Abstract
A labeler comprises at least one pusher assembly for pressing labels onto an article web, the pusher assembly being mounted to be adjustable in height. The pusher assembly comprises a base plate, at least one pin cartridge connected to the base plate, and several press-on pins that are received by the pin cartridge and that are mounted at the pin cartridge in a slidable manner between a respective extended position and a retracted position. The press-on pins are each formed as integrally manufactured injection molded parts.
Claims
1. A labeler comprising a pusher assembly for pressing labels onto an article web, the pusher assembly being mounted to be adjustable in height, wherein the pusher assembly comprises a base plate, a pin cartridge connected to the base plate, and several press-on pins that are received by the pin cartridge and that are mounted at the pin cartridge in a slidable manner to be movable between a respective extended position and a retracted position, wherein the press-on pins are each formed as an integrally manufactured injection molded part.
2. The labeler according to claim 1, wherein the press-on pins each comprise a guide pin manufactured at least in sections from a polyamide.
3. The labeler according to claim 2, wherein the polyamide comprises polycaprolactam or nylon.
4. The labeler according to claim 2, wherein each press-on pin comprises at an end of the guide pin a peg that can be received by way of the pin cartridge and a press member at the other end of the guide pin, wherein the guide pin, the peg, and the press member are manufactured integrally.
5. The labeler according to claim 4, wherein at least the guide pin of each press-on pin is reinforced with glass fibers and/or carbon fibers.
6. The labeler according to claim 1, wherein the press-on pins are manufactured entirely from a polycaprolactam or from nylon.
7. The labeler according to claim 1, wherein each press-on pin comprises a guide pin that is reinforced with glass fibers and/or carbon fibers.
8. The labeler according to claim 1, wherein each press-on pin comprises a guide pin that comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane.
9. The labeler according to claim 1, wherein the pusher assembly comprises at least one clamping strip attached to the pin cartridge for holding the press-on pins at the pin cartridge.
10. The labeler according to claim 9, wherein the at least one clamping strip is configured to absorb transverse forces that are caused during a labeling process by way of bent press-on pins and that come into contact with the at least one clamping strip.
11. The labeler according to claim 1, wherein the press-on pins each have a weight of 0.3 g to 0.5 g.
12. A press-on pin for a labeler, the press-on pin comprising a guide pin which is manufactured at least in sections from a polyamide, wherein the press-on pin is usable at a pusher assembly of the labeler for pressing labels onto an article web.
13. The press-on pin according to claim 12, wherein the polyamide comprises polycaprolactam or nylon.
14. A labeler for pressing labels onto an article web, the labeler comprising: a pusher assembly; and multiple press-on pins according to claim 12 attached to the pusher assembly.
15. A method of pressing a label onto an article web by a labeler including a pusher assembly having multiple press-on pins, the method comprising: exerting pressure on the label by several of the multiple press-on pins in order to press the label onto the article web, wherein each of the multiple press-on pins comprises a guide pin that is manufactured at least in sections from a polyamide.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the polyamide comprises polycaprolactam or nylon.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein each of the multiple press-on pins comprises a peg at one end of the guide pin that is received by a pin cartridge of the pusher assembly, and a press member at an opposite end of the guide pin, wherein the guide pin, the peg, and the press member are manufactured integrally.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Embodiments of the disclosure are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, where:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a deep-drawing packaging machine with a labeler according to the disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the labeler in a starting position;
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a view like in FIG. 2 in a labeling position;
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a pusher assembly of the labeler in an isolated view;
[0032] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the pusher assembly shown in FIG. 4;
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a tray sealer at which a labeler according to the disclosure can be used;
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a press-on pin according to the disclosure in an isolated view; and
[0035] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of bendable press-on pins.
[0036] Same components are provided with the same reference signs throughout the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a deep-drawing packaging machine 1 with a sealing station 2 into which a base film 3 and a top film 4 are fed for producing packs 5. For example, twelve packs 5, divided into four lanes S and three rows R, are sealed in one work cycle in sealing station 2. A labeler 6 with a control device 7 is disposed in direction of transport T downstream of sealing station 2 for applying labels 8 at twelve packs 5 per work cycle from above onto top film 4. The control device 7 of labeler 6 can also be integrated into a control device 9 of deep-drawing packaging machine 1. Labeler 6 comprises a label dispenser 10, a positioning device 11 that can be adjusted in direction of transport T, and a transfer device 12.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows label dispenser 10 with a carrier strip 13 for labels 8, wherein labels 8 are detached from carrier strip 13 by way of a dispenser edge 14 and transferred to transfer device 12. For the sake of clarity, transfer device 12 is shown without an enclosure. The non-adhesive upper side of labels 8 can be held on transport belt 16 by way of a negative pressure generated within the enclosure using fans, while a first row R1 of labels 8 having the number of lanes S is picked up by transfer device 12. During this phase, a lifting device 17 of transfer device 12 is in a pick-up position.
