EP0006505A2 - Labelling apparatus for flat articles, such us audio cassettes, video cassettes or similar articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a labeling device for labeling flat objects, such as compact cassettes, video cassettes or the like, with labels arranged in a storage stack for transfer to label holders, the label holders having suction bores which can be pressurized to accept the labels and having depressions the objects and openings and the edges of the labels are provided with corresponding, bevelled projections, and with a device for making the labels adhesive. The label holders are arranged radially movably on at least one step-wise rotating rotary head and can be moved successively from this to stationary function stations, namely a transfer station, an application station and an application station. A continuously passing transport chain with cams pushing the objects is provided on the rotary head. The application station for applying the labels to the objects is provided with a lifting platform lifting the objects from the continuous transport chain above the height of the cams.

Description

The invention relates to a device for labeling flat objects, such as compact cassettes, video cassettes or the like, with labels arranged in a storage stack for transfer to label holders, the label holders having suction bores which can be acted upon by vacuum to take over the labels and having recesses in the objects and openings and edges of the labels corresponding to bevelled projections are provided, and with a device for making the labels adhesive.

Devices of this type are used for labeling flat objects, such as compact cassettes, video cassettes, tape reels or also vinyl records and similar objects, to which labels stacked in a stack of supplies, after they have been made liable, are to be applied in a well-defined arrangement and orientation.

In US-PS 26 76 726 such a device for applying flexible, perforated labels to objects or articles is described which have a hole or a recess according to the breakthrough of the label exhibit. In this process, the labels are removed from the label stack by suction devices and placed on a shelf. A label holder with a pen aligns the label with the pen. The label is heated to make it adhesive and transferred through the label holder onto the object to be labeled, the pin of the label holder entering the corresponding opening of the object and therefore being able to apply the label exactly to the object. The disadvantage of this method is not only that it cannot work very quickly due to the intermediate storage of the label, but also that labels made of plastic material that are to be made liable by heating are quite expensive or that paper labels to be made liable by heating are in a completely separate one , previous process must be provided with hot-melt adhesive, which also involves a considerable cost factor.

US Pat. No. 2,764,408 describes a method and a device for removing labels from a stack of labels, in which the labels are removed from the stack of labels by compressed air flowing out of a nozzle and placed on label holders on a rotary head, the label holders only being removed non-positioning adhesive surfaces holding the labels. A particular disadvantage here is that the labels cannot be applied precisely positioned on the object to be labeled below, to which they are brought by means of the rotary head.

DE-GM 18 84 257 describes a device of the generic type for applying labels on a carrier tape to an object by means of a device Rotary head, which is provided with suction and pressure devices. The labels are detached from the label tape in that the suction and pressing device moves radially from the rotary head to the labels and exerts a suction effect when they are touched, whereupon it is withdrawn while taking the label with it. Then the rotary head continues to rotate until the suction and pressing device provided with a label has reached the transport path of the objects to be labeled, where the suction and pressing device moves again radially outward onto the object to be labeled, pressing the corresponding label there, whereby the suction vacuum is switched off and then withdrawn. A disadvantage of this device is that adhesive labels are used which must be applied to a tape beforehand. In addition, an exact positioning of the labels on the objects to be labeled is not possible with the device according to DE-GM 18 84 257.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of the generic type that allows accurate and clean labeling by means of inexpensive labels to be removed from a stack at high speed.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the label holder is arranged to be radially movable on at least one step-wise rotating rotary head and from it to stationary function stations, namely a transfer station in which a label is taken over by one of the label holders, an application station in which the label is adhesive is made, and an application station for applying the labels on the Objects that are movable; that a conveyor chain running past the rotary head is provided with cams pushing the objects; and that the application station is provided with a lifting platform lifting the objects from the continuous transport chain above the height of the cams.

In the device according to the invention, the labels are thus transported step by step from the transfer station or the storage stack provided therein to the application station by at least one rotary head provided with radially movable label holders and are subjected to at least the following functions when the rotary head is at a standstill: transfer of the labels by the label holder in the transfer station , Adhesion of the labels in the application station, lifting of the objects, in particular cassettes, from the continuously moving transport chain for applying the labels by radially approaching the respective label holder to the object and by breaking off the suction vacuum.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the same, mirror-image, synchronously operating rotary heads with corresponding peripheral stations are arranged on the application station on both sides of the transport chain. By simultaneously labeling the objects to be labeled, such as compact cassettes in particular, on both sides, the overall labeling speed is practically doubled.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that the application station has a horizontally lying application roller which can be provided with connector liquid and can be rotated about its vertically movable axis to apply a connector liquid to the labels.

