly in the figures, a filling machine or filler for filling the container with a product can be arranged downstream of the labeling machine. This filling machine can be designed in a generally known manner and, for example, be configured for filling product under high pressure and, in particular, for filling carbonated products such as carbonated beverages. The filler can also be designed as a combined device for filling and sealing the container, and the invention is not limited in this respect.

Claims

[1] Labeling machine for labeling containers, the labeling machine comprising a labeling unit for transferring a label to a container and an acceleration device, which is designed and arranged to accelerate a portion of a label to be transferred to a container after attaching a leading edge of the label to the container and before attaching a subsequent edge of the label to the container in such a way as to form an excess area of ​​the label along a circumferential direction of the container which remains after attaching the subsequent edge of the label. [2] Labeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration device comprises a roller configured to touch the label to form the excess area. [3] Labeling machine according to claim 2, wherein the roller is a vacuum roller. [4] Labeling machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the labeling machine comprises a drive unit for driving the roller, wherein the drive unit is configured to drive the roller at a speed corresponding to a surface speed of the container and to drive the roller at a speed higher than the surface speed of the container to form the excess area. [5] Labeling machine according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the labeling machine comprises a container holder for rotatably holding a container and wherein the container holder is configured to rotate the container in one direction of rotation during the transfer of the label and wherein the roller is configured to be rotated in an opposite direction of rotation to form the excess area. [6] Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the labeling machine is configured to apply a central adhesive to the label and wherein the acceleration device is configured to form the excess area of ​​the label along the circumferential direction of the container before or after the label is attached to the container with the central adhesive. [7] Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the acceleration device is designed as part of a label brushing unit. [8] Labeling machine according to claim 7, wherein the acceleration device is a pressure roller for pressing the label onto the surface of the container. [9] Method for labeling containers with a labeling machine, the labeling machine comprising a labeling unit for transferring a label to a container and an acceleration device, wherein the acceleration device accelerates a portion of the label to be transferred to the container, after attaching a leading edge of the label to the container and before attaching a subsequent edge of the label to the container, relative to the surface of the container such that an excess area of ​​the label is formed along a circumferential direction of the container, which remains after attaching the subsequent edge of the label. [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein accelerating the part of the label relative to the surface of the container comprises increasing and decreasing a relative velocity of the label to the surface of the container. [11] Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the acceleration device comprises a roller, such as a vacuum roller, which touches the label to form the excess area. [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein the labeling machine comprises a drive unit for driving the roller, wherein the drive unit drives the roller at least temporarily at a speed corresponding to a surface speed of the container and drives the roller at least temporarily at a speed higher than the surface speed of the container in order to form the excess area. [13] Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the labeling machine comprises a container holder for rotatably holding a container and wherein the container holder rotates the container in a direction of rotation during the transfer of the label and wherein the roller is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation to form the excess area. [14] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the labeling machine applies a central adhesive to the label and wherein the acceleration device forms the excess area of ​​the label along the circumferential direction of the container before or after the label is attached to the container with the central adhesive. [15] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the acceleration device is designed as part of a label brushing device, wherein optionally the acceleration device is a pressure roller for pressing the label onto the surface of the container.

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