PALLET FOR A PALLET CAROUSEL OF A LABELING MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS, SURFACE ELEMENT FOR USE IN THE PALLET AND METHOD FOR SHAPE ADJUSTING THE PALLET

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pallet, an elastic surface element and a method for format adjustment of pallets of a container labeling machine.

[0002] A pallet is known from DE 10 2017 209 164 A1. The pallet comprises an interchangeable, elastic surface element for vacuum-assisted removal of labels from a label magazine and for pressing the picked-up labels onto containers. For this purpose, the elastic surface element has bores across its entire working surface that interact with corresponding pins formed on a rigid support body of the pallet. The bores engage with the pins in a form-fit, also longitudinally, so that the elastic surface element can be pressed onto the support body of the pallet without tools and is thus secured for operation. If the elastic surface element needs to be replaced due to wear, it can be manually replaced with a new surface element from the pallet mounted in the associated pallet carousel.

[0003] The protruding pins in the carrier body form vacuum connections for the individual bores in the surface element via centrally located channels. This means that each bore is assigned a corresponding vacuum connection in the carrier body, so that the bores form a suction area uniformly distributed across the entire contour of the surface element. This suction area is used to pick up labels when they are removed from the label magazine and transport them on the associated pallet carousel until they are transferred to the containers, also guiding them along a gluing unit.

[0004] However, it has become apparent that an increasing number of labels need to be processed whose contours do not match the overall contour of the surface element. This is the case, for example, with complexly shaped closure labels. Since the contours of such labels are generally smaller than the overall contour of the surface element, the picked-up label does not cover all the holes in the surface element. Ambient air is then inevitably drawn in through the holes that are not covered. This is generally undesirable, as it reduces the suction performance of the pallets and makes both the picking up of the labels at the label magazine and their onward transport on the pallet carousel difficult to control, depending on the size and contour of the labels being processed.This means that such processes cannot be carried out with the desired process stability and / or only with comparatively high suction capacities, which, for example, increases the design effort and operating costs in an undesirable way.

[0005] Furthermore, vacuum pallets are known from WO 2009 / 024357 A1, the suction side of which is provided with a rubber layer, wherein a serpentine suction channel is formed at the beginning and end (with respect to the direction of movement) of the respective pallet.

[0006] WO 2017 / 001076 A1 describes pallets for a pallet carousel of a container labeling machine. Each pallet comprises a rigid carrier body and an attached surface element with a flexible contact side for labels and suction openings formed on the contact side for picking up the labels. The contact side includes at least one suction area in which the suction openings are distributed across the contact side in a grid pattern as suction nozzles. While the nozzles can be selectively supplied with vacuum by specifically activating or deactivating the vacuum supply to individual nozzles, this requires inserting or sliding a die-cut template into the carrier body to switch to a different label format and disconnect unused suction openings from the vacuum supply.There is a need for improved devices and methods for vacuum-assisted pickup and transport of labels for containers.

[0007] The stated problem is solved with a surface element according to claim 1 and with a pallet according to claim 2+. The pallet is suitable for a pallet carousel of a container labeling machine and comprises a rigid support body and a surface element detachably attached to it by elastic positive locking, the surface element having an elastic contact side for labels and suction openings formed on the contact side for drawing in the labels.

[0008] Furthermore, the surface element's mounting side includes at least one intake area in which the intake openings are grouped, and at least one passive area without intake openings, in order to limit the intake area to an intake contour that differs from the overall contour of the mounting side and is format-specific.

[0009] By appropriately dimensioning and distributing the intake and passive areas, the intake area can be adapted to the contour of the label being picked up and transported in such a way that all existing intake openings are covered by the label. Consequently, unwanted intake of ambient air through uncovered intake openings can be avoided. This reduces the required intake power and enables comparatively easy-to-control and reproducible process conditions for vacuum-assisted label picking and transport.

[0010] The surface element is attached to the rigid support body by elastic positive locking, for example by channels formed in the surface element forming a positive locking connection with corresponding, in particular pin-shaped, vacuum connections on the rigid support body.

