Container holding device for a labelling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a container holding device (2) for a labelling machine with a container holder (4) and a valve unit (7) allocated to the container holder (4), the valve unit (7) having a valve thorn (8) with a fluid channel (9), the valve thorn (8) being arranged at a first end in a longitudinally displacable manner in a valve chamber (10) and having, at a second end, an outlet opening (11) formed by the fluid channel (9). According to the invention, the valve thorn (8) is mounted to rotate with respect to the valve chamber (10).

Description

[0001] Container holding device for a labeling machine

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to a container holding device for a labeling machine with a container holder and a valve device associated with the container holder, wherein the valve device has a valve mandrel having a fluid channel, wherein the valve mandrel is arranged at a first end so as to be longitudinally displaceable in a valve chamber and has at a second end an outlet opening formed by the fluid channel.

[0004] Such container holding devices are generally known from the prior art, with the invention referring to container holding devices used in labeling machines. In particular, these are labeling machines designed to label plastic containers, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The containers are, in particular, beverage bottles, so the labeling machines are used in the food or beverage industry.

[0005] The containers can be labeled while empty, with a blow molding machine 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 the containers have sufficient dimensional stability during labeling.

[0006] This dimensional stability is ensured by the fact that the container interior is filled with a fluid, especially compressed air, during labelling.

[0007] 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.

[0008] It is known from the prior art to control the supply of fluid via a valve device comprising a valve mandrel, which is in fluid communication with a valve chamber at a first end and with the container mouth at a second end. By displacing the valve mandrel relative to the container receptacle, the valve device is then opened or closed, whereby these positions are referred to as the operating position and the closed position within the scope of the invention.

[0009] However, since the containers are to be set in rotation at the same time, it is necessary to also design the valve dome to rotate, since otherwise, due to the relative movement between the valve dome and the container, sealing cannot be guaranteed and, at the same time, material would be removed from the container.

[0010] Against this background, it is known from the prior art that both the valve dome and the valve chamber are designed to rotate with the container. However, a longitudinally displaceable bearing is provided in the area of ​​the container mouth to enable longitudinal displacement between the valve dome and the container holder. This bearing is typically a rolling bearing, which is lubricated with grease or oil to ensure its proper function.

[0011] However, this is particularly critical with regard to use in food production plants, as these substances can enter the container and thus

[0012] can subsequently enter the contents. Accordingly, very complex measures must be taken to prevent such contamination from entering the containers.

[0013] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a container holding device for a labelling machine which is characterized by maintenance-free and simpler operation.

[0014] The subject matter and solution of this problem is a container holding device according to patent claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the valve mandrel is mounted rotatably relative to the valve chamber.

[0015] Accordingly, it is intended that only the valve dome rotates, but not the valve chamber with the container holder. The valve chamber can therefore be designed to be non-rotating. This makes it possible to arrange the longitudinally displaceable bearing as far as possible from the container mouth, so that even with the inclusion of an oil- or grease-lubricated rolling bearing, no residues can enter the container. The invention accepts that the valve device is closed by two components - namely the valve chamber and the valve mandrel - which rotate against each other and accordingly exhibit a relative movement to each other during operation. This means that a seal must be formed in the area of ​​a valve seat during the closed position; this seal is formed by components rotating relative to each other. Accordingly, the valve seat is subject to considerable material stresses, which have proven to be acceptable.Of course, it's possible to omit rotation during test operation or commissioning, as no containers are carried inside the machine. This avoids unnecessary material wear.

[0016]

[0017] A further development of the invention provides that at least the container holder and the valve mandrel are rotationally connected to each other to form a container rotating unit. Accordingly, both the valve mandrel and the container holder rotate during operation, whereby the connection to each other can be established either directly or indirectly via additional components.

[0018] The container receptacles are preferably so-called neck ring holders. It should be noted that, especially when labeling plastic beverage bottles, these have a so-called neck ring. This neck ring is a radially protruding section which is arranged below an external thread on the container mouth and protrudes opposite the external thread. The external thread is intended to close the beverage bottle using a cap. The neck ring is particularly suitable for holding the containers or beverage bottles in the container receptacles. For this purpose, the container receptacles are then essentially fork-shaped and grip the beverage bottles in such a way that the neck ring rests on the fork arms. The valve dome is then placed sealingly on the beverage bottle so that the beverage bottle is, in a sense, secured between the container receptacle and the valve mandrel.

