Labeling device with a label peeler

Abstract

The invention relates to a labeling device (10) that transports a label strip (13), which has a plurality of labels (25), along a dispensing edge (26) that detaches each label from the label strip and transfers it to a set-down device (28), which positions each label relative to a packaging and attaches said label to the packaging. A peeler (30) is provided downstream of the dispensing edge (26), said peeler supporting the process of peeling the label (25) from the label strip in that the label slides along the peeler (30) surface (38) facing the label during the peeling process.

Description

[0001] Labeling device with a label stripper

[0002] The present invention relates to a labeling device that transports a label strip comprising a plurality of labels along a dispensing edge, which detaches each label from the label strip and transfers it to a depositing device that positions the respective label relative to a package and applies it to the package. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a packaging machine and a method for applying a label to a package.

[0003] Such labeling devices are known from the prior art, for example, from DE 296 96522 A, US 5730816, EP 3354582 B1, and DE 871 4292. There is currently a trend in the packaging industry toward producing increasingly thinner and / or recyclable labels, which are more difficult to remove from the label strip using prior-art labeling devices. Furthermore, in the prior art, the removal of labels from the label strip is often assisted by compressed air, which is disadvantageous from an energy and hygiene perspective.

[0004] It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method and a labeling device, a packaging machine and a method for applying a label which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0005] The object is achieved with a labeling device which transports a label strip having a plurality of labels along a dispensing edge which detaches each label from the label strip and transfers it to a depositing device which positions the respective label relative to a package and attaches it to the package, wherein a stripper is provided downstream of the dispensing edge which assists the stripping of the label from the label strip in that the label slides along the surface of the stripper facing the label during stripping.

[0006] The statements made regarding this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the subject matter of the device according to the invention and vice versa.

[0007] Features disclosed in connection with this subject matter may be incorporated into other subject matters of this patent application and vice versa.

[0008] The present invention relates to a labeling device that removes labels from a label strip, positions them relative to a package, and then presses them onto the package. For this purpose, the labeling device typically comprises an unwinding device for the label-provided label strip, optionally a printer, a dispensing edge that removes the labels from a label strip, and a winding mechanism for the carrier strip. The labels are self-adhesive and attached to the label strip. To remove the label from the label strip, the label strip is transported along the dispensing edge and is sharply deflected, preferably at an angle of >90°. The label is thereby removed from the label strip.

[0009] According to the invention, a stripper is provided downstream of the dispensing edge. This stripper assists in stripping the label from the label strip by sliding the label along the surface of the stripper facing the label. This ensures that the label is safely detached from the label strip but is not damaged during removal. As the label slides along the surface of the stripper, the label may touch the stripper and / or an air cushion may be present between the stripper and the label, on which the label rests. This air cushion is preferably not generated by compressed air.

[0010] The stripper assists in the removal of the labels from the carrier tape, preferably by supporting the labels, particularly in the area of ​​their front edge, and / or guiding them in the desired direction by the stripper as they begin to spread between the label and the carrier tape.

[0011] Preferably, the wiper has an edge on its side adjacent to the dispensing edge, which edge can be sharp-edged, rounded and / or provided with a chamfer.

[0012] Preferably, the surface of the dispensing edge, along which the label strip moves before the label is detached, and the surface of the wiper along which the detached label slides are located substantially in one, in particular horizontal, plane.