[0011] The surface element can be entirely elastic or it can include a substantially rigid fastening side (rear side) facing away from the elastic contact side (front side), on which elastic fastening elements, such as spring-loaded catches or the like, are provided to create the positive-locking connection with the rigid support body. Alternatively or additionally, such elastic fastening elements could also be present on the rigid support body.

[0012] An elastic application side means that the application side is designed to be elastically deformable, particularly for pressing labels onto containers.

[0013] The surface element can therefore be quickly and easily replaced without tools with a matching surface element to adapt to the contour of a specific label format.

[0014] The passive area is understood here as an area that either lies outside the contour of the label to be picked up, and / or where the label to be transported is mechanically supported but not suctioned. This is conceivable, for example, with labels that are only suctioned at two opposing lateral edge areas, and where an intermediate, central label area merely rests against the passive area of ​​the elastic surface element.

[0015] The described contours can each be understood as the development of corresponding curved surfaces. Preferably, the smallest area of ​​the passive zone is at least twice as large, and in particular at least five times as large, as the greatest distance between the edges of adjacent intake openings within the intake area. The area of ​​the passive zone can be understood, for example, as the distance between opposing edges / boundary lines of the passive zone. The passive zone can, for example, be a frame enclosing the intake area, the smallest width of which then corresponds to the aforementioned smallest area.

[0016] Preferably, the support body for mounting and supplying vacuum to the surface element has a convexly curved mounting surface with one or more vacuum connections, wherein the surface element is designed for internal vacuum distribution from the vacuum connection(s) to the suction openings. Consequently, the distribution of the vacuum connections on the mounting surface may differ from the distribution of the suction openings on the contact side of the surface element. Vacuum connections on the support body can, for example, be distributed in a uniform grid, and in particular, substantially across the entire mounting surface. However, a single, especially centrally located, vacuum connection is also conceivable.

[0017] In contrast, the intake openings are preferably only formed in a partial area of ​​the system side covered by the associated label. The distribution of the total vacuum present at the vacuum connections to the existing intake openings then occurs via suitable channels running and, if necessary, branching within the elastic surface element. This allows for the formation of appropriately contoured intake areas passively, i.e., without active valves or the like in the area of ​​the vacuum connections.

[0018] Preferably, the surface element has channels specifically assigned to the vacuum connections, which are designed as through holes connecting the vacuum connections to the intake openings or as blind holes closed towards the passive area. The channels thus open towards the carrier body in a preferably uniform grid, the individual grid points / channels of which are either open or closed towards the contact side.

[0019] For example, channels lying within the contour of a properly fitted label are designed as through holes, while all channels outside the contour are designed as blind holes. This allows for particularly easy adaptation of the intake area, i.e., the area with through holes / intake openings, to the contour of a label being processed.

[0020] The carrier body can then feature a standardized grid with vacuum connections, similar to a universal pallet body. Matching surface elements can be optionally attached as format-specific sets. These sets are provided with an identical channel grid on the connection side, but differ depending on the format, specifically which channels are designed as through holes or blind holes.

[0021] In another advantageous embodiment, channels are formed in the surface element corresponding to the vacuum connections, each connecting the vacuum connection(s) to several intake openings. The vacuum connections of the carrier body can then be understood as manifold connections for a group of intake openings.

[0022] It is also possible for only a single such collecting connection to be formed on the support body. The channels have suitable branches to connect at least one collecting channel formed on the mounting surface of the support body to individual intake openings or a group of intake openings by means of channel branching in the surface element.

[0023] Such vacuum connections / manifold connections can also be arranged in a standardized manner on the mounting surface of a universal pallet body in order to attach / connect different format-specific surface elements with correspondingly different channel branching to the carrier body.

[0024] Preferably, the carrier body includes separately switchable vacuum connections / managing connections for the selective vacuum supply of suction openings assigned to different lateral edge areas of the labels, in particular the beginning and end areas of the labels. This allows, especially when picking up labels from a label magazine, the suction area assigned to the beginning area of ​​the labels to be selectively supplied with vacuum, while other suction areas, in particular a suction area assigned to the end area of ​​the labels, are not yet supplied with vacuum. This allows for targeted control of the label pickup and prevents the temporary intake of ambient air through suction openings not yet covered by the label.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the pallet / surface element, a rigid mounting side of the surface element is understood to comprise a dimensionally stable support structure for the contact side, relative to the elastic contact side. The mounting side serves to attach the surface element to the rigid support body of the pallet.

