Labelling machine with winding device for a carrier film

Abstract

A labelling machine with a labelling device, which has a feeder unit for feeding a backing strip, which is provided with detachable labels, and a transfer unit for transferring the labels from the backing strip onto an object that is to be labelled. The labelling machine further has a winding device for winding a section of the backing strip from which labels have been detached, containing at least one guidance unit with a guidance element, along which the backing strip section can be guided in a direction of transport, and a winding unit, which is mounted downstream of the at least one guidance element, and includes fixing means, on which a free end section of the backing strip section can be fixed, whereby the fixing means are arranged on a winding core that can rotate about an axis of rotation, and follow a rotational movement of the winding core.

Claims

1. A labelling machine with a labelling device, which has a feeder unit for purposes of feeding a backing strip, which is provided with detachable labels, and a transfer unit for purposes of transferring the labels from the backing strip onto an object that is to be labelled, wherein the labelling machine furthermore has a winding device for purposes of winding on a section of the backing strip from which the labels have been detached, containing at least one guidance unit with a guidance element, along which the backing strip section can be guided in a direction of transport, and a winding unit, which is mounted downstream of the at least one guidance element, and comprises fixing means, on which a free end section of the backing strip section can be fixed, wherein the fixing means are arranged on a winding core that can rotate about an axis of rotation, and follow a rotational movement of the winding core, wherein the winding unit has as fixing means at least two pins extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding core and parallel to one another, and spaced apart from one another in a radial direction, wherein at least one of the pins can be moved independently from at least one other of the pins between an extended position and a retracted position, in which the pin in question protrudes less or not at all.

2. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the winding device further comprises a fan unit with at least one air outlet, which is aligned such that an airflow that exits from the latter deflects the backing strip section, after this has passed the guidance element, in a direction of the winding core.

3. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the winding device further comprises a parting unit with a parting element selected from the group consisting of a knife, a saw blade, one or a plurality of needles, a laser cutting head, and a rotatable parting disc, which can be moved into a position in which a severance of the backing strip section can take place.

4. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the winding device further comprises a sensor unit with at least one sensor for purposes of determining a position of an outer layer, and/or a diameter or radius or weight of a backing strip roll formed from a backing strip section wound on by means of the winding unit.

5. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the winding unit has as fixing means at least three pins extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding core and parallel to one another, and spaced apart from one another in the radial direction.

6. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 5, wherein all pins can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position, in which the fixing means in question protrudes less or not at all.

7. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein a bearing element for being contacted by the end section is provided a surface of which lies on an imaginary straight line that runs through the axis of rotation of the winding core, and which lies tangentially on a surface of the guidance element, wherein a distance between the guidance element and the winding core is less than a distance between the guidance element and the bearing element.

8. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 7, wherein the at least one air outlet is designed such that an exiting airflow presses the backing strip section, after the latter has passed the guidance element, against the bearing element.

9. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein the winding device further comprises a fan unit with at least one air outlet, which is aligned such that an airflow that exits from the latter deflects the backing strip section into an inlet of the parting unit.

10. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein the parting element is mounted in a sprung manner.

11. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the winding device further comprises a control unit, which is configured such that, dependent on a signal generated by a sensor or dependent on a programmed or automatically measured value for the backing strip thickness: it can slow down or stop a rotation of the winding core, and in particular can match it to the necessary speed of transport, and it can actuate a parting unit, and it can move the fixing means from the extended position into the retracted position, and it can switch on a fan unit.

12. The labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the winding device further comprises a control unit, which is configured such that dependent on throughput performance of the labelling machine it can move the fixing means from the retracted position into the extended position, and it can initiate or accelerate the rotation of the winding core, and it can switch off a fan unit.

