LABELLING DEVICE, LABELLING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AFFIXING A LABEL TO A PRODUCT

Abstract

The invention relates to a labelling device (1), in particular price labelling device, for providing a product (2) with a label (3), with at least one scale (4) for weighing the product (2), with at least one handling system (5) for moving the product (2) and with at least one printer (6) comprising a label outlet (6.1) for printing and outputting labels (3). In order to reduce the complexity, the invention proposes that the handling system (5) can be moved from a product pickup position (I), in which the product (2) can be picked up by the handling system (5), to a first label acceptance position (II), which is located adjacent to the label outlet (6.1) of the printer (6) and in which a first label (3) can be transferred onto the product (2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a labelling system (11) with multiple such labelling devices (1) and to a method for providing a product (2) with a label (3).

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A labelling device for providing a product with a label comprising: at least one scale for weighing the product; at least one handling system for moving the product; and at least one printer comprising a label outlet for printing and outputting labels; wherein the handling system comprises a product holding unit with means for fixing the product on the handling system, and a robot arm that is coupled to the product holding unit, wherein the handling system is configured to move from a product pickup position, in which the product can be picked up by the handling system, to a first label acceptance position, which is located adjacent to the label outlet of the printer and in which a first label can be transferred onto the product, and wherein the product holding unit by means of the robot arm is configured to move into the product pick-up position and into the first label acceptance position.

27. The labelling device according to claim 26, wherein the labelling device comprises at least one first and one second printer each comprising a label outlet for printing and outputting labels, wherein the label outlet of the first printer is horizontally and/or vertically spaced from the label outlet of the second printer, and wherein the handling system is configured to move both into the first label acceptance position, which is located adjacent to the label outlet of the first printer and in which a first label is transferrable onto the product, and also into a second label acceptance position, which is located adjacent to the label outlet of the second printer and in which a second label is transferrable onto the product.

28. The labelling device according to claim 27, wherein the handling system is configured to move from the first label acceptance position into the second label acceptance position.

29. The labelling device according to claim 28, wherein the printers and/or the label outlets of the printers are orientated in such a manner that in the label acceptance positions, the adhesive sides of the labels to be dispensed via the two label outlets face one another.

30. The labelling device according to claim 27, wherein the first label acceptance position is identical to the second label acceptance position.

31. The labelling device according to claim 26, wherein the handling system in the first label acceptance position is configured to be positioned relative to the label outlet in at least two different orientations.

32. The labelling device according to claim 26, wherein the handling system is configured to move into a packaging position, which is located downstream of the first label acceptance position and/or a second label acceptance position, and in which the product is put down on a carrier and inserted into an outer package.

33. The labelling device according to claim 26, wherein the labelling device comprises at least two scales which are arranged next to one another and/or behind one another.

34. The labelling device according to claim 26, wherein the labelling device comprises a product buffer for receiving multiple products, which is located downstream of the at least one scale and which is arranged adjacent to the at least one scale, wherein the product pickup position is located within the product buffer or adjoining the product buffer.

35. The labelling device according to claim 26, wherein the labelling device comprises a quality control device with one of a vision system and a leakage test system and a scanner, wherein the quality control device is located downstream of the at least one scale or the at least one printer.

36. A labelling system with multiple labelling devices according to claim 26, wherein the labelling devices comprise a common product buffer, which is located downstream of the scales and which is arranged adjacent to the scales, wherein transport means for transporting the product from the respective scale to the product buffer are provided, and wherein the respective product pickup position is located within the product buffer or adjoining the product buffer.

37. A method for providing a product with a label, the method comprising: providing the product; weighing the product; fixing the product on a handling system in a product pickup position, wherein the handling system comprises a product holding unit with means for fixing the product on a handling system, and wherein the handling system picks up the product; printing a first label and positioning the first label in a first label acceptance position; moving the handling system together with the product from the product pickup position to the first label acceptance position, wherein the first label is picked up by the product and adheres thereon, wherein the handling system comprises a robot arm that is coupled to the product holding unit, and wherein the product holding unit by means of the robot arm is moved into the product pick-up position and into the first label acceptance position; and moving the handling system together with the product away from the first label acceptance position.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein a second label is printed and positioned in a second label acceptance position.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the labels are positioned in the label acceptance positions with adhesive sides facing one another, wherein during the step of the moving of the handling system together with the product from the product pickup position into the first label acceptance position the first label is picked up by the product and adheres thereon, wherein the handling system is then moved together with the product from the first label acceptance position to the second label acceptance position, and wherein the second label is picked up by the product and adheres thereon.

