Magazine for label web rolls, labelling machine, installation for producing and / or treating containers and method for controlling at least one magazine

Abstract

The invention relates to a magazine (12) for label tape rolls (34), comprising at least one unwinding area (18), at least two magazine units (20, 22) each with at least two receptacles (24 - 30) movable relative to the unwinding area (18) for label tape rolls (34) and at least one splicing device (32) for splicing label tapes for label tape rolls (34) arranged in the unwinding area (18), wherein the magazine (12) further comprises at least one detection device (65, 66) for detecting at least one label and / or one type of label on a label tape roll (34) in at least one of the receptacles (24 - 30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a magazine for label tape rolls, a labeling machine, a system for manufacturing and / or treating containers and a method for controlling at least one magazine.

[0002] To provide containers with information and / or trademarks, labels can be attached. These labels can be glued onto the containers, for example. Label tapes with removable labels can be used to supply the labels. These label tapes can be supplied as rolls. To ensure uninterrupted labeling, if a roll runs out of tape, the beginning of another label tape can be spliced ​​to the end of the empty tape.

[0003] From EP 3 789 327 A1, a device is known which has a stationary splicing device, wherein movable magazine holders can transport label tape rolls to the stationary splicing device. The device has two magazine units, wherein a label tape roll is alternately unwound from the two magazine units. The splicing takes place during operation.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a magazine that can be operated with increased reliability at high labeling performance.

[0005] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a magazine for label tape rolls, comprising at least one unwinding area, at least two magazine units each with at least two receptacles for label tape rolls movable relative to the unwinding area, and at least one splicing device for splicing label tapes for label tape rolls arranged in the unwinding area, wherein, according to the invention, the magazine further comprises at least one detection device for detecting at least one label and / or one type of label on a label tape roll in at least one of the receptacles.

[0007] The magazine's recognition system can identify the label or label type being used and / or the label or label type to be spliced. This system then determines whether the next label or label type to be processed is correct. If a faulty label or label type that should not be used is detected, the system can automatically switch to a different label or label type. This can be achieved by changing the magazine's capacity, which may include a different label tape roll. This prevents production errors and the associated downtime. Furthermore, it prevents waste of production materials. This ensures the magazine maintains high reliability even at high labeling throughput.Furthermore, this allows for continuous quality control during labeling.

[0008] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the detection device can be designed to detect a label arranged in the unwinding area, and that the detection device can preferably be arranged on the splicing device.

[0009] A single detection device can therefore be sufficient to identify labels located in the unwinding area or at the splicing device. This minimizes the number of components required and keeps costs down.

[0010] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the detection device may have at least one optical sensor.

[0011] Label recognition can be performed using an optical sensor. This optical sensor can, for example, consist of a camera and / or a barcode or QR code reader. If a camera is used, the label can be recognized using image processing methods. With a code reader, a read character triggers label recognition. This allows for contactless and effortless identification of the labels and / or label type.

[0012] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the detection device may be configured to provide an actual label type signal indicating a detected label type, and the magazine may have a control device configured to receive a target label signal indicating a target label type and the label type signal, wherein, if the actual label type differs from the target label type, the control device may be configured to provide a signal for changing the label tape.

[0013] By providing the detected label type and comparing it to a target label type, it can be ensured that the magazine is using the correct label type for the containers to be labeled. Label type detection can be performed even before a splicing operation, allowing the label tape roll that does not contain the target label type to be replaced before the containers are labeled. After the labels have been detected, a further check can then be performed to verify that the target label type is now present.

[0014] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the detection device for detecting misprinted labels during the unwinding of a label tape roll arranged in the unwinding area can be designed.

[0015] If a misprinted label is detected while a label tape roll is being unwound in the unwinding area, the misprinted label can be cut out of the tape roll during operation, and a new splicing process can be carried out using a provided continuous label tape. Alternatively, the tape roll currently in use can be cut before reaching the problematic label, and a splicing process can be performed using a different tape roll. This avoids wasting production material or having to discard a container with the misprinted label.

[0016] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the recognition device may be further configured to identify at least one recording in which a label is recognized, wherein the magazine may further have an information storage device for storing at least one data record indicating an identified recording and a label recognized in the recording.

