APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LABELLING INDIVIDUAL PACKS

Abstract

An apparatus and method for labelling packs including an advancement device for transporting a pack in a transporting direction, a dispensing device for dispensing a label into a dispensing position, and an application device for applying the dispensed label to the pack. A punch including a punch shank and punch foot moves the dispensed label from a receiving position, where the punch foot receives the label, to a discharging position, where the label is applied to the pack by the punch foot. The punch shank is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis transverse to the transporting direction, and is movable axially in a guide element. The punch shank is connected to a lifting element of a lifting device via an articulation. The lifting element is movable parallel to a direction angled relative to the transporting direction. A first drive with a motor drives the lifting element.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A device for labeling individual packages comprising: a feed mechanism for transporting a respective package in a transport direction (X), a dispensing unit for dispensing a label into a dispensing position, and an application unit for applying the dispensed label on the respective package, wherein the application unit comprises a plunger with a plunger shaft and a plunger base for moving the dispensed label from a pick-up position, in which the label is picked up by the plunger base, into a delivery position, in which the label can be applied on the package by the plunger base, wherein the plunger shaft is mounted such that it is pivotable about at least one first pivoting axis extending transverse to the transport direction (X), wherein the plunger shaft is axially movable in a guide element, which guide element is the only guide element for the plunger, wherein the application unit comprises a lifting apparatus with a lifting element, which is configured to carry out a reciprocating motion parallel to a direction (Y) extending angular to the transport direction (X), and a first drive with a motor that drives the lifting element, and wherein the plunger shaft of the plunger is connected to the lifting element of the lifting apparatus by means of a joint and wherein the guide element is movable in a reciprocating fashion parallel to the transport direction (X).

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the plunger base is immovably connected to the plunger shaft.

24. The device according to claim 22, wherein the plunger base is detachably connected to the plunger shaft.

25. The device according to claim 22, wherein the plunger base is a suction and/or blow-off base.

26. The device according to claim 22, wherein the joint is a cardanic joint.

27. The device according to claim 22, wherein the plunger shaft and/or the plunger base and/or the joint are rotatably mounted about an axis, which extends in the direction (Y) that is aligned angular to the transport direction (X) and in which the lifting element is movable in a reciprocating fashion, and/or about the longitudinal axis of the plunger shaft.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the application unit further comprises a rotating apparatus with a second drive, which drives the joint or the plunger shaft or the plunger base.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the second drive comprises a motor, which is immovable relative to the motor of the first drive.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the joint and/or the plunger shaft and/or the plunger base is rotatable in increments between 0.5 and 2.5°.

31. The device according to claim 22, wherein the guide element is mounted such that it is pivotable about a second pivoting axis, which extends transverse to the transport direction (X) and is spaced apart from the joint and/or from the at least one first pivoting axis.

32. The device according to claim 22, wherein the guide element is movable in a reciprocating fashion parallel to the transport direction (X) together with the second pivoting axis, wherein the application unit comprises an adjusting apparatus with an adjusting element, which is movable in a reciprocating fashion parallel to the transport direction (X), and wherein a third drive with a motor drives the adjusting element.

33. The device according to claim 22, wherein the dispensing unit comprises a holding base for holding the dispensed label in the dispensing position and also in the pick-up position, wherein said holding base comprises at least one contact surface for the dispensed label on its side facing the feed mechanism.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein the holding base comprises two skids, which are spaced apart from one another transverse to the transport direction (X), wherein each of said skids comprises a contact surface for the dispensed label on its side facing the feed mechanism.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein the distance between the skids and/or between at least one of the skids and a plane, in which the plunger shaft carries out its pivoting motion, is variable in a direction (Z) extending transverse to the transport direction (X).

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein a part of the application unit, which is connected to the plunger, and/or the plunger is displaceable relative to the feed mechanism in the direction (Z) extending transverse to the transport direction (X).

37. The device according to claim 22, wherein the plunger base is realized in an exchangeable fashion.

38. A method for labeling individual packages using a device according to claim 22, wherein the plunger base, starting from the pick-up position, is directly moved in a direction extending angular to the transport direction (X) in order to apply the dispensed label, and wherein the plunger base is guided past the front side of the dispensing unit with respect to the transport direction (X) after the label has been applied on the package in the delivery position.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the plunger base is guided along a circulation path, which does not touch or intersect at any point during its entire motion from the pick-up position into the delivery position and back into the pick-up position.