[0013] Preferably, there is a gap between the dispensing edge and the wiper. The gap between the dispensing edge and the wiper is preferably smaller than the total thickness of the label with carrier tape, but in particular at least as large as the thickness of the carrier tape, particularly preferably slightly larger than the thickness of the carrier tape. Particularly preferably, the gap is larger than the thickness of the carrier tape plus the width of the elastic deformation or movement range of the carrier tape caused, for example, by the detachment forces. Most preferably, the carrier tape never touches the wiper, for example to prevent damaging and / or cutting and / or tearing of the carrier tape. The wiper can be flat on its side facing the label.The scraper is preferably concave on its side facing the label, for example to absorb a downward movement of the label and / or redirect it into a horizontal movement. The label can slide with its front edge into the cave-like depression and is only guided back up again from, preferably the center of the concave contour. Particularly at the beginning of the scraping process, the forces acting on the label should not be too great in order to counteract the tendency of the label to bend and / or fold over and / or curl up. This can be achieved, for example, by a concave surface. The concavity preferably has no edges and is designed in particular as a continuously curved surface. The deepest point of the concavity is preferably located in the middle relative to the extent of the concavity in the direction of movement of the label.The concavity preferably extends over the entire width of the label, ie its extension transverse to the transport direction of the label.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one recess is provided in the wiper, in particular in addition to the concavity. Preferably, the recess is an elongated hole whose longest extent preferably extends parallel to the transport direction of the labels. Preferably, the recess extends almost over the entire extent of the wiper in one direction, for example in the horizontal direction, for example in the sense of a through-bore. For example, a design in the sense of a blind hole is not preferred and would lead to hygiene problems, for example. Preferably, a plurality of recesses are provided, which are preferably similar or identical in design and in particular are provided parallel to one another, in particular transversely to the transport direction of the labels.

[0015] In particular, the recess(es) in the wiper can function as a flow channel through which air is sucked in, for example, by a suction device that is part of the labeling device. The resulting air flow is preferably lower, in particular significantly lower, than with the supporting air nozzles with a compressed air connection according to the prior art.

[0016] Preferably, the wiper has an air collection channel that captures the sucked-in air and / or directs it towards the recess(es).

[0017] Due to the pressure difference, air flows through the recess(es) towards the label to be removed and can thus assist its removal and / or its sliding along the surface of the stripper. It is also conceivable that a funnel, particularly one with a larger opening than the air collection channel in the stripper, is connected to the stripper. This would increase the back pressure in the air collection channel and thus lead to a higher flow velocity through the recesses, so that a larger air volume is available for removing / guiding the labels. Furthermore, a targeted enclosure of the area below the conveyor belts that transport the removed labels towards a package to be labeled is conceivable, particularly with the inclusion of the stripper.The enclosure allows the volume of air sucked in by the stripper to be increased, whereby particularly preferably sufficient air is available to press the labels onto the conveyor belts that transport the removed labels towards a package to be labelled.

[0018] Preferably, the scraper is coated with a non-stick material or is made entirely or partially from a non-stick material. The non-stick material preferably repels a wide range of commercially available adhesives that may be provided on the adhesive side of the labels, in order to at least reduce, but in particular to prevent, adhesion of the label to the deflector. Preferably, the material consists of or is based at least partially of / on fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP and PFA or is an aluminum or aluminum alloy coating based on aluminum. Preferably, the non-stick coating has a layer thickness of less than 700 μm, particularly preferably from 10 to 300 μm, and a surface roughness (roughness depth) of less than 100 μm, preferably from 2 to 40 μm.The coating preferably extends over the entire surface that comes into contact with the label during stripping, but particularly preferably also over other surfaces of the stripper, so that, for example, labels that have accidentally adhered or even wrapped around the stripper can be easily removed, particularly preferably also within the recesses to facilitate cleaning. The screw-on surfaces can remain uncoated.

[0019] The scraper is all the more important due to the current trend towards labels and label tapes / carrier tapes becoming ever thinner in order to save material and resources, and to evolve towards the same material type as the packaging, for example using thin labels and / or label tapes / carrier tape made of PE (or PP) in order to be more easily recycled as a composite with the packaging, which is also made of PE (or PP) monomaterial or a monomaterial mix. Paradoxically, paper, which is considered to be resource-saving, is therefore increasingly being pushed back / abandoned as a basis for labels or carrier tape. The very thin labels / label tapes also have the advantage that a larger number of labels can be provided per label roll, meaning that the label roll needs to be changed less frequently, which in turn promotes higher packaging output.

