Labelling machine for labelling containers

Abstract

Labeling machine (100) for labeling containers (130), the labeling machine (100) comprising a container holder (111) for rotatably receiving a container (130) and for transporting the container (130) along a transport direction (T), a functional component (121-124) for performing a function associated with labeling the container (130) at a position of the container (130) along the transport direction (T), and a control unit (180), wherein the control unit (180) is configured to determine a necessary rotation of the container (130) and to control the rotation of the container (130) based on a manually set rotational position of the container (130) in the holder at the position.

Description

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

[0002] Labeling machines and methods for labeling containers are well known from the prior art. These can, for example, apply one or more labels to the containers using rotary machines with a multitude of container holders and labeling units arranged stationary along the periphery of the rotary rotary machine.

[0003] For reasons of labeling quality and to meet label positioning requirements on the bottle, it may be necessary to rotate the containers during the labeling process. The required rotation positions are typically specified by an operator using complex procedures. The operator enters the desired rotation position for each container along the transport direction and, based on the numerous entered positions, determines the necessary rotation curve. This curve is then used to control the container's rotation during transport within the labeling machine.

[0004] However, the known methods are complex and require a high level of experience from the operator, so they also have a certain susceptibility to errors. Task

[0005] Based on the known state of the art, the technical problem to be solved is therefore to specify a method for labeling a container with which the determination of the necessary rotation curves for controlling the rotation of containers is reliable and easier for an operator. Solution

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the labeling machine for labeling containers according to claim 1 and the method for labeling containers with a labeling machine according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The labeling machine according to the invention for labeling containers comprises a container holder for rotatably receiving a container and for transporting the container along a transport direction, a functional component for performing a function associated with labeling the container at a position of the container along the transport direction, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a necessary rotation of the container and to control the rotation of the container based on a manually set rotational position of the container in the holder.

[0008] In the context of the invention, the manually set rotational position of a container is understood to mean the manual manipulation of a container positioned in the container holder, such that it is moved into a desired position by manual rotation, which then defines the set rotational position. The desired rotational position can, for example, be predetermined depending on a desired rotational position for applying a label, such as relative to a seam of the container.

[0009] Position is understood as the position in which the functional component performs its function on the container. For example, the position could be the position at which a label is transferred to a container, or a specific angular position of a carousel that transports the container holders along its direction of rotation. This position corresponds to a desired rotational orientation of the container, so that by moving the container into position and subsequently setting the rotational orientation, a precise correlation between the position and the defined rotational orientation of the container is established, which can then be advantageously used to determine the necessary rotation.

[0010] A functional component is any component of the labeling machine that performs an action on the container related to labeling. This includes, but is not limited to, transferring one or more labels to a container, brushing the label onto the container, inspecting the label, and similar actions.

[0011] The necessary rotation of the container can be determined, for example, by taking into account an initial position of the container upon transfer to the labeling machine or the rotational position of the container after passing a previous functional component, as a differential rotation, and can be determined, for example, as a degree value or as a function that, depending on the distance traveled by the container along the transport direction or the transport time traveled along the transport direction, determines the change in the rotation of the container from an initial position to the specified rotational position upon reaching the position.

[0012] According to the invention, the control of the container's rotation is understood to mean that, during operation of the labeling machine, containers to be labelled are rotated in the container holder using the necessary rotation, so that upon reaching the position, the necessary rotation is or has been carried out and the container assumes the specified rotational position, enabling the functional component to correctly perform its function at the container's position.

[0013] With the device according to the invention, the operator can easily set the different rotational positions associated with the functional components and the execution of the relevant functions by rotating a container in the container holder in the respective position. The necessary rotation is thus reliably determined automatically, enabling reliable control of the labeling machine during normal operation. This reduces the operator's workload and the required technical expertise.

[0014] The functional component may comprise at least one labeling unit, one brushing unit, and one inspection device. These functional components are typically found as part of the labeling machine, and the advantages of the invention can be applied to them.

[0015] In one embodiment, the position is defined as at least one of a label transfer position, a brushing position, and an inspection position. These positions are well-defined along the transport direction of a container in the labeling machine, and a specific rotational position of the container can therefore be easily assigned to them.

[0016] It may be provided that the labeling machine includes a second functional component downstream of the functional component for performing a second function associated with labeling the container at a second position downstream of the position along the transport direction, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine a necessary second rotation from the first rotation position to the second rotation position based on a manually set second rotation position of the container in the holder at the second position, and to control the rotation of the container from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

[0017] This embodiment makes it possible to consider functional components arranged sequentially along the transport direction and to define the necessary rotational positions for each. For example, a change in the container's rotational position from a first labeling unit to a subsequent first brushing unit, or between a first and a second labeling unit, can be easily defined, and the necessary container rotation can be determined based on this. Even with complex labeling processes, such as applying a label to the front and a label to the back, an operator can thus easily determine the necessary rotations.