40. The method according to claim 38, wherein the plunger base is spaced apart from the package by 1-60 mm in the direction (Y) extending angular to the transport direction (X) in order to transfer the label to the package, and wherein the plunger base particularly blows off the label on the package.

41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the plunger base is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the plunger shaft during its motion from the pick-up position into the delivery position and/or during its motion from the delivery position into the pick-up position.

42. The method according to claim 38, wherein the distance between the skids and/or between at least one of the skids and a plane, in which the plunger shaft carries out its pivoting motion, is varied in the direction (Z) extending transverse to the transport direction (X) before the plunger base comes in contact with the respective label.

Description

[0033] The inventive device and the inventive method can be realized and enhanced in many different ways. In this respect, we refer to the claims, which are respectively dependent on claims 1 and 16, on the one hand and to the description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings on the other hand. In these drawings:

[0034] FIGS. 1a) and b) show two schematic views of an inventive device prior to picking up a label in viewing directions extending orthogonal to one another,

[0035] FIGS. 2a) and b) show two schematic views of the device at the time, at which the label is picked up, in viewing directions extending orthogonal to one another,

[0036] FIGS. 3a) and b) show two schematic views of the device during the application motion in viewing directions extending orthogonal to one another,

[0037] FIGS. 4a) and b) show two schematic views of the device during the application of the label on a package in viewing directions extending orthogonal to one another,

[0038] FIGS. 5a) and b) show two schematic views of the device during a first segment of a return motion after the application of the label in viewing directions extending orthogonal to one another,

[0039] FIGS. 6a) and b) show two schematic views of the device during a second segment of the return motion after the application of the label in viewing directions extending orthogonal to one another, and

[0040] FIGS. 7a) and b) show two schematic views of the device during a third segment of the return motion after the application of the label in viewing directions extending orthogonal to one another.

[0041] FIG. 1a) shows a side view of a device 1 for labeling packages 2 that may contain products.

[0042] The device 1 comprises a dispensing unit 4 for dispensing a printed label 5 into a dispensing position. In this case, the dispensing position is defined as the position, in which the label 5 is singularized and has been at least predominantly or completely detached from a potentially provided carrier strip, to which it was previously attached together with other labels. Only a holding base 23 of the dispensing unit 4 is illustrated in the figures, wherein the respective label 5 to be applied adheres to said holding base due to a vacuum generated therein. However, the dispensing unit may also comprise a printer and/or a dispensing edge for deflecting a potential carrier strip.

[0043] The device 1 furthermore comprises an application unit 6 for applying the dispensed label 5 on the respective package 2. The application unit 6 is described in greater detail below.

[0044] A feed mechanism 3 (only illustrated in FIGS. 4a) to 7b)) ultimately also forms part of the device 1 and serves for transporting the packages 2 to be labeled in a transport direction X. The feed mechanism may comprise, for example, one or more conveyor belts, on the upper side of which the packages 2 are arranged.

[0045] The application unit 6 comprises a plunger 9, a lifting apparatus 11, a rotating apparatus 16 and an adjusting apparatus 19.

[0046] The plunger 9 comprises a plunger shaft 7 extending along a longitudinal axis A.sub.2, as well as a plunger base 8, and serves for moving a dispensed label 5 from a pick-up position (of the label or plunger base) into a delivery position (of the label or plunger base). The pick-up position is the position, in which the label 5 is picked up by the plunger base 8, and may be identical to the dispensing position, in which a label 5 is made available after it has been singularized and, if applicable, detached from a carrier strip. The delivery position is the position, in which the label 5 can be applied on the package 2 by the plunger base 8 (FIGS. 4a) and b)).

[0047] The plunger shaft 7 is mounted such that it is pivotable about a first pivoting axis S.sub.1′ extending transverse to the transport direction X. The pivoting axis S.sub.1′ is formed by a cardanic joint 15. If the cardanic joint 15 is rotated by 90° about the axis A.sub.1, the plunger shaft 7 is pivotable about the first pivoting axis S.sub.1, which then likewise extends transverse to the transport direction X. The pivoting motion may also take place about a virtual first pivoting axis if neither of the two pivoting axes S.sub.1 and S.sub.1′ extends exactly transverse to the transport direction X.