[0020] Preferably, the downstream end of the wiper surface is vertically above the upstream end. This can be achieved by an asymmetry of the surface relative to its center plane or by rotating the wiper about its central longitudinal axis.

[0021] The labeling device according to the invention can comprise a printer. The printer, if present, can be any printer familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, the printer can be an inkjet, dot matrix, laser, or ribbon thermal transfer printer.

[0022] A further subject of the present invention is a packaging machine comprising the labeling device according to the invention.

[0023] The statements made regarding this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the subject matter of the device according to the invention, and vice versa. Features disclosed in connection with this subject matter can be incorporated into other subject matters of this patent application, and vice versa.

[0024] The subject matter of the present invention relates to a packaging machine, which can be, for example, a so-called thermoformer, but also a tray sealer or a flow-wrapping machine. Such packaging machines generally process plastic films or fiber-based films or combinations thereof. In the packaging machine according to the invention, each packaging tray is transported intermittently with a specific advance or continuously along the packaging machine, producing a packaging format consisting of n rows and m columns, where n and m are integers greater than 1. This can be achieved, for example, by intermittently transporting a bottom film web, which is gripped by chains on the right and left, along the packaging machine. However, this can also be achieved by a gripper transporting filled packaging trays to and from a sealing station.After each packaging tray has been filled with a packaged good, in particular a food product, and if necessary after a gas exchange, the respective packaging tray is closed with a film, whereby the film is firmly bonded to the packaging tray, in particular by sealing. The package thus finished is then provided with at least one label. As a rule, the label is glued to the package. For this purpose, the label is detached from a label strip, for example at a dispensing edge, and transferred to a depositing device, which attaches the respective label to the respective package. As a rule, packages in a column, i.e. the packages that are arranged next to one another transversely to the transport direction of the packages, are each provided with at least one label simultaneously, for example as in a cross-web labeler. Likewise preferred are packages in a row, i.e.the packages, which are arranged one behind the other lengthwise in the direction of transport of the packages, are provided with at least one label, individually or in sets, for example several packages at the same time. For this purpose, these labels are removed one after the other from the label strip and taken over by the depositing device, which then moves to the column and / or row to be labeled and deposits the labels there. In order to increase the output of the packaging machine, at least one labeler can be provided per column and / or row. Labeling usually takes place between two transport cycles of the packaging troughs, i.e. while these are at rest; alternatively, labeling takes place while the packaging troughs are moving, in particular synchronously with the advance, for example as with an in-line labeler. Only when all packages of a format have been provided with a label is the format transported further by one advance.After labeling, the packages are then separated.

[0025] In the packaging machine according to the invention, a label can also be applied, preferably glued, to the unformed film at an earlier process step, for example, in the insertion station in and / or under the packaging tray and / or before the forming station. Alternatively, a label can also be applied to the inside of the top film, i.e., the side facing the packaged product.

[0026] For example, the weight of the packaging, its contents and / or the packaging date are printed on the label.

[0027] For labeling, the packaging machine according to the invention has the labeling device according to the invention.

[0028] A further subject of the present invention is a method for applying a label to a package, wherein the label is provided on a label strip and is optionally printed with a printer, and wherein the labels are peeled off the label strip, transported to the respective package and attached to the packages by means of a depositing device, wherein the label is supported on a stripper during the peeling off.

[0029] The statements made regarding this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the subject matter of the device according to the invention, and vice versa. Features disclosed in connection with this subject matter can be incorporated into other subject matters of this patent application, and vice versa.

[0030] The method is preferably carried out by means of a labeling device according to the invention and / or the packaging machine according to the invention.

[0031] According to the invention, the respective label is supported on a stripper during removal and / or the label slides along the stripper and / or the stripper guides the label in the direction of conveyor belts which position the label relative to a package.

[0032] Preferably, there is a negative pressure between the label and the wiper, which is particularly preferably lower than a pressure, in particular a negative pressure, on the opposite side of the label.

[0033] Preferably, the removal of the labels from the label tape or carrier tape is intermittent, alternatively continuous.