[0017] In this way, information about which label or label type is in each slot can be stored. For example, if the label roll needs to be changed due to the wrong label type, a slot containing the correct label type can be moved directly into the unwinding area, provided the label type has already been recognized in that slot and no other label roll is already in the unwinding area. This minimizes the number of changeovers, thus saving energy.

[0018] According to a second aspect, a labeling machine is described, comprising at least one labeling station for labeling containers and at least one magazine as described above, wherein a transport path for label tape extends from the magazine at least to the labeling station.

[0019] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the labeling machine are derived from the advantages, effects, and further developments described in the magazine above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0020] According to a third aspect, a plant for the manufacture and / or treatment of containers is described, comprising at least one container treatment and / or container manufacturing machine for the treatment of containers and at least one labeling machine according to the preceding description, wherein a transport route for containers extends between the container treatment and / or container manufacturing machine and the labeling machine.

[0021] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the system result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the magazine and labeling machine described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, a method for controlling at least one magazine according to the preceding description is described, comprising at least the following steps: arranging a label tape roll in a receptacle of the magazine; moving the receptacle into the unwinding area by means of a drive device of the magazine; and recognizing a label and / or a label type by means of the recognition device.

[0023] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the method may further include at least the following steps: Determining whether the detected label is a misprint; and changing the label tape roll if the detected label is a misprint.

[0024] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the method may further include at least the following steps: Determining whether the detected label has a label type that corresponds to a target label type, by means of a control device; and changing the label tape roll if the detected label type does not correspond to the target label type.

[0025] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the method may further comprise at least the following steps: identifying a recording in which a label is recognized by means of the recognition device; and storing at least one data record indicating an identified recording and a label recognized in the recording in an information storage device.

[0026] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the process result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the magazine, labeling machine, and system described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0027] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the system; Figure 2a is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the magazine; Figure 3a is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the magazine; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the plant; and Figure 5 is a flowchart of the process.

[0028] The system for providing an endless label tape is described below according to Figure 1 in its entirety designated by reference numeral 10.

[0029] The system 10 can have a magazine 12 for label tape rolls 34 and a memory 14 for a section 38 of a label tape.

[0030] Magazine 12 has at least two magazine units 20, 22, each magazine unit 20, 22 having at least two receptacles 24-30 for label tape rolls 34. Each receptacle 24-30 can hold one label tape roll 34. The label tape rolls 34 can be, for example, arranged according to step 102 of the Figure 5 The procedure shown in 100 is arranged in a recording 24-30.

[0031] Furthermore, the magazine 12 has an unwinding area 18 on which a splicing device 32 is arranged. The splicing device 32 can be part of the magazine 12. Furthermore, the splicing device 32 can be arranged in a stationary position, at least with respect to the magazine units 20, 22.

[0032] The unwinding area 18 can have a first sub-area, which can be assigned to a first magazine unit 20, and a second sub-area, which can be assigned to a second magazine unit 22. Furthermore, the holders 24-30 of the two magazine units 20 and 22 can be moved into the unwinding area 18. However, this does not preclude the holders 24-30 from being moved individually into the unwinding area 18. Each sub-area of ​​the unwinding area 18 can accommodate one holder 24-30. If a holder 24-30 has received a label tape roll 34, the label tape roll 34 can be unwound in the unwinding area 18.

[0033] By means of the splicing device 32, when a label tape roll 34 of one of the two magazine units 20, 22 runs dry, an initial section of a label tape roll 34, which is arranged in the corresponding sub-area of ​​the unwinding area 18 in the other magazine unit 20, 22, can be spliced ​​to the label tape of the empty label tape roll 34.

[0034] For this purpose, a recording 24-30 with a label tape roll 34 can be moved into the corresponding sub-area.

[0035] The recordings 24-30 can be moved into and out of the unfolding area 18 by means of a drive 42, 44, for example according to the in Figure 5 to be moved into the unfolding area 18 as shown in step 104 of the procedure 100.

[0036] Each magazine unit 20, 22 can be assigned a drive 42, 44. The drive 42, 44 can move all the receptacles 24-30 of a magazine unit 20, 22 simultaneously.

[0037] At least one of the drives 42, 44 can drive a threaded spindle 46 in a rotating manner. The threaded spindle 46 can be operatively connected to the receptacles 24-30 via a coupling piece 48, which has an internal thread meshing with the threaded spindle 46. Rotation of the threaded spindle 46 then causes the coupling piece 48 to move along the threaded spindle 46. The coupling piece 48 can project through a guide opening 50 in a housing of the magazine 12. A drive 42, 44 can be arranged on one side of the guide opening 50, and the receptacles 24-30 can be arranged on the other side of the guide opening 50.

