GLUE VAPOR SUCTION DEVICE FOR A LABELER, HOT GLUE UNIT WITH THE GLUE VAPOR SUCTION DEVICE, AND HOT GLUE METHOD

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a hot glue method for applying hot glue onto labels and/or containers using the hot glue unit, and to a glue vapor suction device for a labeler, comprising a suction opening, a suction, a pre-separation unit, a filter unit, and an outlet opening, which are arranged in communication with one another successively by lines in a direction of flow of the glue vapor through a fluid line system. At least one sensor system is arranged in the suction for verifying proper operation of the glue vapor suction. A hot glue unit is provided comprising at least one glue roller, a glue container, and a housing in which the glue roller is arranged. The hot glue unit comprises a glue vapor suction device connected to the housing for sucking glue vapor from the interior of the housing before it exits the hot glue unit.

Claims

1. A glue vapor suction device for a labeler comprising a suction opening, a suction, a pre-separation unit, a filter unit, and an outlet opening, which are arranged in communication with one another by lines successively in a direction of flow of glue vapor through a fluid line system, wherein at least one sensor system is arranged in the suction for verifying proper operation of glue vapor suction.

2. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system is configured to be arranged at different positions in the suction.

3. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system comprises a differential pressure gauge that is configured to measure and output a value of a differential pressure.

4. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 3, further comprising a control device that is configured to compare a given limit value of the differential pressure with the value of the differential pressure and to output a warning message if the given limit value is exceeded or falls short.

5. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 4, wherein the control device is furthermore configured to cause a hot glue unit from which the glue vapor originates and/or the glue vapor suction device to be shut down when the differential pressure exceeds the given limit value.

6. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system comprises a temperature gauge that is configured to measure and output a value of a temperature.

7. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 6, further comprising a further control device which is configured to compare a given limit value of the temperature with the value of the temperature and to output a warning message if the given limit value is exceeded.

8. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 7, wherein the further control device is further configured to cause a hot glue unit from which the glue vapor originates and/or the glue vapor suction device to be shut down when the temperature exceeds the given limit value.

9. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system arranged in the suction is arranged between the suction and the filter unit.

10. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one droplet separator.

11. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 1, wherein an outer wall of the pre-separation unit is configured to be coolable.

12. A hot glue unit comprising at least one glue roller and a glue container, as well as a housing in which the glue roller is arranged, wherein the hot glue unit comprises the glue vapor suction device according to claim 1 connected to the housing.

13. A hot glue method for applying hot glue onto labels and/or containers using the hot glue unit according to claim 12, wherein the glue vapor suction device connected to the housing of the hot glue unit sucks the glue vapor from an interior of the housing before the glue vapor exits the hot glue unit and where the proper operation of the glue vapor suction is verified by way of the at least one sensor system.

14. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 4, wherein the control device is configured to provide an acoustic and/or visual output of the warning message.

15. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 7, wherein the further control device is configured to provide an acoustic and/or visual output of the warning message.

16. The glue vapor suction device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one droplet separator is configured to be coolable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] FIG. 1 is intended for better understanding and for the illustration of aspects of the disclosure and shows a schematic view of a hot glue unit with a glue vapor suction device for a labeler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a hot glue unit 13 with a glue vapor suction device 1 for a labeler. Hot glue unit 13 comprises a housing 15 in which at least one glue roller is arranged. In addition, hot glue unit 13 comprises a glue container 14 which is in communication with housing 15 for being able to supply the at least one glue roller with glue.

[0048] Housing 15 can be regarded to be substantially enclosed. In addition to the connection to glue container 14, the housing can have a connection opening or the like to which suction opening 2 of glue vapor suction device 1 can be connected for glue vapor suction.

[0049] Glue vapor suction device 1 comprises suction opening 2 and an adjoining suction 3. For example, housing 15 and suction 3 are configured such that no glue vapor can exit housing 15 except via suction 3. Housing 15 together with glue vapor suction device 1 can therefore be considered to be a substantially closed system.