[0034] The inventions are explained below with reference to the figures. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. The explanations apply equally to all subject matter of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1 shows the packaging machine according to the invention.

[0036] Figure 2 shows the labeling device

[0037] Figures 3 - 5 each show views of the labeling device according to the invention

[0038] Figure 1 shows the packaging machine 1 according to the invention, which has a thermoforming station 2, a filling station 7 and a sealing station 15. A bottom film web 8, in this case a plastic film web 8, is pulled off a supply roll and transported in cycles along the packaging machine according to the invention from right to left. In each cycle, the bottom film web 8 is transported one pass further, whereby several passes are required to produce a finished package. For this purpose, the packaging machine has two transport means (not shown), in this case two endless chains each, which are arranged to the right and left of the bottom film web 8. Both at the start and at the end of the packaging machine, at least one gearwheel is provided for each chain, around which the respective chain is deflected. At least one of these gearwheels is driven.The gears in the inlet area and / or in the outlet area can be connected to one another, preferably by a rigid shaft. Each transport means has a plurality of clamping means that clamp the bottom film web 8 in the inlet area 19 and transfer the movement of the transport means to the bottom film web 8. In the outlet area of ​​the packaging machine, the clamping connection between the transport means and the bottom film web 8 is released again. Downstream of the inlet area 19, a heating means is provided that heats the film web 8, particularly when it is stationary. In the thermoforming station 2, which has an upper tool 3 and a lower tool 4 that has the shape of the packaging tray to be produced, the packaging trays 6 are formed into the heated film web 8. The lower tool 4 is arranged on a lifting table 5, which is vertically adjustable, as symbolized by the double arrow.Before each film feed, the lower tool 4 is lowered and then raised again. As the packaging machine continues, the packaging troughs are then filled with the packaging product 16 in the filling station 7. In the subsequent sealing station 15, which also consists of an upper tool 12 and a vertically adjustable lower tool 11, an upper film 14 is firmly sealed to the lower film web 8. In the sealing station, the upper tool and / or the lower tool are also lowered and / or raised before and after each film transport. The upper film 14 can also be guided in transport means or transported by transport chains, whereby these transport means then only extend from the sealing station and possibly downstream. Otherwise, the statements made regarding the transport means for the lower film apply. The upper film can also be heated and deep-drawn using a heating medium.For sealing, a heatable sealing frame, for example, is provided as the lower tool 11, which has an opening for each packaging cavity into which the packaging cavity dips during sealing, i.e. during the upward movement of the lower sealing tool. For sealing, the upper and lower film webs are pressed together between the upper and lower tools 12, 11 and bond under the influence of heat and pressure. After sealing, the tools 11, 12 are moved apart vertically again. Between the supply roll and the sealing tool, a dancer is preferably provided, which compensates for the intermittent advance of the lower film 8 and thus the intermittent withdrawal of the upper film web 14. The dancer can serve as a film web store and / or to generate a specific film tension. The person skilled in the art will understand that several upper films can be present, for example in a multi-layer pack or a pack with several upper films.Preferably, a dancer is then provided along the length of each upper film. Those skilled in the art will further understand that a dancer can also be provided in the region of the lower film 8, preferably downstream of its supply roll. After completion of the package, it is provided with a label on which, for example, the date of manufacture, the package contents and / or the weight of the initial weight is noted. For this purpose, the packaging machine according to the invention has a labeling device 10, which is described in more detail with reference to Figure 2. As the packaging machine continues, the finished packages are separated, which in this case is done by the cross cutter 18 and the longitudinal cutter 17. In this case, the cross cutter 18 can also be raised or lowered by a lifting device 9.The packaging machine according to the invention was described using a so-called thermoformer, but can also be used for a so-called tray sealer.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a labeling device 10. The labels are provided on a label strip 13, which is provided as a roll 20. The labels are adhesively but releasably connected to the label strip. To print these labels, the label strip 13 is unrolled so that it is located in the printing area of ​​the printer 21. The labels are preferably printed intermittently, alternatively continuously. After the label has been completely printed, it is transported further by a drive 23 for the label strip. Downstream of the drive 23 there can be a label strip storage 22, which in the present case is designed as a dancer. In the present case, this dancer has several static rollers and one movable roller, by means of which the storage content of the label strip storage can be controlled.The label tape storage unit preferably has a sensor (not shown) that determines the fill level of the label tape storage unit. The printer and / or the drive 23 are preferably controlled by the sensor signal. When the fill level is low, a signal is sent to the printer to print labels. When the label tape storage unit 22 is full, this signal is passed on to the units 21 and / or 23 so that no further labels or fewer labels are printed per unit of time. Downstream of the label tape storage unit is a dispensing edge 26 or a take-up unit 24. The label tape 13 is deflected at the dispensing edge such that the labels 25 located thereon detach from the tape and can be taken over by a settling unit (not shown). The label tape is preferably driven in this area by the take-up unit. This drive can be completely independent of the drive 23.In the area of ​​the dispensing edge, a sensor (not shown) is preferably provided to determine how many labels have been detached from the label strip. Preferably, all labels of a row of a format of packages 6 (i.e., the number of packages transverse to their transport direction) are sequentially removed from the label strip, in particular with a continuous or semi-continuous movement, and taken over by a depositing unit at the correct distance. This depositing unit then preferably moves to the row of the format to be labeled and attaches the labels to the packages. Those skilled in the art will understand that other depositing modes can also be used.

