Storage device for labels, and labelling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a magazine device (10) for storing labels, comprising at least one receiving space (12) for receiving and storing labels, wherein the magazine device (10) furthermore has at least one air-conditioning apparatus (14) for air-conditioning the at least one receiving space (12). The invention provides an improved magazine device (10) by means of which material-related process disturbances in the labelling process are avoided.

Description

[0001] MAGAZINE DEVICE FOR LABELS AND LABELING MACHINE

[0002] The invention relates to a magazine device and a labeling machine.

[0003] Magazine devices can be used, for example, to store labels. Furthermore, the magazine device can be designed such that the labels can be unrolled or stored within the magazine device from a roll or as single-sheet labels. For this purpose, the magazine devices can have receiving spaces for the rolls or a plurality of single-sheet labels. Rolls can be attached to holding domes, for example, and single-sheet labels can be stacked or stored in a row behind one another.

[0004] EP3311978A1 discloses a labeling machine that can accommodate multiple reels (multireels) of label tapes. The label tape from a fully unwound reel can be spliced ​​with the label tape from a full reel. However, such machines can experience disruptions in the labeling process caused by the label material or, in some cases, the carrier tape.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved magazine device with which material-related disturbances in the labeling process can be avoided.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] In a magazine device for storing and preferably unwinding at least one roll of labels, in particular film labels and / or paper labels, comprising at least one receiving space for receiving and storing labels, the invention provides that the magazine device further comprises at least one air conditioning device for air conditioning the at least one receiving space. The air conditioning device climate-controls the receiving space and the labels received in the receiving space, which can in particular be film labels and / or paper labels. This means that the receiving space can be set, for example, to defined temperature and / or air humidity conditions. This allows the ambient conditions to be selected such that they are optimal for processing the labels. This allows the labels to be set to optimal processing parameters even during storage.This reduces material-related disruptions in the labeling process and improves production conditions. Reducing disruptions can lower costs and save materials.

[0008] According to one example, it is conceivable that the at least one air conditioning device can be designed at least to change the temperature of the at least one receiving space.

[0009] This allows the storage conditions of the labels to be set to an optimal temperature for processing the labels.

[0010] According to a further example, it is conceivable that the at least one air conditioning device can be further designed to change the humidity of the at least one receiving space.

[0011] By changing the humidity, the humidity of the recording room can be adjusted to an optimal level for processing the labels.

[0012] Furthermore, it is conceivable, for example, that the air conditioning device can comprise a radiant heater, a fan heater, a fan, a cooling device for cooling air and / or a heat pump.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the air conditioning device may comprise a humidifier and / or an air dryer. Furthermore, the air conditioning device may be configured, for example, to adjust the receiving space to a temperature in the range of 15°C to 35°C, preferably in the range of 20°C to 30°C, more preferably in the range of 21°C to 25°C, most preferably 23°C.

[0014] The temperature can thus be set to an optimal temperature range for processing the labels.

[0015] According to a further example, it is conceivable that the air conditioning device can be designed to adjust the receiving space to a relative humidity in the range of 20% to 80%, preferably in the range of 40% to 60%, more preferably in the range of 45% to 55%, most preferably 50%.

[0016] In this area the conditions for processing the labels are optimal.

[0017] According to one example, it is conceivable that the magazine device can have a plurality of receiving spaces, wherein the air conditioning device is designed to air condition at least a part of the plurality of receiving spaces.

[0018] The air conditioning system can air-condition one recording room, part of it, or all of the recording rooms. Furthermore, it is conceivable, for example, that each recording room could be assigned its own air conditioning system.

[0019] It is also conceivable that the magazine device can be designed, for example, as a label roll storage device, in particular as a multi-reel magazine, for a labeling station of a labeling machine.

[0020] The label roll storage device can accommodate a plurality of label rolls and feed them sequentially to the labeling machine. The label roll storage device can also comprise a label tape connecting device as explained above, with which the label tape of a full roll can be connected to the label tape of a roll running to its end. According to a further example, it is conceivable that the magazine device can comprise a label tape connecting device for connecting label tapes from different rolls.

[0021] With a label tape splicing device, a label tape from a roll that is almost empty can be spliced ​​to the beginning of a label tape from a label roll that is not yet used.

[0022] According to a further example, it is conceivable that the magazine device can have a sensor device for detecting measurement data in the at least one receiving space.

