Labelling machine and method for operating same

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention is a having a rotatably drivable support (1) and at least one container holding device (2) which is arranged on the support (1), wherein the support (1) is assigned at least one labelling unit for labelling a container (3) arranged in the container holding device (2), wherein the container holding device (2) has a container holder (4) and a valve apparatus (7) which is assigned to the container holder (4), and wherein a cam controller having a control wheel (21), which is arranged on the container holding device (2), and at least one control cam (22), which can be brought into engagement with the control wheel (21), is provided for positioning the valve apparatus (7). According to the invention, the at least one control cam (22) is arranged only along a circumferential portion on the support (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Labeling machine and method of operation

[0003] The present invention relates to a labeling machine with a rotatably drivable carrier and at least one container holding device arranged on the carrier, wherein at least one labeling unit for labeling a container arranged in the container holding device is assigned to the carrier, wherein the container holding device has a container holder and a valve device assigned to the container holder, and wherein a cam control with a control wheel arranged on the container holding device and at least one control cam engageable with the control wheel is provided for positioning the valve device. In this context, a positioning section means a section in which the valve device or at least individual components of the valve device are adjusted. This adjustment can then be effected accordingly via the control cam or at least controlled via it.

[0004] Such labeling machines are generally known from the prior art, with the invention referring to labeling machines designed to label plastic containers, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These containers are, in particular, beverage bottles, so corresponding labeling machines are used in the food and beverage industries.

[0005] The containers can be labeled while empty. A blow molding machine can then be installed upstream of the labeling machine, in which the containers or beverage bottles are formed from a preform by blow molding or stretch blow molding. The containers have a comparatively thin wall thickness, so it is important to ensure that they have sufficient dimensional stability during labeling. This dimensional stability is ensured by subjecting the container interior to a fluid, particularly compressed air, during labeling. At the same time, the container is rotated via the container holder during labeling, so that a label can be applied to the container surface by guiding the container along a labeling unit.

[0006] It is known from the prior art to control the supply of fluid via a valve device. This valve device is operatively connected to a compressed air reservoir or a compressed air pump, whereby in an operating state, the compressed air is directed into the corresponding containers, which operating state then enables the containers to be labeled. At the same time, however, it is also necessary to be able to transfer the valve device to a closed state. In this state, for example, the already labeled container can be removed and replaced with a new container. Accordingly, the transition between the operating state and the closed state is effected by the cam control or the interaction between the control wheel and the control cam in the position section.

[0007] In practice, it is known to position the control cam above the steering wheel, so that the cam control actively causes the movement against a vertical direction, or downwards. In this context, a vertical direction refers to a direction that starts from the container holder and acts toward the container and is parallel to the carrier's axis of rotation. Typically, this is a direction opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0008] The backward movement is achieved via return elements, which are typically spring elements. Outside the positioning section, the valve device is not adjusted; however, a control cam is still required, since the transition to the operating state occurs through movement against the vertical direction. Thus, even outside the positioning section, it must be ensured that the valve device or individual components of the valve device are returned via the return elements, thereby closing the valve device.

[0009] Although such a design has proven itself in principle, it still requires not only a large amount of material but also complex technical constructions, since in addition to arranging the control cam along the entire circumference of the carrier, the control cam must also be integrated into the installation space of the labeling machine.

[0010] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a labelling machine which is characterised by a simple and at the same time more cost-effective solution, while at the same time ensuring error-free operation.

[0011] The subject matter and solution of this problem is a labeling machine according to claim 1. Accordingly, the invention provides that the at least one control cam is arranged only along a circumferential section and thus not over the entire circumference of the carrier.

[0012] This is based on the knowledge that, through structural redesign, it is possible to arrange the at least one control cam only in sections in which active adjustment of the valve device and / or the container holder is necessary. These sections are referred to below as position sections, with the containers usually being fed in a first position section and removed in a second position section. These position sections then also represent different positions of the valve device and the container holder. Such a solution has been abandoned to date, since a control cam arranged over the entire circumference has the advantage that the control wheel is always in engagement with the control cam and thus essentially a rolling movement occurs along the entire circumference.Due to the now sectioned arrangement of the control cam, the steering wheel must be re-engaged with the control cam with each rotation of the carrier. Even slight vertical deviations result in significant mechanical stress on the steering wheel in particular. However, it has been shown that by selecting appropriate materials, wear can be minimized to such an extent that it can be accepted in order to simplify the design.

