WO1993008081A1

WO1993008081A1 - Device for applying a plurality of labels

Info

Publication number: WO1993008081A1
Application number: PCT/EP1992/002366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Weinundbrot
Original assignee: Bizerba-Werke Wilhelm Kraut Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 1991-10-24
Filing date: 1992-10-14
Publication date: 1993-04-29
Also published as: DE4135106A1; JPH07503216A; EP0608296A1; ES2082512T3; DE4135106C2; DK0608296T3; DE59205126D1; FI941885A0; FI941885A; GR3018894T3; ATE133125T1; EP0608296B1

Abstract

A device for applying a plurality of labels on a parcel (6) or the like advanced by a conveyor has at least two separate labelling appliances (2, 3) for automatically applying one label each on the parcel or the like, means for setting the desired positions of the labels on the parcel or the like and if necessary means for storing the desired positions of the labels on the parcel or the like. Each labelling appliance has a rotary, flexible labelling arm (15) and is mounted on a suspension and adjusting device (11, 12) so as to swivel around a vertical swivelling axis (13).

Description

Device for applying multiple labels

The invention relates to a device for applying a plurality of labels to an advanced package or the like with at least two separate labeling apparatuses for automatically applying a label in each case to the package or the like, with means for setting desired label positions on the package or the like and optionally with means for storing the desired label positions on the package or the like.

Devices of this type are required above all for the labeling of individual packs, for example food packs in self-service shops, if the information conveyed by the label labeling. to be distributed on several individual labels for optical or spatial reasons, or if e.g. B. labels for individual packs and sum labels for an overall packaging enveloping these individual packs ("containers") from a labeling device without loss of time are required, or if certain quantities ("batches") of packs or the like are sequentially labeled with labels which are pre-printed with different contents or colors should be. In the latter case, in order to save a time-consuming change of label rolls per batch, a switch is made to a different labeling apparatus. The following types of labels are usually applied to packages or the like:

- Data labels with price, weight, expiry date, article name, ingredients, EAN barcode, company name or the like;

so-called "promotional labels" with advertising information that are highlighted in terms of color or label shape;

Special price labels for special offers;

Decorative labels that are characterized by colored illustrations and artistic label design;

- separate barcode labels for EAN / UPC- u. a. Codes;

Ingredient or ingredient labels;

- Recipe labels with preparation suggestions;

Sum labels for partial sums (batches, boxes) and pallet sums (several partial sums).

There are also mixed label forms in which one or more of the above embodiments are summarized. The required data, images and the like can be pre-printed on the label or printed on the package immediately before the label is applied. Multiple labeling devices are known by means of which several labels can be attached to a package or the like, for example EP 0 335 209 and EP 0 276 869.

A labeling apparatus with a rotating, flexible label arm is known from EP 0 114 622.

The known multiple labeling devices have the disadvantage that labeling can only take place from above onto the upper surface of the package.

In the known multiple labeling devices, one could label a second packaging area with additional, different labeling apparatuses, but a free choice of the five normally available areas of a cuboid packaging is not possible.

It is the object of the invention to provide one or more labels not only on the upper surface of the device with a single, universally usable multi-label device which can be assembled from the smallest possible number of modules of the same type according to the modular principle Pack, but optionally also on one or more of their side surfaces, the labels should advantageously be applied so that they can be read from a freely selectable viewing direction.

The object is achieved in that everyone Labeling apparatus is equipped with a rotating, flexible label arm and is mounted on a suspension and adjustment device so as to be pivotable about a vertical pivot axis, this pivot axis preferably at the time of its application to the package essentially in the center and essentially in the lower direction can penetrate right to the level of the label.

The advantages that can be achieved by the invention are, in particular, that several labels per pack can either be applied to one of, for example, five different packing areas, the labels being readable from a single, selectable viewing direction, or one or several labels can be applied to several different surfaces of the pack.

Another advantage lies in the quick, simple handling of the complete device, especially in the case of motorized coordinate setting in the course of a change from one type of pack to another. When using an appropriate memory, only a new article number needs to be entered.

There are also advantages in labeling with only one label per pack, but the labels z. B. can be pre-printed in terms of content or color differently per batch. When changing articles, a time-consuming interruption of the labeling process due to changing label rolls can be omitted if it is possible to switch from one labeling device to another. Are there more different types of pre-printed labels to process than labeling machines? rate are available, the necessary label roll change can be carried out without interrupting the pack advance during the automatic labeling of a batch.