[0023] The recorded measurement data can be used to determine whether and in what way the air conditioning system needs to provide air conditioning in order to create the optimal conditions for the label rolls.

[0024] The sensor device can, for example, be designed to record temperature measurement data and / or humidity measurement data.

[0025] According to a further example, the magazine device may further comprise a control device which may be configured to control the air conditioning device.

[0026] The control device can, for example, provide a control loop with which the air conditioning device can be controlled using the measurement data explained above. Furthermore, the control device can also comprise means with which optimal temperature or humidity ranges or values ​​can be defined, in particular by a user.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention relates to a labeling machine, in particular for containers, comprising at least one labeling station and at least one magazine device according to the preceding description, wherein a plurality of labels is accommodated in a receiving space of the magazine device and preferably a label strip of the roll extends at least as far as the labeling station.

[0028] The advantages and effects, as well as further developments, of the labeling machine are derived from the advantages and effects, as well as further developments, of the magazine device described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the previous description in this regard.

[0029] The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0030] Figure 1a, b shows a schematic representation of a magazine device;

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the magazine device through a receiving space; and

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a labeling machine.

[0033] According to Figure 1a, the magazine device 10 has at least one receiving space 12, with an example showing a plurality of receiving spaces 12. Each receiving space 12 can accommodate a roll 28 for labels. In this example, the magazine device 10 is designed as a label roll storage device, which can also be referred to as a multi-reel magazine.

[0034] The rolls 28 can be stored in the receiving spaces 12 until they are used for labeling. Then, the rolls 28 can be unwound directly in the receiving spaces 12. Empty rolls 28 can be replaced during the unwinding of other rolls 28 arranged in the magazine device 10.

[0035] When a roll 28 is completely or almost completely unwound, the label strip of this roll 28 can be connected to the label strip of another roll 28 stored in the magazine device 10. For this purpose, the magazine device 10 can have a label strip connecting device 18.

[0036] Figure 1b shows a magazine device 10 for paper labels. The paper labels can be in the form of single-sheet labels. The single-sheet labels can be arranged in stacks, which in this example run horizontally. This means that the labels are arranged one behind the other, standing on one edge, in blocks 29 and can be arranged block by block in the receiving space 12.

[0037] A pusher 19 can push the blocks 29 to the labeling station 34, where the single-sheet labels can be picked up individually and applied to containers arranged in the labeling machine 32. When the single-sheet labels of a block 29 are used up, another block 29 in the magazine can be moved to the pusher 19.

[0038] The blocks 29 are each arranged in a separate receiving space 12, wherein a receiving space 12 can be defined by a rail with supporting walls, between which the blocks 29 can be arranged on the rail in the receiving space 12.

[0039] The magazine device 10 can have several of these rails. The receiving spaces 12 in this embodiment are thus mobile and can be moved toward the slide 19.

[0040] The receiving spaces 12 can be arranged in a housing 31. The housing 31 can have at least one closable opening for adding blocks 29 of single-sheet labels. Furthermore, the housing 31 can have at least one passage through which the single-sheet labels can be fed to the labeling station 34.

[0041] Furthermore, the magazine device 10 has an air conditioning device 14. The air conditioning device 14 is designed to air-condition the at least one receiving space 12. In the examples explained above, the air conditioning device 14 is designed to air-condition all receiving spaces 12. However, this does not preclude the possibility of each receiving space 12 being air-conditioned by its own air conditioning device 14. Furthermore, it does not preclude the possibility of multiple air conditioning devices 14 being provided, wherein, for example, two or more receiving spaces 12 can each be air-conditioned by one air conditioning device 14 and the other receiving spaces 12 can be air-conditioned by other air conditioning devices 14.

[0042] With the air conditioning device 14, the at least one receiving chamber 12 can be tempered, for example, to a predefined temperature that is optimal for storing the labels, thereby providing optimal conditions for good production conditions. The temperature can be set, for example, within a temperature range of 15°C to 35°C, preferably 20°C to 30°C, more preferably within a range of 21°C to 25°C, most preferably 23°C.

[0043] For this purpose, the air conditioning device 14, as shown in Figure 2, can comprise, for example, a radiant heater 15, a fan heater, a blower, a cooling device for cooling air, and / or a heat pump. These elements can either heat or cool the air temperature in the accommodation space 12. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the air conditioning device 14 can comprise a combination of the elements explained above or additional elements that can effect both heating and cooling of the air temperature in the accommodation space 12.