[0038] The coupling piece 48 can, for example, be attached to one of the receptacles 24-30. The other receptacles 24-30 of the magazine unit 20, 22 can be attached to the receptacle 24-30 to which the coupling piece 48 can be attached.

[0039] A drive 42, 44 of a magazine unit 20, 22 can be operated independently of the respective other drive 42, 44 of the respective other magazine unit 20, 22. Accordingly, the receptacles 24-30 of one magazine unit 20, 22 can be moved independently of the receptacles 24-30 of another magazine unit 20, 22.

[0040] The magazine 12 can provide an endless label tape 40 by means of the splicing device 32. The endless label tape 40 can extend from the splicing device 32 to the storage unit 14. The storage unit 14 buffers at least one section 38 of the endless label tape 40. The length of the section 38 can be a maximum of between 4 m and 20 m, preferably between 4 m and 15 m, and more preferably between 8 m and 15 m. The storage unit 14 can therefore be smaller than in the prior art.

[0041] Furthermore, the storage unit 14 can have at least one first roller 56, which in this embodiment can be arranged in a stationary position. The first roller 56 can further be arranged at a height between 1.2 m and 1.6 m above the base of the storage unit 14. The storage unit 14 can also have at least one second roller 58. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 has three first rollers 56 and three first rollers 58.

[0042] Section 38 of the label tape 40 can be stretched in a meandering pattern between the first rollers 56 and the second rollers 58. Section 38 can extend alternately between a first roller 56 and a second roller 58.

[0043] The first rollers 56 can be moved in one direction relative to the second rollers 58. Alternatively or additionally, the second rollers 58 can be moved in one direction relative to the first rollers 56. The distance between the first and second rollers 56, 58 can thus be changed. By changing the distance between the rollers 56, 58, the length of section 38 of the label tape 40 in the storage unit 14 can be changed. Section 38 of the label tape 40 can therefore serve as a dynamic buffer to compensate for speed differences between the labeling process and the unwinding process of the label tape rolls 34.

[0044] The label tape 40 can extend from the storage unit 14 to a labeling station 16. The labeling station 16 can be configured to transfer labels from the label tape 40 onto containers and to perform the labeling process.

[0045] Figures 2a and 2bFigure 1 shows an embodiment of the magazine 12. In this embodiment, the receptacles 24-30 can be moved out of and into the respective magazine units 20, 22 in a drawer-like manner. A closed position of the receptacles 24-30 is shown in Figure 2a depicted. In Figure 2b An opening position of images 24-30 is shown.

[0046] When a magazine unit 20, 22 has been moved out of a magazine unit 24-30, a label tape roll 34 can be removed from or inserted into the magazine unit 24-30. Empty label tape rolls 34 can thus be replaced with full label tape rolls 34.

[0047] The receptacles 24-30 of one or both magazine units 20, 22 can be locked in the closed position in this and other embodiments when one of the receptacles 24-30 is moved out of one of the magazine units 20, 22. For this purpose, a locking device 61 can be provided, which may be known, for example, from roll containers to lock their drawers when a drawer is opened.

[0048] Furthermore, the receptacles 24-30 in this and other embodiments can have a so-called soft-close function. When the receptacles 24-30 are closed, a final part of the closing movement can be guided by a soft-close device (not shown). This can prevent the receptacles 24-30 from closing too quickly and avoid damage to the magazine 12.

[0049] The receptacles 24-30 can further have a side surface 60, preferably transparent, which covers the respective receptacle 24-30 when the receptacle 24-30 is in a closed position in the magazine unit 20, 22. In this way, a visual inspection of the label tape roll 34 arranged in the receptacle 24-30 can be carried out.

[0050] The magazine 12 can further include a detection device 65, 66 with a sensor 66 for detecting a label on the label tape 40. This allows the device to detect, prior to splicing with the splicing device 32 according to step 106 of method 100, which label is attached to the splicing device 32. A splicing operation can then be carried out if, for example, a label is attached to the splicing device 32 that is free of defects.

