A robotic labeling system for labeling packages on a pallet includes a depalletizing station having a pallet holding a plurality of unlabeled packages and a palletizing station having a pallet configured to receive a plurality of labeled packaged. The robotic labeling system includes a labeling station configured to successively receive the packages for labeling. The labeling station has a labeling device preparing labels for the packages and a label applicator moving the labels from the labeling device to the corresponding packages. The labeling station includes a label verification scanning device scanning the applied labels for label verification. The robotic labeling system includes a palletizing robot moving the unlabeled packages from the depalletizing station to the labeling station for label application and moving the labeled packages from the labeling station to the palletizing station after label verification.

A robotic labeling system for labeling packages on a pallet includes a depalletizing station having a pallet holding a plurality of unlabeled packages and a palletizing station having a pallet configured to receive a plurality of labeled packaged. The robotic labeling system includes a labeling station configured to successively receive the packages for labeling. The labeling station has a labeling device preparing labels for the packages and a label applicator moving the labels from the labeling device to the corresponding packages. The labeling station includes a label verification scanning device scanning the applied labels for label verification. The robotic labeling system includes a palletizing robot moving the unlabeled packages from the depalletizing station to the labeling station for label application and moving the labeled packages from the labeling station to the palletizing station after label verification.

A rotary machine for the treatment of containers is described. This rotary machine comprises a stationary underframe, a rotatable container table for receiving the containers, a motor designed as an internal rotor for direct drive of the container table, a bearing for supporting the container table and/or a non-rotatably connected supporting structure on the underframe radially outside the motor, and a rotary encoder for determining the rotational position of the container table. By positioning the rotary encoder radially outside the motor, the accuracy of the rotary position determination can be improved, especially for rotary machines with comparatively large pitch diameters and the accessibility of the rotary encoder for maintenance measures.

A rotary machine for the treatment of containers is described. This rotary machine comprises a stationary underframe, a rotatable container table for receiving the containers, a motor designed as an internal rotor for direct drive of the container table, a bearing for supporting the container table and/or a non-rotatably connected supporting structure on the underframe radially outside the motor, and a rotary encoder for determining the rotational position of the container table. By positioning the rotary encoder radially outside the motor, the accuracy of the rotary position determination can be improved, especially for rotary machines with comparatively large pitch diameters and the accessibility of the rotary encoder for maintenance measures.

A machine for conveying containers may include a guide, a main carriage for transporting containers slidably mounted on the guide, an auxiliary carriage slidably mounted on the guide, a plate for supporting a container mounted on the main carriage and able to rotate about an axis of the container, an actuator connected to the plate and configured to set the plate in rotation about the axis of the container, a control unit electrically connected to the guide and configured for controlling the sliding of the main carriage and the auxiliary carriage on the guide and a mutual distance thereof. The actuator may include a connecting rod and a crank connected to one another and interposed. The control unit varies the mutual distance between the main carriage and the auxiliary carriage so as to activate the connecting rod and the crank and consequently move the plate.

A machine for conveying containers may include a guide, a main carriage for transporting containers slidably mounted on the guide, an auxiliary carriage slidably mounted on the guide, a plate for supporting a container mounted on the main carriage and able to rotate about an axis of the container, an actuator connected to the plate and configured to set the plate in rotation about the axis of the container, a control unit electrically connected to the guide and configured for controlling the sliding of the main carriage and the auxiliary carriage on the guide and a mutual distance thereof. The actuator may include a connecting rod and a crank connected to one another and interposed. The control unit varies the mutual distance between the main carriage and the auxiliary carriage so as to activate the connecting rod and the crank and consequently move the plate.

A machine (10, 224, 258, 274, 292, 310) is selectively operative to apply markings such as labels, sleeves, decorations and indicia to containers (58, 130, 162, 254). The machine includes a lower conveyor (LC) (14) and an upper conveyor (UC) (28). LC shuttles (46) are selectively movable around an LC track (16). UC shuttles (52) are selectively movable around a UC track (30). The LC and UC shuttles are selectively movable to engage a container vertically intermediate of respective LC and UC shuttles. In the container engaged position each container is selectively rotatably and linearly movable so as to be positioned in engagement with applicators (108, 256, 296, 298, 300, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324). The applicators are selectively operative to apply markings to respective containers in operative engagement therewith in a precise and repeatable manner.

A machine (10, 224, 258, 274, 292, 310) is selectively operative to apply markings such as labels, sleeves, decorations and indicia to containers (58, 130, 162, 254). The machine includes a lower conveyor (LC) (14) and an upper conveyor (UC) (28). LC shuttles (46) are selectively movable around an LC track (16). UC shuttles (52) are selectively movable around a UC track (30). The LC and UC shuttles are selectively movable to engage a container vertically intermediate of respective LC and UC shuttles. In the container engaged position each container is selectively rotatably and linearly movable so as to be positioned in engagement with applicators (108, 256, 296, 298, 300, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324). The applicators are selectively operative to apply markings to respective containers in operative engagement therewith in a precise and repeatable manner.

A system for labeling a beverage container includes a conveyer structured to receive and transport the beverage container. The beverage container is prefilled with an ingestible content and sealed. The top of the beverage container has a mark that a lid reader uses to determine a orientation position and generate an alignment signal. Can positioning pads use the alignment signal to position the beverage container rotationally until the mark aligns with a reference position. An air blast station may be present to release high pressure air onto an exterior of the beverage container and a sleeve applicator overlay a shrink wrap sleeve around an exterior of the beverage container. A steam tunnel uses steam to cause the shrink wrap sleeve label to shrink onto the beverage container.

A system for labeling a beverage container includes a conveyer structured to receive and transport the beverage container. The beverage container is prefilled with an ingestible content and sealed. The top of the beverage container has a mark that a lid reader uses to determine a orientation position and generate an alignment signal. Can positioning pads use the alignment signal to position the beverage container rotationally until the mark aligns with a reference position. An air blast station may be present to release high pressure air onto an exterior of the beverage container and a sleeve applicator overlay a shrink wrap sleeve around an exterior of the beverage container. A steam tunnel uses steam to cause the shrink wrap sleeve label to shrink onto the beverage container.