PALETTE FOR A LABELING MACHINE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE ELASTIC SURFACE ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pallet for a labeling machine as well as an elastic surface element for such a pallet and a method for applying and replacing a surface element.

[0002] Labeling machines are used in industry to continuously and efficiently apply labels to continuously fed articles, containers, or bundles of containers. Labeling machines comprise multiple pallets, typically arranged in a rotating manner on a pallet carousel. As they rotate, the pallets pick up a label from a label dispensing station. The labels can then be transferred to the respective containers. Applying an elastic material to a contact surface of the pallet is already known. The elastic material is usually glued or the two components are vulcanized together. The elastic wear layer serves to apply the labels more gently to the container surfaces.

[0003] A labelling machine with pallets having a replaceable surface element attached to a sleeve which is pushed over the pallet is known from WO93 / 08083.

[0004] EP2746177 discloses a pallet for a labelling machine in which a replaceable part of the surface is pressed into a recess in the remaining surface in a form-fitting manner.

[0005] Typically, the soft and elastic layer wears out over extended use. However, since the material is inextricably bonded to the rigid support material, i.e., the pallet, the entire composite part must be replaced, resulting in high maintenance costs.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of providing a pallet and a corresponding method which make it possible to significantly reduce the maintenance effort and costs.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claims 1, 9 and 11. According to the present invention, a pallet for a labeling machine according to claim 1 has, among other things, a rigid support body and an elastic surface element that can be applied to a contact surface of the support body. According to the present invention, the pallet, i.e. in particular a contact surface of the support body, is designed such that the elastic surface element is replaceable, for example by hand, in particular without tools. The contact surface of the rigid support body is understood to be the surface that faces the container to be palletized and via which a force is exerted to transfer the label. This means that the elastic surface element can be applied to the contact surface of the pallet and, when it becomes worn, can be easily removed again by hand.This allows the elastic surface element to be easily replaced when it becomes worn, without having to replace the entire pallet. Thus, the elastic surface element not only creates a softer contact surface but also functions as a replaceable wear element. Furthermore, the pallet is effectively protected by the elastic surface element.

[0008] For fastening, in particular for tool-free fastening, various mechanisms, although not according to the invention, can be used, such as a clip device for clipping the elastic surface element onto the pallet, a hook-and-loop mechanism, a snap fastener mechanism, etc.

[0009] According to the invention, it is essential that the carrier body has a first connecting device with a first surface contour, and correspondingly, the elastic surface element has a second connecting device with a second surface contour, wherein the respective surface contours are designed such that, when pressed together, they engage with each other, thereby securing the elastic surface element to the carrier body. Advantageously, the first and second connecting devices can then be pulled apart by applying force, without the need for a special tool.

[0010] According to the invention, the first connecting device has a plurality of projections, and the second connecting device has a plurality of corresponding openings, wherein the projections lie in the openings in the connected state. Preferably, the projections are arranged on the contact surface and, in particular, are evenly distributed over the contact surface.

[0011] A corresponding embodiment can be manufactured particularly easily, since the solid support can be manufactured in a simple manner so that it has the corresponding connection geometry - for example, by generative manufacturing or injection molding - and the counter contour of the elastic surface element can be formed in a simple manner, e.g., by small holes.

[0012] Advantageously, the projections, at least in one region, have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the respective opening in the elastic surface element. Because the surface element is elastic, the projections can then be inserted into the openings, with the material of the surface element adapting to the contour of the projection and thus being held to the carrier body.

[0013] The projections preferably have a barbed geometry. This allows the contours to interlock when pressed together and remain adhered to one another. As already mentioned, this is possible in particular because the surface element is elastic and can hold the inserted projections securely. By applying a force directed away from the contact surface of the pallet, the pallet and surface element can also be easily pulled apart again.

[0014] A barb structure can be realized, for example, by having the projections have a first region with a larger diameter than a second region located below it, as viewed toward the surface of the carrier body. When the projection is inserted into the opening, the elastic material initially moves aside and then re-encloses the projection, whereby the first region with the larger diameter can act like a barb.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the first region has a conical outer contour, with the diameter decreasing outward, i.e., away from the contact surface of the carrier body. A corresponding design enables easy insertion of the projection into the opening.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the opening extends in a channel-like manner through the entire elastic surface element. According to a preferred embodiment of the pallet, channels also extend through the projections. It is then particularly advantageous that, in the connected state, the channels of the projections open into the openings of the surface element, wherein the pallet comprises a conduit device connected to the channels in such a way that gas, in particular air, can be sucked in or blown out through the openings through the channels. Thus, the pallet can suck in and also release the labels in an effective manner. Thus, an active gripper with an elastic wear layer can be created.