[0026] Preferably, the mounting side comprises elastic suction cups with suction openings and / or at least one elastic suction strip with suction openings to form at least one suction area, as well as at least one elastic support element to support the labels in order to form the passive area or one of the passive areas.

[0027] The surface element can consist of several components, for example a support element or base embodying the supporting structure, on which at least one elastic support element / pressure pad and the suction cups / suction strips as embodiment of the elastic contact side are firmly mounted.

[0028] The suction strips with the intake openings can, for example, be made of foam and / or include elastic bodies manufactured using 3D printing. The elastic support elements can also be made of foam and / or 3D-printed bodies.

[0029] Suction areas with elastic suction cups are particularly suitable for maximizing machine performance, as they enable particularly reliable and fast label removal from an associated magazine.

[0030] The surface element can have at least one area which is specifically adapted to the respective transfer of the labels to the containers, for example in the form of different hardness zones in the surface element, different materials, geometric structures and / or material cutouts in the mounting side or the like.

[0031] Such support elements / zones, adapted to specific container / label formats, can be flexibly combined as passive areas with the different embodiments of the suction areas of the surface element described above.

[0032] The described embodiments of the surface element enable a quick and optimized format change with regard to the transfer and application of the labels to the containers through simple exchange of the surface elements. The stated task is also solved with a labeling machine for labeling containers, which includes a pallet carousel loaded with pallets according to at least one of the preceding embodiments. The container labeling machine can then be flexibly, quickly, and with minimal effort adapted to labeling different container formats and / or with different label formats.

[0033] The surface element comprises an elastic contact side for labels, suction openings formed on the contact side for suctioning the labels, and a fastening side facing away from the contact side for detachably fastening the surface element to a rigid carrier body of the pallets by means of elastic positive locking.

[0034] Furthermore, the system side comprises at least one suction area in which the suction openings are grouped, and at least one passive area without suction openings, in order to limit the suction area to a suction contour that deviates from the overall contour of the system side and is specific to a label format. This allows the advantages described with respect to the pallet according to claim 1 to be achieved.

[0035] Preferably, the surface element consists of a material manufactured additively in layers. Using 3D printing, elastic materials with complex channel configurations, such as branches, can be flexibly produced layer by layer within the surface element, thus adapting to a wide variety of contours of the labels to be processed. Furthermore, recesses, such as slots, can be incorporated into the elastic surface element to provide suitable mechanical support for the labels and / or suitable deformability of the surface element, particularly during the transfer of the labels to the containers.

[0036] However, elastic surface elements with blind holes can also be produced flexibly and easily by milling appropriate semi-finished products or the like.

[0037] The surface element can include any features described with respect to the entire palette.

[0038] The stated problem is also solved by a method according to claim 12. Accordingly, this method serves to adapt the format of pallets of a labeling machine for containers, wherein first and second surface elements, each with an elastic contact side for labels and suction openings shaped differently on the contact side for suctioning the labels, are detached from rigid carrier bodies of the pallets and attached to them in an exchange.

[0039] This changes the number and / or surface area distribution of the suction openings on the side of the system. This enables a particularly simple, quick and cost-effective format change on the pallets.

[0040] Furthermore, the surface elements of the carrier bodies mounted on the labeling machine are changed. This enables a particularly economical format changeover of the container labeling machine.

[0041] Preferably, by mutually exchanging the first and second surface elements of the suction openings, the suction contours of the pallets, defined in groups, are adapted to the contour of the labels to be processed subsequently. This allows unwanted intake of ambient air through exposed suction openings to be avoided in a relatively simple manner, particularly without disassembling the pallets.

