Device for application of labels to containers

• US 20050045263A1
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heuft Systemtechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Heuft Systemtechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Goller, Hans-Ulrich, Heuft, Bernhard
• Application Number:
  US10/489,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20050045263A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/64
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/06 Devices for presenting articles in predetermined attitude or position at labelling station
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/067 for orienting articles having irregularities, e.g. holes, spots or markings, e.g. labels or imprints, the irregularities or markings being detected
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/40 Controls; Safety devices

Abstract

The apparatus serves to apply a label to a container through the use of an electrooptical device that senses the orientation of the container and sends the signal to a control device that directs the rotation of the containers to a target orientation that allows the label to be applied at a predetermined position on the container. A method for applying a label to a container is also disclosed.

Claims

1-4. -4. (Canceled)

5. An apparatus for applying a label to a container, the apparatus comprised of:

an electrooptical device that is capable of producing a signal which identifies the orientation of the container;

a device for applying the label to the container;

a control device for receiving the signal from the electrooptical device, comparing the orientation of the container to a target orientation and transmitting the relationship of the orientation of the container to the target orientation to a container-orienting device; and

a container-orienting device capable of receiving the identified orientation of the container from the control device and realigning the orientation of the container to a target orientation prior to the application of the label.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the container-orienting device is integrated into an inlet star which is arranged in front of the device for applying the labels.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the container-orienting device is arranged at one of a position in front of the inlet star and inside the inlet star.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the container-orienting device is formed by a number of turntables which are arranged on the periphery of a revolving platform which moves the containers past a labeling device, each turntable being provided with a rotation-drive device which is controlled by the control device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the container has a closure that has a surface with an inscription; and

the electrooptical device uses the inscription on the closure to identify the orientation of the container.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the container has a longitudinal axis and the control device rotates the container about its longitudinal axis into the target position.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

the electrooptical device records the orientation of the container; and

the control device receives the recorded orientation of the container from the electrooptical device.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

the device for rotating the container is formed by a plurality of turntables that are arranged on a periphery of a revolving platform that moves the container past a labeling device; and

each of the plurality of turntables is provided with a rotation-drive device that is controlled by the control device.

13. An apparatus for applying a label to a container having a longitudinal axis and a closure having a surface with an inscription directed normally relative to the longitudinal axis., the apparatus comprising:

an electrooptical device for recording the orientation of the containers, said device producing a signal that reproduces the orientation of the container, the orientation of the container being recorded by means of the electrooptical device using the inscription of the closure;

a control device for relating the signal of the electooptical device to a target orientation of the container;

a device for rotating the container about its longitudinal axis into the target orientation, the device for rotating the container being controlled by the control device; and

a device for applying the label after the container has been rotated into the target orientation.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the device for rotating the container is integrated into an inlet star which is arranged in front of the device for applying the label.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the device for recording the orientation of the container is arranged in one of a position in front of the inlet star and inside the inlet star.

16. A method for applying a label to a container, the method comprised of the steps of:

producing a signal that identifies an orientation of the container;

comparing the orientation of the container to a target orientation;

generating a signal indicating the relationship of the orientation of the container to the target orientation;

realigning the container to the target orientation; and

applying the label to the container after the container has been realigned to the target orientation.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein an electrooptical device produces the signal identifying the orientation of the container.