[0013] In principle, it is sufficient to provide only one control cam, which extends along a first positioning section provided at the inlet of the carrier and along a second positioning section provided at the outlet of the carrier. In this case, the control cam extends not only along the positioning sections but also along a transition section connecting the positioning sections. This transition section defines a section on the carrier in which no containers are guided and in which, accordingly, no container labeling is provided.

[0014] Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide two control cams, with one control cam arranged in each of the positioning sections and no control cam in the transition section. This allows for a significantly simplified design compared to previously known solutions, since the control cam does not have to completely enclose the support.

[0015] Regardless of the specific design, however, it is preferably provided that the at least one control cam extends exclusively along one of the positioning sections and / or along the transition section of the carrier. Accordingly, an operating section of the carrier is free of a control cam, with the containers being labeled in this operating section.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one control cam is arranged exclusively in the vertical direction below the control wheel. In contrast to the solutions known from the prior art, the control cam now actively causes the valve device or components of the valve device to be displaced in the vertical direction or upwards relative to the labeling machine. This has the consequence that the counter-rotating movement can already be achieved by gravity, although additional measures are of course also possible. At the same time, the movement of the valve device or components can also be controlled during the counter-rotating movement. Such a configuration has the advantage that the arrangement of an additional control cam above the control wheel is not necessary.In the solutions known from the prior art, a control cam was provided on both sides, at least in part in the position section, to ensure breakaway at least during the initialization of the counter-rotating movement, since this solution relied solely on return elements that effect the counter-rotating movement. Furthermore, with such a design, it was not possible to dispense with a control cam in the operating section, since without a control cam, the return elements would have caused a reverse movement to the closed state of the valve device.

[0017] According to the inventive solution, the operating state is a state in which the valve device is essentially force-free or from which, starting from a positional force, the valve device must be actively moved to the closed state. This transition occurs within a positional range, whereby outside of the positional ranges, no measures are necessary to maintain the valve device in the operating state.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred development of the invention, the at least one control cam or the at least two control cams together extend over a region between 10 and 45%, particularly preferably between 15 and 35%, of the circumference of the carrier.

[0019] The valve device or individual components of the valve device are then displaced within the position sections, wherein it is preferably provided that at least one first return element is provided which acts on the valve device at least in sections, in particular in the position sections and optionally also in the transition section, counter to the vertical direction.

[0020] This return element can be arranged between the valve device and the carrier or between the valve device and a mounting section of the container device that is firmly connected to the carrier, at least a first return element.

[0021] This return element is, in particular, a spring element that is compressed by the movement of the valve device in the vertical direction, thereby generating a force directed counter to the vertical direction. Thus, if the control cam now transitions into a region in which the control cam drops vertically, the return element can cause the control wheel to continue to rest against the control cam, allowing the movement along the entire position section to be controlled via the control cam.

[0022] At the same time, the return element also ensures that the valve device is kept in the operating state even outside the position section and that an adjustment can only be effected by renewed engagement of the control wheel in the control cam.

[0023] As already explained at the beginning, the task of the valve device is to build up a counterpressure in the container by introducing compressed air into the container, which ensures that the container has sufficient dimensional stability when the label is applied. In order to be able to generate the counterpressure in the container, the valve device preferably has a valve chamber which can be brought into fluid communication with a compressed air reservoir or a compressed air pump. Furthermore, the valve device can have a valve mandrel having a fluid channel, wherein the valve mandrel is arranged at a first end so as to be vertically displaceable in the valve chamber and has an outlet opening formed by the fluid channel at a second end. Accordingly, the fluid, in particular compressed air, reaches the container via the valve chamber and the fluid channel.For this purpose, the valve mandrel has in particular a centering element which is arranged at the second, lower end of the valve mandrel and via which the container can be centered below the valve mandrel and at the same time sealed against it in the operating position.