[0042] Preferably, by mutually exchanging the first and second surface elements, a suction contour defined by a group of suction openings is adapted to the contour and / or position of a lateral edge area of ​​the labels, which is to be selectively suctioned when the labels are removed from a label magazine. This allows the removal of the labels from a label magazine to be specifically and controllably adapted to the respective label format and thus carried out more controllably.

[0043] Preferably, vacuum ports distributed in a grid pattern on the carrier bodies are partially connected to the suction openings and partially closed by attaching the first or second surface elements. By selectively blocking individual vacuum ports, the respective suction area can be easily adapted to the contour of the labels.

[0044] In a further advantageous embodiment, a vacuum for suctioning the labels is distributed within the surface elements by means of branched channels to the individual suction openings or groups of suction openings, starting from at least one vacuum connection formed in the carrier bodies, in particular from several vacuum connections.

[0045] This allows for flexible adaptation of the suction area to the contour of the labels being processed, while maintaining a relatively simple vacuum flow in the carrier area. Furthermore, switching valves for the manifold connections enable the targeted activation / deactivation of individual suction areas for a specific surface element.

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. They show: Figure 1 is an oblique view of a pallet according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows the associated surface element with a suction-applied label; Figure 3 shows views of the surface element from the front and from the left; Figure 4 shows a section through the pallet; Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the pallet in an oblique view; Figure 6 shows an associated surface element seen from the front and above; Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a container labeling machine; Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the pallet; and Figure 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the pallet.

[0047] As the Figure 1 As can be seen, in a first preferred embodiment, the pallet 1 comprises a rigid support body 2 and a detachably attached and overall elastic surface element 3 with a contact side 4 (front side) for labels 5, one of which is exemplified in the Figure 2shown, and suction openings 6 formed on the side of the system 4 for suctioning the labels 5.

[0048] The surface element 3 can be elastic in its entirety, or only its contact side 4 facing the labels 5.

[0049] The system side 4 comprises at least one intake area 7 in which the intake openings 6 are grouped, and at least one passive area 8 adjacent to and / or surrounding the intake area 7 and / or a passive area 18 separating several intake areas 7 from each other ( Figure 5 ) each without intake openings.

[0050] As the Figure 2As can be seen in a front view of the surface element 3, the mounting side 4 has a preferably rectangular overall contour 9. In the example shown, the passive area 8 completely surrounds the label 5 and extends from there to the overall contour 9, i.e., to the edge of the mounting side 4. However, two passive areas 8 extending to the overall contour 9 would also be conceivable, which would then be arranged above and below the intake area 7 or to the sides of it.

[0051] The intake area 7 is covered by label 5 and therefore in the Figure 2 Not visible. The depicted label 5 has a complex contour, such as is common for closure labels. However, depending on the arrangement of the suction openings 6, the surface element 3 would also be suitable for labels 5' with other contours, as indicated by the dashed line for a rectangular contour.

[0052] As the Figure 3As can be seen in a front view of the surface element 3, the intake area 7 has an intake contour 10 that deviates from the overall contour 9 and lies within it.

[0053] The suction contour 10 is defined, for example, by a boundary line that connects the edges of the suction openings 6 grouped in the suction area 7 by the shortest possible path. By definition, the suction contour 10 limits the suction area 7 effective for suctioning the labels 5.

[0054] As the Figure 3As can be further seen in a front view, the smallest surface area 11 of the passive area 8 is preferably at least twice as large, and in particular at least five times as large, as the largest distance between the edges of adjacent intake openings 6 within the respective intake area 7. The smallest surface area 11 is, for example, the smallest distance of the intake contour 10 from the overall contour 9. These specifications also apply to the embodiments of the surface element 3 described below.

[0055] For example, there could also be one passive area 8 above and one below the intake area 7. The intake area 7, as well as the labels to be processed with it (variant not shown), can then extend to at least one lateral edge of the system side 4. A corresponding configuration tilted by 90° would be conceivable with two passive areas 8 laterally surrounding the intake area 7.

[0056] As the Figure 3 As can be further seen in a front view with concealed edges and in a side view of the surface element 3, this element comprises a plurality of channels 13 formed therein, which open at a mounting side 14 (rear side) of the surface element 3 facing away from the mounting side 4 in the form of a preferably uniform grid. From there, the channels 13 are designed as through holes 13a towards the intake area 7, and as blind holes 13b towards the passive area 8.