[0019] The advantage of such a design lies in particular in the fact that the distance between the neck ring and the container mouth is essentially constant regardless of the container size, so that the same container device can always be used even with different container sizes.

[0020]

[0021] A further development of the invention further provides that the container rotating unit has a connecting means for connection to a drive motor. This drive motor is required to set the container rotating unit in rotation. The drive motor can be, for example, an electric motor, in particular a servo motor. To transmit the torque, the container rotating unit can then have, for example, a rotating gear section or 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. Alternatively, a direct motor can also be used, which is connected directly to the container rotating unit.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the container rotating unit is rotatably mounted on a mounting element via a bearing arrangement. A mounting element in this context means a component which enables the installation of the container holding device in the labeling machine and which is intended to be immobile relative to the carrier. It should be taken into account here that usually a large number of container holding devices are arranged on a rotatable carrier, so that accordingly not only is the container rotating unit designed to rotate within the container holding device, but that the container holding device itself also rotates with the carrier during operation, resulting in two axes of rotation arranged parallel to one another. In order to enable the connection of the container holding device to the rotatable carrier, a corresponding mounting element is required.Accordingly, during operation, a relative speed develops between the mounting element and the container rotating unit, which is enabled by the bearing arrangement. For this purpose, the bearing arrangement comprises at least one rolling bearing located between the mounting element and the

[0023]

[0024] This roller bearing provides radial support, while also being able to absorb axial forces to a certain extent. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to provide at least two roller bearings that are vertically spaced from each other.

[0025] A preferred development of the invention provides that the valve mandrel and the valve chamber are mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the mounting element. At the same time, the valve mandrel can be mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the container holder. According to such an embodiment, it is possible, for example, to first displace the valve mandrel together with the valve chamber in the longitudinal direction, whereby the valve mandrel is spaced apart from the container guide so that a container can be inserted into it. At the same time, due to the joint displacement, the valve device is not yet opened. The valve chamber can then be displaced together with the valve mandrel in the opposite direction to place the valve mandrel on the container. By further displacing only the valve chamber, the valve device opens or the transition between the closed position and the open position occurs.

[0026] To enable longitudinally displaceable mounting of the valve chamber, a bolt guide can be arranged on the mounting element. For this purpose, at least one, but preferably two, pins can protrude longitudinally from the mounting element and are guided in associated cylindrical bores in the valve chamber.

[0027] The container holder is also preferably connected to a housing section for storage, in which the valve dome is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner.

[0028] The means for connecting the drive motor, such as a toothed edge section or pulley section, can then also be arranged on this housing section. Furthermore, it is also possible to mount the mounting element on the housing section for rotational movement.

[0029] The movement of the valve device in the longitudinal direction preferably takes place via a cam control. For this purpose, a control wheel can be fixedly connected to the valve chamber, which can be brought into engagement with a control cam. In this context, the movement of the valve dome then takes place via the valve seat, which, in the closed state, creates a positive connection between the valve chamber and the valve dome. Since the container holder is usually arranged on the labeling machine in such a way that the longitudinal direction coincides with a vertical direction of the labeling machine, the movement against the longitudinal direction can take place solely through gravity, with control still being provided by a control cam. In addition, at least one first return element can be provided between the valve device and the mounting element and / or a second return element can be provided between the valve dome and the container holder.The return elements are, in particular, a spring element. Of course, multiple spring elements can also be provided.

[0030] A further development of the invention further provides that the fluid channel has at least one fluid channel section extending radially within the valve dome at the first end, wherein the fluid channel section forms an inlet opening which, in an operating position of the valve dome, is fluidly connected to the valve chamber. Accordingly, the fluid channel section is arranged within the valve chamber, at least in the operating position.

[0031] so that the compressed air can flow from the valve chamber into the container via the fluid channel section. Accordingly, the compressed air initially flows radially into the valve dome and then longitudinally along the valve dome into the container. Of course, it is also possible to provide several radially extending fluid channel sections. In principle, it is also conceivable for the fluid channel section(s) to be arranged within the valve chamber when the valve device is in the closed position. However, it must then be ensured that the fluid channel sections forming the inlet opening are arranged separately from the compressed air source.