The fact that the labels are adhered by means of the horizontally lying, movable applicator roller provided with connector liquid results in a clean application of the connector liquid on the label to be applied to the object, because the connector liquid cannot run down asymmetrically, as is the case with a vertically mounted one Role would necessarily be the case. Various known known liquids adapted to the purpose in question can be used as the connecting liquid, such as, for example, solvents such as perchlorethylene, which, when labeling compact cassettes made of plastic material, dissolve the surface of the compact cassette when the labels are applied, thereby ensuring a connection between the cassette and the label. Known suitable adhesives of various types, for example cold glues but also hot-melt adhesives, can also be applied to the labels in order to produce a firm connection between the object to be labeled and the label. The labels can also be provided with adhesive adhesives, so that the labels can later be removed again, for example by the buyer of the labeled object.

Another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that the application roller is covered with fabric. Although it is within the spirit of the invention to provide the application roll with grooves or grooves to improve the application of the connector liquid on the label, an extremely clean application of the connector liquid on the label is achieved by providing the application roll with a fabric covering. As a result, the wetting of the labels can be carried out in an optimal manner. Further preferred embodiments provide that the applicator roll with a stocking around is stretched or that the applicator roller is provided with a clamping device extending over its length, in which a rectangular piece of cloth is clamped on both sides, the latter configuration having the advantage that the piece of cloth can be clamped so firmly that it cannot slip. So that such a clamping device cannot impair the wetting of the labels, according to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention it is provided that the applicator roll can be rolled reversibly such that the clamping device is kept away from the label surface.

Another extremely preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the applicator roller rolls in a connector liquid bath located below it and vertically movable with its axis; and that the vertical distance between the axis of the applicator roller and the lower edge of the label located in a label holder is at least 30 mm. As a result, sufficient wetting of a sufficiently large peripheral surface of the application roller is achieved, so that the entire label can be provided with the connector liquid evenly. In order to remove any superfluous connector liquid from the application roller, since such excessive connector fluid would run down the label and would leave an ugly edge on the lower edge of the label applied to the object, a wiping roller is provided in another embodiment in contact with the application roller is arranged. It has been shown that with an exactly cylindrical applicator roller, the application is not completely uniform over the length of the label; Accordingly, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid applied to a label is distributed uniformly seen that the applicator roller is slightly convex.

The application of the connector liquid to the labels to be applied to the cassettes or the like can be further improved if the device according to the invention has a different design, which is characterized in that the application station, in which the labels are adhered, is opposite the label holder, in essentially vertically arranged moistening plate provided with a moistening cloth, in whose end face facing the moistening cloth opens a plurality of moistening channels near the top edge of the plate, which can be dosed by means of a pump from a central reservoir with the label-making connector liquid; and that a collecting trough for receiving excess connector liquid is arranged below the humidification plate and is connected to the pump via a return line. It is particularly favorable if the moistening cloth is immersed in the connector liquid in the collecting trough, because this creates a wicking effect which ensures particularly uniform moistening of the entire moistening cloth and thus also of the label to be moistened.

A particularly favorable transfer of the labels from the supply stack to the label holder results in one embodiment of the device according to the invention, which is characterized by a guide trough arranged in the transfer station essentially horizontally and radially to the rotary head for receiving the supply stack of essentially vertically arranged labels, whose cross-section corresponds essentially to that of the labels and which on their the label holder or _{R and} rotor head facing front end has at least two opposing contact edges for holding the stack of supplies; a pressure plate arranged longitudinally and slidably in the guide trough, pressing the labels towards the contact edges; and a braking device for relieving the pressure on the printing plate and thus the label supply stack after the label holder has been brought up during the label transfer from the supply stack to the label holder. This embodiment of the device according to the invention enables a flawless, pressure-free transfer of the labels from the supply stack to the label holder.

It has turned out to be problematic that generally in known devices, the dimensionally die-cut labels located in the label supply stack must be printed beforehand. In addition, when changing the labeling of the objects or cassettes to be labeled, the respective labels have to be removed from the stack of labels and the new, differently printed labels have to be inserted into them, which likewise means a considerable expenditure of time and thus a reduction in the production output of the device. In order to avoid these disadvantages and to be able to provide items such as cassettes with information and advertising messages in a time-saving manner, it can be provided in a special embodiment of the device according to the invention that at least one printing station is provided in addition to the transport chain.