A further advantage arises when labels are applied to a side surface of the pack and a plurality of labeling lines or labeling lines are arranged next to one another, since when labeling on the side, the labeling apparatus is not, as is customary, tilted 90 ° out of the vertical and must be placed in the area of movement of an operator. Therefore, the labeling lines can be arranged very close to each other and save space.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves in conjunction with the accompanying drawing for further explanation. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a multiple labeling device with two rotating labeling apparatus in front view;

Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in plan view;

Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 1 with a representation of the timing;

Figure 4 shows a rotating labeler for labeling the top surface of a package; FIG. 5 shows the apparatus from FIG. 4 when labeling one of four side surfaces of a cuboid pack;

FIG. 6 shows a suspension and adjustment device for a labeling apparatus;

7a-d different labeling positions with corresponding possibilities for placing labels on packages;

FIG. 8 shows a label web consisting of several labels with normal printing and with printing rotated by 90 °, 180 ° or 270 °;

FIG. 9 shows a pack with a description of the packable areas to be provided with labels;

FIG. 10 shows a labeling line with two parallel multiple labeling devices in plan view similar to FIG. 2;

Figure 11 is a plan view of a pack with three different labels, namely data, special price and jewelry labels;

12 shows a front view of a modified embodiment of a multiple labeling device;

FIG. 13 shows a side view of the device from FIG. 12; Figure 14 is a plan view of the device of Figures 12 and

FIG. 15 examples of label placements in the embodiment according to FIGS. 12-14.

Figures 1 to 3 show a device 1 for applying several labels to an advanced package or the like. The device 1 comprises two labeling devices 2, 3 and a transport device 4 for feeding the packs to be labeled. The device 1 is normally integrated in a complete packaging line or packaging line. The packs 6 delivered from a packaging machine (not shown) in the feed direction T to a feed conveyor belt 5 are successively advanced in a continuous pass by means of known, driven and light barrier-controlled conveyor belts, specifically via a separating belt 7 Weighing belt 8 and a labeling belt 9, up to an outlet 10.

As a variant to such a continuous run, a start / stop operation is also possible.

The labeling apparatus 2, 3 are firmly connected to the package transport device 4 by means of suspension and adjustment devices 11, 12. Each labeling apparatus 1, 2 is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis 13 and adjustable in any angular position. The labeling apparatuses 1, 2 can preferably be locked in the event of pivoting by 90 °, 180 ° and 270 ° with the aid of a latch (not shown). The pivot axis 13 is at the moment the application of a self-adhesive label 14 to the package 6 essentially in the center of this label, ie the pivot axis 13 of the labeling apparatus 2, 3 penetrates the label 14 essentially in the middle thereof and essentially perpendicular to the plane of this label. In this way, by appropriate rotation of the labeling apparatus, the label 17 can be arranged so that it is readable, in particular with reference to a certain viewing angle.

The self-adhesive labels 14 are applied to each labeling apparatus 2, 3 with the aid of a rotating and flexible labeling arm 15 (FIGS. 2 and 3). By pivoting the labeling apparatus 2, 3, the position of the label 14 applied by the labeling arm 15 to the pack 6 is rotated by the same angle.

The horizontal position of the label 14 on the top of the pack 6 is determined by two different setting options:

The position transverse to the feed direction T can be changed in the direction of the arrow H (FIG. 6) by moving the labeling apparatus 1, 2 in telescopic or slide guides 16, 17, or also by correspondingly moving and locking the packs 6 Guide rails 18, 19 (FIG. 2) transverse to the feed direction T.

The position of the package 6 in the feed direction T with respect to the location of the label application is controlled by an adjustable (not shown) electrical timer which applies the application of the label 14 to the package 6 during the passage under the labeling apparatuses 2, 3 delayed by an adjustable time ta, tb, ... (Figure 3).

The time at which the label 14 is applied to the package 6 results from the addition of the times tED = label printing time, ta or tb = variable start delay of the labeling apparatus 1, 2 and tEU = labeling apparatus circulation time until the label 14 is applied on the pack 6. The passage of time is triggered when the pack leading edge passes through a light barrier 38 with a reflector 39 (FIG. 3).