[0032] With regard to such an embodiment, it can be provided that a valve stem is arranged at the first end of the valve dome, which in a closed position rests against an axial sealing surface of the valve chamber. In this context, an axial sealing surface means that the sealing surface has an extension substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, a positive connection between the valve chamber and the valve stem can be enabled with regard to displacement in the longitudinal direction. The valve stem is preferably arranged longitudinally above the fluid channel sections. It should be noted that the longitudinal direction defined within the scope of the invention coincides with the vertical direction during normal operation.

[0033] The valve chamber accordingly has a sealing surface against which the valve stem rests in the closed position. This spatially separates the fluid channel or the fluid channel sections from the rest of the valve chamber and prevents the penetration of compressed air. The valve stem itself can, for example, be cylindrical, in which case the valve stem rests with one end face against the sealing surface of the valve chamber.

[0034]

[0035] A special feature here is that due to the rotation of the valve mandrel, the valve stem also rotates against the sealing surface when closed.

[0036] A further development of the invention provides that the valve dome extends through a wall of the valve chamber, with at least one sealing element arranged between the valve dome and the wall. This sealing element prevents compressed air from escaping from the valve chamber. Due to the relative movement between the valve chamber and the valve dome, it is also necessary to ensure that a sufficient sealing effect is guaranteed despite rotation by selecting a suitable sealing element.

[0037] The invention further relates to a labeling machine according to claim 11 with a rotatably drivable carrier and at least one container holding device according to the invention arranged on the carrier, as described above.

[0038] At least one labeling unit for labeling a container arranged in the container holding device is assigned to the carrier. This labeling unit can, for example, be an applicator that applies a self-adhesive label to the container. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the labeling unit to have a gluing device on the one hand and an applicator device on the other, so that glue is applied to the container first and then the label.

[0039] A further development provides that the at least one container holding device is attached to the support via the mounting element. For this purpose, the mounting element can be secured to the support, for example, via simple screw connections.

[0040]

[0041] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment provides for a control cam to be arranged at least partially along the circumference of the carrier, which cam interacts with the control wheel of the container device in such a way that the valve mandrel and the valve chamber are movable relative to one another between a closed position and an operating position. Furthermore, the control wheel can also enable a joint movement of the valve chamber and valve mandrel in the closed state in the longitudinal direction, for example, to enable spacing from the container holder. The control cam is preferably arranged below, in particular exclusively below, the control wheel.

[0042] A further development provides that the container rotation unit is connected to a drive motor for a rotatable drive. This is preferably an electric motor, in particular a servo motor.

[0043] Furthermore, it is not necessary for only one container holding device to be arranged on the rotatable carrier. Rather, a plurality of identical container holding devices can be attached to the carrier. In this case, each container holding device is assigned to a drive motor. However, at least two container holding devices can preferably also be connected to a common drive motor. In this context, a connection via a carrying belt is particularly suitable, in which case the container holding devices each have a pulley section for connection to the drive motor.

[0044] A preferred further development provides that the valve chamber is connected to a compressed air pump or a compressed air reservoir. This enables

[0045] the continuous supply of compressed air and the pressure on the containers in one operating position.

[0046] The invention further relates to a method for operating a labeling machine according to the invention, wherein during a production step a container is first fed to the container holder of a container holding device and is transported along a transport path by rotation of the carrier, wherein the valve mandrel is then placed with the second end on a container mouth of the container in a first step during transport by displacement counter to the longitudinal direction and then, in a second step, the valve device is opened by displacement and a fluid is fed into the container. This position is then referred to as the operating position. During transport, the valve mandrel and the container holder rotate relative to the valve chamber, during which a label is applied to the container. This takes place via the labeling unit described above.

[0047] A preferred development provides that in the first step, the valve chamber and the valve mandrel are moved together, and in the second step, only the valve mandrel is moved counter to the longitudinal direction. Such a configuration provides that in the first step, the valve mandrel is placed on the container in the closed state, while in the second step, the valve device is transferred to the operating state.