The fact that the labels located on the cassettes are printed directly in this embodiment results in better printing and a more colorful design of the labels, which results in particular in far Big underground of the labels give advantages. If, as can be provided according to the invention, the labels applied to both sides of an object are printed at the same time, the need for a counter-bearing is avoided, which would be necessary due to the unstable holding of the objects in the transport path with only one-sided printing. A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the labels are printed continuously, in particular the labels can be printed by means of a vertical, cylindrical print head which rolls on the passing objects provided with the labels.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the labels are printed in multiple colors by means of a plurality of printing stations arranged one behind the other, or that the printed labels are dried with ultraviolet light.

If the objects are to be printed discontinuously, that is to say in a process in which the objects are kept at rest, then according to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention it can be provided that in each case a lifting platform for lifting the objects from the at the printing station or the printing stations continuously running transport chain is arranged, each printing station advantageously having a horizontally arranged, vertically unrollable printing roller.

Overall, the device according to the invention ensures rapid labeling of objects to be labeled, for example when labeling compact cassettes with fixation or precise positioning of both cassettes and labels, a penetration of one hundred and forty cassettes per minute and more can be achieved, while known labeling devices with fixation of the Labels just a puncture of seventy Cassettes per minute and labeling devices of the generic type achieve a penetration of about a hundred cassettes per minute without fixing; This progress is achieved, for example, by avoiding the time-consuming and complex removal of the labels from the carrier tape, to which the labels must also be applied beforehand.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Draufsicht auf ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Etikettiervorrichtung;
• Fig. 2 in Schnittansicht entlang der Linie II-II von Fig. 1 einen Etikettenhalter sowie eine Auftragwalze zum Auftragen der Verbinderflüssigkeit in einer Stellung vor bzw. nach dem Auftragen der Verbinderflüssigkeit;
• Fig. 3 ein abgewandeltes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Etikettiervorrichtung in der Draufsicht;
• Fig. 4 die Auftragstation des in Fig. 3 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispieles in der Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten;
• Fig. 5 die Auftragstation von Fig. 4 in der Draufsicht;
• Fig. 6 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Etikettiervorrichtung in der Draufsicht;
• Fig. 7 die übergabestation des in Fig. 6 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispieles der erfindungsgemäßen Etikettiervorrichtung in der Draufsicht;
• Fig. 8 die Übergabestation von Fig. 7 in der Seitenansicht, teilweise, ebenso wie in Fig. 7, geschnitten; und
• Fig. 9 ein letztes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Etikettiervorrichtung in der Draufsicht.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the claims and from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments are explained in detail with reference to the schematic drawing. It shows:

• Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 1, a label holder and an application roller for applying the connector liquid in a position before or after applying the connector liquid;
• Fig. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention in plan view;
• FIG. 4 shows the application station of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in a side view, partly in section;
• 5 shows the application station from FIG. 4 in a top view;
• 6 shows a further embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention in plan view;
• 7 shows the transfer station of the exemplary embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention shown in FIG. 6 in a top view;
• FIG. 8 shows the transfer station from FIG. 7 in a side view, partially in section, as in FIG. 7; and
• Fig. 9 shows a last embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention in plan view.

The labeling device 10 shown in FIG. 1, which is used for labeling compact cassettes 12, has a linear transport path 14 for transporting the cassettes 12. The cassettes 12 are transported along the transport path 14 by means of a chain 16 and cams 18 standing up from this chain. During transport, the cassettes 12 pass through an application station 20, in which the cassettes 12 are provided with labels 22 on both sides. Parallel to the transport path 14 of the cassettes 12, a station 24 with pressure rollers 26 for pressing the labels 22 onto the cassettes 12 is arranged behind the application station 20. Adjacent to the transport path 14 of the cassettes 12 is further downstream a device 28 for ejecting the cassettes 12 from their normal transport path 14, this device 28 having an ejection roller 34 attached to the end 30 of a pivotable lever 32 for ejecting the cassettes from their transport path 14. The ejection position of the ejection roller 34 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, a cassette 12 ′ which has just been ejected likewise being shown in dashed lines.