[0024] In order to be able to control the introduction of compressed air into the containers, the at least one control cam is preferably designed to bring about a movement of the container holder in a closed state of the valve device in a first section and a transition between the closed state and an operating state of the valve device in a second section. The sections refer to individual sections of the at least one control cam. The order depends on the type of position section, wherein in the first position section first a transition of the valve device into the closed state and then a joint movement of the valve device is brought about or controlled in order to be able to remove a labeled container. In the second position section, a new container is first inserted into the container holder and then the valve device is placed sealingly onto the container by a movement.

[0025] The valve device is then transferred to the operating state.

[0026] To enable such a function, the cam control can be designed to control a joint movement of the valve chamber in the first section and exclusively a movement of the valve stem against the vertical direction in the second section. In this context, it should be noted that various movements of the valve device can be carried out as the control wheel passes through the control cam, wherein the at least one control cam brings about an exclusive movement in the vertical direction. A movement against the vertical direction occurs essentially through the gravity of the individual components or in combination with a return element. Nevertheless, the control cam controls the manner and, above all, the speed at which the valve device or the individual components are to be moved against the vertical direction.

[0027] It should be borne in mind here that cam control can essentially fulfil two different functions. According to a first function, all components of the valve device move together, so that the displacement cannot bring about a transition between the operating state and the closed state. Rather, such a movement enables the valve mandrel to be moved relative to a container mouth in the closed state. According to such a design, the valve mandrel and also the valve chamber are then mounted so that they can be moved relative to the container holder. A joint displacement along the vertical direction enables the valve mandrel to be placed on the container mouth, and further displacement of only the valve chamber in the second section brings about a transition to the open state.This transfer is achieved by a relative movement between the valve mandrel and the valve chamber, which opens the valve device. This relative movement is made possible by the container itself preventing the valve mandrel from moving further.

[0028] To enable opening and closing of the valve device, a further embodiment provides that a valve stem arranged at the first end of the valve dome rests against a lower wall of the valve chamber in a closed position of the valve device to form a sealing surface. Accordingly, it is possible for a positive connection to be effected via the valve stem and the sealing surface with respect to a movement in the vertical direction, via which a joint movement in the vertical direction is then enabled. Accordingly, it is sufficient if only one control wheel is provided, which can effect a joint movement in the closed state due to the positive connection.

[0029] The special feature of labeling machines is that counterpressure must be built up in the containers not only via the valve device. Rather, the containers must rotate, at least in the operating position, so that the label can be applied along one perimeter of the outer container wall. Accordingly, the container guide is usually driven either directly or via non-rotatably connected components, so that the containers also rotate along with the container guide.

[0030] At the same time, the valve dome also forms a sealing contact with the container mouth during operation, so that if the valve dome were designed to be non-rotatable, there would be a relative speed between the valve dome and the container mouth. This, due to friction, could lead to material being removed from the container, which could then also enter the container. To avoid this, it is known to design the entire valve device to rotate. However, this means that a longitudinally displaceable bearing must be provided in the area of ​​the container mouth to allow for clearance between the container mouth and the valve dome. This bearing is usually a rolling bearing, which is lubricated with grease or oil to ensure its function.However, such a design is particularly critical for use in food processing plants, as these substances can enter the container and subsequently also the contents. Accordingly, very complex measures must be implemented to prevent such contamination.

[0031] Against this background, a preferred design provides for the valve dome to be mounted so that it can rotate relative to the valve chamber. Accordingly, a relative velocity develops at the valve seat, resulting in significant friction, especially in the closed position. However, by selecting the appropriate material and machining, it is possible to design the valve seat in such a way that friction does not lead to any significant material removal, which could impair operation. At the same time, a bearing in the area of ​​the container mouth can be omitted.