[0018] The labeling machine can be configured to include a multitude of container holders, with the control unit designed to determine the necessary container rotation for all holders based on a manually set container orientation and to control the rotation of containers in all holders. This embodiment reduces the number of container orientation settings required, further simplifying operator interaction with the labeling machine.

[0019] The control unit can be configured to determine the necessary rotation of containers for all container holders based on a single manually defined rotational position of the container and to control the rotation of containers in all container holders. This embodiment advantageously allows all necessary rotations and rotational positions of a container for all container holders to be determined simply by positioning a single container and defining the respective rotational positions, further reducing the operator's workload.

[0020] The control unit can be configured to compare the specified rotation with a limit value and, based on the result of the comparison, output information to an operator.

[0021] The fact that information is output to the operator based on the result of a comparison can include, in particular, informing the operator about the technical status of the labeling machine if a limit value is exceeded or fallen below, depending on what is indicative of, for example, a malfunction or an unrealizable rotation of the container, and allowing, for example, an alternative rotation position to be specified. This improves the reliability of labeling a container.

[0022] It may be provided that the labeling machine includes a display device and wherein the control unit is configured to display the manually set rotational position and / or the position and / or the necessary rotation on the display device.

[0023] The additional technical information derived from the manually set rotation position, as well as the set rotation position itself, are made easily accessible to the operator, further simplifying the operation of the labeling machine.

[0024] According to the invention, a method for labeling a container with a labeling machine is further provided. The labeling machine comprises a container holder for rotatably receiving a container and for transporting the container along a transport direction, a functional component for performing a function associated with labeling the container at a position of the container along the transport direction, and a control unit. The control unit determines a necessary rotation of the container based on a manually set rotational position of the container in the holder and controls the rotation of the container. This method allows for simplified adjustment of the necessary rotations of the container.

[0025] In one embodiment, the functional component comprises at least one labeling unit, one brushing unit, one inspection unit; and / or wherein the position is at least one label transfer position, one brushing position, one inspection position.

[0026] These positions and functional components are commonly used in labeling machines and are associated with well-defined positions, so the invention can be particularly advantageously applied to these embodiments.

[0027] It may be provided that the labeling machine includes a second functional component downstream of the functional component for performing a second function associated with labeling the container at a second position downstream of the position along the transport direction, and wherein the control unit, based on a manually set second rotational position of the container in the holder at the second position, determines a necessary second rotation from the rotational position to the second rotational position and controls the rotation of the container from the rotational position to the second rotational position.

[0028] This also allows successive rotations along the transport of the container from one functional component to another to be determined and taken into account in the control system.

[0029] The labeling machine can include a large number of container holders, and the control unit can determine the necessary container rotation for all holders based on a manually set container orientation and control the rotation of containers in all holders. This design reduces the effort required to determine the rotations, even with a large number of container holders on the labeling machine.

[0030] In particular, it may be provided that the control unit determines the necessary rotation of containers for all container receptacles based on exactly one manually set rotational position of the container and controls the rotation of containers in all container receptacles.

[0031] This means that setting a fixed rotation position for a single container is sufficient to automatically determine the necessary rotations for any number of container positions, further improving the usability of the labeling machine.

[0032] The control unit can be configured to compare the specified rotation with a limit value and, based on the result of this comparison, output information to an operator. This allows for the detection and correction of erroneous rotation positions set by the operator.

[0033] The labeling machine may include a display unit, and the control unit may display the manually set rotational position and / or the position and / or the specific rotation on the display unit. The fact that the control unit displays the relevant information on the display unit means that the control unit controls the display unit (for example, by issuing appropriate control commands to the control unit) so that the display unit (such as an LCD display, monitor, or similar device) displays the information. This allows the operator to be informed about relevant technical information for operating the labeling machine. Brief description of the characters

[0034] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a labeling machine according to one embodiment. Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method for labeling a container according to one embodiment. Detailed description

[0035] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a labeling machine according to an embodiment of the invention. The labeling machine is designed for labeling containers 130 such as bottles, cans or the like.

[0036] In the embodiment shown here, the labeling machine 100 comprises a carousel 101 rotatably mounted about a pivot axis R, which includes a plurality of container receptacles 111 around its circumference for rotatably holding a container 130. The container receptacles are not limited in their design, but can, for example, include a turntable and a corresponding centering bell to clamp a container between the turntable and the centering bell in a generally known manner. By rotating the turntable, the container can then be rotated, for example, about its longitudinal axis within the container receptacle.