Rotary heads 38, 58, each provided with three label holders 36, are arranged on both sides of the transport path 14 for the cassettes 12 at the level of the application station 20 for applying the labels 22 to the cassettes 12. The label holder 36 are mounted around the rotary heads 38, 58 symmetrically at respective angular intervals of 120 ^0th Accordingly, the rotary heads 38, 58 adjacent the application station 20, therefrom by angular distances of 120 ⁰ removed, in each case a transfer station 39 having a label supply stack 40 as well as an application station 42 to the adhesive making the labels 22 by on carry a connector liquid, such as a solvent to dissolve the surface of the cassette or an adhesive. The label holders themselves essentially correspond to label holders or transmission devices, as are described in US Pat. No. 2,676,726, the label holders 36 being provided with outer limiting projections in accordance with the rectangular shape of the labels 22. In addition, the label holders 36 are provided with pins 44, which serve for the exact positioning of the labels on the label holders and can be moved inwards into the label holders against coil springs (not shown) to enable the application of connecting liquid to the labels 22.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the application station 42 essentially has an application roller 46 for applying the connector liquid from a connector liquid bath 48 to a label 22 held on a label holder 36. As stated, the connector liquid which causes the label to be adhesively bonded to a cassette advantageously consists of a solvent dissolving the surface of the cassette, such as perchlorethylene, also known as tetrachlorethylene.

The application roller 46 is provided with a piece of fabric which is clamped in a clamping device 50. The axis 52 of the applicator roller 46 is arranged horizontally. On the upper circumference, the circumferential roller 46 is connected to a correspondingly aligned stripping roller 54. The stripper roller 54 is made of metal, for example. It is essential that the vertical distance d from the axis 52 of the applicator roller 46 to the lower edge of the label 22 located in the label holder 36 is at least about 30 mm, so that the applicator roller 46 when rolled over the label 22 located in the label holder 36, the connector liquid, that is to say the solvent here, being transferred to the label 22, to a sufficient extent in the connector liquid - or circulate solvent bath to be soaked well. In addition to the rotary head 38, a photocell arrangement 56 is provided at the level of the labels in the label holders 36, which is electrically connected to the device 28 so that, in the event that there is no label 22 on a passing label holder 36, the corresponding cassette 12 ' to be ejected from the transport path 14 of the cassettes 12 by the ejection roller 34.

• Bei eingeschalteter Etikettiervorrichtung 10 werden von einem Kassettenstapel 59 in üblicher Weise Kassetten 12 nacheinander in ihren über der Transportkette 16 befindlichen Transportweg gedrückt und von den an der Transportkette 16 befindlichen Nocken 18 jeweils mitgenommen und sodann zur Aufbringstation 20 transportiert. Die Transportkette 16 läuft dabei kontinuierlich durch. Gleichzeitig wird von einem vor dem Etikettenstapel 40 befindlichen Etikettenhalter 36 durch an diesem befindliche Saugeinrichtungen oder -öffnungen (nicht gezeigt) ein Etikett 22 auf den Etikettenhalter 36 gezogen, wobei es durch die oben erwähnten Stifte 44 und Umwandungsvorsprünge positioniert wird, indem die Stifte 44 durch die Ausnehmungen der Etiketten 22 in den Etikettenhalter36 hineintreten. Im folgenden wird das Etikett 22 auf dem Etikettenhalter 36 durch die Saugeinrichtung (nicht gezeigt) festgehalten.

The mode of operation of the device according to the exemplary embodiment described so far, which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is as follows:

• When the labeling device 10 is switched on, a cassette stack 59 presses cassettes 12 one after the other into their transport path located above the transport chain 16 and takes them along with the cams 18 located on the transport chain 16 and then transports them to the application station 20. The transport chain 16 runs continuously. At the same time, a label 22 is drawn onto the label holder 36 from a label holder 36 located in front of the label stack 40 through suction devices or openings (not shown) located thereon, whereby it is positioned by the above-mentioned pins 44 and conversion projections by the pins 44 passing through the recesses of the labels 22 enter the label holder 36. In the following, the label 22 is held on the label holder 36 by the suction device (not shown).

After picking up a label 22 from the supply stack 40, in the rest position of the rotary head 38, the rotary head 38 rotates through 120 ° until the label holder 36, which has just received a label 22, as described above, has reached the application station 42. When passing the photocell arrangement 56, the photocell arrangement 56 checks whether a label 22 is held by the passing label holder. For example, when using bright, in particular white, labels, the label holder 36 has a dark area, so that the photocell arrangement 56, when it detects a passing dark area, sends a signal to the device 28, through which the device 28 introduces the ejection roller 34 into the transport path 14 of the cassettes is switched after a predetermined delay time, the delay time corresponding exactly to the total time from the passage of the corresponding cassette holder 36 past the photocell arrangement 56 to the application station 20 and the further transport of a cassette 12 located at the same time as the corresponding cassette holder 36 in the application station 20, and whose transport passes to the ejection roller 34, so that the cassette 12 'is being ejected, on which there is no label 22 at least on one side, since there was no label to be applied in the label holder 36.