[0050] A droplet separator 10 can be arranged when viewed in a direction of flow 7 of the glue vapor downstream of suction 3. Droplets of glue can be separated from the glue vapor in droplet separator 10. Droplet separator 10 can be configured to be coolable so that, for example, a temperature can be generated that is lower than a condensation temperature of the glue components contained in the glue vapor.

[0051] One or more fans (not shown) can be arranged downstream and/or upstream of droplet separator 10 for generating a flow for transporting the glue vapor from suction 3 in direction of flow 7 to and through droplet separator 10.

[0052] Arranged downstream of droplet separator 10 is a collection container 9 in which the droplets separated in droplet separator 10 as well as in a pre-separation unit 4 arranged downstream of droplet separator 10 can be collected.

[0053] Pre-separation unit 4 can generate air turbulence in the form of a “cyclone”, for example, by way of one or more fans. As a result, the droplets that are still contained in the glue vapor after exiting droplet separator 10 can be separated from the remaining glue vapor for the reason that a centrifugal force acts upon them which drives them to the outer wall of pre-separation unit 4. Pre-separation unit 4 can comprise, for example, small pores or other openings at suitable points in pre-separation unit 4 through which liquid from the separated droplets can reach collection container 9.

[0054] A filter unit 5 is arranged downstream of pre-separation unit 4 and upstream of an outlet opening 6. Viewed in direction of flow 7, filter unit 5 can comprise one or more filters, for example, a fine filter and a paper filter with activated carbon, arranged downstream of the fine filter.

[0055] While the liquid residue of the glue vapor can be sucked in the form of separated droplets by droplet separator 10 and pre-separation unit 4, the filter unit can also filter small particles.

[0056] Arranged upstream of pre-separation unit 4 and/or optionally of filter unit 5 can be one or more fans (not shown), the direction of rotation of which is oriented such that the glue vapor is sucked from housing 15 through suction opening 2, and can be supplied to droplet separator 10, to pre-separation unit 4, and to filter unit 5.

[0057] The glue vapor exiting glue vapor suction device 1 through outlet opening 6 can have breathing air quality, for example, also clean room quality.

[0058] The elements of glue vapor suction device 1 are in communication with one another by lines via a fluid line system 8. The one or more fans for generating a flow in direction of flow 7 can be arranged in fluid line system 8.

[0059] A first sensor system 11 and a second sensor system 12 are comprised by glue vapor suction device 1 in FIG. 1 by way of example for verifying proper operation of the glue vapor suction.

[0060] First sensor system 11 can comprise a temperature gauge which can be configured to measure and output a value of a temperature, for example, of the glue vapor in the region of the temperature gauge. The temperature can rise, for example, if the glue vapor is not sucked sufficiently or not at all.

[0061] A control device can compare a given limit value of the temperature with the measured value of the temperature and output a warning message if the given limit value is exceeded. The warning message can be output acoustically and/or visually.

[0062] The control device can be further configured to cause a hot glue unit from which the glue vapor originates and/or the glue vapor suction device to be shut down when the given limit value of the temperature is exceeded.

[0063] Second sensor system 12 can comprise a differential pressure gauge that is configured to measure and output a value of a differential pressure. During the operation of glue vapor suction device 1, a reduction in the differential pressure measured can arise if filter unit 5 gradually clogs and/or if one or more fans in the fluid line system are not operating properly.

[0064] A given limit value of the differential pressure can be compared with the measured value of the differential pressure by way of a further control device of glue vapor suction device 1 and a warning message can be output if the value falls short of the given limit value. The warning message can be output acoustically and/or visually.

[0065] The control device can be additionally configured to cause a hot glue unit from which the glue vapor originates and/or the glue vapor suction device to be shut down when the differential pressure falls short of the given limit value.

[0066] The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.