[0048] The plunger shaft 7 is furthermore mounted such that it is axially movable in a guide element 10, i.e. the plunger shaft 7 can be moved relative to the guide element 10 in the direction of its longitudinal axis A.sub.2. The guide element 10 is the only guide element for the plunger 9 and the only additional bearing (fixing element) for the plunger 9 or the plunger shaft 7 other than the joint 15.

[0049] The application unit 6 comprises a lifting apparatus 11 in order to cause such an axial motion of the plunger shaft 7 within the guide element 10. The lifting apparatus 11 comprises a lifting element 12 that is movable parallel to the direction Y, which extends perpendicular to the transport direction X. A drive 13 furthermore forms part of the lifting apparatus 11. The drive 13 comprises a motor 14 and serves for driving the lifting element 12. The latter is easily distinguishable in a comparison between FIGS. 1b), 2b) and 3b) etc. The motor 14 drives a synchronous belt 26, on which the lifting element 12 is fastened. The lifting element 12 comprises a horizontal section 12a, which is guided on a guide rod 27 extending in the Y-direction and on which the joint 15 is arranged. When the drive 13 is actuated, the synchronous belt 26 either moves in or opposite to the Y-direction and consequently causes a corresponding motion of the section 12a of the lifting element 12 and thereby of the plunger 9.

[0050] The plunger 9 can also carry out a pivoting motion simultaneously with the translatory motion in or opposite to the Y-direction. For this purpose, the guide element 10 is mounted such that it is pivotable about a second pivoting axis S.sub.2, which extends transverse to the transport direction X, i.e. in a direction Z, and is spaced apart from the joint 15 and the first pivoting axis S.sub.1 or S.sub.1′. The guide element 10 is rotatably connected to an adjusting element 20 of an adjusting apparatus 19 and can be moved in a reciprocating fashion thereby parallel to the transport direction X together with the second pivoting axis S.sub.2. The adjusting apparatus 19 comprises a drive 21 with a motor 22 and a synchronous belt 28 for this purpose. The adjusting element 20 is guided in a guide extending parallel to the transport direction X on the one hand and rigidly connected to the synchronous belt 28 on the other hand. When the drive 21 is actuated, the synchronous belt 28 and therefore the adjusting element 20 move in or opposite to the transport direction X. This motion is transmitted to the guide element 10 that in turn carries out a pivoting motion about the axis S.sub.2 due to the plunger shaft 7, which is guided therein and rigidly connected to the joint 15. The motions of the adjusting element 20 and the guide element 10 are particularly distinguishable in a comparison between FIGS. 2a), 3a) and 5a), etc.

[0051] The cardanic-mounted plunger 9 can be moved solely by means of the above-described lifting apparatus 11 and adjusting apparatus 19 such that the plunger base 8 or the label 5 adhering thereto carries out a circulatory motion from the pick-up position (FIGS. 1a) to 2a)) into a delivery position (FIGS. 3a) to 4b)) and back again via several return positions (5a) to 7b)) until the starting position (FIGS. 1a) and b)) is once again reached.

[0052] The plunger 9 initially moves from the starting position illustrated in FIG. 1a) to the center of the label 5 (FIGS. 1a) and b)). The plunger base 8, which is realized in the form of a suction and blow-off base in this case, then picks up the label 5 (FIGS. 2a) and b)) by generating a vacuum. The plunger 9 is then additionally moved such that the label 5 and the plunger base 8 are located vertically above a package 2, wherein the plunger shaft 7 is in this position, which is also referred to as delivery position, preferably aligned exactly perpendicular to the transport direction X and the transverse direction Z and/or the label 5 is aligned parallel to the transport direction X. In this delivery position, in which the plunger base 8 is spaced apart from the upper side of the package 2, for example, by a distance of 10-40 mm, an abrupt overpressure is generated in the plunger base 8 such that the label 5 is blown off and thereby transferred to the upper side of the package 2 (FIGS. 4a) and b)). After the label 5 has been applied to the upper side of the package 2, a return motion is carried out, during which the plunger base 8 initially is additionally moved in the transport direction X and at the same time vertically upward in the Y-direction (FIGS. 5a) and b)). In this case, the plunger base 8 describes an arc and continues to follow the above-described circulation path. During this return motion, the plunger base 8 is guided past the outer (front) edge of the dispensing unit 4 or the holding base 23 pointing in the transport direction X such that the plunger base 8 cannot collide with a new label 5, which already adheres to the holding base 23, during its return motion (FIGS. 6a) and b)). The latter furthermore has the advantage that labels 5, which are longer than those illustrated in the figures, can also adhere to the holding base 23 during the return motion. The plunger 9 is then once again moved opposite to the transport direction X during the return motion (FIGS. 7a) and b)) and ultimately reaches the starting position again (FIGS. 1a) and b)).