After passing the photocell arrangement 56, the label holder 36 reaches the application station 42. In this position, the rotary head 38 stops again. If there is a label 22 in the label holder 36, the applicator roller 46 becomes, while simultaneously radially pushing out the label holder 36 while pulling back the pins 44 moved upwards from the rotary head 38, the applicator roller 46 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the application roller 46 takes up connector liquid, that is to say solvent, from the liquid bath 48. Excess solvent is retained by the stripping roller 54 contacting the application roller 46. Then the corresponding part of the applicator roller 46, which is sufficiently impregnated with solvent, is guided or rolled over the label 22 located in the label holder 36 and releases sufficient solvent onto the label 22.

The rotary head 38 is then moved further by one station, ie by 120 °, and the just moistened label 22 located in a label holder 36 is brought to the application station 20. At the same time, as already explained above, a cassette is lifted off the transport chain 16 by means of a lifting platform and held in the lifting platform, while the transport chain 16 and the corresponding cam 18 carried by it pass under the cassette 12. The moistened label 22 is pressed against the cassette 12 by radially moving the label holder 36 out. In the same way, a corresponding label 22 is pressed by the opposite label holder 36 against the other side of the cassette 12, and then both label holders are withdrawn again. The rotary head 38 is then moved again by one step, while at the same time the cassette 12 which has just been labeled 22 is being carried out of the lift from the subsequent cassette, and the subsequent cassette is raised again when it arrives at the application station 20, during which it is up to here leading cam 18 passes under it and in the meantime on the Transport chain 16 lowered, just labeled, cassette 12 takes along.

The cassette 12 provided on both sides with labels 22 is then passed through the station 24, in which the pressure roller 26 presses the labels 22 firmly onto the cassette 12. The cassette 12, which is guided beyond the device 28, which is not actuated because the predetermined cassette is provided with labels on both sides, can be handled further, for example for re-stacking and packing or the like.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the application station 42 is designed differently. The application station 42 has, as FIG. 3 shows schematically and FIGS. 4 and 5 show in detail, a vertically arranged humidification plate 86 opposite the label holder 36 of the rotary head 38, below which a collecting trough 100 for excess connection liquid is arranged. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in detail, the humidification plate 86 has a multiplicity of humidification channels 90 opening into its end face, which - see FIG. 5 - are arranged in a horizontal row and are connected to a supply line 92. The supply line 92, in turn, as shown in FIG. 4, is connected to a reservoir 98 for connecting liquid via a supply line 94 and a pump 96, preferably in the form of a fine and precisely metering diaphragm pump. Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows that a collecting trough 100 for excess connecting liquid is arranged below the moistening plate 86 or the label holder 36. The collecting trough 100 in turn stands over a return line 102 with a filter 104, in which particulate suspended materials, such as in particular abrasion from the labels and components of the moistening wipe to be moistened, from the excess connecting liquid flowing back 106, which will be discussed further below, are filtered out in connection with the pump 96.

It is important that the end face of the dampening plate 86 carries the dampening cloth 106 which, as is also to be regarded as essential to the invention, is immersed in the connecting liquid bath in the collecting trough 100. Fig. 5 shows that the dampening cloth 106 is clamped to the vertical longitudinal edge of the humidifying plate 86 at the top in FIG. 5 and is clamped at the opposite vertical longitudinal edge shown in FIG. 5 below at a rotatable bar which is connected via a lever 108 under the Action of a spring 110 is. With this arrangement, the dampening cloth 106 is constantly stretched tight over the end face of the dampening plate 86. Of course, it can also be provided that the moistening cloth is clamped on horizontal devices, but the embodiment shown has proven to be particularly advantageous because this enables the moistening cloth to be immersed in the connecting liquid in the collecting trough 100. Also, as seen in FIG. 5, the upper clamping device for the moistening cloth 106 can of course be designed as a supply roll, so that not only constant re-tensioning but also renewal of the moistening cloth, which is located just in front of the end face of the moistening plate 86, is possible is.

Immersing the moistening cloth 106 in the connecting liquid in the collecting trough 100 is particularly favorable because this creates a wicking effect, which, in conjunction with the well-metered application of connecting liquid to the moistening channels 90, ensures a completely uniform wetting and moistening of the moistening cloth 106 . This prevents Excess adhesive or excess connecting liquid get on the label located on the label holder 36, which ensures a very clean labeling process.