[0044] Furthermore, the air conditioning device 14 can air-condition the at least one receiving space 12 such that an optimal humidity for storing the labels prevails in the receiving space 12. This can, for example, be a humidity range of 20% to 80%, preferably 40% to 60%, more preferably in the range of 45% to 55%, most preferably 50%. For this purpose, the air conditioning device 14 can, for example, comprise a humidifier 16 and / or an air dryer.

[0045] Furthermore, the magazine device 10 can have a sensor device 20. The sensor device can, for example, have a temperature sensor 22 or a humidity sensor 24. The temperature sensor 22 can be designed to provide temperature measurement data. The humidity sensor 24 can be designed to provide data about the air humidity.

[0046] A control device 26 can be configured to record the temperature measurement data or the humidity data and to provide signals for controlling the air conditioning device 14. The air conditioning device 14 can accordingly be configured to receive the control signals from the control device 26.

[0047] In this way, the temperature or humidity can be adjusted by the air conditioning device 14 based on the sensor signals.

[0048] Furthermore, a user can, by means of an input interface (not shown) of the control device 26, specify, for example, ranges for the temperature and / or the humidity in which the temperature or the humidity of the recording rooms 12 should vary.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a labeling machine 32. The labeling machine 32 can be part of a system with which containers can be manufactured, filled and labeled, for example.

[0050] The labeling machine 32 can have at least one labeling station 34. The magazine device 10 can be connected to the labeling station 34 and the labeling machine. A label strip 30 of a label roll 28 and / or a block 29 with single-sheet labels, which can be accommodated by the magazine device 10 in a receiving space, can extend from the magazine device 10 at least to the labeling station 34. The labels of the label strip 30 or the single-sheet labels can be applied by the labeling machine 32, for example, to containers that can be transported past the labeling station 34.

[0051] The example described above does not limit the invention in any way. Rather, the invention can be modified in many ways. All of the features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention alone or in combination with one another.

[0052] List of reference symbols

[0053] 10 Magazine warning

[0054] 12 Recording room

[0055] 14 Air conditioning system

[0056] 15 radiant heaters

[0057] 16 humidifiers

[0058] 18 Label tape splicing device

[0059] 19 sliders

[0060] 20 Sensor device

[0061] 22 Temperature sensor

[0062] 24 Humidity sensor

[0063] 26 Control device

[0064] 28 rolls

[0065] 29 Block

[0066] 30 label tape

[0067] 32 labeling machine

[0068] 34 Labeling station

Claims

Claims 1. Magazine device (10) for storing labels, comprising at least one receiving space (12) for receiving and storing labels, characterized in that the magazine device (10) further comprises at least one air conditioning device (14) for air conditioning the at least one receiving space (12).

2. Magazine device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one air conditioning device (14) is designed at least to change the temperature of the at least one receiving space (12).

3. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one air conditioning device (14) is further designed to change the air humidity of the at least one receiving space (12).

4. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning device (14) comprises a radiant heater (15), a heating fan, a fan, a cooling device for cooling air and / or a heat pump.

5. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning device (14) has a humidifier (16) and / or an air drying device.

6. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning device (14) is designed to set the receiving space (12) to a temperature in the range of 15 °C and 35 °C, preferably in the range of 20 °C and 30 °C, more preferably in the range of 21 °C and 25 °C, most preferably 23 °C.

7. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning device (14) is designed to adjust the receiving space (12) to a relative humidity in the range from 20% to 80%, preferably in the range from 40% to 60%, more preferably in the range from 45% to 55%, most preferably 50%.

8. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magazine device (10) has a plurality of receiving spaces (12), wherein the air conditioning device (14) is designed to air condition at least a part of the plurality of receiving spaces (12).

9. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magazine device (10) is designed as a label roll storage device, in particular as a multi-reel magazine, for a labeling station (34) of a labeling machine (32).

10. Magazine device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the magazine device (10) has a label tape connecting device (18) for connecting label tapes (30) of different rolls (28).

11. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magazine device (10) has a sensor device (20) for detecting measurement data in the at least one receiving space (12).

12. Magazine device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the sensor device (20) is designed to detect temperature measurement data and / or air humidity measurement data.

13. Magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magazine device (10) further comprises a control device (26) which is designed to control the air conditioning device (14).

14. Labeling machine (32), in particular for containers, comprising at least one labeling station (34) and at least one magazine device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of labels are accommodated in a receiving space (12) of the magazine device (10).

Images