[0057] As the Figure 4 As can be seen in a section through the carrier body 2 and the surface element 3, the channels 13 establish a connection to vacuum connections 15 formed in a corresponding grid on the carrier body 2.

[0058] The vacuum connections 15 are preferably cone-shaped and form a positive fit into the generally elastic surface element 3. For this purpose, the vacuum connections 15 may, for example, include suitable thickenings, barbs, or the like on their outer surface to prevent unintentional detachment of the elastic surface element 3 during operation. Such positive-fit vacuum connections between the vacuum connections 15 and the channels 13 are known in principle and are therefore not described in detail.

[0059] The vacuum connections 15 are arranged on a convexly curved mounting surface 2a of the carrier body 2 for the surface element 3. This is clearly visible in the Figure 4Furthermore, only the vacuum connections 15 located behind the intake area 7 are connected to the intake openings 6 through the through holes 13a, while the vacuum connections 15 located behind the passive area 8 are sealed vacuum-tight by the blind holes 13b, so that no ambient air can be drawn in there during operation.

[0060] Therefore, during operation, a vacuum can be present at all vacuum connections 15, regardless of the respective suction contour 10, as long as it is adapted to the contour of the labels 5 as described and is covered by them during operation.

[0061] The suction effect of pallet 1 can thus be passively determined by the surface distribution of the channels 13, which are designed as through holes 13a or blind holes 13b. Active switching on / off of vacuum connections 15 on pallet 1 is then generally unnecessary, but still possible, for example to supply two separate suction areas 7 with vacuum.

[0062] This also allows for easy adaptation of the suction area 7 to the labels 5 to be processed by changing the surface element 3 with channels 13 designed as through holes 13a or blind holes 13b to suit the respective label 5.

[0063] The blind holes 13b can be produced, for example, by milling the surface element 3 or by layer-by-layer additive manufacturing of the surface element 3, i.e., by 3D printing or the like.

[0064] In principle, any elastic polymers, elastomers, closed-cell foams or the like are suitable as material for the elastic surface element 3 / the elastic contact side 4.

[0065] By appropriately grouping the intake openings 6, a large number of differently shaped intake areas 7 are possible on the system side 4 (front side), which is essentially limited only by the grid of the channels 13 on the mounting side 14 (rear side) of the surface element 3. For this purpose, the grid has, for example, a spacing of 4 to 8 mm. By providing at least one passive area 8 as described, the unwanted intake of ambient air can be reliably prevented, even with differently shaped labels 5 whose dimensions are significantly smaller than the overall contour 9 of the system side 4.

[0066] The Figure 5Figure 1 shows an alternative configuration of the pallet 1 and the associated, here again exemplary, fully elastic surface element 3. Accordingly, the intake openings 6, 16 can be arranged in separate groups to form associated separate intake areas 7, 17 on the surface element 3's mounting side 4. A first passive area 8 surrounding both intake areas 7, 17 is then supplemented by a second passive area 18 formed between the intake areas 7, 17.

[0067] The intake openings 6, 16 are then connected via channels 13 running in the surface element 3 to vacuum connections 15 formed in the carrier body 2 (concealed).

[0068] In the example of the Figure 5The channels 13 within the elastic surface element 3 are branched to connect one of the vacuum connections 15 to several intake openings 6, 16. The channels 13 can thus each include (example shown) branches 13c. At least one switchable supply channel 19 is then present on the carrier body 2, optionally also at least two separately switchable supply channels 19 (see also the Figure 4 ), which are separately assigned to the intake areas 7, 17 in order to selectively or jointly supply the associated intake openings 6, 16 with vacuum. Each supply channel 19 can be separately connected to the vacuum connection 15 assigned to each intake area 7, 17 via a switching valve (not shown) in a manner known in principle.

[0069] It is then possible, for example, to assign a first suction area 7 to a lateral starting area of ​​the labels 5' and a second suction area 17 to a lateral end area of ​​the labels 5'.