[0048] A preferred development of the method further provides that after the label has been applied, the valve chamber is displaced in the longitudinal direction and, in the process, the valve device is closed. By further pushing the

[0049]

[0050] The valve dome is then moved longitudinally from the valve chamber and is removed from the container mouth.

[0051] Furthermore, the displacement of the valve dome in the longitudinal direction can be achieved via a cam control and / or displacement counter to the longitudinal direction via a return element, e.g., a spring element. It is also preferred that the movement be controlled by the cam control during displacement counter to the longitudinal direction.

[0052] A further development of the invention provides that in a commissioning or testing step without a container, upstream or downstream of the production step, the valve dome and the container holder do not rotate relative to the valve chamber. Accordingly, rotation can be omitted outside of the production step, since no active labeling of containers takes place. Since the valve device is in a closed state during this commissioning or testing step, unnecessary friction on the valve seat can be prevented by switching off the drive motor or the rotation, thus extending the operating time accordingly.

[0053] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show:

[0054] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a labeling machine according to the invention

[0055] Fig. 2 an isometric view of a section of the labeling machine according to the invention

[0056]

[0057] Fig. 3A, 3B a sectional view of the container holding device according to the invention in a closed state

[0058] Fig. 4A, 4B a sectional view of the container holding device according to the invention according to Fig. 2 in an operating state

[0059] Fig. 5 is a sectional view perpendicular to the view in Fig. 3A

[0060] Fig. 6A, 6B Positions of the valve device at different circumferential positions on the carrier

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063]

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] Above the container holder 2, a centering element 6 is provided, which forms the lower part of a valve dome 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.

[0067] The pressurization with compressed air takes place 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 in turn a fluid channel 9 is arranged and which extends along the vertical direction V. This fluid channel 9 can be fluidically 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 is also provided in the centering element 6.

[0068]

[0069] 12 is provided so that the compressed air can enter the container 3 via the outlet opening 11 and the second fluid channel 12.

[0070] The valve dome 8 forms a rotationally fixed 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 rotated 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).

[0071] 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.

[0072] Although the container holder 4 and the valve dome 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 dome 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 dome 8 can be placed onto the container 3 via the centering element 6 and, of course, can also be removed again.

[0073] At the same time, a displacement along the vertical direction V is also required 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.

[0074]

[0075] This is particularly evident in 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 within the valve dome, 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 pass through the valve chamber 10 into the containers 3.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] In order to enable a 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 is provided, which are connected to one another

[0079]

[0080] Interaction. The control cam 22 is shown in Fig. 1. The control cam 22 is arranged exclusively below the control wheel 21 and effects an active adjustment in the vertical direction V. In contrast, the movement is only controlled in the opposite direction V.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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. Via the control cam 22, which is arranged below the control wheel 21 according to Fig. 2, after engagement with the control cam 22, 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.Second return elements 25 also ensure sufficient pressure between the centering element 6 and the container mouth. The return elements 24, 25 are designed as spring elements.

[0083]

[0084] Figs. 6A and 6B further illustrate the possible positions of the valve device 7. Figure (a) in Fig. 5A shows the position of the valve device 7 outside the position sections 28, 29 without a container 3 being inserted. Due to the lack of counterpressure from the container 3, the valve device 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 mandrel 8 to be moved together in the vertical direction V. The valve device 7 thus remains closed at the valve stem 17 and the container 3 can be inserted.

[0085] Then, according to Figure (c), a backward movement of the valve device (7) in the closed state takes place, whereby the valve mandrel 8 is placed on the container 3 via the centering element 6. Further movement of the valve chamber 10 then causes, according to Figure (a) in Fig. 5B, the valve device 7 to be transferred to the operating state according to Figure (c), since the valve mandrel 8 cannot be moved any further.

[0086] To remove the containers 3, the valve device is moved in the vertical direction (V) in the second position section 29 according to the illustration (c) of Fig. 5B, whereby on the one hand the valve device 7 is transferred into the closed state and on the other hand it is spaced apart from the container 3 so that the latter can be removed.