[0032] Based on such a configuration, at least the container holder and the valve mandrel can then be connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner to form a container rotating unit. Accordingly, this container rotating unit can then be driven via a common drive motor, so that there is no relative speed between the container holder and the valve mandrel. The drive motor can be an electric motor, in particular a servo motor, for example. To transmit the torque, the container rotating unit can then have a rotating gear section or belt pulley section as a connecting means, so that the container rotating unit can be connected to the drive motor via a gear drive or a belt drive. During setup or test operation, the drive motor can also be switched off in order to avoid unnecessary friction on the valve seat.Furthermore, starting from this container rotation unit, it must be ensured that a longitudinal displacement is possible between the valve mandrel and the container holder in order to space the valve mandrel from the container holder for the purpose of removing the container.

[0033] A further development of the invention further provides that the container rotating unit is arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the carrier via a bearing arrangement. For this purpose, the bearing arrangement has at least one rolling bearing which is arranged between the carrier and the container rotating unit. Of course, the bearing arrangement can also be arranged between the mounting element and the container rotating unit. In this context, it should be noted that the mounting element merely enables the container holding device to be fastened to the carrier, with the mounting element itself being arranged stationary relative to the carrier, so that an arrangement between the container rotating unit and the mounting element is equivalent to an indirect arrangement between the container rotating unit and the carrier. The rolling bearing makes it possible, on the one hand, to provide radial support, while also being able to absorb axial forces to a certain extent.In addition, it is also conceivable to provide at least two rolling bearings which are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0034] A further development provides that the container holder is arranged on the support so that it is stationary with respect to movement in the vertical direction. It has already been explained that the spacing from the valve mandrel is to be achieved essentially through the movement of the valve mandrel itself, so that the container holder can then be arranged in a simple manner so that it is stationary relative to the mounting element or the support.

[0035] A further development provides for at least one second return element to be arranged between the container holder and the valve mandrel, which acts on the valve mandrel counter to the vertical direction, at least outside the positioning section. With the aid of this second return element, which can also be designed as a spring element, the valve mandrel is pressed onto the container mouth, particularly via the centering element, to ensure a sufficient sealing effect.

[0036] The invention further relates to a method for operating a labeling machine according to the invention according to claim 13, wherein during a closed state of the valve device a movement of the valve device in the vertical direction is effected via a cam control by bringing the control wheel into engagement with the control cam, wherein a container is then inserted into the container holder of the container holding device and the valve device is then moved counter to the vertical direction, in particular relative to the container holder, and placed onto a container mouth of the container and wherein the valve device is then transferred into the operating state and a label is applied to the container.

[0037] In this context, a movement of the valve device means that all components of the valve device - consisting of the valve chamber and the valve mandrel - are moved, so that this movement essentially enables a spacing from the container holder.

[0038] One embodiment further provides that, to transfer the valve device into the operating state, only the valve chamber is moved counter to the vertical direction. Accordingly, the valve dome already rests on the container mouth, in particular via the centering element, thereby preventing further displacement of the valve dome. By displacing the valve chamber, the valve stem is then spaced from the sealing surface, and the fluid or compressed air can flow into the fluid channel of the valve dome and thus also into the container, subjecting it to counterpressure. One further development further provides that the movement of the valve device and / or the movement exclusively of the valve chamber is controlled via the cam control.In this context, it should be noted that a movement in the vertical direction is effected via the cam control, whereby the return elements and gravity in particular act on the individual components against the vertical direction, but at the same time the extent of the movement is controlled via the cam control or via the position of the control cam.

[0039] A further development provides that, in the operating state of the valve device, a fluid, in particular compressed air, is fed into the container. Furthermore, the container is in particular a beverage bottle, e.g., a plastic beverage bottle.

[0040] Furthermore, a further development provides for the valve dome and the container holder to rotate relative to the support. Furthermore, it can also be provided for the valve dome to rotate relative to the valve chamber.

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show:

[0042] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive

[0043] Labeling machine

[0044] Fig. 2 an isometric view of a section of the labeling machine according to the invention

[0045] Fig. 3A, 3B a sectional view of the container holding device according to the invention in a closed state Fig. 4A, 4B a sectional view of the container holding device according to the invention according to Fig. 2 in an operating state

[0046] Fig. 5 is a sectional view perpendicular to the view in Fig. 3A

[0047] Fig. 6A, 6B Positions of the valve device at different circumferential positions on the carrier

[0048] Fig. 1 shows a labeling machine with a rotatably driven carrier 1 and a plurality of container holding devices 2 fastened to the circumference of the carrier 1. Not shown is a labeling unit which is designed to apply a label to the container surface of containers 3 arranged within the container holding device 2 during the rotation of the carrier 1.