It should also be noted that the humidification plate 86 is floatingly mounted at 112, this bearing can of course be accomplished in a variety of ways familiar to the person skilled in the art, for example by means of bolts which penetrate relatively wide holes and which are supported by springs, or else by ball-and-socket joints. or gimbal storage.

Furthermore, it should also be noted that the moistening plate 86 can in turn be moved pneumatically or hydraulically in the direction of the label holder 36 and away from it, so that in this exemplary embodiment it is not necessary to actuate the displacement device of the label holder 36 in order to remove the label holder bring the worn label into contact with the dampening cloth 106.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the diaphragm pump 96 is preferably controlled as a function of the output, that is to say that when the machine is at rest, very little liquid is conveyed through the humidification channels 90 per unit of time, which is just sufficient to, in connection with the wicking effect described, the moistening cloth 106 to keep it just moistened as required for a first labeling process. The connector fluid metering can then be controlled as a function of the rotational speed of the rotary heads 38, 58, in particular also a cycle-dependent, discontinuous application of the connector channels to the humidification channels 90, for example, every time the rotary heads are at a standstill.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the transfer station 39 now has, in the manner shown in the drawing, a guide trough 60 which runs essentially horizontally and radially to the rotary head 38 or 58 and on which the rotary head 38 - In the following, reference will only be made to this - facing end has two vertical contact edges 62, 64. The supply stack 40, which consists of the vertically arranged individual labels 22, is pressed by a pressure plate 66 in the direction of the label holder 36 or the contact edges 62, 64. 6 shows that the pressure plate 66 is associated with a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit 68 which is firmly connected to it.

As can now be seen in detail from FIGS. 7 and 8, the pressure plate 66 is loaded by a weight 69, 74, 76 via a cord 69, which runs over a deflection roller 70, so that the supply stack 40 is pressed against the contact edges 62, 64 becomes. The piston-cylinder unit 68, which is operated pneumatically and is fixedly connected to the pressure plate 66, has, in the manner shown in FIG. 8, a brake pin 78 which can be pressed against the horizontal running surface 80 of the pressure plate 66 and thus of the guide trough 60 is. As further shown in FIG. 8, two concentric tubes 82, 84 of different diameters and different heights are arranged under the weights 72, 74, 76, on which the individual weights 72 and 74 loosely wound on the cord 69 can come to rest.

• Im Normalzustand ist der Bremsstift 78 nicht betätigt, d.h. also, die Druckplatte 66 wird durch die Kolben-Zylinder-Einheit 68, die als Bremseinrichtung wirkt, hinsichtlich ihres Vorschubes in Richtung auf den Etikettenhalter 36 nicht abgebremst. In diesem Zustand drückt die Druckplatte 66 gewichtsbelastet die Etiketten gegen die Anlagekanten 62, 64. Fährt der Etikettenhalter 36 nun, pneumatisch gesteuert, aus der in Fig. 7 und 8 ersichtlichen Position nach rechts, nämlich in Anlage an den Etikettenstapel 40, so drückt er diesen unter gleichzeitigem geringfügigem Verschieben der Druckplatte 66 nach rechts hinten. In dieser Stellung ist nun das dem Etikettenhalter 36 nächstliegende, abzunehmende Etikett von den Anlagekanten 62, 64 abgehoben. Nun wird in dieser Position die Druckplatte 66 arretiert, indem der Bremsstift 78 ausgefahren wird und breitschlüssig an der Lauffläche 80 der Führungsrinne 60 angreift. Dadurch kann das vordere Etikett druckfrei auf den Etikettenhalter 36 angesaugt werden, ohne daß es an die Anlagekanten 62, 64 angedrückt würde, wodurch der Übergabevorgang entscheidend erleichtert wird.

The transfer shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in detail device works as follows:

• In the normal state, the brake pin 78 is not actuated, that is to say that the pressure plate 66 is not braked by the piston-cylinder unit 68, which acts as a braking device, with respect to its advance in the direction of the label holder 36. In this state, the pressure plate 66 presses the labels against the contact edges 62, 64 under weight. If the label holder 36 now moves, pneumatically controlled, to the right from the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, namely in contact with the label stack 40, it presses this while simultaneously slightly shifting the pressure plate 66 to the rear right. In this position the label closest to the label holder 36 is now lifted off the contact edges 62, 64. Now the pressure plate 66 is locked in this position by extending the brake pin 78 and engaging broadly on the running surface 80 of the guide trough 60. As a result, the front label can be sucked onto the label holder 36 without pressure, without being pressed against the contact edges 62, 64, as a result of which the transfer process is decisively facilitated.