The mode of operation of the labeling apparatus 1, 2 is briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5:

From a label supply roll 20, a label web 21 with labels 14 glued onto a carrier strip is transported by a printer 22 and thereby printed. The label web 21 is deflected sharply via a pull-off edge 23 and a self-adhesive label 14 is detached from the carrier strip 24 and dispensed into a transfer station 25. The rotating, flexible labeling arm 15, which is equipped at its free end with a suction head 26 which can be temporarily pressurized, removes the label from the transfer station 25 with this suction head and hits it on the package during its rotation in the direction P. Because of its flexibility, the labeling arm 15 can then return past the package 6 to its starting position at the transfer station 25.

The labels 14 can be completely or partially pre-printed and / or printed by the printer 22. Are only completely pre-printed in a labeling apparatus 1 or 2 If labels are used, the printer 2 can be omitted.

In addition to the horizontal adjustability in the direction H of a labeling apparatus 2, FIG. 6 also shows a vertical adjustability in the direction V. This adjustment in the direction V is necessary to achieve that either the surface or one or more of the side surfaces of the pack advertising labeled 6 ^'the. Furthermore, the adjustment in direction V serves to adapt to different pack heights h.

Depending on the vertical and horizontal positioning and pivoting about the pivot axis 13 of the labeling apparatus 2 relative to the pack 6, the labeling arm 15 opens the label onto the upper pack surface (FIG. 4) or one of the four side surfaces of the pack (FIG. 5).

The vertical movement in direction V preferably takes place by means of a motor with the aid of a drive motor 27 and threaded spindle 28, the desired position coordinates being stored in an electronic memory (not shown). The upper part 29 of the hanging and adjusting device 11 is moved vertically with the labeling apparatus 2 attached to it, at the same time guided vertically and secured against rotation, namely by a lower part 30 which is fixed to the frame 31 of the package transport device 4.

FIGS. 7a-7d show some examples of how labels 14 can be applied to the five different packaging surfaces of a rectangular package depending on the position of the labeling apparatus 2, 3 relative to the pivot axis 13. FIGS. 7a-7d each show, by way of example, different positions of the labeling apparatus 2, 3 according to FIG. 2 in the left column. In the right column of FIGS. 7a-7d, the associated positions of the labels 14 on the packs 6 are shown shown.

A marking "E" on the labels in FIG. 7 serves as a symbol for representing the position of the text on the label 14 if the printing or pre-printing is arranged as in the example of the label 32 in FIG. 8.

In order to achieve the readability of all labels from a selectable viewing direction when two or more labels 14 are applied to a pack surface, the labeling apparatuses 2, 3 can be rotated about the pivot axis 13. As a variant of this and to expand the flexibility in label design, provision is also made, alternatively, to rotate the imprint on the label by 90 °, 180 ° or 270 ° instead of rotating the labeling apparatus around axis 13 (cf. FIG. 8 , Labels 33, 34 and 35).

In the version with motorized adjustment (horizontal, vertical, rotation about pivot axis 13) of the labeling apparatus 2, 3 and storage of the label positioning data in a memory, the mode of operation is as follows:

The article master data to be printed, such as article name, price, expiry date, etc., as well as label format and print field division, are stored in the central memory (not shown) of a control unit for each article or batch.

In addition, z. B. the following coordinate data saved for labeling devices 1, 2 per article:

- Start delay ta, tb, ... for the label position in the package feed direction t;

- Coordinates of the slide guides 16, 17 for the label position transversely to the feed direction, that is to say in the direction H (FIG. 6);

- Coordinates of the upper part 29 for adaptation to the package height h;

- to 'tagging package surface _(s). Fl, F2, F3, F4, F5 (Figure 9) and

- Position of the label impression: rotated by 0 °, 90 °, 180 ° or 270 ° (Figure 8).

At the beginning of the labeling of a new batch or conversion from one article to another, the article number is entered via a keyboard 36 of an operating and display unit 37. This activates the associated saved master data and automatically sets the coordinates. The device 1 is thus converted and ready for operation.

If several multiple labeling devices 1 as components of so-called "packaging lines" are arranged parallel to one another (FIG. 10), and if labels are to be placed on one of the four side surfaces of a packaging at the same time, there is the advantage that the packaging lines are very narrow and thus space-saving side by side which can be set up because the labeling devices 2, 3 do not have to be tilted from the vertical into the horizontal and thus into the range of movement of an operator, as is customary in known devices (cf. FIG. 10, double arrow Y).