13. A method for the labelling of objects with the use of a labelling machine in accordance with claim 1, in which the following steps are executed: provision of at least one object that is to be labelled, feeding of a backing strip which is provided with detachable labels in a direction of transport to a transfer unit, transfer of labels detached from the backing strip in the transfer unit onto the at least one object that is to be labelled, as a result of which a backing strip section from which labels have been detached is obtained, feeding of a free end section of the backing strip section from which labels have been detached to a winding unit of a winding device, which is mounted downstream of the transfer unit, winding on of the backing strip section from which labels have been detached in the winding device, as a result of which a backing strip roll is obtained, severance of the backing strip section from which labels have been detached, as a result of which the backing strip roll is separated from the remaining backing strip section, and release of the separated backing strip roll from the winding unit, wherein the free end section is fixed to at least two pins, which serve as fixing means, wherein the pins are arranged on a winding core, which is rotatable around an axis of rotation, and follow a movement of rotation of the winding core, wherein the pins are spaced apart from one another in a radial direction and extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding core and parallel to one another, wherein at least one of the pins can be moved independently from another of the pins between an extended position and a retracted position, in which the pin in question protrudes less or not at all.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the free end section of the backing strip section from which labels have been detached is automatically fixed in the winding device.

15. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein a position of an outer layer and/or a diameter or radius or weight of the backing strip roll is determined during the winding operation and with an achievement of a prescribed reference value or range of reference values a signal is generated, whereupon, severance of the backing strip section from which labels have been detached is executed.

16. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein in the step of releasing the separated backing strip roll from the winding unit the backing strip roll is automatically released from the winding unit and a subsequent winding operation is automatically started.

17. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein dependent on a signal generated by a sensor or dependent on a programmed or automatically measured value for a backing strip thickness, a rotation of the winding core is slowed down, stopped, or matched to a necessary speed of transport the backing strip section is severed, the backing strip roll is released from the winding unit, or a fan unit blowing air onto the free end section of the backing strip section is switched on.

18. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein dependent on throughput performance of the labelling machine, at the start of the winding operation the free end section of the backing strip section is fixed, the rotation of a winding core, which carries a later backing strip roll, is initiated or accelerated, or a fan unit blowing air onto the free end section of the backing strip section is switched off.

Description

(1) There are now a multiplicity of options for configuring and developing further the labelling machine 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, and on the other hand to the description of examples of embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a labelling machine in accordance with the present invention,

(3) FIG. 2a) shows a schematic representation of a first example of embodiment of a winding device of a labelling machine according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 2b) shows a schematic representation of a second example of embodiment of a winding device of a labelling machine according to the invention,

(5) FIG. 2c) shows a schematic representation of a third example of embodiment of a winding device of a labelling machine according to the invention,

(6) FIG. 2d) shows a schematic representation of a fourth example of embodiment of a winding device of a labelling machine according to the invention,

(7) FIG. 2e) shows a schematic representation of a fifth example of embodiment of a winding device of a labelling machine according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 2f) shows a schematic representation of a sixth example of embodiment of a winding device of a labelling machine according to the invention,

(9) FIG. 3a) shows a schematic representation of a first example of embodiment of a parting unit for a winding device in accordance with FIGS. 2a) to f),

(10) FIG. 3b) shows a schematic representation of a second example of embodiment of a parting unit for a winding device in accordance with FIGS. 2a) to f),

(11) FIG. 3c) shows a schematic representation of a third example of embodiment of a parting unit for a winding device in accordance with FIGS. 2a) to f),

(12) FIG. 4a) shows a schematic representation of a first example of embodiment of a winding core for a winding device in accordance with FIGS. 2a) to f),

(13) FIG. 4b) shows a schematic representation of a second example of embodiment of a winding core for a winding device in accordance with FIGS. 2a) to f),

(14) FIG. 1 shows in a schematic representation the principles of a labelling machine 1 in accordance with the present invention, which has a labelling device 2 and a winding device 6. The labelling device 2 has a feeder unit 2.1 for purposes of feeding a backing strip 3, which is provided with detachable labels 4, and a transfer unit 2.2 for purposes of transferring the labels 4 from the backing strip 3 onto an object 5 that is to be labelled. The object 5 that is to be labelled is thereby, as is represented with arrows, transported on a transport belt 8 or similar through the transfer unit 2.2, whereby, as is represented in FIG. 1, before entry into the transfer unit the object 5 (the left-hand object in FIG. 1) does not yet bear any designated label 4, whereas after passing through the transfer unit 2.2 a label 4 has been adhesively attached onto the object 5 (the right-hand object in FIG. 1).