[0053] FIGS. 1b), 2b), etc. furthermore show that the holding base 25 may comprise two skids 25 and 25′ that are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction Z, wherein each of said skids comprises a contact surface 24 or 24′ for the dispensed label on its underside facing the feed mechanism 3. In this case, the skids 25 and 25′ can be jointly displaced in the transverse direction Z by means of an exemplary holding rail 29. If so required, the distance between the skids 25 and 25′ can also be varied manually, pneumatically or in a motor-driven fashion. The plunger 9 or the plunger shaft 7 can then likewise be aligned centrally relative to both skids 25 and 25′ in the transverse direction Z.

[0054] In this way, an adaptation of the device 1 or the application unit 6 to different label widths can be realized such that the plunger base 8 can always pick up a label 5—with any label width—in the center (referred to the direction Z). It was already mentioned above that the device 1 or the application unit 6 can also be adapted to different label lengths. This can be achieved by individually positioning the plunger 9 or the plunger shaft 7 in the transport direction X or in the direction of the pivoting motion of the plunger shaft 7 for each label length such that the plunger base 8 can always pick up a label 5—with any label length—in the center (referred to the direction X).

[0055] Ultimately, the rotating apparatus 16 for rotating the plunger 9 and therefore the plunger base 8, which is integrally connected to the plunger shaft 7 in this case, about the longitudinal axis A.sub.2 of the plunger shaft 7 is briefly described below. The rotational motion serves for aligning a label 5 adhering to the underside of the plunger base 8 and is therefore preferably carried out during the application motion of the plunger 9 (i.e. between the pick-up position and the delivery position). A backward rotation of the plunger 9 about the axis A.sub.2 is not absolutely imperative during the return motion, but may basically also be carried out, if so required.

[0056] In order to carry out the rotational motion, the rotating apparatus 6 comprises a drive 17 with a motor 18. The motor consists of a stepping motor that allows a rotation of the joint 15 and therefore of the plunger 9 in 1° increments. According to FIG. 1a), the guide rod 27 is connected to the motor 18 of the rotating apparatus 16 in a rotationally rigid fashion such that the motor 18 can set the guide rod 27 in rotation. The rotational motion of the guide rod 27 is then transmitted to a driving wheel 30 and from there to a driven wheel 32 by means of a synchronous belt 31, wherein the driven wheel 32 is once again connected to the joint 15 in a rotationally rigid fashion. In this way, the rotational motion of the motor or the guide rod 27 is transmitted to the plunger 9.

[0057] A comparison between FIGS. 1b), 2b) and 3b), etc. clearly shows that the driving wheel 30 and the driven wheel 32, as well as the synchronous belt 31, are jointly fastened on the section 12a of the lifting element 12 and can be moved in the Y-direction together therewith. The motor 18, in contrast, is immovably arranged relative to the motor 14 and therefore does not follow the lifting motion of the lifting element 12. Nevertheless, the described rotational motion can be transmitted from the motor 18 to the plunger 9 by means of the (rotatable) guide rod 27 in any position of the lifting element 12 relative to the guide rod 27 (FIG. 1b), FIG. 2b), FIG. 3b), etc.). The latter is realized in that the guide rod 27 is merely connected to the driving wheel 30 in a rotationally rigid fashion, but the driving wheel 30 nevertheless can be axially displaced relative to the guide rod 27 (together with the driven wheel 32 and the section 12a of the lifting element 12).