[0070] The first and second intake areas 7, 17 then have at least one intake contour 20, possibly also different intake contours (not shown).

[0071] The Figure 6 The label 5' drawn onto the system side 4 is shown schematically. Also shown are the channels 3 formed in the surface element 3 with the branches 13c, each connecting a collective inlet 13d of the channels 13 to a group of suction openings 6, 16. Each collective inlet 13d is then assigned to a separate suction area 7, 17 and connected to a vacuum connection 15 with a switchable supply channel 19 arranged correspondingly on the carrier body 2.

[0072] The surface element 3 is thus designed for the internal distribution of vacuum from at least one vacuum connection 15, in particular from several separately switchable vacuum connections 15, to the intake openings 6, 16.

[0073] The Figure 7 Figure 1 schematically shows a labeling machine 21 with a pallet carousel 22, on which the pallets 1 with their carrier bodies 2 and surface elements 3 continuously rotate during operation. The labels 5' (or 5) are held in a label magazine 23 and removed from it by the pallets 1 using vacuum assistance.

[0074] To pick up the labels 5' from the label magazine 23, for example, only the first suction area 7 assigned to the beginning of the label can be pressurized with vacuum to reliably draw the labels 5' from the label magazine 23. In this process, the pallet 1 with the elastic surface element 3 or the elastic contact side 4 partially dips into the stack of labels held in the label magazine 23 in a known manner, thereby pulling out the label 5'.

[0075] Subsequently, the second suction area 17, associated with the end of the label, can also be pressurized with vacuum to suction the entire label 5' onto the pallet 1 for further transport. The passive areas 8, 18 serve only to support the label 5', as was similarly described for the first embodiment.

[0076] During the further circulation of the pallets 1 on the pallet carousel 22, the loaded pallets 1 pass a gluing unit 24, which preferably operates as a glue printer and sprays glue directly onto the labels 5, 5' that have been sucked up from the pallets 1.

[0077] It is also schematically indicated that the containers 25 to be labeled (only one of which is shown) circulate on a continuously rotating container table 26. The labels 5, 5' can be transferred from the pallets 1 to the containers 25 there in a known manner.

[0078] During operation, for example, the labels 5 are suctioned onto, transported, and transferred to the containers 25 by means of surface elements 3 adapted to their specific format. If, on the other hand, labels 5' with a different contour are to be applied to the containers 25 or to a different container type, the operation only needs to be briefly interrupted to replace the surface elements 3 on the pallets 1 with those that have suction areas 7, 17 and passive areas 8, 18 adapted to the labels 5'.

[0079] Such format changes can be carried out relatively quickly and with minimal equipment effort on carrier bodies 2 mounted on the pallet carousel 22. Furthermore, the suction areas 7, 17, adapted to the respective contours of the labels 5, 5', prevent ambient air from being drawn in through the surface elements 3. This avoids unreliable and / or inefficient suction of the labels 5, 5' onto the pallets 1.

[0080] The surface elements 3, 3' can be kept on hand at the production site with comparatively little effort as quickly interchangeable set parts for a wide variety of label formats, i.e. different label sizes and / or label contours.

[0081] A format change is therefore possible with minimal effort while still ensuring maximum process reliability regarding the receipt and transport of different 5.5' labels.

[0082] This approach is also compatible with the methods described in the Figure 8 and 9 The following exemplary variations of palette 1 and the associated surface element 3 are possible.

[0083] The Figure 8 and 9 Each shows palette 1 in an oblique view (below) and in a front view (above), as well as a section along lines AA and BB in between.

[0084] Accordingly, the intake openings 6, 16 are preferably arranged in separate groups to provide associated separate intake areas 7, 17 for a label 5' (in the Figure 8 and 9 (not shown) to form on the elastic contact side 4 of the surface element 3.