[0017] The carrier body is made of a solid material, for example a plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic, polyamide, acrylic butadiene styrene or a metal, for example aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium... Since the pallet does not have to be replaced even when it wears out, it is possible to use higher-quality, wear-resistant materials, which further increases the service life of the device.

[0018] The invention also relates to the replaceable surface element for a pallet of a labeling machine according to claim 9, wherein the elastic surface element is designed such that it can be attached to the contact surface of the pallet's support body and replaced, particularly without the use of tools. Corresponding elastic surface elements can thus be easily supplied and cost-effectively adapted to specific requirements, such as different hardness or elasticity.

[0019] The surface element can be made of at least one of the following materials: rubber, foam, in particular ethylene propylene diene rubber, or silicone. Advantageously, the surface element has a Shore hardness of 4 to 80 Shore A (DIN 53505). According to the invention, different surface elements can thus be manufactured, for example, from different materials and / or with different hardnesses and / or with different dimensions, and adapted and selected to the respective process, e.g., to different containers, without the need to replace an entire pallet.

[0020] A method according to the invention for applying and replacing an elastic surface element of a pallet according to claim 11 comprises, among other things, the following steps Providing a pallet Applying the elastic flat surface element to the contact surface of the solid carrier body Pressing the surface element onto the contact surface of the solid carrier body Using the pallet for labeling in a labeling machine Pulling the surface element off the carrier body in case of wear or changed requirements for the surface element Applying a new surface element to the contact surface of the solid carrier body.

[0021] This means that whenever a new surface element is needed, for example, due to wear or changes in requirements, particularly regarding hardness, elasticity, or dimensions (area and / or depth), the surface element can be easily replaced. The replacement can be done easily by hand without tools. This eliminates the need to disassemble and replace entire pallets, which, as previously described, leads to significant advantages.

[0022] The invention relates to a labelling machine with at least one pallet arranged, in particular, on a pallet carousel.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a labeling machine according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a roughly schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a pallet according to the present invention. Fig. 3A shows the Fig. 2 shown embodiment from a different perspective. Fig. 3B shows an enlargement of a section of the Fig. 3A . Fig. 4 shows a rough schematic longitudinal section through a part of a pallet, as shown in the Fig. 2 and 3 Fig. 5 shows a roughly schematic longitudinal section through another embodiment according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1shows a rough schematic of a labeling machine with a transport device 14, along which the containers 13 or packs to be labeled are transported on a plurality of rotatably mounted holders (not shown). The labeling machine also has a pallet carousel 15 with several revolving pallets 1. The pallets can, for example, also be mounted so that they can pivot about their own, eccentrically mounted pivot axis. The pallets 1 have a contact surface 12 on their outward-facing side, which can be designed large enough to accommodate a variety of different label formats.

[0025] As from Fig. 1As can be seen, the initially unloaded pallet 1, during its rotation around the rotation axis A of the pallet carousel 15, is guided past a label storage 17 arranged on the periphery of the pallet carousel, where the pallet can receive a label. If the pallet is designed as a vacuum pallet, the transfer can also take place without prior gluing. In the transport direction downstream of the labeling magazine 17, a device for applying glue is provided, for example in the form of a glue jet. The glued labels can then be placed directly from the pallets onto the containers 13 presented at a labeling position 20 and unwound onto the containers by the rotational movement of the carousel 15 with the pallets.

[0026] A further static pallet 1 can be provided downstream of the labeling position 20 to completely apply and press the label 18 placed on the container 13. The containers 13 provided with the label 18 can then be transferred to a subsequent treatment station, whereby, for example, a further pressing unit 21 can also be provided downstream of the labeling machine.

[0027] The pallets 1 for applying the labels 18 are, according to a preferred embodiment, as shown in the Fig. 2 to 5 represented, trained.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a pallet according to the present invention, as used for example on the pallet carousel 15 of the Fig. 1, are arranged. The pallet 1 has a fixed carrier body 2 which can be mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis B, for example. The carrier body 2 has a contact surface 12 on its outward-facing side, i.e. the side facing the containers 13. This surface is large enough to be adapted to a large number of different label formats. The contact surface is, for example, in a range of 4 to 400 cm². The contact surface 12 is preferably curved such that the labels can be gently rolled onto the containers 13. The material of the fixed carrier body is, for example, at least one material from the following group: aluminum, plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic, polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium.