[0040] According to the prior art, an air nozzle 29 is provided downstream of the dispensing edge 26, which assists the detachment of the label 25 from the label carrier or carrier tape 13 by means of compressed air, which, however, is not desired according to the invention.

[0041] Figures 3-5 schematically show three representations of an embodiment of the labeling device 10 according to the invention, wherein essentially only the area of ​​the dispensing edge 26 and the settling box 28 are shown. Regarding the other units, reference is made to the explanations for Figure 2, wherein the labeling device according to the invention does not have a nozzle 29.

[0042] As can be seen in Figure 3, the label strip 13 is deflected at the dispensing edge, here by an angle greater than 120°, whereby the label 25 is detached from the label strip. The empty label strip, i.e. the carrier strip, is then deflected here (optional) and then rolled up. Downstream of the transport direction, a stripper or separator is provided, with a gap 39 located between the dispensing edge 26 and the stripper or separator, through which the label strip is guided. The gap is preferably slightly larger than the thickness of the label strip (without labels). The stripper 30 supports the detachment of the label from the label strip 13, for example by supporting and / or guiding the label and / or by the label sliding along the stripper. In the present case, the surface 38 of the stripper or separator facing the label 25 isThe separator 30 is concave, preventing the label 25, which moves when the concavity is removed, from being bent. Furthermore, the stripper or separator in the present example has recesses 31, which are parallel and equidistant from one another and in the form of elongated holes.

[0043] After the labels have been removed, they are transported by means of conveyor belts 33 (see Figure 4) relative to a package to be labeled and into the area of ​​a depositing device, of which only the depositing means, here depositing stamps 27, are shown. As can be seen in particular from Figure 4, the stripper 30 is open on its side opposite the surface 38, so that the recesses 31 are permeable for an air flow. The stripper 30 has a U-shaped cross-section here, and the area below the recesses 31 is designed in the present case as a channel 32 through which an air flow is sucked in and directed towards the recess 31.

[0044] Figure 4 shows additional details of the depositing device, in particular the conveyor belts 33, which receive the detached labels 25 from the stripper 30 and transport them toward the packaging trays. To improve contact between the conveyor belts and the respective label during this transport, the depositing device preferably has a vacuum means, for example a fan, which generates an air current that pulls the label toward the conveyor belts and presses it against them. In particular, this vacuum or air current can also extend into the recesses 31 and into the channel 32, thereby acting on the label and shaping it or guiding it toward the transport baths 33.