[0037] The containers are transported in the container holders 111 along the direction of rotation T or the transport direction T of the carousel as the carousel rotates about its axis of rotation R. In the embodiment shown here, the labeling machine 100 comprises a plurality of functional components 121 to 124 arranged successively in the direction of rotation. These components are generally designed to perform at least one function associated with labeling a container. The functions associated with labeling can, in principle, include all process steps related to labeling the container. This includes, in particular, applying or transferring a label to the surface of the container. This can be carried out, for example, by a labeling unit known per se, such as the labeling unit 121.The function can, for example, also or alternatively include brushing the label using a brushing unit 122 or subsequent inspection, for example with the functional component 124 in the form of an inspection device such as a camera. The functional component 123 can, for example, be another labeling unit with or without a downstream brushing unit.

[0038] However, the invention is not limited with regard to the number, arrangement, and type of functional components. Thus, only one or more than the four shown, or only two or three functional components, may be provided.

[0039] Particularly in embodiments of the labeling machine 100 with a multitude of different functional components, it may be necessary for the container to be rotated in the container holder during transport from the first functional component to the second, so that the container assumes a specific rotational position. However, this applies not only to a multitude of functional components, but may also be necessary even for a single functional component, such as one that is intended to apply a label to the container, if, for example, the label is to be applied in a specific relative orientation to a seam of the container or another feature of the container.

[0040] Each functional component is associated with a specific, predefined position of the container holder, which the container holder assumes, for example, along the circumference of the carousel when the functional component performs its respective function. This position could, for instance, be a predefined angular orientation of the container holder starting from an arbitrarily but fixed initial position α0. This represents a rotation angle by which the carousel is rotated from position α0 until the container holder assumes the position associated with the respective functional component.

[0041] In the embodiment shown here, a plurality of positions are provided, each associated with a functional component. However, the invention is not limited with regard to the number of positions or their precise location.

[0042] For example, in Figure 1It has been shown that the first functional component 121 is associated with position α1 corresponding to a rotation angle relative to the initial rotation angle α0 (which can arbitrarily be set to 0). The second functional component 122 is associated with a rotation position α2 offset from position α1, such that a position α1 + α2 is associated with the initial position. Similarly, the third functional component is associated with a rotation position α3 relative to the second position and α1 + α2 + α3 relative to the initial position α0. The fourth functional component 124 is associated with position α4 relative to the third functional component and its position, and α1 + α2 + α3 + α4 relative to the initial position α0.

[0043] According to the invention, the labeling machine 100 is capable of moving a container holder 111, with a container positioned therein, into the positions associated with the functional components. For this purpose, the carousel can, for example, be rotated so that the container holder and / or the container arranged therein is positioned, for example, in position α1. The carousel can then be locked in this position, for example, by stopping a drive of the carousel.

[0044] In each position, an operator can then manually set a specific rotational orientation of the container, for example, by manually rotating the container along with the container holder. For instance, a specific rotational orientation of the container may be required for label application, ensuring that the label covers a seam or other feature of the container, or is positioned relative to it in a specific way. With multiple functional components, and especially multiple labeling units, it may be possible, for example, to apply a first label to the front and a second label to the back of the container, so that the required rotational orientations of the container or container holder with the container inside are essentially opposite each other, or the container must be rotated 180°.This corresponds, again, to a specific rotation angle relative to an arbitrary starting position of the turntable in relation to the initial position assigned to the respective turntable or container holder, which is set by the operator as a fixed rotation position by manual operation.

[0045] According to the invention, the manually set rotational position of the container or container holder, and optionally the respective position associated with the functional component, can be transmitted to a control unit 180, such as a computer with a processor and associated memory. The control unit 180 can determine the necessary rotation of the container or container holder from the respective set rotational position in the holder at the respective position.

[0046] This includes, for example, starting from an initial position of the container holder or the container itself at position α0, rotating the container and the container holder until position α1 is reached, such that the container is rotated precisely enough to assume the defined rotational position associated with position α1. The necessary rotation can be determined, for example, as a function f(α), i.e., a function dependent on the position of the container holder along the periphery of the carousel, where f(α1) then corresponds to the defined rotational position. Thus, when the carousel rotates, the container holder and the container within it are rotated, depending on the respective position of the container holder (the associated rotation angle α of the carousel), such that upon reaching position α1, the container has attained the defined rotational position.