[0029] The pallet 1 further comprises an elastic surface element 3, as shown in particular in Fig. 2which can be applied to the carrier body 2, in particular without tools. The elastic surface element is formed, for example, from rubber, sponge, or silicone. In this exemplary embodiment, the surface of the surface element 3 essentially corresponds to the contact surface 12 of the carrier body 2. However, for smaller labels, the surface of the surface element 3 facing the carrier body 3 can also be made smaller. The carrier body 2 has a first connecting device 4 (see, for example, Figs. 3 and 4) with a first surface contour. The surface element 3 has a second connecting device 5 with a second surface contour, wherein the respective surface contours are designed such that, when pressed against one another, they engage with one another, whereby the elastic surface element 3 is fastened to the carrier body 2. Since the carrier body 2 is formed from a solid material, the surface contour can be easily produced by generative manufacturing or injection molding. In the Fig. 2 to 5 In the embodiments shown, the connecting device 4 of the carrier body 2 has a plurality of projections 6 distributed evenly over the contact surface 12 (see e.g. Fig. 3B ). The elastic surface element has a surface contour which has a plurality of evenly distributed openings 7, wherein in the assembled state the projections 6 come to lie in the openings 7.

[0030] The depth d of the support body is in a range from 3 to 50 mm. The depth p of the elastic surface element 3 is in a range from 3 to 50 mm.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the projections 6 have a geometry with a barb effect. In this embodiment, for example, the region of the projection 6 facing away from the contact surface 12 is conical, i.e., the region facing away from the contact surface 12 has a smaller diameter than the region of the cone facing the contact surface 12. This first region 8a of the projection 6 has a larger diameter at the end of the cone than the adjacent section 8b of the projection 6 (see Fig. 3B and 4 ). In general, the diameter of the opening 7 is, at least in places, smaller than the largest diameter of the projection 6 that lies in the opening.

[0032] In this exemplary embodiment, the conical end region of the projection 6 allows the projection to be easily inserted into the opening 7. Because the material of the elastic surface element 3 is elastic, the material wraps around the outer contour of the projection such that the surface element 3 is securely fastened to the carrier body 2. The connecting device on the surface element 3, in particular the openings 7, are arranged such that they can interact with the corresponding devices on the contact surface 12 of the carrier body 2, and thus the surface element 3 can be easily pressed onto the carrier body 2.

[0033] The surface element 3 can be adapted to the respective process and have a corresponding size (area), depth p and a corresponding hardness (e.g. Shore hardness in a range of 4 to 80). The elastic surface element 3 also serves as a replaceable wear element. If the surface element 3 is worn, or if the process is switched to other containers, the surface element 3 can be easily removed from the carrier body 2, for example without tools, without having to replace the entire pallet 1. According to the present invention, the surface element 3 can be removed exclusively by hand or with an aid, such as pliers, by exerting a force that points away from the contact surface 12 of the carrier body 2. In this way, an operator can, for example, grip the surface element 3 in a corner or edge area and easily pull it off the carrier body 2.

[0034] In this process, the projections 6 of the carrier body 2 are pulled out of the openings 7. Since the surface element 3 is elastic, the surface element can be pulled away from the carrier body 2 via the barb geometry of the projections because the material surrounding the projection 6 yields and retreats. Fig. 4 shows a section of a longitudinal section through a pallet according to a standard design.

[0035] Fig. 5shows a further embodiment according to the present invention, which essentially corresponds to the previous embodiment, but here channels 9 are formed in the projections 6, which open into the openings 7 of the surface element 3, such that a gas, in particular air, can be expelled to the outside via the openings 7 or sucked in from the outside. For this purpose, the pallet has a conduit device 11, via which, for example, air can be blown into or sucked into the openings 9. Thus, an active gripper for the labels can be realized.

[0036] The surface elements 3 can be supplied as consumables and adapted to different conditions. Thus, a system can be realized that provides different surface elements 3 for a carrier body type, whereby the surface elements 3 can differ in material, hardness, elasticity, surface area, and depth p.

[0037] In the method according to the invention, a specific surface element 3 is selected for a process at the beginning. The surface element 3 can be pressed onto the contact surface 12 of the carrier body 2 in a simple manner, such that the surface contours of the first and second connecting devices 4, 5 engage with each other such that the surface element 3 rests firmly against the carrier body 2. In particular, the projections 6 are inserted into the openings 7 and held, for example, by a barb effect. The pallets 1 can then, as in connection with Fig. 1 was explained in more detail.

[0038] Over time, the surface elements 3 wear out and must be replaced. Another reason for replacing the surface elements 3 is, for example, switching the process to different labels or different containers. The surface element 3 can then be easily pulled off the carrier body 2 by the operator, as described above, with the projections then moving out of the openings according to this embodiment. The operator then takes a new surface element and can attach it to the carrier body 2, for example by pressing it on without tools. The openings or bores in the elastic surface element can be produced very easily, for example by water jet cutting. The material for the surface element 3 has, for example, a compression hardness of 0.5 kPa to 60 kPa (EN ISO 3386-1).