40. The method according to claim 38, wherein the first label acceptance position is identical to the second label acceptance position, and wherein during the step of moving of the handling system together with the product from the product pickup position into the first label acceptance position both the first label and also the second label are picked up by the product and adhere thereon.

41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the second label acceptance position is located downstream of the first label acceptance position, wherein the handling system together with the product is moved from the first label acceptance position to the second label acceptance position, and wherein the second label is picked up by the product and adheres thereon.

42. The method according to claim 37, wherein the first label and the second label adhere to different sides of the product.

43. The method according to claim 37, wherein the handling system in the first and/or second label acceptance position is positioned in at least two different orientations relative to the label outlet.

44. The method according to claim 37, wherein the handling system together with the product is moved from the first label acceptance position or the second label acceptance position into a packaging position, in which the labelled product is put down onto a carrier.

45. The method according to claim 37, wherein during the step of weighing, multiple products are weighed simultaneously.

46. The method according to claim 37, wherein after the step of weighing the product(s) is/are transported from the scale onto a product buffer, and wherein the product pickup position is located within the product buffer or adjoining the product buffer.

47. The method according to claim 37, wherein after the step of weighing the product(s) is/are directly picked up from the scale by the handling system.

48. The method according to claim 37, wherein the labelled product passes through a quality control device.

49. The method according to claim 37, wherein multiple products simultaneously pass through the following method steps: providing the product; weighing the product; fixing the product on a handling system in a product pickup position, printing a first label and positioning the first label in a first label acceptance position; moving the handling system together with the product from the product pickup position to the first label acceptance position, wherein the first label is picked up by the product and adheres thereon; and moving the handling system together with the product away from the first label acceptance position.

Description

[0062] Multiple products can also simultaneously pass through one or multiple of the remaining method steps described. There is now a plurality of possibilities of configuring and further developing the labelling device according to the invention, the labelling system according to the invention and the method according to the invention. In this regard reference is made on the one hand to the claims following claim 1, on the other hand to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing it shows:

[0063] FIG. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of a labelling device according to the invention,

[0064] FIG. 2a) a second exemplary embodiment of a labelling device according to the invention,

[0065] FIG. 2b) a part view of a section of the labelling device from FIG. 2a) which is turned by 90° relative to FIG. 2a),

[0066] FIG. 2c) an alternative to the labelling device from FIG. 2b) and

[0067] FIG. 3 an exemplary embodiment of a labelling system according to the invention with two labelling devices.

[0068] In the figures, exemplary embodiments of a labelling device 1 for affixing a label 3 to a product 2 are shown. The product 2 passes through various positions which in the figures are schematically shown in the form of interrupted lines.

[0069] The labelling device 1 in FIG. 1 is equipped with a single scale 4 for weighing the product 2. FIG. 1 shows the state in which a product 2 is already present on the scale 4. The product 2 can be a good which has been provided with a package beforehand, for example in a packaging machine (not shown) located upstream of the scale 4.

[0070] The labelling device furthermore comprises a handling system 5 for moving the product 2 and two printers 6 which each comprises a label outlet 6.1 for printing and outputting labels 3. Substantially in the region between the scale 4 and the printers 6, a product buffer 8 is provided, which for example consists of a plurality of non-driven rollers with parallel axes of rotation that are arranged one behind the other. In addition, an outer package 7 as carrier is shown which serves for receiving multiple of the labelled products 2. Furthermore, a quality control device 10 is provided, which comprises a vision system 10.1, a leakage test system 10.2 and a scanner 10.3.

[0071] Following the weighing, the product 2 is transported to the product buffer 8 via transport means 9, which are schematically shown by an arrow here, where the products 2 are intermediate-stored. The handling system 5, which comprises a product holding unit 5.1 with a gripper for fixing the product 2 on the handling system 5 and a translocating unit 5.2 that is coupled to the product holding unit 5.1 in the form of a robot arm, picks up a weighed product in a product pickup position I from the product buffer 8 and moves the same initially to a first label acceptance position II, which is located adjacent to the label outlet 6.1 of the first printer 6 and in which a first label 3 can be transferred onto the product 2.