The arrangement of the individual weights 72, 74 and 76 shown in FIG. 8 ensures, moreover, that with increasing advancement of the printing plate 66, that is to say decreasing height or length of the label stack 40, there is an ever greater relief of the printing gap 66, so that the Labels of the label stack 40 are pressed against the front contact edges 62, 64 only with the absolutely necessary pressure.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 9, printing stations 31 are arranged on both sides of the transport path 14 in addition to the transport path 14 for the compact cassettes 12. The printing stations 31 are used for printing labels 22 which are applied to the cassettes 12 and which, for example, may be completely white or may already have an underlying color. The printing stations 31 essentially each have a printing roller 33 which is arranged vertically, that is to say has a vertically directed axis 35. The respective printing roller 33 is provided with ink by an inking unit 37, the inking unit 37 as such being of a type which is known per se and is therefore only indicated symbolically in the drawing.

If a cassette 12 provided with a label 22 now reaches the printing station 31 with its front end, the printing rollers 33 are pressed against the cassette 12 on both sides and roll on the labels 22 on the cassette 12 when the cassette 12 passes through the printing station 31 and thus print the labels with a designated print image. After the cartridges 12 have passed through the printing station 31, the printing rollers 33 are taken back from the transport path 14 for the cartridges 12 and set in their starting position suitable for the start of the next printing process on the next cartridge 12. In this way, by means of the device according to the invention, labels 22 located on the cassettes 12 can be printed directly afterwards in order to apply the labels 22 to the cassettes 12 in a continuous operation.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawing and in the claims can be essential both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims (41)