[0039] In order to apply row R1 of labels 8 downwardly onto top film 4, positioning device 11 moves label dispenser 10 with transfer device 12 in or opposite direction of transport T to the position in which row R1 of labels 8 is applied from above onto top film 4. Transfer device 12 is then disposed above an article web A. Positioning device 11 is driven by a schematically illustrated servo motor 15a and a toothed belt drive 15b. Transfer device 12, however, can also be positioned above article web A of packs 5 while first row R1 of labels 8 is picked up.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows the phase in which lifting device 17, which comprises several pusher assemblies 18 with spring-loaded press-on pins 19, has been moved downwardly to such an extent that labels 8 are lifted off transport belts 16 by press-on pins 19 and pressed onto top film 4. Pusher assemblies 18 are moved by way of a servo motor 20 and a belt drive 21 to the target position. The target position can be set by the operator such that an optimal and predefined press-on force is generated for spring-loaded press-on pins 19 pressing onto labels 8.
[0041] One of pusher assemblies 18 shown in FIG. 3 is shown in isolation in FIG. 4. Pusher assembly 18 is of a modular structure. Pusher assembly 18 comprises in particular a base plate 22 as well as a plurality of pin cartridges 23 attached thereto. Respective pin cartridges 23 are attached to base plate 22 by way of several coupling members 24.
[0042] In FIG. 4, six pin cartridges 23 are mounted side-by-side on base plate 22, each configured to receive four press-on pins 19. A pin cartridge 23 is attached on the outer right-hand side in the plane of the image and is only provided for receiving two press-on pins 19.
[0043] FIG. 4 also shows that pin cartridges 23 attached side-by-side on base plate 22 are held together by way of connector strips 25. Several clamping strips 26 are attached below connector strips 25 to respective pin cartridges 23 for attaching press-on pins 19 arranged thereon.
[0044] Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows that respective press-on pins 19 are preloaded by a spring 27 to extended position P1 shown in FIG. 4. When labels 8 are pressed onto top film 4, respective press-on pins 19 can be pushed into pin cartridge 23 carrying them. Press-on pins 19 pushed into pin cartridge 23 are then arranged in a retracted position P2 (see FIG. 8).
[0045] FIG. 5 shows pusher assembly 18 in an exploded view. This shows that pusher assembly 18 as a whole has a multi-part modular configuration, wherein pusher assembly 18 is composed in particular of base plate 22 and pin cartridges 23 that can be attached thereto. This results in manufacturing advantages because base plate 22 can be manufactured from different material than the respective pin cartridges. In particular, this also provides the advantage that no receptacles for the press-on pins 19 have to be manufactured in base plate 22 itself since they are received in the respective pin cartridges 23. Pin cartridges 23 can be manufactured from inexpensive material such as plastic material. This also applies to respective coupling members 24, connector strips 25 shown in isolation in FIG. 5, as well as clamping strips 26.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a tray sealer 28 at which labeler 6 according to the disclosure can be used. Labeler 6 at tray sealer 28 is fed individual packs 5 for the labeling process.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows press-on pin 19 according to the disclosure in an isolated view. Press-on pin 19 comprises a guide pin 29, at the upper end of which a peg 30 can be received by pin cartridge 23 and at the lower end of which a press member 31 is formed. Guide pin 29, peg 30, and press member 31 are manufactured integrally in an injection molding tool. Above all, it is possible for press-on pin 19 shown in FIG. 7 to be manufactured from polycaprolactam (PA6) or from nylon (PA66) in an injection molding process.
[0048] FIG. 8 shows schematically what happens when press-on pins 19 strike an uneven product or packaging surface. Press-on pins 19 bend due to the transverse forces K applied at their press members 31. The bending makes it possible for transverse forces K to be passed on to clamping strips 26 only to a very small extent, if at all. As a result, damage and/or loosening, or detachment of clamping strips 26 can be prevented. As a result, the service times of pusher assembly 18 and therefore the service times of labeler 6 at deep-drawing packaging machine 1 or at tray sealer 28 can be increased, which leads to improved productivity of the packaging machine.