[0072] As is evident in FIG. 1, the label 3 projects from the first printer 6 or the associated label outlet 6.1 so far that it automatically comes into contact with the product 2 in the first label acceptance position II and adheres thereon. The product 2 is subsequently moved onto a second label acceptance position III which is horizontally spaced from the first label acceptance position II, which label acceptance position III is located adjacent to the label outlet 6.1 of the second printer 6 and in which a second label 3 can be transferred onto the product 2. Here, too, the label 3 is automatically touched by the product 2 and picked up. In the process, the label 3 that is applied in the first label acceptance position II in the present exemplary embodiment is applied to the top side of the product 2, i.e. to the product side facing against the gravity direction and the label 3 that is applied in the second label acceptance position III to the lower side of the product 2, that is to the product side facing in gravity direction. In other words, the product 2 is provided with a label 3 on opposite sides without having to turn the product 2 in the process. Because of this, the product 2 during the labelling process does not come into contact inside with the product top side, for example transparent sealing foil and therefore does not smudge the same.

[0073] On the labels 3, information is printed which corresponds to data or was generated from data that was detected by the scale 4 during the weighing process, for example the weight of the product 2. Accordingly, the scale 4 and the printers 6 and if appropriate a separate computer (not shown) are connected to one another for secure transmission of data.

[0074] After the labels 3 have been affixed to the product, the product is transported via the handling system 5 to a further station or position, in which the quality control device 10 is located. For control purposes, the quality control device 10 can visually show and/or fluoroscope the product 2 and thereby carry out an automatic visual inspection via the vision system 10.1. Additionally or alternatively, a leakage test system 10.2 can check the tightness, in particular liquid tightness and/or gas tightness of the product 2. Finally, the scanner can read in the information on one or all labels, in particular a barcode for verification purposes.

[0075] Following this, likewise by the handling system 5, the product 2 is moved further to a packaging position IV, in which the handling system 5 places the product 2 into an outer package 7. One after the other, multiple products 2 can be inserted in the outer package 7 here.

[0076] FIG. 2a) shows a further exemplary embodiment of a labelling device 1 according to the invention. The construction and the functioning are identical to those described above by way of FIG. 1 except for the following differences.

[0077] The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2a) differs from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 in that according to FIG. 2a) the two printers 6 are not horizontally arranged next to one another, but vertically on top of one another, which is schematically shown by the two versions in FIGS. 2b) and 2c).

[0078] In the version in FIG. 2b), the two label outlets 6.1 are each orientated in the direction of the other printer 6, so that the dispenser direction of the one printer 6 runs opposite to the dispenser direction of the printer 6 located opposite. The two labels 3 project into the vertical region between the two printers 6 so that in the case that the product 2 is passed through between the two printers 6 by the handling system 5, both labels 3 can simultaneously adhere to the product 2. In this case, the first label acceptance position II and the second label acceptance position III are identical.

[0079] In the version in FIG. 2c), the two label outlets 6.1 of the printers 6 are orientated against the transport direction, in which the product 2 is fed to the printers 6 or guided past the printers 6. Each of the two printers 6 dispenses the respective label 3 in an own label acceptance position II or III, i.e. the in the representation upper printer 6 into the first label acceptance position II and the in the representation lower printer 6 into the second label acceptance position III. In this example, the adhesive surfaces of the labels 3 dispensed from the two printers 6 face one another. The handling system 5 transports the product 2, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2c), into a region between the dispensed labels 3 and there once to the upper label (into the first label acceptance position II) and then to the lower label (into the second label acceptance position III) or vice versa, before the product 2 that is now provided with the two labels 3 is then transported on.

[0080] FIG. 3 finally shows a labelling system 11 which comprises two labelling devices 1, each of which in their function and their construction correspond to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2a)—only the arrangement of the individual stations is slightly different than in FIG. 2a).

[0081] Both labelling devices 1 share a common product buffer 8, wherein multiple scales 4 are arranged upstream of the product buffer 8, on which multiple products 2 can be weighed simultaneously. The weighed products 2 are then transported onto the product buffer 8 where they are intermediate-stored in two rows. The respective first product 2 of each row is then picked up by a respective handling system 5 and, as already explained during the description of FIG. 2a), initially passed through between two printers 6 that are vertically spaced from one another, subsequently guided past a quality control device 10 and finally placed into an outer package 7.

[0082] The two labelling devices 1 are mirror-symmetrically constructed and each comprises two scales 4, one handling system 5 and two printers 6 (arranged on top of one another). Furthermore, each labelling device 1 has an own quality control device 10 and an own station for inserting the products 2 into an outer package 7.