In the device 1 according to the invention, more than two labeling devices 2, 3 can also be provided, namely as many labeling devices as the maximum number of labels that must be applied per pack, cf. for example, FIG. 11 and the list of the various label types given at the beginning. The feed distance of the label tape 9 is extended accordingly.

A space-saving, less complex embodiment of the invention compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. This embodiment is advantageous in the case of reduced demands on the label placement options, in particular when, for example, according to FIG. 15, a maximum of only two different labels 14 are to be applied to one of a maximum of two packaging surfaces.

The package transport device 40 shown in the last-mentioned figures has a shortened label animal belt 41. In addition, only one suspension adjusting device 42 is required, on which a double label unit 43, consisting of the firmly connected label animal devices 2, 3, is hung.

The pivoting of the double labeling unit 43 by 90 °, 180 ° or 270 ° is only useful if only one label must be applied per pack by means of the labeling apparatus 3. To change the label supply roll in the labeling apparatus 3, the labeling apparatus 2 is released from the apparatus 3 after unlocking a locking pawl (not shown) and swiveled away about 90 ° about the hinge axis 44.

The labeling apparatuses 2, 3 described so far are apparatuses with a rotating, flexible swivel arm 15, with the aid of which the labels 14 are applied to the packages 6 or the like. Instead of these labeling devices can ^"be used known to other apparatuses, ten with the aid Etiket¬, in particular self-adhesive labels can be inflated to the desired locations of the pack. Also, there can on the blowing principle based Labeling apparatus with the described, having a rotating labeling arm 15 Apparatus 2, 3 can be combined.

As explained in the foregoing, it is expedient to use an electronic memory in which the desired setting data are stored if the setting of the labeling apparatuses 2, 3 is carried out by a motor. In simpler embodiments, the labeling devices can also be set manually and pivoted about the axis 13. In this case, the memory is not required.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Apparatus for applying a plurality of labels to an advanced package or the like with at least two separate labeling apparatuses for automatically applying a label to the package or the like in each case, with means for setting desired label positions on the package or the like and optionally with Means for storing the desired label positions on the package or the like, characterized in that each labeling apparatus (2, 3) is equipped with a rotating, flexible labeling arm (15) and on a suspension and adjusting device (11, 12, 42 ) is pivotally mounted about a vertical pivot axis (13).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical pivot axis (13) of the labeling apparatus (2, 3) the label (14) at the time of its application to the package (6) substantially in the middle and substantially perpendicular penetrates to the level of the label.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the labeling apparatus (2, 3) are each pivoted by 90 °, 180 ° and 270 °.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the labeling apparatus (2, 3) each on a common suspension and adjusting device (11, 12) are arranged and are each pivotably mounted about the vertical pivot axis (13).

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the labeling apparatus (2, 3) in the feed direction (T) of the package (6) or the like are arranged one behind the other.

6. Device riach claim 1, characterized in that the labeling apparatus (2, 3, 43) in the feed direction (T) of the package (6) or the like are arranged next to each other.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the labeling apparatus (2, 3, 43) on their respective suspension and adjustment devices (11, 12) are height-adjustable.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the labeling apparatus (2, 3, 43) are horizontally adjustable transversely to the feed direction (T).

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, 7 and 8, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the pivoting of the labeling apparatus (2, 3) about the pivot axis (13) and the adjustment in the vertical and horizontal directions is motorized.

10. Multiple labeling device according to claim 1 to 4 and 7 to 9, characterized in that the Zeit¬ point of label application to the pack (6) or the like during the passage of the pack is adjustable and storable under the labeling device (2, 3).

11. The device according to claim 1 to 4 and 7 to 9, characterized in that the pivoting of the labeling apparatus (2, 3) about the pivot axis (13) and their adjustment in the vertical and horizontal direction is motorized and when changing the pack to be labeled ( 6) or the like, the positions of the labeling apparatus (2, 3, 43) stored in the memory can be automatically reset with the call of a new packaged article or a new batch and can be displayed on a display device (37).

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the labeling apparatus (2, 3, 43) can be brought into a desired position in such a way that the different surfaces (Fl, F2, F3, F4, F5) of the pack- kung (6) applied labels (17) are legible from a certain direction.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the content of the labels (14, 32, 33, 34, 35) according to the information stored in a memory optionally by certain angles, preferably by 90 °, 180 °, 270 ° , rotated is printable.