[0047] This can be particularly problematic when a large number of functional components are present, as exemplified in the Figure 1 This also shows that the successive adjustment of a large number of necessary rotations between the different positions assigned to the functional components is required, in which the container(s) are rotated in the respective container mounts along a predetermined direction of rotation or in the opposite direction.

[0048] If the necessary rotations have been determined by the control unit (for example as functions f as described above), the control unit can then control the rotation of the containers in the respective container holders during the operation of the labeling machine 100.

[0049] Preferably, if the control unit is further configured, even with a large number of container holders, only a small number of defined rotational positions are required to determine the necessary rotations for all container holders. It can be provided that the control unit has suitable information about the respective container holders, for example, stored in the control unit's memory. Based on this information, by specifying a defined rotational position of a container for just one container holder 111, not only the necessary rotations of a container in that container holder 111 can be determined, but also the necessary rotations of containers in all container holders of the labeling machine 100.Since the container shots can all be designed identically and the necessary rotations are determined only from the respective positions starting from a defined initial position α 0, this can, for example, involve copying the determined necessary rotations for one container shot into data associated with the other container shots.If the positions of other container supports differ from the initial position α 1 of the container support by, for example, integer multiples of a difference angle Δα (where Δα indicates the angular difference between the initial position α 1 of container support 111 and an immediately adjacent, i.e., directly neighboring, other container support), then for a container support n (which is the nth nearest neighbor of container support 111 opposite to the direction of rotation of the carousel), the function f can be determined, for example, as f=f(α-nΔα), such that when this container support reaches the position α 1 starting from its respective initial position relative to container support 111 and assuming α 0 =0, the rotation of the container is exactly such that it corresponds to the specified rotational position.

[0050] The labeling machine 100 may further include a display device 181, for example in the form of a display with an optionally associated keyboard. The control unit may be configured to display information on the display device 181 regarding the operation of the labeling machine, and in particular the manually set rotational position in the respective position and / or the respective position and / or the rotation required by the control unit and / or other information, such as in connection with the Figure 2 still executed, to display. This can simplify things for the operator, for example, to check the plausibility of certain necessary rotations or to check the technical data relevant to the operation of the labeling machine.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a process 200 for labeling a container according to one embodiment. All related to the Figure 2The described embodiments can be used with the labeling machine according to the embodiments of the Figure 1 can be implemented and are therefore intended to be used in direct combination with each of the described embodiments.

[0052] Method 200 may include one or more preceding steps, which are not shown here. For example, an operator may load a container into a specific container receptacle and then place this container receptacle, for example, in the process associated with the Figure 1 Position the container holder or the container within it in the described starting position α 0. Positioning the container holder or the container within it in a specific initial rotational position, which corresponds, for example, to the rotational position of the container when it is transferred to the labeling machine, may also be provided.

[0053] In step 201, the position associated with the functional component is then approached. This can be done either by manually rotating the carousel or moving the transport device, or automatically by the control unit, for example, by actuating a corresponding input device. This involves activating a drive of the labeling machine, such as the rotary drive of the carousel, or a drive of a transport device, to move the container holder from the starting position to the first position, such as the one defined by the angle α 1 in Figure 1 to move the marked position. Here, the position of the carousel can optionally be fixed so that it cannot be moved relative to the respective functional component, which could otherwise lead to inaccuracies when setting the defined rotational position.

[0054] In the next step 202, an operator manually rotates the container in the container holder, thereby also rotating, for example, the container holder or a component of the container holder, such as the turntable, from an initial rotation position to the rotation position specified by the operator, such as a rotation of 45° or similar.

[0055] This achieves a defined rotational position 203, which can be detected by the control unit and stored, for example, in memory. The defined rotational position can be determined by the control unit 180, for example, by visual or electronic recognition, such as reading a position marker or the position of a pinion, so that the operator only needs to manually set the desired rotational position of the container, and the relevant information is automatically determined by the control unit.

[0056] In the optionally marked steps 204 to 206, the procedure is then repeated if several functional components are present, so that, for example, the container intake is carried out by the first functional component 121 of the Figure 1 The container is moved to the second functional component 122 or to the associated position. The operator then manually rotates the container to determine the set rotational position, which can then be recorded and stored by the control unit in step 206, for example.

[0057] Based on the specified rotational position(s), the control unit then determines the necessary rotations of the respective container mounts in step 207 and can, for example, also determine the necessary drive commands for driving the container mount, for example, an associated servo drive.

[0058] Since the transport of the container holders or the containers themselves along the transport direction to the respective functional components offers only a limited time window for inducing rotation, each rotation determined by the control unit to reach the respective defined rotational position must occur within this available time window. This can mean that an acceleration of the container holder or the container, or a rotational speed of the container, is necessary to reach the respective defined rotational position that lies outside a permissible range. The same applies to all operating parameters or physical parameters associated with the rotation of a container. These parameters are typically only permitted within certain limits during the operation of a labeling machine and must not exceed or fall below the limit values ​​associated with these limits.