(15) As stated, the labels 4 are detachably fitted to a backing strip 3, which here is provided as a continuous roll 3.3. The backing strip 3 is unrolled from the said continuous roll 3.3, guided through the transfer unit 2.2 and then, after some or all of the labels 4 have been detached from the backing strip 3, is fed to a winding device 6.

(16) FIGS. 2a) to f) show examples of embodiment of a winding device 6.

(17) In principle the section 3.1 of the backing strip 3 from which labels 4 have been removed is wound on in the winding device 6, as a result of which a backing strip roll 3.2 is formed. In order to be able to fix a free end section 3.11 of the backing strip section 3.1 automatically in a winding unit 6.2 of the winding device 6 a fan unit 6.3 is provided as an aid, which can direct a directed airflow S onto the backing strip section 3.1 for purposes of exact positioning of the end section 3.11. A sensor unit 6.5 detects when the backing strip roll 3.2 has achieved a predetermined size, whereupon the backing strip section 3.1 can be severed by means of a parting unit 6.4. The backing strip roll 3.2 can then be released and removed from the winding device 6, whereupon a new winding operation can begin. The backing strip roll 3.2 removed from the winding device 6 can then be disposed of.

(18) The examples of embodiment in FIGS. 2a) to f) have in common the fact that the winding device 6 has a guidance unit 6.1 with a guidance element 6.11, on which the backing strip section 3.1 can be guided along in a direction of transport T, and a winding unit 6.2, which is mounted downstream of the at least one guidance element 6.11, and the fixing means 6.21, on which a free end section 3.11 of the backing strip section 3.1 can be fixed, whereby the fixing means 6.21 are arranged on a winding core 6.22 that can rotate about an axis of rotation X, and follow a rotational movement of the winding core 6.22.

(19) In accordance with the schematically represented examples of embodiment in FIGS. 2a) to f), the winding device 6 furthermore has a fan unit 6.3 with at least one air outlet 6.31, which is aligned such that an airflow S that exits from the latter deflects the backing strip section 3.1, after this has passed the guidance element 6.11, in the direction of the winding core 6.22.

(20) In addition the individual examples of embodiment of the winding device 6 also have a parting unit 6.4 with a parting element 6.41, for example a knife, a saw blade, or a rotatable parting disc, whereby the parting element 6.41 can be moved into a position in which a severance of the backing strip section 3.1 can take place. In the examples of embodiment represented the parting element can also be designed as a laser cutting head, whereby the cut is then effected by heating of the backing strip section 3.1 by means of the laser beam.

(21) Finally, in all the examples represented, the winding device 6 has a sensor unit 6.5, which is provided with at least one sensor 6.51, which is suitable for purposes of determining the position of the outer layer 3.12, and/or the diameter, or the radius, of a backing strip roll 3.2, which has been generated by means of the winding unit 6.2 from the backing strip section 3.1. It is also conceivable to provide a sensor that determines the weight of the backing strip roll 2.3, the latter could then be arranged in the rotation shaft or the winding core 6.22.

(22) In accordance with FIG. 2a) four pins 6.21 are arranged as fixing means 6.21 on the winding core 6.22; these extend parallel to the axis of rotation X of the winding core 6.22 and parallel to one another, and are spaced apart from one another in the radial direction r. The pins 6.21 all have the same distance from one another, and all also have the same distance from the axis of rotation X. The pins 6.21 can all be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. Of the four pins 6.21, in order to be able to start a winding operation, in the first instance two, each opposed to one another, between which therefore the axis of rotation X runs, can be arranged in the extended position (pins in FIG. 2a), each symbolised by dark points), while the other two pins, which are also opposed, are in the retracted position (pins in FIG. 2a), each symbolised by light points).

(23) The two extended pins 6.21 serve as a bearing for the end section 3.11 of the backing strip section 3.1 that is to be fixed on the winding core 6.22. Thus the end section 3.11, after this has passed the guidance element 6.11, is deflected by an airflow S from the air outlet 6.31 in the direction of the winding core 6.22 and the two extended pins 6.21, until the end section 3.11 bears upon the two extended pins (this starting position of the end section 3.11 before the start of the fixing and winding operations is represented by a dashed line in FIGS. 2a) to f)). In this special case the winding core 6.22, at the moment when the end section 3.11 makes contact with the pins 6.21, has a position such that the extended pins 6.21 are arranged on an imaginary straight line G, which runs parallel to a straight line G, which runs through the axis of rotation X of the winding core 6.22, and which lies tangentially on the surface of the guidance element 6.11.