[0039] The present invention of a solid carrier body with an elastic surface element which can be exchanged in particular without tools has previously been described in connection with the pallets arranged, for example, on the pallet carousel ( Fig. 1 ) is described in more detail. However, the inventive concept is also suitable for a fixed pallet 1 arranged downstream of the pallet carousel.

Claims

1. A carrier (1) for a labelling machine (10) with a fixed support body (2), to the contact surface (12) of which an elastic surface element (3) can be attached, wherein the contact surface (12) is facing the container to be palletised and is exerting a force for transferring the label over the same, the carrier (1) is formed in such a manner that the elastic surface element (3) can be exchanged, wherein the support body (2) includes a first connecting means (4) having a first surface contour, and the surface element (3) includes a second connecting means (5) having a second surface contour, wherein the surface contours are formed in such a way that, when pressed together, they engage with each other, whereby the surface element (3) is fixed to the support body, and wherein the first connecting means (4) includes a plurality of projections (6), and the second connecting means (5) includes a plurality of corresponding openings (7), wherein, in the connected state, the projections (6) are located within the openings (7).

2. The carrier (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that in the connected state the first and the second connecting means (4, 5) can be pulled apart by applying a force.

3. The carrier (1) according to at least claim 1, characterised in that the projections, at least in one region, have a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the respective opening in the elastic surface element (3) and / or the projections (6) have a geometry (8) with a barbed hook effect.

4. The carrier (1) according to at least claim 1, characterised in that the projections (6) include a first region (8a) which has a larger diameter (d) than a second region (8b) located below it as viewed in the direction of the contact surface (12).

5. The carrier (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the first region (8a) includes a conical outer contour, wherein the diameter decreases outwardly away from the contact surface (12).

6. The carrier (1) according to at least any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that channels (9) extend through the projections (6).

7. The carrier (1) according to at least claim 6, characterised in that, in a connected state of the carrier (1) to the elastic surface element (3), the channels (9) may lead into the openings (7), wherein the carrier (1) comprises a leading means (11) which is connected to the channels (9) in such a way that gas, in particular air, can be sucked or blown off over the openings (7) through the channels (9).

8. The carrier (1) according to at least any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the support body (2) is made of at least one of the following materials: plastic, in particular fibre-reinforced plastic, polyamide, acrylic butadiene styrene, or metal, in particular aluminium, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium.

9. A surface element (3) for a carrier (1) of a labelling machine according to at least any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elastic surface element (3) is formed in such a manner that it can be exchanged on a contact surface (12) of the support body (2), wherein the support body (2) includes a first connecting means (4) having a first surface contour, and the surface element (3) includes a second connecting means (5) having a second surface contour, characterised in that the surface contours are formed in such way that, when pressed together, they engage with each other, whereby the surface element (3) is fixed to the support body, and wherein the first connecting means (4) includes a plurality of projections (6), and the second connecting means (5) includes a plurality of corresponding openings (7), wherein, in the connected state, the projections (6) are located within the openings (7) and wherein openings (7) extend through the elastic surface element (3) in a channel-like manner.

10. The surface element (3) for a carrier of a labelling machine according to claim 9, characterised in that the surface element is formed of at least one of the following materials: rubber, foam, silicone, and particularly includes a Shore hardness of 4 to 80.

11. A method for applying and replacing a surface element (3) on a support body (2) of a carrier (1) according to at least any of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: - providing a carrier (1), - applying a planar elastic surface element (3) to the contact surface (12) of the fixed support body (2), - pressing the elastic surface element (3) onto the contact surface (12) of the fixed support body (2), wherein the contact surface (12) is facing the container to be palletised and over which a force is exerted for transferring the label, - using the carrier (1) for labelling in a labelling machine (10) - pulling off the surface element (3) from the support body (2) when the surface element (3) is worn or the requirements have changed, - applying a new surface element (3) onto the contact surface (12) of the support body (2), wherein the support body (2) includes a first connecting means (4) having a first surface contour, and the surface element (3) includes a second connecting means (5) having a second surface contour, wherein the surface contours are formed in such way that, when pressed together, they engage with each other, whereby the surface element (3) is fixed to the support body, and the first connecting means (4) includes a plurality of projections (6), and the second connecting means (5) includes a plurality of corresponding openings (7), wherein, in the connected state, the projections (6) are located within the openings (7).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterised in that the surface element is pulled off from the support body (2) manually, in particular by finger force.

13. A labelling machine with a plurality of circumferentially arranged carriers (1), in particular on a carrier carousel, having elastic surface elements (3) according to at least any of claims 1 to 8 arranged thereon.