[0051] Label detection can also be performed during operation, i.e., during an unwinding process. In this case, it can be determined, according to step 108 of procedure 100, whether the label is a misprint. Step 108 can be performed both during operation and with a label tape roll 34 that is not currently in use.

[0052] If a defective label is detected during operation, the continuous label tape 40 can be cut upstream of the detected defective label. A new splicing operation can then be performed after the defective label. Alternatively, a splicing operation according to step 110 can be performed with another label tape roll 34, for example, with the label tape roll 34 from another receptacle 24-30 located in the unwinding area 18.

[0053] Furthermore, the detection device 65, 66 can have a sensor 65 for detecting a label type on the label tape 40. In this way, for example, the dimensions of the labels on the label tape 40 can be determined.

[0054] Furthermore, according to step 112, it can be determined whether a correct label type is being used. For this purpose, the detection device 65, 66 can, for example, transmit an actual label signal to a control device 69. The control device 69 can be configured to receive a target label signal indicating a target label type. The target label type can be adapted to the objects to be labeled.

[0055] If there is a discrepancy between the detected label type and the target label type, the label tape roll 34 can be changed according to step 110. In some embodiments, the change can be carried out until a correct label type is detected. Various fixtures 24-30 with label tape rolls 34 can be moved successively into the unwinding area 18.

[0056] Alternatively, the magazine 12 can have an information storage device 67. In the information storage device 67, data records can be stored according to steps 114 and 116, which can display information about an identified intake 24-30 and a label recognized in the intake 24-30, including its label type. This allows the storage of information about the label type in the corresponding intake 24-30 for those intakes 24-30 that were already arranged in the unwinding area 18 at the recognition device 65, 66.

[0057] Furthermore, it can be provided that, if the unwinding area 18 has at least two sub-areas or several rows of holders 24-30 are provided, the holders 24-30 of at least one row are arranged successively in the unwinding area 18 in order to detect the label type of the respective holder 24-30. This can be done while a label tape roll 34 is being unwound from one of the holders 24-30 in the other row.

[0058] Alternatively, each recording 24-30 can have its own sensor 65 for detecting the label type and / or its own detection device 65, 66.

[0059] If, in at least one series of the receptacles 24-30, it is known for at least some of the receptacles 24-30 which types of labels are arranged in the receptacles 24-30, when changing to correct the label type, a receptacle 24-30 can be moved directly into the unwinding area 18 which has a label tape roll 34 with the correct label type.

[0060] At least one of the sensors 65, 66 can be configured as an optical sensor. Furthermore, the detection of the label and / or the label type can be carried out using an image processing method.

[0061] Instead of two sensors 65, 66, a single sensor can also be provided that can detect both a label and a label type. This also applies to the following explanations.

[0062] Magazine 12 can have a separate sensor 65 on each magazine unit 20, 22 for detecting a label type on the label tape 40. Alternatively, magazine 12 can have only one sensor 65 that can detect label tapes from both magazine units 20, 22.

[0063] Another embodiment of magazine 12 is shown in the Figures 3a and 3b This magazine 12 can contain the same components as in the embodiment shown. Figures 2a and 2b exhibit. In this embodiment, according to the Figures 3a and 3b The 24-30 mm openings can be pivotally mounted to switch between an open and a closed position. The closed position is in Figure 3a shown and the opening position in Figure 3b .

[0064] Figure 4Figure 90 shows a plant for manufacturing and / or treating containers. Plant 90 includes at least one container treatment and / or container manufacturing machine 94, 96. Furthermore, plant 90 includes at least one labeling machine 92, which may, for example, include at least one system 10 as described above.

[0065] Transport devices 98 can be arranged between the container handling and / or container manufacturing machines 94, 96 and the labeling machine 92. Containers can be transported using the transport devices 98. The transport devices 98 can, for example, be designed as transport wheels. However, this does not preclude the transport devices 98 from also being designed in other ways, for example as a conveyor chain.

[0066] The transport devices 98 can define a transport path along which the containers can be transported. For example, a transport path can extend from a container handling machine and / or container manufacturing machine 94 to the labeling machine 92. Alternatively or additionally, the transport path can extend from the labeling machine 92 to a container handling machine and / or container manufacturing machine 96.