(24) The two pins that have been lowered up to this point are then also traversed into the extended position, as a result of which the end section 3.11 is clamped between the pins 6.21. The fan unit 6.3 is thereupon switched off. As soon as the sensor 6.51 determines a particular thickness of the backing strip roll 3 an appropriate signal is transmitted to a control unit 6.6. The parting unit 6.4 thereupon severs the upper layer 3.12 of the backing strip section 3.1 that has been wound on to form a roll 3.2. For the severance operation the rotation of the winding core 6.22 can be stopped or slowed down. However, the winding core 6.22 can also continue to rotate with the same speed during the severance operation.

(25) The severance operation takes place, for example, by means of a parting unit, as is represented in FIG. 3a). The parting unit represented in FIG. 3a) has a saw blade 6.41, which is eccentrically mounted, and thereby executes a movement that has a vertical and a horizontal component. The vertical component of movement is here designated as a travel H. The travel H lies, for example, at 1 to 2 mm. In the lower travel position the saw blade 6.41 touches the surface of the backing strip section 3.1 that is to be severed. At the same time the saw blade 6.41 is mounted in a sprung manner (not represented) in the vertical direction, that is to say in the direction of the travel movement, so that a particular force applied by the saw blade 6.41 onto the surface that is to be severed is not exceeded. The horizontal component of movement is effected by a horizontally oscillating drive, in FIG. 3a), for example, by an electromagnetic drive 6.44 with a magnet guided in an electrical coil. The severance operation could also take place by means of a parallel knife 6.41, as is represented in FIG. 3b) and is further described in what follows. Alternatively a parting unit 6.4 with a plurality of needles 6.45 can also be provided (FIG. 3c); these serve to perforate the backing strip section 3.1, so that the latter independently tears through at this point.

(26) In the example of embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2a), after the severance operation has taken place, all four pins 6.21 are lowered, as a result of which the backing strip roll 3.2 is released and can be disposed of.

(27) The example of embodiment of a winding device 6 in FIG. 2b) is constructed in a similar manner. Here, however, the four pins 6.21 always move simultaneously into the retracted or the extended position. In order before the start of the winding operation to be able to fix the end section 3.11 onto the pins 6.21, in the first instance all pins 6.21 are lowered, whereupon the airflow S from the air outlet 6.31 deflects the still free end section 3.11 in the direction of a straight line G, which runs through the axis of rotation X of the winding core 6.22, and which lies tangentially on the surface of the guidance element 6.11. Here the end section 3.11 bears upon a bearing element 7, the surface of which also lies on the imaginary straight line G. In this manner it is ensured that the backing strip section 3.1 runs through the region of rotation of the pins 6.21, and is automatically clamped by the pins 6.21 in the extended state.

(28) A further difference between FIG. 2a) and FIG. 2b) is that in FIG. 2a) the winding core 6.22 lies vertically underneath the outer edge of the guidance element 6.11, so that gravitational force aids the positioning of the still free end section 3.11 in the region of the winding core 6.22. In FIG. 2b), in contrast, the winding core 6.22 does not lie vertically underneath the outer edge of the guidance element 6.11, but instead is laterally displaced from this position towards the labelling device 2. The displacement can also be provided in the other direction, that is to say, away from the labelling device 2.

(29) Both in the case of FIG. 2a), and also in the case of FIG. 2b), the airflow S is aligned at an angle to an imaginary straight line that runs through the axis of rotation X and lies tangentially on the guidance element 6.11. In FIG. 2c), on the other hand, the airflow S runs parallel to an imaginary straight line G that runs through the axis of rotation X of the winding core and lies tangentially on the surface of the guidance element 6.11. In the latter example of embodiment the parallel alignment of the airflow S ensures that the still free end section 3.11 moves into the region of rotation of the pins 6.21 without the need for a bearing element 7. The example of embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2c) corresponds with that shown in FIG. 2b), whereby in FIG. 2c) the said bearing element 7 has been omitted.