[0085] The embodiments according to Figure 8 and 9 thus differ from the one in the Figures 5 and 6 The embodiment shown is essentially characterized only by the following features: The contact side 4 (front) of the surface element 3 comprises elastic suction cups 31 and / or suction strips 32, each with suction openings 6, 16, and at least one elastic support element 33 for the label 5'. The mounting side 14 (rear) of the surface element 3 comprises a rigid support structure 34 for the contact side 4 in the form of a base, with which the surface element 3 is attached to the convexly curved mounting surface 2a of the carrier body 2. The overall contour 9 of the elastic contact side 4 is smaller than the outer contour 2b of the mounting surface 2a of the carrier body 2. Only a single vacuum connection 15 with a preferably switchable supply channel 19 is provided on the carrier body 2 to supply the suction openings 6, 16 with vacuum.

[0086] The supply channel 19 can include a switching valve (not shown) in a manner known in principle.

[0087] Also in the embodiments according to Figure 8and 9 The channels 13 within the surface element 3 are branched to connect the vacuum port 15 to several intake openings 6, 16. Each channel 13 comprises (exemplary) branches 13c.

[0088] The surface element 3 is thus also designed here for internal vacuum distribution from the vacuum connection 15 to the intake openings 6, 16.

[0089] It is then possible, albeit without a separate switching function, to assign a first suction area 7 to a lateral starting area of ​​the labels 5' and a second suction area 17 to a lateral end area of ​​the labels 5'. However, several separately switchable vacuum connections 15 would also be possible.

[0090] The first and second intake areas 7, 17 then have an intake contour 20 running tangentially around the intake openings 6, 16 of the respective suction cups 31 or suction strip 32, possibly also different intake contours (not shown).

[0091] The diagram shows the channels 3 formed in the surface element 3 with the branches 13c, which connect a single common inlet 13d of the channels 13 to a group of intake openings 6, 16. The common inlet 13d is shown here as an example assigned to both intake areas 7, 17 and connected to a vacuum connection 15 with a switchable supply channel 19 arranged correspondingly on the carrier body 2.

[0092] The channels 13 preferably run in the rigid support structure 34 / in the base up to the elastic suction cups 31 attached to it.

[0093] The at least one elastic support element 33 is also arranged on the rigid supporting structure 34 / the base.

[0094] The elastic support element 33 can be made of a more elastic material than the rigid supporting structure 34, as exemplified in the Figure 9 The support element 33 is preferably permanently connected to the supporting structure 34 / the base, for example by gluing.

[0095] The support element 33 can also be made of the same material as the rigid supporting structure 34 / the base, in particular integrally with it, and have a structure that is elastic in contrast, as exemplified in the Figure 8 is shown. For example, the support element 33 can be designed as an elastically flexible plate 33a over a cavity 33b or the like.

[0096] Similarly, the support element 33 can include material weakenings 33c, such as slots, pores, or the like, to create suitable compliance of the support element 33 when picking up and dropping the labels 5'. For example, the support element 33 would then be harder at the edge than in the middle, thus having different hardness zones.

[0097] As in the Figure 8 and 9 Furthermore, it can be seen that the elastic contact side 4 of the surface element 3 can be interrupted by gaps 35 between the suction cups 31 or suction strips 32 and the support element 33.

[0098] The suction areas 7, 17 are essentially embodied by the suction cups 31 and suction strips 32 respectively, the intermediate passive area 18 by the elastic support element 33.

[0099] A further passive area 8 surrounding the intake areas 7, 17 would also be present in the embodiments according to Figure 8 and 9In principle possible, but is unnecessary due to the reduced overall outer contour 9 of the elastic contact side 4 of the surface element 3 compared to the fastening surface 2a shown here as an example.

[0100] Rather, the outer contour of surface element 3 is at least approximately the same as the contour of label 5' (in Figure 8 and 9 (not shown) adapted. Individual features of the described embodiments can also be meaningfully combined and / or mutually substituted.

[0101] For example, vacuum connections 15 arranged in a format-independent manner, in particular in a grid pattern (matching the carrier body 2), could be formed in the rigid support structure 34 of the surface element 3, and a corresponding format-specific grid of through holes 13a could be formed in an elastic contact side 4 attached thereto, which would then be arranged in accordance with the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4would be designed with intake openings 6, 16.