[0067] Along the transport path through the labeling machine 92, the containers can be conveyed past the labeling stations 16. Each labeling station 16 can be connected to a system 10. The labels from the continuous label tape 40 supplied by the system 10 can be used by the labeling station 16 to label the containers being conveyed past it. If a label tape roll 34 runs out of tape, a full label tape roll 34 can be spliced ​​to the empty label tape roll 34 by means of the system 10.

[0068] The example described above does not in any way limit the invention. Rather, the invention can be modified in numerous ways. All features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention, either alone or in combination. Reference symbol list

[0069] 10 System 12 Magazine 14 Storage 16 Labeling station 18 Unwinding area 20 Magazine unit 22 Magazine unit 24 Pickup 25 Pickup 26 Pickup 27 Pickup 28 Pickup 29 Pickup 30 Pickup 32 Splicing device 34 Label tape roll 36 Sensor 38 Section of a label tape 40 Continuous label tape 42 Drive 44 Drive 46 Threaded spindle 48 Coupling piece 50 Guide opening 56 First roller 58 Second roller 60 Side surface 61 Locking device 62 Unwinding motor 64 Unwinding motor 65 Sensor 66 Sensor 67 Control device 69 Information storage device 90 System 92 Labeling machine 94 Container handling and / or container manufacturing machine 96 Container handling and / or container manufacturing machine 98 Transport device

Claims

1. Magazine (12) for label tape rolls (34), comprising at least one unwinding area (18), at least two magazine units (20, 22) each with at least two receptacles (24 - 30) movable relative to the unwinding area (18) for label tape rolls (34) and at least one splicing device (32) for splicing label tapes for label tape rolls (34) arranged in the unwinding area (18), characterized by the fact that the magazine (12) further comprises at least one recognition device (65, 66) for recognizing at least one label and / or one type of label on a label tape roll (34) in at least one of the receptacles (24 - 30).

2. Magazine (12) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the detection device (65, 66) is designed to detect a label arranged in the unwinding area (18), wherein the detection device (65, 66) is preferably arranged on the splicing device (32).

3. Magazine (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatthe detection device (65, 66) has at least one optical sensor.

4. Magazine (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the detection device (65, 66) is configured to provide an actual label type signal indicating a detected label type, and the magazine (12) has a control device (69) configured to receive a target label signal indicating a target label type and the label type signal, wherein, if the actual label type differs from the target label type, the control device (69) is configured to provide a control signal to change the label tape (34).

5. Magazine (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the detection device (65, 66) is designed to detect misprinted labels during the unwinding of a label tape roll (34) arranged in the unwinding area (18).

6. Magazine (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the recognition device (65, 66) is further configured to identify at least one image (24 - 30) in which a label is recognized, wherein the magazine (12) further comprises an information storage device (67) for storing at least one data record indicating an identified image (24 - 30) and a label recognized in the image (24 - 30).

7. Labeling machine (92) comprising at least one labeling station (16) for labeling containers and at least one magazine (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transport path for label tape extends from the magazine (12) at least to the labeling station (16).

8. Plant (90) for manufacturing and / or treating containers, comprising at least one container treatment and / or container manufacturing machine (94, 96) for treating containers and at least one labeling machine (92) according to the preceding claim, wherein a transport section for containers extends between the container treatment and / or container manufacturing machine (94, 96) and the labeling machine (92).

9. Method (100) for controlling at least one magazine (12) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least the following steps: - arranging (102) a label tape roll (34) in a receptacle (24 - 30) of the magazine (12); - moving (104) the receptacle (24 - 30) into the unwinding area (18) by means of a drive device of the magazine (12); and - detecting (106) a label and / or a label type by means of the detection device (65, 66).

10. Method (100) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact thatThe procedure (100) further comprises at least the following steps: - Determining (108) whether the detected label is a misprint; and - Changing the label tape roll (34) if the detected label is a misprint.

11. Method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by the fact that The procedure (100) further comprises at least the following steps: - Determining (112) whether the detected label has a label type that corresponds to a target label type, by means of a control device; and - Changing the label tape roll (34) if the detected label type does not correspond to the target label type.

12. Method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by the fact thatthe procedure (100) further comprises at least the following steps: - identifying (114) a recording (24 - 30) in which a label is recognized, using the recognition device (65, 66); and - storing (116) at least one data record showing an identified recording (24 - 30) and a label recognized in the recording (24 - 30), in an information storage device.

Images