[0049] The containers are plastic beverage bottles, in particular polyethylene terephthalate, which are fed to the carrier 1 via an inlet starwheel 26 and removed again via an outlet starwheel 29. Since the containers 3 are usually fed directly from a blow-molding machine, it is necessary to be able to build up a suitable counterpressure inside the container 3 during the application of the label. For this purpose, the container interior is pressurized with compressed air. At the same time, the container 3 must rotate so that the label can be applied evenly to the container surface.

[0050] To introduce the compressed air, the containers 3 are arranged below a valve device 7, which is shown in Fig. 2 and whose function is described in more detail in the following figures. The valve device 7 must be adjusted in particular in a first position section 28 at the inlet of the carrier 1 and in a second position section of the carrier 29, on the one hand to enable insertion and removal of the containers 3, and on the other hand to move the valve device 7 between a closed position and an operating position. Furthermore, a transition section 30 is provided between the first and second position sections 28, 29.

[0051] Fig. 2A shows the container holding device 2 in a sectional view. The container holding device 2 has a container holder 4 at a lower end, which is designed as a neck ring holder and holds the containers 3 within the container holding device 2 via their neck ring 5.

[0052] Above the container holder 2, a centering element 6 is provided, which forms the lower part of a valve pin 8 and centers the container 3 within the container holder 4. At the same time, this centering element 6 provides a seal against the container 3.

[0053] The pressurized air is applied via a valve device 7. This valve device 7 is assigned to the container holder 4 and has the previously mentioned valve mandrel 8, in which a fluid channel 9 is arranged and which extends along the vertical direction V. This fluid channel 9 can be fluidly connected to a valve chamber 10, so that compressed air flows from the valve chamber 10 via the fluid channel 9 into the container 3. For this purpose, the fluid channel 9 has an outlet opening 11 at a lower end. A second fluid channel 12 is also provided in the centering element 6, so that the compressed air can consequently reach the container 3 via the outlet opening 11 and the second fluid channel 12. The valve mandrel 8 forms a rotationally connected container rotating unit with the container holder 4, which in turn has a housing section 13.This housing section 13 connects the container holder 4 to the valve dome 8 and enables both to be set in rotation together. For this purpose, a belt section 14 is formed on the housing section 13, via which a torque can be transmitted from a drive motor (not shown in detail).

[0054] The housing section 13 is further rotatably mounted relative to a mounting element 16 via a bearing arrangement 15. This mounting element provides the connection to the carrier 1 shown in Fig. 2.

[0055] Although the container holder 4 and the valve mandrel 8 are firmly connected to one another with respect to a rotational movement, it is nevertheless necessary that the valve device 7—consisting of the valve mandrel 8 and the valve chamber 10—is arranged to be displaceable relative to the container holder 4 along the vertical direction V. By means of such a longitudinal displacement, the valve mandrel 8 can be placed onto the container 3 via the centering element 6 and, of course, can also be removed again.

[0056] At the same time, a displacement along the vertical direction V is also necessary in order to transfer the valve device 7 between a closed position and an operating position, wherein according to Fig. 2 the valve device 7 is shown in a closed state. This is particularly clear from Fig. 2B. According to this illustration, the valve dome 8 has a valve stem 17 at a first end, which rests against a sealing surface 18 of the valve chamber 10. At the same time, the fluid channel 9 connects to fluid channel sections 19 extending radially in the valve mandrel, which, in the closed state, are separated from the rest of the valve chamber 10 by the adjacent valve stem 17. Accordingly, no compressed air can reach the containers 3 via the valve chamber 10.

[0057] According to Figures 4A and 4B, after a container 3 has been placed on the valve, the valve dome 8 is moved in the vertical direction V relative to the valve chamber 10, so that a gap S is formed, through which the compressed air from the valve chamber 10 can pass into the fluid channel sections 19 and the fluid channel 9, so that the container 3 is then pressurized with compressed air. This relative movement is essentially caused by the valve chamber 10 being moved counter to the vertical direction V, since the valve dome 8 rests on the container mouth and therefore cannot be moved counter to the vertical direction V.