Claims

1. A surface element (3) to be used in a pallet (1) for a pallet carousel (22) of a labelling machine (21) for containers (25) comprising an elastic engagement face (4) for labels (5, 5'), suction ports (6, 16) for sucking labels formed at the engagement face, and an attachment face (14) for detachably attaching to a rigid support body (2) of pallets (1) by elastic engagement, wherein the engagement face includes at least a suction region (7, 17) in which the suction ports are arranged in groups and at least a passive region (8, 18) without suction ports to delimit the suction region to a suction contour (10, 20) deviating from the overall contour (9) of the engagement face and being specific for a format of labels.

2. A pallet (1) for a pallet carousel (22) of a labelling machine (21) for containers (25) comprising a rigid support body (2) and a surface element (3) detachably attached thereto by elastic engagement according to claim 1.

3. The pallet according to claim 2, wherein the smallest surface area (11) of the passive region is at least twice as big as the largest distance (12) between the edges of respective adjacent suction ports (6, 16) within the suction region.

4. The pallet according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the support body (2) includes a convexly curved attachment face (2a) having at least one vacuum port (15) for attachment and supply of vacuum to the surface element (3) and wherein the surface element is configured for internal distribution of vacuum from the vacuum port to the suction ports (6, 16).

5. The pallet according to claim 4, wherein in the surface element (3) channels (13) are formed that are in particular individually assigned to the vacuum ports (15) and that connect the vacuum ports to the suction ports (6), and that are formed as blind holes (13b) substantially vacuum-tight towards the passive region (8).

6. The pallet according to claim 4, wherein in the surface element (3) channels (13) are formed assigned to the vacuum ports (15) and each connecting the vacuum ports with multiple suction ports (16).

7. The pallet according to at least one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the support body (2) comprises separately switchable supply channels (19) for selectively supplying vacuum to suction ports(16) associated with different lateral edge regions of the labels (5'), in particular front and rear regions of the labels.

8. A labelling machine (21) for containers (25) comprising a pallet carousel (22) including pallets (1) according to at least one of claims 2 to 7.

9. The surface element according to claim 1, wherein the engagement face (4) for pressing the labels (5, 5') on containers (25) is elastically deformable and the attachment face (14) of the surface element (3) comprises a form stable support structure (34) for the engagement face.

10. The surface element according to claims 1 or 9, wherein the engagement face (4) comprises elastic suction cups (31) and / or at least one elastic suction bar (32) including the suction ports (6, 16) for forming the at least one suction region (7, 17) and at least one elastic support element (33) for the labels (5, 5') for forming the passive region (18).

11. The surface element according to claims 1, 9 or 10, wherein the surface element (3) is made of additively manufactured layered material.

12. A method for format adaption of pallets (1) of a labelling machine (21) for containers (25), wherein first and second surface elements (3) including an elastic engagement face (4) for labels (5, 5') and suction ports (6, 16) formed in configurations deviating from each other at the engagement face for sucking the labels are detached from rigid support bodies (2) of the pallets (1) and are attached thereto in exchange, thus changing the number and / or two-dimensional distribution of the suction ports provided at the engagement face, wherein the surface elements (3) are exchanged and attached by elastic engagement while the support bodies (2) are mounted on the labelling machine (21).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein by mutually exchanging the first and second surface elements (3) groups of suction contours (10, 20) of the pallets (1) defined by the suction ports are adapted to a contour of the labels (5, 5') to be subsequently processed.

14. The method according to claims 12 or 13, wherein by mutually exchanging the first and second surface elements (3) a suction contour (10, 20) defined by one of a group of suction ports (6, 16) is adapted to the contour and / or position of a lateral edge region of the labels (5, 5') which is to be selectively sucked when removing the labels from a label magazine (23).

15. The method according to anyone of claims 12 through 14, wherein vacuum ports (15) distributed on the support bodies (2) in the form of a matrix are partially connected to the suction ports (6, 16) and partially closed by placing the first and second surface elements (3) thereon.

16. The method according to anyone of claims 12 through 15, wherein a vacuum for sucking the labels (5, 5') starting from vacuum ports (15) formed in the support bodies (2) within the surface elements (3) is distributed among the suction ports (6, 16) by channels (13) branching therein.