[0087]

[0088] List of reference symbols

[0089] Carrier Container holding device Container Container holder Neck ring Centering element Valve device Valve dome Fluid channel Valve chamber Outlet opening Second fluid channel Housing section Support belt section Bearing arrangement Assembly section Valve stem Sealing surface Fluid channel sections Sealing element Control wheel Control cam Pin First return elements Second return elements Inlet star Outlet star

[0090]

[0091] 28 first position section

[0092] 29 second position section

[0093] 30 Transition section V vertical direction

[0094] S gap

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Container holding device (2) for a labeling machine with a container holder (4) and a valve device (7) assigned to the container holder (4), wherein the valve device (7) has a valve dome (8) having a fluid channel (9), wherein the valve dome (8) is arranged at a first end so as to be longitudinally displaceable in a valve chamber (10) and at a second end has an outlet opening (11) formed by the fluid channel (9), characterized in that the valve dome (8) is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the valve chamber (10).

2. Container holding device (2) according to claim 1, 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.

3. Container holding device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the container rotating unit has a connecting means for connecting to a drive motor.

4. Container holding device (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the container rotating unit is rotatably mounted on a mounting element (16) via a bearing arrangement (15).

5. Container holding device (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the valve dome (8) and the valve chamber (10) are mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the mounting element (16).

6. Container holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve dome (8) is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the container holder (4).

7. Container holding device (2) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one first return element (24) is provided between the valve device (7) and the mounting element (16) and / or a second return element (25) is provided between the valve dome (8) and the container holder (4).

8. Container holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid channel (9) has at the first end at least one fluid channel section (19) extending radially in the valve dome (8), wherein the fluid channel section (19) forms an inlet opening which, in an operating position of the valve dome (8), is fluidically connected to the valve chamber (IO).

9. Container holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a valve stem (17) is arranged at the first end of the valve dome (8), which in a closed position bears against an axial sealing surface of the valve chamber (10).

10. Container holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve dome (8) extends through a wall of the valve chamber (10), wherein at least one sealing element (20) is arranged between the valve dome (8) and the wall.

11. Labelling machine with a rotatably drivable carrier (1) and at least one container holding device (2) arranged on the carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (1) is assigned at least one labelling unit for labelling a container (3) arranged in the container holding device (2).

12. Labeling machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one container holding device (2) is fastened to the carrier (1) via the mounting element (16).

13. Labelling machine according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a control cam (22) is arranged at least in sections along the circumference of the carrier (1), which control cam cooperates with the control wheel of the container holding device (2) in such a way that the valve dome (8) and the valve chamber (10) are movable relative to one another between a closed position and an operating position.

14. Labeling machine according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the container rotating unit is connected to a drive motor for a rotatable drive.

15. Labeling machine according to claim 14, characterized in that a plurality of identical container holding devices (2) are fastened to the carrier (1), wherein at least two container holding devices (2) are connected to a common drive motor.

16. A method for operating a labelling machine according to any one of claims 11 to 15, - wherein during a production step a container (3) is fed to the container holder (4) of a container holding device (2) and is transported along a transport path by rotation of the carrier (1), - wherein the valve dome (8) is placed with the second end during transport by displacement counter to the longitudinal direction (L) onto a container mouth of the container (3) in a first step and then, in a second step, the valve device is opened and a fluid is fed into the container (3), - wherein during transport the valve mandrel (8) and the container holder (4) rotate relative to the valve chamber and a label is applied to the container (3) in the course of this. 1 / .Method according to claim 16, characterized in that for transferring the valve device (7) between a closed and an operating position, the valve chamber (10) is moved along the longitudinal direction relative to the valve dome (8).

18. Method according to claim 16 and / or 17, wherein for placing the valve dome (8) on the container mouth and / or for spacing the valve dome (8) from the container mouth, the entire valve device (7) is moved in the closed state along the longitudinal direction (L).

19. The method according to claim 17 and / or 18, wherein the displacement of the Valve dome (8) in the longitudinal direction (L) via a cam control and / or a displacement against the longitudinal direction (L) is effected via a return element (25).

20. Method according to one or more of claims 16 to 19, wherein in a commissioning or testing step without a container (3) preceding or following the production step, the valve dome (8) and the container holder (4) do not rotate relative to the valve chamber (10).

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