1.Device for labeling flat objects, such as compact cassettes, video cassettes or the like, with labels arranged in a storage stack for transfer to label holders, the label holders having suction bores which can be subjected to negative pressure for taking over the labels and having depressions in the objects and openings and borders of the labels corresponding to the bevelled protrusions, and with a device for making the labels adhesive, characterized in that the label holders (36) are arranged on at least one step-wise rotating rotary head (38) in a radially movable manner and from there to stationary function stations, namely a transfer station ( 39), in each of which a label is taken over by one of the label holders, an application station (42) in which the label is made liable, and an application station (20) for applying the labels (22) to the objects (12) are; that a conveyor chain (16) running past the rotary head (38) is provided with cams (18) pushing the objects (12); and that the application station (20) is provided with a lifting platform lifting the objects (12) from the continuous transport chain (16) over the height of the cams (18). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the application station (20) on both sides of the transport chain (16) the same, mirror-image, synchronously working rotary heads (38, 58) with corresponding peripheral stations (39, 42, 20) are arranged. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the application station (42) has a horizontal, for applying a connector liquid to the labels (22) about its vertically movable axis rotatable, provided with connector liquid application roller (46). 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the applicator roller (46) is covered with fabric. 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the applicator roller (46) is spanned with a stocking. 6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the applicator roller (46) is provided with a clamping device (50) extending over its length, in which a rectangular piece of fabric is clamped on both sides. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the applicator roller (46) is reversibly rollable such that the clamping device (50) is kept away from the label surface. 8. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the applicator roller (46) rolls in a connector liquid bath (48) located below it and vertically movable with its axis; and that the vertical distance (d) of the axis of the applicator roller (46) to the lower edge of the label (22) located in a label holder (36) is at least 30 now. 9. Device according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that a stripping roller (54) is arranged in contact with the application roller (46). 10. Device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the applicator roller (46) is slightly convex. 11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the application station (42), in which the labels (22) are made liable, one opposite the label holder (36), substantially vertically arranged, provided with a dampening cloth (1O6) Has a humidification plate (86), in the end surface of which faces the moistening cloth near the top edge of the plate, a plurality of moistening channels (90) which can be acted upon by a pump (96) from a central reservoir (98) metered with the bonding agent that makes the label sticky; and that a collecting trough (100) for receiving excess connector liquid is arranged below the moistening plate (86) and is connected to the pump (96) via a return line (102). 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that a filter (104) is switched on between the collecting trough (100) and the pump (96). 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the humidification plate (86) is floating. 14. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the moistening cloth (106) is clamped near the vertical longitudinal edges of the moistening plate (86). 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the moistening cloth (106) near a vertical longitudinal edge of the moistening plate (86) firmly clamped and near the opposite longitudinal edge with a tensioning device (108, 110) is connected. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the clamping device (108, 110) has at least one permanently spring-loaded (110) lever (108). 17. Vorricntung according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the moistening cloth (106) is immersed in the connector liquid in the collecting trough (100). 18. Device according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the humidification channels (90) open in a horizontal row in the end face of the humidification plate (86). 19. Device according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the moistening plate (86) is designed to be displaceable in the direction of the label holder (36). 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the humidification plate (86) is pneumatically movable. 21. The apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the collecting trough (100) extends below the entire displacement range of the moistening plate (86). 22. Device according to one of the preceding claims, there characterized in that elastic pressure rollers (26) are arranged in the transport path (14) of the objects (12) downstream of the rotary head (38) or the rotary heads (38, 58). 23. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a photocell (56) is provided on the path of the labels (22) located in the ecikette holders (36), which is provided with a in the transport path (14) of the objects provided with labels ( 12) insertable ejection roller (34) is connected in order to press a corresponding object (12) laterally out of the transport path (14) on a signal caused by the photocell (56) after a predetermined delay time by introducing the ejection roller (34). 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that the photocell (56) is connected together with an actuating device for the applicator roller (46) or the moistening plate (86), that the applicator roller (46) or the moistening plate (86) the absence of a label in the corresponding label holder (36) cannot be actuated. 25. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the projections (44) of the label holder (36) passing through openings of the labels are vertically movable to the label receiving surface of the label holder (36). 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the projections (44) are acted upon elastically. 27. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a in the transfer station (39) in Guide channel (60) arranged essentially horizontally and radially to the rotary head (38, 58) for receiving the supply stack (40) of essentially vertically arranged labels (22), the cross-section of which essentially corresponds to that of the labels and which on the label holder (36) or the front end facing the rotary head (38, 58) has at least two opposing contact edges (62, 64) for holding the supply stack; a pressure plate (66) which is arranged in a longitudinally slidable manner in the guide trough (60) and presses the labels in the direction of the contact edges; and a braking device (68, 78) for relieving pressure on the printing plate (66) and thus the label supply stack (40) after the label holder (36) has been brought up during the label transfer from the supply stack (40) to the label holder (36). 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the pressure plate (66) in the direction of the label holder (36) is weight-loaded (72, 74, 76). 29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the printing plate (66) over a number of individual weights (72, 74, 76) is loaded, which with increasing feed of the printing plate and thus decreasing height or length of the label supply stack (40th ) can be supported one after the other. 30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that the individual weights (72, 74, 76) have different diameters, are loosely lined up on a cord connected to the pressure plate (66) via at least one deflecting roller (70) and with increasing advance of the pressure plate successively come to rest on the peripheral edges of concentric pipe sections (92, 94) of different heights. 31. Device according to one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that the braking device for the pressure plate (66) has a pressure bar spanning the entire feed path of the pressure plate and a fixed piston-cylinder unit which the pressure plate over the pressure bar during the label transfer presses against the tread (80) of the guide trough (60). 32. Device according to one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that the braking device for the pressure plate (66) has a firmly connected to the pressure plate, with this displaceable piston-cylinder unit (68) which, when actuated, a brake pin (78 ) presses against the pressure plate tread (80). 33. Apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the piston-cylinder unit (68) can be actuated pneumatically. 34. Device according to one of claims 27 to 33 and claim 2 and one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the one rotary head (58) when determining the absence of a label (22) on the corresponding label holder of the other rotary head (38) that does not release the corresponding label in the application station (20), but holds it in place during a further circulation until a corresponding label is also present on the other rotary head. 35. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the transport chain (16) at least one printing station (31) is provided. 36. Device according to claim 35, characterized in that a printing station (31) is arranged opposite each other on both sides of the transport surface (16). 37. Apparatus according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that each printing station (31) has a vertical printing roller (33) with a vertical axis of rotation (35). 38. Apparatus according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that at the or the printing station (s) (31) a lifting platform for lifting the objects from the continuously moving transport chain (16) is arranged. 39. Apparatus according to claim 38, characterized in that each printing station (31) has a horizontally arranged printing roller (33). 40. Apparatus according to claim 38, characterized in that each printing station (31) has a flat printing plate. 41. Device according to one of claims 35 to 40, characterized in that for printing different colors on the on the objects or cassettes (12) located labels (22) a plurality of printing stations (31) along the transport chain (16) are arranged one behind the other.

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