[0059] Therefore, in step 208, the control unit may compare the required rotations, or associated operating parameters or physical parameters, with predefined limits to determine whether the rotations necessary to achieve the specified position are within the permissible operating range of the labeling machine. For example, the control unit may check whether the acceleration of a container exceeds a limit when applying the required rotation.

[0060] Optionally, output can then be sent to an operator in step 209, containing, for example, the set rotational position and / or the required rotation, or other information. In particular, the output can include the display of operating parameters or physical parameters associated with the rotation and / or whether and to what extent predefined limits are exceeded or not met. Information can also be output indicating that the set rotational position cannot be reached due to exceeding or not meeting limits.

[0061] If this is the case, step 210 can prompt the operator to correct the set rotational position. The operator can also be given a possible solution. For example, if the required rotation of the container from a first rotational position to a second rotational position is greater than 180° due to the direction of rotation specified by the operator, an alternative can be displayed: the container should be rotated in the opposite direction, as this involves a shorter angular distance, thus reducing, for example, the acceleration or the required rotational speed.

[0062] Optionally, if a correction of the set rotational position is necessary in step 210, the procedure can be repeated with step 201 or 202 if the container holder is already positioned in the respective position.

[0063] If the required rotations meet the specified limits, either after correction or upon initial input, the labeling machine can then begin operation in step 211. The rotation of the containers in the container holders is then controlled according to the defined rotation positions and the resulting required rotations. Furthermore, the functions of the operational components can be controlled, ensuring that the container labeling process is carried out with all necessary steps.

Claims

1. Labeling machine for labeling containers, the labeling machine comprising a container holder for rotatably receiving a container and for transporting the container along a transport direction, a functional component for performing a function associated with labeling the container at a position of the container along the transport direction, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a necessary rotation of the container and to control the rotation of the container based on a manually set rotational position of the container in the holder at the position.

2. Labeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the functional component comprises at least one of a labeling unit, a brushing unit, an inspection device.

3. Labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position is at least one of a label transfer position, a brushing position, an inspection position.

4. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the labeling machine comprises a second functional component downstream of the functional component for performing a second function associated with labeling the container at a second position downstream of the position along the transport direction, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine a necessary second rotation from the first rotation position to the second rotation position based on a manually set second rotation position of the container in the holder at the second position, and to control the rotation of the container from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

5. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the labeling machine comprises a plurality of container holders and wherein the control unit is configured to determine the necessary rotation of containers for all container holders based on a manually determined rotational position of the container and to control the rotation of containers in all container holders.

6. Labeling machine according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the necessary rotation of containers for all container holders based on exactly one manually determined rotational position of the container and to control the rotation of containers in all container holders.

7. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit is configured to compare the specified rotation with a limit value and to output information to an operator based on a result of the comparison.

8. Labeling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the labeling machine comprises a display device and wherein the control unit is configured to display the manually set rotational position and / or the position and / or the necessary rotation on the display device.

9. Method for labeling a container with a labeling machine, the labeling machine comprising a container holder for rotatably receiving a container and for transporting the container along a transport direction, a functional component for performing a function associated with labeling the container at a position of the container along the transport direction, and a control unit, wherein the control unit determines a necessary rotation of the container based on a manually set rotational position of the container in the holder at the position and controls the rotation of the container.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the functional component comprises at least one of a labeling unit, a brushing unit, an inspection unit; and / or wherein the position is at least one of a label transfer position, a brushing position, an inspection position.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the labeling machine comprises a second functional component downstream of the functional component for performing a second function associated with labeling the container at a second position downstream of the position along the transport direction, and wherein the control unit, based on a manually set second rotational position of the container in the receptacle at the second position, determines a necessary second rotation from the rotational position to the second rotational position and controls the rotation of the container from the rotational position to the second rotational position.

12. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the labeling machine comprises a plurality of container holders and wherein the control unit determines the necessary rotation of containers for all container holders based on a manually set rotational position of the container and controls the rotation of containers in all container holders.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the control unit determines the necessary rotation of containers for all container receptacles based on exactly one manually specified rotational position of the container and controls the rotation of containers in all container receptacles.

14. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the control unit compares the specified rotation with a limit value and outputs information to an operator based on a result of the comparison.

15. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the labeling machine comprises a display device and wherein the control unit displays the manually set rotational position and / or the position and / or the specified rotation on the display device.

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