(30) FIG. 2d) shows an example of embodiment of a winding device 6, which essentially corresponds with that in FIG. 2a). However, in FIG. 2d) a parallel incident flow onto the still free end section 3.11 is provided, whereas the incident flow in FIG. 2a) is selected to be at an angle.

(31) In the example of embodiment in FIG. 2e) there takes place, as in the example of embodiment in FIG. 2d), similarly a parallel incident flow onto the free end section 3.11 by the airflow S; here, however, the parting unit 6.4 is not arranged at the side of the roll 3.2, but rather vertically above the roll in a region in which the backing strip section 3.1 is not yet wound onto the roll, and accordingly therefore has not yet passed the guidance element 6.11. Here the latter forms the exit from the parting unit 6.4, so that in this example of embodiment the guidance element 6.11 is part of the housing of the parting unit 6.4.

(32) In FIG. 2e) the parting unit 6.4 has a two-part parting element 6.41 in the form of a parallel knife. This is schematically represented in FIG. 3b). Each of the two blades of the parallel knife 6.41 is mounted eccentrically and executes a synchronous movement relative to the other with a vertical component and a horizontal component, whereby, as in FIG. 3a), here too the horizontal component is effected by an electromagnetic drive 6.44 with a magnet guided in an electrical coil. The latter is in addition connected with a spring 6.43 for purposes of aiding the oscillating movement. Such a parallel knife has the advantage that the blades, which sever the backing strip section 3.1 from above and from underneath, can be pulled back out of the transport path to the extent that after the severance operation the new end section 3.11 can be guided through the gap between the cutting edges without the risk of any entanglement.

(33) In order to aid the guidance of the end section further, an additional fan unit 6.3 is provided in the example of embodiment in FIG. 2e); this has two air outlets 6.31, of which one is arranged below the backing strip section 3.1 and one above. The two exiting flows of air S are aligned at an angle to the direction of transport T and enable the guidance of a previously separated free end section of the backing strip section 3.1 into the opening, i.e. the inlet 6.42 of the parting unit 6.4, which here is designed in the shape of a funnel.

(34) In addition in the example of embodiment in FIG. 2e) a sensor unit 6.5 with a sensor 6.51 is also provided, which can determine the position of the outer layer 3.12 of the backing strip roll 3.2.

(35) FIG. 2f) shows yet another example of embodiment, which essentially corresponds with that shown in FIG. 2e), whereby however in the example of embodiment in FIG. 2f) the winding core 6.22, in particular its axis of rotation, lies in the same plane in which the backing strip section 3.1 is fed out of the labelling device 2. In this particular example this plane, in which the lower edge of the guidance element 6.11 also runs, runs horizontally. Here therefore the backing strip section 3.11 is fed onward by the guidance element 6.11 in precisely the horizontal direction to the winding core 6.22 at the moment when a new winding operation begins. In order to ensure the guidance of the end section 3.11 by the guidance element 6.11 to the winding core 6.22, two air outlets 6.31 are provided in this example of embodiment, of which one is arranged below the backing strip section 3.1 and one above. The airflows S exit in the same direction and at the same angle to the direction of transport T as the airflows S of the air outlets 6.31.

(36) FIGS. 4a) and b) in each case show in perspective a winding core 6.22 in the state in which all pins 6.21 are projecting fully. Here FIG. 4a) shows an example of embodiment in which the pins 6.21 all project to the same extent, while FIG. 4b) shows an example of embodiment in which the pins in the fully extended position project to different extents. The pins 6.21 projecting the furthest in this position then serve to bear upon the end section of the backing strip section 3.1, whereby the pins projecting less far serve to fix the said end section for purposes of winding.

(37) Finally in all examples of embodiment a winding device 6 and a control unit 6.6 are provided, which can execute one or a plurality of the following functions: stopping or starting of the rotation of the winding core 6.22, stopping or starting of the parting unit 6.4, movement of one or a plurality of fixing means, or pins 6.21, into the extended position, or into the retracted position, switching on or off of one or a plurality of fan units.