[0058] The special feature here is that the valve dome 8 rotates relative to the valve chamber 10, and thus the valve stem 17 also rotates against the sealing surface 18. A sealing element 20 in the wall of the valve chamber 10, which enables displacement in the vertical direction V of the valve dome 8, is also subject to stress due to the rotating valve dome 8.

[0059] To enable movement of the valve device 7 or the valve chamber 10 in the vertical direction V, a cam control consisting of a control wheel 21 and a control cam 22, which interact with each other, is provided. The control cam 22 is shown in Fig. 1. The control cam 22 is arranged exclusively below the control wheel 21 and effects active adjustment in the vertical direction V. In contrast, only the movement is controlled in the opposite direction V.

[0060] In addition, the control cam 22 is arranged only in the position sections 28, 29 and in the transition section 30 and thus not entirely on the carrier 1, since the operating state is present in the force-free state of the container holding device 2 or the valve device 7 and only in the position section by moving the valve chamber 10 in the vertical direction V is a transition to the closed state effected.

[0061] Fig. 5 further shows that movement of the valve chamber 10 is enabled by a bolt guide. For this purpose, two pins 23 arranged parallel to one another and extending in the vertical direction V are attached to the mounting element 16. These pins 23 engage in cylindrical bores of the valve chamber 10, thus providing guidance parallel to the vertical direction V. After engagement with the control cam 22, which, as shown in Fig. 2, is arranged below the control wheel 21, a movement initially takes place in the vertical direction V. Via the sealing surface 18, in addition to the valve chamber 10, the valve mandrel 8 is also displaced upwards and spaced from the container holder 4. First return elements 24 subsequently cause a displacement of the valve device 7 counter to the vertical direction V. A further displacement then causes the previously described opening of the valve device 7.Furthermore, second return elements 25 ensure that the centering element 6 is sufficiently pressed against the container mouth. The return elements 24, 25 are designed as spring elements. Figs. 6A and 6B once again illustrate the possible positions of the valve device 7. Figure (a) in Fig. 6A shows the position of the valve device 7 outside the position sections 28, 29 without a container 3 having been inserted. Due to the lack of counterpressure from the container 3, the valve device 7 is always closed. As soon as the container holding device 2 reaches the first position section 28, the cam control according to figure (b) causes the valve chamber 10 and the valve dome 8 to be moved together in the vertical direction V. The valve device 7 therefore remains closed at the valve stem 17 and the container 3 can be inserted.

[0062] Then, as shown in Figure (c), the valve device 7 moves backward into the closed state, with the valve mandrel 8 being placed on the container 3 via the centering element 6. Further movement of the valve chamber 10 then causes, as shown in Figure (a) in Fig. 6B, the valve device 7 to be transferred into the operating state shown in Figure (c), since the valve mandrel 8 cannot be moved any further.

[0063] To remove the containers 3, the valve device 7 is moved in the vertical direction V in the second position section 29 according to the illustration (c) of Fig. 6B, whereby the valve device 7 is, on the one hand, transferred to the closed state and, on the other hand, spaced from the container 3 so that the container can be removed. List of reference symbols:

[0064] 1 carrier

[0065] 2 container holding device

[0066] 3 containers

[0067] 4 Container holder

[0068] 5 Neckring

[0069] 6 Centering element

[0070] 7 Valve device

[0071] 8 Valve dome

[0072] 9 Fluid channel

[0073] 10 valve chamber

[0074] 11 Outlet opening

[0075] 12 Second fluid channel

[0076] 13 Housing section

[0077] 14 carrying strap section

[0078] 15 Bearing arrangement

[0079] 16 Assembly section

[0080] 17 valve stamps

[0081] 18 Sealing surface

[0082] 19 fluid channel sections

[0083] 20 sealing element

[0084] 21 Steering wheel

[0085] 22 Control curve

[0086] 23 cones

[0087] 24 first reset elements

[0088] 25 second return elements

[0089] 26 Inlet star

[0090] 27 Outlet star

[0091] 28 first position section

[0092] 29 second position section

[0093] 30 Transition section

[0094] V vertical direction

[0095] S gap

Claims

Patent claims 1. Labelling machine with a rotatably driven carrier (1) and at least one container holding device (2) arranged on the carrier (1), wherein the carrier (1) is assigned at least one labelling unit for labelling a container (3) arranged in the container holding device (2), wherein the Container holding device (2) has a container holder (4) and a valve device (7) assigned to the container holder (4), and wherein a cam control with a control wheel (21) arranged on the container holding device (2) and at least one control cam (22) which can be brought into engagement with the control wheel (21) is provided for positioning the valve device (7), characterized in that the control cam (22) is arranged only along a circumferential section on the carrier (1).

2. Labelling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the control cam (22) extends along a first position section (28, 29) provided at the inlet of the carrier (1) and along a second position section (28, 29) provided at the outlet of the carrier (1).

3. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control cam (22) extends exclusively along one of the positioning sections (28, 29) and / or along a transition section (30) of the carrier (1) connecting the second to the first positioning section (28, 29).

4. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control cam (22) is arranged exclusively in the vertical direction (V) below the control wheel (21).

5. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control cam (22) or the at least two control cams (22) together extend over an area between 10 and 45% of the circumference of the carrier (1).

6. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first return element (24) is provided, which acts on the valve device (7) at least in sections counter to the vertical direction (V).

7. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first return element (24) is arranged between the valve device (7) and the carrier (1) or between the valve device (7) and a mounting section (16) of the container holding device (2) which is firmly connected to the carrier (1).

8. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control cam (22) is designed to effect, in a first section, a movement of the valve device (7) in a closed state relative to the container holder (4) and, in a second section, a transfer of the valve device (7) between the closed state and an operating state.

9. Labelling machine according to one of the claims, characterized in that the valve device (7) has a valve chamber (10) and a valve dome (8) having a fluid channel (9), wherein the valve dome (8) is displaceable at a first end in the vertical direction (V) in the Valve chamber (10) is arranged and has an outlet opening (11) formed by the fluid channel (9) at a second end, and wherein the control cam (22) is designed to control a joint movement of the valve chamber (10) and the valve stem (17) in the first section and exclusively a movement of the valve chamber (10) in the second section.

10. Labeling machine according to claim 9, characterized in that a valve stamp (17) arranged at the first end of the valve dome (8) bears against a lower wall of the valve chamber (10) in a closed position of the valve device (7) to form a sealing surface (18).

11. Labeling machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the valve mandrel (8) is mounted rotatably relative to the valve chamber (10).

12. Labeling machine according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that at least the container holder (4) and the valve dome (8) are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner to form a container rotating unit.

13. Labelling machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the container rotating unit is rotatably mounted relative to the carrier (1) via a bearing arrangement (15).

14. Labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container holder (4) is arranged on the carrier (1) in a fixed manner with respect to movement in the vertical direction (V).

15. Labeling machine according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that at least one second return element (25) is arranged between the container holder (4) and the valve mandrel (8), which acts in sections against the vertical direction (V) on the valve dome (8).

16. Method for operating a labelling machine according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein, during the closed state of the valve device (7), a movement of the valve device (7) in the vertical direction (V) is effected via the cam control by bringing the control wheel (21) into engagement with the at least one control cam (22), - wherein a container (3) is inserted into the container holder (4) of the container holding device (2) and the valve device (7) is then moved counter to the vertical direction (V) and placed on a container mouth of the container (3), and - wherein the valve device (7) is then brought into the operating state and a label is applied to the container (3).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein to transfer the valve device (7) into the operating state, only the valve chamber (10) is moved counter to the vertical direction (V).

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the movement of the valve device (7) and / or the movement exclusively of the valve chamber (10) are controlled via the cam control.

19. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, wherein in the operating state of the valve device (7) a fluid is fed into the container (3).

20. Method according to one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the valve dome (8) and the container holder (4) rotate relative to the carrier (1).

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