[0045] Figure 5 shows further details of the settling box. The conveyor belts 33 are endless belts, which here are deflected around two rollers 36, one of which is driven, preferably by a servo motor. As soon as the label 25 is correctly positioned relative to the packaging, the label 25 is pressed towards the packaging by the settling means 27 by the conveyor belt 33. The fan 35, here in the housing of the settling means, creates a negative pressure and thus a draft of air that draws the labels 25 onto the conveyor belts 33. This negative pressure also draws air, as shown by the arrow 34, through the stripper 30, which then acts on the respective label located in the area of ​​the stripper and assists its detachment from the label strip 13.

[0046] List of reference symbols:

[0047] 1 packaging machine

[0048] 2 forming station, deep-drawing station

[0049] 3 Upper tool of the deep drawing station

[0050] 4 Lower tool of the deep drawing station

[0051] 5 Lifting table, carrier of a tool of the sealing, deep-drawing station and / or the

[0052] Cutting device

[0053] 6 packaging tray

[0054] 7 filling station

[0055] 8 film web, bottom film web

[0056] 9 Lifting device

[0057] 10 Labeling device

[0058] 11 Lower tool of the sealing station

[0059] 12 Upper tool of the sealing station

[0060] 13 Label tape, carrier tape, label carrier

[0061] 14 Top film web, lid film

[0062] 15 Sealing station

[0063] 16 Packaging goods

[0064] 17 longitudinal cutters

[0065] 18 cross cutters

[0066] 19 Inlet area

[0067] 20 rolls

[0068] 21 printers

[0069] 22 Deflection device, roll for the label tape

[0070] 23 Drive for the label tape / carrier tape

[0071] 24 Winding

[0072] 25 labels

[0073] 26 Dispensing edge

[0074] 27 Settling device, spring-loaded settling pin, settling stamp

[0075] 28 Settling device, settling box

[0076] 29 Support air nozzle (from the SdT)

[0077] 30 wipers, funds for donation support

[0078] 31 Recess, slot, bore

[0079] 32 Flow channel, air collection chamber

[0080] 33 conveyor belt, transport belt

[0081] 34 Air flow Fan, suction fan Deflection device, roller for the conveyor belt(s) Settling box, cutout of the settling box Surface of the wiper Gap between dispensing edge and wiper

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Labeling device (10) which transports a label strip (13) comprising a plurality of labels (25) along a dispensing edge (26), which detaches each label (25) from the label strip (13) and transfers it to a depositing device (28) which positions the respective label relative to a package and attaches it to the package, characterized in that a stripper (30) is provided downstream of the dispensing edge (26), which assists the stripping of the label (25) from the label strip (13) in that the label (25) slides along the surface (38) of the stripper (30) facing the label during stripping.

2. Labeling device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a gap (39) is provided between the dispensing edge (26) and the stripper (30), which gap is smaller than the thickness of the label strip including the labels.

3. Labeling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface (38) of the wiper is concave.

4. Labeling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one recess (31) is provided in the surface (38) of the wiper.

5. Labeling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (31) is a through recess.

6. Labeling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper (30) is designed to be at least partially open at the end opposite the surface.

7. Labeling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface of the wiper is provided as a flow channel.

8. Packaging machine comprising a labeling device according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Method for applying a label (25) to a package, wherein the label is provided on a label strip and is optionally printed with a printer (21) and wherein the labels (25) are removed from the label strip, transported to the respective package and attached to the Packaging is attached, characterized in that the label is supported on a stripper (30) during removal.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that a vacuum is applied between the label and the stripper.

11. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that a negative pressure is applied between the label and the stripper, which is preferably lower than a pressure on the opposite side of the label.

12. Method according to claim 9 or 10 or 11, characterized in that the printing of the labels is intermittent, alternatively continuous.

13. Method according to claim 9 to 12, characterized in that the removal of the labels from the carrier tape or label tape is intermittent, alternatively continuous.

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